Games & toasts
Party games
**Two truths and a lie.** Each person says three things about themselves, one of them false. Everyone guesses the lie. The best ones are true stories that sound made up.
Games at a glance
| Game | Best for | Group size | Time | You need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two truths and a lie | Mixed groups, dinner, birthday | 4–12 | 15 min | Nothing |
| Who am I? | Girls' night, holiday party, NYE | 6–20 | 20 min | Sticky notes, pens |
| Fishbowl | Friendsgiving, NYE, girls' trip | 8–20 | 45 min | Paper slips, bowl, timer |
| Who said it? | Bridal shower, bachelorette, birthday | 8–30 | 20 min | Answers collected ahead, cards |
| How well do you know them? | Bridal shower, baby shower | 8–30 | 15 min | Quiz cards, pens |
| Price is right | Baby shower, bridal shower | 8–30 | 15 min | 8–10 items with receipts |
| Most likely to | Bachelorette, girls' night | 6–15 | 20 min | Prompt cards |
| Blind taste test | Pie night, wine night, Friendsgiving | 6–20 | 20 min | Numbered cups or plates, ballots |
| Resolution guessing | New Year's Eve | 6–20 | 20 min | Slips, a hat |
| White elephant | Holiday party | 8–30 | 45 min | One wrapped gift each |
| Holiday movie charades | Holiday party | 8–20 | 30 min | Title slips, timer |
| Squares or pick'em | Game day, Friendsgiving | 6–30 | All game | Printed board, pens |
| Mafia | Trips, girls' night, NYE | 8–16 | 30 min | Playing cards |
| Gratitude runner | Friendsgiving, family dinner | Any | Through dinner | Kraft paper, markers |
How to play
Who am I? Write a famous name on a sticky note and stick it on someone's back or forehead without them seeing. They ask yes-or-no questions until they guess it. Theme the names to the party: holiday characters, divas, '90s icons.
Fishbowl. Everyone writes 3 names on slips and drops them in a bowl. Two teams take turns with a 60-second timer. Round 1: describe the name without saying it. Round 2: act it out. Round 3: one word only. Same slips every round, so it gets funnier as it goes.
Who said it? Before the party, text the guests (or the couple) a few questions, like "What's your worst date story?" Read the answers aloud; guests guess who said each one.
How well do you know them? Ask the guest of honor 10 questions ahead of time ("Favorite snack?" "Where was the first date?"). Guests write their guesses; most right wins.
Price is right. Lay out 8 to 10 everyday items, like diapers, a bottle and wipes. Guests write their price guesses. The closest total without going over wins.
Most likely to. Read a prompt ("Most likely to get us lost"); on three, everyone points at someone. Keep the prompts kind and silly.
Blind taste test. Number the pies, wines or cookies and hide the labels. Guests score each on a ballot. Reveal the winner and who brought it.
Resolution guessing. Everyone writes a resolution on a slip with no name. Read them out one by one and guess whose it is. Save the slips and mail them back next year.
White elephant. Everyone brings one wrapped gift at a set price. Draw numbers. On your turn, open a new gift or steal an opened one. A gift can only be stolen twice.
Holiday movie charades. Two teams, one-minute rounds, act out holiday movie titles from a bowl. No talking, no props.
Squares or pick'em. Squares: a 10-by-10 grid, everyone writes their name in squares, then you draw the numbers for each team's score. Pick'em: everyone predicts the winner, final score and first touchdown. Keep any stakes small.
Mafia. One person is the narrator. Deal cards face down: two aces are the mafia, a king is the detective, everyone else is a villager. Each "night" the mafia picks someone out, and each "day" the group votes on who they think is mafia. Villagers win if they find the mafia first.
Gratitude runner. Roll kraft paper down the table with markers in jars. Everyone writes what they're thankful for during dinner. Keep the runner or photograph it.