TL;DR (Key Answer)
The Guided Stories X-Mas Deck is a free Christmas conversation game for families, grandparents, and friends. You get 30+ fill-in-the-blank prompts. The rules are simple: write your answer before time runs out, read your answer out loud, then on three, point to who wins the round. You can play in 15–30 minutes, in person or over video call—and if you want, you can also use the prompts to record short keepsake videos your family can replay for years.
Why we made a free Christmas game (and don’t gatekeep questions)
Most holiday “games” are the same: trivia, charades, or something that makes one person perform while everyone else watches. Fun? Sometimes. Memorable? Not always.
The Guided Stories X-Mas Deck is different. It’s built to help you:
- Actually learn new things about your family
- Give grandparents and elders a chance to shine
- Turn small talk into real stories and inside jokes
- Capture a few of those moments as keepsake videos if you’d like
And it’s free on purpose.
We don’t gatekeep questions. Our mission is to help families create memories and understand each other better, not lock prompts behind a paywall. If you love the game, you can explore the AfterLyfe app, which uses these same prompts to record and safely store your life-story recordings. But the deck itself? Free to play, share, and print.
How the X-Mas Deck works (the 3-step card game)
This Christmas card game works with parents, cousins, grandparents, and older kids or teens who have a few holidays under their belt. All you need is the deck (printed or on your phone), a timer, and something to write on.
- Players: 2–12
- Time: 15–30 minutes
- Good for: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any holiday gathering
The three rules of the game
-
Write your answer before time runs out.
Someone reads a card:
“Personally, my favorite Christmas song is ___.”
Set a timer for 30–60 seconds. Everyone writes their answer (or draws a little doodle). -
Read your answer out for the crowd.
Go around the circle or table. Each person reads their answer and, if they want, tells the story behind it. Keep it short—about a minute—so everyone gets a turn. -
On three, point to who wins the round.
After everyone has shared, count “1… 2… 3!” and each person points to the story they enjoyed most. You can give that person a point, hand them the card, or cheer and move on. It’s meant to be light and fun—not a serious competition.
That’s it. No acting skills, no perfect memory, no pressure. Just simple prompts that turn into genuine conversations.
A peek inside the X-Mas Deck
Here are a few of the actual fill-in-the-blank prompts you’ll get when you open the Guided Stories X-Mas Deck:
- Personally, my favorite Christmas song is ___
- My Christmas “job” in the family is _____
- A Christmas tradition I’d be sad to lose is _____
- A Christmas that I’ll never forget was the year _____
Some prompts stay light and funny. Others go deeper, especially when you’re playing with grandparents or long-time friends. You choose which cards to use for each round.
Perfect for grandparents, parents, and grown kids
The X-Mas Deck is designed for people who have a few Christmases under their belt— grandparents, parents, and older kids or teens who have real memories to pull from.
- Grandparents & elders get to share stories nobody’s heard before.
- Parents & adult children can reflect on the kind of holidays and traditions they want to build.
- Teens and older kids can jump in with their favorite gifts, movies, and funny moments.
Younger kids can still be part of it—just differently. They can:
- pick the next card
- help read the prompt
- or be one of the “judges” who points to their favorite story on “3.”
That way, the people who do have Christmas history get to share it, and younger kids are included without being put on the spot for memories they don’t have yet.
How to play if you’re apart (video calls & group chats)
Can’t all be in the same room? The X-Mas Deck still works as a free holiday game online:
- Video call: One person reads the card out loud. Everyone types or shares their answer, then votes with emojis or hand-raises.
- Group chat: Drop one prompt at a time and let people reply throughout the day with photos, voice notes, or short clips.
- Keepsake videos: Ask grandparents to record a 30–60 second answer to one card and send it to the family chat as a little story capsule.
Where keepsake videos come in (if you want to go further)
The game itself is free and complete on its own.
But if you find yourself thinking, “I wish we had these stories saved somewhere,” that’s where our app, AfterLyfe, comes in.
The AfterLyfe app uses similar prompts to help families record keepsake videos—short, intentional recordings in which someone shares a memory or message with their people. You can:
- Use the X-Mas Deck prompts as recording prompts
- Store family message videos in one private place
- Make sure the right people can see them later
Think of it like video insurance, so you’ll always have peace of mind. (Not an insurance product.)
How to get the X-Mas Deck (free)
You can use the digital cards online or download a printable version:
- Use it as a free Christmas game for families
- Bring it to a gathering with grandparents
- Print a copy for each household so everyone has the prompts
CTA idea for your site:
“Play the X-Mas Deck free: use the digital cards or download the printable kit at AfterLyfe.app/cards.”
FAQs
Is this game really free?
Yes. You can use the digital deck and printable X-Mas Deck for free. We don’t gatekeep questions.
What ages is this Christmas game suitable for?
It works best with elders and adults, but younger kids can still join if an adult helps them write or answer out loud.
Does it work with grandparents and older relatives?
Definitely. Many prompts are designed so grandparents and elders can share memories that the rest of the family has never heard.
How long does it take to play?
You can play a quick 15-minute round with 3–4 cards, or stretch it into a 30-minute family activity.
Do we have to record videos?
No. Recording is optional. If you want to capture a moment, you can use your phone or the AfterLyfe app to save a short keepsake video based on one of the prompts.
