Christmas afternoon entertainment/activities for a big group of adults

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

We have 'acquired' some additional guests on Christmas Day due to their having house renovations. I’m very relaxed about the increased number for food, we'll need to squeeze another table in to the dining room but I can make all of that work.

Now I've started to fret about how we keep everyone entertained in the afternoon/evening.
Morning routine can stay the same (breakfast and presents), as they aren't coming til early afternoon. They will open their presents at home and visit some relatives en route to us.

There are no under 18s in the group so no young children to accommodate. Where possible I don't want to split the group so we are doing different things. We will be 11 people, possibly 13 at some point during the day with kids’ partners calling in.

Most years, we go to the local pub for a drink, come back and finish food prep and have a long Christmas Dinner. We then go for a walk for an hour or so. Come back, might have Christmas pudding at that point if we've been too full prior. Then watch a film we've all agreed on, play cards, have a light supper, usually a cheeseboard. Lots of drinks, chocolate etc. Has worked well for years.

This year, we will have drinks & nibbles when they arrive (I don't do starters on Christmas Day as we have bacon & egg butties while opening presents).
Then dinner.

We have a guest who can't walk very far so the usual walk is out of the question, if anyone really wants to go they can, but I feel uncomfortable suggesting something everyone can't participate in.

I don't really want to watch a film with so many of us, as it's going to be hard to come up with something we'd all enjoy plus can't seat everyone comfortably for the duration of a film without blocking the TV.

Card games would be difficult for the number, although we could play something like Articulate or charades in teams.
Then I’m stumped.

Obviously I’m happy to just sit around and chat some of the time, but not sure it would work for the whole time. Maybe I’m overthinking it, just that my lot are used to having things to do on Christmas Day and this year will be different. I don’t want to over engineer it, just have some things up my sleeve to inject a bit of fun.

Ideas very much appreciated !

Any ideas gratefully received!

Thank you

I have come across a great game called "Beat that" all very simple challenge type task, suits young and old and a lot of fun. Don't need to be particularly skilled or knowledgeable. We've played a few times with small group of friends but will be bringing it out at Christmas for a larger group, age from 8 to 69.

I usually cringe at organised group activities but I arranged some in a similar situation that we had on Christmas Day on year. I did a quiz (ordinarily would fill be with horror!) where I got a different person to "host" a round each of 5 questions including a picture round. We got the game "what's in the box" and did that for a bit.

The guest who can’t walk very far - is this due to age or general poor health? If so they may appreciate an empty house so they can have a snooze. Or regardless of health, they might just appreciate a bit of peace and downtime as it can be tiring being a guest all day. So I wouldn’t rule out a walk. Do you know them well enough to ask how they’d feel about it?

In general I think everyone needs a couple of hours of downtime in the afternoon at Christmas, to digest and not have to be “on” for guests/hosts. So I personally wouldn’t get over enthusiastic with charades etc.

Something like a big Christmas themed jigsaw puzzle perhaps? Make a gingerbread house or some other crafty thing? That way some people can join in and others can watch/chat/quietly disappear if they like.

I think offer pub and walk as normal. Good to get out of the house. For the guest that can’t walk far they may go for a bit then some people turn around and walk home with them or not go at all as pp said.

Race Night (little to no set up required) or Murder Mystery (requires a bit more effort from all participants)?

Cheatwell Games Host Your Own Race Night amzn.eu/d/alQQBiD

Thank you, some great suggestions.

The person who can't walk far wouldn't thank us for leaving them home alone and they don't need peace and quiet. (although I think I probably will by the end of the day!!)

We will get down time when we sit around and chat. I don't want to torture people with organised games, but we usually spend a couple of hours watching a film. That won't be possible this year so am just looking for ideas to have in reserve. I won't foist them on everyone!

We will have a jigsaw on the go anyway over Christmas. It will have to be taken upstairs on a board so we can use the table but I guess it could be brought back down once we've cleared the table in the dining room, also does allow people to have a bit of peace if they want it.

Stop the Bus is a good game for lots of people, and usually a good laugh you could kill an hour playing that.

Would the guest who can't walk very far be open to using a wheelchair? I have mobility issues and have recently used one when we are away as I still want to be involved in what the family are doing exploring and suchlike but I'm not able to walk far. You can rent them from mobility shops too.

@pinklillie maybe, that thought had crossed my mind and I know someone I could borrow one off.
Always assuming it's not raining!

It is honestly fine to split up into smaller groups for part of the day. You could do walk or film, that solves the problem of entertaining your non-mobile guest and not having enough space for everyone to watch a film.

I'd get everyone to do the food prep the night before and spend longer in the pub on the day. Definitely don't worry about doing everything together - that's too much pressure and not always enjoyable. Whoever wants to goes on the walk, the others chill out and watch a bit of Christmas telly.

Nothing useful to add, but just wanted to say you sound a very thoughtful and warm host, OP.

Christmas at yours sounds ace!

I think some - or even most people going for a walk is fine.

We play cards against humanity or articulate on Christmas night. both are great fun.

When I've had 20 people for thanksgiving after dinner we've played the dice game Right Left and Centre - with everyone putting in 3 dollars so the pot gets quite big. It is easy, no skill required and a lot of fun.

Team games! Tension is a good one and easy to play.

Is there room for another guest? 🤣🤣

You'd be most welcome!