The Holiday Collection
The short answer: Christmas mad libs are fill-in-the-blank holiday stories: one person asks for random words by type, writes them into the blanks, then reads the silly story out loud.
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Below are four free, original mad libs-style stories, from a kid-friendly letter to Santa to an office party story for adults, plus how to play and tips for big groups.
I'm a card person, and I love anything you write by hand and laugh about later. A fill-in story only needs a pencil, and the finished page makes a funny keepsake.
How to play
- Pick a reader. Only the reader sees the story.
- Ask for words in order. "Give me an adjective. Now a plural noun."
- Fill in each blank with the word you're given.
- Read the story aloud with your best storyteller voice.
| Word type | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | Person, place or thing | sled, mailbox, Uncle Joe |
| Plural noun | More than one thing | socks, pickles, penguins |
| Verb | An action | wiggle, sneeze, juggle |
| Verb ending in -ing | An action happening | dancing, snoring |
| Adjective | A describing word | sparkly, grumpy, enormous |
| Adverb | How something is done | loudly, sneakily |
| Exclamation | A sound or shout | Yikes! Ho ho ho! |
Story 1: A letter to Santa (kids)
Dear Santa,
My name is (NAME) and I am (NUMBER) years old. This year I have been very (ADJECTIVE). I helped my family (VERB) the dishes and only (VERB, PAST TENSE) my brother once. For Christmas, I would love a (ADJECTIVE) (NOUN) and a box of (PLURAL NOUN). I will leave you (NUMBER) cookies and a glass of (LIQUID). Please tell Rudolph his nose looks very (ADJECTIVE). Say hi to the (PLURAL NOUN) at the North Pole!
Love, (NAME)
Story 2: The night before Christmas (families)
It was the night before Christmas, and the whole house was (ADJECTIVE). The stockings were hung by the (NOUN) with care, and the kids were (VERB ENDING IN -ING) in their beds. Suddenly there was a loud (SOUND) on the roof! Dad jumped out of bed and tripped over a (NOUN). Out the window flew a (ADJECTIVE) sleigh pulled by eight (PLURAL NOUN). Santa slid down the chimney with a bag full of (PLURAL NOUN), ate (NUMBER) cookies and shouted, "(EXCLAMATION)!" Then he (VERB, PAST TENSE) back up the chimney and disappeared into the (ADJECTIVE) night.
Story 3: Our family Christmas dinner (families)
This year, (NAME) cooked Christmas dinner. The turkey was so (ADJECTIVE) that it (VERB, PAST TENSE) right off the table. Grandma brought her famous (FOOD) casserole, which tasted like (NOUN). The kids built a tower of (PLURAL NOUN) on their plates. Before dessert, Uncle (NAME) gave a toast and said, "(SILLY PHRASE)!" Everyone laughed so hard that (NAME) spilled (LIQUID) all over the (NOUN). Best dinner ever.
Story 4: The office holiday party (adults)
The office holiday party started at (TIME) in the (ROOM IN A BUILDING). Our boss arrived dressed as a (ADJECTIVE) (ANIMAL). The snack table had (NUMBER) kinds of (FOOD) and one sad (NOUN). During the gift exchange, (COWORKER'S NAME) unwrapped a (ADJECTIVE) (NOUN) and tried to (VERB) it. Someone started (VERB ENDING IN -ING) to "Jingle Bell Rock," and by the end of the night the whole team was (VERB ENDING IN -ING) on the (NOUN). Next year's theme: (ADJECTIVE) (PLURAL NOUN).
Tips for groups and parties
- Team battle: give every table the same story and vote on the funniest reading.
- Name rule: ask for names of people in the room for instant laughs.
- Mixed ages: let kids pick nouns and sounds while adults fill in the rest.
- Keep the best one. Tuck a finished story into the holiday keepsake box.
Simple games like this are a low-cost way to bring a room together. The U.S. Surgeon General's advisory on social connection links strong relationships with better health, and 84% of adults told the American Psychological Association in its holiday stress poll that the season creates a sense of togetherness.
More paper-and-pencil fun: Christmas word search, Christmas crossword, Christmas trivia and our full list of Christmas party games. For a timed word game, try Christmas Scattergories.
Plan the party without overspending
- Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, $4.99. Menu, to-do and budget pages for party night, plus a gift list for everyone on yours.
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- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). The gift planner plus a meal planner, cleaning schedule and savings trackers.
Browse the Holiday shop or all our Printables. The free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is 3 US Letter pages, emailed after you join the list.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you play Christmas mad libs? One person, the reader, asks the group for words by type, such as a noun, a verb or a silly adjective, without revealing the story. They write each word in the matching blank, then read the finished story out loud. The mismatched words make it funny.
What are Christmas mad libs? Christmas mad libs are fill-in-the-blank holiday stories. Players supply random words by type before hearing the story, and the result is a silly version of a letter to Santa, a Christmas Eve tale or a holiday party.
Are these Christmas mad libs free? Yes, these Christmas mad libs are free. The four stories on this page are free to copy onto paper or read straight from your phone. Mad Libs is a brand name of Penguin Random House; these are our own original mad libs-style stories.
What age are Christmas mad libs good for? Kids who know nouns, verbs and adjectives, usually around second grade and up, can play on their own. Younger kids can play with a grown-up who asks for 'a thing,' 'an action word' or 'a describing word.'
What is a noun, verb and adjective? A noun is a person, place or thing (sled, Grandma, kitchen). A verb is an action (jump, sing, wiggle). An adjective describes something (sparkly, grumpy, enormous). An adverb describes how something is done (loudly, quickly).
Are there Christmas mad libs for adults? Yes, there are Christmas mad libs for adults. The office party story below works well for adults, and any story gets funnier when the prompts ask for names of people in the room, celebrities or inside jokes.
How many people can play Christmas mad libs? Any number of people can play Christmas mad libs, from two people at the kitchen table to a whole party. For big groups, hand out one story per table and have each table read theirs aloud.
How do you make mad libs a party game? Give each team the same story, let them fill in the blanks separately, then read every version aloud. Guests vote for the funniest, and the winning team gets a small prize.
Can I write my own Christmas mad libs? Yes, you can write your own Christmas mad libs. Write a short holiday story, then remove 10 to 15 words and label each blank with its word type. Nouns, adjectives and silly sounds are the funniest blanks.
Are Christmas mad libs good for learning? Yes, Christmas mad libs are good for learning. They are a playful way for kids to practice parts of speech, reading aloud and spelling, which is why many teachers use them before winter break.
What other games go well with mad libs? Christmas mad libs pair well with trivia, bingo, charades and word searches, because all of them need only paper and a pencil.
How can I plan a Christmas party on a budget? Choose paper-and-pencil games, plan a simple snack menu and set a small prize budget. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) keeps the party menu, to-do list and spending on one set of printable pages.
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