The best Christmas jokes are short, clean and easy to read aloud, and this list has 144 of them, from Santa, elf, reindeer and snowman jokes to knock-knocks, puns, dad jokes and cracker jokes, plus 6 riddles.
Good Christmas jokes for kids fill the wait before dinner, give a shy cousin something to say and turn a long car ride into a game.
Families celebrate the season in different ways, so every joke here sticks to snow, cookies, reindeer and Santa. All are numbered, so it is easy to pick a joke a day or send a favorite to a grandparent.
Key Takeaways
144 numbered jokes in 16 groups, plus 6 riddles with answers.
Every joke is clean and kind, with nothing at anyone’s expense.
Puns start to make sense around age 6 or 7, says KidsHealth.
Use them for an advent countdown, a joke jar, place cards or lunchbox notes.
Tell jokes at dinner or bath time, then keep the usual calm bedtime routine.
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Table of Contents
The Best Short Christmas Jokes at a Glance
Quick Answer
The best Christmas jokes are short, clean and built on a sound-alike a child can hear, such as “What do you call Santa when he stops for a rest? Santa Pause.” This page has 144 numbered jokes in 16 groups, plus 6 riddles, all safe to read aloud to a preschooler or a grandparent.
Read the question, count to two, then give the answer. For jokes that work all year, see our funny jokes for kids and adults.
1. What do elves answer when Santa takes attendance? “Present!”
2. Why does Santa go down the chimney? It soots him.
3. What do you call Santa when he stops for a rest? Santa Pause.
4. What do you call a snowman in July? A puddle.
5. Why was the snowman digging in the carrot bag? He was picking his nose.
6. Why did the Christmas tree visit the barber? It needed a trim.
7. What do you get if you swallow tinsel? Tinsel-itis.
8. What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck? A Christmas quacker.
9. Why is Christmas so cold? It comes in Decem-brrr.
10. What falls all winter and never gets hurt? Snow.
11. What do you get when you cross a fir tree with an apple? A pineapple.
12. Why is Santa so good at karate? He has a black belt.
Santa Jokes, Elf Jokes and Reindeer Jokes
Santa jokes. Sleigh, suit and that famous laugh.
13. How much did Santa pay for his sleigh? Nothing. It was on the house.
14. Why did Santa get a ticket? He parked in a snow parking zone.
15. What goes ho, ho, whoosh, ho, ho, whoosh? Santa stuck in a revolving door.
16. What does Santa say when he weeds the garden? Hoe, hoe, hoe.
17. Where does Santa sleep on vacation? In a ho-ho-tel.
18. What kind of flour does Santa bake with? Elf-rising flour.
19. Where does Santa hang his red suit? In the Claus-et.
20. Why does Santa never sit in traffic? He takes the very high way.
21. What does Santa say at the start of a race? Ready, set, ho!
22. What is Santa’s favorite sandwich? Peanut butter and jolly.
Elf jokes. Most swap “elf” for “self”, so say the pun word slowly.
23. What do you call a photo an elf takes of itself? An elfie.
24. What is the elves’ favorite sport? North Pole vaulting.
25. What kind of money do elves spend? Jingle bills.
26. What do elves do after school? Their gnome-work.
27. What do you call an elf who won’t share? Elfish.
28. What do you call an elf in earmuffs? Anything. It can’t hear you.
29. What does a tired elf say? “I’m not feeling like my-elf.”
30. What do elves say when the last gift is done? “That’s a wrap.”
Reindeer jokes. Listen for “deer” and “dear”, “herd” and “heard”, “tail” and “tale”.
31. What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees? Horn-aments.
32. Why are reindeer so good at bedtime stories? Each one comes with a tail.
33. What do reindeer keep in their wallets? A few bucks and a little doe.
34. What game do reindeer play at sleepovers? Truth or deer.
35. What did Mrs. Claus say about the clouds? “Looks like rain, dear.”
36. How did the reindeer find out about the party? They herd about it.
37. Why did the reindeer wear sunglasses? It didn’t want to be recognized.
38. What does a reindeer say before telling a joke? “This one will sleigh you.”
Snowman Jokes and Winter Jokes
Snow jokes suit any winter gathering, whatever your family celebrates.
39. Where does a snowman keep his money? In a snow bank.
40. How do snowmen say hello? “Ice to meet you.”
41. What do snowmen do on the weekend? Chill out.
42. What do snowmen wear on their heads? Ice caps.
43. What does a snowman drink? Iced tea.
44. What do snow parents call their kids? Chill-dren.
45. What does a snowman ride to school? An icicle.
46. Why did the scarf get the job? It knew how to wrap things up.
47. How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together.
48. What is white and floats up? A confused snowflake.
49. What did one snowman ask the other? “Do you smell carrots too?”
Christmas Tree, Decoration, Present and Stocking Jokes
Tree and decoration jokes. Tell these while you untangle the lights.
50. Why are Christmas trees bad at knitting? They drop their needles.
51. Why did the Christmas tree get a time-out? It was being knotty.
52. How does a Christmas tree get on the internet? It logs in.
53. Why is the star the boss of the tree? It is on top of things.
54. Why were the Christmas lights so tired? They were up all night.
55. What did the tree say to the ornament? “Quit hanging around.”
56. What is a Christmas tree’s least favorite month? Sep-timber.
57. Why do wreaths never win races? They go in circles.
Present and stocking jokes. About wrapping, ribbon and tags, never about who got what.
58. What did one stocking say to the other? “Let’s hang out by the fireplace.”
59. Why did the present get top marks? It was gifted.
60. What is the one present nobody can beat? A broken drum.
61. What did the ribbon say to the box? “Sorry, I’m all tied up.”
62. Why was the gift bag so confident? It could handle anything.
63. Why is wrapping paper good with secrets? It keeps things under wraps.
64. What do you call a present that tells jokes? A gag gift.
65. Why was the gift tag sent to its room? Too much name-calling.
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Christmas Food Jokes: Cookies, Candy Canes and Gingerbread
Save these for the wait while the cookies cool.
66. What is a Christmas tree’s favorite candy? Orna-mints.
67. What does a gingerbread man put on his bed? A cookie sheet.
68. What do gingerbread people use when a leg breaks? Candy canes.
69. What is red, white and blue in December? A sad candy cane.
70. Why did the gingerbread man work late? To make extra dough.
71. What does a marshmallow call a mug of hot cocoa? A hot tub.
72. What does Santa call the last cookie on the plate? “Mine.”
73. Why did the sugar cookie wear sprinkles? To dress up for the party.
74. What does a snowman baker put on every cake? Frosting.
75. What do you get if you leave fruitcake out all year? The same fruitcake.
Christmas Knock-Knock Jokes, Puns and One-Liners
Knock-knock jokes. Begin each with “Knock, knock” and wait for “Who’s there?” The listener’s lines never change, so a small child can lead. More in our knock-knock jokes for kids.
76. Mary. Mary who? Mary Christmas to you!
77. Holly. Holly who? Holly-days are here!
78. Yule. Yule who? Yule never guess what is in this box!
79. Elf. Elf who? Elf me carry these presents!
80. Donut. Donut who? Donut open this until December 25!
81. Icy. Icy who? Icy you peeking at the presents!
82. Santa. Santa who? Santa letter weeks ago. Did it arrive?
83. Tree. Tree who? Tree more sleeps until Christmas!
Christmas puns and one-liners. No setup needed. Use them as captions.
84. Oh deer, is it December already?
85. Treat your elf to a second cookie.
86. Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle.
87. We are up to snow good, and proud of it.
88. Sorry about the tree puns. I’ll spruce them up.
89. Yule laugh, yule groan, yule ask for one more.
90. Icy what you did there.
91. Fir sure, this is our best tree yet.
92. Cookie baking is just how I roll.
93. “It’s all downhill from here,” said the sled, happily.
Christmas Dad Jokes and Clean Jokes for Adults and the Office Party
Christmas dad jokes. Keep a straight face and never explain. Our dad jokes page has a year’s supply.
94. I’m great at wrapping presents. People say I have the gift.
95. I had a Christmas lights joke, but I’m still untangling it.
96. This year I’m giving everyone batteries. Toys not included.
97. The lights and I have a deal: they work until I plug them in.
98. The box says “easy assembly, 20 minutes.” Now that is a Christmas joke.
99. My whole wish list this year: one nap. Gift wrap optional.
100. “Dad, I’m freezing.” “Hi, Freezing. I’m Dad. Have a sweater.”
101. My jokes are like fruitcake: nobody asked, and they come back every year.
For adults and the office party. Still family-safe: about meetings, mugs and inboxes, not people.
102. Why did the office Christmas tree get promoted? It kept branching out.
103. My out-of-office reply is the best thing I’ll write all year.
104. That last meeting of the year could have been a Christmas card.
105. Why did the snowman leave the meeting early? He felt a meltdown coming.
106. My December goals: inbox zero, cookie tin zero.
107. I took a mug to the gift swap and came home with a mug.
108. Who is busiest at work in December? Whoever said “let’s keep the potluck simple.”
109. Why do paper snowflakes make great coworkers? They cut out everything unnecessary.
Jokes by Age: Little Kids (3 to 6) and Big Kids (7 to 12)
Little kids. KidsHealth, from Nemours, says a preschooler is more likely to find humor in something out of place, such as an animal making the wrong sound, than in a pun.
110. What does Santa say when he walks backward? Oh, oh, oh!
111. Who brings presents to puppies? Santa Paws.
112. Where do snowmen go to dance? The snowball.
113. What does a cow say on Christmas morning? Mooo-ry Christmas!
114. What does a sheep say at Christmas? Merry Christmas to ewe!
115. What do you get when you stack three snowballs? A new friend.
116. What is red and white, red and white, red and white? Santa rolling down a hill.
117. What kind of ball doesn’t bounce? A snowball.
118. What do snowmen eat for lunch? Icebergers.
Big kids. KidsHealth says that around age 6 or 7 children grasp that a word can have several meanings, so riddles, jokes and puns start to make sense.
119. What does an English teacher call Santa’s helpers? Subordinate clauses.
120. Why do Christmas trees love the past? Because the present is beneath them.
121. What do you call a snowman who does sit-ups? The abdominal snowman.
122. What do you call a snowflake that tells fibs? A snow-fake.
123. How do you scare a snowman? Show him a hair dryer.
124. What do you get when you cross a pig with a fir tree? A pork-u-pine.
125. How can you tell a reindeer was in your fridge? Hoofprints in the butter.
126. What do you call a reindeer that jumps out at you? A cari-boo.
127. Why didn’t the letter to Santa go anywhere? It was written on stationery.
How to help a small child tell a joke.
Let them choose one: a single favorite is plenty for one party.
Show the trick: say “Santa Claus” and “Santa Pause” back to back, then freeze like a statue.
Give the pause a job: after the question, tap the table twice, then answer.
Praise the attempt: KidsHealth advises parents to take a child’s attempts at humor seriously and praise them. A punchline that arrives early still counts.
Christmas Cracker Jokes and Christmas Riddles
What is a cracker joke? A Christmas cracker is a paper tube that two people pull until it snaps open, usually with a paper crown, a trinket and a corny joke inside. The Victoria and Albert Museum traces it to London confectioner Tom Smith, who wrapped sugared almonds with a love motto and patented his first cracker device in 1847. Make your own from a cardboard tube, tissue paper, a joke and a paper crown, and pull them between rounds of our Christmas games.
128. What do you get when you cross a bell with a skunk? Jingle smells.
129. What did the big cracker say to the little cracker? “My pop is bigger than yours.”
130. What do you call a cracker that tells jokes? A wise-cracker.
131. Why does the paper crown always win? It comes out on top.
132. What is green, sparkly and says ribbit? A mistle-toad.
133. What do you get from a cow at the North Pole? Ice cream.
134. What kind of paper loves music? Wrapping paper.
135. What do you call Santa when he turns detective? Santa Clues.
Christmas riddles. Cover the answers with your hand.
Riddle
Answer
I have needles but never sew, and I wear lights but am not a lamp. What am I?
A Christmas tree.
I fall without a sound and vanish in your warm hand. What am I?
A snowflake.
I have a carrot I never eat and a scarf I never need. What am I?
A snowman.
You hang me up empty at night and find me full in the morning. What am I?
A stocking.
I have runners but cannot run, and I carry toys but am not a toy box. What am I?
A sleigh.
The more of my little doors you open, the fewer days are left. What am I?
An advent calendar.
Six Christmas riddles with answers.
Lunchbox Notes, Card Lines, Elf Notes and an Advent Joke Countdown
These nine lines fit on a sticky note. For longer greetings see our Christmas card messages, and for setups to go with a note, our elf ideas.
136. Lunchbox: You are snow much fun. Have a great day.
137. Lunchbox: Have an ice day, my little snowflake.
138. Lunchbox: Eat your carrots before a snowman borrows one.
139. Card: Wishing you a tree-mendous Christmas.
140. Card: Forget the gifts. Your presence is our favorite present.
141. Card: Hope your holidays are merry and your cocoa is marsh-mellow.
142. Elf note: I taste-tested the cookies. All twelve passed.
143. Elf note: I’m not lost. I’m on a shelf-guided tour.
144. Elf note: I moved again. I just can’t elf myself.
Four more ways to use the list.
Advent countdown: tuck one joke a day into your advent calendar. The table below picks 25 by number.
Joke jar: cut a printed copy into strips and let each person draw one after dinner.
Place cards: write a question on each name card and the answer inside.
Video calls with grandparents: pick three numbered jokes for your child to read aloud, so a shy child has something ready to say.
Days
Jokes
December 1 to 5
Nos. 1 to 5 (short warm-ups)
December 6 to 10
Nos. 13 to 17 (Santa)
December 11 to 14
Nos. 23 to 26 (elves)
December 15 to 18
Nos. 31 to 34 (reindeer)
December 19 to 22
Nos. 39 to 42 (snowmen)
December 23 and 24
Nos. 80 and 81 (knock-knock)
December 25
Any joke from the cracker list, read at the table
A 25 day joke countdown. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday.
Silly Time First, Then Bedtime: December Nights With Little Kids
December brings late parties and big excitement. Jokes help, at the right time of day.
Tell jokes at dinner, in the bath or around the tree. Finish the silly part before the calm part of bedtime begins.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests a bedtime routine such as brush, book, bed, with screens off at least 60 minutes before bedtime. See our toddler bedtime routine.
The AAP advises sticking to your child’s usual sleep and mealtime schedules when possible during the holidays. On party days, protect the nap (see when kids stop napping).
Good Christmas jokes for kids are short and built on a sound-alike a child can hear. Try these two: What do you call Santa when he stops for a rest? Santa Pause. What do you call a snowman in July? A puddle.
What is a Christmas cracker joke?
It is the short, corny joke on a slip of paper inside a Christmas cracker, a paper tube that two people pull apart. The Victoria and Albert Museum traces the cracker to London confectioner Tom Smith, who patented his first cracker device in 1847.
What are some Christmas knock-knock jokes?
Start with easy ones. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Mary. Mary who? Mary Christmas to you! Or: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Donut. Donut who? Donut open this until December 25! The listener’s lines never change, so a small child always knows what comes next.
What are clean Christmas jokes for work?
Keep office jokes about the season, not about people. Two safe ones: Why did the office Christmas tree get promoted? It kept branching out. Why did the snowman leave the meeting early? He felt a meltdown coming. Skip anything about coworkers, pay or faith.
At what age do kids understand puns and riddles?
KidsHealth, from Nemours, says that around age 6 or 7 children grasp that words can have several meanings, so riddles, jokes and puns start to make sense. Preschoolers are more likely to find humor in something out of place, such as an animal making the wrong sound.
How do you use jokes for an advent countdown?
Pick 24 or 25 short jokes. Write each on a slip of paper and tuck one into each pocket of your advent calendar, or read one aloud at breakfast from December 1. Put the question on the front and the answer on the back.
Gentle changes, peaceful nights.
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