Cozy Competition: The Trendiest Holiday Games Right Now

It started, as most modern traditions do, with a video. A perfectly ordinary group of friends gathered for a low-key holiday night—until the host announced a game that involved blindfolds, hot chocolate toppings, and a spinning charcuterie board. Within days, Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board Roulette was everywhere. Then came the cookie-decorating tournaments, the group-chat meme competitions, and the “Pass the Bow” gift-swap game you’ve likely seen on your For You Page at least three times.

Call it cozy competition. Call it wholesome chaos. Call it yet another way to procrastinate wrapping presents. Whatever it is, holiday games have officially become part of our culture. The kind that makes group gatherings feel warm, silly, low-pressure, and more joyful than polished.

Here, we’re rounding up the holiday games going viral right now, why they resonate so deeply, and how to recreate them sustainably (no glitter-bomb waste piles necessary).

Photo courtesy of Pexels.

Why We’re All Suddenly Obsessed With Holiday Games

Before we dive into the greatest hits, it’s worth asking: Why are holiday games exploding on social media this year?

1. They’re nostalgic in the best way.
The games we loved as kids—musical chairs, scavenger hunts, ornament-making—are back, but with an adult twist. And nostalgia, research shows, increases feelings of connection, comfort, and emotional resilience.

2. They create low-stakes joy and connection
Holiday games are thriving because they take the pressure off being the “perfect host.” You don’t need a huge space or fancy décor. You don’t even need a plan. One spontaneous game can turn a simple evening into a memory-maker.

3. They bring people together offline.
In a season packed with screens, these games encourage real-world interaction—laughing until someone cries, yelling over a spinning board, cheering on a friend decorating the world’s worst snowman cookie.

4. They offer creative expression.
One thing the internet has taught us: if you give people frosting, a thrifted mug, or a meme template, they will make art. Especially when done with what you already have, secondhand supplies, or homemade treats.

Which brings us to…

The Viral Games (And How To Play Them Sustainably)

Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board Roulette

A lazy Susan piled with hot chocolate toppings—marshmallows, candies, cookies, spices, whipped cream, and surprise wildcards. Everyone sits in a circle. One person spins. Whatever topping lands in front of you goes into your mug. No negotiating.

Bonus twist: Add one “mystery” topping that’s delicious but unexpected, like cayenne or crushed espresso beans.

Make it sustainable:

Use thrifted mugs or your everyday kitchen ones instead of buying a fresh new pack for the game.
Choose toppings in bulk (less packaging), or make them at home yourself
Store ingredients in reusable jars or bags instead of plastic.

Bring Avocado into the mix:
Trust us: stretchy, breathable loungewear is ideal when you’re consuming cocoa at lightning speed.

Cookie-Decorating Showdowns

Each person gets a plain sugar cookie, frosting, and toppings. A prompt is announced (“Make the Grinch as a Real Housewife,” “Recreate Your boss as an Elf,” “Design the Worst Possible Gingerbread House”). A timer starts. Chaos ensues.

Make it sustainable:

Bake cookies at home instead of buying individually packaged sets.
Use reusable piping bags or skip them altogether and spread frosting with butter knives.
Have everyone bring their own reusable containers to take home leftovers instead of putting them in plastic bags or foil.

Bring Avocado into the mix:
Long decorating sessions pair perfectly with organic lumbar support—an organic wedge pillow or mini pillow keeps everyone comfortable at the table.

Friends playing games during the holidays

Photo courtesy of Pexels.

“Pass the Bow” Gift Swap

Think of it as a mash-up of White Elephant and musical chairs. A gift (sometimes silly, sometimes sentimental) is passed around a circle while a song plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the wrapped package opens it or steals someone else’s. The ending is always dramatic.

Make it sustainable:

Wrap the gift in fabric, a scarf, or leftover paper.
Set a rule: all gifts must be thrifted, homemade, from a local shop, or B-corp.
Collect and reuse any wrapping materials that are discarded for other gifts

Bring Avocado into the mix:
This game gets loud—in the best way. Your pets may appreciate a quiet retreat on an organic dog bed with a cozy pillow.

Meme Competitions (Yes, Really)

Everyone creates or submits a holiday-themed meme. It could be about your family, your pet, that one cousin who eats all the pie. The group votes on the winner. The prize: bragging rights until next year.

Make it sustainable:

Encourage digital submissions only—no printing, and do a slideshow presentation on the TV.
Try to avoid using AI and get those creative juices really flowing.
If there is a prize, make it something useful or secondhand (like a thrifted mug or a homemade candle).

Bring Avocado into the mix:
Snuggle up for the big meme reveal with a soft alpaca wool throw.

The Candle-Blow Challenge

A long line of tea candles is laid out in a single file line, and lit. One person stands at the end and tries to blow out as many as possible using only their words—usually by shouting a holiday phrase like “Merry Christmas!” or “Ho ho ho!” with the goal being: blow out as many candles as you can. It’s simple, chaotic, and extremely funny to watch back on video.

Make it sustainable:

Choose clean-burning soy or beeswax candles.
Use a reusable lighter instead of matches or a single-use one.
Save any candles with remaining wax to reuse for other nights instead of tossing them after one game.

Let the Cozy Games Begin

There’s something comforting about gathering in a warm living room with snacks nearby, music humming, everyone leaning into a shared moment of silliness. Holiday games tap into the nostalgia of childhood without the pressure of perfection.

They remind us that joy doesn’t have to be big, expensive, or elaborate. It can be messy frosting, unpredictable spins, thrifted prizes, and the kind of laughter that leaves your cheeks sore.

And when you weave sustainability into the fun—choosing homemade over packaged, reusable over disposable, intention over impulse—you create traditions that feel good twice: once in the moment, and again long after the season ends.

So gather your people. Pick a game. Get cozy. And let the wholesome chaos unfold.

Playing Games with Friends During the Holidays

Photo courtesy of Pexels.

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Kyle is a freelance writer based in Portland, OR. She loves writing about health and wellness, sparking creativity, travel, and the outdoors—especially when there's room to add a little humor or heart.