With the holiday season and the joy and love of Christmas coming, friends and family often look for ways to celebrate together. One fun way is to play board games with Christmas themes. These games not only capture the spirit of the holiday but also provide hours of fun and socializing. Whatever your taste in games, MKoM’s best Christmas themed games list has got you covered!
This best Christmas themed games list consists of 11 games, crafted with an eye for games that balance thematic Christmas elements with engaging mechanics. Each game is evaluated for its design quality, ease of learning, and the interactive experience it offers, making sure they are not just seasonally appropriate but also genuinely enjoyable to play.
Overview of Top 10 Christmas Themed Games
| Game Name | Description | Ratings (out of 5) |
| Dice Throne: Santa v. Krampus | A festive, tactical combat game featuring Santa and Krampus with unique abilities and dice mechanics. | 4.5 |
| Ghosts of Christmas | A trick-taking card game themed around “A Christmas Carol,” with strategic depth and thematic elements. | 4.4 |
| Merry Grinchmas! | A cooperative, family-friendly game where players work against the Grinch to save Christmas. | 4.0 |
| A Christmas Story: The Party Game | A board game based on the classic film, featuring trivia and activities related to the movie. | 4.0 |
| Home Alone | A strategic, asymmetrical game where players either defend the house as Kevin or attempt to rob it as the Wet Bandits. | 4.0 |
| Late for the Sky: Christmas-Opoly | A Christmas-themed version of Monopoly with festive properties and holiday elements. | 3.7 |
| Holly Jolly | A light, Christmas-themed card game focusing on set collection and strategic choices. | 3.7 |
| Christmas Lights – A Card Game | A festive card game combining memory and set collection mechanics with a holiday theme. | 3.5 |
| Animal Upon Animal – A Christmas Stacking Game | A Christmas edition of the classic stacking game with festive animal figures. | 3.5 |
| Patchwork Christmas Edition | A holiday version of Patchwork, featuring festive patches and a special Christmas tree marker. | 3.5 |
| Mickey’s Christmas Carol Game | A cooperative puzzle game based on Disney’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” | 3.5 |
Dice Throne: Santa v. Krampus
Dice Throne: Santa v. Krampus is a stand-alone dueling game in the Dice Throne series, designed for 2-6 players and best suited for two. The game features a fast-paced combat system where players select heroes with distinct abilities and engage in battles using a set of five dice.
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The game involves accumulating combat points and spending them on cards that offer a range of effects, including hero upgrades, status effects, and dice manipulation. This edition introduces Santa and Krampus as new heroes, each with their own abilities and thematic elements, and is compatible with other Dice Throne heroes and Dice Throne Adventures.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Dice Throne: Santa v. Krampus distinguishes itself with its thematic integration of the Christmas spirit into a tactical combat game. The unique abilities of Santa and Krampus provide fresh gameplay experiences within the Dice Throne universe.
The game’s mechanics of dice rolling and card play offer a blend of luck and strategy, appealing to both casual and experienced players. Moreover. the inclusion of variable player powers and the ability to manipulate dice and cards adds depth to the gameplay.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Compatible with All DT Characters ✅ Ideal for Teens and Adults ✅ Engaging Fantasy Theme ✅ Versatile 2-6 Player Range ✅ Quality Cardboard Material | ❌ Possible Missing Components ❌ Occasional Component Replacement |
Ghosts of Christmas
Ghosts of Christmas is a trick-taking card game inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Designed for 3-4 players and lasting about 45 minutes, it involves competing to earn tricks across the Past, Present, and Future. Players are dealt cards from a deck featuring four different colored suits, each ranging from 1 to 12.
The game includes a scoring board, three Era Dials, ghost tiles representing the ghosts from the story, and door tokens for bidding. Players aim to win tricks and achieve their bid by playing cards in each of the three ghost eras, adjusting the Era Dials to define the suit for each era.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Ghosts of Christmas offers a unique twist on traditional trick-taking games by incorporating the theme of A Christmas Carol into its gameplay. The use of Era Dials to define the suit for each ghost era adds a strategic layer, requiring players to carefully choose where to play their strengths. The bidding system, involving purple and red door tokens, introduces a risk-reward element, as players must balance the flexibility of their bids with the potential points earned.
Additionally, Ghosts of Christmas includes three game variants – standard, Beyond Variant, and Tiny Tim Variant – catering to different play styles and making it versatile for various player groups. This thematic integration and the strategic depth of its mechanics make Ghosts of Christmas a standout choice for those seeking a novel and engaging card game experience.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Multiple Strategic Approaches ✅ Engaging Ripple Effects ✅ Visual Dials for Tracking ✅ Variants for All Skill Levels ✅ Flexible Bidding Options | ❌ Theme Feels Irrelevant ❌ Unexpected at First Glance |
Merry Grinchmas!
Merry Grinchmas! is a cooperative board game inspired by Dr. Seuss’s beloved story. Designed for 2 to 6 players aged 5 and up, it offers a playtime of about 15 minutes. In the game, players work together to collect presents and fulfill the wishes of the children in Whoville before the Grinch can interfere.
The gameplay involves gathering tokens that represent different gifts and fulfilling wish cards for the Whoville children. Players spin a spinner to move the Grinch around the board, with the Grinch performing actions such as stealing from houses or completing gift cards.
The game concludes when players complete a circle around the Christmas tree in Whoville, with victory determined by the number of stars collected on the gift wishes compared to those collected by the Grinch.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Merry Grinchmas! is unique in its cooperative gameplay, where players must work together against the Grinch. This cooperative element fosters teamwork and strategy, especially appealing for younger players. The game’s focus on fulfilling wishes and collecting tokens aligns well with the holiday spirit of giving, making it an ideal choice for family game nights during the holiday season.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Engaging Teamwork Gameplay ✅ Lightweight and Portable ✅ Up to 6 Players ✅ Beautiful Illustrations ✅ Iconic Grinch Theme | ❌ Small Token Bag ❌ Unstable Grinch Figure |
A Christmas Story: The Party Game
A Christmas Story: The Party Game is a family-oriented board game based on the iconic holiday movie, A Christmas Story. The game challenges players’ knowledge of the film as they navigate a board filled with scenes and quotes from the movie. Suitable for 2 to 4 players, the game includes activities like trivia, and various other fun tasks. Players can choose from four high-quality 3D miniatures (Ralphie, Randy, Flick, Old Man) as their playing pieces, each intricately detailed.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
This game’s unique appeal lies in its deep integration with the movie’s content. The trivia and activities are directly related to famous scenes and quotes from A Christmas Story, offering a nostalgic and immersive experience for fans. The game’s design, with a board full of movie scenes and quotes, enhances this connection, making players feel as if they are part of the movie’s world.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Comfortable fabric blend ✅ Machine washable ✅ Durable print quality ✅ Variety of color options ✅ Iconic game design | ❌ Limited size availability ❌ Higher price point than basic tees |
Home Alone
The Home Alone game, inspired by the 1990 movie, is a strategic card game for two players. Players choose to be either Kevin McCallister or the Wet Bandits, each with a unique deck of cards.
The game involves Kevin setting traps and decoys in various locations (Front Door, Downstairs Window, Upstairs Window) to protect the house, while the Wet Bandits attempt to overcome these defenses to steal treasures. The objective for the Wet Bandits is to amass $2000 worth of loot to win, while Kevin aims to thwart their efforts.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
The Home Alone game’s unique aspect is its asymmetrical gameplay, reflecting the movie’s cat-and-mouse dynamic. Kevin’s strategy revolves around clever placement of traps and decoys, creating a bluffing element that keeps the Wet Bandits guessing.
The Wet Bandits, on the other hand, must manage their resources carefully to disarm traps and collect loot. Special power cards in both decks add variety and strategic depth to the gameplay. The game also features a hide-and-seek aspect, where Kevin can strategically place valuable loot in hard-to-reach locations. The artwork, reminiscent of the movie’s aesthetic, further immerses players in the Home Alone universe.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Easy-to-Learn Strategy Game ✅ Durable Plastic Material ✅ Perfect for 2-4 Players ✅ Captures Movie’s Essence ✅ Fun for All Ages | ❌ Less Fun with More Players ❌ Limited Replay Value |
Late for the Sky’s Christmas-Opoly
Christmas-Opoly is a holiday-themed clone of the Monopoly game. Suitable for 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up, it transforms the traditional property trading game into a Christmas celebration. Players collect Christmas-themed properties and increase their value by buying presents and trading them for Christmas trees.
The game includes a 19 x 19 game board, cards, play money, and six seasonally themed playing pieces, including a candy cane, teddy bear, and reindeer. It offers two play styles: traditional play and a one-hour version, making it adaptable for different gaming preferences and time constraints.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Christmas-Opoly stands out for its festive twist on the familiar Monopoly format. The game’s unique properties, themed around Christmas, offer a seasonal variation that appeals to fans of the original game and those looking for holiday-themed entertainment. The addition of presents and Christmas trees as assets introduces a new strategic element to the property trading mechanics.
The option to play a traditional or one-hour version accommodates both longer game nights and quicker play sessions. Christmas-Opoly is an ideal choice for families and groups seeking a holiday-themed board game that combines the familiarity of Monopoly with the joy of the Christmas season.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Festive Monopoly Variant ✅ Suitable for 2-6 Players ✅ Unique Christmas Pieces ✅ Traditional and Quick Play ✅ Family-Friendly Entertainment | ❌ Inconsistent Piece Quality ❌ Limited Card Variety |
Holly Jolly
Holly Jolly is a festive, family-friendly card game designed for 2-4 players, with a playtime of 20-30 minutes. The game revolves around a Christmas tree formed from cards, including ornaments and 3 tinsel/light cards, with additional present/stocking cards placed below the tree. Players draft tinsel or light cards to match the total point sum with an ornament or present/stocking card, aiming to collect these for points.
The game ends when one of the decks is depleted, and the player with the most points wins. The game features a vintage Christmas theme with charming artwork, making it visually appealing and thematic.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Holly Jolly stands out for its simple yet engaging gameplay, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages. The game’s unique mechanism of matching the sum of tinsel/light cards to claim ornaments or presents introduces a strategic element, as players must carefully choose which cards to draft.
The set collection aspect of the game, where players aim to build sets or have the most of a specific type of card, adds depth to the gameplay. The game’s artwork and theme are particularly appealing, with a vintage Christmas aesthetic that enhances the festive atmosphere.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Engaging for All Ages ✅ Durable Cardboard Material ✅ Strategic Yet Simple ✅ Enhances Number Skills ✅ Festive, Fun Artwork | ❌ Art Style May Vary ❌ Minor Reading Required |
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights is a card game designed for 2-6 players, best suited for four, and appropriate for ages 6 and up. The game, lasting 10-30 minutes, revolves around players swapping, playing, trading, and drawing Christmas Light Bulbs to complete sets of lights. The main objective is to be the first to complete two sets of lights.
The game includes a variety of bonus games suitable for all ages, offering modified rules for classics like Memory and Old Maid, as well as new original designs. The game’s theme is centered around the festive activity of decorating with Christmas lights, adding a holiday spirit to the gameplay.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Christmas Lights stands out for its unique blend of memory and set collection mechanics, offering a fresh take on card games. The challenge of not knowing one’s hand, similar to the game Hanabi, adds an exciting twist and requires players to rely on memory skills. This element of uncertainty and memory usage makes the game engaging and different from traditional card games.
The inclusion of bonus games using the same card set adds variety and extends the game’s appeal to a wider audience, including very young gamers.
Animal Upon Animal – A Christmas Stacking Game
Animal Upon Animal: Christmas Edition is a special winter-themed edition of the classic HABA animal stacking game. This game has a playing time of around 20 minutes.
Players stack various Christmas-themed figures, such as penguins, reindeer, squirrels, Christmas tree, snow bunnies, sleds, and even stars on top of each other to form a Christmas pyramid. The task is to be the first to place all of their figures safely onto the pyramid to win this wobbly Christmas stacking game.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Animal Upon Animal: Christmas Edition stands out for its engaging and tactile gameplay, which is both fun and challenging. The stacking mechanism is simple to understand but requires strategic thinking and fine motor skills, making it educational for younger players.
The game’s compact size and quick playtime make it ideal for family gatherings and holiday parties. Animal Upon Animal: Christmas Edition is a delightful choice for those seeking a festive, engaging, and family-friendly game.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ High-Quality Wooden Pieces ✅ Durable Metal Tin Packaging ✅ Christmas-Themed Fun ✅ Engaging for All Ages ✅ Promotes Fine Motor Skills | ❌ Smaller than Expected Pieces ❌ Challenging for Younger Kids |
Patchwork Christmas Edition
Patchwork Christmas Edition is a festive version of the popular Patchwork game, designed for two players and suitable for ages 8 and up. The game involves players selecting patches from a central pool to add to their individual quilt boards.
Each patch costs buttons (the game’s currency) and moves the player’s token along a time track. The goal is to create the most aesthetically pleasing and button-rich quilt. This Christmas edition features holiday-themed patches and a special Christmas tree marker, adding a seasonal twist to the classic Patchwork gameplay.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Patchwork Christmas Edition stands out for its unique combination of strategy and theme. The game retains the beloved mechanics of the original Patchwork, such as strategic patch selection and time track movement, while incorporating a charming Christmas theme. The festive patches add a visual appeal and seasonal flair, making the game an ideal choice for holiday gatherings.
The game’s balance between strategic depth and accessibility makes it suitable for both experienced gamers and newcomers. The two-player format ensures a focused and competitive experience, making each game a tight contest of strategy and foresight.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Engaging Two-Player Strategy ✅ Easy to Learn and Play ✅ Creative Quilting Theme ✅ Compact and Easy to Store ✅ Perfect for Game Nights | ❌ Limited Replayability ❌ Concerns About Component Quality |
Mickey’s Christmas Carol Game
Mickey’s Christmas Carol Game is a cooperative puzzle game for 1-4 players, ideal for children aged 4 and up. Published by Funko Games, it is based on the Disney adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. In the game, players work together to complete puzzles that depict scenes from the story before Scrooge wakes up.
The game includes six puzzles, each with a unique scene, and special tiles that influence the gameplay. Players draw puzzle pieces from a bag, aiming to complete the puzzles in numerical order while managing the movement of Scrooge on a central clock board.
What Makes This Game Stand Out?
Mickey’s Christmas Carol Game stands out for its unique blend of cooperative gameplay and puzzle-solving. The game is designed to be accessible to young children, with simple mechanics that involve pattern matching and basic strategy.
The game’s artwork, featuring scenes from Disney’s Mickey’s Christmas Carol, is visually appealing and captures the essence of the classic story. This game is an ideal choice for families looking for a thematic, engaging, and child-friendly game for the holiday season.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Engaging Push-Your-Luck Gameplay ✅ Adjustable Difficulty Levels ✅ Family-Friendly Christmas Theme ✅ Easy to Learn and Play ✅ Suspenseful and Exciting | ❌ Potentially Intense for Younger Players ❌ Relies on Luck Over Strategy |
Closing Thoughts
Selecting the best Christmas-themed board games requires a focus on games that blend thematic charm with engaging gameplay. Look for games that offer clear rules and a balanced level of challenge to accommodate various ages and gaming experiences. Consider the replay value of each game, ensuring it remains enjoyable year after year.
The key is to find games that not only celebrate the festive season but also foster interaction, strategy, and fun. This approach will help you choose games that are not just seasonal novelties but cherished elements of your holiday traditions, bringing joy and entertainment to your festive gatherings.
Suraj, your point about sustainable farming really resonated with me! 🙌 Here in Kansas, we’ve noticed the same shifts towards permaculture and vermiculture, have you explored those further? Also, bringing attention to their impact on microclimates might be an interesting avenue to explore. For instance, we experienced decreased heat stress when we switched over to green farming. Just food for thought (pun intended 😅). I’d love to hear your opinion on it. Keep the good stuff coming, Suraj!