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Guide

Board games under the Christmas tree: recommendations for all levels

Ramon Schneider
10.12.2024
Translation: Elicia Payne

Christmas is the perfect time for game nights with your loved ones. Here are my all-time favourite board games to provide unforgettable moments.

For me, Christmas is an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. And what’s nicer than getting together around a table and playing a good board game? Here are a few tips to help you find the right game.

Games for children

Games shouldn’t be too complicated for children, but still provide the fun factor and excitement. They should stimulate imagination and transport them to another place, whether they’re beginners or little pros. Games like «Animal Upon Animal», «Magic Keys» or «Magic Mountain» are perfect and will make their eyes light up. They’re fun, promote creativity and are quick to grasp.

Haba Animal on animal (German)
Board games
−10%
EUR21,80 was EUR24,23

Haba Animal on animal

German

Game Factory The magic keys (German)
Board games
−7%
EUR25,11 was EUR26,92

Game Factory The magic keys

German

Haba Animal on animal (German)
−10%
EUR21,80 was EUR24,23

Haba Animal on animal

Game Factory The magic keys (German)
−7%
EUR25,11 was EUR26,92

Game Factory The magic keys

Games for the whole family

It’s always a highlight for me to have an evening with family, playing games. However, for everyone to really enjoy it – from the youngest to eldest – games with simple rules and a good balance of strategy and luck are the best choice. You can’t go wrong with games like «Carcassonne», «Village Romance» or «Just One».

Hans im Glück Carcassonne (German)
Board games
−8%
EUR25,11 was EUR27,16

Hans im Glück Carcassonne

German

Pegasus Village Romance Board Game, d/f/i
Board games
EUR25,90

Pegasus Village Romance Board Game, d/f/i

Asmodée Just One (German)
Puzzle games
−10%
EUR22,16 was EUR24,71

Asmodée Just One

German

Hans im Glück Carcassonne (German)
−8%
EUR25,11 was EUR27,16

Hans im Glück Carcassonne

Pegasus Village Romance Board Game, d/f/i
EUR25,90

Pegasus Village Romance Board Game, d/f/i

Games for two players

I love games designed for two people. They often have a special focus because they’re tailored precisely to this dynamic. Whether you like to duel with someone or prefer working together – games like «Sky Team», «7 Wonders: Duel» or «Targi» provide exactly that. They’re intense, tactical and guaranteed fun.

Kosmos Sky Team (German)
Card games
−6%
EUR27,70 was EUR29,57

Kosmos Sky Team

German

Repos Production 7 Wonders: Duel
Card games
−8%
EUR27,54 was EUR29,90

Repos Production 7 Wonders: Duel

Kosmos Sky Team (German)
−6%
EUR27,70 was EUR29,57

Kosmos Sky Team

Repos Production 7 Wonders: Duel
−8%
EUR27,54 was EUR29,90

Repos Production 7 Wonders: Duel

Games for beginners

If I want to introduce board games to people who have only ever played Monopoly, then I go for easy and beginner-friendly titles. Games like «Azul», «Cascadia» or «Ticket to Ride» offer exactly that: quick explanations, lots of fun and no mental overload. Perfect for anyone who’s curious about modern board games but doesn’t fancy complex rules.

Kosmos Familienspiel Cascadia – Im Herzen der Natur (German)
Tile-based games
EUR33,16

Kosmos Familienspiel Cascadia – Im Herzen der Natur

German

Asmodée Ticket to Ride - Europe (German)
Board games
EUR42,51

Asmodée Ticket to Ride - Europe

German

Kosmos Familienspiel Cascadia – Im Herzen der Natur (German)
EUR33,16

Kosmos Familienspiel Cascadia – Im Herzen der Natur

Games for experts

But there are also players with completely different preferences – those who like to ponder for hours and strategically plan every move. For them, I select titles that are challenging and thematically deep. So if you want to give a gift to someone who already knows their way around the board game world, then «ISS Vanguard», «Brass Birmingham» or «Terraforming Mars» are your best choice. These games guarantee long evenings full of challenges.

For me, Christmas is a time to have company – and board games are good for bringing people together. Regardless of who you want to give a gift to, with these tips, you’re sure to find one. And maybe you can even play along yourself!

Header image: Shutterstock / berni0004

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