Amy Grant And Trisha Yearwood To Host ‘CMA Country Christmas’

Author Lauren Hoffman

November 14th, 2023 11:24 AM

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! CMA Country Christmas is set to return on Thursday, December 14 with hosts Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood. The show will feature one-of-a-kind musical performances of festival classics from Country Music’s biggest stars live from Nashville.

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The fourteenth annual holiday television special will include performances by Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Lady A, Jordan Davis, Lindsey Stirling, The War And Treaty, Zach Williams, and hosts Grant and Yearwood.

Yearwood is no stranger to hosting the television special as she previously held the role in 2019 and has also performed numerous times. Carly Pearce on her own and (2022), with Gabby Barrett (2021), Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins (2020) have also hosted in years past.

The television special is a production of the Country Music Association and first aired in 2010. It continues to be filmed in Nashville in front of a live audience while celebrating the season with holiday performances.

Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Milton Sneed is the Director and Jon Macks is the Writer. As for the stunning Christmas decor, CMA partnered with Balsam Hill to decorate the stage for 2023.

The announcement of CMA Country Christmas follows the CMA Awards, which was held last Wednesday. CMA Awards winner, Wilson, who will perform during the holiday special, took home the top prize of Entertainer of the Year.

As for the hosts, Grant released new music earlier this year for the first time in a decade with tracks “Trees We’ll Never See” and “What You Heard.” Yearwood last original album was released in 2019 titled Every Girl.

CMA Country Christmas will air on Thursday, December 14 at 8 pm ET on ABC and the next day on Hulu and Disney+. Click below to watch a preview of this year’s show.

7 Festive Games and Activities for a Memorable Holiday Party

The holiday party season is a time for celebrating with family and friends. But it can also get hectic with all the preparations and gatherings. Our to-do lists seem to grow faster than we can check items off. But one thing you definitely don’t want to overlook is the activities and games for holiday parties. It’s a surefire way to keep the fun going and create lasting memories.

A good party game can amplify the excitement, break the ice, and bring people together. Whether you’re planning to enjoy some holiday-themed games with your family or looking for ideas for a lively Christmas gathering with friends, our list of Christmas games for adults has got you covered.

Breaking the ice and building connections with holiday games and activities.

A well-chosen party game can really make the party special. Some would even say it’s better than mingling with a glass of wine or a cold beer. These games are not just about the competition. They’re about creating an atmosphere of fun and togetherness.

There are plenty of games to choose from. These include activities suitable for a work party or an office setting, as well as those tailor-made for relaxed get-togethers with close friends or competitive showdowns with your family. You can put your knowledge of Christmas movies and songs to the test. Perhaps challenge your friends with trivia. The holiday season is all about celebrating, and these games are a fantastic way to infuse the spirit of merriment into any gathering.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s a good idea to have a repertoire of fun and engaging activities. These will help make the most of your get-togethers. Whether you’re looking to create cherished memories with family or enjoy some friendly competition with friends, these games are guaranteed to bring laughter and joy to your holiday celebrations.

Check out these perfect games and activities for a holiday party.

Name That Holiday Song
All you need is someone with a phone full of great Christmas songs, ready to play DJ. See who can guess the festive songs first after hearing just a few notes. It’s a laid-back way to enjoy some post-meal fun.

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Never Have I Ever Holiday Edition
Give this timeless game a festive twist by asking questions like, “I’ve never regifted a present,” and find out what secrets your friends and family may be hiding. You can stick to the traditional rules where those who’ve committed the act take a sip of their beverage, or you can opt for a point-based system, with the winner receiving a holiday surprise as their reward.

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Present Stacking
Here’s a game that allows you to unleash your creativity. Wrap a selection of uniquely shaped objects, and the challenge is to see who can build the tallest stack of presents. Using fragile items in this game should be avoided for obvious reasons.

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Christmas Carol Challenge
Here’s a straightforward, no-fuss game that’s perfect a cozy home get-together or an office party. Gather everyone in a circle, and the game begins with one person singing a line from a holiday song. The person to their right then must continue with the next line of the song, and so on. You can choose from timeless classics like Jingle Bells or opt for a more contemporary holiday hit like Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas is You. While you might know the opening lines of these songs, it becomes quite a challenge as the game progresses.

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Best/Worst Gift
Distribute four slips of paper to each participant. Every guest is tasked with jotting down two positive Christmas gifts and two negative ones: one from their real experiences and one fabricated. Collect all the slips in a container and let the group take turns guessing which presents were genuinely given and which were made up.

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Saran Wrap Ball Game
Make a big plastic wrap ball stuffed with little gifts like mini liquor bottles, gift cards, candy, and cash. One person starts by unwrapping it, while someone else takes the dice and tries to roll doubles. The twist is that you can’t stop unwrapping until your neighbor rolls those elusive doubles, so the pressure’s on to keep the ball moving. Players get to keep all the goodies they uncover during their turn, so everyone’s in for some prizes. You can make it more challenging by requiring the person unwrapping to wear oven mitts.

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Celebrity
Here’s a fun party game you can enjoy with friends or family anytime, anywhere. You split into two teams, and each player writes down 5 celebrity names on pieces of paper. You take turns being the clue-giver. In round one, the clue-giver describes the celebrity without saying their name or nickname, and the team guesses. In round two, you can only use one word as a clue. Round three is like Charades, where you act out the celebrity without speaking. Keep score to see which team guesses the most celebrities correctly. It’s a great game for any gathering.

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