40 Holiday Party Photo Scavenger Hunt Prompts

Short answer: The best holiday party photo scavenger hunt prompts are simple, fun challenges that get guests capturing candid moments. Focus on festive details like ugly sweaters, holiday treats, and group selfies. Mix solo, pair, and group prompts to encourage mingling.

• Use Christmas-specific prompts like “Ugly Sweater Champion” or “Secret Santa Swap” for holiday parties
• Include office-friendly prompts for corporate events that match company culture
• Add group challenges to break the ice and get strangers talking
• Keep prompts easy to understand at a glance with no special props required
• Collect all photos in one shared album using a QR code for instant uploads

Who this guide is for (and not for)

This guide is for:

• Hosts planning Christmas parties, office holiday events, or New Year’s gatherings
• Event planners who want interactive entertainment that doubles as content
• Anyone looking for photo game ideas that work for 10 or 300 guests
• Party hosts who want to collect guest photos without chasing people afterward

This guide is NOT for:

• Professional photographers looking for formal shot lists
• Hosts planning non-holiday themed events
• Anyone without a way to display or share a QR code at their event

Why photo scavenger hunts work at holiday parties

Holiday parties are already playful. Guests are in a good mood, decorations provide built-in photo subjects, and people want something to do beyond small talk. A photo scavenger hunt channels that energy into content you can actually use.

A holiday party photo scavenger hunt gives shy guests a low-pressure reason to mingle. Because everyone has a camera on their phone, it becomes an easy, inclusive activity. Instead of relying on one photographer, the whole room becomes your photo team.

Christmas party photo scavenger hunt prompts

These prompts work especially well for Christmas parties with festive decor, holiday outfits, and seasonal treats.

1. Ugly Sweater Champion: Capture the most outrageous Christmas sweater you can find.
2. Tree Treasure: Snap a close-up of the most unique ornament on the tree.
3. Secret Santa Swap: Photograph someone mid-laugh during a gift exchange.
4. Cookie Monster: Catch someone reaching for a holiday cookie.
5. Red and Green Squad: Take a group selfie with at least three people wearing red or green.
6. Mistletoe Moment: Capture a sweet or silly moment under the mistletoe.
7. Hot Cocoa Cheers: Photograph a cozy drink in someone’s hand.
8. Holiday Karaoke Star: Capture someone singing or dancing to a Christmas song.
9. Coziest Corner: Find and capture the coziest spot at the party.
10. Holiday Selfie Station: Take a selfie using any props or decor as your backdrop.

Office holiday party photo prompts

Corporate holiday parties benefit from prompts that match company culture while staying playful.

1. Department Mash-Up: Snap a group photo with people from at least three different teams.
2. Boss in Holiday Mode: Take a candid photo of a manager laughing or dancing.
3. Team Tradition: Photograph a team doing their unique holiday ritual.
4. Holiday Sock Showdown: Take a picture of the wildest pair of holiday socks.
5. Potluck MVP: Capture the dish that disappeared the fastest.
6. Office Throwback: Recreate an old office photo with the same people and pose.

General holiday party photo game ideas

These prompts work for any holiday style: New Year’s Eve, Friendsgiving, Hanukkah, or winter celebrations.

1. Cheers to the Night: Capture a toast or clinking glasses moment.
2. Dance Floor Energy: Capture someone mid-dance move.
3. Photo with a Stranger: Take a selfie with someone you did not know before tonight.
4. Candid Laugh: Take a photo of someone in a full, unposed laugh.
5. Group Selfie Challenge: Take a group selfie with at least five people in the frame.
6. Host with the Most: Capture the host in action.

How to run a holiday photo scavenger hunt

Setting up a photo scavenger hunt takes minutes with the right tools. Gather Shot is a photo sharing platform for events that makes collecting guest photos simple.

1. Choose your prompts: Pick 10-15 prompts that match your event type.
2. Set up your event: Create a new event in Gather Shot and enable Interactive Scavenger Hunts .
3. Share your QR code: Print it on signage or display on screens. Guests scan once and start playing in their browser.
4. Kick off the hunt: During welcome remarks, explain the game and announce a small prize for top participants.
5. Download and share: After the party, download everything in bulk for social media or recap decks.

With Gather Shot , guests scan a QR code and start completing prompts instantly. No app or account setup required.

Frequently asked questions

How many prompts should I include in a holiday photo scavenger hunt?

Stick to 10-15 prompts. Too many feels overwhelming, and guests may give up. Choose a mix of easy wins and creative challenges.

What prizes work best for photo scavenger hunt winners?

Small prizes work fine: gift cards, bottles of wine, or bragging rights. The game itself is entertaining enough that prizes are just a bonus.

Can I run a photo scavenger hunt without an app?

Yes. Gather Shot works entirely in the browser. Guests scan a QR code and upload photos without downloading anything or creating an account.

How do I collect all the photos afterward?

With a shared photo album, every photo uploads to one place as guests play. You can download everything in bulk after the event instead of chasing people for their photos.

What if some guests do not want to participate?

Keep it optional. Some guests prefer to observe, and that is fine. The prompts give willing participants something fun to do without pressuring anyone.

Get started with your holiday photo scavenger hunt

A holiday party photo scavenger hunt transforms your event into a gallery full of memories. Pick your prompts, set up your QR code, and let your guests do the rest.

Create your holiday party photo scavenger hunt so your guests can start sharing photos with a single scan.