The Christmas carol drawing relay turns a marker and a 60-second clock into the loudest game of the night. Get full rules and a 24-carol prompt deck.
Run the RelayStage two pads, one timer, and a deck sorted by difficulty so the first round starts while the room is still settling.
Rotate these twists when the guessing slows or the score gap widens.
Split guests into two even teams. Each round, one runner per team meets the host, who shows both the same carol card; on go, the runners race back and draw while their teams shout guesses. The first team to name the carol scores a point, and the next runner pair rotates up.
Have ready:Two pads, two markers, 24 carol cards, timer
Host note:Read the drawing rules aloud once: no letters, no numbers, no talking.
Both drawers sketch the same carol at the same time on facing pads. If neither team lands the title in 60 seconds, reveal it and replay that card next round for double points.
Have ready:Two pads, two markers, timer
Host note:Use tricky-tier cards here so the double points feel earned.
The drawer may make five marker strokes per carol with no erasing. Teams guess from the minimal art, and a correct call within 45 seconds scores two points.
Have ready:One pad per team, one marker
Host note:Pick easy-tier carols, since five strokes of a sleigh go a long way.
One large sheet sits in the middle of each team line. The artist draws for 15 seconds, then passes the marker down the line so a new artist adds to the same picture until someone names the carol.
Have ready:Large paper per team, one marker
Host note:Let teammates call guesses freely; only the artists pass the marker.
Show the artist a simple object card such as a snowman, star, or bell instead of a title. The team names the object, then sings one line of the matching carol to score.
Have ready:Object cards, pad, markers
Host note:Keep this round short and cheerful rather than closely scored.
On a tied score, the drawer hums the carol instead of drawing. The first team to name the tune wins the set.
Have ready:One carol card
Host note:Choose a carol everyone knows so the tiebreak ends in seconds.
After a correct guess, the whole team sings one line of the carol together for a bonus point. The singing confirms the title and burns energy between rounds.
Have ready:Score sheet
Host note:Award the bonus for effort, not pitch.
Cut the timer to 30 seconds and draw only from the easy pile. The pace suits the final five minutes before food.
Have ready:Easy-tier cards, timer
Host note:Stop after three speed rounds while the group still wants one more.
Play a best-of-nine set with the running order posted where both teams can see it. The winning team picks prizes first and keeps the score sheet.
Have ready:Nine carol cards, score sheet, prizes
Host note:Post the running order so nobody argues about whose runner is up.
The Christmas carol drawing relay turns a marker and a 60-second clock into the loudest game in the room. Two teams race to guess carol titles while their own artists sketch clues on facing pads. Nine scored rounds fit a 15-minute slot, and the full setup totals two pads, two markers, and one deck of carol cards.
Split guests into two even teams and send one runner from each team to the host. The host shows both runners the same carol card at the same time, so neither side draws an easier title. On go, the runners hurry back and sketch while their teams shout guesses.
Drawing rules stay short: no letters, no numbers, no mouthing, and no acting. After 30 seconds, the artist may point at objects in the room, a rescue that keeps young or stuck drawers from fading out. The first team to name the carol claims the card and a point. If the clock empties first, the host reveals the title and moves on with no score.
Score one point per guessed carol and post the running order where both teams can see it. Budget each round at 90 seconds: 20 seconds to brief the runners, 60 seconds on the clock, and 10 seconds to score. Nine rounds fill about 15 minutes. A full nine-round set cannot tie, but short sets can, so keep one humming tiebreak ready: the drawer hums the carol and the first team to name it takes the set.
Every title below holds a picture kids can draw: bells, snowmen, kings, trees, and one sleigh. Cut them into cards and sort by tier before guests arrive.
Teams of three to six give every guest at least two turns as runner or artist. For ages 5 to 7, swap titles for the picture-card round and skip the scorekeeping. Teens and adults draw from the tricky pile and lose the 30-second rescue. With more than 16 guests, run two relays side by side and race the winning teams in one final head-to-head round.
Keep the circle seats warm after the relay ends. The dice gift exchange game passes presents on a roll chart, Fishbowl stretches one bowl of prompts across three rounds, and the guides below fill the rest of the schedule.
Slot the relay when energy is high and the whole group can gather in one room.
Cards, pads, markers, and a timer placed at the drawing spot are the whole setup.
running order, prompt deck, scoring, tiebreaks, age twists
Balance a loud drawing relay with gift games, guessing rounds, and prize ideas for the winning team.
Yes. Give teams with non-readers the picture-card round: the artist draws a snowman or a star, the team names it, and everyone sings one line together.
Reveal the title, score nothing, and move that card to the tricky pile for the rest of the night. Start the next round within ten seconds.
Cut 24 cards and sort them into easy, medium, and tricky piles. Nine cards cover one game, so one deck runs two full sets.
No talking, mouthing, spelling, or charades. After 30 seconds the drawer may point at objects in the room so stuck teams get a fair rescue.
Budget 90 seconds per round: 20 to brief the runners, 60 on the clock, and 10 to score. Nine rounds fit a 15-minute slot.