Christmas Pictionary

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It’s that cozy time of year again, when we’re all gathering together, decking the halls, and maybe even singing a little “Jingle Bells” off-key. And if you’re anything like me, you’re also looking for some easy (but fun!) ways to keep everyone entertained between all the cookies, hot cocoa, and wrapping paper mayhem. That’s where Christmas Pictionary comes in! Pictionary is one of those games that brings laughs, a few artistic “masterpieces,” and some unforgettable family moments.

Here are some Christmas Pictionary ideas that are fun, and maybe just challenging enough to keep the game interesting. So grab a stack of index cards, or just cut up some paper, and let’s get ready to sketch up a Christmas storm!

How to Play Christmas Pictionary

Christmas Pictionary is a simple and fun game for everyone, from kids to grandparents. Here’s how to set it up and play:

What You’ll Need:

  • Pictionary Word Cards: Write down your Christmas Pictionary ideas on cards or slips of paper (you can use the lists below for inspiration!).
  • Drawing Supplies: A big notepad or whiteboard, markers, or even a chalkboard, whatever you have on hand.
  • Timer: Set up a 1-minute timer (a phone timer works perfectly).
  • Scoreboard: Keep a paper and pen nearby to tally up points for each team.
Family playing games at Christmas

Game Setup:

  1. Divide into Teams: Split your players into two teams. Each team will take turns guessing the drawings.
  2. Prepare the Word Cards: Place all the word cards in a bowl or hat, or shuffle them up in a stack. These are the words or phrases that players will try to draw.

How to Play:

  1. Choose a Drawer: One person from Team A starts as the first “drawer.” They’ll pick a card and read the word silently (no peeking from the other team!).
  2. Set the Timer: Start the 1-minute timer. The drawer now has 60 seconds to draw their word or phrase without using any letters, numbers, or speaking (gestures and funny faces are allowed, though!).
  3. Guessing Time: While the drawer is sketching, their teammates have to guess what they’re drawing. If they guess correctly within the time limit, Team A earns a point!
  4. Switch Turns: Now it’s Team B’s turn to draw. Repeat the process, alternating teams each round.
  5. Scoring Points: Every correct guess earns the team a point. If a team can’t guess in time, no points are awarded for that round.
  6. Game End: Set a time limit for the game (like 30 minutes) or a winning score (such as 10 points). The team with the most points at the end wins!
Boy drawing on whiteboard

Optional Fun Rules:

  • Speed Round: For an extra challenge, cut the timer down to 30 seconds.
  • Holiday Challenges: Draw with your non-dominant hand or even with your eyes closed for extra laughs!
  • Team Draws: Have two people from each team drawing the same word at the same time. This doubles the fun (and the chaos!).

Christmas Pictionary Ideas

Easy Christmas Pictionary

Here’s a list of 20 easy Christmas Pictionary ideas perfect for all ages:

Gingerbread man drawing on whiteboard
  1. Santa Claus
  2. Christmas Tree
  3. Snowman
  4. Candy Cane
  5. Present with a Bow
  6. Reindeer
  7. Christmas Stocking
  8. Gingerbread Man
  9. Hot Chocolate
  10. Elf
  11. Christmas Wreath
  12. Bells
  13. Mistletoe
  14. Snowflake
  15. Santa’s Sleigh
  16. Nutcracker
  17. Christmas Lights
  18. Holly Leaves and Berries
  19. Fireplace with Stockings
  20. Christmas Star

Classic Christmas Pictionary Words or Phrases

Snowman drawing on blackboard
  1. Santa’s Hat
  2. Christmas Eve
  3. Frosty the Snowman
  4. Holiday Spirit
  5. Rudolph’s Red Nose
  6. Jingle Bells
  7. Silent Night
  8. Santa’s Bag of Toys
  9. The North Pole
  10. Candy Cane Lane
  11. Stocking Stuffers
  12. Yule Log
  13. Holiday Sweater
  14. Christmas Cookies
  15. Chestnuts Roasting
  16. Family Christmas Dinner
  17. Wrapping Paper
  18. Christmas Morning
  19. Naughty or Nice List
  20. Winter Wonderland

Hard Christmas Pictionary

Here’s a list of some more challenging Christmas Pictionary ideas to really test those artistic skills:

  1. Santa stuck in a chimney
  2. Three Wise Men following the star
  3. Elf wrapping a large, awkwardly shaped present
  4. Snow globe with a winter scene inside
  5. Christmas carolers singing in the snow
  6. Santa’s workshop filled with toys and elves
  7. The Grinch sneaking away with a bag of gifts
  8. Roasting chestnuts on an open fire
  9. A child writing a letter to Santa
  10. Someone tangled in Christmas lights
  11. Mrs. Claus baking cookies
  12. A gingerbread house collapsing
  13. “12 Days of Christmas”
  14. Santa checking his Naughty or Nice list
  15. An elf sleeping on the job at Santa’s workshop
  16. Christmas tree topper star being placed at the top
  17. Santa surfing or doing something unexpected on vacation

These tricky ideas will have everyone scratching their heads, and maybe even adding some interesting “interpretations” to their drawings!

Classic Christmas Characters

Let’s start with the basics! The classics are essential for getting into the holiday spirit, and they’re recognizable enough that even the youngest artists in the family can give them a go. Here are a few to try:

Drawing of Santa Claus on blackboard
  • Santa Claus
  • Rudolph (don’t forget that shiny red nose)
  • The Grinch (maybe looking a little mischievous)
  • Frosty the Snowman
  • Elf on the Shelf
  • Mrs. Claus (she doesn’t get enough attention, if you ask me!)
  • Nutcracker Soldier
  • Gingerbread Man (or Woman!)
  • A Christmas Fairy

Festive Foods

Is it even Christmas without all the delicious treats? These food ideas are perfect for a holiday-themed Pictionary round, and they’ll make everyone’s tummies rumble while they’re guessing:

  • Gingerbread house
  • Christmas pudding (with a holly garnish)
  • Candy cane
  • Hot chocolate (with marshmallows, please!)
  • Fruitcake
  • Eggnog
  • Roast turkey
  • Christmas cookies in various shapes
  • Peppermint bark
  • Cranberry sauce

Funny Twist: Have a round where everyone draws with their non-dominant hand or with their eyes closed. It’s amazing how confusing a “simple” candy cane can become with these challenges!

Winter Wonderland Scenes

Christmas and winter go hand-in-hand, so bring some snowy magic into the game with these Pictionary ideas. These can be a little trickier to draw, but that just adds to the fun!

  • Snowball fight
  • Building a snowman
  • Ice skating
  • Snow-covered cabin
  • Sledding down a hill
  • Skiing
  • Decorating an outdoor Christmas tree
  • Icicles hanging from the roof
  • Making snow angels
  • Snowstorm

Laugh Alert: Watching people draw “snowball fights” can be especially funny – a blob for a snowball, and arms flailing everywhere!

Holiday Movies and TV Moments

Everyone’s got their favorite holiday movies, and bringing them into the game is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. These are especially fun if you have any movie buffs in the family.

  • The Polar Express train
  • The Grinch’s sleigh overloaded with presents
  • Kevin from Home Alone
  • Buddy the Elf
  • Charlie Brown’s tiny Christmas tree
  • Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past (or any of the ghosts, really)
  • The little boy from A Christmas Story in his bunny pajamas
  • Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Extra Challenge: Have the family try to draw these in under 30 seconds for a speed round. The pressure makes for some hilarious results.

Christmas Decorations Galore

We’ve got our houses decked out, so let’s see if we can capture that same festive decor on paper! Decorations are a big part of Christmas, and they’ll add some sparkly vibes to your Pictionary game.

  • Christmas wreath
  • String of Christmas lights
  • A lit fireplace with stockings hanging
  • Christmas tree star topper
  • Snow globe (with a winter scene inside)
  • Bells and mistletoe
  • Tree ornaments
  • Garland hanging from the mantel
  • Christmas candles
  • A big, glittery bow

Funny Holiday Situations

Now, here’s where things get a little wacky! These scenarios add a silly twist and will have everyone laughing as they try to guess the (often bizarre) drawings:

  • Santa getting stuck in a chimney
  • A reindeer taking a selfie
  • Mrs. Claus baking cookies with too much flour everywhere
  • An elf wrapping a giant present
  • Someone tangled in Christmas lights
  • Snowball hitting someone in the face
  • Carolers who look like they’re singing a bit off-key
  • A kid peeking at presents under the tree
  • A pet wearing a Christmas sweater

Santa’s Workshop Mayhem

There’s always a little magic happening at the North Pole! Bring some of that fun into your Pictionary game with these Santa’s Workshop ideas:

  • Santa’s sleigh getting loaded up with presents
  • Elves building toys
  • A giant candy cane factory
  • Reindeer training (maybe doing jumping jacks or push-ups!)
  • Santa checking his list
  • Elves wrapping a new toy
  • Wrapping paper flying everywhere
  • Santa’s naughty or nice list
  • Elf napping on the job
  • The Christmas countdown clock

Holiday Songs and Carols

Music is such a huge part of Christmas, so why not include some popular holiday tunes for everyone to draw and guess? You might be surprised how tricky it is to translate a song title into a doodle!

  • “Jingle Bells” (someone ringing bells, maybe?)
  • “Silent Night” (good luck with this one!)
  • “Deck the Halls” (someone hanging garlands)
  • “Let It Snow” (snowflakes everywhere)
  • “Frosty the Snowman”
  • “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (a gift box with a question mark?)
  • “Santa Baby” (Santa wearing sunglasses or something flashy)
  • “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
  • “12 Days of Christmas” (try drawing 5 golden rings or 3 French hens!)
  • “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”

And there you go, some Christmas Pictionary ideas to keep everyone entertained, laughing, and maybe (just maybe) embracing their inner artist! Whether you’re drawing Santa in his pajamas or a snowball fight gone wrong, this game brings all ages together. So, gather around, grab some paper and markers, and let the holiday Pictionary fun begin!

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