Interactive Holiday Icebreakers to Kick Off Your Murder Mystery

A great murder mystery party doesn’t start with the first clue — it starts the moment your guests walk in the door. The best way to get everyone in character, shake off nerves, and spark connections? Holiday-themed icebreakers that blend festive fun with a dash of suspicion.

Here are a few interactive mini-activities to help guests warm up to their roles and dive into the drama:

1. Gift or Grudge?

As each guest arrives, hand them a holiday gift tag with one of two prompts:

• “Share one festive tradition your character loves.”

• “Reveal a petty holiday grudge your character still holds.”

It’s a great way to get everyone talking and hinting at their backstory. Did someone get skipped in last year’s Secret Santa? Are they still bitter about Grandma’s fruitcake ranking? Let those grudges simmer early.

2. Naughty or Nice?

Set up a board or area with two lists: Naughty and Nice. Ask each guest to place themselves under one — but they can’t explain why unless asked. This invites mingling and encourages people to start interrogating each other before the mystery even begins.

3. The Mistletoe Mailbox

Have a holiday “mailbox” where guests can write anonymous notes, rumors, or accusations throughout the night. Start it off with a round where each person writes a postcard-style message from their character’s perspective. These can be read aloud later — or used as clues.

4. Christmas Character Quiz

Create a fun personality quiz (or spin a simple spinner) to assign each guest a silly seasonal “title” based on their character traits:

• "The Jolly Liar"

• "The Bitter Elf"

• "The Gift-Wrapped Gossip"

Have guests introduce themselves using their title. This sets a playful tone and gives everyone a reason to remember who's who.

5. What’s in Your Stocking?

Have each guest draw a slip of paper from a stocking. Each one contains a quirky item or secret they must subtly reference during the party:

• “A candy cane shiv”

• “An incriminating ornament”

• “A fruitcake no one asked for”

They can drop hints in conversation or use it to spice up their alibi.

Pro Tip: These icebreakers don’t just loosen up your guests — they’re great tools for spreading early suspicion and giving players something to build their character arcs around.

When the scene is set, the sweaters are ugly, and the lies start flowing — your mystery will feel less like a game and more like a full-on holiday saga.