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Christmas

Christmas Carol Charades

Also called Carol Charades, Act Out the Carol

One player silently acts out a carol title while their team races to name it before the timer runs out.

people
8–50
time
15 min
energy
Medium
materials
Household items
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need2
How to play4

Before you start

Write carol titles on slips before the party, mixing international carols with local favourites the room actually sings. Split into 2–4 teams and agree the standard charades signals (words, syllables, “sounds like”) before the first turn.

  1. 1An actor from the first team draws a slip and has 60 seconds.
  2. 2No talking, mouthing, humming or pointing at objects that spell the answer.
  3. 3The actor's team shouts guesses; a correct title scores one point.
  4. 4Teams alternate actors until everyone has had a turn. Most points wins.
Cards for this game30

Edit them now. Host mode deals them one at a time, big enough for the room.

30 cards
  • Santa Claus
  • Reindeer
  • Decorating the tree
  • Wrapping a gift
  • Building a snowman
  • Ice skating
  • Opening presents
  • Singing carols
  • Hanging a parol
  • Noche Buena
  • Mistletoe
  • An elf
  • Gingerbread man
  • Nutcracker
  • Hanging stockings
  • Rudolph
  • The Grinch
  • Snowball fight
  • Sleigh ride
  • Baking cookies
  • Simbang Gabi
  • Exchange gifts
  • Fireworks at midnight
  • Christmas lights
  • Home Alone
  • Jingle Bells
  • Sending Christmas cards
  • Shepherd
  • The three kings
  • A manger scene
What to say3
  1. 1“No words, no humming — just your body and your Christmas spirit!”
  2. 2“Sixty seconds on the clock… act!”
  3. 3“Yes! That was “Silent Night” — and it was silent, wasn't it?”
Host tips3
  • Read your title list against the room. A slip with a carol half the players have never heard just burns a minute. In the Philippines, include Jose Mari Chan and Tagalog carols; abroad, stick to the global standards.
  • Show the signals yourself in one quick demo before the first turn. Teams that do not know “sounds like” or “number of words” freeze and the game drags.
  • Let each actor pass once. A stuck actor standing in silence for 60 seconds is the moment the room picks up their phones.
Variants2

  • Steal

    If the acting team runs out of time, the other team gets one guess to steal the point.

  • Pairs

    Two actors per slip. Shy players will step up when they are not alone on stage.

Good for

Occasions

ChristmasTeam buildingSchoolReunion

Venues

Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall
If this one dies early2