Introduction
This variation of charades began as a TV show in which participants drew illustrations of the phrases in order for team members to guess the correct phrase. For a New Year’s Party Game, use events from the past year for items. You can still use the typical categories of charades like TV shows, Movies, books etc, but use those that were released in the previous 12 months!

Game Description
Participants split into teams of 6 or more members and try to guess the events from the illustrations that are drawn.

Game Materials
You will also need large white sheets of paper or a whiteboard and colored whiteboard markers.

Game Preparation
You will need to create a list of items relating to events, and things that were done within the past 12 months. For inspiration look to the internet, the newspaper, magazines, etc. Print them on slips of paper and put them in a bag to be drawn from during the game.

Game Play

1. Divide players into two teams.
2. High die roll decides which team will play first.
3. The first team selects a Sketcher; all other first team players are then the Guessers. The sketcher must rotate so that everyone is required to sketch a clue before someone can go again.
4. Each time a new sketcher begins, he must draw a new name or phrase.
5. The Sketcher then announces the category of the name or phrase to be sketched. For example: Books, TV Shows, etc. and begins drawing.
6. A timer is used… an hourglass can be used or a 1 minute timer. (The opposing team keeps track of the time limit.)
7. As one team sketches and guesses a name or phrase, the opposing team watches.
8. As the Sketcher sketches, the Sketcher’s teammates start shouting out what they think is being drawn. Players can guess as many times as they want. Guessing is NOT done in turn!
9. If part of a name or phrase is guessed correctly, the sketcher may write that word next to his sketch.
10. If the Sketcher’s team guesses correctly before the timer is emptied, the Sketcher’s team gets one point and marks the score on a separate sheet of paper. It is now the opposing team’s turn to sketch and guess a new name or phrase from a new card.
11. If the Sketcher’s team does not guess correctly before the timer is emptied, they do not win the point. The opposing team then gets ten seconds to make one guess to win the point. If the opposing team guesses correctly, they win the point and mark the score on a separate sheet of paper. It is then their turn to sketch and guess a new name or phrase from a new card. If the opposing team does not guess correctly, no one wins the point. It is now the opposing team’s turn to sketch and guess a new name or phrase from a new card.
12. Play alternates between teams with each phrase to be sketched.
13. At the end of game play or the end of your clues, the team with the most correct guesses wins!

Sketching Rules

• No letters, words or numbers can be drawn. Symbols such as dollar signs($), arrows, plus signs(+), etc. are acceptable. However, if part of a name or phrase is guessed correctly, you may write that word next to your sketch
• No speaking is allowed while sketching — but you may gesture to indicate whether the guess is close or off-track!
• You may draw an ear to mean “sounds like” and then sketch a rhyming word.

Discussion

• What were the key events in your personal life during the past year?
• What were some of your achievements?
• What dreams and goals did you have? Did you reach them?
• Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions at the beginning of last year? Did you keep them?

Closing Application
What is your vision of what the new year will look like for you? On a separate piece of paper create a picture with symbols and sketches of some things you would like to see in the upcoming year. If you want to, you can share it with someone in the group to help keep you accountable to achieve it, or if it is personal, that is also ok… Seal it away in an envelope and write the date on it. Put it someplace where you can see as a reminder of the resolution you have made for the upcoming year!

Holiday Collection

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween or Fall Festival, and Thanksgiving event. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all these holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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