How to Arrange Fun Christmas Competitions for Friends and Family – Celebrating the “Naff” Factor!

Christmas is the perfect time to embrace all things quirky, kitschy, and over-the-top—what better way to do so than with some good-natured competitions centred around naff Christmas jumpers, decorations, and tree ornaments? 

Whether your loved ones are around the corner or scattered across the globe, technology allows everyone to join in the fun. Here’s how to organise these hilarious and heartwarming competitions for a Christmas to remember.

1. The Naff Christmas Jumper Contest

No festive gathering is complete without an abundance of loud and proud Christmas jumpers! From blinking lights to garish designs, the tackier, the better.

How to Host

For In-Person Gatherings: Create a runway or photo backdrop for participants to show off their jumpers. Offer prizes for categories like “Most Tacky,” “Funniest,” and “Most Creative DIY.”

For Virtual Gatherings: Use platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. Encourage everyone to model their jumper and strike a pose. Create a group poll to vote for the winners or nominate a panel of judges.

Extra Twist

Challenge participants to DIY their jumpers by adding unconventional decorations, such as tinsel, baubles, or a miniature Christmas tree!

2. Naff Christmas Tree Decoration Challenge

Turn decorating the Christmas tree into a laugh-out-loud competition. The goal? To create the most outrageously naff tree possible.

How to Play

Set the Rules: Participants can only use household items, bargain bin finds, or handmade decorations to adorn their tree.

Virtual Participants: Ask everyone to send photos of their trees before the big day or do a live tree reveal during the call.

Voting: Use apps like Mentimeter for live voting or let a jury of kids (who always appreciate silliness) pick the winner.

Award Categories

"Most Outlandish Tree"

"The Tinsel Overload Award"

"Most Creative Use of Random Items"

3. Naff Home Decoration Contest

It’s time to go big—turn your home (or a single room) into the ultimate showcase of gaudy Christmas décor. Think clashing colours, inflatable Santa Clauses, and as much glitter as humanly possible.

How to Compete

For Remote Participants: Arrange a virtual home tour via video call. Participants can walk their cameras around to highlight their décor choices.

Judging: Encourage each participant to deliver a short, tongue-in-cheek pitch about their “design inspiration.”

Voting: Use a mix of categories like “Most Naff,” “Brightest Display,” and “Most Imaginative.”

Pro Tip

Set a budget cap (e.g., £10 or $15) to keep it fair and encourage creative reuse of existing items.

4. Group Participation Made Easy

To involve family and friends from all corners of the world, use these tips:

Set a Theme and Deadlines: Announce the competition themes early and give participants a deadline to submit entries or prepare their decorations.

Use Shared Platforms: Create a private group on Facebook, WhatsApp, or Google Groups where people can share photos, videos, and updates about their progress.

Plan a Live Event: Host a live virtual event to announce the winners. Add games or carol singing to make it even more festive.

Prizes for Maximum Fun

Keep prizes light-hearted and in keeping with the naff theme. Ideas include:

A miniature tinsel crown for the “King/Queen of Naff”

A “Golden Bauble” trophy (DIY using gold paint and an old ornament)

Joke gifts, like a framed photo of the winning decoration or a box of out-of-season Easter eggs

Make It Memorable

These competitions are about bringing people together and creating shared laughter. Encourage participants to document their efforts, whether through funny selfies, progress videos, or a group scrapbook of entries. You could even compile a video montage to share with everyone afterward as a keepsake.

Why Embrace the Naff?

Christmas isn’t about perfection—it’s about joy, connection, and embracing the silliness of the season. These competitions are a brilliant way to break the ice, spark creativity, and make sure that everyone, near or far, feels part of the festivities.

So, dig out those flashing jumpers, stock up on tinsel, and start planning your most wonderfully naff Christmas ever!

Unique Christmas Traditions from Around the World: 10 Fascinating Festive Customs

Christmas is a time of joy and togetherness, but how we celebrate it varies greatly across the globe. From feasts and folklore to fireworks and festive rituals, the season is rich with cultural diversity. 

Here are ten fascinating Christmas traditions that showcase the unique ways this festive season is celebrated around the world.

1. Krampus Night – Austria

In Austria, Christmas has a darker side. On 5th December, the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, Krampus, a fearsome creature resembling a horned demon, roams the streets. Legend has it that Krampus punishes naughty children, while Saint Nicholas rewards the good ones with treats. Parades, costumes, and theatrical antics bring this centuries-old tradition to life.

2. Giant Lantern Festival – Philippines

The city of San Fernando in the Philippines transforms into the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines" during the annual Giant Lantern Festival. Held on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, this spectacular event showcases massive, intricate lanterns illuminated by dazzling patterns of light, symbolising hope and unity.

3. Mari Lwyd – Wales

In Wales, an eerie yet charming Christmas custom known as Mari Lwyd involves a decorated horse skull mounted on a stick, carried by someone hidden under a sheet. Groups go door-to-door singing traditional songs and engaging in humorous rhyming battles, seeking entry to homes in exchange for food and drink.

4. KFC Christmas Feast – Japan

In Japan, Christmas isn't a national holiday, but it's celebrated with a unique twist. Many families and couples mark the day by feasting on KFC. Thanks to a wildly successful marketing campaign in the 1970s, "Kentucky for Christmas" has become a beloved tradition, with orders placed weeks in advance.

5. Roller-Skating to Church – Venezuela

In Caracas, Venezuela, Christmas morning begins with a wheeled twist. Locals don roller skates to glide their way to early morning church services. Roads are even closed to cars to ensure the skaters can travel safely. This quirky tradition is followed by celebrations with friends and family.

6. Hiding Brooms – Norway

Norwegians believe that Christmas Eve is when mischievous spirits and witches take to the skies. To prevent them from stealing their brooms, people hide them securely before bed. This tradition, rooted in folklore, adds a mystical element to the festive celebrations.

7. The Yule Goat – Sweden

In Sweden, the Julbock or Yule Goat is a beloved symbol of Christmas. In Gävle, a giant straw goat is constructed annually, though it often attracts mischievous attempts to burn it down! Smaller versions adorn homes and Christmas trees, paying homage to this centuries-old tradition.

8. La Befana – Italy

In Italy, the Christmas season extends to 6th January, the Feast of the Epiphany. On this day, children eagerly await La Befana, a kind-hearted witch who delivers presents to good children and coal to the naughty ones. According to legend, she flies on her broomstick in search of the Christ child, leaving gifts along the way.

9. Christmas Sauna – Finland

In Finland, Christmas Eve includes a visit to the sauna, a sacred space in Finnish culture. Families gather to cleanse themselves physically and spiritually before the holiday festivities begin. The sauna is also believed to be visited by spirits of ancestors, adding a spiritual dimension to the ritual.

10. Tió de Nadal – Catalonia, Spain

In Catalonia, children celebrate Christmas with Tió de Nadal, or the "Christmas Log." This hollow wooden log is "fed" daily with small treats and covered with a blanket to keep it warm. On Christmas Eve, the children sing songs and "encourage" the log to defecate gifts by gently hitting it with sticks.

These traditions highlight the richness and diversity of Christmas celebrations around the world. While they may differ in style and symbolism, they share a common thread of bringing people together in joy and festivity. Which of these unique customs would you like to experience? Let us know in the comments!

Strangest Christmas traditions around the world

Christmas celebrations will soon be in full swing, and experts have revealed the unique ways the festive season is celebrated across the globe. 

Travel experts at StressFreeCarRental.com (Thanks to them for helping with information for this blogpost) have researched the ten most surprising ways people celebrate Christmas.

Whilst the Japanese rush over to KFC for their Christmas dinner, the Polish believe that animals gain the ability to speak on Christmas Eve. 

Meanwhile, people all across Caracas, Venezuela, will travel on roller skates through the city to gather together at an early-morning Christmas service. 

Many traditions go far beyond exchanging gifts and decorating the Christmas tree, so those travelling abroad should educate themselves on different festive traditions.

John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com said: “Although the festive period is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, exchange gifts, decorate the house and eat lots of food, cultures around the world enjoy their own unique traditions.

“From the slaughtering of pigs in Romania to polishing shoes and leaving them on the street for gifts in Germany, everywhere enjoys the festive season in different ways so it is important to be open-minded if travelling abroad in December.”

10 Unique Christmas traditions around the world:

1. Japan

Christmas dinners in Japan look very different to most countries - the Japanese typically eat a meal from KFC. Some pre-order chicken meals months in advance and long queues are expected on the 25th outside KFC restaurants. 

2. Poland

In Poland, it is believed during the Christmas Eve dinner, animals are given the gift of speaking for the night. According to legend, this is thanks to the animals who helped receive baby Jesus during his birth. 

3. Germany

On the evening of the 5th, a day before Saint Nicholas Day, children polish their shoes and leave them on the street, to later find them filled with chocolates and sweets as a reward for good behaviour. 

4. Venezuela

On Christmas Eve, residents of Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas, will be seen travelling to Christmas mass on roller skates. Skating is such a popular tradition that the streets are closed to cars, allowing skaters to travel safely and enjoy this fun Christmas activity.

5. China

In China, Santa is known as Sheng dan Lao ren, and he has fellow helpers called ‘sisters.’ This means that Santas dressed up in shopping centres will have costumed women by their side, and not pointy-eared elves. 

6. The Netherlands

The evening of December 5th is the most exciting Christmas day for children as it is the time ‘Sinterklaas’ arrives with presents. Kids will leave a shoe by the fireplace, sing Dutch Christmas songs and wait for their gifts to arrive. 

7. Italy

Italian tradition sees bizarre bagpipe-playing shepherds perform tunes in piazzas, normally dressed in traditional sheepskin and wool cloaks. The pipers travel in pairs down from their mountain homes for a festive spectacle. 

8. Romania

Romania's Christmas traditions are very unique, and arguably the most important is the slaughtering of a pig. Families gather in rural areas to sacrifice one of their pigs and use the meat to cook Christmas meals. 

9. Australia 

Christmas in Australia is during the Summer, so it is common to see surfing Santas in bright red fleece suits, lined with white fur and big black boots, on the big day. 

10. Spain

The Spanish Christmas lottery is the biggest in the world. Almost everyone in the country plays, usually with friends, coworkers or neighbours because it usually pays out over two billion euros each year. 

For information on travelling around Christmas time, head over to StressFreeCarRental.com.