How to Organize a Christmas Challenge: The Best Ideas for Friends
Sometimes traditional Christmas gatherings — dinner, toasts, and gift exchanges — start to feel repetitive. To make the holiday brighter and more memorable, many friends invent playful competitions — Christmas challenges.
In this article, we share how to get your friends involved in holiday challenges and which ideas will fit your group best.
Why Christmas Challenges Are Worth Trying
A Christmas challenge is a game or activity with a fun twist that friends complete together during the holiday season. Unlike contests, here the goal isn’t winning — it’s about the shared experience and emotions that come with it.
The format can be anything — from lighthearted tasks like “record the funniest Christmas tree video” to deeper ideas such as a December kindness marathon, where everyone performs one good deed each day.
Below are the main reasons why Christmas challenges are worth including in your celebration.
| What Challenges Bring | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Connection | Friends feel like one team working toward something fun together. |
| Bright Emotions | More laughter, energy, and funny shared stories to remember. |
| New Traditions | Challenges can become annual rituals repeated year after year. |
| Engagement | Even those who usually stay quiet find their role in the fun. |
| Variety | Fresh formats save the group from boredom and predictability. |
How to Get Friends Involved in a Christmas Challenge
Coming up with a challenge is just half the task — the real fun begins when everyone joins in. But friends can differ: some jump into new ideas right away, while others hesitate or feel shy.
To make sure the challenge doesn’t turn into a game for just two enthusiasts, think ahead about how to spark interest and include everyone.
- Offer options. Give people a choice of how to participate — one can take photos, another can record videos, and someone else can simply react in the group chat.
- Keep it simple. If it takes a week to prepare, half the group will drop out. The easier, the better.
- Lead by example. Start first: post the first funny photo or video — others will follow your lead.
- Match their interests. Love movies? Make it a film marathon. Enjoy cooking? Try a culinary challenge.
- Add a small prize. Even a symbolic trophy or mug adds a sense of excitement.
- Show a group result. Create a shared album, playlist, or video collage so everyone sees what they accomplished together.
Involvement is the key to success. The goal is not to make it an obligation but a joyful activity where humor and easy rules draw everyone in.
Top 16 Christmas Challenge Ideas
We’ve gathered options for every taste — from light online fun to real-life team activities. The only rule: pick what your group will truly enjoy.
Creative Challenges
Perfect for groups who love to craft or create. No talent required — just enthusiasm.
Handmade Holiday Cards
Everyone makes a Christmas card for a friend. Set up a mini art station during the party and exchange your creations at the end. The fun of the process — and the laughter over “masterpieces” — will be unforgettable.
December Photo Marathon
Take one photo a day throughout December — of a decoration, a funny outfit, or a street Santa sighting. Collect them in a shared album to create a visual holiday diary by Christmas.
Song or Poem in 24 Hours
Each participant has 24 hours to write and perform a short song or poem. Host a mini concert at the end — the more offbeat and silly, the better.
Holiday Collage
Split into teams, hand out old magazines, glue, and scissors. Each team creates a collage titled “Our Christmas Mood.” After 15 minutes, show and explain the results — guaranteed laughter.
Friendly Challenge Dares
These add a playful edge — test courage, creativity, or endurance.
Secret Santa with a Twist
Give the classic Secret Santa game a new spin — each gift must come with a funny task for the recipient. For example:
- Sing a Christmas song verse.
- Do a “tree dance.”
- Take a selfie with the decorations.
- Share a story of your funniest holiday memory.
Its key features include:
- Automatic draw. The system randomly assigns pairs in seconds.
- Flexible settings. Exclude certain pairings — for example, spouses.
- Anonymous chat. Message your recipient without revealing who you are.
- Wishlists. Add links to real products so gifts are relevant.
- Any format. Works great for in-person or online gatherings alike.
Kindness Marathon
During December, each friend completes one small good deed daily — helping a neighbor, donating to charity, or sending compliments. Share results in a group chat and celebrate the kindest participant at the end.
No Sweets Until Christmas
A lighthearted self-control challenge — skip sweets, caffeine, or fast food until Christmas Eve. Or flip it and try one new holiday treat each day.
Christmas Quest
Hide clues around your home. To find their gifts, participants must solve riddles or complete tasks leading to the next step.
Ideas for a Christmas Quest:
- Gift Hunt. Hide the main present and leave clues that form a trail.
- Secret Word. Collect letters hidden in cards, cookies, or notes to spell “JOY” or “2026.”
- Photo Tasks. Take pictures: with an ornament, wearing a Santa hat, holding cocoa.
- Envelope Dares. Each person draws a mini challenge: recite a poem, dance for 10 seconds, or guess a song from one line.
- Culinary Trail. Hide notes under plates or in cookies.
- Music Quest. Play song snippets; each correct guess brings players closer to the final clue.
- Treasure Map. A simple floor plan with marked “treasures” — candy or tiny gifts.
Online Challenges
Great if your group can’t meet in person or wants to extend the celebration.
Story Marathon
Post one story each day leading up to Christmas — decorations, gifts, or cozy moments. It builds a shared festive atmosphere even across cities.
Shared Playlist
Everyone adds three favorite songs to a joint Christmas playlist. On Christmas Eve, you’ll have a soundtrack full of your group’s memories.
Video Challenge: “Getting Ready for Christmas”
Create short 15–30 second clips — someone wrapping gifts, someone decorating. By the end, you’ll have your own mini Christmas series.
Meme Challenge
Share your funniest Christmas memes in a group chat for a week and vote for the best one at the end.
Family-Friendly Challenges
Perfect if friends are celebrating with partners and kids. Activities should be simple, fun, and inclusive for all ages.
Movie Marathon
Nothing brings people together like Christmas movies. Vote on which to include — maybe Home Alone, Elf, or Love Actually.
Culinary Challenge
Each person makes a dish with a twist: a salad shaped like a snowman or desserts decorated like presents. Let kids act as judges — it’s even more fun.
Tree Decorating Challenge
Pick a theme like “DIY-only ornaments,” “’90s nostalgia,” or “tree without a tree.” Take photos and vote for the most creative result.
Family Traditions Exchange
Ask every family to share one personal Christmas tradition — a recipe, a song, or a toast. These exchanges make the celebration warmer and more personal.
Conclusion
Christmas challenges are a fun, easy way to brighten your holiday and strengthen bonds. They bring laughter, new traditions, and lasting memories. Whether it’s a twist on Secret Santa, a photo marathon, or a culinary quest — one simple idea can turn your celebration into an unforgettable event.