The Twelve Games Of Christmas: An Advent Game For Every Day
An activity advent calendar is lovely until 14 December, when you realise you promised twelve crafts and you have a job.
This is a game a day instead. Most take ten minutes, none needs buying anything, and you can write them on slips of paper and put them in the calendar pockets.
Christmas cards, drawn and printed by us
Funny, rude and warm Christmas cards, blank inside, printed in the UK with kraft envelopes. Order on a working day and it usually goes out the same day.
'tis the season to drink Guinness Christmas Card
£3.87
Let's drink (Guinness) and be Merry Christmas Card With Tree
£3.87
Let's drink (Guinness) and be merry Christmas Card
£3.87
Wishing you an Electrifying Christmas Greeting Card
£3.87
Merry Christmas Nanny (Christmas Card For Nan)
£3.87
Lying Down Black Santa Christmas Card
£3.99
Days one to four: easy wins
- Day 1 - Christmas charades, films only. Ten minutes after tea.
- Day 2 - Guess the Christmas song hummed by each person in turn.
- Day 3 - Decoration hunt: hide one ornament, whoever finds it hides it tomorrow.
- Day 4 - Christmas Pictionary on the back of last year's cards.
Days five to eight: out of the house
- Day 5 - Christmas lights walk with a scoring sheet: best, worst, most inflatable.
- Day 6 - Post a card to someone by hand tonight.
- Day 7 - Supermarket challenge: find the strangest festive product on the shelves.
- Day 8 - Feed the birds, then keep a list of who visits.
Days nine to twelve: building up
- Day 9 - Wrapping race: two gifts each, one hand, timed.
- Day 10 - Christmas quiz night, five questions written by each person.
- Day 11 - Build something from the recycling - a sleigh, a snowman, a nativity.
- Day 12 - Film night with a bingo card: a kiss, a snowfall, a redemption, a montage.
Running it without making a rod for your own back
- Write each game on a slip and fold it into an envelope or a calendar pocket in advance.
- Pick a fixed time - straight after tea works, bedtime doesn't.
- Keep three 'easy day' slips in reserve to swap in when nobody has the energy.
- The twelve days of Christmas technically run from 25 December to 5 January, so you can also do this version between Christmas and the school run starting again.
How to write it so it lands
- Write all twelve slips in one go at the end of November.
- Keep three easy ones in reserve.
- Same time every day beats a perfect list.
Where to shop next
- Christmas gift ideas hub
- Christmas Day games for after dinner
- Christmas games for the whole family
- Christmas Eve games and traditions
- Christmas party games for adults
- Christmas games for two people
- Secret Santa and gift swap games
- The left right Christmas story game
- Christmas charades and Pictionary word lists
- Christmas Day quiz
- Christmas morning games for kids
- New Year's Eve party games
- Boxing Day walk and outdoor games
- Christmas board games
- Boxing Day games
- Board games hub
- Secret Santa gift ideas
- Free feel good tools
- Shop Christmas cards
- Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
- How to make a balloon arch
- Photo booth prop ideas
- Birthday cards for kids
- Pin badges
- All guides
Frequently asked questions
What are the twelve days of Christmas?
Traditionally 25 December to 5 January, ending on Twelfth Night. Most people now use the phrase for the twelve days leading up to Christmas instead, and either works for a game-a-day calendar.
What can you put in an activity advent calendar?
A slip of paper with one game or activity on it - charades, a lights walk, a wrapping race, a film with a bingo card. Games are cheaper and easier than crafts, and they leave nothing to tidy up.
How do you do an advent calendar without buying anything?
Twelve envelopes, twelve slips of paper and twelve games from this list, pegged onto a string. Total cost nothing, and children like the reveal as much as the chocolate.
What if you miss a day?
Double up, or swap in one of your easy slips. Nobody is auditing it, and December is busy for everyone.
Do you sell games or party supplies?
No - we make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK. The games here need little or nothing to run, and the only products on this page are our own cards.