A Christmas price guessing game you can host in 20 minutes

The 20-minute host plan

For this party format, use closest overall: the smallest absolute difference wins, including guesses above the answer. Award one point for rounds 1–9 and two for the finale; equal closest guesses share the full points. Keep this suggested house scoring on a separate paper score sheet.

1. Minutes 0–3: form teams, choose one spokesperson each, and explain that these are fictional price cards. Give everyone the same item description.
2. Minutes 3–15: play rounds 1–9, allowing about 80 seconds for each prompt, collection, reveal, and score. Let teams note revealed prices for the finale.
3. Minutes 15–18: show the final bundle. Give teams one minute to calculate, then collect all answers before revealing.
4. Minutes 18–20: add scores and invite each team to name one assumption that changed a guess. Tied teams can share the win.

Ten Christmas pricing rounds

1. 1. Wrapping-paper pair

   Guess the assigned price of two 3 m rolls of plain wrapping paper. No gift bags are included.

   Host answer and explanation

   $9.00

   The fictional card assigns $4.50 to each roll: 2 × $4.50 = $9.00. Keep this pair total for the finale.

2. 2. A box of six ornaments

   Guess the assigned price of a single box containing six plain, shatterproof ornaments.

   Host answer and explanation

   $12.00

   The box has a fictional $12 price, equivalent to $2 per ornament. It is one box, not six boxes.

3. 3. Hot-chocolate station

   The game shop prices cocoa mix at $5.50 and marshmallows at $2.50. What does one of each cost?

   Host answer and explanation

   $8.00

   $5.50 + $2.50 = $8.00. Cups and milk are excluded from this prompt.

4. 4. One knitted scarf

   Guess the assigned price of one plain knitted adult scarf, without personalization or a gift box.

   Host answer and explanation

   $18.00

   The fictional card sets the scarf at $18. Material and size should be specified if you replace it with a real product.

5. 5. Puzzle on sale

   A fictional 500-piece jigsaw costs $20 before a 25% discount. What is its sale price?

   Host answer and explanation

   $15.00

   $20 × 0.25 = $5 off; $20 − $5 = $15. Use the sale price in the finale.

6. 6. Biscuit tins

   Each fictional biscuit tin costs $7.50. What is the total for three tins?

   Host answer and explanation

   $22.50

   3 × $7.50 = $22.50. Ask teams whether they estimated three tins or accidentally priced just one.

7. 7. String of lights

   Guess the assigned price of one indoor string of 50 LED lights. Batteries are not included.

   Host answer and explanation

   $14.00

   This game card assigns $14 to the light string. The count and power source keep the description specific.

8. 8. Stocking-filler trio

   A game-shop notebook is $4, a pen is $2.50, and a sticker pack is $1.50. What is the trio total?

   Host answer and explanation

   $8.00

   $4 + $2.50 + $1.50 = $8. This is a three-item bundle, not a price per person for the whole party.

9. 9. Greeting-card packs

   Two identical packs contain ten cards each and cost $6 per pack. What is the price of both packs?

   Host answer and explanation

   $12.00

   2 × $6 = $12 for twenty cards. The per-card price would be $0.60, but that is not the requested answer.

10. 10. Final festive bundle

    Add the two wrapping rolls from round 1, the cocoa station from round 3, the scarf, the discounted puzzle, and one biscuit tin. What is the bundle price?

    Host answer and explanation

    $57.50

    $9 + $8 + $18 + $15 + $7.50 = $57.50. Round 6 revealed three tins; this bundle needs only one. Worth two points.

Make it fit your group

For a workplace holiday event, use team names and neutral winter items if Christmas is not a shared celebration. For children, show the component prices and use whole-dollar replacements; for an adult challenge, keep the discount and one-versus-three-tins twist. Change the answers whenever you change a prompt.

To play with real shop prices, record the retailer, date, currency, exact pack size, sale conditions, and whether tax or delivery counts. Replace all assigned values and recompute the finale. Do not mix an old receipt and a current sale without telling players. A photograph of the exact item is more useful than a vague brand name.