Christmas Gifts That Get the Whole Family Playing Together

Some of the best Christmas gifts aren't the ones that send everyone to separate corners of the house. They're the ones that make people gather around the same table, laugh together and say, “Okay—one more round.”

There is nothing wrong with giving someone a gift they'll enjoy on their own. But every Christmas, we also love the idea of giving at least one thing that brings people together.

A family game can turn into a tradition. A puzzle can stay on the dining-room table for a week while everyone adds a piece. An outdoor game can get three generations outside together after Christmas dinner.

Those gifts do more than fill space under the tree. They create something to do together.

1. Quick Games Everyone Can Learn

The best family games don't always need complicated rules or a 30-minute explanation before anyone can play.

Look for games that can be learned in a few minutes, especially if your Christmas gathering includes different ages.

Card games, word games, guessing games and light strategy games are great because people can jump in without feeling intimidated.

2. A Great Deck of Cards

A regular deck of cards may be one of the most underrated family gifts.

It's inexpensive, takes almost no room to store and can entertain people for years.

Teach the kids games you played growing up. Let Grandma teach everyone her favorite. Learn a new one together.

A simple deck of cards can create an awful lot of laughter for something that fits in one hand.

3. A Puzzle Everyone Can Work On

Puzzles are especially good during that slower week between Christmas and New Year's.

Choose one challenging enough for adults but visually interesting enough that children will want to help.

Leave it out somewhere everyone passes by.

You'll be surprised how often someone stops to add “just one piece” and stays for twenty minutes.

4. Conversation Games That Get People Talking

Some games barely feel like games at all.

Conversation cards, “would you rather” questions, family trivia and storytelling prompts can get several generations talking about things that might never come up in ordinary conversation.

You may learn what Grandpa's favorite Christmas gift was when he was ten—or what your teenager would do with a million dollars and one free day.

Those conversations are often better than winning.

5. Something That Gets Everybody Moving

After Christmas dinner, sometimes everyone needs to get off the couch.

Think lawn games, tossing games, indoor mini-bowling, charades, dance games or anything that creates a little friendly competition.

If you live somewhere with mild Christmas weather, outdoor games can be especially good for getting several generations involved.

6. A Building Set Everyone Can Help With

Building doesn't have to be just for children.

A larger brick set, marble run, model, magnetic building set or construction challenge can become a shared project.

Pick something that isn't intended to be completed in five minutes.

The fun is in everyone gathering around and figuring it out together.

7. A Mystery or Escape-Room Game

If your family likes solving things, an at-home mystery or escape-room-style game can be a fun Christmas-night activity.

Everyone gets clues, puzzles and problems to solve together.

They're particularly good for older kids, teens and adults because the team has to communicate instead of everyone playing independently.

8. A Creative Challenge

Not every family enjoys traditional board games.

Try something creative instead.

A family art challenge, clay set, drawing game, karaoke setup, craft project or build-your-own kit can get everyone participating without keeping score.

And sometimes the finished creations are almost as funny as the process.

9. Bring Back a Classic From Your Childhood

One of the nicest Christmas gifts can be introducing your children or grandchildren to something you loved.

Maybe it's dominoes. Maybe it's checkers. Maybe it's a board game you remember playing at Grandma's kitchen table.

The game itself matters less than the story that comes with it.

“We used to play this every Christmas” is a pretty wonderful way to begin a new round.

10. Make the Game About Your Family

Personalized trivia, photo matching games and family-question cards can turn your own history into the entertainment.

You can even make your own.

Ask questions like:

• Who is most likely to eat the last Christmas cookie?
• Who takes the longest to open presents?
• Who remembers where we went for Christmas three years ago?
• What was Dad's favorite toy as a kid?
• Which family member is most likely to start decorating in October?

No batteries required.

11. Choose for the People Who Will Actually Play

Don't buy a family game because it looks impressive on a “best gifts” list.

Think about your family.

Do they enjoy competition—or does someone flip the board when they lose?

Do you have little children who need short games? Teenagers who enjoy strategy? Grandparents who would rather laugh than memorize twenty rules?

The right family game is the one your particular family will actually pull off the shelf.

12. Turn One Gift Into a Christmas Tradition

Choose one new family game or activity every Christmas.

Play it after dinner or once the presents are opened.

Write the year somewhere on the box.

Eventually you'll have a shelf full of family memories—not just games.

The Best Gift Might Be What Happens After You Open It

Christmas gifts are fun.

But years from now, people may not remember exactly what was under the tree.

They may remember everyone gathered around the table laughing because Grandma somehow won again.

They may remember the puzzle nobody could finish. Dad's terrible charades performance. Or begging for “one more game” before bed.

That's why we like gifts that bring people together.

Sometimes the real present is the time you spend playing with it.