Christmas Pictionary: Rules and Word List
Draw Christmas movies, songs and characters while your team guesses. Get easy rules, a ready word list, scoring and tips for all ages in this Pictionary guide.
What You Need
Christmas Pictionary is a drawing game where one player sketches a holiday word and teammates try to guess it. Anyone can play, even if you cannot draw well, because bad drawings make it funnier.
How to Set Up
- Write holiday words on slips of paper and fold them. Use the word list below to get started.
- Put the slips in a bowl.
- Split into two or more teams.
- Put a large pad of paper or whiteboard where everyone can see it.
- Pick a timekeeper who will use a one-minute timer.
Movies: Elf, Home Alone, The Polar Express, Frozen, A Christmas Story, Rudolph, Jingle All the Way
Songs: Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Frosty the Snowman, Deck the Halls, Let It Snow, Little Drummer Boy
Characters and things: Santa, Grinch, elf, reindeer, snow globe, candy cane, stocking, fireplace, mistletoe, sleigh
How to Play
- A player from the first team draws a slip and reads it silently.
- The timekeeper starts the clock for one minute.
- The artist draws clues on the paper. No talking, no letters, no numbers and no acting.
- Teammates shout out guesses as fast as they can.
- If they guess right before time ends, the team scores a point.
- If time runs out, the other team gets one chance to steal. They can guess once.
- The next team takes a turn with a new artist. Keep going until every player has drawn at least once.
Scoring and Winning
Each correct guess is worth one point. A steal is also worth one point. After all rounds, the team with the most points wins. If the game ends in a tie, play one extra word with a drawer from each team.
Tips for a Fun Game
- Draw the biggest or easiest part first, like a hat or a tree.
- Do not erase. Add to your drawing to keep teammates guessing.
- For movies, draw one key scene or one character.
- Keep a sample of drawings for a laugh at the end.
- Pick a good guesser for each turn so no one feels left out.
Variations
- Speed Round: Give each artist 30 seconds instead of a minute.
- Eyes Closed: The artist draws with eyes closed. The results are always silly.
- Little Kids Version: Use simple words like star, tree and sock. Let adults help with guessing and cheer for every drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people do you need for Christmas Pictionary?
You need at least four people, split into two teams. Larger groups work well too, with up to four or five teams.
What are good Christmas Pictionary words?
Try Santa, reindeer, Home Alone, Jingle Bells, Grinch and gingerbread house. Mix easy and hard words so everyone has fun.
Can you talk while drawing in Pictionary?
No. The artist cannot speak, use letters or numbers, or act things out. They can only draw.
