It’s July, and while the holidays may seem far off, it’s the perfect time to start planning for festive gatherings with family and friends. At Winter Glow, we know that board games are a fantastic way to bring everyone together, unplug from digital distractions, and create lasting memories. That’s why our team’s using their summer downtime to curate a selection of games for all occasions.
Whether you’re after family-friendly games, festive classics, or strategic challenges – we’ve got you covered. Plus, you’ll find great gift ideas and tips to help you choose the perfect game for your holiday gatherings. Keep reading, and keep these ideas in mind for when the holidays approach!
Why board games are perfect for Christmas
Imagine the scene: the scent of pine from the Christmas tree, the warmth of a crackling fire, and the laughter of loved ones filling the room. In a world increasingly dominated by screens, board games offer a refreshing opportunity to truly engage with those around us.
The tactile nature of moving pieces on a board and the shared experience of strategizing and competing in a friendly environment can bring people closer in a way that few other activities can.
Note: You’ll come across the term “hump factor” up ahead. It describes the amount of effort it takes to get comfortable with a board game so you can have more fun while playing.
Games with a high hump factor might appear boring or too difficult to players with less experience.
Categories of Christmas Board Games
Christmas board games offer something for everyone, from family-friendly options to festive-themed delights and timeless classics. Here are some categories to help you find the perfect game for your holiday gatherings.
Family-Friendly Cooperative Games
Perfect for bringing everyone together, from the youngest to the eldest. Designed to be inclusive and enjoyable for all ages, so no one is left out of the fun.
Hanabi
- Time – quick setup, 25 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; straightforward rules and gameplay
- Number of players – 2-5
- Game type – cooperative
- Visual appeal – colourful, minimalistic design that’s both attractive and functional
Hanabi is a unique and engaging card game where players work together to create the perfect fireworks display. The catch? You can’t see your own cards! Instead, you rely on hints from other players to play your cards in the correct order.
Our team found it to be a fantastic game for practising teamwork. The colourful cards and simple rules make it accessible to players of all ages, and it always brings lots of laughter and ‘aha!’ moments.
Forbidden Desert
- Time – moderate setup, 45 min play
- Rule complexity – medium
- Hump factor – moderate; requires some initial explanation but becomes intuitive quickly
- Number of players – 2-5
- Game type – cooperative
- Visual appeal – vibrant and thematic components that enhance the immersive experience
Forbidden Desert is an adventurous game where players must work together to escape a treacherous desert. Each player takes on a role with unique abilities, and you have to strategize together to find parts of a flying machine and get out before the sandstorm overtakes you. The components are top-notch, with a beautiful board and detailed pieces. It’s a bit more complex than some other family games, but once we got the hang of it, we loved the challenge and the sense of accomplishment when we finally made it out.
Christmas-Themed Board Games
Bring an extra dose of holiday cheer to your gatherings with the following festive games:
12 Days
- Time – quick setup, 20-30 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; easy to pick up and play
- Number of players – 3-8
- Game type – competitive
- Family engagement – encourages light-hearted competition and strategic thinking, making it enjoyable for all family members
- Visual appeal – features beautiful, holiday-themed card art inspired by the “12 Days of Christmas” carol
12 Days is a delightful card game that brings the joy of the holiday carol to life. It’s quick to set up and play, making it perfect for a fun and engaging family game night. The beautiful artwork and simple rules make it a hit for both kids and adults. Many players appreciate how it captures the holiday spirit and offers strategic yet light-hearted gameplay, keeping everyone entertained.
Christmas-opoly
- Time – moderate setup, 60 min play
- Rule complexity – medium
- Hump factor – low; familiar Monopoly rules with a festive twist
- Number of players – 2-6
- Game type – competitive
- Family engagement – brings a festive twist to the classic Monopoly, creating fun and nostalgic moments for the whole family
- Visual appeal – adorned with festive Christmas imagery and themed game pieces
Christmas-opoly is a charming twist on the classic Monopoly game, with festive elements like collecting Christmas properties and dealing with holiday-themed challenges. It’s a bit more complex than some other holiday games, but the familiar Monopoly mechanics make it easy to pick up. Families often find it becomes a holiday tradition, praised for its cute design and nostalgic gameplay that brings everyone together during the festive season.
Staple Board Games
While classics like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Carcassonne are well-known staples in the board gaming world, the team wanted to highlight some less common, but incredibly fun games that involve a good dose of bluffing, strategic thinking and some harmless deceit:
Coup
- Time – quick setup, 15-20 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; straightforward rules and quick to grasp
- Number of players – 2-6
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – sleek, minimalist card design with thematic artwork
Coup is a fast-paced game of bluffing and deception. Each player attempts to eliminate the others and be the last one standing by using their influence over various characters. The simplicity of the rules and the quick gameplay make it a great choice for both newcomers and seasoned gamers.
The real fun lies in reading your opponents whilst trying to conceal your own intentions, which keeps everyone on their toes. Its compact size makes it perfect for travel and spontaneous game nights.
Sheriff of Nottingham
- Time – moderate setup, 60 min play
- Rule complexity – medium
- Hump factor – moderate; the basic rules are easy to learn, but mastering the bluffing takes a few rounds
- Number of players – 3-5
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – vibrant and detailed artwork that enhances the thematic experience
Sheriff of Nottingham is a highly interactive game where players take turns as the sheriff, while others try to smuggle goods into the city. It’s a wonderful blend of negotiation, bluffing, and strategic planning.
The game shines with detailed artwork, while the social aspect of bribery creates lots of laughter and memorable moments. It’s a bit more complex than some other games, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a favourite for group play.
Games to Give as Gifts
Board games make fantastic Christmas presents for family and friends, offering endless hours of fun and memorable moments. Here are some great picks that will carry you all the way to the top during this year’s Secret Santa.
Kingdomino
- Time – quick setup, 15-20 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; simple rules and quick to grasp
- Number of players – 2-4
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – colourful and charming artwork with high-quality tiles
Kingdomino is a delightful game that combines the classic dominoes gameplay with kingdom-building. It’s simple to learn and quick to play, making it perfect for all ages.
The game involves placing domino tiles around a castle to create the most valuable kingdom landscape, boasting some charming artwork. It’s a fantastic gift with great potential for replayability.
Century: Golem Edition
- Time – moderate setup, 30-45 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; straightforward mechanics with a quick learning curve
- Number of players – 2-5
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – stunning artwork with beautifully illustrated cards and components
Century: Golem Edition is a visually stunning game where players trade and collect crystals to summon powerful golems. The game is easy to pick up, thanks to its straightforward mechanics and quick setup.
The quality artwork and components make it a feast for the eyes. It’s a great gift for anyone who appreciates beautifully designed games with engaging gameplay.
Dexterity-intensive Board Games
Dexterity games add a physical element to board gaming, requiring skill and precision. They are perfect for lively gatherings where players can enjoy both strategic planning and hands-on action. Here are two exciting dexterity-intensive board games: Jungle Speed and Coconuts.
Jungle Speed
- Time – quick setup, 15 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; simple rules and quick to grasp
- Number of players – 2-10
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – colourful and eye-catching cards with a sturdy totem
Jungle Speed is a fast-paced game that tests your reflexes and observation skills. Players flip cards and grab the totem when matching symbols appear, making for frantic and fun gameplay.
The simple rules mean you can start playing almost immediately, and the quick rounds keep everyone engaged. It’s a fantastic choice for family Christmas parties, so get ready and grab the totem first!
Coconuts
- Time – quick setup, 20-30 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; straightforward and fun mechanics
- Number of players – 2-4
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – charming and colourful components, including adorable monkey catapults
Coconuts is a whimsical game where players use monkey catapults to launch coconuts into cups. It’s a delightful mix of skill and luck, perfect for both kids and adults.
The game is as fun to look at as it is to play. Simple mechanics allow for quick learning and immediate fun, making it a hit at family game nights and parties.
Games to Buy for Christmas, but keep after
Games so good, they’re worth having in your collection for more than just a Christmas round (but you can still use Christmas as an excuse to get them!):
Azul
- Time – quick setup, 30-45 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – moderate; straightforward rules and, but the gameplay requires thoughtful strategy
- Number of players – 2-4
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – beautiful, high-quality tiles with a vibrant and artistic design
Azul is a visually stunning game where players take turns drafting and placing tiles to create beautiful mosaics. The rules are simple to learn, making it accessible for new players, while the strategic depth keeps it engaging for seasoned gamers.
The team at Winter Glow loved the tactile satisfaction of gorgeous tiles and vibrant design – they made every game round a pleasure. It’s a perfect game to keep in your collection for any occasion.
Dixit
- Time – quick setup, 30 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; intuitive and creative gameplay
- Number of players – 3-6
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – stunning, whimsical artwork on large, beautifully illustrated cards
Dixit is a magical game of imagination and storytelling. Players use the beautifully illustrated cards to tell stories or give clues, and others must guess which card matches the story. The artwork is absolutely stunning and sparks creativity in every round.
It’s easy to learn and offers endless replayability, making it a wonderful addition to any game collection. Perfect for families and friends who enjoy a bit of creativity and abstract thinking.
Interactive and App-Supported Games
These games often come with companion apps that enhance the experience by providing interactive features, simplifying rule explanations, and adding new dimensions to gameplay. Here are some great picks for games with app support and how they can elevate your game night.
Stop Thief
- Time – moderate setup, 30-45 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; straightforward rules with app assistance
- Number of players – 2-4
- Game type – cooperative/competitive
- Visual appeal – updated modern components with nostalgic design elements
Stop Thief is a delightful blend of nostalgia and modern gaming. The Winter Glow team had a blast tracking down invisible thieves using the companion app, which provided sound clues that made the chase feel pretty real. The app also made it easy to adjust the difficulty, so everyone had a great time.
The updated components give it a fresh look, but it retains that classic charm. It’s perfect for Christmas family game night, as everyone involved in the fun gets to feel the thrill of the chase.
Ready, Set, Bet
- Time – quick setup, 20-30 min play
- Rule complexity – easy
- Hump factor – low; easy to pick up and play
- Number of players – 2-9
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – bright and colourful design, capturing the excitement of a day at the races
Ready, Set, Bet brings the thrill of horse racing right to your living room. We loved the fast-paced action and the real-time betting, all ran smoothly by the companion app. The gameplay kept everyone engaged, and we found ourselves cheering and swapping strategies on every race.
It’s easy to pick up, and the excitement never lets up, making it a fantastic choice for your Christmas party.
What if you want a complex board game this Christmas?
Maybe your family likes to get in the deep and have a solid gaming session with some try-hard competitive rules? Our team shared their three most-beloved board games that look and feel great, but also require some more serious planning if you want to win.
Quacks of Quedlinburg
- Time – moderate setup, 45-60 min play
- Rule complexity – medium
- Hump factor – high; focus needed to understand the rules
- Number of players – 2-4
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – vibrant and thematic components with engaging artwork
Quacks of Quedlinburg is a delightful game of push-your-luck where players take on the role of quack doctors brewing potions. Each player blindly draws ingredients from their bag to add to their pot, trying to avoid explosions while creating the best potion.
The game’s charm lies in the thrill of drawing just the right ingredient while risking drawing the wrong ones. The artwork is pretty engaging and adds to the immersive experience, making it a favourite for those who enjoy a bit of risk tangled with strategy.
Wingspan
- Time – moderate setup, 40-70 min play
- Rule complexity – medium
- Hump factor – high; initial learning curve with rewarding gameplay
- Number of players – 1-5
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – stunning, detailed artwork and high-quality components
Wingspan is a beautifully designed game where players attract birds to their wildlife sanctuaries. The game features over 170 unique bird cards, each illustrated with breathtaking detail.
The gameplay involves planning and resource management, with each birdie bringing different bonuses. Wingspan is a combination of educational content and strategic depth – it captivates players with its beauty and complexity, making it a standout addition to any game collection.
7 Wonders
- Time – quick setup, 30-45 min play
- Rule complexity – medium
- Hump factor – moderate; learning the strategic depth takes a few plays
- Number of players – 3-7
- Game type – competitive
- Visual appeal – vibrant artwork with high-quality cards and components
7 Wonders is a classic civilization-building game where players draft cards to develop their city and build one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The game offers a rich blend of strategy and tactical decision-making, with beautiful artwork and streamlined gameplay. A perfect choice for those who love strategic planning and historical themes.
How do you know what board game to pick this Christmas?
With so many options, the Winter Glow team was worried you might have a hard time choosing. That’s why, we tried to break down what makes an appropriate game for your situation and we’ve laid out a few tips for choosing the right christmas board game.
Player Age
- Kids – Look for games with simple rules and colourful, engaging components that can keep younger children entertained. Either Jungle Speed or Dixit would be an ideal choice.
- Teens – Choose games that offer more strategic depth and competition. Azul, Kingdomino and Hanabi fit well in this criteria.
- Adults – You can be brave and try more complex strategies and themes that appeal to grown-ups. 7 Wonders or Century: Golem Edition might be a good pick.
- Mixed-Age Groups – Games accessible for all ages, with simple enough rules for kids but engaging enough for adults – Sheriff of Nottingham, Ready, Set, Bet Forbidden Desert could do a great job.
Rule Complexity and playing time
- Quick setup, simple rules, fast gameplay – Choose games that can be set up in a few minutes and have easy-to-understand rules, ideal for spontaneous game sessions and family gatherings. Coup, Jungle Speed or 12 Days are all good choices.
- Preparation, strategy and playing the long game – games that require more time to set up and have detailed rules, but offer rich gameplay experience – Quacks of Quedlinburg, Wingspan, 7 Wonders, and Christmas-opoly.
Final words
Our team at Winter Glow loves these games for their ability to bring people together, spark joy, and create lasting memories. From family-friendly picks like Hanabi and Forbidden Desert to strategic classics like Quacks of Quedlinburg, Wingspan, and 7 Wonders, and exciting dexterity games like Jungle Speed and Coconuts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
However, the world of board games is vast and ever-evolving, and there are always new and exciting games to discover. We encourage you to share your favourite games in the comments section and contribute to our growing list of recommendations.
Also stay tuned for future updates on this post, where we’ll share tips on hosting the best Christmas party board game night, filled with unforgettable moments. Happy gaming!