Christmas
Pass the Christmas Ball
Also called Pass the Ornament, Christmas Hot Potato, Pass the Ball
A Christmas ball goes around the circle while music plays; whoever holds it when the music stops draws a slip and does what it says.
- people
- 8–60
- time
- 10 min
- energy
- Medium
- materials
- Household items
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Before you start
Seat everyone in a circle or around tables in a loop. Fill the bowl with slips: a mix of easy tasks, Christmas questions and a few small prizes.
- 1The host plays music and the ball is passed hand to hand.
- 2When the music stops, the holder draws a slip.
- 3They do the task or answer the question; prize slips win straight away.
- 4Players who have had a turn pass the ball on immediately if it lands with them again.
What to say3
- 1“Keep it moving — nobody wants to be holding the ball!”
- 2“Music stops! Who's got it? Come on, draw your slip!”
- 3“Your task: say “Merry Christmas” in three languages. Go!”
Host tips3
- Write every slip yourself and keep them light. Tasks like singing a solo or dancing alone will stall on a shy guest; use “say Merry Christmas in another language”, “name three reindeer” or “give a compliment to the person on your left”.
- Turn your back to the circle when you stop the music. If people think you are aiming at someone, it stops being fun.
- The skip-if-already-had-a-turn rule matters. Without it, the same loud cousin gets the ball four times.
Variants2
Two balls
Send two balls in opposite directions for a big circle. Two people draw slips each stop.
Prize only
Every slip is a raffle number or small gift — a gentle option for seniors and young kids.
Safety2
- Never use glass ornaments — they get dropped.
- Tell players to pass, not throw.
Good for
Occasions
ChristmasSchoolReunionBirthday
Venues
Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall
If this one dies early5
- Pass the ParcelA gift wrapped in many layers is passed around a circle to music; whoever holds it when the music stops unwraps one layer.
- Hot PotatoPass a small object around a circle as fast as you can; whoever holds it when the music stops is out.
- Hula Hoop PassThe team holds hands in a circle and passes a hula hoop all the way around without letting go.
- Keep It UpA team must keep more balloons in the air than it has players for a whole minute.
- Left Right Christmas GameEveryone holds a wrapped gift while the host reads a story; at every “left” or “right”, gifts pass that way, and you keep what you hold at the end.