Christmas Jeopardy Game: Rules and 25 Questions
Run a Christmas Jeopardy game with five categories, point values and 25 ready-made clues with answers. Easy to set up on paper or a whiteboard for any group.
What You Need
Christmas Jeopardy is a quiz where teams pick a category and a point value, then answer clues for points. This page gives you a full board with 25 original clues, so you can start in 10 minutes.
How to Set Up
- Make a grid with 5 columns and 5 rows. Write the category names across the top.
- In the rows below, write the point values 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500. Sticky notes work well because you can peel them off after each clue.
- Write each clue on an index card with the answer on the back. Keep the cards in order so the host can find them.
- Make teams of 2 to 4 players. Each team picks a name and a buzzer, such as a bell or a spoon on a glass.
- Choose one person to be the host. The host reads the clues and keeps score.
How to Play
- The youngest team picks first. They say a category and a value, such as “Reindeer for 300.”
- The host reads the clue out loud, once, clearly.
- Teams race to buzz in. The first buzz gets the first answer.
- The team has 10 seconds to answer. A correct answer earns the points. A wrong answer loses the points, and the other teams may try.
- The team that answered correctly picks the next square.
- If nobody gets it, the host reads the answer and the same team picks again.
- Continue until all squares are used.
Questions and Answers
Category 1: Santa and Reindeer
- 100: Santa uses this to travel on Christmas Eve. Answer: A sleigh.
- 200: This reindeer leads the sleigh with a glowing red nose. Answer: Rudolph.
- 300: Santa comes into the house through this part of the roof in many stories. Answer: The chimney.
- 400: Santa lives at this place in the far north. Answer: The North Pole.
- 500: Kids leave out these two treats for Santa. Answer: Milk and cookies.
Category 2: Decorations
- 100: You hang this round, shiny item on a tree. Answer: An ornament.
- 200: This plant with red berries and spiky leaves is used in garlands. Answer: Holly.
- 300: People hang this round green decoration on a front door. Answer: A wreath.
- 400: This star or angel goes on the very top of the tree. Answer: A tree topper.
- 500: These twinkling strings are wrapped around trees and houses. Answer: Lights.
Category 3: Food and Drink
- 100: This red and white striped sweet is shaped like a hook. Answer: A candy cane.
- 200: People bake a house out of this spicy cookie. Answer: Gingerbread.
- 300: This creamy drink is made with milk, eggs and nutmeg. Answer: Eggnog.
- 400: This large bird is a common main dish at Christmas dinner. Answer: Turkey.
- 500: This warm drink is often topped with marshmallows. Answer: Hot chocolate.
Category 4: Songs
- 100: Finish the line “Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the ___.” Answer: Way.
- 200: In this song, you are told you had better not pout. Answer: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.
- 300: In this song, a true love gives a partridge in a pear tree. Answer: The Twelve Days of Christmas.
- 400: This song says the weather outside is frightful. Answer: Let It Snow.
- 500: This carol begins with “Silent night, holy night.” Answer: Silent Night.
Category 5: Around the World
- 100: Kids hang these by the fireplace for gifts. Answer: Stockings.
- 200: This country is where the Christmas tree tradition began. Answer: Germany.
- 300: Christmas Day falls on this date. Answer: December 25.
- 400: In Mexico, kids break this colorful, candy-filled figure at parties. Answer: A piñata.
- 500: In Canada and other countries, the day after Christmas has this name. Answer: Boxing Day.
Scoring and Winning
Add up the points each team has at the end. The team with the most points wins. For a final round, let teams secretly bet any part of their score on one last clue, then reveal and add or subtract.
Tips for a Fun Game
- Pause for a quick cheer between clues so the game stays lively.
- Let the host accept close answers, such as “mistletoe” for “holly” in a plant clue, to keep things friendly.
- Hide a “double points” bonus behind one of the mid-value squares.
- Write extra clues about your own family, such as a funny memory.
Variations
- Little kids: Use picture clues. Draw or print images, such as a bell or a tree, and ask kids to name them.
- Quick version: Use only 3 categories with 3 clues each for a 15-minute game.
- Make your own: Ask each guest to write 2 clues before the party and add them to the board.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Christmas Jeopardy at home?
Make a grid with five categories and five point values each. Teams take turns picking a square, the host reads the clue, and the first team to buzz in with a correct answer wins the points.
How many categories should a Christmas Jeopardy board have?
Five categories with five clues each is the classic size, giving 25 clues. For a shorter game, use four categories with four clues each.
Do you have to phrase answers as a question?
No. That is just a TV tradition. You can make it a fun rule where answers start with 'What is', or drop it so everyone can play easily.
