A circle of green with a big red bow. I hang on the door where visitors go.Answer: the wreath. Tuck it into the greenery on the inside of the door.
A wooden soldier with a jaw that cracks. Your next clue hides behind my back.Answer: the nutcracker. Stand it behind the tallest nutcracker.
Antlers on top and four hooves below. Under the reindeer is where clues go.Answer: the reindeer decoration. Under a toy or ornament reindeer on a shelf the hunter can reach.
The biggest box with the biggest bow. Look underneath me, then off you go.Answer: the biggest present under the tree. Under it, not inside, so the present stays wrapped.
Cards with stamps arrive in me. Open my door and you will see.Answer: the mailbox. Only if the mailbox is on your own property and away from the road. An adult goes along.
Carols sit open above my keys. Lift the songbook, if you please.Answer: the piano. Under the songbook on the music stand, never inside the lid.
Show all 102 clues (96 more)
Easy clues, continued
Crunchy and orange, the reindeer's treat. Look in the fridge where we keep them neat.Answer: the carrots in the refrigerator. Put the paper in a sandwich bag beside the carrots.
Friends far away sent greetings here. Look among the cards that came this year.Answer: the Christmas cards. Inside the card from the person the hunter knows best.
Green and tall with lights that glow. Look in my branches, way down low.Answer: the Christmas tree. Rest it on a low branch at the hunter's eye level, clear of the lights.
Handles of ribbon and tissue inside. In a bag by the tree is where I hide.Answer: a gift bag. Between the sheets of tissue in an empty bag.
I circle the trunk like a skirt on the floor. Lift up my edge and you'll find one more.Answer: the tree skirt. Slide it under the edge nearest the room, so nobody crawls behind the tree.
I flatten the dough for the cookie batch. Roll me over, there's a note to catch.Answer: the rolling pin. Tape it to the underside.
I go round your neck when the wind blows cold. Unwind me and see what I hold.Answer: the scarf. Rolled into the scarf on its usual hook.
I hang in a row with your name on my cuff. Reach down to my toe, past all the stuff.Answer: the hunter's stocking. Push it right into the toe. If the stockings hang over a fireplace, take this one down and lay it on a chair first.
I ride round the tree on a tiny track. Look in the car at the very back.Answer: the toy train under the tree. Fold it into the last car. Switch the train off first.
I slide down hills when the snow is deep. Look under me where I lean and sleep.Answer: the sled. Tape it under the seat. Keep the sled on your own property.
I twist up the stairs in green and gold. Look where I start for a note to hold.Answer: the garland on the banister. Tie it to the bottom post, so the stairs stay out of the hunt.
Marshmallows melt in us, steaming and sweet. Look in the mugs for a clue and a treat.Answer: the cocoa mugs. In an empty mug on the shelf, not a full one.
Matching and cozy for the night before. Look in the pajamas in your drawer.Answer: the Christmas pajamas. Folded into the top.
One plate of cookies left out tonight. Lift it up, the clue's out of sight.Answer: the cookie plate left for Santa. A Christmas Eve stop. Under the plate, beside the glass of milk.
Red and white stripes with a hook at the top. I hang on the tree, so make me your stop.Answer: a candy cane on the tree. Roll the clue round the cane and hold it with a rubber band.
Red leaves in a pot, a holiday flower. Look under my saucer this very hour.Answer: the poinsettia. Under the saucer, dry side up.
Red with white fur and a bobble on top. Look inside me for your next stop.Answer: the Santa hat. Inside the brim. Hang the hat where it is easy to see.
Round and shiny, I hang from a hook. Find the one with your name and take a look.Answer: the hunter's own ornament. Tie the clue to the ornament's hook with thread. Pick one that hangs low.
Round with a lid and snowmen outside. Gingerbread lives here, and here I hide.Answer: the cookie tin. On top of the cookies, one each for the hunters.
Shake me up and watch it snow. Look underneath me, then you'll know.Answer: the snow globe. Under the base, on a shelf the hunter can reach.
Shepherds and sheep and a stable of wood. Look behind it, as a wise one would.Answer: the nativity scene. Behind the stable, so none of the figures has to move.
Snowy boots drip dry on me. Lift a boot and you will see.Answer: the boot tray. Under a dry boot.
Stars and trees made out of tin. We shape the dough, so look within.Answer: the cookie cutters. In the cutter box, under the star.
Stories of snow and reindeer flight. Look in the basket of books for tonight.Answer: the basket of Christmas books. Inside the front cover of the top book.
Tiny houses, a church and a tiny street. Look behind the village for your next treat.Answer: the Christmas village. Behind the largest building.
To and From are written on me. Read the back of the one nearest the tree.Answer: a gift tag. Write or tape the clue on the back of the tag.
Turn my key and a carol will play. Lift my lid and you're on your way.Answer: the music box. Under the lid, or under the box if it has no lid.
Twenty-four doors and a treat each day. Open today's and a clue's tucked away.Answer: the advent calendar. Fold it small behind today's door. A 25-door calendar works the same way.
Two people pull me and out falls a crown. Look by the plates where we're all set down.Answer: a Christmas cracker on the table. Tuck it under the cracker at the hunter's own place.
Two warm hands fit inside of us. Check the mittens without any fuss.Answer: the mittens. Inside one mitten of the hunter's own pair.
Walls made of cookie and a roof of sweets. Look behind the house that nobody eats.Answer: the gingerbread house. Behind it, not under it, or the walls come down.
We sleep in a box eleven months a year. Lift the lid, your clue is here.Answer: the ornament box. The empty box, once the tree is trimmed. Leave it out where it can be reached.
Clues for teens 26
Curled and looped, I top every box. Look in the bag of bows and knots.Answer: the bag of bows and ribbon. Among the bows, with a corner showing.
Five percent left and it's Christmas Day. Where your phone charges, a clue's tucked away.Answer: the phone charger. Under the charging cable on the nightstand.
Flames with a switch that never get hot. Lift the candle and see what you've got.Answer: a battery candle. Under the base. Battery candles only.
The holiday pillow that nobody may touch. Look right behind me, it isn't much.Answer: the holiday throw pillow. Behind it on the couch.
Hood up, earbuds in, that's your style. Check the front pocket, it's been there a while.Answer: the hoodie pocket. In the pocket of the hoodie they wear most.
I buzz when the cookies are ready to turn. Wind me up for the clue you earn.Answer: the kitchen timer. Under the timer, on the counter or stuck to the refrigerator door.
I ring each time the front door swings wide. Check the strap of bells, a note's inside.Answer: the bells on the door handle. Thread the clue through the strap.
I stick to fingers, to paper, to hair. Find my roll and the clue is there.Answer: the tape dispenser. Under the dispenser at the wrapping table.
Knitted reindeer, pom-poms, a terrible fit. Check the sweater's sleeve, the clue is in it.Answer: the Christmas sweater. Inside a sleeve of the loudest sweater in the house.
Laced by the door with salt on the toe. Look in the left one before you go.Answer: the winter boots. Pushed into the toe of the left boot.
New games arrive today, so check the old. Inside a case is a note to hold.Answer: a video game case. Inside the case of the game they played most this year.
Nuts in a bowl and a tool that cracks. Lift the bowl, the clue's on its back.Answer: the nut bowl. Under the bowl.
Over your ears when the carols get loud. Look in our case, away from the crowd.Answer: the headphones case. Inside the case, or looped over the band.
Peppermint sticks in a jar on the shelf. Take the clue, and one for yourself.Answer: the candy cane jar. Rolled among the canes.
Rolls and rolls of snowflake print. Look down my tube to find a hint.Answer: the wrapping paper tube. Roll the clue up and slide it into the cardboard tube.
Same pose, same stairs, year after year. Find the old family card, the clue is near.Answer: an old family Christmas photo. Behind the frame or tucked into the album page.
School is out, so I'm dumped in the hall. Unzip my pocket, that isn't all.Answer: the school bag. Front pocket.
The small table where you still get sent. Under your chair is where the clue went.Answer: the kids' table. Tape it under the seat of the hunter's usual chair.
The tin says cookies. It's thread, as you feared. Open it anyway, something appeared.Answer: the cookie tin full of sewing things. Take the pins and needles out first, then lay the clue on top of the spools.
The tree gets thirsty, so I wait nearby. Look down my spout, I'm empty and dry.Answer: the watering can by the tree. Roll the clue into the spout of the empty can.
Two wheels in the garage that wait for spring. Check by the bell that goes ring-a-ding.Answer: the bicycle. Tied to the handlebars. The garage needs an adult along.
Unmatched and lonely, we wait in a heap. Look through the basket of gloves we keep.Answer: the basket of hats and gloves. Inside the one glove that has no partner.
Whipped cream, sprinkles, the cocoa bar. The clue is under the marshmallow jar.Answer: the marshmallow jar. Under the jar.
You check your hair in me before each shot. Look at my edge and see what I've got.Answer: the hallway mirror. Tucked into the frame at the bottom corner.
You made me in first grade from glitter and glue. Behind your old artwork, the next clue.Answer: the handmade ornament. Hang the clue behind it. Swap this one if the tree has no school-made ornament.
You shake me and guess what I am all week. Under the heaviest box is the clue you seek.Answer: the heaviest present. Under the box, which stays wrapped.
Hard clues for adults 29
A ladle hangs from my curving side. In the bowl for the punch is where I hide.Answer: the punch bowl. In the dry bowl, before it is filled.
A ring for each napkin, polished and bright. Find where we rest until dinner tonight.Answer: the napkin rings. Rolled through one ring in the drawer.
The angel, the glass birds, the heirloom set. The box marked fragile is your best bet.Answer: the box of fragile ornaments. Inside the lid, on top of the tissue.
Dense and dark and passed along. Open my tin, you can't go wrong.Answer: the fruitcake tin. On top of the cake, in a sandwich bag.
Flip to my last page to find the big day. Behind the twenty-fifth, a note's tucked away.Answer: the wall calendar. Tape it behind the December page, at the 25th.
Four flames by the end, but it starts with one. Look at the ring when this clue is done.Answer: the Advent wreath. Under the ring of greenery, with every candle out.
Guests sleep on me, but I hide in a seat. Pull out the frame and look under the sheet.Answer: the sofa bed. Under the folded sheet. Two adults open the frame.
Hung in a doorway where people pause. Look down at the frame and find your cause.Answer: the doorway under the mistletoe. Tape it to the door frame at shoulder height.
I carried the tree home, tied to my top. Check where the gloves go for your next stop.Answer: the car's glove box. The car stays parked, and the keys stay with the organizer.
I drink every day and I drop what I wear. Look down at my feet, a note waits there.Answer: the tree stand. Beside the stand, not in the water.
I open one door at a time, never two. Tomorrow's small window is hiding your clue.Answer: tomorrow's door on the advent calendar. Fold it very small. Skip this clue once the last door is open.
I press the tablecloth once a year. Unfold my legs and the clue is here.Answer: the ironing board. Taped under the board. The iron stays in the cupboard.
I see the oven just once a year. Find me cold in the cupboard, the clue is here.Answer: the roasting pan. In the pan while it is still in the cupboard.
I sit on top, but I'm last to go on. Find the box I left, and carry on.Answer: the tree topper's box. In the empty box the star or angel came out of.
I smell like a forest but came in a jar. Lift up my lid, you won't look far.Answer: the pine-scented candle. Under the lid of an unlit jar candle.
I wake before you do, drip after drip. Look where the filters wait for a sip.Answer: the coffee filters. In the box of filters, not in the machine.
Ice on the windshield, scrape it away. The tool in the door has something to say.Answer: the ice scraper. Rubber-band the clue to the handle. The car stays parked.
Needles and glitter, I swallow them all. Find me parked in the closet down the hall.Answer: the vacuum cleaner. Tied to the handle. It comes out again when the tree comes down.
Not included, the toy boxes say. Find where we keep them for Christmas Day.Answer: the battery drawer. On top of the batteries.
One bird, one outing, once a year. Lift the great dish, the clue is near.Answer: the serving platter. Under the platter on its shelf.
One of us fails and the whole line goes dark. Find where the spares live to hit your mark.Answer: the box of spare bulbs. In the box or bag of spare bulbs and fuses.
Round as a wheel and crimped at the rim. The dish for the pie has a clue tucked in.Answer: the pie dish. In the empty dish.
Season's greetings went out from here. Look where the stamps are kept all year.Answer: the desk drawer with the stamps. Under the book of stamps.
Tablecloth, napkins, the after-feast pile. Look in the basket, I've been here a while.Answer: the laundry basket. Under the folded tablecloth.
Turn me up when the guests feel a chill. Look on the wall, I'm hanging there still.Answer: the thermostat. Tape it underneath.
We only come out when the guests are due. The good plates are holding the following clue.Answer: the good china. Between the top two plates.
When cousins arrive, we come out of the dark. Unfold a spare chair to find your mark.Answer: the folding chairs. Taped to the seat of the first folding chair.
Wrong size, wrong color, no need to pretend. The envelope of slips is your next friend.Answer: the gift receipts envelope. In with the gift receipts.
You swore in July you'd label each crate. Look in the empties, stacked up straight.Answer: the empty decoration boxes. In the top box of the stack.
Final clues 9
The carols are sung and the clues are done. Look ____ for the final one.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
From the tree to the kitchen you followed the trail. Look ____, you cannot fail.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
The last clue is here and the hunt is through. Look ____ for a gift for you.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
Merry Christmas, you made it this far. Look ____, that's where the good things are.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
No more rhymes on this winter's day. Look ____, then shout hooray.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
One gift was too big to go under the tree. Look ____, and you will see.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
Santa's helpers hid one thing more. Look ____, that's what the hunt was for.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
The stockings are empty, the clues are all read. Your present is waiting ____, go ahead.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
You searched high and low, by tinsel and tree. Look ____, and there it will be.Final clue. After printing, write the gift's hiding place in the blank, such as in the garage or behind the couch.
How this list was compiled: Written for this site in September 2026: 93 original rhyming clues (38 easy, 26 for teens, 29 hard ones for adults) with answers, each leading to one hiding place in a home decorated for Christmas, plus 9 final clues with a blank for the gift's hiding place. Nothing was copied from another clue list, and no film, book, song or branded character is named. Hiding places were chosen with safety in mind: no clue leads to a fireplace, a firewood basket, an oven, a socket, a ladder or the top of the tree, and the stocking clue says to take the stocking down first if it hangs over a fireplace. Three clues involve a candle and none is lit: one uses a battery candle, and the two in the adults set use a jar candle and an Advent wreath whose notes say the candles stay out. The car stays parked, and outdoor places stay on your own property with an adult along. The three sets (easy, teens, hard for adults) are our judgment. Customs mentioned in a clue or note were checked on 2026-09-18: the 24-door advent calendar that starts on December 1, with 25-door versions, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_calendar; the paper crown inside a Christmas cracker pulled by two people at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cracker; the four candles of an Advent wreath, one more lit each Sunday, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_wreath; and December 25 as the date at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas. Licence: own work
How it works
Ninety-three rhymes lead to hiding places in a decorated home: 38 easy, 26 for teens, 29 hard for adults. All are Christmas scavenger hunt clues and answers, and nine final clues carry a blank for the gift's hiding place.
Read the full guide
Set the treasure hunt from the gift backward
Keep nine rhymes your house can use and take the tenth away with ×, then switch the menu to Final clues, press Add another for one and switch back. Print gives strips for the hunters and an answer page for you. Hide the gift first, then work back to the stocking.
Hiding places left out on purpose
Anything lit, hot or high. No clue leads to the fireplace, the oven, a socket, a ladder or the top of the tree. Candle clues use a battery candle or an unlit one. The mailbox and the garage need an adult along.
For xmas scavenger hunt ideas on the morning itself, keep the trail short: six clues, the first in the stocking.
No rhyme for your hiding place? The riddle generator covers 60 household places, none of them seasonal.
Questions and answers
Where are the answers?
Under Show answer, beneath every rhyme. The line names the hiding place and says how to place the paper, such as right into the toe of the stocking. Show all answers opens every one.
Are there hard Christmas scavenger hunt clues for teens and adults?
Yes, two sets. Clues for teens (26) lean on their habits: the phone charger, the hoodie pocket. Hard clues for adults (29) never name the answer: the tree stand drinks every day and drops what it wears. The 38 Easy clues nearly name the object.
How do Christmas gift scavenger hunt clues end at the present?
With a final clue. Nine closing rhymes carry a blank, such as: The stockings are empty, the clues are all read. Your present is waiting ____, go ahead. Fill the blank by pen once the strip is printed: in the garage, behind the couch.
Are there scavenger hunt ideas for Christmas Eve, for adults or kids, without a gift?
Yes. Choose Every clue, then More filters, and press a room such as Around the tree. Read the rhymes aloud as riddles while two teams shout the answers. Adults take the hard set.
Is there a free printable PDF of these Christmas scavenger hunt clues?
The page makes one. Print lays the rhymes out as strips to cut apart, with an answer page last, and Save as PDF in the print dialog keeps a copy. Nothing is downloaded and nothing costs money.