Christmas is that magical time of year when the house smells like pine (or the candle you light to fake it), the kids are running on candy and hot cocoa, and you find yourself wondering, how do I keep everyone entertained without resorting to another round of charades? Well, let me introduce you to the timeless joy of Pass the Parcel, with a festive twist!

This classic party game is perfect for all ages, and the best part? You can make it as simple or extravagant as you like. Whether you're entertaining a group of toddlers, a mix of kids and teens, or even the adults (because yes, grown-ups love a good game too), I've got ideas and tips to keep the fun rolling, literally.

How to Play Christmas Pass the Parcel

In case you're new to this (or it's been a minute since you played it, here’s a quick refresher for your Christmas pass the parcel game:

What You Need:

• A main gift wrapped in several layers of wrapping paper.
• Small prizes or treats for each layer.
• A festive playlist (think Jingle Bell Rock and Frosty the Snowman).

How It Works:

1. Wrap a small gift in layers of wrapping paper, each layer should hide a little treat or surprise.
2. Sit the players in a circle and pass the parcel while Christmas music plays.
3. When the music stops, the person holding the parcel removes one layer of wrapping.
4. Repeat until the final gift is unwrapped!

Sounds simple, right? But here’s where the fun begins, customizing it for Christmas!

Adding a Fun Twist

Want to spice things up? Try these twists to keep the game exciting:

1. Trivia Stops

Instead of stopping the music randomly, pause it, and the person holding the parcel has to answer a Christmas trivia question to unwrap a layer. (Bonus points if you throw in a few funny ones, like “What does Rudolph do on his day off?”)

2. Pass the Parcel Challenges

Each layer comes with a silly challenge the player must complete before unwrapping. Some ideas:

• Sing your favorite Christmas carol (or just hum if they’re shy).
• Do a silly reindeer impression.
• Name three holiday movies in 10 seconds.

3. Reverse Pass

To throw everyone off, randomly call out “Reverse!” and have the parcel start moving the opposite way. You’d be surprised how much chaos (and laughter) this brings.

Creative Christmas Pass the Parcel Ideas

But why stop at the classic pass the parcel version? Let’s mix it up with unique twists, themed versions, and a fun alternative: the Left-Right Christmas Game. Here’s how you can sprinkle some magic into this timeless favorite.

The Left-Right Christmas Game

This game is a fabulous alternative to Pass the Parcel and works perfectly for larger groups.

What You Need:

• A wrapped gift (or multiple gifts for bigger groups).
• A fun Christmas-themed story with the words “left” and “right” sprinkled throughout.

How It Works:

• Sit in a circle and give the gift to one person to start.
• Read the story aloud. Each time you say “left,” the parcel moves to the left; each time you say “right,” it moves to the right.
• When the story ends, whoever is holding the gift gets to keep it!

Left-Right Christmas Story Idea

Here’s a snippet of a story to get you started:

"Santa LEFT his workshop early because he realized he forgot his RIGHT boots. He looked LEFT and RIGHT but couldn’t find them anywhere. So, he asked Mrs. Claus if she had LEFT them by the door. 'No,' she said, 'I’m RIGHT here baking cookies!' Santa looked LEFT again, only to find the boots RIGHT under his chair."

Saran Wrap Game

If you’re looking to take your Christmas Pass the Parcel game to the next level, the Saran Wrap Game is a showstopper! This twist on the classic is as fun to watch as it is to play.

Here’s how it works: create a giant ball of goodies by wrapping layers of Saran wrap (plastic wrap) around prizes. Start with the grand prize in the center, think a gift card, small toy, or holiday treat, and add layers with smaller items like candy canes, money, or lottery tickets.

Players take turns unwrapping as fast as they can while the person next to them rolls dice to try to get doubles. When doubles are rolled, the parcel moves on!

The frantic energy, slippery plastic, and competitive spirit make it a festive, laughter-filled addition to any holiday gathering. Perfect for kids, teens, and adults, this game brings a chaotic twist to the traditional Pass the Parcel.

Add these fun challenge cards to each layer to add an extra fun element.

Tips to Keep It Running Smoothly

1. Use Christmas Music That Everyone Loves:
From classics like Jingle Bells to modern hits like All I Want for Christmas Is You, keep the playlist upbeat and varied. For older kids or teens, throw in a remix or two.

2. Tailor It to Your Group:
For toddlers, keep it simple and quick, they have the attention span of a squirrel. For teens or adults, make the challenges tougher or the gifts quirkier (hello, gag gifts!).

3. Prep Enough Layers:
Count your players and make sure there are at least as many layers as there are people. No one wants to feel left out! If you have a large group start with 2 or more gifts passing around at the same time so nobody misses out on the fun.

4. Use Easy-to-Tear Wrapping Paper:
Trust me, watching someone struggle with industrial-strength tape mid-game is not festive.

5. Add a Special Layer for the Youngest Players:
If you’ve got a mix of ages, include a small prize just for the littles, so they feel like a winner even if they don’t get the grand prize.

Festive Gift Ideas for the Parcel

Let’s start with the most exciting part: what goes inside the parcel? You’ll need a grand prize for the final layer and smaller prizes or treats for the layers leading up to it.

For the Grand Prize:

• A Christmas mug with a packet of hot cocoa mix.
• A holiday puzzle or trivia game.
• A cozy pair of festive socks.
• A mini gingerbread house kit.

For the Smaller Layers:

• Candy canes or chocolate Santas.
• Christmas-themed stickers or temporary tattoos.
• Mini ornaments or jingle bells.
• Small tubes of hand lotion (because winter hands, am I right?).
• Holiday pens or pencils.

Pass the Parcel Ideas for Kids

Keep the kids entertained with layers filled with fun surprises!

Layer Prizes:

• Mini candy canes or chocolates.
• Christmas stickers or coloring pages.
• Small holiday-themed toys like spinning tops or mini snow globes.
• Jingle bells to make their own Christmas music!

Grand Prize Ideas:

• A Christmas storybook.
• A small plush reindeer or Santa.
• A DIY ornament kit.

Pass the Parcel Ideas for Teens

Teens love a little humor and some cool surprises.

Layer Prizes:

• Mini skincare items like lip balm (peppermint-scented for the win!).
• Funky socks with Christmas patterns.
• Candy or quirky keychains.
• A holiday trivia question to earn their prize.

Grand Prize Ideas:

• A gift card to their favorite store.
• A holiday-themed mug and hot cocoa mix.
• A quirky board game or puzzle.

Pass the Parcel Ideas for Adults

Adults? Oh, they’ll totally get into this game, trust me!

Layer Prizes:

• Mini bottles of wine or sparkling cider.
• Scratch-off lottery tickets.
• Christmas candles or hand creams.
• Gag gifts like reindeer antlers or silly holiday ties.

Grand Prize Ideas:

• A gourmet food item like a box of truffles.
• A festive kitchen gadget (like a Christmas cookie cutter set).
• A cozy blanket for those cold winter nights.

Why Everyone Loves These Games

There’s something magical about simple group games. Whether you’re playing Pass the Parcel or the Left-Right Game, the laughter, the chaos, and the shared moments are what make them so special.

So, grab your wrapping paper, dig out the Christmas tunes, and get ready for a festive game night that’ll have everyone asking, “Can we play just one more round?”