Christmas Taboo Game: Free Printable

Christmas Taboo is a fast word game and one of the easiest Christmas games for family gatherings. It also works well for teens, office parties and mixed groups. Players have to get their team to guess a Christmas word without saying any of the forbidden words on the card. The cards range from simple to clever, so it works for all ages.

The best thing about Taboo is that it needs no setup and no props. All you need is a pile of cards, a timer and two or more teams, so it fits just as easily into a quiet evening at home as a busy Christmas party.

It also gets everyone talking. The clue giver has to think on their feet and the guessers have to keep up. Expect plenty of laughter, a few groans when someone blurts out a forbidden word, and at least one player who refuses to give up on the hardest card.

Want to make life easy? Grab the free printable version at the bottom of this post.

How to Play

1. Split into teams. Use two or more teams. Teams take turns, and one player per team is the clue giver each round.
2. Pick a card. The clue giver reads the main word silently. That's the word their team must guess.
3. Give clues. Describe the main word without saying it, or any of the five forbidden words listed below it. No gestures, no rhymes, no "sounds like" clues and no part of the word.
4. Beat the timer. Set a one-minute timer. The clue giver works through as many cards as they can. Each correct guess scores a point for their team. If you're stuck, skip to the next card, but you lose a point.
5. Watch out. A player from the other team is the watcher. They sit next to the clue giver, read each card and listen for forbidden words. If one is said, the other team scores a point and the card is discarded.
6. Win the game. Play until everyone has had a turn as clue giver, or agree on a number of rounds. The team with the most points wins.

Tips for Playing Christmas Taboo

• Agree on the rules first. Decide before you start whether part of the main word counts as forbidden. I recommend it does, so you can't say "snow" to describe Snowman.
• Use a proper timer. A phone timer or sand timer stops any debate about whether time is up.
• Shuffle the cards. Shuffle before every game so the words come up in a different order each time.
• Pick a careful watcher. The watcher needs to read each card properly and listen closely, because forbidden words slip out quickly when everyone is excited.
• Warm up with an easy card. Start with something simple like Santa or Snow so nervous players can get the hang of it.

Ways to Change the Game

Christmas Taboo for Kids

For younger children, let a grown-up read the cards and only count two or three of the forbidden words. You can also lengthen the timer to two minutes and allow gestures, so nobody feels rushed. Shorter words like Elf, Snow and Star work best for early readers.

Christmas Taboo for Teens and Adults

Older players will enjoy a faster game. Cut the timer to 30 seconds and take a point away for every skipped card. For a final round, try a gestures-only version where the clue giver cannot speak at all. If you want a whole set of teen-ready games, the 9 Christmas Games Bundle Perfect for Teens includes more of the same fast-paced fun.

Christmas Taboo for Office Parties

Taboo needs no setup, no props and no acting skill, so colleagues who barely know each other can join in. Mix up the teams so people from different departments end up together, and keep the timer to 30 seconds so the game moves quickly.

Christmas Taboo for Big Groups

With a larger group, split into teams of four or more and make sure every player gets one turn as the clue giver. Add up the points for each team at the end to find the winner. Nobody sits out, and there's no limit on how many teams can play.

Make Your Own Christmas Taboo Cards

Once you've played through the set, try writing your own. Pick a Christmas word, then list the five words people are most likely to say when describing it. Those become your forbidden words. Family traditions, favorite Christmas movies and inside jokes all make great cards.

Christmas Taboo Cards

The free printable has 24 cards, six to a page. Each one has a main word and five forbidden words. The full printable is available at the end of this post, along with a signup form.

• Santa: Claus, North Pole, Beard, Sack, Naughty
• Reindeer: Rudolph, Antlers, Hooves, Dasher, Carrots
• Mistletoe: Kiss, Doorway, Berries, Holly, Under
• Gingerbread: Cookie, House, Ginger, Icing, Man
• Stocking: Socks, Hang, Mantel, Toes, Treats
• Snowman: Frosty, Nose, Hat, Scarf, Buttons
• Advent: Calendar, December, Countdown, Door, Chocolate
• Tinsel: Shiny, Garland, Tree, Silver, Strands
• Elf: Workshop, Buddy, Toys, Pointy, Shelf
• Sleigh: Ride, Bells, Horses, Runners, Reins
• Carol: Sing, Choir, Song, Hymn, Church
• Wreath: Circle, Entrance, Ivy, Evergreen, Pinecone
• Nutcracker: Ballet, Soldier, Mouse, Clara, Dance
• Candy Cane: Stripes, Peppermint, Hook, Red, Sweet
• Eggnog: Milk, Nutmeg, Rum, Drink, Creamy
• Fireplace: Fire, Logs, Chimney, Flames, Warm
• Present: Wrapped, Bow, Gift, Ribbon, Surprise
• Snow: Winter, Flakes, Cold, White, Frost
• Star: Crown, Bethlehem, Shining, Points, Top
• Poinsettia: Flower, Petals, Mexico, Plant, Leaves
• Angel: Halo, Wings, Heaven, Harp, Feathers
• Bauble: Ornament, Glass, Round, Sparkly, Shatter
• Voucher: Store, Receipt, Money, Plastic, Shop
• Chestnuts: Roast, Open, Nuts, Pan, Hot

Looking for more word games? Try Christmas Pictionary with word lists, or browse 16 fun Christmas party games everyone in the family can enjoy. For a full set of games for all ages, the Ultimate Christmas Party Games Bundle has 22 printable festive games.

Grab the Free Printable

Use the form below to get your free printable version of the Christmas Taboo game.

Christmas Taboo FAQs

How many people do you need?

At least four, split into two teams of two. There is no upper limit, so add teams for a bigger party.

How long does a game take?

Each turn lasts one minute, so a game usually runs 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how many rounds you play. The 24 cards give you plenty of variety, and you can shuffle and play again.

Can kids play?

Yes, with the tweaks above. Older children can play the standard rules.

Do I need to print the cards?

No, you can read the words from this page. The printable is easier because each card is ready to cut out.

How do I print the cards?

Print on card stock if you can, then cut along the dashed lines. The card bodies are white, so they print well in black and white and use less ink.