We're all frustrated performers, if the truth be known, and Christmas is the perfect time to draw out the latent talent within us all.

Whether it's a Christmas karaoke evening with colleagues at work or a games session at home, you're guaranteed a laugh as long as everyone enters into the spirit and has a go.

Here are some suggestions to get the gathering going with a swing, to turn your party into a talent show:

30 SECOND AUDITION


Appoint three judges to sit in judgment on everyone else. Put the title of some songs in a hat and invite people to draw one out.

They have 30 seconds to perform part of the song to the best of their ability.

They should be encouraged to really go for it - belting out the rock numbers for all they're worth, hamming it up in true "pub singer" style for those power ballads and posing like Mariah or Britney for the girlie numbers. Mix up the style of song so you have a good mixture of golden oldies and current pop. Throw in the odd nursery rhyme or football song as well.

The judges can be encouraging in true Sharon style or carping and critical like Simon. No hard feelings, though, and get everyone to join in with a sing-along classic to round it all off.

IN THE STYLE OF...


This will bring out the impressionists in your crowd, and let's face it, everyone has someone they can "do".

Have a selection of CDs handy and allow people to choose a song to sing along with that they know and enjoy. And then invite them to sing it in the style of a famous person, such as John Motson, Murray Walker, Gordon Brown, any of the Little Britain characters... or just allow people to nominate their own style.

ONE SONG TO THE TUNE OF ANOTHER


This one takes a little preparation and thought, but the results will be well worthwhile.

The name of the game explains it all.

You write a series of cards, which you hand out one by one to the performers as they stand up for their turn.

On one side of the card, put a tune such as Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang and they must use the lyrics for this song and sing it to the tune of (turn the card over) the theme from Titanic.

The greater the contrast between the type of lyric and the feeling evoked by the tune, the better.

GARGLE ALONG...


You need water and serviettes for this one. Place a selection of well-known songs in a hat or other container and as each person draws a song they have to take a swig of water and then gargle the tune.

Suggestions include the national anthem and theme tunes to favourite TV programmes such as Neighbours, EastEnders or Postman Pat.

If one of your group is happy just to watch (there's always one!) encourage them to award points, and split into two teams (boys v girls is always a good one to up the intensity of the occasion).

With all these games, a little preparation will be well worthwhile.

For instance, do a search for lyrics on the internet so that people can sing along without needing to know the words.