Right, so I’m always on the lookout for fresh ideas for my ‘Articles about home entertaining’. This week I’m diving into ‘Cozy Holiday Gatherings’. I want ideas that’ll appeal to everyone – from Great Aunt Mildred to the smallest nipper running around. And I struck gold talking to Imogen, who runs the most legendary Christmas Eve game nights I’ve ever heard of. She’s got it down to a science, a very festive, fun science.
“It’s all about inclusivity,” Imogen explained, settling back with a mince pie and a determined glint in her eye. “You can’t just chuck Monopoly at everyone and hope for the best. You need options, tailored to different ages and attention spans.” And that’s where her ‘Holiday Game Night Extravaganza’ comes in. It’s not just a haphazard selection of dusty board games; it’s a curated experience.
The Game Selection:
First, the backbone of the whole operation: a diverse range of games. “We start with the classics,” Imogen tells me, “but with a festive twist.”
- For Everyone (All Ages): “Charades is a must. Think Christmas carols, festive films, and family traditions. We also love ‘Holiday Pictionary’ – drawing snowmen, presents, reindeer, and the like.” Imogen suggests simple variations like timed rounds and bonus points for creative clues.
- For the Littler Ones (5-10 Years): “’Christmas Bingo’ is a winner. Create cards with festive images or words. As you call out the images/words, they mark their cards. First to Bingo wins! We also adapt ‘Pass the Parcel’ with silly holiday-themed dares written on slips of paper inside the layers.”
- For the Teens and Adults (13+ Years): “’Cards Against Humanity: Holiday Edition’ is… well, you know. But for a cleaner option, we love ‘Telestrations: Holiday Edition’. It’s hilarious! And for the more strategic, ‘Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries’ always goes down well.”
Imogen stresses the importance of having instructions readily available, preferably printed out or displayed on a tablet. “No one wants to spend half the evening deciphering complex rules!” she laughs.
Prizes and the Competitive (But Friendly!) Atmosphere:
“Prizes are key,” Imogen states firmly. “But they don’t need to be extravagant. Think festive chocolates, small gift sets, funny mugs, or even homemade biscuits.” She organises them tiered in value, with small prizes for winning individual rounds and slightly bigger ones for overall game winners.
To keep the atmosphere light and friendly, Imogen has a few clever tricks. “We have a ‘Holiday Cheer’ rule. If someone gets overly competitive, they have to sing a Christmas carol! It instantly diffuses any tension.” She also emphasizes teamwork, suggesting games like ‘Codenames’ where people must work together to decipher clues.
Teams of Mixed Age Ranges:
This is where Imogen’s extravaganza really shines. “Mixing up the age ranges creates some hilarious dynamics. The younger ones often have surprising insights, and the older ones bring experience and strategic thinking.” She suggests structuring games like trivia or scavenger hunts into teams, pairing younger kids with grandparents or teens with younger siblings. “It promotes bonding and encourages everyone to participate, regardless of their skill level in any particular game.”
Adding that Extra Sparkle:
While Imogen doesn’t have an orangery (sadly, she jokes!), she emphasizes the importance of the atmosphere. “Good food, good music, and festive decorations are essential. Think mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas lights, and a roaring fire (or a festive-themed scented candle if you don’t have a fireplace!). It all contributes to creating a warm and inviting space where everyone feels comfortable and ready to have fun.”
Bringing it All Together:
What I love about Imogen’s approach is that it’s not just about playing games; it’s about creating memories. By carefully selecting a range of games, offering suitable prizes, promoting a positive atmosphere, and embracing the concept of mixed-age teams, she’s crafted a holiday tradition that brings her entire family together, year after year. By curating a game selection for all ages, offering instructions, planning prizes and creating teams and having good food, music and festive decorations, you can ensure you offer something for everyone at your cozy holiday gathering. This can be more than just playing games, it is about creating memories.
