Christmas Name That Tune Game: 60 Clues for Work and Family

A Christmas Name That Tune game is an easy way to energize an office party without embarrassing anyone. This version uses short, host-read clues instead of copyrighted lyric sheets, so teams can play at a table, on a video call, or in a large room. You get 60 song-title clues, three difficulty levels, tie-breakers, and a 20-minute hosting plan.

Best for: 6–40 players in teams of 2–6. Time: 15–30 minutes. Supplies: answer sheets, pens, timer, and optional legal music streaming access.

How to play Christmas Name That Tune

1. Divide players into teams and choose 20–30 clues from the lists below.
2. Read one clue at a time. Give teams 15 seconds to write a song title.
3. A correct title earns one point. Do not require the performer unless you announce that bonus rule in advance.
4. After each round, reveal the answers and update the score.
5. Use a tie-breaker only if the top teams are level.

For an audio version, play a very short licensed clip through your organization’s own streaming account. Do not distribute recordings or lyric sheets. The clue-only format below works without audio.

Round 1: Easy Christmas song clues

1. A reindeer whose glowing nose becomes useful. Answer: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. A snowman who comes alive. Answer: Frosty the Snowman
3. A wish for wintry weather. Answer: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
4. Bells heard while riding through snow. Answer: Jingle Bells
5. A celebration of decorating with holly. Answer: Deck the Halls
6. Santa is approaching the neighborhood. Answer: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
7. A holiday greeting that repeats a wish for happiness. Answer: We Wish You a Merry Christmas
8. A quiet and sacred nighttime scene. Answer: Silent Night
9. A child asks for two missing front teeth. Answer: All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
10. A rocking song about a decorated evergreen. Answer: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
11. Traveling home for the holiday. Answer: I’ll Be Home for Christmas
12. A festive season described as especially wonderful. Answer: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
13. A red-and-green plant requested for decoration. Answer: The Holly and the Ivy
14. A drummer visits with a humble gift. Answer: The Little Drummer Boy
15. A holiday viewed from a sleigh. Answer: Winter Wonderland
16. Chestnuts and an open fire. Answer: The Christmas Song
17. A Spanish wish for a happy holiday. Answer: Feliz Navidad
18. A child sees an unexpected kiss near the tree. Answer: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
19. A request for snowfall at Christmas. Answer: White Christmas
20. Three visitors follow a star. Answer: We Three Kings

Round 2: Medium clues

21. A holiday gift involving a bird in a fruit tree. Answer: The Twelve Days of Christmas
22. A warning to behave because someone is watching. Answer: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
23. A sleigh ride invitation. Answer: Sleigh Ride
24. A bell-themed rock-and-roll favorite. Answer: Jingle Bell Rock
25. A narrator gives away their heart and regrets it. Answer: Last Christmas
26. A peaceful scene in a small town. Answer: O Little Town of Bethlehem
27. An angelic announcement. Answer: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
28. A question about what a child hears. Answer: Do You Hear What I Hear?
29. A boat-and-river route to grandmother’s home. Answer: Over the River and Through the Wood
30. A celebration that begins with a clear instruction to listen. Answer: O Come, All Ye Faithful
31. A request to bring a particular sailboat-shaped dessert. Answer: We Wish You a Merry Christmas
32. A greeting addressed to a happy little holiday. Answer: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
33. A song about a silver decoration. Answer: Silver Bells
34. A celebration on a cold December evening. Answer: Carol of the Bells
35. A royal figure is born. Answer: Joy to the World
36. A question posed to a woman named Mary. Answer: Mary, Did You Know?
37. A child requests an unusual semi-aquatic pet. Answer: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
38. A Hawaiian-style holiday greeting. Answer: Mele Kalikimaka
39. A pair wants simply to remain together during the season. Answer: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
40. A song about enjoying snow from indoors. Answer: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Round 3: Harder clues for competitive teams

41. A request for a visit from Emmanuel. Answer: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
42. A king observes snow on a feast day. Answer: Good King Wenceslas
43. A song centered on a Christmas tree in German tradition. Answer: O Christmas Tree
44. A carol about ships arriving on Christmas Day. Answer: I Saw Three Ships
45. A medieval-sounding invitation to make merry. Answer: Here We Come A-Wassailing
46. A rose blooms in winter. Answer: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
47. A French carol whose title means “Christmas.” Answer: Noël / The First Noel
48. A song about bringing torches to a manger. Answer: Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
49. A request for faithful people to approach. Answer: O Come, All Ye Faithful
50. A holiday tune about a marshmallow-like world. Answer: A Marshmallow World
51. A song welcoming the season with bells. Answer: Ring Christmas Bells
52. A reminder to be cheerful. Answer: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
53. A carol that announces an angelic song heard at night. Answer: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
54. A question about a tiny percussionist. Answer: The Little Drummer Boy
55. A celebratory song about a newborn king. Answer: Angels We Have Heard on High
56. A playful song about a winter carriage journey. Answer: Sleigh Ride
57. A song about bells that are not gold. Answer: Silver Bells
58. A carol inviting heaven and nature to sing. Answer: Joy to the World
59. A holiday standard named after a calendar date. Answer: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
60. A song about a tree being the center of a dance. Answer: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Three hosting formats

Fast 15-minute office version

Use 10 easy and 10 medium clues. Teams write answers, then swap sheets for scoring. Award one small prize to the winning team.

Audio challenge

Play 3–5 seconds from legally accessed recordings. Give two points for title and one bonus point for performer. Mix decades so the round does not favor one age group.

Remote-team version

Put teams in breakout rooms for 20 seconds after each clue, then collect answers in chat at the same time. Ask everyone not to search; the goal is quick recognition, not perfect research.

Fair-play and accessibility tips

• Show every clue on screen as well as reading it aloud.
• Accept common title variants when the intended song is clear.
• Mix traditional carols and modern standards.
• Avoid clues that depend on one religious tradition if your workplace celebration is broad and inclusive.
• Keep volume comfortable and offer a clue-only route for people sensitive to sound.
• Let teams choose playful names, but keep them workplace-appropriate.

Tie-breakers

1. Name five Christmas songs containing a weather word in 30 seconds.
2. Write the longest valid Christmas song title you can remember.
3. Estimate the release decade of “Jingle Bell Rock”; closest answer wins.
4. Name three holiday songs that mention bells.
5. List as many reindeer names as possible in 20 seconds.

Build a complete party with our Christmas emoji quiz for work teams and Christmas charades word list. For a calmer opening, use these Christmas icebreaker questions for work.

Frequently asked questions

How many songs should a 20-minute game include?

Plan 20–25 clues, including answer reveals. Add a five-question reserve in case the group moves faster than expected.

Can we use song clips at work?

Use your organization’s properly licensed streaming access and follow its terms. The no-audio clue format avoids copying or distributing recordings.

How do I make the game fair across generations?

Use thirds: traditional carols, twentieth-century standards, and newer popular releases. Team play also lets different age groups contribute.

Editorial note: This game was created for Easy Group Games and reviewed for practical play, inclusion, and copyright-safe presentation.