Bad Santa | A hilarious murder mystery party
A hilarious Christmas themed murder mystery party game for 10-20+ guests, ages 14 and up (due to difficulty) - instantly downloadable upon purchase. There are 50 unique players available with both expansion packs (purchased separately), and the game may be expanded to over 200+ players by using expandable teams. See the breakdown at the bottom of the page on how to host a large party. This is the instant download. You will have instant access to everything you need to play the game - nothing needs to be shipped, so you avoid shipping fees. For the party pack version (boxed set), click on the link below in the helpful links section.
There are two required videos to play during the game. You will be able to stream from YouTube, Vimeo, or download from Vimeo or your account (mp4, and re-posting the video content or any game content is not allowed). There are back-up transcripts in case you are unable to play them during the party for any reason. This is the traditional in-person, mingling format. If you need a virtual game for Christmas to play on Zoom or other video chat platform - we got your back. Click here for the virtual selection. At this time, we do have a murder and non-murder virtual Christmas game.
There are four PDF files to download with this game - a host instruction file, printable file, solution key, and an optional free invitation file. You must use Adobe Reader (free software that you can download at Adobe.com) to view the PDF file, as a PDF is an Adobe product.
Format: this is a traditional, mingling, clue-based game (downloadable version) for in-person groups. For virtually-formatted games that are ideal for video chat platforms, click here.
Gifting: the standard game license does not allow transfers, so you cannot purchase a download as a gift. For gifts, click here for gift certificates, or use the link below for the boxed version of the game (party pack).
Note: the game will not contain any highly inappropriate content.
This game was updated on 11/4/20.
Helpful Links:
Boxed Set (Party Pack) version - have our staff prepare your kit
Pre-game site at Your Mystery Party for the 20 player game
Expansion pack #1 - adds 10 unique characters (purchased separately, play in order)
Expansion pack #2 - adds 20 unique characters (purchased separately, expansion pack #1 must also be played in the game)
20 player invitation - If you are adding an expansion pack, use the invitation that comes with the last expansion pack purchased.
Murder Mystery Synopsis:
A master of deception, the reclusive Christopher Clause tricked many people into attending what he referred to as the ‘most wondrous party of the year.’ After everyone arrived at Clause Manor, Christopher had his staff lock the guests inside with no chance of escape. The party-goers were shocked to see Christopher, wearing a Santa suit in a faraway location, pop onto a monitor in the living room. He warned that someone would be leaving in a coroner’s bag!
The eccentric millionaire was a mastermind and had selected the guest list meticulously. It wasn’t long before tempers flared inside of the holiday pressure cooker while they worked on Chris's demented riddle. There wasn’t much surprise when a dead body emerged, and a killer lurked among them.
Christopher popped back on the monitor, laughing and cheering with delight. His twisted plan had fallen into place. He gave another riddle for the guests to solve and announced that he would be contacting the authorities. He cautioned that all attendees would be a suspect in this murder if they didn’t find the killer before the red and blues swirled in the front driveway.
The guest scurried about, interrogating each other until they could turn over no more stones. Once they found the killer, the detainees were able to leave the manor, never to speak of the night’s events again.
How to Host a Larger Party:
- 20 characters with the main game
- 10 characters with expansion pack #1 (purchased separately)
- 20 characters with expansion pack #2 (purchased separately)
- Up to 25+ additional duplicate players as Frederick Waters' Army/loyal followers of his quest of world domination (expansion pack #1 player)
- Up to 25+ additional duplicate players as Family members of Merry Palmer (expansion pack #1 player)
- Up to 25+ additional duplicate players as Rachel Greene's friends (expansion pack #2 player)
- Up to 25+ additional duplicate players as Antonio Sopranos' minions (expansion pack #2 player)
Follow My Mystery Party's board Murder at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on Pinterest.
If you wish to host this (or any other) game for profit, you will need a commercial license - click here.
- Minimum age:
- 14 for difficulty
- Difficulty rating:
- Moderate, 6/10
- Gender of players:
- Co-ed
- Expansion pack(s)?:
- Expansion pack #1 (10 players), Expansion pack #2 (20 players)
- Expandable teams?:
- Yes, expandable to over 200 players with expansion packs and expandable teams
- Date of publication:
- November, 2019. Last revised on 11/4/20
- Unique content:
- Video content & two group challenges - one for each round.
- Game license:
- Single, private use. For the game license's Terms and Conditions, see below.