Christmas Countdown - Operations Guide

Game Type: Self-service tabletop guessing game

Duration: 3-5 minutes per guest/group

Staff Requirements: Minimal (answer verification only)

Space Needed: 6-8 feet of table space + viewing area

Target Audience: All ages

Game Overview

Christmas Countdown is a carnival-style estimation game featuring 10 different challenges. Guests examine displays, write their guesses on answer sheets, and can optionally have staff verify their answers. The game runs continuously throughout the event with minimal staff involvement.

Setup Requirements

Physical Space

Table: 6-8 foot table against wall or in corner
Lighting: Good overhead lighting + optional spotlights on displays
Traffic Flow: Allow 3-4 feet of space in front for guests to view
Signage: Main game sign visible from entry + instructions at table

Display Layout

Arrange 10 challenges across the table in numerical order. Each challenge should have:

Challenge number card (large, visible)
Display item (jar, bowl, stocking, etc.)
Brief label describing what to guess
Touch policy indicator (if applicable)

Materials & Shopping List

#	Challenge	Items Needed	Estimated Cost
1	Candy Canes in Jar	Glass jar (1-2 gallon), 47 candy canes	$8-12 jar + $15-20 candy
2	Jingle Bells	Clear container, 63 small jingle bells	$5-8 container + $10-15 bells
3	Mini Ornaments	Decorative bowl, 82 small ornaments	$10-15 bowl + $20-25 ornaments
4	Wrapped Candies	Glass container, 156 Hershey's Kisses or similar	$8-12 container + $15-20 candy
5	Stacked Gift Boxes	4-6 empty wrapped boxes, measuring 38" total	$15-25 (boxes + wrapping)
6	Ribbon Spool	75 feet of ribbon wound on visible spool	$8-12
7	Stuffed Stocking	Christmas stocking + stuffing (24 oz total)	$10-15
8	Wreath	Decorative wreath (42" circumference)	$15-25
9	Snowflake Garland	String/garland with 28 paper snowflakes	$10-15 (DIY or purchased)
10	Mini Tree with Lights	Small artificial tree, 95-light string	$20-30 tree + $8-12 lights

Total Estimated Cost: $160-$240 for all materials

Additional Needs: Table ($0-50 if renting), signage/labels ($10-20 printing), answer sheets ($15-25 for 500 prints)

Grand Total: $185-$335

Printing Requirements

Answer sheets: 300-500 copies (use 4-per-page version for efficiency)
Answer key: 2-3 copies (laminated, for staff)
Challenge number cards: 10 cards (5×7 or larger, numbered 1-10)
Main signage: 1 large sign explaining the game
Instructions card: 2-3 copies at table

Pre-Event Setup Checklist

Print all answer sheets (300-500 copies)
Print and laminate staff answer keys (2-3 copies)
Create challenge number cards (1-10)
Print main signage and instructions
Purchase/gather all display items
Count and verify actual quantities for each challenge
Set up table in designated room
Arrange displays in numerical order
Add labels and number cards to each display
Stock answer sheets in visible holder at table
Provide pens/pencils for guests
Brief staff on answer verification procedure
Test lighting and visibility from guest viewpoint

Day-of-Event Operations

Staff Responsibilities

Minimal supervision required - game is self-service
Monitor answer sheet supply - restock as needed
Verify guest answers when requested (use laminated answer key)
Prevent touching/moving displays (unless labeled "OK to touch")
Answer questions about how to play

Answer Verification Protocol

Guest brings completed answer sheet to staff member
Staff checks each answer against valid range on answer key
Mark answers as correct (✓) if within range
Be encouraging - even 3-5 correct is good!
Optional: Tell guests how close they were if they ask
Congratulate all participants

Important: Staff should keep answer keys private. Do not show actual values to guests unless they specifically ask after verification.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue	Solution
Guests moving/touching displays	Add "LOOK ONLY" signs to sensitive items. Allow touching for #7 (stocking weight) if desired.
Running out of answer sheets	Keep backup supply nearby. Can also offer blank paper as temporary solution.
Guests asking for exact answers	Explain that answers within the valid range count as correct - it's about estimation, not precision.
Children struggling with measurements	Encourage family collaboration. Parents can help explain inches/feet/ounces.
Displays getting knocked over	Secure items with museum putty or non-slip mats. Space displays to prevent crowding.
Poor lighting on displays	Add clip-on spotlights or move table closer to overhead lights.

Post-Event Tasks

Verify all display items are still intact and correctly counted
Store reusable items (jars, containers, decorations) for future use
Collect any remaining answer sheets
Note any issues or guest feedback for future improvements
Document actual participation numbers if tracked

Optional Enhancements

Prize drawings: Guests who get 7+ correct enter a drawing
Leaderboard: Track best scores throughout the night
Themed display areas: Create mini "scenes" around each challenge
Interactive elements: Allow guests to lift stocking (#7) to feel weight
Photo opportunity: Backdrop with all displays for guest photos
Difficulty levels: Offer "easy mode" card with hints for younger kids

Quick Reference Summary

Setup Time: 30-45 minutes

Breakdown Time: 15-20 minutes

Staff Needed: 0-1 (passive monitoring + verification on request)

Capacity: Unlimited (self-paced, average 3-5 minutes per group)

Difficulty: Mixed (3 easy, 5 medium, 2 hard challenges)