Christmas Mystery Party Game

Press Print this list for the host sheet, then print a character sheet for each guest from the menu.

Host sheet1: Before the partyPrint every sheet in the menu once: this host sheet, three rounds of clue cards, the accusation slip (one copy for each guest), ten character sheets and the solution. Cut the clue cards apart. Fold the solution and keep it shut.
2: The story to read aloudIt is Christmas Eve at Frost Lodge. At five o'clock Grandma Winifred switched on the tree lights and everyone admired the old gold star at the top. When the dinner bell rang at six, the star was gone. Nobody has left the house, so one of us at this table took it.
3: The one rule: nobody liesTell the table before round 1. Every guest answers questions truthfully, in character, from their sheet. Each sheet has one thing its guest keeps back unless someone asks about it. One question is off limits: nobody asks outright whether a guest took the star, and anyone who is asked, guilty or not, answers only: ask me again when the slips are in.
4: Hand out the charactersGive each guest one character sheet as they arrive. Nobody shows a sheet to anyone else. Uncle Barnaby must always be in the game.
5: Round 1, with the first courseRead the five clue cards of round 1 aloud, or deal them around the table to be read out. Then let everyone question everyone until the plates are cleared.
6: Round 2, with the main courseRead the five clue cards of round 2. Guests may now ask one another about the thing each is keeping back.
7: Round 3, with dessertRead the five clue cards of round 3. Give the table a last few minutes of questions.
8: The accusationsHand out the slips. Everyone writes who took the star, how they reached it and where it is now. Collect the slips before anyone says a name aloud.
9: The revealOpen the solution sheet and read it out. A slip with the right name wins, and the fullest right answer wins a tie.
Fewer guests: six or sevenDeal Uncle Barnaby, Grandma Winifred, Aunt Clementine, Noel, Holly Berry and Dr. Rudy; a seventh guest is Mr. Jasper. The other characters are away from the table, and the clue cards say all that is needed about them.
More guests: eleven or twelveDeal all ten characters. The extra guests are detectives called in from next door: they hold no sheet, ask the first question of each round and fill in a slip like everyone else.

Next step After the reveal: the carol game More puzzles: build an escape room

How it works

This Christmas mystery party game is one complete whodunit for a dinner of 8 to 12 guests. The star has gone from the top of the tree at Frost Lodge, and one guest at the table took it.

Read the full guide

Print the kit

The page opens on the Host sheet. Print this list prints the sheet on screen, and the menu under it holds the rest: three rounds of clue cards, an accusation slip, a sheet for each of ten characters and the solution. Cut the clue cards apart and give every guest one character sheet.

Run it over three courses

Read five clue cards with each course and let the table question one another. Nobody lies: the guest who took the star simply does not volunteer it. After dessert everyone fills in a slip, and the host reads the solution.

Tips

Only the host should open this page: the solution is in the menu and in the full list below.
Six guests? The host sheet names the six characters to deal.

Questions and answers

How do you host a Christmas mystery party game?

Print the host sheet, the character sheets, the clue cards and the slips. Give each guest a character as they arrive, read five clues with each course of dinner, and collect an accusation from everyone before you read out the solution.

Are there free Christmas mystery party games to print?

This one is free: every sheet prints from this page with no sign-up. Choose a sheet in the menu and press Print this list. The story, the characters and the clues were written for this page.

How many players does it need?

Eight to twelve. There are ten characters, and an eleventh and twelfth guest play detectives with no sheet. For six or seven, the host sheet lists which characters to deal, and the clue cards cover the rest.

Is it a murder mystery?

No. Nobody is hurt in this story. A tree star goes missing during the carols, one guest took it, and the reason turns out to be a kind one.

All 78 lines

Host sheet 11

1: Before the party Print every sheet in the menu once: this host sheet, three rounds of clue cards, the accusation slip (one copy for each guest), ten character sheets and the solution. Cut the clue cards apart. Fold the solution and keep it shut.
2: The story to read aloud It is Christmas Eve at Frost Lodge. At five o'clock Grandma Winifred switched on the tree lights and everyone admired the old gold star at the top. When the dinner bell rang at six, the star was gone. Nobody has left the house, so one of us at this table took it.
3: The one rule: nobody lies Tell the table before round 1. Every guest answers questions truthfully, in character, from their sheet. Each sheet has one thing its guest keeps back unless someone asks about it. One question is off limits: nobody asks outright whether a guest took the star, and anyone who is asked, guilty or not, answers only: ask me again when the slips are in.
4: Hand out the characters Give each guest one character sheet as they arrive. Nobody shows a sheet to anyone else. Uncle Barnaby must always be in the game.

Show all 78 lines (74 more)

Host sheet, continued

5: Round 1, with the first course Read the five clue cards of round 1 aloud, or deal them around the table to be read out. Then let everyone question everyone until the plates are cleared.
6: Round 2, with the main course Read the five clue cards of round 2. Guests may now ask one another about the thing each is keeping back.
7: Round 3, with dessert Read the five clue cards of round 3. Give the table a last few minutes of questions.
8: The accusations Hand out the slips. Everyone writes who took the star, how they reached it and where it is now. Collect the slips before anyone says a name aloud.
9: The reveal Open the solution sheet and read it out. A slip with the right name wins, and the fullest right answer wins a tie.
Fewer guests: six or seven Deal Uncle Barnaby, Grandma Winifred, Aunt Clementine, Noel, Holly Berry and Dr. Rudy; a seventh guest is Mr. Jasper. The other characters are away from the table, and the clue cards say all that is needed about them.
More guests: eleven or twelve Deal all ten characters. The extra guests are detectives called in from next door: they hold no sheet, ask the first question of each round and fill in a slip like everyone else.

Clue cards, round 1 5

Round 1, clue 1: The lights go on At 5:00 the whole house stood in the parlor while Grandma Winifred switched on the tree lights. The star was at the top.
Round 1, clue 2: Two photographs Noel's camera stamps the time. At 5:20, from the parlor door, the star is on the tree. At 5:40, from the same spot, the treetop is bare.
Round 1, clue 3: Carols at the piano The piano is in the music room, across the hall from the parlor. From 5:15 to the dinner bell Holly led and Carol Tinsley played without a break, and Grandma Winifred and Nick sang beside them the whole time.
Round 1, clue 4: Gold glitter A trail of gold glitter runs across the parlor rug to the foot of the tree.
Round 1, clue 5: The footstool The parlor footstool stands right under the tree. On its cushion is one wet boot print, the snow still melting.

Clue cards, round 2 5

Round 2, clue 1: The stepladder The stepladder is not in the hall closet where it lives.
Round 2, clue 2: The kitchen timer The oven timer was set at 5:15 and rang at 5:45. Between the two, Aunt Clementine iced the cake and Ivy turned it for her, side by side, and neither left the kitchen.
Round 2, clue 3: The boot rack On the rack by the back door two pairs of boots are bone dry and have been since noon: Noel's and Mr. Jasper's.
Round 2, clue 4: A package in a bag A star-shaped package in gold paper has been seen in Holly Berry's bag.
Round 2, clue 5: Paw prints Paw prints and one set of boot prints go up and down the front porch, over and over. They never come inside.

Clue cards, round 3 5

Round 3, clue 1: From the music room window The music room window looks onto the front porch. The four at the piano could see Dr. Rudy and the dog out there from the first carol to the dinner bell.
Round 3, clue 2: Breakfast At breakfast Grandma Winifred said that one point of the star had worked loose and this might be its last Christmas. Three people were at the table with her: Uncle Barnaby, Aunt Clementine and Noel.
Round 3, clue 3: The woodshed path One set of boot prints leaves the back door, goes to the woodshed and comes back. The log basket by the parlor fire is empty.
Round 3, clue 4: A delivery The package delivered at 5:10 came from a hardware store. Its label lists wood glue and two small clamps. It was not addressed to Grandma Winifred.
Round 3, clue 5: A dab of glue There is a dab of wood glue, still tacky, on the handle of the parlor door.

Accusation slip 5

1: Your own name The name you came to the party with, not your character's.
2: Who took the star? Write one character's name.
3: How did they reach it? What did they stand on?
4: Where is the star now? Name the place.
5: The clue that settles it One clue card, in a few words.

Grandma Winifred Frost 4

Grandma Winifred 1: who you are The hostess of Frost Lodge. The gold star has topped your tree for fifty Christmases.
Grandma Winifred 2: where you were You switched on the tree lights at 5:00. From 5:15 to the dinner bell you sang carols at the piano in the music room with Holly, Carol Tinsley and Nick.
Grandma Winifred 3: what you saw The music room window looks onto the front porch. Dr. Rudy and the dog were out there the whole time you sang. At breakfast you told the table that one point of the star had worked loose and this might be its last Christmas.
Grandma Winifred 4: keep back unless asked This morning you carried the stepladder from the hall closet to the pantry to reach the good plates, and forgot to put it back. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Uncle Barnaby Pine 4

Uncle Barnaby 1: who you are Winifred's brother, a retired carpenter. YOU TOOK THE STAR, to mend its loose point as a surprise for your sister. Never say so and never deny it.
Uncle Barnaby 2: where you were You were in the parlor when the lights went on at 5:00. At 5:10 you met the delivery driver on the porch steps. At about twenty-five past five you went out to the woodshed, and came back about ten minutes later to warm your hands at the parlor fire.
Uncle Barnaby 3: what you saw You were at breakfast when Winifred said the star's point was loose. If asked whether you brought in any logs, say truthfully that you did not.
Uncle Barnaby 4: keep back unless asked Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in. Give the same answer to any question you could only answer by owning up.

Aunt Clementine Pine 4

Aunt Clementine 1: who you are Winifred's sister and the family baker. The Christmas cake is yours.
Aunt Clementine 2: where you were From 5:15, when you set the oven timer, to 5:45, when it rang, you iced the cake in the kitchen with Ivy at your side. Neither of you left the room.
Aunt Clementine 3: what you saw At breakfast Barnaby went very quiet when Winifred talked about the star's loose point.
Aunt Clementine 4: keep back unless asked At half past four you carried the cake through the parlor and spilled gold sugar glitter across the rug by the tree. You have told nobody. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Noel Frost 4

Noel Frost 1: who you are Winifred's grandson, home from college, never without a camera. It stamps the time on every picture.
Noel Frost 2: where you were At 5:10 you photographed the star close up. At 5:20 you photographed the tree from the parlor door, then set the dinner table alone. At 5:40 you took a second picture from the door. You have not been outside since noon and your boots are dry on the rack.
Noel Frost 3: what you saw In your 5:20 picture the star is on the tree. In your 5:40 picture the treetop is bare, and Uncle Barnaby is alone by the parlor fire with his back to you.
Noel Frost 4: keep back unless asked For the 5:10 close-up you dragged the footstool under the tree and stood on it in your socks. You left it there. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Holly Berry 4

Holly Berry 1: who you are The next-door neighbor, who leads the town's carol singers.
Holly Berry 2: where you were From 5:15 to the dinner bell you led the carols in the music room without a break. Carol Tinsley played, and Winifred and Nick sang beside you.
Holly Berry 3: what you saw Through the music room window you could see Dr. Rudy walking the dog up and down the front porch from the first carol to the last.
Holly Berry 4: keep back unless asked There is a star-shaped package in your bag. It is a tin of shortbread for Winifred, wrapped in gold paper. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Mr. Jasper Snow 4

Mr. Jasper 1: who you are An old family friend and a clockmaker. You wind the three clocks on the upstairs landing of Frost Lodge every Christmas Eve.
Mr. Jasper 2: where you were From 5:15 to the dinner bell you were upstairs on the landing, winding and setting the clocks, alone, in your slippers. Your boots have stood dry on the rack since noon.
Mr. Jasper 3: what you saw At about 5:25 you heard the back door open and shut. About ten minutes later you heard it again.
Mr. Jasper 4: keep back unless asked Last Christmas you offered to re-gild the star in your workshop and Winifred said no. The polishing cloth in your pocket is for the clocks. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Ivy Lane 4

Ivy Lane 1: who you are Winifred's daughter. You trim the tree every year and have opinions about it.
Ivy Lane 2: where you were From 5:15 to 5:45 you were in the kitchen turning the cake while Aunt Clementine iced it. Neither of you left the room.
Ivy Lane 3: what you saw At ten to six you carried the cake through the parlor. Uncle Barnaby was warming his hands at the fire, and the log basket beside him was empty.
Ivy Lane 4: keep back unless asked You brought a new angel for the treetop, and you told Rudy this afternoon that the old star was past its best. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Dr. Rudy Lane 4

Dr. Rudy 1: who you are Ivy's husband, a vet, and the owner of Biscuit the dog.
Dr. Rudy 2: where you were From 5:15 to the dinner bell you walked Biscuit up and down the front porch. You never left it and never came inside.
Dr. Rudy 3: what you saw At 5:10 you saw the delivery driver hand a small box to Uncle Barnaby on the porch steps.
Dr. Rudy 4: keep back unless asked At five past five Biscuit chewed a felt reindeer off a low branch of the tree. It is in your coat pocket, and it is the reason you took him outside. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Carol Tinsley 4

Carol Tinsley 1: who you are The town's piano teacher, invited every year to play the carols.
Carol Tinsley 2: where you were From 5:15 to the dinner bell you played the piano in the music room without a break, with Holly leading and Winifred and Nick singing.
Carol Tinsley 3: what you saw At twelve minutes past five you fetched your music from the parlor. The star was on the tree and the footstool was already standing under it.
Carol Tinsley 4: keep back unless asked Winifred has been hunting for her reading glasses all evening. They are on top of your head. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Nick Garland 4

Nick Garland 1: who you are A delivery driver. Your van is stuck in the snow at the gate, and Winifred has invited you to stay for dinner.
Nick Garland 2: where you were At 5:10 you made your last delivery on the porch steps. From 5:15 to the dinner bell you sang carols in the music room with Winifred, Holly and Carol Tinsley.
Nick Garland 3: what you saw Your boot prints are the only ones in the lane. Nobody has left Frost Lodge tonight.
Nick Garland 4: keep back unless asked The package was for Barnaby Pine, from a hardware store: wood glue and two small clamps. He asked you not to mention it to Winifred. Asked outright whether you took the star? Answer as every guest does: ask me again when the slips are in.

Solution (host only) 7

1: The answer: who took it Uncle Barnaby Pine.
2: Why At breakfast he heard his sister say a point of the star had worked loose and this might be its last Christmas. He ordered wood glue and clamps and meant to mend it as a surprise before dinner.
3: How At 5:10 he took his package from the driver on the snowy porch steps. At about 5:25, with the carols under way and the parlor empty, he stepped onto the footstool Noel had left under the tree, lifted the star down, wrapped it in a dish towel and went out the back door to the woodshed.
4: Where the star is now In the woodshed, clamped to the workbench while the glue sets. The glue needed an hour, the dinner bell rang first, and he kept quiet to save the surprise.
5: Why it can be nobody else The star went between 5:20 and 5:40. Winifred, Holly, Carol Tinsley and Nick were at the piano. Clementine and Ivy were in the kitchen. Rudy was on the porch in view of the piano. The boot print was wet, and Noel's and Jasper's boots were dry. That leaves Barnaby.
6: What the false trails were The gold glitter is Clementine's cake sugar. Winifred moved the stepladder herself. Holly's star-shaped package is a tin of shortbread. Jasper's cloth is for the clocks. Ivy's angel never left its box. Rudy was hiding a chewed felt reindeer.
7: The ending to read aloud Barnaby fetches the star from the woodshed, its point firm again. Winifred hangs it back on the tree herself, and dinner goes on.

How this list was compiled: An original story written by the Game Night Generator editors for this page on 2026-10-02: The Missing Star of Frost Lodge, a whodunit with no crime worse than a missing tree star. The place, the ten characters and the fifteen clue cards are invented and name no real person, book, film or boxed game. The puzzle has one answer (the fifteen cards are counted here in reading order, round 1 holding clues 1 to 5, round 2 clues 6 to 10 and round 3 clues 11 to 15). The star went between 5:20 and 5:40 (clue 2); four characters were at the piano (clue 3), two in the kitchen (clue 7) and one on the porch in view of the piano (clues 10 and 11); the boot print was wet (clue 5) and two characters' boots were dry (clue 8). One character is left, and the builder of this list checks that by script each time it is made. The solution was also read twice by hand against all fifteen cards and all ten character sheets. Licence: own work