Title: The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Scattergories (You’ll Never Look at Holiday Games the Same Way Again)
Ah, Christmas. The time of year when everything’s perfect—except for the part where your relatives insist on playing a board game. Don’t get me wrong, I love family gatherings. I even like board games. But sometimes, just sometimes, it feels like you’re trapped in a cycle of endless Monopoly, Pictionary, and… whatever the weird new game is that someone swears will be “the next big thing.” But then, one game rises above the rest: Christmas Scattergories.
Let me set the scene for you. It’s Christmas Eve. The tree is sparkling, the scent of gingerbread cookies fills the air, and everyone’s gathered in the living room, exchanging stories about how they almost caught a giant fish on their summer vacation. You’ve got your festive sweater on, your mulled wine in hand, and the faint sound of “Last Christmas” playing in the background. But then, the inevitable happens—someone suggests playing a game. You can already feel the sweat trickling down your back, as your mind races for an excuse. And then, like a beacon of holiday cheer, someone says those magical words: “How about Christmas Scattergories?”
Cue the heavenly choir.
Now, if you haven’t played Scattergories before, or you’ve only played the generic version, let me fill you in: This is no ordinary game. This is a test of creativity, wit, and the kind of holiday spirit that makes you both love and secretly resent your family members, all in one swift motion. So grab your pen, your A-to-Z list, and let’s break down why Christmas Scattergories is not just a game, but an art form.
What Is Christmas Scattergories Anyway?
In case you haven’t been introduced to the magical world of Scattergories, here’s the lowdown. The concept is simple: You have a list of categories (think “Christmas Movies,” “Christmas Foods,” “Christmas Songs”), and you roll a 20-sided die to select a random letter (let’s say “B,” because why not?). You then have to think of something that fits each category starting with that letter. The faster you write, the better, but here’s the trick—your answers have to be unique. If someone else has the same answer as you? Sorry, no points for you.
For example, if the letter is “C” and the category is “Christmas Movies,” your answer could be “Christmas Vacation” or “Charlie Brown Christmas.” But if Aunt Brenda writes down the same answer, it’s a no-go. You’ve got to be quick, creative, and, let’s face it, a little bit sneaky. And that’s where the Christmas version of Scattergories really shines.
You get to dive into everything that makes the holiday season magical (and maybe a little chaotic). You’re not just filling out boring categories like “Animals” or “Things in a Kitchen” (though, don’t get me wrong, I’ll crush you in those categories). No, no. Christmas Scattergories brings the jolly chaos of the season into a list, from “Christmas Songs” to “Things You Put on a Christmas Tree” to “Christmas Desserts.” And let’s not forget the game’s secret weapon: the Christmas Scattergories printable.
Why Christmas Scattergories Is the Game You Didn’t Know You Needed
Now, you might be thinking, “Why bother? I have enough Christmas chaos going on without adding one more thing to the mix.” But listen up, because Christmas Scattergories is the answer to all your holiday game-night prayers. Here’s why:
- It’s Easy to Set Up: No complicated rules, no hours of setup, just pick your categories and start the timer. A simple, yet exciting game that even the least game-savvy person in the room can join in on.
- You’ll Actually Use Your Brain: Sure, it’s easy to just name the same old answers you know everyone will say, but Christmas Scattergories encourages you to dig a little deeper. It gets your brain firing, especially when you’re trying to think of an obscure Christmas carol that starts with the letter “J” (Jingle Bells doesn’t count, sorry). Bonus points if you can stump everyone else.
- It Gets Everyone Talking: In typical family gatherings, you’re lucky if anyone says more than two sentences to each other. But with Christmas Scattergories, suddenly everyone is shouting out suggestions, laughing at crazy answers, and arguing over the rules of whether or not “Jingle Bells” is a Christmas song. You’ll get more personality out of a two-minute round of Scattergories than you would in an hour of “What’s your New Year’s resolution?”
- It’s Festive, Y’all: Do you really need another reason? The categories, the spirit, the shared holiday nostalgia—all of it culminates in a game that feels like Christmas. Plus, there’s something uniquely satisfying about writing down “Presents” when the letter is “P” and hearing everyone else try to come up with something else. It’s the little things.
How to Play Christmas Scattergories Like a Pro
If you’re still scratching your head wondering how to actually play Christmas Scattergories, fear not, because here’s the breakdown.
- Get Your Materials Ready: You’ll need a Christmas Scattergories printable (or just write down your own categories on a piece of paper), some pens, and a timer (or an overly-enthusiastic family member who’s always happy to play the role of ‘official timer’).
- Set the Categories: Here’s where the fun starts. You can stick to classic categories like “Christmas Movies,” “Things You Put on a Christmas Tree,” and “Christmas Foods,” but feel free to get creative. “Christmas Characters Who Aren’t Santa” and “Christmas Phrases You Say in Your Family” can add a little spice to the game.
- Roll for a Letter: Everyone picks their categories, and then the 20-sided die is rolled. That’s the letter you have to work with, and you have 90 seconds to come up with something for each category that starts with that letter.
- Think Fast, Think Unique: Here’s where the competition really heats up. The quicker you write, the better, but remember: You need to be unique. If someone else writes down the same answer, you don’t get the point. This means you’ll be scrambling to think of that one obscure Christmas food that no one else can remember, but you know it because you’ve been the one baking it for years.
- Scoring: After the timer goes off, the answers are read aloud. If no one else has your answer, you score a point. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. And of course, there’s no shame in losing (unless you really wanted to win and can’t stand Aunt Brenda taking home the trophy).
Christmas Scattergories A-Z: Example Categories and Answers
For the uninitiated, here’s a little sneak peek at how you might fill out your own Christmas Scattergories list. Ready? Let’s roll:
- A: Angel (Christmas tree decoration)
- B: Baubles (things on a Christmas tree)
- C: Cookies (Christmas food)
- D: Die Hard (Christmas movie, don’t argue with me on this one)
- E: Elf (Christmas character)
- F: Frosty (Frosty the Snowman)
- G: Gifts (things you buy during Christmas)
- H: Hot Cocoa (Christmas drink)
- I: Icicles (decorations or outside Christmas vibes)
- J: Jingle Bells (song)
- K: King Wenceslas (the very obscure Christmas song no one remembers until someone says it)
- L: Lights (Christmas decoration)
- M: Mistletoe (holiday tradition)
- N: Nutcracker (ballet and figurines)
- O: Ornaments (on the tree)
- P: Poinsettia (Christmas flower)
- Q: Quiet Night (song)
- R: Reindeer (of course)
- S: Santa Claus (obviously)
- T: Tinsel (the shiny stuff)
- U: Under the Mistletoe (romantic gesture)
- V: Velvet Ribbon (decoration)
- W: White Christmas (song)
- X: Xmas (shorthand for Christmas)
- Y: Yule Log (tradition)
- Z: Zuzu’s Petals (from It’s a Wonderful Life—bet you forgot about that one)
Final Thoughts
Christmas Scattergories isn’t just a game; it’s an experience. It’s a chance to show off your Christmas spirit, outwit your family, and laugh until your stomach hurts. So, the next time someone suggests a game at Christmas, don’t groan. Suggest Christmas Scattergories instead. And if you win, well, maybe take a victory lap while humming “Jingle Bells”—because let’s be honest, you’ve earned it.
Go ahead, print out that Christmas Scattergories list, roll that die, and let the holiday fun begin. You might just find that this game becomes a new holiday tradition—and who knows, it could be the start of a Christmas legend.
Happy holidays, and may the best Scatter
