Christmas People Bingo

Location
Anywhere

Energy level
Low

Description
“Can you find someone who…..?” Played with a simple list or laid out in a 5x5 Bingo grid, the object of this Christmas game / Christmas Icebreaker is to get someone at the Christmas Party to sign for each item according to the stated Christmas related criteria.

Resources
Paper and pencil for each person, Timer

Preparation
Make a list of Christmas related characteristics and statements that could be true of someone at the Christmas Party. You might also want to personalize it with very specific characteristics of some of the Christmas Party participants you already know. You can also lay it out on a B I N G O format. A 4x4 grid or a 5x5 grid works well. The objective is to fill all the spaces in a row, column or diagonal or blackout (All spaces full).

Here are some simple Christmas related possibilities.

• Born closest to Christmas Day
• Can burp to the tune of “Jingle Bells”
• Has received Socks for a Christmas gift.
• Has started Christmas shopping already.
• Has a real Christmas Tree
• Has sat on Santa’s lap before
• Likes to drink eggnog at Christmas
• Has never been ice skating
• Is wearing something red
• Has built a snowman
• Hums or sings along with Christmas Carols
• Has gone Christmas caroling
• Has more fun giving than receiving gifts at Christmas
• Love peppermint candy canes
• Would rather have ham than turkey at Christmas dinner
• Has placed a star or angel atop a Christmas Tree
• Has sent someone a Christmas card
• Has a Christmas stocking
• Likes snow
• Doesn’t mind getting clothes as Christmas gifts
• Likes to go Christmas caroling
• Can recite the first two lines of “the Night before Christmas”
• Still hasn’t finished Christmas shopping.
• Knows what’s s/he’s getting for Christmas.
• Plans to return at least one Christmas gift.
• Knows all of the names of Santa's reindeer.
• ETC. ADD YOUR OWN

What to Do

1. Hand out the Christmas People Bingo worksheet you have prepared and a pen to each person at the Christmas Party.
2. Set the timer for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the group and how much time you have available in your Christmas party schedule.
3. Explain to the group that they will have 15 to 20 minutes to mix around and find different people that meet each of the descriptions on their Christmas worksheet.
4. In order to fill the spaces they need to find another person who matches one of the Christmas related qualities or facts listed and then have them sign their name on the appropriate square. Each person may only sign one square per sheet
5. Once a person has been identified they are to have that person fill in their name in the appropriate box. Emphasize to the group that they can not have the same person fill in more than 1 description in the Christmas Bingo grid
6. The first person to finish the Christmas Bingo should bring it to you to mark for scoring.
7. This Christmas Party game can continue until the allotted time is complete because it is common for some of the answers to be disqualified.
8. When the timer goes off, check the winner’s Christmas Bingo sheet for accuracy. The person with the most correct answers wins.
9. You might wish to consider having multiple prizes in case there is more than 1 winner.

Variation
Instead of preparing the list of Christmas related descriptions in advance, have the students at your Christmas Party create the list. “I want to find someone who….” Put all the items on a large sheet of paper or on a white board and have students number their papers and get the name beside each number.

Take It to the Next Level

• As you were mingling around during the Christmas People Bingo icebreaker do you think we have more things in common with each other than you expected? Why or why not?
• Which is more important, the things we share or the things that differentiate us? Explain.
• Are differences a strength or a weakness? Explain.
• How do all these interesting little Christmas related facts help to build relationships?
• Why is it important to know a little more about others in the group?

Action Point
It is interesting to see how many things we have in common with others while we also are so different. Most of the time in relationships, it is a matter of perspective as to whether we want to focus on the things we share in common or the differences. Choose someone you met today to form a closer relationship with this Christmas that will last into the new year!

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