15 best Christmas board games 2023: Monopoly, Disney and more

Players:  2-6 | Age: 6+ years

Aim of the game: Be the player with the most money - in the bank or properties - at the end of the game.

Why we love it: "My favourite thing about this was, I love the figures -  Rudolph, the snowman, and Christmas pudding. And instead of hotels you trade in grottos and workshops, too cute." Mum Kiran tells us. It's not all smooth sailing though - you can still go to jail or bankrupt, just like in the original.

Players:  2-6 | Age: 8+ years

Aim of the game: This version sees players choose a themed token - such as maple syrup, a jack-in-the-box, and more - and tour iconic moments from the film. Invest in skyscrapers, and don’t forget the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.

Why we love it: While we haven't had the chance to review this, the reviews are 5 star, claiming this to be 'funny' and 'amazing' to play. If you're buying for an Elf fan, you can't go wrong. 

Players:  2-6 | Age: 8+ years

Aim of the game: When players answer the LOGO-style questions correctly, they hang their decorations onto a model tree until, putting up the gold star at the end. Beware - every wrong question means another player can answer instead.

Why we love it: "We love this one, it's super quick to play which means younger members of the family don't get bored (Monopoly we're looking at you)." Mum-of-two Maddie tells us.

Players:  4 or more | Age: 12+ years

Aim of the game: Players split into teams and describe words to each other from six categories; Object, Nature, Random, Person, Action, and World, all Christmas-themed. Then move around the board based on the number correct guesses

Why we love it: "This game especially works if you play with people who you know really well and have lots of 'in jokes' or memories with that help it along." says our Goodto Family Editor Stephanie Lowe. "I recommend this to friends who need 'bigger group' games every year."

Players:  2-4 | Age: 8+ years

Aim of the game: Compete to grab the most lavish presents for your stocking, but there's a twist - you'll need to use your memory or you won't know what the presents you've received are like until you open them at the end of the game. You'll have to sing favourite festive songs to avoid losing presents - and watch out for the sprout cards.

Why we love it: "This is a firm favourite it, my kids loved that you can 'take presents' from each other. And I loved that it only took e30 minutes to play." Dad-of-three, Lee tells us.

Players:  2-6 | Age: 5+ years

Aim of the game: Father Christmas’s sleigh has crashed and you must race the other players to find the lost presents and save Christmas. The one to the end first, wins.

Why we love it: "Grandparents brought his one. You can play together as a team or against each other, The festive race along the board collecting presents to give to Santa and help save Christmas just really hammers home that festive feeling." Dad, Mark tells us.  "We've made it a Christmas Eve tradition now."

Age: 8+ | Players: 2-4

Players:  2-4 | Age: 8+ years

Aim of the game: Roll the dice to determine the combination of colour and shape playing pieces that you have to grab and then hide it behind your back. If you roll the dice and the piece isn't there and someone has grabbed it before, be the first one to shout out who has it in order to keep it (if you already have it) or steal it from another player.

Why we love it: "This is a good choice if you've got little ones in the house who want to join in with the fun but aren't quite ready for full-blown family board games." Mum-of-two Angela tells us. "It's fast-paced and fun!"

Age: 8+ | Players: 2 or more

Players:  2 or more | Age: 8+ years

Aim of the game: The classic whodunnit gets hearts racing as players eliminate the suspects and race to correctly guess who committed the murder in the mansion. Players must move to a room and then make a suggestion against a character saying they did it in that room with a specific weapon.

Why we love it: "Oh a classic that we get out every single year, what's that saying 'if it aint broke'...." Mum-of-two Sam tells us. "This really is a great family favourite. Though if I'm honest, I'd say my son didn't' really enjoy it until about aged 10."

Players:  4 or more | Age: 18+ years

Aim of the game: The ultimate board game for any gin lover, and a game of chance and twists that will test your gin knowledge as you work your way around the board by answering History cards, Mixology cards, and Gin-ius cards. Not a gin fan? Try The Whisky Game or The Wine Game instead.

Why we love it: "We got this for my sister in law for Christmas last year, she is the ultimate gin lover. This was just a bit of fun, a way to test brainpower while creating classic cocktails. But we actually all really enjoyed it and all came away learning something we we didn't know before!"

Players:  2-6 | Age: 5+ years

Aim of the game: Players work together to collect presents and make the Whos’ holiday dreams come true - before the Grinch steals them away. Collect more points than the Grinch by the time the Whos start singing to win, as you move around the board. The game ends when you and your friends have completed the circle around the Christmas tree in Whoville.

Why we love it: "Great for little ones who know and love The Grinch as the detail on the game is outstanding." Mum-of-one, Jess tells us. "It’s an adorable, simple, and lovely game to play over Christmas."

Players:  2-5 | Age: 8+ years

Aim of the game: Players collect characters and race around London's theatres, putting on as many plays as they can before other players steal ideas, burn down theatres or spread the plague. The winner is the player whose plays take the most money at the box office, and the fastest in the race to fame.

Why we love it: "A beautiful and well-designed game like no other - perfect for true literature fans," mum-of-four Lisa tells us. "There are some fun frustrations with Fortune Cards and definitely a strategy needed, which I didn’t master but my 13 year-old won.

Players:  2-6 | Age: 10+ years

Aim of the game: Each player controls one of Disney’s most famous villains - such as Ursla, Gaston and Maleficent - as they try to achieve goals in their own kingdom. Goals aren't the same for each character, and players can thwart their competition by adding heroes and artifacts to other realms.

Why we love it: We haven't had the chance to review this but it has over 1500 4 and 5 start reviews on Amazon. With 500+ bought in the last month.

Players:  4 or more | Age: 10+ years

Aim of the game: The mission is to get your team to shout out the correct rhyme before time runs out. There are hundreds of daft rhymes to guess and three unique rounds in which to guess them

Why we love it: "We had the original one, and played so much we'd started recognising rhymes so we upgraded. And we weren't disappointed this one came with 540 new rhyming charades like the 'Eiffel Tower having a shower' we just love this fast paced hilarious game." Dad-of-one, Mark tells us.

Players:  1 | Age: 8+ years

Aim of the game: TA great one for a smaller gathering. The aim is to stack the snowballs and build your snowmen. Snowballs can move horizontally and vertically across the board, but only if there is an obstacle somewhere along the same path to stop the snowballs rolling off the edge. 

Why we love it: Review incoming. "It focuses on sequencing, strategic planning, and visual perception. This is a brand new game, limited edition - with only 3000 made. And we are waiting on one to review, so watch this space," Goodto family editor, Stephanie Lowe says.

Players:  4 or more | Age: 10+ years

Aim of the game: Find the fake answer. Each person has to find the red herring in a sea of answers. You need to catch the fake answers invented by the other players - and avoid the real one.

Why we love it: "This is a firm fave in our house," Hevs tells us. "We really encourage people to live the lie when making answers up. With over 100 cards there's no repeats for a while."