Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to spread some yuletide cheer than with a playful and festive celebration among high schoolers! The halls are decked, the cookies are baked, and it’s time to bring the holiday spirit to life. From the thrill of a gingerbread house decorating competition to the excitement of a Secret Santa gift exchange, these Christmas games are sure to bring laughter and joy to your holiday season.
So gather your merry friends and get ready to let your creativity and holiday cheer shine through in this celebration filled with festive activities! Whether you’re looking to win or simply have a good time, these games are the perfect way to make this holiday season unforgettable. So get ready to deck the halls, light the tree, and make some holiday memories!
Celebrating the holidays with a twist: High school edition Christmas games
Christmas is the time when children look forward to cakes, games, and a lot of fun. With the approaching winter vacation, the below-mentioned activities offer a great closing before the break.
1. Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Secret Santa is a fun way for high schoolers to exchange gifts during the holiday season. To organize a Secret Santa exchange, determine the number of participants and set a budget for gifts. Have each participant write their name on a slip of paper and put all the slips in a hat. Have each person draw a slip of paper to determine who they will be buying a gift for. Make sure to set a deadline for when the gifts should be exchanged, such as at the next school gathering or at a holiday party. Encourage everyone to keep the identity of their gift recipient a secret. On the day of the gift exchange, have each person take turns revealing their gift and guessing who their Secret Santa was.
So, join in on the holiday spirit by participating in a Secret Santa gift exchange. Draw names and bring a wrapped gift for the person you picked. On the day of the exchange, watch in excitement as the gifts are unwrapped and the giver is revealed in a heartwarming surprise.
2. Christmas Trivia
Christmas Trivia is a fun and interactive way for high schoolers to test their knowledge of holiday facts and traditions. To organize a Christmas Trivia event for high schoolers, create a list of trivia questions related to Christmas, such as historical events, popular traditions, and holiday-themed movies. Divide the participants into teams and have each team take turns answering questions. Keep score and award a prize to the team with the most points at the end of the game. To make the event more festive, play holiday music in the background and serve holiday snacks and drinks. You can also encourage participants to wear holiday-themed attire.
Be ready to test your Yuletide knowledge and compete against your peers with a fun-filled game of Christmas Trivia. From movies to songs, history, and traditions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
3. Christmas Carol Pictionary
Get into the musical spirit of the season with a thrilling game of Christmas Carol Pictionary. It is a fun and festive way for high schoolers to get into the holiday spirit while also testing their drawing and guessing skills. To organize a Christmas Carol Pictionary event, create a list of popular Christmas carols, such as “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Silent Night.” Divide the participants into teams and have one member of each team draw a Christmas carol while the rest of the team tries to guess what song is being drawn.
Keep score and award a prize to the team with the most points at the end of the game. To make the event more festive, play holiday music in the background and serve holiday snacks and drinks. Christmas Carol Pictionary is a great way for high schoolers to get into the holiday spirit and create a memorable experience. If the kids love some music, they can also engage in some music activities, and enjoy the true essence of Christmas with the sound of melodies.
4. Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt
Join in on the search for Santa’s mischievous helpers in an exciting scavenger hunt. Participants race to collect as many elves as they can and bring them back to the North Pole (i.e. the finish line). It is a fun and festive way for high schoolers to get into the holiday spirit and compete in a team challenge. To organize an Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt, hide small Elf on the Shelf dolls in different locations throughout the school or event space.
Divide the participants into teams and give them a list of clues to find the hidden Elf on the Shelf dolls. The first team to find all the Elf on the Shelf dolls and bring them to the designated finish line wins the game. You can also encourage participants to wear Christmas caps. Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt is a great way for high schoolers to create a good high school memory while also competing in a fun and interactive challenge.
5. Christmas Movie Charades
Get into the holiday movie mood and act out popular Christmas films in a festive game of Christmas Movie Charades. Your teammates have to guess what movie you’re portraying.
To organize a Christmas Movie Charades event, create a list of popular Christmas movies, such as “Elf,” “Home Alone,” and “A Christmas Carol.” Divide the participants into teams and have each team take turns acting out a Christmas movie without speaking while the other teams try to guess what movie is being acted out. Keep score and award a prize to the team with the most points at the end of the game.
6. Deck the Halls
Get into the holiday decorating spirit and compete to see who can deck the halls or classroom with the most creative and festive decorations. From tinsel to ornaments, let the decorating commence!
To organize a Deck the Halls event, divide the participants into teams and have each team decorate a section of the school or event space with holiday-themed decorations, such as tinsel, lights, and ornaments. The team with the most creative and festive decorations wins the competition. To make the event more interactive, have the participants sing holiday carols as they decorate their designated section. This creates a joyful and festive atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. To add a competitive element, you can also have the participants vote on their favorite decoration.
7. Wrap Battle
Show off your wrapping skills in a fast-paced and creative competition. Participants race to wrap a present with flair, and the gift with the most pizzazz wins.
To organize a Wrap Battle event, divide the participants into teams and have each team compete to see who can wrap a holiday gift the fastest and with the most creative and festive wrapping paper. The team with the most impressive wrapping job wins the competition. To add an extra challenge, you can also have the participants race to wrap a difficult-shaped item, such as a large vase. You can also have a prize for the winner, such as a holiday-themed gift or a gift card.
8. Cookie Decorating Competition
Unleash your creative side in a sweet and sugary cookie decorating competition. Who will create the most scrumptious and festive design?
To organize a cookie decorating contest, provide pre-baked sugar cookies and a variety of holiday-themed decorations, such as icing, sprinkles, and candies. Divide the participants into teams or have them compete individually, and give them a set amount of time to decorate their cookies. Have a panel of judges or have the participants vote on the most impressive cookie. You can also serve hot cocoa or cider to create a festive atmosphere.
Conclusion
The holiday season is a time for coming together, spreading joy, and making memories. These Christmas games for high schoolers are the perfect way to celebrate the season with friends and peers. Whether you’re participating in a Secret Santa gift exchange or competing in a gingerbread house decorating competition, these games are sure to bring a smile to your face and add some excitement to your holiday season. So gather your friends, get into the holiday spirit, and have some fun with these festive games.
Furthermore, kids can also enjoy some lunchtime activities in school during Christmas time to make it a memorable month for all.
Let the laughter, joy, and good times roll, and have a very Merry Christmas!
Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.
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