“Life is more fun
if you play games.
– Roald Dahl
The end of the year reminds us of what truly matters: being together and having the space to create moments that connect us. And games are one of the simplest ways to do that.
When we play, we laugh. When we laugh, we relax. And when we relax, we create space for what really matters: connection, well-being, and the simple joy of being together.
At Consulting House, we know that games are much more than entertainment. They are tools for learning, presence, and relationships. They are moments where skills such as collaboration, creativity, strategy, or communication naturally emerge—without anyone having to “try to learn”.
This year, we posed a new question to our team:
Which game do you recommend for this festive season?
The result? A collection of 10 easy, light-hearted,
and fun games. Games to talk, laugh, imagine, build,
and create memories—transforming any dining room, office, or café into a space of sharing and joy.
And this is our gift to you. We wish you Happy Holidays and a New Year full of energy!
Which game do you recommend for this festive season?
1. PicturXmas – Christmas Charades
A perfect game to spark laughter and uncover hidden artistic talents—or confirm that they don’t exist! No one needs to know how to draw; the fun is in guessing the most unlikely Christmas scenes.
How to Play?
1. One player draws a card or chooses a Christmas-themed phrase to draw (no words or gestures—drawing only!). Meanwhile, the others try to guess as quickly as possible what is being represented.
2. Whoever guesses correctly earns a point and becomes the artist in the next round.
3. The goal is to combine creativity with the Christmas spirit. The more absurd the scenario, the more fun the game becomes!
Materials
– Paper or whiteboard
– Pens/pencils
– List of Christmas challenges (printable)
Players
2 to 12 players | All ages
Family, teams, children.
Variation Tips:
– Set a 30-second time limit per drawing (good stress = guaranteed laughs).Play in pairs: one person draws and the other may ask only one question.
– Chaotic mode: before starting, the artist spins around three times. Good luck with balance and line control.
– Shadow mode: the artist draws using only one continuous line, without lifting the pencil from the paper.
2. True Stories
A game that turns real memories into fun and emotional stories. All it takes is a drawn symbol to awaken memories that prove the old German saying true: Shared joy is doubled joy!
How to Play
1. Moving clockwise, each player rolls a die with images. Each image corresponds to a theme for reflection or memory.
2. Each person tells a story related to the theme they rolled.
3. The goal is to relive meaningful memories and joyful moments.
Materials
– 1 image dice (can be a Story Cube, handmade, or printable)
– List of themes associated with each image
Players
2 to 10 players | Ages 8+
Ideal for family, friends, or team settings.
Variation Tips:
To make the game more dynamic, set a time limit (e.g. 1 minute) to respond, or add a rule where another player may ask one extra question to deepen the story.
3. Unlikely Questions for Extraordinary Families
Create moments of connection, humour, and reflection with family or friends through questions that spark authentic conversations, memories, sharing, and laughter.
How to Play
1. Place all questions (on small slips of paper or cards) inside a jar or box.
2. Players sit in a circle. In turns, each person draws a card and answers the question or completes the challenge.
3. After answering, choose one option:
– Place the card back in the middle of the deck and pass the turn to the next person.
– Pass the question to another player to hear a different perspective
4. The game continues until the questions run out or the group decides to stop.
There are no right or wrong answers. The focus is connection, humour, and shared stories.
Materials
– Slips of paper or cards with questions/challenges (examples in the printable)
– 1 jar, box, bag, or decorated container
– Coloured markers to distinguish the 6 dimensions (optional)
Players
2 to 20 players | Ages 3+ or 8+
(depending on the questions created)
Variation Tips:
Choose the Respondent Mode: the person who reads the question chooses who must answer.
4. Building Christmas with LEGO
A creative activity that turns Christmas memories and symbols into something tangible.
Each piece tells a story—and in the end, everyone contributes to a shared “village”.
How to Play
1. Gather all available LEGO pieces at home into one pile—big, small, colourful, mixed. Each participant announces what they will build: something with Christmas meaning (e.g. star, sleigh, reindeer, tree, or even a memory from a past Christmas) and explains why.
2. Everyone builds their piece and then shares the result with the group, telling the story behind their creation.
3. At the end, all pieces are displayed together, forming a Christmas “village” or “installation” that stays up for the rest of the season.
Materials
– LEGO bricks
– Imagination & patience (especially for parents with younger children)
Players
Whoever is present! Works with young children (with support) through to adults.
Ideal for families, Christmas Eve visits, and relaxed groups..
Variation Tips:
For older or more independent participants:
– Build in pairs and combine creations
– Create a collective story using all constructions
– Give the final set a title (“The Magical Village”, “Starry Christmas”, etc.)
This turns the activity into a moment of collective creativity and adds meaning to the tradition.
5. Christmas STOP!
Who says classics can’t be reinvented? This Christmas version of STOP combines speed, creativity, and lots of laughter when impossible—but totally valid—words appear.
How to Play
1. Each player chooses a letter of the alphabet. When someone says “Stop!”, everyone must quickly write words starting with that letter for Christmas-themed categories: Christmas Movie, Christmas Food, Gift, Place, Tradition, and Family Member.
2. When everyone finishes, compare answers: unique words score more points! The player with the highest total after several rounds wins.
Materials
– Paper and pen (or phone/tablet for a digital version)
– Printable table
Players
2 to 10 players | Ages 7+
Works great with families, children, and adults.
Variation Tips:
– Add challenge: set a 30-second time limit per round.
– Add laughter: include a surprise category chosen by each player (e.g. “Typical Christmas Disaster”, “Excuse to Avoid Washing Dishes”, “Christmas Sound”).
6. Pass the Present
Anticipation, laughter, and suspense make this game irresistible. Every time the music stops, there’s a surprise—and when all surprises come together, something special happens.
How to Play
1. Prepare a present wrapped in multiple layers of paper. In each layer, place a small object (or part of something needed to create something together).
2. Play Christmas music and pass the present around. When the music stops, whoever is holding it removes one layer and reveals the item.
3. When the final layer is removed, all items are combined to complete the final activity (cooking something, building something, decorating something, etc.).
Note: Someone who cannot see the group should be in charge of stopping the music. Make sure everyone receives at least one item.
Materials
– Small objects (divided between layers)
– Wrapping paper (multiple layers)
– Christmas music
Players
3 to 10 players | Children, teens, and adults.
Variation Tips:
For extra excitement, include a small challenge in each layer before revealing the item:
– “Share a Christmas memory”
– “Imitate the sound of a reindeer”
– “Name 3 Christmas songs”
7. Wheel of Memories
Turns moments from the year into simple, light, and surprising conversations. Just spin, let fate choose the question, and share. Get ready to rediscover laughter, achievements, lessons, and wishes.
How to Play
1. Each player, in turn, spins the wheel.
2. The player answers the question in the selected section.
3. The goal is to recall the best (and sometimes the most challenging) moments of the year, encouraging sharing, empathy, and great conversations—with guaranteed laughter.
.
Materials
– Printable Wheel of Memories
– Scissors
– 1 pin, split pin, clip, or spinning arrow (or even a pen spun at the center)
– Cardboard base (optional)
Players
2 to 20 players | All ages
Family, friends, or teams—perfect for dinners, gatherings, and work breaks.
Variation Tips:
– If someone lands on the same category twice, they choose another person to answer.
– End with a “collective moment”: everyone answers the same section chosen by the last player.
– Soft version for children: use only positive sections.
– Team version: each answer ends with a thank-you to someone in the group.
8. Remixed Christmas Tales
A Christmas story that starts simple and ends completely unexpected. The fun lies in improvisation and collective creativity.
How to Play
1. Players sit in a circle. The first player draws one slip from each of three bags (Character, Location, Object) and uses them to begin an original Christmas story.
2. After about 1 minute, the turn passes to the player on the left. They draw three new slips (one from each bag) and must continue the story coherently, integrating all new elements.
3. The game continues, with each player adding a segment and three surprise elements, making the story increasingly unpredictable and funny. The story ends by group consensus, after two full rounds, or when laughter takes over.
Materials
– Paper slips: Yellow – Characters | Blue – Locations | Green – Objects & Situations
– 3 bags, bowls, or hats
– Pen/marker
– Timer (optional but useful)
Players
3 to 12 players (ideal 4–8) | Ages 8+
Variation Tips:
– Film Genre Mode: draw an extra slip at the start defining the story style (e.g. Action Movie, Soap Opera, Boring Documentary). Everyone must stick to the tone.
– Dynamic Duo: players form pairs. Each pair has 2 minutes to prepare their segment using the six slips they draw (three each).
9. Who Am I? | Christmas Edition
A simple, fast, and hilarious game that turns any gathering into a laughter-filled moment. Each person gets a Christmas character… The mission? Figure out who you are!
How to Play
1. Each player receives (without looking!) a slip with a Christmas character, placed on their forehead or on a holder.
2. In turns, players ask yes/no questions to guess their identity (“Am I real?”, “Do I fly?”, “Do I have a beard?”).
3. The game continues until everyone discovers who they are.
4. The winner is the person who guesses with the fewest questions.
Materials
– Post-its, , cards, or printable characters
– Pen
Players
3 to 12 players | Ages 4+ (with help)
Perfect for families, friends, professional teams, Christmas dinners, or lively event breaks.
Variation Tips:
– Hard Mode: each character gets an unexpected extra trait (“Santa afraid of heights”, “Vegetarian reindeer”, “Retired elf”).
– Speed Mode: each player may ask only 10 questions.
– Story Mode: after guessing, the player creates a 30-second mini-story with their character.
10. Meaningful Memories
Bonus Team Game
We close this collection with something special. Inspired by the classic “Memory Game”, this activity transforms photographs into stories, reflections, and shared moments. Simple, emotional, and perfect for ending 2025 with meaning.
How to Play
1. Choose photos representing important, fun, or symbolic moments from the year and print each one twice in the same small format.
2. Shuffle all cards and place them face down in a grid.
3. On each turn, a player flips two cards:
– If they are different, turn them back over.
– If they match, the player keeps the pair and must share the story behind the photo—or ask another player to help tell it.
4. The player then takes another turn. The game ends when all pairs are found and all stories have been shared.
Materials
– Printed photo pairs
– Scissors
Players
2 or more players | All ages
Family, friends, or teams.
Variation Tips:
– Each matched pair may include a reflection question: “What did we learn from this moment?”; “What title would you give this photo?”; “Who was important here?”
– Team version: each pair requires thanking or recognising someone.
– Challenge version: set a 30-second time limit to recall the story.
Which game will you pick
for this festive season?
© 2025 Consulting House. All Rights Reserved. | Política de Privacidade | Política de Cookies.
