Christmas Fun 2021

Who’s ready for Christmas?? I am so excited about Christmas this year as this is our “big” year. Our “big” year means all our adult married children who alternate Christmas with their two families will be at ours this year and we love it. This blog isn’t about who goes where for Christmas, but I do want to say, being flexible is the key to good relationships with your adult children and their families. There are two ways to be flexible with your plans, either you be willing to change a date so more can attend or you can change your expectations. In our family, our Christmas Eve celebration doesn’t change, but we are flexible about who can attend. All our married children (who have families in another city) have agreed to the every-other year plan. We are grateful when we have them and understanding when we don’t. Our children who have “other” families in our same town are with us every year. Their “other” families have chosen a different time to celebrate, or they join us at ours. That’s another trick—include anyone and everyone who can attend. 

Okay, back to Christmas Fun 2021. I didn’t even realize it rhymed until I wrote it, but I love it! If you’ve read my Christmas blogs in the past you know our family plays games and has a talent show on Christmas Eve. I’m the one charged with coming us with games that involve the whole crowd yet can happen in a living room space. Granted that is no easy task, but my years of camp games does help. This year I’m planning on a large group game of Pictionary. Pictionary was a huge thing in the 1990’s and I think it’s been that long ago since we’ve played it as a family. It’s a great game and one that everyone, all ages, can play so I decided it was time to bring it back. 

I’ve bought two large white boards, so each team has their own white board and dry erase markers. Since it has been a while, I ordered a new Pictionary game as well just for a refresher, but it’s not necessary. I’m going to include the rules here in case you want to give it a try at your Christmas party. Pictionary Rule:

• Words are printed on pieces of paper or notecards. It can be anything, but usually there is a category players can choose from. This year, we will only have one category—Christmas Fun, but I will have a children’s list and a grown up list.
• Divide group into two teams. Roll a die to see who goes first.
• The starting team may draw at judge’s cue.
• The player has 60 seconds to draw, and everyone else must guess what is being drawn within those 60 seconds too.
• Whoever is drawing cannot talk, make noises/gestures, and cannot draw letters/numbers.
• Whoever guesses correctly scores a point and can attempt to guess the next word being drawn out. If they are incorrect, the turn passes to the next player for them to attempt to guess.
• The game ends based on whatever conditions you determine to be a winner (ex: first team/player to ‘x’ number of points)

I am also going to include a few of the words and phrases I will use and hope my family doesn’t read this. 😊 You don’t want them to be too easy for the adults, but if you have children playing too, you can have two lists for them to choose from. For instance, candy cane would be too easy for an adult, but perfect for a child. 

Christmas words to use for adults or teens:

• Drinking Hot Chocolate
• Going on a Sleigh ride
• Under the Mistle Toe
• Sitting on Santa’s Lap
• Hanging Christmas Lights
• Looking at Christmas Lights
• Sing Carols
• The Grinch

Words for the younger group:

• Candy Cane
• Santa Claus
• Elves
• Christmas Star
• Christmas Tree
• Snowman

I can’t wait to play this fun game. I’ll report back and let you know how my Christmas Eve went. I hope you do the same. We would love to hear from you.

Hugs, Chrys