Christmas Tree Scavenger Hunt – 48 Finds on Any Tree

How it works

This Christmas tree scavenger hunt is played on the tree in your own living room: 48 finds, from an ornament shaped like a food to the oldest ornament on the tree, scored 1 to 3 points. Nothing comes off a branch.

Read the full guide

Once the tree is decorated

Deal 10 and hand the list to whoever did not help decorate: they have the most to find. Ornaments with a story works best with the person who owns the ornaments as judge, because only they know which is the oldest.

Look, point, never pull

Every find is spotted by looking: ornaments stay on the tree, presents stay where they are, and the plug is pointed at from a step away. Turn the room lights off for A reflection of the lights in a window.

Tips

Ask for the story behind every 3-point find: that is the part of the hunt people remember.

Questions and answers

What can you find on a Christmas tree scavenger hunt?

An ornament shaped like an animal, a homemade ornament, an ornament with a photo in it, a bulb that is out, the tree topper, a branch with nothing on it, and a pine needle on the floor.

Does it work on an artificial tree?

Yes. Only two finds need a real tree, the pine needle and the smell, and a scented candle is allowed to stand in for the smell.

How is it scored?

Each find carries 1, 2 or 3 points, shown at the start of its note. The owner of the tree judges the story finds, such as The oldest ornament on the tree.

All 48 finds

Ornament shapes 12

A round ball ornament with a pattern painted on it 1 point. Plain one-color balls do not count.
A snowflake ornament 1 point. Paper, glass, wood or metal.
An ornament shaped like a food 1 point. Sweets count; so does fruit.
An ornament shaped like a house or a building 2 points. Gingerbread houses count.
An ornament shaped like a letter or a number 3 points. Initials count.
An ornament shaped like a musical instrument 2 points. A bell counts only if it is a real bell shape.
An ornament shaped like a person 2 points. A snowman counts; a face on a ball does not.
An ornament shaped like a piece of clothing 2 points. A mitten, a sock, a hat or a sweater.
An ornament shaped like an animal 1 point. Any animal, real or made up.
An ornament shaped like something with wheels 2 points. A car, a train, a bike or a wagon.
The biggest ornament on the tree 1 point. Point to it; no weighing.
The smallest ornament on the tree 2 points. Everyone agrees before it scores.

Show all 48 finds (36 more)

Ornaments with a story 12

A homemade ornament 1 point. Made by anyone in the family, any year.
An ornament everybody in the room can tell a story about 3 points. Somebody has to tell the story.
An ornament from a trip or a holiday away 2 points. Name the place it came from.
An ornament somebody made at school 2 points. Paper plates and pasta count.
An ornament that does not match anything else on the tree 2 points. The team agrees it stands out.
An ornament that was a gift 2 points. Say who gave it.
An ornament that was broken and mended 3 points. Glue, tape or a new hook all count.
An ornament with a name on it 1 point. Say whose name it is.
An ornament with a photo in it 2 points. Say who is in the photo.
An ornament with a year written on it 2 points. Read the year out loud.
The oldest ornament on the tree 3 points. The owner of the tree is the judge.
Two ornaments that are exactly the same 1 point. Both have to be on the tree.

Lights and trimmings 12

A bow or a ribbon tied on a branch 1 point. On the tree, not on a present.
A bulb that is out 2 points. Point to it; nobody changes it during the hunt.
A candy cane hanging on the tree 1 point. Real or pretend.
A garland made of beads, paper or popcorn 2 points. Any garland that is not lights.
A light in each of three different colors 2 points. White counts as a color here.
A light that blinks or changes color 1 point. Watch for ten seconds to be sure.
A pine cone on the tree 2 points. Real or pretend.
A strand of tinsel 1 point. One strand is enough.
An ornament that lights up by itself 3 points. It has its own little bulb or battery.
An ornament that makes a sound 3 points. A bell that jingles counts.
The place where the light strand plugs in 2 points. Point from a step away; do not touch the plug.
The tree topper 1 point. Say what it is: a star, a bow or something else.

Around and under the tree 12

A branch with nothing on it at all 2 points. Every tree has one.
A pine needle on the floor 1 point. Real trees only; one needle is enough.
A present with a bow bigger than your hand 2 points. Look only.
A present with your own name on the tag 2 points. Read the tag; leave the present where it is.
A reflection of the lights in a window 2 points. Turn the room lights off to find it.
An ornament hanging on the back of the tree 2 points. Walk round and look; nothing gets moved.
The branch with the most ornaments on it 2 points. Count them without touching.
The highest ornament below the topper 2 points. Point, no climbing.
The lowest ornament on the tree 1 point. Pets and toddlers reach this one first.
The pattern on the tree skirt 1 point. Describe it in five words.
The smell of the tree 1 point. Real, or a candle doing its best.
Something under the tree that is not a present 3 points. A toy train, a village, a stuffed animal.

How this list was compiled: Written for this site by its editors in September 2026: 48 things to find on and around a decorated Christmas tree, real or artificial, in four lists: ornament shapes, ornaments with a story, lights and trimmings, and around and under the tree. Nothing was copied from another list. Every find is spotted by looking: nothing is taken off the tree, no present is opened or moved, nobody climbs, and plugs are pointed at, never touched. The notes are judging rules, not facts, so no outside page was read. Points and levels are the editors' judgment. Licence: own work