As the holiday season draws near, bringing festive cheer to remote celebrations has never been easier or more exciting. Virtual Holiday Games offer a delightful way to stay connected with friends and family, no matter where they are in the US. By incorporating the AVVA Experience, you can transform your virtual holiday gathering into a vibrant and interactive event that captures the magic of the season. From fun challenges to heartwarming activities, discover how to create a joyful and memorable celebration that everyone will cherish.
1. Virtual Secret Santa
No holiday celebration is complete without a gift exchange, and Secret Santa is a classic favorite. Thankfully, this beloved tradition translates beautifully to the virtual world. Here's how to set it up:
- Use online tools like Elfster or DrawNames to organize the gift exchange.
- Set a budget and deadline for purchasing gifts.
- Participants can ship gifts directly to their recipients or opt for digital presents.
- Host a video call where everyone opens their gifts together.
To add an extra layer of fun, consider themed gift exchanges like "homemade gifts only" or "gifts that start with the recipient's initials."
2. Holiday Trivia
Test your guests' knowledge of holiday traditions, movies, music, and more with a festive trivia game. You can create your own questions or use pre-made holiday trivia sets available online. Some tips for hosting a successful virtual trivia night:
- Use a platform like Kahoot! or Quizizz to create and host your quiz.
- Divide participants into teams for added camaraderie.
- Include a mix of easy and challenging questions to keep everyone engaged.
- Consider adding a "picture round" with holiday-themed images to identify.
3. Virtual Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Get your guests moving and exploring their own homes with a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. Create a list of items commonly found during the festive season, such as:
- A holiday ornament
- Something red and green
- A candy cane
- A holiday card
- A festive piece of clothing
Set a time limit and have participants race to find and show the items on camera. Award points for each item found and crown the speediest scavenger as the winner.
4. Online Escape Rooms
For those who enjoy a mental challenge, virtual escape rooms offer an exciting and immersive experience. Many companies now offer holiday-themed escape rooms that you can play with a group online. These games typically involve solving puzzles, decoding clues, and working together to "escape" within a set time limit. Some popular options include:
- "Santa's Zombie Apocalypse" by Enchambered
- "Elf's Workshop" by Puzzle Break
- "Holiday Hijinks" by The Escape Game
5. Virtual Cookie Decorating Contest
Embrace the sweet side of the holidays with a virtual cookie decorating competition. Here's how to organize it:
- Send participants a simple sugar cookie recipe in advance.
- Have everyone bake a batch of cookies before the event.
- During the video call, set a time limit for decorating.
- Participants can use whatever frosting, sprinkles, and decorations they have on hand.
- Vote on categories like "Most Creative," "Most Festive," and "Best Overall Design."
This activity not only provides a fun competition but also results in delicious treats for everyone to enjoy.
6. Holiday Charades or Pictionary
Classic party games like charades and Pictionary adapt well to the virtual environment and are perfect for getting everyone involved. Create a list of holiday-themed words or phrases for players to act out or draw. You can use the chat function to privately send words to the active player, or use an online word generator specifically designed for virtual game nights.
7. Virtual Holiday Karaoke
Spread some musical cheer with a virtual holiday karaoke party. Platforms like Watch2Gether or Kosmi allow you to share YouTube videos in sync with your group. Create a playlist of holiday karaoke tracks and take turns belting out festive tunes. Don't forget to encourage costumes and props for added entertainment!
8. Online Board Games with a Holiday Twist
Many popular board games have online versions that you can play with remote friends and family. Look for holiday editions or festive mods of games like:
- Monopoly (Christmas Edition)
- Clue (Winter Edition)
- Ticket to Ride (Nordic Countries map)
Alternatively, use platforms like Board Game Arena or Tabletop Simulator to play a wide variety of games with your group.
9. Virtual Holiday Movie Night
While not a game in the traditional sense, a synchronized movie viewing can be a cozy and enjoyable group activity. Use services like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) or Scener to watch holiday classics together while chatting in real-time. Some crowd-pleasing options include:
- "Elf"
- "Home Alone"
- "It's a Wonderful Life"
- "The Polar Express"
- "A Christmas Story"
10. Festive Photo Challenges
Spark creativity and capture the holiday spirit with themed photo challenges. Assign daily or weekly themes like:
- Best ugly sweater
- Most creative holiday meal
- Coziest reading nook
- Most impressive light display
- Funniest pet holiday costume
Have participants submit their photos to a shared album or social media group, and vote on winners in various categories.
11. Virtual Gift Wrapping Competition
Turn a holiday chore into a fun competition by hosting a virtual gift wrapping contest. Participants can showcase their wrapping skills in categories like:
- Most creative use of materials
- Quickest wrap
- Most elaborate bow
- Best eco-friendly wrapping
This activity not only provides entertainment but also helps everyone get a head start on their gift preparations.
12. Online Holiday Bingo
Create custom bingo cards filled with holiday-related items, traditions, or experiences. As you play, participants can mark off squares based on things they've done or seen during the holiday season. Some square ideas include:
- Watched a holiday movie
- Baked cookies
- Saw snow falling
- Heard "All I Want for Christmas Is You" on the radio
- Wore an ugly sweater
You can use a virtual bingo card creator to generate and distribute cards to your group.
13. Virtual Gingerbread House Building
Challenge your group to a gingerbread house building competition. Participants can use store-bought kits or make their own gingerbread from scratch. Set a time limit for construction and decoration, then have everyone showcase their creations via video. Vote on categories like "Most Structurally Sound," "Most Whimsical," and "Best Use of Candy."
14. Holiday-Themed Jackbox Games
The Jackbox Party Pack series offers a variety of fun, interactive games that work well for virtual gatherings. While not specifically holiday-themed, many of these games can be adapted with festive prompts or categories. Some Jackbox games that work particularly well for holiday parties include:
- Quiplash (create funny responses to prompts)
- Drawful (draw silly pictures based on weird prompts)
- Trivia Murder Party (a morbidly fun trivia game)
15. Virtual Holiday Talent Show
Encourage your group to showcase their hidden talents with a virtual holiday talent show. Participants can perform holiday-themed acts such as:
- Singing a festive song
- Performing a winter-inspired dance
- Reciting a holiday poem
- Demonstrating a seasonal craft
- Showing off cookie decorating skills
This activity allows everyone to shine and brings a personal touch to your virtual gathering.
16. Online Holiday-Themed Escape Room Design Challenge
For a creative twist, have your group work together to design their own holiday-themed escape room puzzles. Split participants into teams and give them a set amount of time to come up with a series of holiday-related puzzles and clues. Once the design phase is complete, teams can challenge each other to solve their festive escape rooms.
17. Virtual Holiday Costume Contest
Encourage participants to dress up in their best holiday-themed costumes for your virtual gathering. Categories could include:
- Best Santa or Mrs. Claus
- Most creative holiday character
- Best group costume (for families or households)
- Most impressive DIY costume
- Funniest holiday-inspired outfit
This activity adds a visual element of fun to your video call and gets everyone in the festive spirit.
As we wrap up our exploration of virtual holiday games, it's clear that distance doesn't have to dampen our festive spirit. With a little creativity and the right technology, we can create memorable, engaging, and joyful experiences that bring us closer together, even when we're physically apart. Whether you're drawn to the competitive thrill of trivia, the creative challenge of a gingerbread house contest, or the simple pleasure of watching a beloved holiday movie together, there's a virtual game or activity to suit every group and preference.
Remember, the most important aspect of any holiday gathering – virtual or otherwise – is the connection and warmth shared between participants. These games and activities serve as a catalyst for laughter, conversation, and the creation of new traditions that can endure long after we've returned to in-person celebrations.
So this holiday season, embrace the possibilities of virtual gatherings. With the right mix of games, activities, and festive cheer, your online holiday party can be just as memorable and meaningful as any traditional celebration. Happy holidays, and may your virtual gatherings be filled with joy, laughter, and the spirit of the season!