Christmas is the moment to come together, enjoy good company and make memories. Whether you’re looking for cosy, creative or active ideas: these 10 Christmas activities for adults (which are also perfect for teenagers!) will make for an unforgettable holiday season. From snug to exuberant, from relaxed to active — there’s something for everyone. Read to the end for three extra bonus ideas!
At a Glance: 10 Christmas Activities for Adults
| # | Activity | Effort | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christmas quiz | Low | Anywhere |
| 2 | Ugly sweater party | Low | Indoors |
| 3 | Christmas movie marathon | Low | Indoors |
| 4 | Homemade decorations | Medium | Indoors |
| 5 | Ice skating | Medium | Outdoors |
| 6 | Candle making | Medium | Indoors |
| 7 | Karaoke night | Low | Indoors |
| 8 | Christmas story night | Low | Indoors |
| 9 | Volunteering | Varies | Out & about |
| 10 | Christmas cards | Low | Indoors |
1. Play a Christmas Quiz: Who Knows Christmas Best?
Test your knowledge with a Christmas quiz packed with festive questions, fun facts and maybe even a music round. Play at home on the couch, during Christmas dinner, or host a Christmas drinks party with a full pub quiz. It’s the one activity on this list that works for any group size, from four people around the tree to a full party. Who will be this year’s Christmas champion?
Our Christmas Quiz has 60 questions in six rounds — including a brand-new timeline round — and ends with a thrilling shoot-out question. Download it instantly, print it, and play.
What you need: Christmas quiz, pen and paper
2. Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: Who Wears the Worst One?
Organise an ugly Christmas sweater contest! Have everyone show up in their most creative (or most horrendous) Christmas jumper and hold a vote. The winner gets a prize — for example an extra gift, or the honour of hosting next year’s Christmas party… or perhaps the duty not to.
🎄 Tip: Take a photo of all the sweaters and share them in the group chat for extra laughs. Bonus points for anyone who knitted their own.
What you need: Sweaters, pen and paper
3. Christmas Movie Marathon: Cosy and Comfortable
Make a list of your favourite Christmas movies, stock up on snacks, prepare hot chocolate and dive under a blanket. Think classics like Home Alone, Love Actually or The Grinch — or mix in newer favourites so every generation gets “their” film.
🎄 Bonus: Play our movie quiz in between films.
What you need: TV, streaming subscription or DVDs
4. Homemade Christmas Decorations: Get Creative
Get crafty with clay, felt, paper or recycled materials. Make unique ornaments for the tree, or as gifts. Who creates the most beautiful (or funniest) piece?
🎄 Inspiration:
- Personalised baubles with names or photos.
- Ornaments made from old Christmas cards.
What you need: Craft supplies, scissors and glue
5. Ice Skating: Winter Magic in the Open Air
When the canals and lakes freeze over, go outdoor natural-ice skating — the classic winter experience. No ice nearby? Visit a local ice rink and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere along the way. Check opening times in advance: rinks are busiest (and most festive) in the week before Christmas.
🎄 Tip: Bring a thermos of hot chocolate!
What you need: Skates, ice
6. Candle Making: Ambiance and Creativity
Make your own Christmas candles in moulds shaped like stars, trees or reindeer. A relaxing and atmospheric activity for a cold winter’s evening — and the candles double as homemade gifts.
🎄 Extra: Add scented oil for wonderfully fragrant candles. Cinnamon, orange or pine instantly say “Christmas”.
What you need: Candle wax, wicks, mould, wick holder
7. Karaoke Night: Sing Your Heart Out
Organise a karaoke night with Christmas classics. Who sings All I Want for Christmas Is You the best? Or do you dare to attempt Last Christmas — and hit every note?
🎄 Variation: Play Let’s Sing on Xbox/PlayStation or use YouTube karaoke videos.
What you need: Microphone, YouTube or Xbox/PlayStation Let’s Sing
8. Christmas Story Night: Magical and Personal
Share Christmas stories, poems or personal anecdotes. Organise an open-mic evening where everyone can read or tell something — the more unexpected the memory, the better.
🎄 Idea: Write a funny Christmas story together, with everyone adding one sentence in turn. The result is guaranteed chaos — and a story you’ll retell for years.
What you need: Christmas stories, paper, pens
9. Volunteering: Give Something Back
Christmas is also a time to think of others. Do volunteer work at a food bank, shelter or charity — many organisations specifically need extra hands during the holidays, so register early. A valuable and connecting experience.
🎄 Tip: Check local websites for opportunities in your area.
What you need: Good will!
10. Christmas Cards: Personal and Unique
Make your own Christmas cards with photos, drawings or collages. Send them to family, friends or neighbours for a personal touch — a hand-made card stands out in a pile of printed ones.
🎄 Creative: Make a family photo card or a card with a funny Christmas message.
What you need: Camera, printer, paper, brushes, pencils
Bonus Ideas for Extra Christmas Fun
- Christmas baking: Bake Christmas wreath cookies, Christmas fruit breads or Christmas cookies together.
- Christmas escape room: Build a Christmas-themed escape room at home with riddles and challenges.
- Christmas drinks & games: Combine drinks with board games, Christmas bingo or multiple quizzes — for example our December quiz bundle.
Wrapping Up
With these activities, you’ll turn Christmas into a festive, cosy and memorable time for everyone. Whether you choose a craft evening, a movie marathon or a quiz — it’s all about being together and enjoying the moment.
Bonus: 5 Tips for a Successful Christmas Quiz
Organising a Christmas quiz can’t go wrong — with these five tips you’ll get the most out of it.
1. Split your group into teams.
Teams of two or three work best: everyone can think along and nobody sits on the sidelines. Let teams pick a festive name — that alone gets the first laughs going.
2. Mix easy and hard questions.
Make sure every team scores regularly. The best feeling of a quiz night? Everyone getting to say: “We actually knew that!”
3. Build in a music round.
Nothing makes a Christmas party cosier than a round of Christmas music. Do you recognise the song? And can you also name the artist?
4. Save the shoot-out for last.
Keep the most exciting question — the shoot-out — until the end. A tie is no longer an issue, and the night ends on a cliff-hanger.
5. Provide a small prize.
A Christmas bauble, a chocolate wreath or simply eternal glory: a prize completes the contest.
🎄 Insider tip: Our Christmas Quiz has 60 questions in six rounds and ends with a thrilling shoot-out question. Download, print and play straight away.
FAQ
The most popular Christmas activities for adults are playing a Christmas quiz, an ugly sweater party, a movie marathon, ice skating and karaoke. Creative options include candle making, homemade decorations and Christmas cards — and volunteering adds meaning to the season.
Plan a mix of one main activity and relaxed filler: start with a Christmas quiz after dinner, add a movie marathon for the quiet hours, and close with a story night or karaoke. Having one structured activity (like a quiz) prevents the afternoon from drifting.
Download a ready-made Christmas quiz, split your group into teams of two or three, mix easy and hard questions, build in a music round, and finish with a shoot-out question to break any tie. Provide a small prize for the winning team.
You can technically play the quiz on your own, but it’s more fun to compete. It works from two people upwards: with a large party, split into teams of two or three so everyone stays involved.