Sunny skies, salty air and fun, and festive games to make Christmas Eve in the Algarve truly memorable
WORDS Gabriella Pawlowski
I always look forward to that moment when the sun dips behind the Algarve coast and the night feels suspended between waves and tinsel. Even if the Algarve inspires a sun-drenched, barefoot Christmas, some traditions are simply too joyful to skip.
For families and friends who love a full house, Christmas games are a brilliant way to bring everyone together – the kind of laughter-filled chaos that creates new traditions for the little ones and keeps adults feeling young.
And since we’re celebrating on southern shores, it only feels right that every gift exchange shines a light on the people who make the Algarve special – its makers, artists and dreamers.
The Fish Bowl Game
Think of it as charades with a festive twist. Start by dividing everyone into two or three teams. Each player writes a few Christmas-themed phrases on slips of paper – from “Santa stuck in the chimney” to “someone burnt the pudding again”. All the slips go into a bowl.
Now the rounds begin, and each team takes turns. Each round is timed – about one minute per team. When time runs out, the turn ends and the next team steps up.
• Round 1: describe the phrase using words
• Round 2: only sounds
• Round 3: gestures – complete silence!
At the start of each round, teams choose one representative who will be responsible for describing, making sounds or acting out the phrases while their teammates try to guess as many as possible before time runs out. The representative changes with every new round.
In Round 1, players try to guess the phrases while one person describes them with words. After all the phrases have been guessed, they all go back into the bowl for Round 2 — and again for Round 3. So the phrases stay the same throughout the game; what changes is the way people describe them: first with words, then with sounds, and finally with gestures only. As the rounds go on, everyone starts to remember which phrases are in the bowl, so the game gets faster and funnier each time!
If you can’t explain a word, skip it and draw another from the bowl. Each correct guess earns a point; when all rounds finish, add up the team scores to see who wins. Expect giggles, confusion and at least one dramatic victory dance!
Gift suggestion: after all that energy, give a moment of calm with Aconchego by Monique Morais (@aconchego.pt). Born in Faro, this brand creates natural, sustainable skincare focused on the well-being of people and the planet. Visit the shop in Faro or the official website for an earth-friendly treat.
Ugly Sweater “Who’s Who” Contest
This one’s a guaranteed hit. Before the party, ask everyone to send a photo wearing their most outrageous Christmas jumper. Crop out faces and build a funny slideshow with captions and music.
Nominate one person as host – they’ll reveal each photo, collect guesses and hand out prizes. Everyone votes for the winners in categories such as:
• Best team theme
• Most festive
• Most likely handmade by Grandma
• Most likely to blind Santa
• Entirely inappropriate for HR
Select prizes for the most creative and hilarious categories, and prepare small Hygge gifts in advance – one for each category winner.
Gift suggestion:the winners of each round receive a treat from Hygge (@hygge.flow). This youthful Algarve brand embodies the region’s coastal energy with hoodies, T-shirts and eco-bags designed for relaxed, beachy days. Light, simple and effortlessly stylish – it’s the kind of souvenir that carries summer vibes through every season.
Christmas Cocktail Competition
Turn your living room into a merry bar. Split into teams and invent your own Christmas drink – alcoholic or not – using ingredients that taste like the season: cinnamon, cranberries, nutmeg, orange, apple juice, honey, brown sugar, mint or rosemary.
Each team names their drink, tells its story and serves it with flair. Then everyone votes for the winner based on taste, presentation and creativity.
Tip: keep a small tray for non-alcoholic versions so everyone can join the tasting.
Gift suggestion:The winning team takes home a special art piece from Gama Rama Gallery(@gamarama_gallery). Their gallery in the Algarve showcases paintings, ceramics, jewellery and personalised prints. Visit in person to pick out something truly unique.
The Algarve Bazaar
Inspired by the region’s lively markets, this final game is all about sharing. Ask each guest to bring a locally made present – a bottle of wine, a jar of honey, handmade crafts or something they created themselves.
Arrange everything on a “market table” and take turns swapping gifts.
Gift suggestion: for an elegant touch, bring a bottle of organic wine from Morgado do Quintão (@morgadodoquintao). This award-winning winery, located near Lagoa, is one of Portugal’s most celebrated. Their wines are delicious, refined and best enjoyed after a visit to the vineyard itself – a worthwhile journey for any wine lover.
A Splash of Joy
Hide small wrapped gifts around the house or garden and write clues that lead from one spot to another – behind the sofa, under the tree, near the barbecue. Work as a team and make the riddles creative and challenging.
Give the clues a surf theme, honouring one of the Algarve’s favourite pastimes. If you want to go full-surf mode, hide clues inside beach buckets or shells for an extra coastal touch.
Gift suggestion: the winning team receives a gift from Santo Loco Surf Shop (@santoloco.sagres) – the Algarve’s coolest destination for surfboards, wetsuits and accessories from top brands. Visit the shop in Sagres or order directly from their website for the perfect coastal prize.
A sunset kind of Christmas
Yes, it’s a Christmas where you might have your feet in the sand and a sunset instead of snow – but traditions still matter. And the best ones are the ones you create yourself: full of laughter, games and people who feel like family, by blood or by soul.
So this year, let the waves, the games and the local makers come together in a Christmas to remember – one that sparkles beyond the wrapping paper and lingers like the Algarve light.
Photo credits: All images courtesy of the official Instagram accounts mentioned.
