Every family has Christmas traditions, and some are more loved than others. Matching pajama photos, holiday cards, the yearly real vs fake tree debate and White Elephant gift exchanges all show up every December. This One Gotta Go card asks which tradition you'd quietly retire for good.
Think about the traditions you look forward to and the ones you do mostly because everyone else does. Then make your pick, and see if anyone at the table admits they feel the same way about the matching pajamas.
The 4 choices on this card
A. Matching pajamas family photo
The matching pajamas family photo is cute, festive and great for sharing. Some families love planning it every year. The case against it is that getting everyone dressed, posed and smiling can take longer than opening the gifts.
Keep it if: Your family loves the matching pajamas, and the yearly photo is your favorite holiday keepsake.
B. Holiday cards sent to people you don't see
Holiday cards keep you connected with people you don't see often, from old friends to distant relatives. Some people love getting mail. The case against it is the work: addresses, stamps and photos for people you may not talk to the rest of the year.
Keep it if: You love sending and receiving cards, and you keep every one that arrives in December.
C. Real vs fake tree debate every year
The real vs fake tree debate comes back every year, with fresh pine smell on one side and easy setup on the other. It's a family tradition of its own. The case against it is that the same conversation happens every year with the same ending.
Keep it if: Choosing the tree is a big family moment for you, and you enjoy the yearly debate.
D. White Elephant gift exchange
A White Elephant gift exchange lets everyone steal gifts from each other, which makes it one of the most fun party games of the season. The case against it is the gift budget and the pressure to find something funny, so it's a fair cut.
Keep it if: You love stealing the best gift in a White Elephant exchange and planning the funniest present.
Our take
We'd cut holiday cards. They're thoughtful, but they're the tradition on this card that feels most like a chore, while matching pajamas create memories, the tree debate is part of the fun and White Elephant turns a party into a game. Expect the most fun debate between the matching pajama families and the people who think the photos are a little too much. For a bonus round, ask everyone which tradition they would start if they could add a brand new one.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which Christmas tradition is more about the photos than the fun?
- Real tree or fake tree: which side are you on?
- What's the best White Elephant gift you've ever seen?
- Which Christmas tradition deserves a spot on this card instead?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Christmas Traditions: quick answers
What is a White Elephant gift exchange?
In a White Elephant exchange, everyone brings a wrapped gift, then takes turns either opening a new gift or taking one that someone else already opened. Gifts are often funny or unexpected. It's a popular holiday party game because the swapping keeps everyone involved until the very end.
Is a real or fake Christmas tree better?
Real trees bring the pine smell and the fun of picking one out, while fake trees are easier to set up, reuse and keep clean. Many families debate it every year. There's no right answer, so it makes a great question to pair with this card at a holiday party.
