Robin's Reflections on Personal Growth

Christmas is the perfect time to spend with friends and family. To make this special time of year even more fun and memorable, try some holiday games and activities. Whether you intend to host a large Christmas party or a simple small gathering, here are a couple of ideas to get you started.

1. The first game is called Unwrap the Gift. First, you need several small gifts wrapped in multiple layers of wrapping paper. All players sit in a circle and Christmas music plays in the background. As the music plays, each person passes the box around the circle. Once the music stops, whoever is holding the gift should unwrap one layer of the paper and then pass it on to the person beside him or her to continue unwrapping. Continue doing until the music starts again. Whoever unwraps the last layer of paper gets to keep the gift.

2. Another game or activity to try isthe Christmas Guessing Game. Divide players into four teams. Each team gets a Christmas sock with around 20 to 25 unique items inside which are related to the holiday season. These could include a pinecone, a Christmas ball, a candy cane and other objects normally seen or used during Christmas. Tie each sock closed with a ribbon so the teams will not be able to see what is inside. The teams have to touch and feel what is inside the socks and then write down or yell their guesses aloud. The team with the most number of correct guesses for the items in the sock is the winner.

3. You could also play American Idol. However, instead of having a panel of judges made up of adults, you can have the kids do the judging and the adults do the singing and dancing. This is a fun activity for family reunions as well.

4. A good idea for a Christmas game for children is the Pin the Red Nose on Rudolph game. This works similarly to Pin the Tail on the Donkey. You just need to have a picture or a drawing of Rudolph missing his nose. You make several red noses, each with a identifying number written on it. Once the children are blindfolded and spun around, they then have to stick the nose on Rudolph. Whoever pins the nose closest to the correct spot wins.

These are just some of the games and activities that you and your friends and family can do during the holiday season. These games can bring out the silly side in everybody. They are a wonderful way of creating and sharing some happy and cherished memories with your loved ones.