If you need This or That Questions for a Christmas Eve Family Party, the best version is a mix of easy, festive, and conversation-friendly prompts that work for kids, teens, parents, grandparents, and guests who are meeting for the first time. The list below is designed for exactly that kind of gathering: quick to play, simple to explain, and fun without getting too competitive.
You can use these questions as an icebreaker around the table, between courses, while gifts are being opened, or as a low-key game after dinner. Read them aloud one at a time, have everyone answer with their choice, and let the stories start naturally.
How to play
- Read one question and give everyone two choices.
- Each person answers with the option they prefer.
- Keep it moving so the game stays lively.
- If you want, ask one or two people to explain their choice.
- For younger children, skip questions that are too abstract and stick to food, movies, decorations, and holiday fun.
If your group is large, let people answer by raising hands, moving to one side of the room, or simply calling out their choice. If the family likes storytelling, pause after especially funny answers and let the room talk for a minute before moving on.
Festive This or That questions
- Eggnog or hot chocolate?
- Christmas cookies or peppermint bark?
- Wrapping paper or gift bags?
- Twinkle lights or candlelight?
- Santa hats or reindeer antlers?
- Snowflakes or stars?
- Christmas tree skirt or tree topper?
- Stockings or presents under the tree?
- Real tree or artificial tree?
- Classic red and green or winter white and gold?
- Silent night music or cheerful carols?
- Fresh-baked treats or store-bought sweets?
- Ice skating or sledding?
- Snowman building or snowball fight?
- Christmas Eve pajamas or Christmas morning clothes?
Family-friendly holiday favorites
- Watching a Christmas movie or playing a board game?
- Baking together or decorating together?
- Opening one gift on Christmas Eve or waiting until Christmas morning?
- Big family dinner or casual snack spread?
- Sweet treats or salty snacks?
- Christmas music playlist or holiday movie soundtrack?
- Matching pajamas or cozy sweaters?
- Indoor games or outdoor games?
- Reading a Christmas story or singing carols?
- Making ornaments or making gingerbread houses?
- Tea or coffee?
- Pie or cake?
- Fruitcake or no fruitcake?
- Leftovers the next day or a fresh breakfast spread?
- Quiet evening or lively celebration?
Christmas Eve traditions and memories
- Opening stockings first or opening presents first?
- Midnight service or early evening service?
- Driving to see Christmas lights or walking through the neighborhood?
- Writing notes to Santa or leaving out cookies?
- Hanging ornaments one by one or decorating the whole tree at once?
- Handmade gifts or store-bought gifts?
- Family photo in front of the tree or candid holiday photos?
- Sharing favorite Christmas memories or making new traditions?
- Formal dinner table or relaxed buffet?
- One big family activity or several small activities?
- Early bedtime or staying up late on Christmas Eve?
- Giving gifts in person or mailing them ahead of time?
- One special dessert or lots of small desserts?
- Christmas Eve at home or visiting relatives?
- Quiet reflection or upbeat celebration?
Questions that get people talking
- Would you rather decorate the tree or decorate the table?
- Would you rather help in the kitchen or help with cleanup?
- Would you rather sing along to every carol or just listen?
- Would you rather give gifts or receive gifts?
- Would you rather have a snowy Christmas Eve or a mild one?
- Would you rather wear a funny holiday sweater or a fancy holiday outfit?
- Would you rather eat dessert first or save it for last?
- Would you rather have a family talent show or a family trivia game?
- Would you rather make your own ornaments or buy special ones each year?
- Would you rather have a large family gathering or a small cozy one?
- Would you rather watch the same holiday movie every year or try a new one each time?
- Would you rather have one big present or several small ones?
- Would you rather have a peaceful evening or a silly, noisy one?
- Would you rather be the one who lights the candles or the one who passes out plates?
- Would you rather end the night with a movie or a game?
Kid-friendly Christmas Eve questions
- Santa or the Grinch?
- Rudolph or Frosty?
- Gingerbread man or snowman?
- Candy cane or chocolate coin?
- Elf on the shelf or Christmas train?
- Big bow or shiny ribbon?
- Snow boots or fuzzy slippers?
- Reindeer games or snow games?
- Christmas crackers or party hats?
- Little gifts or giant gifts?
- North Pole or snowy cabin?
- Christmas storybook or Christmas coloring page?
- Star on top or angel on top?
- Jingle bells or sleigh bells?
- Hot cocoa with marshmallows or without marshmallows?
Quick rounds for a big family group
If you want the game to move fast, use these as rapid-fire questions. They work especially well right before dessert or after the meal when everyone is ready for something light.
- Santa’s workshop or Mrs. Claus’s kitchen?
- Snowy window view or crackling fireplace?
- Big family photo or funny selfie?
- Ribbon bows or glitter tags?
- Nutcracker ballet or Christmas choir?
- Cranberry sauce or gravy?
- Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas morning breakfast?
- Warm blanket or soft pillow?
- Gift exchange game or secret Santa?
- Fresh pine scent or baked cookies scent?
- Home movie night or classic holiday special?
- One long table or several small tables?
- Paper crowns or festive socks?
- Snowflake crafts or ornament crafts?
- Family joke time or family memory time?
Tips for making it fun for everyone
- Mix easy questions with a few that make people laugh.
- Avoid anything too personal, divisive, or awkward for mixed ages.
- Let grandparents, kids, and shy guests answer without pressure to explain.
- Keep the pace brisk so the activity feels festive, not like a quiz.
- If children are present, choose questions they can answer instantly.
- For a calmer gathering, ask people to whisper their answer to a partner before sharing aloud.
For a sweet ending to the game, finish with a question that invites a little nostalgia, such as “Favorite Christmas memory or favorite Christmas tradition?” It gives the whole family a chance to share something warm before the evening winds down.