How to Repurpose Holiday Decor for a Mystery Party That Sleighs: The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Party Games & Killer Holiday Style

‘Twas the night of your Christmas party… and the scene was set for murder.

Picture this: The halls are decked, the tinsel is twinkling, and your guests arrive in their holiday best — ready not just to jingle, but to sleuth. You’ve turned your cozy living room into a crime scene worthy of Santa’s naughty list. But here’s the twist — you didn’t spend a fortune to do it.

With a little imagination (and that stash of holiday decorations collecting dust in your garage), you can transform your home into the setting for a thrilling Christmas mystery game that’s both festive and frugal. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, planning one of Night of Mystery’s downloadable games like Ho Ho Homicide, or bringing some mischief to your office soirée with Holly Jolly Company Folly, your existing decor can take center stage.

Welcome to your new favorite kind of Christmas party game — where the magic of the holidays meets a little mysterious mayhem.

🎅 Why Holiday Mystery Parties Are the New Favorite Christmas Party Games

Forget the ugly sweater contests and predictable Secret Santa swaps — Christmas mystery games are where the real fun begins. These parties blend storytelling, costuming, acting, and problem-solving into one unforgettable night.

Why they’re stealing the spotlight:

• They turn your guests into characters. Everyone gets a role — from the jolly CEO hiding a scandal to the elf with a dark secret.
• They make decorating fun again. Instead of basic garland, you’re designing an immersive world — whether that’s Santa’s Workshop, a snowed-in ski lodge, or the North Pole’s most exclusive cocktail party.
• They’re budget-friendly. With a bit of creativity, your leftover ornaments, wrapping paper, and lights can become clever crime-scene clues or dramatic decor.
• They’re interactive entertainment. Forget watching another movie — your guests become the show!

Hosting a Christmas mystery game isn’t just another item on your holiday to-do list — it’s an experience your friends and coworkers will be talking about well into the new year.

🕵️‍♀️ What Exactly Is a Christmas Mystery Game?

Think of it as a holiday party with a plot twist.

In a Christmas mystery game (like Crime at Christmastime), guests are assigned roles before the party. Each person arrives in costume, armed with secrets, motives, and festive flair. Throughout the night, they mingle, drop clues, uncover betrayals, and try to solve a murder — all while enjoying your perfectly themed food, drinks, and decor.

And the best part? Everything you need to host one is downloadable from Night of Mystery, including character packets, planning checklists, invitation templates, and more. All you need to do is bring the ambiance — which, lucky for you, is sitting right in your storage closet.

🎁 How to Repurpose Holiday Decor for Your Mystery Party

You don’t need to buy all new decorations to create an unforgettable Christmas party atmosphere. With a little imagination and a touch of sleuthy sparkle, you can breathe new life into what you already own.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to repurposing your Christmas party decorations — and turning your home into a scene straight out of a mystery movie.

1. 🎄 Reimagine the Christmas Tree

Your Christmas tree can do more than hold ornaments — it can tell a story.

• For Ho Ho Homicide: Turn it into a “Santa’s crime scene tree.” Replace a few ornaments with evidence tags or fake police tape. Use red ribbon as “blood” trails and tuck in a few mystery envelopes with clues.
• For Crime at Christmastime: Keep it classy, but hide small notes or secret clues inside ornament bulbs.
• For Holly Jolly Company Folly: Make it look like an office tree — tacky tinsel, coffee mug ornaments, and maybe a “company memo” hanging from a branch.

✨ Pro Tip: If you have a mini tree, use it as a prop in a key scene — maybe the “victim” was last seen decorating it!

2. 🕯️ Turn Lights and Garland into Atmosphere

Your twinkling fairy lights aren’t just festive — they’re dramatic.

• String them strategically. Use lights to outline important spaces like the “interrogation area,” “evidence display,” or “North Pole Lounge.”
• Color-code your mystery. Red lights = danger. Green lights = innocence. Blue lights = clues!
• Wrap garland around clue cards. It looks festive and keeps guests engaged in the environment.

Don’t be afraid to dim the overheads — the softer the lighting, the more immersive your mystery becomes.

3. 🎁 Repurpose Wrapping Supplies for Clues & Decor

Have leftover wrapping paper, bows, and gift tags? Perfect.

• Clue envelopes: Seal clues in old gift envelopes or tuck them into wrapped “presents.”
• Backdrops: Use wrapping paper as makeshift wallpaper or photo booth backgrounds.
• Character gifts: Label empty boxes as “From Santa” or “To The CEO” — and let each contain a clue relevant to your story.

Bonus: This doubles as a built-in photo opportunity. Everyone loves a holiday selfie!

4. 🍸 Transform the Snack Table into a Scene

Every great Christmas party needs snacks — and every great mystery needs a crime scene. Combine them.

• Rename your dishes: “Killer Cookies,” “Poisoned Punch,” “Deadly Deviled Eggs.”
• Use red icing or cranberry sauce for dramatic, “bloody” flair.
• Add themed props: An evidence tag next to a spilled drink or a chalk outline made from powdered sugar.

Pair it all with your favorite holiday tunes — or go full cinematic and play suspenseful music during clue reveals.

5. 👗 Dress Your Decor (and Guests!)

Encourage your guests to coordinate with your theme using items they already have.

• Santa hats, elf ears, or ugly sweaters make perfect disguises.
• Old gift bags or tinsel can be turned into accessories — belts, bow ties, or even makeshift crowns.
• Use garland or fake snow to “costume” your furniture.

You don’t need Hollywood props to create an immersive experience — just creativity and a sense of humor.

6. 🔍 Set the Stage with DIY Scene Setters

Look around your house: anything red, green, white, or gold can become part of your mystery.

• Old stockings? Label them with character names and hide notes inside.
• Unused ornaments? Write “suspect” names or clue numbers on them.
• A spare Santa hat? Place it at the “crime scene” as evidence.

Use painter’s tape and leftover garland to outline a “body” on the floor or mark off a restricted zone. It’s low-cost, high-impact, and totally unforgettable.

🎭 Why Night of Mystery Makes It Easy to Be the Host with the Most

At Night of Mystery, every party is designed to be as effortless as it is entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, a work event, or a festive get-together with friends, our Christmas mystery games come with everything you need to pull it off — instructions, character sheets, clues, and even design assets for your invitations.

No guessing. No stress. Just pure holiday drama and delight.

Here are three fan-favorite holiday titles that pair perfectly with your repurposed decor:

🎅 Ho Ho Homicide — Santa’s been found dead at the North Pole, and everyone’s a suspect. Perfect for over-the-top holiday decor and outrageous costumes.

🎁 Crime at Christmastime — A classy, cozy mystery that’s ideal for office or family holiday parties.

🎄 Holly Jolly Company Folly — The office Christmas party takes a deadly turn. Think “The Office” meets “Clue.”

Each comes with editable materials, so you can match the tone of your holiday party — from comedic chaos to classy whodunnit.

🧠 Extra-Smart Tips for Decorating on a Budget

Want to make your space look luxurious without breaking the bank? Try these simple hacks:

• Use monochrome: Stick to one or two colors (like gold + white) for a more polished look.
• Layer textures: Combine velvet, fur, and metallics to give your decor depth.
• Shop your house: Candlesticks, scarves, and picture frames can all double as props.
• Think scent: Pine candles, cinnamon sticks, or peppermint oil instantly make the room feel festive — and immersive.
• Involve your guests: Ask each person to bring one small decoration or prop that fits their character.

By the time your guests arrive, you’ll have a space that feels cinematic, mysterious, and 100% original.

🎉 Ready to Sleigh the Night Away?

With just a few creative tweaks and a spark of imagination, your leftover holiday decor can set the stage for a night of laughter, intrigue, and festive fun. Hosting a Christmas party doesn’t have to mean the same old games — when you add a little mystery, every ornament, every clue, and every character shines.

So dust off that tinsel, cue the Christmas playlist, and get ready to throw a party they’ll never forget.

🎁 Check out the holiday parties at Night of Mystery and start planning today.

✨ Final Clue: You don’t need a big budget to throw a big-time bash. You just need the right mystery.

Ready to unwrap your perfect mystery night?
🎄 Explore all our Christmas mystery games at Night of Mystery and sleigh your next holiday party.