Make Your Christmas Countdown Merry: Games for Every Day
The twinkling lights begin to appear, the familiar melodies of holiday music start to fill the air, and the gentle breeze carries the scent of pine and peppermint. Christmas is undeniably a magical time of year! But how do you keep that excitement building, that joyful anticipation, alive and thriving as the big day draws closer? One of the most cherished traditions is the Christmas countdown, a daily dose of festive cheer that helps bridge the gap between the beginning of December and the moment Santa slides down the chimney. And what better way to make those days even more memorable than by incorporating a delightful array of games?
The essence of a successful Christmas countdown is all about creating moments of connection, laughter, and pure holiday spirit. While simply marking the days on a calendar is fun, infusing the countdown with games elevates it to a whole new level of enjoyment. This article will explore the wonders of a game-filled Christmas countdown, providing you with a comprehensive guide to transforming your December into a season of playful fun. We’ll delve into the fantastic benefits of a game-centric approach, explore a plethora of game ideas suitable for all ages and interests, and offer practical advice on how to curate the perfect countdown experience for your family. Get ready to level up your Christmas spirit!
Why Games are a Wonderful Choice for Advent Fun
The concept of an Advent calendar, whether store-bought or handcrafted, is a tradition that embodies the true essence of the holiday season. It provides a sense of structure and excitement, helping to build the anticipation of the upcoming Christmas. It’s a ritual, a daily reminder of the approaching magic, and a wonderful way to create memories that last a lifetime. The simple act of opening a daily door or pocket, or unveiling a little gift, sets the stage for a delightful morning. It’s a tradition that fosters family bonding, helping everyone feel a sense of togetherness and shared joy.
But why choose games specifically? Games offer a unique and enriching approach to your countdown. Unlike simply revealing a chocolate or a small trinket, games encourage active participation and engagement. They’re a fantastic way to bring everyone together, regardless of age or background. Games provide a platform for laughter, friendly competition, and shared experiences.
Games offer a remarkable degree of adaptability. You can select games tailored to your family’s specific interests and abilities. You can create themed weeks, focusing on creative projects, thrilling adventures, or perhaps, a dive into holiday knowledge. The possibilities are endless, ensuring that every day of your Christmas countdown is a fresh and engaging experience.
Incorporating games also offers a wonderful opportunity to step away from the screens. While technology certainly has its place in modern life, a game-filled countdown allows for a welcome break from phones, tablets, and televisions, encouraging a more direct and intimate kind of connection. It’s about engaging in playful activities, sharing smiles, and forging stronger bonds.
Game Ideas Bursting With Christmas Cheer
Let’s dive into some exciting game categories, each filled with ideas that can ignite the holiday spirit and create unforgettable moments. These ideas are just the starting point; feel free to adapt, customize, and create your own unique blend of Christmas countdown activities.
Traditional Board Games/Card Games with a Christmas Twist
The familiar comfort of board games and card games provides a perfect foundation for adding a touch of Christmas magic. Consider the well-loved games you already know, and brainstorm ways to make them even more festive.
Christmas-themed Monopoly: This is a fantastic adaptation. Instead of generic street names, use holiday-themed locations such as “Gingerbread Lane” or “Santa’s Workshop.” You can even customize the Chance and Community Chest cards with Christmas-themed prompts. Perhaps, the card reads “You’ve been caught being naughty! Pay $20 to the bank.” Or perhaps “You have been extra good this year. Collect $200 from the bank”.
Christmas Bingo: Bingo is a classic game for all ages. You can easily create your own printable Christmas bingo cards, using images of Christmas trees, ornaments, reindeer, snowflakes, and more. Or purchase a Christmas Bingo set. The caller can read out the Christmas words, and everyone has the fun of locating them on their boards and getting the chance to yell “BINGO!”
Christmas Charades or Pictionary: These are excellent games for boosting creativity and laughter. Prepare a list of Christmas-themed words, phrases, and movie titles for players to act out or draw. This is a great way to encourage kids and adults to think outside the box, and have some fun while doing it.
Christmas-themed Memory Game: Creating your own memory game is a budget-friendly and rewarding activity. Gather pairs of small, holiday-related images (Christmas trees, ornaments, stockings, wrapped gifts, reindeer, etc.). Glue the images to small cards and mix them up. Players take turns flipping over two cards, trying to find matching pairs.
Active and Physical Games That Make the Season Lively
Get up and move with these energetic games, perfect for burning off energy and creating fun memories:
Christmas Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt around your home or yard. Write clues that lead to different locations, with each location revealing the next clue. Hide a small prize at the final destination. Tailor the clues to your family’s ages and abilities.
Minute to Win It Challenges: These short, silly games are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Create a series of Christmas-themed challenges that can be completed in one minute. Some examples include: stacking cookies into a tower, wrapping a present quickly, transferring ornaments from one bowl to another using only a spoon, or trying to keep a balloon in the air for as long as you can.
Christmas Obstacle Course: Construct a simple obstacle course in your living room or backyard. Use pillows, blankets, chairs, and other household items. Challenge family members to navigate the course while completing a series of Christmas-themed tasks.
Christmas Dance Party: Create a playlist filled with festive holiday tunes, and let loose with a family dance party.
Creative and Crafty Games for Holiday Inspiration
Unleash your creativity with these craft-focused activities.
Christmas Ornament Making: Provide a variety of craft supplies and allow everyone to create their own unique ornaments. This is a relaxing and creative activity that produces lasting memories. Use construction paper, glitter, glue, and paint.
Christmas Card/Letter Writing: Encourage family members to write Christmas cards or letters to friends and relatives.
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest: This classic holiday activity is always a hit. Provide gingerbread house kits, frosting, and a variety of candies and decorations, and let everyone’s creative juices flow. Award a prize for the most creative, the most festive, or perhaps, the silliest gingerbread house.
Christmas Drawing Contest: Organize a drawing contest with a Christmas theme. Provide paper, crayons, markers, and colored pencils and let everyone’s artistic skills shine.
Trivia and Knowledge Games to Test Your Holiday IQ
Challenge yourselves with these mind-bending games.
Christmas Movie Trivia: Test your knowledge of classic holiday films. Prepare trivia questions about the plot, characters, actors, and quotes from your favorite Christmas movies.
Christmas Carol/Song Identification: Play snippets of Christmas carols and songs, and see who can identify them first.
Christmas Facts and Trivia: Research interesting facts about Christmas traditions, history, and culture. Prepare trivia questions to challenge family members.
“Would You Rather” Christmas Edition: This fun and engaging game provides endless amusement. Create a series of “Would you rather” questions that relate to Christmas. “Would you rather decorate a Christmas tree or a gingerbread house?” Or “Would you rather eat a candy cane or a sugar cookie?”
Digital/Online Games for the Modern Christmas
Bring in the technology with these fun options.
Christmas-themed video games: Consider games that are family friendly. Look for holiday-themed levels within popular game titles.
Online trivia or scavenger hunts: Several websites and apps offer Christmas-themed trivia games or scavenger hunts.
Christmas escape rooms: Create your own escape room. Or look for online Christmas escape rooms to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
How to Bring Your Christmas Countdown to Life
Let’s move beyond the games, and look at the details for actually setting up your game-filled Christmas countdown.
Pre-made Advent Calendar Boxes/Pockets
There are many pre-made Advent calendars available for purchase. These can range from simple paper calendars with little pockets to more elaborate options with small drawers or compartments. They offer a convenient way to house your daily game instructions or materials. They can be a great time-saver.
DIY Advent Calendar
Creating your own Advent calendar is a fun and creative activity. You can customize it to your family’s specific needs and preferences. This can involve anything from a simple paper chain with game instructions written on each link, to a more elaborate construction using craft supplies.
Random Act of Kindness/Give-Back Calendar
Add a heartwarming twist to your countdown by incorporating acts of kindness and giving back to the community.
List Christmas charities you can give to
List local places to volunteer for Christmas
Scheduling and Game Integration
The key is to space out the games throughout the countdown in a way that works for your family’s schedule and energy levels. Consider having a “game day” every weekend or even alternating between a planned game and a simpler activity, such as reading a Christmas story or watching a holiday movie.
You can also have “themed weeks”. One week might focus on crafting, another on Christmas movies, and another on baking. This helps keep the countdown exciting.
You can also consider adding a weekly small gift to the countdown, whether it is a small treat, a book or something else.
Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Christmas Countdown
The success of your Christmas countdown hinges on careful planning and execution. Here are some useful tips:
Adapt your games to suit different age groups and abilities. Modify the rules or the level of difficulty.
Prepare all game materials in advance. Cut out the stress by having everything ready.
Flexibility is key. Don’t be afraid to skip a game or adjust your schedule. The goal is to have fun, not to follow a rigid plan.
Focus on making memories and creating a positive and fun atmosphere.
Consider safety. Supervise young children, and make sure any crafts or activities are appropriate and safe.
Conclusion: Make This the Merriest Christmas Yet!
A Christmas countdown with games is a fantastic way to infuse your holiday season with fun, excitement, and cherished memories. By incorporating a variety of games into your daily schedule, you create a dynamic and engaging experience that brings your family closer. These are not just games; they are opportunities to laugh, to bond, to create traditions, and to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.
Now is the time to start planning your own game-filled Christmas countdown! Gather your family, discuss your ideas, and choose the games that will bring the most joy and laughter. Do not delay!
We would love to hear about your favorite Christmas games and activities. Share your ideas and tips in the comments below. Spread the holiday spirit by tagging a friend who would love to try this. Let us know how your countdown goes on social media. May your Christmas season be filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments! Remember that the best Christmas gifts are the memories we make with loved ones, and a well-designed Christmas countdown filled with games is the perfect way to create those treasured memories that will last a lifetime.
