Christmas Scattergories: A Festive Family Tradition

Do you know what makes Christmas special? Those little moments when everyone gathers around the table, laughing and having fun together.

That’s exactly why Christmas Scattergories has become a favorite at my house.

It’s a word game in which players write down answers that match categories and start with the same letter—but with a Christmas twist!

What I love most about this game is how it fits right into those after-dinner moments when everyone sits at the table.

My family started playing it last year; now it’s part of our holiday routine.

Kids come up with funny answers, while adults think hard about unique ones.

It’s simple enough for the young ones to join in but keeps the grown-ups thinking,g too.

Things You Need To Prepare

Here’s what you’ll need to get your Christmas Scattergories game ready:

Basic Items:

• Print out category cards (2 per player)
• Answer sheets (2 per player)
• Timer or phone stopwatch
• Pens or pencils for everyone
• Small bowl or hat

Letter Selection Options:

• Cut out the letters from the instruction sheet or
• Get alphabet dice for quick letter picks
• Print extra sheets if you have more than four players

Expert Tip: Keep these items in a zip-lock bag or folder – you can use them year after year!

Rules of the Game

The rules are straightforward:

1. Pick a random letter from your bowl or roll the alphabet dice
2. Set your timer for 3 minutes (add extra time for younger players)
3. Write answers starting with the chosen letter for each category
4. When time’s up, read your answers out loud
5. Cross out any answers that match other players
6. Count your unique answers – each one gets you a point

Expert Tip: Let smaller children team up with older family members. This makes the game more fun for everyone and helps build confidence.

How to Play

Let me break down exactly how we make Christmas Scattergories come to life:

1. Starting the Game

• Put letter cards in a bowl
• Close your eyes and pick one
• Make sure everyone has their category cards and answer sheets
• Get your timer ready for 3 minutes

2. During Play

• Look at your first category (like “Christmas Songs”)
• Write answers that start with your chosen letter
• Skip hard ones and come back if you have time
• Keep writing until the timer stops

3. Scoring Time

• Take turns reading your answers
• Mark off matching answers between players
• Add up your points from unique answers
• The person with the most points wins

Expert Tip: When playing with lots of people (like 30 or more), split into small teams of 4-5 players. Set the timer for 5-6 minutes to give everyone time to share ideas.

Some Other Holiday Games You’d Love to Try

Let’s look at other fun games that bring the same joy as Scattergories during the winter season. These games work well for both small family get-togethers and big holiday parties.

1. Christmas Bingo

This isn’t your typical bingo game – it has a holiday twist! Here’s how it works:

1. Every player gets a blank bingo card
2. Fill in squares using words from the provided word bank
3. Each word should only be used once
4. Pictures help young kids join the fun
5. Call out words until someone gets four in a row

You can play until someone wins with a line or keep going for a full-card win.

The best part? Non-readers can play, too, thanks to the picture guides next to each word. Want to make it more exciting? Add small prizes for winners!

2. Creative Writing

Turn writing into a holiday activity with elf-themed stories! Start by finding your special elf name – mine turned out to be Cookie Angel-Pants. Then:

1. Color your elf character

2. Design their Christmas tree

3. Write about their North Pole life

4. Add details about:

• Their daily tasks
• Friends at the North Pole
• Favorite holiday snacks
• Special winter skills

Make it more fun by reading stories out loud and sharing laughs about each elf’s special skills.

3. ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas Poem Game

Here’s a gift-swap game that puts a fun spin on the classic Christmas poem. All you need is:

1. One wrapped gift per person
2. Everyone sits in a circle
3. Each person holds their starting gift
4. When you hear “RIGHT,” – pass the gift right
5. When you hear “LEFT,” – pass the gift left
6. Keep the gift you’re holding when the poem ends

What makes this extra special? Try using blank ceramic ornaments as gifts. After the game ends, each person gets to paint their ornament, add their name and the year, and hang it on the tree. It’s a memory maker!

4. Letter To Santa

Want to write the perfect letter to Santa? Here’s what to include:

1. Start with the date and “Dear Santa”
2. Tell Santa about your year
3. Say “please” and “thank you”
4. Pick one or two special wishes
5. Mention someone else who needs a gift
6. Promise cookies and milk
7. Add a drawing of Santa or his reindeer
8. End with “Love” and your name

Make your letter stand out by:

• Using red and green colors
• Adding small drawings
• Writing neatly
• Including a note about helping others

5. Christmas I Spy

This simple yet fun game needs no special equipment and keeps everyone looking with bright eyes. Set it up like this:

1. In Your Home:

• Place 8-holiday items around a room
• Make a list of what to find
• Set a time limit
• Give small prizes to winners

2. For Car Rides:

• Look for Christmas lights
• Count decorated trees
• Spot Santa figures
• Find red bows
• Look for candy canes

This game works great during the following:

• Long car trips
• Waiting for dinner
• Before opening gifts
• While making cookies

6. Word Search

Make word hunting more fun with holiday terms! Here’s what works best:

1. Print several copies so everyone can play

2. Include words like:

• Santa
• Reindeer
• Present
• Cookie
• Stocking
• Tree

Make it more fun by:

• Racing to finish first
• Working in teams
• Finding words in order
• Coloring found words

Conclusion

You know what makes me smile? Seeing my family put down their phones and pick up these games instead!

We try something new every year, but Christmas Scattergories stays our top pick.

These games do more than pass the time – they make memories.

Want to start your own holiday game night? Print these games, gather everyone around, and watch the magic happen. The laughter and fun make everything better.

Try them out and see which becomes your family’s favorite!

Want more ideas?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play the holiday stocking game?

Fill stockings with small gifts, hang them up, and players take turns picking numbers. Each number matches a stocking to open and keep.

Are scattergories good for your brain?

Scattergories help your brain by making you think quickly, building vocabulary, and being creative while you find unique words that match categories.