The short answer: Christmas Pictionary is the drawing game with holiday words: one player sketches a Christmas word, phrase or title without letters or talking, and their team guesses before time runs out. You need paper, markers, a timer and a word list.

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Below are 150 Christmas Pictionary words sorted easy, medium and hard, plus rules, scoring and tips for mixed ages.

Our holidays are small and cozy, and the loudest laughs usually come from a bad drawing. Pictionary is easy to start: paper, markers, and a reindeer that looks like a dog.

How to play Christmas Pictionary

  1. Make two teams and give each one a drawing pad or whiteboard.
  2. Fold the words below into three bowls: easy, medium and hard.
  3. Draw for 60 seconds. No letters, numbers, talking or acting it out.
  4. Score it. Easy words earn 1 point, medium 2 and hard 3.
  5. Switch teams each turn. Most points after everyone has drawn twice wins.
Setup Best for Time per turn
Paper and markers Family table, 4 to 8 players 60 seconds
Easel pad or whiteboard Party room, 8 to 16 players 60 seconds
Two stations, same word Big groups, 16+ 45 seconds
Video-call whiteboard Long-distance family 90 seconds

Easy Christmas Pictionary words (50)

  1. Star
  2. Bell
  3. Candy cane
  4. Christmas tree
  5. Present
  6. Snowflake
  7. Mitten
  8. Hat
  9. Scarf
  10. Ornament
  11. Stocking
  12. Snowman
  13. Cookie
  14. Wreath
  15. Bow
  16. Candle
  17. Angel
  18. Reindeer
  19. Santa
  20. Elf
  21. Sled
  22. Snowball
  23. Igloo
  24. Penguin
  25. Polar bear
  26. Moon
  27. House
  28. Chimney
  29. Fireplace
  30. Cup of cocoa
  31. Marshmallow
  32. Gingerbread man
  33. Holly
  34. Pinecone
  35. Gift tag
  36. Tinsel
  37. Card
  38. Train
  39. Drum
  40. Teddy bear
  41. Toy soldier
  42. Doll
  43. Ice skate
  44. Boots
  45. Owl
  46. Fox
  47. Cardinal
  48. Lights
  49. Sock
  50. Cake

Medium Christmas Pictionary words (50)

  1. Sleigh
  2. Mistletoe
  3. Nutcracker
  4. Snow globe
  5. Gingerbread house
  6. North Pole
  7. Santa's workshop
  8. Rudolph
  9. Frosty
  10. The Grinch
  11. Elf on the Shelf
  12. Advent calendar
  13. Ugly sweater
  14. Christmas list
  15. Wrapping paper
  16. Hot cocoa bar
  17. Ice skating rink
  18. Snow angel
  19. Sledding hill
  20. Cookie cutter
  21. Milk and cookies
  22. Stockings on the mantel
  23. Tree farm
  24. Carolers
  25. Santa hat
  26. Reindeer games
  27. Candy cane forest
  28. Christmas morning
  29. Nativity scene
  30. Poinsettia
  31. Eggnog
  32. Fruitcake
  33. Chimney sweep
  34. Toy sack
  35. Mailbox
  36. Letter to Santa
  37. Snowplow
  38. Ski lift
  39. Hot water bottle
  40. Pajamas
  41. Family photo
  42. Holiday parade
  43. Light-up lawn deer
  44. Christmas pudding
  45. Present under the tree
  46. Shopping bags
  47. Christmas cracker
  48. Jingle bell
  49. Christmas ham
  50. Snowstorm

Hard Christmas Pictionary words (50)

  1. Untangling the lights
  2. Last-minute shopping
  3. Wrapping a present badly
  4. Twelve Days of Christmas
  5. Partridge in a pear tree
  6. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
  7. Dashing through the snow
  8. Deck the halls
  9. Silent night
  10. Jingle Bell Rock
  11. Let it snow
  12. Winter wonderland
  13. Home Alone
  14. The Polar Express
  15. A Christmas Story
  16. Miracle on 34th Street
  17. It's a Wonderful Life
  18. The Nightmare Before Christmas
  19. Christmas Vacation
  20. The Santa Clause
  21. Black Friday line
  22. Regifting
  23. Returning a sweater
  24. Gift exchange
  25. Secret Santa
  26. White elephant
  27. Holiday travel
  28. Airport delay
  29. Kissing under the mistletoe
  30. Making a list, checking it twice
  31. Naughty or nice
  32. Santa stuck in the chimney
  33. Reindeer on the roof
  34. Visions of sugarplums
  35. Cookie swap
  36. Ugly sweater party
  37. Christmas card photo
  38. Office party
  39. Tree falling over
  40. Cat in the tree
  41. Dog eating the cookies
  42. Midnight toy assembly
  43. Shoveling the driveway
  44. Frozen pipes
  45. New Year's countdown
  46. Ball drop
  47. Holiday budget
  48. Christmas Eve service
  49. Snow day
  50. Stocking stuffers

Tips for a fun, fair game

  • Mixed-age teams: let kids pick from the easy bowl while adults draw medium or hard.
  • Big paper wins. A large easel pad keeps the whole room in the game.
  • One pass per turn keeps the game moving when a word is hard.
  • Keep the drawings. They make funny keepsakes for next year.
  • Prize ideas: first pick of dessert, a candy cane, or choosing the next holiday movie.

Drawing games work for every age because nobody needs to read or spell. In the American Psychological Association's holiday stress poll, 84% of adults said the season creates a sense of togetherness, and a silly sketch round is a cheap way to get there. The National Institute on Aging's tips for staying connected also suggest regular shared activities, so a yearly game can become a tradition.

Acting instead of drawing? Try Christmas charades. More for the same night: Christmas party games, Christmas trivia, Christmas bingo and our Christmas movie night guide.

Budget the party (and the gifts)

Christmas Budget and Gift Planner cover: 11 printable pages plus a spreadsheet

  • Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, $4.99. Plan the party budget and prizes first, then use the gift pages for everyone on your list.
  • Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. Pick the party food ahead and buy it all in one trip.
  • Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). A December-ready set: gift planner, sinking funds, bills and the post-party cleanup schedule.

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 Pictionary? To play Christmas Pictionary, split into two teams. A player draws a Christmas word on paper or a whiteboard without letters, numbers or talking, and their team guesses within 60 seconds. A correct guess scores a point, and teams take turns until the words run out.

What are good Christmas Pictionary words? Good Christmas Pictionary words are things that are fun to draw and easy to recognize: snowman, candy cane, reindeer, stocking, wreath, sleigh, gingerbread house, mistletoe and Santa's workshop. Save phrases like 'dashing through the snow' for adults.

What are easy Christmas Pictionary words for kids? Easy words for kids are simple shapes: star, bell, candy cane, tree, present, snowflake, mitten, hat, ornament, stocking, snowman and cookie.

What are hard Christmas Pictionary words? Hard words are actions, phrases and titles, such as 'untangling the lights,' 'Twelve Days of Christmas,' 'last-minute shopping,' 'Home Alone' and 'chestnuts roasting on an open fire.'

What do you need to play Pictionary at home? You need paper or a whiteboard, markers, a timer and a bowl of folded word slips. A large sketch pad on an easel makes it easier for a big room to see.

How long should each drawing turn be? A standard Christmas Pictionary drawing turn is 60 seconds. Give young kids 90 seconds and cut hard phrases to 45 seconds when adults want a faster game.

Can you use letters in Pictionary? No, Pictionary drawers can't use letters, numbers or symbols that spell out the answer. Drawers can use dashes to show how many words are in the answer and point at parts of the drawing.

How many people can play Christmas Pictionary? You need at least four people for two teams. It works well up to about 16; with more, run two drawing stations or play 'all draw,' where one drawer from each team sketches the same word at once.

Can you play Christmas Pictionary online? Yes, you can play Christmas Pictionary online. Use the whiteboard tool in your video-call app, send the word to the drawer privately, and let everyone guess out loud or in the chat.

What's the difference between Pictionary and charades? Pictionary is drawing and charades is acting. The same Christmas word lists work for both, so many hosts alternate rounds.

How do you score Christmas Pictionary? Give 1 point for easy words, 2 for medium and 3 for hard. Teams choose which bowl to draw from, so the game stays close even with kids and adults playing together.

How can I plan a Christmas party game night on a budget? Pick games that need only paper and markers, plan simple snacks and set one small prize. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) puts the party menu, to-do list and holiday spending on one set of printable pages.

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Sources

  1. Even a joyous holiday season can cause stress for most Americans (American Psychological Association) apa.org
  2. Loneliness and Social Isolation: Tips for Staying Connected (National Institute on Aging) nia.nih.gov