While it doesn’t happen every year, we often get snowed in during the holidays in Toronto, Scarborough, Ajax, Whitby, and all around the GTA and Ontario. That might ruin your holiday plans, but it’s also a great excuse for the family to enjoy some Christmas fireplace fun. Here are some of Classic Fireplace’s favourite Christmas activities and games to help your family enjoy the winter at the fireside.
Fireside Pictionary
Pictionary is a perfect game for gathering everyone in the living area by the fireplace. In fact, it’s over a hundred years old! All you need is a chalkboard, whiteboard, or large paper with an easel. In Pictionary, each person takes a turn where they pick a random word or phrase. They then draw pictures so that someone can guess that word or phrase in a set time. The drawer and whoever correctly guesses the word or phrase each round gets a point. The next person then takes their turn at the drawing board.
Since Pictionary is less active, it’s a great, safer alternative to charades around the fireplace. Plus, just like charades, the real fun of Pictionary is when your family has its own rules. You could make it Christmas themed, make phrases that are inside jokes, or instead make teams where each team receives a point if they can correctly guess. This is a great option for grouping adults with children for a more balanced game. If playing teams, we recommend having the option for another team to steal the answer after the playing team runs out of time to guess. If the opposing team gets it right, they win the point, but if they’re wrong, they lose one.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
If you’re stuck inside by a cozy fireplace, a holiday scavenger hunt is great Christmas fun for the family. Hide certain objects in the living area or around the house that your friends and family need to find. Have them track down certain decorations, or take pictures doing certain activities, like sitting by or stoking the Christmas fire. Once everyone is done, tell them to gather back at the fireplace. This keeps your family active and engaged while also providing you with photos of precious holiday memories by the fireside.
Fireside Story Creation
Humans have been telling stories by the fire since we could first kindle the flames. Spark your family and friends’ creativity by having everyone create a short Christmas story. Give everyone some time to get their narratives brewing, then take turns letting each person tell their story. Alternatively, you can make the story creation collaborative. Let one person tell the first part or sentence. Then, let the next person provide their contribution, and so on. These are great for improvisation and often lead to some silly Christmas stories as everyone provides their own narrative spin.
Holiday Mad Libs
If humorous collaboration sounds like Christmas fun to you. Then we highly recommend gathering around the fireplace and working together on some holiday mad libs. These are perfect for gatherings of families or friends at whatever age group. Maybe, if there are children around, try to keep everyone’s contributions rated PG.
Christmas Carol Karaoke
With most music streaming services now offering a karaoke mode, it’s extremely easy to have everyone show off their inner musical diva around the Christmas fire. You can keep this karaoke holiday themed with Christmas classics. However, don’t let the holiday spirit restrict your karaoke to just carols. If someone wants to belt out their version of Queen’s “We are the Champions” or Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”, let them have that fireside fun.
Trivia Night
Everyone likes getting the chance to show off what they know, especially trivia. So have a trivia night around the warm glow of the fireplace. Tailor the trivia questions to your family and friends’ interests. If no one likes baseball, they aren’t likely going to be excited about trivia questions on “America’s favourite pastime.” We also recommend including some trivia about fireplaces, the history of stockings, as well as some local history about Toronto and the GTA.
Christmas Crafts
People like making things, so gather everyone around the Christmas fire for some holiday crafts. Make ornaments, decorations, or little gifts. If any of the craft materials are flammable (e.g. craft paper and popsicle sticks), keep them a safe distance from the fire.
Spending the Holidays Together
These fun ideas should entertain you and everyone around the fireplace this Christmas and holiday season. They’re perfect indoor fun for the wintry season in Ontario and the GTA. If you need to get your fireplace ready for the holiday season, be sure to stop by one of our locations in Ajax, Scarborough, Whitby, and Toronto. If you haven’t yet, this is the perfect time for your fireplace to receive its annual maintenance and service. We also have a great selection of stocking stuffers and other great presents for when you exchange gifts by the fireplace.
