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Christmas this or that questions (2026): this or that is the fastest holiday game there is. Someone reads two options, everyone picks one, and the debate starts on its own. There is nothing to set up and nothing to buy, so it works in the car, in line for Santa, at the dinner table or as a warm-up before presents. Below are 46 Christmas this or that questions, split into kids, family, grown-ups and a silly round for when energy dips.
Best boxed choice game for the holidays: Would You Rather?
A card game of tough and funny choices that keeps going after your list runs out. Players guess how the reader will answer, so it rewards knowing your family well. It costs about $10.
Price band: Under $10 (about $10) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Games to keep the holiday choices going
Two card games for when the list below runs dry.
- Best for choice questions: Would You Rather? — funny dilemmas plus guessing and scoring (about $10)
- Best for a Christmas quiz: Yule Never Guess — a Christmas trivia card game for kids and adults (about $30)
How to play Christmas this or that
- Pick a reader. The youngest player is a good start.
- Read one question. Everyone answers at once by pointing left for the first option and right for the second.
- Anyone in the smaller group gets one sentence to win someone over.
- Pass the list along and keep going until dessert is served.
Christmas this or that questions for kids (12)
Easy picks that even young children can answer in a second.
- Santa or the Grinch?
- Snowman or gingerbread man?
- Hot cocoa or eggnog?
- Candy canes or chocolate coins?
- Sledding or ice skating?
- Elf on the Shelf or a reindeer in the yard?
- Opening one present on Christmas Eve or waiting for morning?
- Rudolph or Frosty?
- Making cookies or decorating cookies?
- Stockings or wrapped presents?
- Snow day or Christmas break?
- Writing a letter to Santa or visiting Santa at the mall?
Family Christmas this or that questions (14)
Traditions, food and decorating. These start the friendliest arguments of the year.
- Real tree or artificial tree?
- Colored lights or white lights?
- Ham or turkey for Christmas dinner?
- Matching pajamas or ugly sweaters?
- Christmas movies or Christmas music?
- Wrap presents early or wrap on Christmas Eve?
- Gingerbread house or gingerbread cookies?
- Board game night or movie marathon?
- Pumpkin pie or pecan pie?
- Big family Christmas or small and cozy?
- Tinsel or garland?
- Christmas morning pancakes or cinnamon rolls?
- Driving to see lights or decorating your own house?
- Secret Santa or White Elephant?
Christmas this or that questions for adults (12)
Hosting, gifting and holiday plans. All family-friendly, just aimed at grown-ups.
- Hosting Christmas or being a guest?
- Gift cards or a surprise gift?
- Mulled wine or hot toddy?
- Office party or friends’ party?
- Snowy cabin or tropical beach for the holidays?
- Shopping online or shopping in stores?
- Home Alone or Elf?
- Classic carols or modern pop Christmas songs?
- Thoughtful gift or practical gift?
- Christmas Eve service or Christmas Eve party?
- Decorate the day after Thanksgiving or wait until December?
- A year of free Christmas dinners or a year of free wrapping?
Silly Christmas this or that questions (8)
Nobody can answer these with a straight face, which is the point.
- Reindeer antlers or a red glowing nose for a week?
- Sneeze glitter or burp jingle bells?
- Live in a snow globe or live in a gingerbread house?
- Be an elf in Santa’s workshop or a reindeer on the sleigh team?
- Only eat candy canes for a day or only eat fruitcake?
- Have tinsel hair or ornament earrings all December?
- Ride the Polar Express or drive Santa’s sleigh?
- Talk like a Christmas carol or walk like a penguin all day?
Ways to make this or that a real holiday game
- Stand up, sit down. Stand for the first option, stay seated for the second. Great for big rooms and restless kids.
- Guess grandma. Before one person answers, everyone predicts their pick. A correct guess scores a candy cane.
- Write your own. Hand out slips of paper and have each guest write one Christmas this or that. Read them anonymously.
- Gift order. Use a round of questions to decide who opens the next present: whoever matches the majority goes first.
Tips for a big Christmas crowd
For a party of 15 or more, split the room into two teams and read the questions like a quiz show. Each team has five seconds to agree on one answer, then everyone reveals. Points go to whichever side matches the most players in the other team. It keeps quiet guests involved without putting anyone on the spot.
Want more? Our Christmas would you rather questions take the same idea further, our Christmas dinner conversation starters keep the table talking, and our Christmas trivia night guide is perfect for later in the evening. For party ideas, see Christmas icebreaker games.
Christmas this or that FAQ
What is a Christmas this or that question?
It is a quick choice between two holiday options, such as real tree or artificial tree. Everyone picks one and explains why.
How many this or that questions do you need for a party?
About 20 to 30 fills 15 minutes. This list has 46, so you can skip any that do not suit your group.
Is this or that the same as would you rather?
They are closely related. This or that uses short, simple pairs, while would you rather questions usually describe a full scenario.
