Christmas Scattergories Categories (2026): 60 Holiday Lists

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Christmas Scattergories categories (2026): Scattergories is one of the best holiday party games because every guest plays at once, nobody waits for a turn and the arguments over answers are half the fun. Here are 60 Christmas Scattergories categories organized into ten printable lists of six. Pick a list, choose a letter, set a timer and have everyone write one answer per category that starts with that letter. Unique answers score; matching answers cancel out.

Quick holiday Scattergories rules

1. Give everyone a pencil and paper, then pick one of the lists below.
2. Choose a letter. Roll the die from the boxed game, or draw from a hat of easy letters such as B, C, D, G, H, L, M, P, R, S, T and W.
3. Start a two- or three-minute timer. Everyone writes one answer per category, and every answer must start with the chosen letter.
4. When time is up, go around the table and read answers aloud. Any answer that matches someone else’s scores zero; unique answers score one point.
5. Play a few rounds with new letters and add up the totals.

Agree on house rules before you start: whether “a” and “the” count as the first word, whether alliteration earns bonus points and how the group votes on borderline answers.

List 1: Around the tree

1. Christmas tree ornaments
2. Things you hang on a wall
3. Something sparkly
4. Things in a stocking
5. Gifts under $10
6. Things that light up

List 2: Holiday kitchen

1. Christmas cookies
2. Things you bake
3. Holiday drinks
4. Foods at Christmas dinner
5. Candy
6. Things in a pantry

List 3: North Pole

1. Santa’s reindeer and other animals
2. Elf names you would invent
3. Toys
4. Things that are red
5. Things at the North Pole
6. Things that are cold

List 4: Movies and music

1. Christmas songs
2. Holiday movie characters
3. Things in a snow globe
4. Famous Santas
5. Instruments
6. Words in a carol

List 5: Winter weather

1. Winter clothing
2. Things you do in the snow
3. Words that describe weather
4. Winter sports
5. Things that melt
6. Things in a ski lodge

List 6: Family gatherings

1. Relatives’ names
2. Board games
3. Things people argue about
4. Things you pack for a trip
5. Excuses to skip cleanup
6. Things you say thank you for

List 7: Around the world

1. Countries
2. Holiday traditions
3. Cities with snow
4. Languages
5. Things you need a passport for
6. Famous landmarks

List 8: Gift wrapping

1. Things made of paper
2. Things in a craft drawer
3. Colors
4. Shapes
5. Things that come in a box
6. Things you tie

List 9: Cozy night in

1. Things by a fireplace
2. Pajama patterns
3. Things you snuggle
4. Things in a mug
5. Streaming shows
6. Things that smell good

List 10: Grab bag

1. Things that jingle
2. Something you regift
3. Things on a front porch
4. Things you would find in Santa’s sleigh
5. Words ending in -ing
6. Things you make a wish on

Ways to play with a holiday crowd

• Teams of two. Pair kids with adults so younger players can still compete.
• Gift points. The winner of each round picks a small wrapped prize from the pile.
• Christmas letters only. For a themed round, use only the letters in MERRY CHRISTMAS.
• Speed round. Cut the timer to 90 seconds for the last round of the night.

Sample answers for the letter S

Category	Possible answers
Christmas cookies	Sugar cookie, snickerdoodle, spritz
Christmas songs	Silent Night, Sleigh Ride, Santa Baby
Winter clothing	Scarf, snow pants, sweater
Things that jingle	Sleigh bells, spare change, spurs

More category games for the season

Scattergories is the natural next step because the folders and letter die are built in. Our Scattergories rules guide covers scoring disputes. For a twist, Scattergories Categories has you spell a theme down the page and find an answer for each letter, with 250 challenges in the box. If your group wants something different, see our games like Scattergories.

Planning the whole party? Try our Christmas would you rather questions, Christmas dinner conversation starters and Christmas party games for large groups.

Christmas Scattergories questions

What are good Christmas Scattergories categories?

Christmas cookies, things in a stocking, holiday movie characters, things that jingle and winter clothing are easy to start with.

How long should a Scattergories round be?

Two to three minutes works for six categories. Shorten it to 90 seconds for experienced players.

Can kids play holiday Scattergories?

Yes. Use easy letters, pair younger kids with an adult and choose lists like Around the tree or North Pole.