The best Christmas board games are ones that bring everyone together for festive fun - we've rounded up our top picks to help you choose something just right for your Christmas games night.
After the kids have unwrapped the last of their top Christmas toys and everyone's full of turkey and Christmas pudding, you might like to go for a wintery walk or light the fire and watch some Christmas TV. And maybe top the night off with Christmas games or maybe a kids board game, but before you decide take a look at our Christmas board game round up. First here's how we choose the best games;
- Reviews: We try to review all products we deem 'best' but where we've been unable to test ourselves, we have dug deep into comments to check what consistently scored highly from verified shoppers who rated them for value for money and quality items.
- Price: We have included board games to fit all budgets, from a tenner upwards.
- Variety: We have tried to include something for all the family form 3+.
Good news it that we've done some digging and put together this round-up of the best Christmas board games for 2023 - these will be sure to get those sibling rivalries and competitive juices flowing.
15 best Christmas board games 2023
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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!"