Total:
£0.00
Log In
Total:
£0.00
There Might Be No Christmas
£39.95
Add intrigue to your next party with this mystery game, set at a the North Pole.
Format:
30 Minute Mystery
Setting:
The North Pole
Time:
30+ minutes
Ages:
Family / Children
Players:
Play with Printed Sheets or the App
Hosts have the choice of playing the game with printable documents or using the PWM Party Assistant app
View app gameplay guide
Play In-Person or Over Video Chat
You can host this game in-person or over video chat. The game is built to be run either way!
Santa’s presents are gone! We need them back tonight!
Backstory
Your guests will play the roles of various inhabitants of the North Pole, including elves, reindeer, snowmen, and other creatures from Christmas folklore. Santa Claus has summoned everyone to his workshop. The normally jolly old man has a stern look on his bearded face as he solemnly tells us that his workshop has been broken into and his magic sack of Christmas presents has been stolen! Without the sack, there can be no Christmas.
Solving the Mystery
Santa has called everyone to gather because they are under suspicion of theft! One of the helpers is responsible, and the group needs to find out who. There’s no time to spare; it’s Christmas Eve, and if the sack of toys isn’t recovered soon, Santa won’t be able to deliver presents to all the good little boys and girls!
There are 8 primary characters in this game. Read the "How to Play" section for instructions on how to play this game with more than 8 people.
* = Optional character
- Donner: One of Santa's eight tiny reindeer, Donner is well known for his frequent complaints regarding the difficulty of the Christmas sleigh flight.
- Ivan Blizzard: Lead Foreman at the Toy Factory, Ivan is an enthusiastic go-getter whose utter devotion to Christmas has never been questioned.
- Ernest Winters: One of Santa's elves, Ernest's enthusiasm for Christmas has notably waned in the past six months.
- Kristina Kringle: Also known as the Christmas Fairy, Kristina Kringle was once a famous holiday icon; some suspect that she is bitter that Santa Claus has stolen her glory.
- Caroline Claus: Mrs. Claus is Santa's wife and second-in-command; she is one of the most beloved inhabitants of the North Pole.
- Tonya Baum: A beautifully decorated singing Christmas tree planted outside the Toy Factory, Tonya is a gentle soul who always has a kind word and a Christmas carol for any passersby.
- Jacky Frost: An animated snowwoman brought to life by an enchanted hat, Jacky Frost is responsible for imbuing all of Santa's toys with a dash of Christmas magic.
- The Krampus: Santa's least-beloved helper, the Krampus is the monster who brings coal and switches to the children on Santa's "naughty" list.
Extra Players
- *Investigator: If you have more than 8 players, additional players have the option of playing the role of "Investigators". In this role the players are not suspects and do not have character backgrounds but can question the suspects and try to solve the mystery along with the other players.
What's Included
This game kit includes: Hosting guide - Guidebook that takes you through all the steps for running the game Character sheets - Information sheets for eight unique characters and one generic "Investigator" character Name cards - Printable name cards that can be placed in front of players for in-person games (optional) Introductory Handout - A brief description of the game that can be sent to your guests ahead of the event (optional) Invitation template - Printable template that can be used to send paper invitations to your guests (optional)Our line of 30 Minute Mysteries is specially designed for fast setup and easy play, whether your playing in-person or virtually over video chat.
All you need to do is:
- Gather a group of players
- Distribute character sheets
- Follow the party guide instructions
If you’re playing in person, you have the option of printing out the hosting script and character sheets, or you and your guests may view them on your electronic devices.
Best of all, the party facilitator can choose whether they join in the game and solve the mystery along with the other guests!
Playing the Game
While this mystery has 8 primary characters, it is designed to accommodate any number of additional players. See the “Expanded Game for Large Groups” section below if you have more than 8 players.
Each of the players will be assigned a character and given a character sheet that explains who or what their character is, what information their character knows, and how their character should respond to events that occur during the game.
The game will progress in rounds.
Round One will start with the party’s host or hostess reading a script that explains the nature of the mystery that is afoot. After the introduction is read, each player at the table will share a piece of information from their character sheet, which will often be met by a response from another player.
Round Two begins with the host sharing a clue that should shed further light on the mystery. After the clue is revealed, the players will once again go around, providing another piece of information.
Round Three, the final round, begins with the host sharing the last clue. The players then go around the table a final time, sharing their last piece of information.
By this point, the players should have enough information to piece together a theory about who was responsible for the crime. Everyone will vote for the culprit, which the host will then reveal. Any player or couple who correctly guessed the identity of the killer is declared a winner.
From start to finish, the game typically requires half an hour to complete.
What Do I Need in Order to Play?
Our 30 Minute Mysteries are specifically designed to not require very much in the way of supplies. All you need is:
- Playing area
- In-person – Table to sit around or large playing area where the guests can sit in a circle
- Virtual – Video chat room (links to 3rd-party providers like Zoom included in game)
- A group of players (minimum 8 people)
- Access to a printer or electronic device (so you can distribute game materials)
Expanded Game For Large Groups
If you have more than 8 players, there are three ways that you can accommodate everyone:
- Investigator Role – Using this method, eight guests play the primary characters while the remainder of the guests each play the Investigator role. Players in this role are not suspects and do not have character backgrounds but can question the suspects and try to solve the mystery along with the other players.
- Teams – Each primary character can be played by 2 or more people that work together as a team. This works well if you’ve invited several couples to your event, but also works if you break up your guests into eight larger teams of 3 or more guests.
- Multiple Groups – If you have 16 or more guests, you can break them up into groups of 8 players and run multiple instances of the game on their own. This method is best for large events (e.g. fundraisers) where each table of people can play through the game independently. This method goes well with the Investigator method, which allows you the flexibility to add more than 8 people to any group.
Both the standard and expanded games are included with the purchase of any game kit.
Frosty –
Headline Christmas
Nickname Frosty
Theme Highlights We were already decorated for Christmas so it was a perfect mystery for us.
We acted out this mystery with a lot of laughter and it was great to have the kids be able to participate. Everyone loved how easy it was to follow along and know who spoke and who answered. Of course we improvised as well.
Twin mom –
Headline Excellnt product, Blast for everyone who played
Nickname Twin mom
We had 20 people for Christmas eve ranging in age from17 to 80. We paired people together for parts which worked well. Everyone had a lot of fun and we made alot of great memories.
There Might Be No Christmas Mystery –
Headline Fun Christmas Mystery for our Office party!
Nickname There Might Be No Christmas Mystery
Theme Highlights We had an employee dress as Santa and narrated the storyline. Plenty of adlibbing throughout the mystery. All the characters dressed in costumes. The rest of the audience were the investigators.
It was such a fun mystery! We had the characters dress up as the parts of the mystery. Santa was the narrator and all the rest of the audience were the investigators. Everyone really enjoyed it!
We did not do play by 8 people at a table. It was a live performance – like the characters had come to life! I might have to check out another one for next year! But that is a year away. Thanks for giving our office a fun activity to do at our staff Christmas office party. I found costumes for all the characters. We changed a few names to fit who played the parts. For not practicing with the whole team of characters ahead of time- it went over well, adlibbing was done very well too.
Everyone gives it a great review. Thanks for your help in sending our agency the mystery! We had a variety of answers as to who the investigators thought did it. “There Might Be No Christmas” Mystery was a hit at our office party!
Frellzilla –
Headline Great fun at company Christmas party
Nickname Frellzilla
Ran the game twice side by side at a company Christmas party and everyone had a great time. We made minor adjustments so that an Investigator role also functioned as the facilitator in each room and people got their characters a day in advance to know what was going on. People went from nervous to all in really quickly and lots of fun was had. Many mentioned wanting to try something similar again in the future.
Ros T –
Headline Too much wine
Nickname Ros T
Menu Highlights Gourmet bbq - salmon and butterfly lambs, with some very fancy salads and roasted kipfler potatoes
Theme Highlights We sprung it on the characters after lunch and played all rounds at once
Charity Christmas lunch at a vineyard, with an average age of +65
6 out of 9 characters really got into the script, but 3 characters just read out their lines and in fact read the wrong round on two ocassions, which mucked up all the responses. We had a practice before we started to make sure they understood the process, but 3 of them still went off track. I wouldn’t do this for an older crowd again. But I’m giving it another go with my family Christmas day so that should be more fun
Robin –
Headline Awesome dinner meeting!
Nickname Robin
Menu Highlights We had a Christmas spread of Hors d'oeuvres and wine that we during our short meeting. We then sat around the table together following a surprise of this event.
Theme Highlights Passed out props after dinner and assigned parts. Most items were purchased from the dollar store.
We had a dinner meeting that included using “There Might Be No Christmas”. It was an enjoyable surprise for the guest, and everyone had a good time. Props were passed out and characters were assigned. I believe it was one of our best meetings.
Aunt Kari –
Headline Holiday Party Hit!
Nickname Aunt Kari
The grandchildren played during the Christmas party, and it connected the six-year-olds, the sixteen-year-old, and everyone in between in such a fun way!
Happy Family –
Headline Holly Jolly Fun!
Nickname Happy Family
It went sooooo well! There might be no Christmas. Played Chistmas evening with grandparents and preteens, before opening presents. We gave no advance notice or did any special preparations, and it flowed seamlessly. Everyone was able to get into their parts so well, much fun and so much laughter
Party Planner –
Headline Great Christmas Eve Activity!
Nickname Party Planner
We played There Might Be No Christmas on Christmas Eve with 24 people. We had 3 tables playing at the same time and one host walking them through it. Our ages ranged from 7-76 and everyone had a blast!
Granny –
Headline Fun!
Nickname Granny
Theme Highlights Name tags for each character. Copies of game and dialog for each player.
Family Christmas party with 13 people, all ages. Everyone got into their characters with voices and accents. 10 year old won the prize with the best voice for his character. Adults did well also and were very funny. The game was just the right length, about an hour. Everyone enjoyed it. Sons-in-law were so funny as investigators asking hilarious questions. Grandpa organized game, explained rules and directed so everyone knew when to speak. That was very helpful. This was first time playing – we will do it again.
Anna Boncha –
Headline Clever and entertaining!
Nickname Anna Boncha
This was the perfect icebreaker for our Christmas dinner of 15, family, friends and neighbors who had not all met before, including 4 teenagers. Other mysteries seemed too extensive and involved, this one is just 3 rounds, 30 minutes, we did it during dinner and it kept the conversations flowing. A reasonable price and you can immediately download the files and print everything out.
Mark –
Headline Children's church group activity success!
Nickname Mark
We used it for a boys group activity for our church and the kids loved it (ages 8-10). They were all engaged through the whole activity and really got into their characters, even the ones that got stuck with the girl characters.
MaryY –
Headline Silliness for everyone!
Nickname MaryY
On Christmas Day our family played this game after dinner. I assigned roles to everyone else. It was great fun! The roles were fun to act out and it was just the right tone.
Team Region III –
Headline Fun!
Nickname Team Region III
Menu Highlights virtual
Theme Highlights it was a holiday party so the game's theme was the theme. it was virtual so no costumes, etc.
Had a virtual work holiday party and played the game. It went well and the team got into their characters. It was fun. Everyone was able to solve the mystery. I gave a prize for the best actor. It was team member that played Krampus. I would buy another game and play again!
Patricia easy and fun –
Headline Great family fun!
Nickname Patricia easy and fun
Menu Highlights Easy to organize and fun to play!
Theme Highlights Costumes.
Family weekend trip. Fun game. Even the children had a great time. They loved the costumes and reading their part. Great fun!
Yvette Figueroa –
Headline Best Christmas for a New Tradition
Nickname Yvette Figueroa
Family Christmas Party – Everyone enjoyed themselves so much.
Loved having this delivered via computer!
Mike S –
Headline Perfect activity for youth group!
Nickname Mike S
Menu Highlights Chocolate milk with marshmallows (too warm outside for hot chocolate!) and cookies - traditional Christmas fare! Some candy canes from a past Christmas also made it onto the treat cart.
Theme Highlights Decoration was key for out party - a tree with lights, lawn decorations in the foyer, lights on the walls and ceiling. We also had a Christmas music playlist in the background on a wireless speaker. We replaced the clues with the real thing in gallon sized ziploc bags - marked as evidence from the NPPD - North Pole Police Dept. A white elephant exchange after the mystery was also a lot of fun.
We held the mystery with our youth group at church, with ages ranging from 11-17. The story was great! Everyone has something Christmas to wear and it wasn’t a murder, so it was perfect for our setting at church!
We had the eight characters assigned out a week before the activity so they could prepare and come in simple costume and had about 15 investigators.
The format was great for the ages of ours kids – making sure that some things needed to be said, but leaving room for a little improvisation and fun.
Everyone loved it! We decorated with a Christmas tree, hung lights and stockings, Christmas themed refreshments…all in September!
DDW –
Headline Fun family Thanksgiving entertainment!
Nickname DDW
Theme Highlights Mostly used props from dollar store: Mrs. Clause glasses, neck tie, garland to wrap around Tonya Balm, Christmas tree and reindeer antler head bands, etc.
Fun family activity after Thanksgiving dinner! Ages 5-70. The 5 year old partnered with Nana, the other kids were 10, 12, and 14. I hosted as well as played a character. I gathered props from supplies at my house as well as purchased a few from the dollar store. I put each character’s props and information sheet in different sized and style of paper bags and stapled them shut. The bags were lined up against a wall and each person chose a bag (from youngest to oldest). Everyone went off to different rooms to familiarize themselves with their character and put on the props. We allowed about 15-20 min for this, making sure the kids understood what was on their papers.
The game was easy to follow and the kids were able to follow along and keep up. It was fun to see adults and kids alike bring their character to life.
gamesgramma –
Headline Fun For Small Ones without Killing Anyone!
Nickname gamesgramma
Theme Highlights It was easy to buy holiday Santa like caps or glitter headbands for all of the characters at the local Wal-mart!
Family Christmas Party. This was such a fun way to introduce small ones to the Murder Mystery process by finding Santa’s sack and saving Christmas. We will be back!
Steph –
Headline Great way to spice up a family Zoom!
Nickname Steph
We’ve done a couple of these virtually as family holiday events. The ages ranged from 5-80 and a ton of fun was had by all! Lots of laughs all around.
Folly Gal –
Headline Best Covid Family Zoom Fun!
Nickname Folly Gal
Menu Highlights Everyone was on their own
Our mystery party was great! We’ve been playing family trivia via online meeting as a get together through Covid … 9 months later (who knew) we really needed a new game to shake things up a bit. This Christmas mystery that we could play in less than an hour was perfect. Characters were emailed out in advance, we played over Zoom and everyone (including our son in England) got into character. They were so funny with voice, costumes and ad libs! I wish I had photos. We had family from England to New York to Austin to Denver to Sacramento and more … it was perfect and everyone is ready for our next mystery.
Maria –
Headline Solving a mystery virtually adds fun to a party
Nickname Maria
Menu Highlights I am not much of a cook so this worked great. I hosted the party virtually so there was no food involved and no cleaning either:)
Theme Highlights I emailed everyone the sheet with their character before the party. Some people did wear fun Christmas themed hats.
My family couldn’t meet for our usual Christmas party due to Covid. I hosted a virtual party using Zoom. I did not purchase the virtual mystery, but it still work fine for me to email everyone his or her separate part. I had around 12 people participating from the ages of 9 to 82. All of us enjoyed it. People really got into their parts and asking questions. I was very pleased with how well it worked and my family including a sibling that never is able to come because she lives in Australia was able to celebrated Christmas virtually together.
Lauren R –
Headline Christmas Eve was a Blast!!
Nickname Lauren R
Menu Highlights Each role is quite interesting and the clues the characters share as well as the other clues really help you figure out who the culprit is.
Theme Highlights We dressed up and wore festive Christmas hats to match our characters. I gave everyone their character sheets in advance so they could get into character. We used our Christmas gifts as prompts.
My family loved this game! We played this game on Christmas Eve for a family game night. There were 8 of us so it was perfect. It was fun, interactive and wasn’t too hard to figure out so the kids (ages 13 and 14) were able to play too. My only suggestion would be to have possible alternate endings so we can play with the same group multiple times because they lined it soo much they wanted to play again but since we already know the ending we can’t.
Thurston Herons –
Headline Best Virtual Party of 2020!
Nickname Thurston Herons
Theme Highlights We played using zoom! Staff used virtual green screen backgrounds and dressed as their holiday characters.
Playing with Murder truly helped bring our staff together for a wonderful holiday event. With limited opportunities to be able to come together for celebrations, this allowed our team an opportunity bond as a staff while enjoying each other’s company (Their Might Be No Christmas). Each member not only decorated their backgrounds with a fun themed connection but also went as far as dressing up and creating fun voices. I would highly recommend a Murder Mystery to anyone seeking a way to not only connect with staff during covid-19 but also engage in an exciting activity that brings a new twist a an old game (Clue). Thank you so much for this wonderful resource. We will be purchasing another mystery in the very near future!
Christmas Hostess –
Headline Taking Christmas to a whole new level of fun!
Nickname Christmas Hostess
Menu Highlights Add a few Dress up items for each character to wear! We had 9 people which I worried about, but we added the investigator as another player and made up three improv rounds for her to add to the fun and throw people off. I added a story description too for this character!
Theme Highlights See above!
AWESOME! Christmas with COVID was concerning to make it a fun time for our family while keeping the day safe. Playing With Murder definitely contributed to a wonderful time making memories of the day! I added a few “Dress up” pieces so each person could get into character even more! Even if it was not a time of COVID I would highly recommend this game for a really great time!
AngieM –
Headline Family fun
Nickname AngieM
It was a family Christmas party. Paired up a few kids with the adults. 16 of us played. We had fun. As the hostess I played also but In playing my partner did the speaking and note taking and I felt more like the “hostess” than an actual player. I didn’t mind tho it was fun trying to figure it out. Next time I will probably read ahead and add to the game knowing things ahead of time. This was our first mystery game and I’m sure the next will be easier for and more fun. Thank you!
Laura –
Headline Awesome Christmas Party for All Ages!
Nickname Laura
Theme Highlights I provided folders with character info sheets and scripts to each guest. I also included hats, headbands, and costume props from the dollar store. Everyone was excited to become their character.
What a fun activity to do on Christmas Eve! We had guests ages 8 – 60 and everyone LOVED this fun party mystery. The characters were well described and so much fun! The company was awesome with customer service, answering my questions quickly via email. We will be talking about this wonderful party for a long time!
grandma –
Headline cancelled
Nickname grandma
Sorry to say, too much COVID-19. Will look at the new version and try next year.
Christy –
Headline Perfect for extended family events
Nickname Christy
Theme Highlights We wore Christmas sweaters and stuff like that.
Thanksgiving with extended family
Shellyc –
Headline Boring and complicated - not an engaging game
Nickname Shellyc
Theme Highlights It was a holiday team building activity
Staff event, virtual, included aprox 40 staff