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Christmas

Santa's Sack Relay

Also called Santa Dress-Up Relay, Gift Delivery Relay

Each runner pulls on a Santa costume, carries the sack to the chimney, delivers one gift and hands the outfit to the next teammate.

people
10–60
time
12 min
energy
High
materials
Cheap to buy
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need5
How to play4

Before you start

Mark a start line and place each team's chimney 8–10 metres away. Load each sack with one gift per runner.

  1. 1First runner puts on hat, jacket and belt, grabs the sack and runs to the chimney.
  2. 2They drop one gift into the chimney and run back with the sack.
  3. 3The full costume comes off and goes onto the next runner before they may leave.
  4. 4First team with every gift in its chimney and its last Santa back over the line wins.
What to say3
  1. 1“Santas, suit up! Hat, jacket, belt — then go!”
  2. 2“Not so fast — that belt isn't buckled! Back you go!”
  3. 3“Last gift in the chimney… team two wins Christmas!”
Host tips3
  • The costume change is the game, not the running. Use a jacket two sizes too big so it goes on fast but looks ridiculous; a tight jacket stalls a whole team.
  • Station a judge at each change zone — teams will start the next runner with the belt in their hand.
  • Even out teams by mixing fast and slow runners, or the same team wins every heat and the others give up.
Variants2

  • Reindeer pairs

    Runners go in pairs, one as Santa and one as reindeer with antlers; both must cross together.

  • Wrap on arrival

    Unwrapped boxes and a strip of paper at the chimney; each runner must wrap their gift before dropping it in.

Safety3
  • A sack held low can tangle in feet — carry it over the shoulder.
  • Clear a run-off zone past the chimney so runners do not hit a wall.
  • Give seniors and pregnant guests the judge or chimney-keeper role.
Good for

Occasions

ChristmasSchoolTeam buildingFiesta

Venues

Indoor, largeOutdoorChurch hallOffice