Christmas Who Am I? Cards: Free printable, no sign-up

How to play Christmas Who Am I

Every guest wears a Christmas name they can't see: Santa Claus, a snowman, the Nutcracker, a candy cane. The only way to find out is to ask the other guests. It takes about 15 minutes and works for 8 to 40 people, so it fits the start of a party, while people are still arriving and looking for someone to talk to.

What's on the cards

The 80 names come from the Christmas deck of our Who Am I? game, and every one is family-friendly. Set the number of guests and the first names print, starting with the easiest. Here's a taste.

Christmas pairs: find your other half

Pick Christmas pairs and every card is one half of a holiday duo: Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, milk and cookies, a snowman and his carrot nose, wrapping paper and tape. First you work out who you are. Then you find your other half.

It's a quick way to pair people up for the gift exchange, a cookie decorating table or the next game. Each pair prints side by side on one row, so cut the rows apart first and keep both halves together until you hand them out.

Tips for the party

• Plain printer paper is fine. The cards only need to last one evening, and they cut faster than cardstock.
• Use masking tape or painter's tape. It holds on a sweater and peels off without a mark. Safety pins work too.
• Print two or three more cards than you have guests, and keep them by the door for late arrivals.
• Fill the blank spots on the last page by hand. The host, the boss in a Santa hat or the family dog make good extra names.
• Want people to pair up for the gift exchange? Print Christmas pairs instead and hand each pair to two people who don't know each other well.

Where it works best

At an office holiday party, it gets coworkers from different teams talking without anyone having to perform or share something personal. At a classroom Christmas party, students practice asking full questions while they move around the room, and the names are ones every kid knows. At a family Christmas with cousins and in-laws who see each other once a year, it gives everyone something to talk about besides the drive over.

Plain printer paper and a roll of masking tape are all you need. If your group is small and sitting together, the Who Am I? game on one phone uses the same Christmas deck: one person holds it to their forehead and the rest answer. For names beyond Christmas, like famous people or animals, use the Who Am I? party cards.

Questions