During the Christmas season, there is an endless string of parties, each needing their own unique activities. Yet, there is often little time and energy left between all the amazing celebrations (demands) this season brings. This pub-style trivia game, which can be easily adapted to any crowd, is the perfect activity to keep in your back pocket. By just switching out references, I have used this game for Christmas parties for staff, high schoolers, and middle schoolers! This trivia game can be played over and over again by refreshing rounds and questions!

Preparing to Host Trivia

Preparing and hosting any trivia game comes down to a few simple things:

• Know Your Audience: This game is for your group, so fill it with references they know. Keep it competitive but include a few ‘freebies’ in every round so that the group stays motivated to play. A wide range of rounds allows for each person on the team to shine.
• Enthusiasm: As the host, you set the tone; if you can have fun with it so will the group! Lean into the theme with costumes, jokes, and prizes. Keeping the tone light can keep a trivia game playful and not like an exam.
• Flexibility: Things are not going to go as planned. Staying flexible keeps the game moving and the crowd happy. Be ready to allow for different answers within reason, give hints, or skip a round to keep the game experience positive.
• Play For Yourself: If you have never played a pub-style trivia game, I highly encourage you to go out and play. There are even online versions you can participate in. Knowing what it feels like to be a player helps you host. Get some friends together to run through the game, so you can eliminate bugs and feel more comfortable hosting.
• Do A Test Run: Most of my mistakes come from not running the game through with at least one other person. They can help proof, make sure the rules make sense, and clean up any confusion on wording. It is helpful if you can practice with someone who is the same age as the group playing.

Adapting Christmas Trivia

Have multiple parties? Swap some questions around. I used the same format for our High School choir and for the staff Christmas party! For example, in the ‘What Santa is This?’ round I traded more modern movies for classics like Miracle on 34th Street. The possibilities are endless to stay in the Christmas theme and keep the game fresh year after year.

Other rounds I have included:

• Did they candy cane it? Is this a real candy cane flavor or one that is made up?
• Where is Santa? Show pictures or describe a tradition and have players guess what country Santa is in.
• Most Popular! Trivia on the most popular toys for Christmas various years.
• The Colors of Christmas! Every answer is a color.
• What in the Hallmark? Players guess if it is a real plot from a Hallmark Christmas movie.
• Snow much fun! Trivia on snow, like how many white Christmases has your town had in the last 10 years?
• Christmas with the Mouse! A Disney-themed round that covered Christmas at the parks to Christmas specials.
• Advent or Christmas? Is the hymn technically an Advent or a Christmas hymn? Show players some lyrics and enjoy the debates that follow.

Trivia Slides & Answer Sheet

Click here to view the Christmas Trivia game in Google Slides. You can use the deck “as is” or click “file” then “make a copy” to edit the slides.

Click here to access the participant answer sheet for Christmas Trivia. You can print copies of the sheet “as is” or click “file” then “make a copy” to edit the document.

Editor’s Note: While most of the rounds in the Christmas Trivia game focus on secular and commercial aspects of Christmas (There is one “In The Bible” round.), we believe games like this can be a valuable tool for relationship building and sharing joy with one another in Christian community. If you’d like to add some more religious rounds, we suggest: Christmas Around the World, Christian Traditions, or Christmas Hymns in addition to “Advent or Christmas?” suggested above.

Featured image is by Sean Ferigan on Unsplash