Holiday This or That: Complete Meaning, Rules, and Usage ( for 2026)

Holiday this or that questions are fun either-or choices about holidays — beach or mountains, Christmas or New Year, gifts or experiences. They are used as icebreakers, party games and social media posts.

Have you ever wanted to make a holiday more fun with friends, family, or coworkers?

A simple game can turn a quiet day into a happy memory. That is where holiday this or that comes in.

This fun game lets you choose between two holiday-related options. For example, would you rather spend Christmas at home or travel to a new place?

Would you pick a beach holiday or a snowy mountain trip?

People search for holiday this or that questions to plan parties, entertain guests, create social media posts, and start fun conversations.

Teachers can also use these questions in class. Families can play them during dinner, while friends can share their answers in group chats.

The rules are simple. One person gives two choices, and everyone picks the option they like best. There are no right or wrong answers.

You can use questions about Christmas, summer trips, Halloween, winter breaks, food, gifts, and travel.

In this guide, you will learn how the game works, explore fun examples, and discover how to use holiday this or that questions in different settings.


This or That – Quick Answer

Holiday this or that is a simple choice game where players pick one of two holiday-themed options. It is a fun way to learn about people’s tastes and start lively conversations.

Here are a few examples:

  • Christmas tree or Christmas lights?
  • Beach or mountain holiday?
  • Hot chocolate or iced coffee?
  • Gift cards or handmade gifts?
  • Halloween costumes or Christmas sweaters?
  • Road trip or plane trip?
  • Snowy or sunny holiday?

You can play with two people or a large group. Take turns asking questions, or let one person read a list aloud. Players can explain their choices if they want to make the game more interesting.


The Origin of This or That

The phrase “holiday this or that” combines the word holiday with the expression this or that. It describes a game built around two choices.

The word holiday comes from the Old English term hāligdæg, which meant a holy day or religious festival. Over time, its meaning grew to include days of rest, public celebrations, and vacations.

The expression this or that is a common way to present two options. People use it in daily conversations when they want someone to choose between things.

The modern this-or-that game became popular through party activities, classroom games, online quizzes, and social media posts. Versions add seasonal topics to make the questions more engaging.

There is no single official spelling or fixed format for the phrase. You may see it written as “holiday this or that,” “holiday this-or-that questions,” or “holiday this or that game.” These forms describe the same basic idea.


British English vs American English Spelling

The phrase this or that does not have a special British or American spelling rule. The main difference is how people use the word holiday.

In British English, holiday often means a vacation or time away from work. In American English, vacation is more common for this meaning, while holiday often refers to a special day or celebration.

TermBritish EnglishAmerican English
Time away from workSummer holidaySummer vacation
Special celebrationChristmas holidayChristmas holiday
Choice gameHoliday this or thatHoliday this or that
Trip to the beachBeach holidayBeach vacation
Time off in winterWinter holidayWinter vacation
Seasonal questionsHoliday this or that questionsHoliday this or that questions

Both British and American readers can understand the phrase. However, you may want to use vacation this or that when targeting an American audience interested in travel choices.


Which Spelling Should You Use?

The best wording depends on your audience and the type of holiday you mean.

For a British audience: Use “holiday this or that” for seasonal celebrations, school breaks, and vacation activities. British readers often use holiday to describe time away from home.

For an American audience: Use “holiday this or that” for celebrations such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween.

For travel-related content, consider “vacation this or that” or “vacation choice questions.”

A global audience: The phrase “holiday this or that” is easy to understand in many English-speaking countries. Add clear examples about travel, family events, and seasonal celebrations to reach more readers.

Related phrases people search for include “holiday this or that questions,” “holiday party games,” and “fun this or that questions” — the lists in this guide cover all of them.


Common Mistakes with Holiday This or That

Writers and players can make a few common mistakes when using this phrase.

1. Confusing a holiday with a vacation

A holiday can mean a special celebration or time off. A vacation usually means a trip or break from work, especially in American English.

  • Less natural for a US travel audience: Holiday this or that?
  • More familiar: Vacation this or that?

The best choice depends on the audience and topic.

2. Asking questions with unclear choices

Each question should offer two clear options.

  • Unclear: What is your favorite holiday?
  • Better: Christmas or Halloween?

The second example gives players a direct choice.

3. Making questions too difficult

This game works best when people can answer quickly. Avoid long questions with several choices in one sentence.

  • Simple: Snow or sunshine?
  • Simple: Travel abroad or stay home?

4. Repeating the same topics

A list with only food questions may become boring. Mix travel, decorations, gifts, music, family traditions, and winter activities.

5. Forgetting the audience

Children may enjoy questions about candy, toys, and holiday characters. Adults may prefer questions about travel, food, parties, and time off.


This or That in Everyday Examples

Holiday this or that questions work in many settings. You can change the questions to match the event and audience.

In Emails

You can use a question to invite coworkers to join an activity.

Example:

“Hi team! We are planning a fun game for our party. Which would you choose: a gift exchange or a holiday quiz? Please share your pick.”

In Newsletters

Schools and businesses can add a short choice question to make newsletters more engaging.

Example:

“This week’s question: Would you rather decorate a Christmas tree or bake holiday cookies?”

On Social Media

Short questions are easy to share on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms.

Examples:

  • Christmas movies or holiday music?
  • Cozy night in or festive night out?
  • Give gifts or receive gifts?

You can ask followers to comment with their choices.

In Formal Writing

For a workplace event or school activity, introduce the game in a clear and friendly way.

Example:

“Join us for a holiday this-or-that activity. Participants will choose between two seasonal options and share their answers with the group.

At Parties and Family Gatherings

Read questions aloud and ask everyone to choose an answer. Players can raise their hands, move to different sides of the room, or write their choices on paper.

This makes the game easy to play without special equipment.


Holiday This or That – Google Trends and Usage Data

Victory or Death – Google Trends & Usage Data

Holiday this or that is a specific phrase related to seasonal games and social activities. Its popularity may rise around major celebrations, school breaks, and the end of the year.

However, exact search volume and country-by-country popularity should be checked with live keyword research tools. Without verified data, it would not be accurate to claim that a particular country has the highest search volume for this exact phrase.

Here are some useful ways to research the topic:

  • Google Trends: Compare interest in “holiday this or that,” “Christmas this or that,” and “vacation this or that.”
  • Google Keyword Planner: Check estimated monthly searches and competition.
  • SEO research tools: Explore related phrases and questions people search for.
  • Social media platforms: Look for seasonal posts and question formats that encourage comments.

Search behavior may vary by country.

In the United States, questions may focus on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Halloween. In the United Kingdom, Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays may be useful topics. In other countries, local festivals and school breaks may offer more relevant ideas.

The best time to look for these questions is before the holiday season, when new lists for parties and games appear — and good lists are updated for each season.


Holiday This or That: Comparison Table

The following table gives you a ready-to-use set of choices for your game.

ThemeOption AOption B
ChristmasChristmas treeChristmas lights
WinterSnowmanSnow angels
TravelBeach holidayMountain holiday
FoodGingerbread cookiesSugar cookies
DrinksHot chocolateApple cider
GiftsHandmade giftsStore-bought gifts
EntertainmentHoliday moviesHoliday music
HalloweenTrick-or-treatingHalloween party
DecorationsColorful lightsSimple decorations
Family timeBoard gamesMovie night
SummerRoad tripFlight abroad
New YearBig partyQuiet evening
ShoppingOnline shoppingStore shopping
WeatherSnowy daysSunny days
TraditionsKeep old traditionsTry new traditions

FAQs About This or That

1. What does holiday this or that mean?

It is a fun game where people choose between two holiday-related options, such as Christmas movies or music.

2. How do you play holiday this or that?

One person asks a question with two choices. Each player picks one answer. Players can explain their choices, but there is no need to keep score.

3. What are some good holiday this or that questions?

Try “beach or mountains,” “homemade gifts or store-bought gifts,” and “holiday movies or holiday music.” Choose topics that fit your group.

4. Can children play holiday this or that?

Yes. Children can enjoy simple questions about toys, candy, decorations, food, and favorite activities. Keep the choices suitable for their ages.

5. Can I use holiday this or that questions on social media?

Yes. Post one question at a time or create a list of choices. Invite readers to comment with their answers to encourage interaction.

6. Is holiday this or that suitable for office parties?

Yes. It is a simple group activity that can help coworkers talk and have fun. Choose friendly questions that do not make anyone feel uncomfortable.

7. Is holiday this or that the same as vacation this or that?

They are similar, but their focus may differ. Holiday this or that often includes seasonal celebrations, while vacation this or that usually focuses on travel and time away from work.

8. What are some holiday this or that questions for a party?

For a party, mix food, drinks, activities and holidays: “Christmas tree or Christmas lights?”, “Beach or mountain holiday?”, “Road trip or plane trip?” and “Board games or movie night?” Keep the choices clear so everyone can answer quickly.

9. What are some holiday this or that questions for Christmas?

Try “Christmas tree or Christmas lights?”, “Snowy or sunny holiday?”, “Hot chocolate or iced coffee?”, “Gift cards or handmade gifts?” and “Halloween costumes or Christmas sweaters?” — all of them come from the examples in this guide.

10. When should I publish holiday this or that questions?

Publish them before the holiday season they cover, so readers can use them to plan parties and games. For Christmas questions, publish in November or early December; for summer holiday questions, publish in spring.


Conclusion

Holiday this or that is an easy and fun way to bring people together during special occasions, family gatherings, school events, and office parties.

The game needs no special equipment. All you need are two choices and a group of people ready to share their opinions.

You can create questions about Christmas, Halloween, summer trips, winter activities, holiday food, gifts, decorations, and family traditions.

Keep the options clear and simple so everyone can join in. You can also adjust the questions for children, friends, coworkers, or social media followers.

When writing about holiday this or that online, think about your readers. British audiences may use holiday for vacations, while American audiences often prefer vacation for travel.

For seasonal celebrations, however, the word holiday works well in both varieties of English.

The best lists focus on helpful examples and questions that match what readers want — clear choices, fun topics and questions everyone can answer.

Search popularity changes with each season, so check live data rather than trusting fixed rankings. Most importantly, make the game welcoming and enjoyable.

A simple choice can start a great conversation and turn an ordinary day into a memorable experience.

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