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Best board games to gift this Christmas

Christmas is coming, and choosing the right gift can be tricky. Here's a selection of board games, divided by recipient, to help you find exactly what you're looking for.

Board games to gift the family

Christmas gatherings call for games that bring everyone together at the table. These two titles are sure to be a hit due to their ability to unite different generations.

The first is Dixit, winner of the prestigious Spiel des Jahres and As d'Or awards. It's for three to eight players, recommended for ages eight and up, and games last about thirty minutes. It's ideal for post-meal fun because it engages people of all ages, from children to grandparents. It sparks creativity and stands out for its beautiful narrative illustrations and its clue-deduction mechanic using illustrated cards.

The second is Catan, the quintessential modern classic with over fifteen million copies sold worldwide. It's designed for three or four players, ages ten and up, and games last around seventy-five minutes. It combines strategy, resource management, commercial negotiation, and a touch of luck with dice, making every game unique.

Games to gift couples

If you're looking for a quiet plan for two at home, there are excellent options designed specifically for this number of participants.

Sky Team is a cooperative game created for two players aged twelve and up. In it, participants take on the roles of pilot and co-pilot of a commercial aircraft that must land at various airports around the world. It requires great synchronization and communication without speaking, making it a very fun challenge.

Party games for friends

Gatherings with friends and Christmas parties need dynamism, laughter, and simple rules that liven up the atmosphere immediately.

Hitster accommodates two to ten players aged sixteen and up. It uses a QR code system linked to Spotify to play iconic songs. Players must guess the artist, title, or release year to correctly order them on a musical timeline.

Wavelength allows up to twelve players. It's a social game of telepathy and, notably, team discussion, where you have to get your teammates to guess where a secret dial is located based on a conceptual clue.

Scrawl accommodates up to eight players aged seventeen and up. Its drawing dynamic is similar to the "telephone game," alternating absurd concepts with quick drawings that lead to unexpected twists and laughter when revealing the origin and final result.

Ideal board games for kids

Younger ones have a blast opening games they can play right away during the holidays.

Dobble, published by Zygomatic and Asmodee, is for two to eight players from age six, with a duration of ten to fifteen minutes. A Dobble Kids version is also available for younger children. Each card contains eight symbols, and between any two cards, there is always exactly one symbol in common. The first to spot and name it wins, stimulating visual acuity and reflexes, allowing children and adults to compete on equal terms.

Virus!, by Tranjis Games, is for two to six players, officially recommended for ages eight and up, with twenty-minute games. It's a fast-paced, highly addictive, and direct confrontation card game where you must eradicate a virus by completing a human body before your rivals, while launching attacks and vaccines at them.

Rory's Story Cubes, also by Zygomatic and Asmodee, is designed for one or more players aged six and up, with twenty-minute games. It consists of nine dice with illustrated icons that are rolled to invent improvised stories. As it has no winners or losers, it's perfect for fostering children's creativity and avoiding frustration.

Ideas for hardcore gamers and advanced level

If the gift is for a serious gamer, you're most likely to hit the mark with a new release: on our page for new releases and monthly crowdfunding campaigns, you'll find the most anticipated launches, with their publisher and player count.

«I hope you find the perfect game for these holidays and have a great time playing with good company.»

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