Classic Aesthetic

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THE COSTUME: Closet Staples You Might Already Have

Classic Christmas Look:

• Red, green, silver, or gold clothing

• Santa hat, elf ears, reindeer antlers, or tinsel headbands

• Ugly Christmas sweater—louder = better

• Fuzzy boots or slippers, striped tights, or sparkly heels

• Accessorize with ornaments, garland, and holiday pins

Elves & Helpers:

• Tunics or aprons, striped leggings, jingle bells

• Pointy hat and shoes (DIY with cardboard if needed!)

• Carry a clipboard or a sack full of "defective" toys

Fancier Characters (Snow Queen, Ghosts, etc.):

• Flowing robes, dramatic capes, all-white or icy-blue outfits

• Glitter makeup, white wigs, or fake snow accents

• Light-up accessories for ghostly glow or regal drama

Modern Characters (Influencer, Mall Staff, etc.):

• Trendy red jumpsuits or influencer-chic holiday wear

• Santa suit worn ironically or on a lunch break

• Apron with “#1 Wrapper” or “Sleigh All Day” printed

 

HAIR & MAKEUP:

• Add glitter, red lipstick, or frosted highlights

• Elf freckles made from dots of red or green eyeliner

• Candy-cane eyeliner or snowflake face stickers

• For darker characters: smoky eyes with red shimmer, or "frostbite" contouring with blue/gray tones

 

ACCESSORIES: 

• Candy canes, bells, bows, or wrapped “gifts” with hidden surprises

• A fake list of naughty names—including other guests

• Wrapped presents labeled “Evidence,” “Secrets,” or “Don’t Open Til Trial”

• A toy hammer, snow globe, or suspicious fruitcake

• Ornament earrings or light-up necklaces

• A name tag that says “Not The Real Santa (Don’t Ask)”

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CHARACTER & ROLEPLAYING TIPS

Voice & Speech

• Use exaggerated cheer or suspiciously forced joy

• Elves may talk fast and frantically, like sugar-fueled interns

• Santa and Mrs. Claus can be sweet or sinisterly soothing

• Carolers speak in song—or act like they will unless you behave

• Frosty characters? Cold, calculated, and maybe British

Behavioral Quirks

• Always jingling from somewhere

• Handing out “gifts” at random and refusing to explain them

• Drinking from a mug that says “Ho Ho Homicide”

• Passive-aggressive to anyone not wearing red

• Murmuring “it’s beginning to look a lot like vengeance” when the lights dim

 Bonus Touches

• Wrap clues or items in gift boxes and "accidentally" drop them

• Pretend to be haunted by a Ghost of Christmas Scandals Past

• Interrupt conversations with awkward carols (“Deck the halls with DEEP suspicion…”)

• Leave behind glitter like a festive calling card

• Claim you were framed—and all you wanted was a silent night

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​Tinsel & Trouble characters are merry, bright… and maybe homicidal. Whether you’re jingling all the way to the witness stand or sleighing in style, one thing’s for sure: someone’s getting wrapped up in this mystery.