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Printable Christmas escape room clues
Original four-card paper puzzle for a small group with a non-playing host. Host suggestion: 2-6 players, ages 8+ with help, and about 25 minutes. No lock, electricity or real key is needed.
Host setup
The host reads the answer on the final page. Put Card A beside a visible empty tin and attach a blank gift tag to the lid. Hide Card B in an ordinary book on a reachable shelf. Hide Card C under a cushion on a seat. Keep Card D in an envelope labelled COCOA. Tell players: "Follow the four cards, then put the final word on the tin's tag." Do not hide anything in appliances, near food, or in unsafe places. If needed, point out the book shelf or seat. A paper drawing of a tin works equally well.
Card A - start beside the tin
Read the first letter of each line, from top to bottom:
Bring a pencil.
Open your eyes.
Observe the shelf.
Keep reading.
The four letters name where Card B is hidden.
Card B - in the book
Find the place in this riddle: "I am soft, I rest on a seat, and you lean on me. Lift me to find your next sheet." Card C is underneath it.
Card C - under the cushion
A=1, B=2, C=3, and so on to Z=26. Decode 3 - 15 - 3 - 15 - 1. Tell the host the word to receive the envelope with the same label.
Card D - envelope labelled COCOA
Count only the stars in this printed row, ignoring the circles:
STAR - CIRCLE - STAR - STAR - CIRCLE - STAR
Write that number as an English word on the blank gift tag. Clip the tag to the tin. The host checks the word and opens the tin.
Host solution - open only after voting or finishing the clues
Card A's first letters spell BOOK. Card B points to a CUSHION. Card C decodes to COCOA, so the host hands over envelope D. Card D contains four STAR words, so the final tag must read FOUR. Accept FOUR in any letter case; the host opens the tin. Hint ladder: first letters; something soft on a seat; letter positions in the alphabet; count only STAR. No result depends on the room's window panes or lights.
Licence and printing
Original text for christmasmystery.xyz. Free for personal, hosted-party and classroom use. Keep the site credit; do not resell or upload the text as your product. Print the PDF single-sided: player materials and the final host answer are on separate pages.
Questions
Does the final code depend on my room?
No. The printed card contains exactly four STAR words, so the answer is always FOUR. Windows and light strings are not used.
Can we play on a video call?
Yes. Show one card at a time. When players solve BOOK or CUSHION, show the next card instead of asking them to search your room.