How to Decorate for a Board Game Christmas Party: Christmas Game Night

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations are an important but optional part. I hope you keep the Christmas decoration section as is. The presence of Christmas decoration helps differentiate this unique Christmas night from just a regular game night. If possible, we should still keep some Christmas backgrounds. We want to have a unique board game Christmas party, but it still needs to be a Christmas party, right?

The choice of Christmas decorations often directly determines the overall style of the party, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas wallpapers, Christmas cacti, and Christmas clothes. Traditional Christmas decorations create the traditional Christmas party atmosphere, with a unique sense of tradition.

Whether you truly feel that these traditional Christmas decorative elements are more beautiful or think that the changes for the board game Christmas party shouldn't be too radical, you can choose to keep the Christmas decorations unchanged.

If you want the entire party to feel more board game-themed, you can simply add board game elements to the Christmas decorations. The Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas wallpapers, Christmas cacti, and Christmas clothes can be adjusted with board game elements, and you can even ditch the Christmas sweater, especially the ugly Christmas sweater. What do you think about a board game-themed Christmas pajamas?

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Strategy Board Games

If you're a strategy board game (e.g., Catan Board Game, Risk Board Game) player, simplicity, reason, minimalism, and refinement are your style.

Christmas Trees

Design Style: A preference for simple and logically structured trees, with decorations that are not too complicated.

Christmas Ornaments: Christmas ornaments can include game boards, pieces, dice, cards, resource blocks, etc. For example, hang Catan resource cards on the tree or use small game pieces as decorations.

Color Scheme: Minimalistic tones, favoring colors like black, white, and gold for a calm, understated appearance.

Christmas Lights

Style: Warm white or gold string lights to create a peaceful and rational holiday atmosphere.

Placement: String lights can be used to decorate tree branches, windows, or bookshelves, adding a warm festive touch.

Christmas Wallpapers

Use a chessboard or card pattern combined with Christmas tree decorations, with color schemes leaning towards subtle gold, silver, or deep blue.

A Christmas background with grid-like layouts can symbolize strategic planning and careful preparation.

Christmas Cacti

Style: A modern, minimalist Christmas cactus that may not be a traditional Christmas element but complements the logical thinking of strategy game players with its simple look.

Decorations: You can place small game boards or dice decorations next to the Christmas cactus for an interesting contrast.

Christmas Clothes

Clothing Suggestion: Simple and understated clothing that still maintains a holiday feel. For example, you could opt for a Christmas sweater with chessboard or dice patterns or a classic red-green combination.

Accessories: Simple Christmas-themed ties or scarves, avoiding overly complicated decorations while keeping the calm demeanor of a strategy player.

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Role-Playing Board Games

If you're a role-playing board game (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons) player, fantasy and adventure will deeply captivate you.

Christmas Trees

Design Style: These players prefer fantastical, magical trees, with decorations that evoke an epic, adventurous feel.

Christmas Ornaments: Use dragon-shaped ornaments, mini weapons, magic books, gems, etc., to emphasize role-playing game elements. You can also hang small character models or decorate with magical symbols.

Color Scheme: Strong fantasy hues like purple, gold, silver, and red to create a mysterious and magical atmosphere.

Christmas Lights

Style: Colorful or flickering lights are more suitable for these players, enhancing the sense of mystery and fantasy.

Placement: Lights can be arranged on the tree or throughout the room to create a magical and fantasy-filled space.

Christmas Wallpapers

Decorate the Christmas tree with elements like dragons, knights, spellbooks, gems, etc., and use mystical colors such as purple, gold, red, and green.

You can incorporate magical symbols, ancient maps, or character models (e.g., elves, wizards) into the wallpaper to enhance the fantasy feel.

Christmas Cacti

Style: For RPG players, cacti can interestingly integrate with the decor, especially if you choose fantasy-themed cacti, such as ones decorated with small dcactusragons or fairies.

Decorations: You can add mini characters or fantasy props around the for a more personalized fantasy atmosphere.

Christmas Clothes

Clothing Suggestion: Role-playing fans love wearing costumes of their favorite game characters, such as wizard robes, warrior armor, or elf ears, fully immersing themselves in the game's atmosphere.

Accessories: Consider carrying a staff, magic rings, or iconic character jewelry to enhance the fantasy vibe.

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Card Board Games

If you're a card board game (e.g., Magic: The Gathering) player, vibrant and dynamic colors will energize you.

Christmas Trees

Design Style: A modern, minimalistic design highlighting game elements. The tree can be decorated as a "card tree," with classic cards or game props hanging on it.

Christmas Ornaments: Use cards, card boxes, dice, etc., from Magic: The Gathering for decoration, or hang up fun card illustrations.

Color Scheme: Bright colors like red, green, and purple to add energy and dynamism.

Christmas Lights

Style: Multicolor string lights or LED bulbs with dynamic and lively designs. You can opt for flickering lights or more rhythmically designed decorations.

Placement: Lights can be strung along the card table, walls, or tree branches to bring fun to the board game night.

Christmas Wallpapers

Use card patterns, dice, or magical effects mixed with Christmas elements like card-style Christmas gifts or decorations.

Opt for bright colors like red, green, and gold to create an energetic, dynamic atmosphere, matching the speed and thrill of card games.

Christmas Cacti

Style: Cacti are often modern-style plants, so you can opt for simple yet quirky little cacti decorated with card elements.

Decorations: Place card-themed mini accessories around the Christmas cactus for added fun.

Christmas Clothes

Clothing Suggestion: Christmas sweaters or T-shirts featuring card patterns, simple but fun. For example, clothes with Magic: The Gathering designs or game logos.

Accessories: Consider small card-themed accessories or card-patterned socks and hats.

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Party Board Games

If you're a party board game (e.g., Magic: The Gathering) player, vibrant colors and a lively atmosphere will encourage interaction.

Christmas Trees

Design Style: Fun and lively design, decorated with many game-related elements, emphasizing interactivity.

Christmas Ornaments: Use mini dice, party hats, puzzle pieces, or game cards and small props as Christmas ornaments.

Color Scheme: Bright colors like red, orange, and yellow, emphasizing the party atmosphere and sense of interaction.

Christmas Lights

Style: Bright, colorful string lights with flashing lights to enhance the party atmosphere.

Placement: Place the lights in various corners of the party space to create a lively environment.

Christmas Wallpapers

Design a cheerful Christmas-themed background with smiley faces, Santa hats, cartoon-style Christmas trees, or small gift boxes, along with elements from party games (e.g., puzzle pieces, dice, checkered patterns).

Use bright lights, sparkling effects, and celebratory motifs to reflect the festive atmosphere of a party game.

Christmas Cacti

Style: Choose fun cacti decorated with party elements, such as small hats or sparkly ornaments to increase the festive vibe.

Decorations: You can decorate the Christmas cactus with game-related elements or surround it with colorful lights.

Christmas Clothes

Clothing Suggestion: Fun, playful Christmas clothes, such as T-shirts or sweaters with game card or party patterns.

Accessories: Wear holiday party hats, fun socks, and other accessories to enhance the party vibe.

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Christmas Games

Christmas games don't necessarily need to be Christmas-themed. The game itself and the Christmas theme are not bound together. Rather than picking a poor Christmas-themed board game, it's better to choose a suitable one. Over the course of the party, everyone will be focused on the Christmas game, so selecting the right one is crucial. A good board game can serve not only as a Christmas toy (miniatures) but also as a Christmas story (role-playing game narratives), making it a perfect fit for the occasion. Christmas Eve can also be easily enjoyed this way.

Believe in the process of board games, and you'll surely capture many merry Christmas images. Don't forget to pair it with some Christmas music to match the atmosphere! What kind of game do you think A Christmas Carol would be suitable for? This is really an interesting question.

Here are some recommended board games, including some with Christmas themes, to help you pick the right Christmas game:

Family Gatherings

Family gatherings usually involve members of all ages, so the recommended games need to be easy to understand, interactive, and suitable for everyone.

UNO

Type: Card Game

Players: 2-10

Why: A classic card game with simple rules, fast-paced, and easy to learn, providing laughter and interaction for everyone.

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Pictionary

Type: Drawing and Guessing Game

Players: 4-8

Why: Players draw pictures to have their teammates guess words or phrases, suitable for both kids and adults, increasing family interaction.

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Codenames

Type: Word Guessing Game

Players: 4-8

Why: A simple and interactive game where players guess words based on clues, making it a good choice for family gatherings.

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Christmas Parties

Christmas party games are usually relaxed and fun, so the games need to be easy to get into and great for a lively atmosphere. Here are some festive games to consider:

Telestrations

Type: Drawing and Guessing Game

Players: 4-8

Why: A fast-paced and fun game that's perfect for a holiday party.

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Christmas Charades

Type: Charades Game

Players: 4-12

Why: A holiday-themed charades game where players act out Christmas-related words or phrases, filled with fun and interaction, perfect for Christmas parties.

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Happy Salmon

Type: Quick Party Game

Players: 3-6

Why: A quick, interactive party game that's easy to play, adding fun to the holiday atmosphere.

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Games for Kids and Families

For gatherings with kids, the games should be simple, child-friendly, but still enjoyable for adults.

Jenga

Type: Stacking Game

Players: 2-6

Why: A classic game that's easy to play and great for family fun.

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Rummikub

Type: Number Puzzle Game

Players: 2-4

Why: A simple yet strategic game that's great for families.

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Labyrinth

Type: Maze Strategy Game

Players: 2-4

Why: A strategy game where players navigate through a maze to find treasure, ideal for families to play together.

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Games for Adults or Experienced Players

For adults or seasoned board gamers who enjoy more complex and strategic games, here are a few that will satisfy their needs:

Catan

Type: Resource Management and Trading Strategy Game

Players: 3-4

Why: A classic strategy game where players trade and build to expand their influence.

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Ticket to Ride

Type: Railway Building Strategy Game

Players: 2-5

Why: Simple yet strategic, focusing on building the best routes, requiring thinking and planning.

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Terraforming Mars

Type: Resource Management and Strategy Game

Players: 2-4

Why: A deep strategy game where players manage resources to terraform Mars and build their own companies.

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Christmas-Themed Board Games

To make the festive atmosphere stronger, you can choose Christmas-themed board games to heighten the holiday experience.

Tannenbaum

Type: Christmas Tree Decorating Strategy Game

Players: 2-4

Why: Players cooperate and compete to decorate a Christmas tree, bringing a festive feel.

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Christmas Trivia

Type: Christmas Knowledge Quiz

Players: 2-8

Why: A fun quiz game about Christmas history, songs, movies, and more, perfect for the holiday spirit.

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Santa's Workshop

Type: Cooperative Strategy Game

Players: 2-4

Why: A collaborative game where players work together to make Christmas gifts, great for family and friends.

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Christmas Food

Christmas food typically leans toward being small, convenient, shareable, and pairs well with alcohol, as well as being suitable for appetizers and post-meal treats. This is mainly because the table space is limited, food often needs to be shared, and entertainment is usually paired with drinks during the party. Therefore, Christmas cookies, Christmas cakes, Christmas desserts, and Christmas treats are all highly suitable for a board game Christmas party.

It's worth mentioning that some players think foods that require utensils work better to avoid crumbs, but this does require some space on the game table, so you can choose based on your particular situation. Can you come up with some interesting Christmas dinner ideas? Or, do you need some Christmas crack recipes?

Common Christmas Food Recommendations:

Small and Convenient Snacks

Board games usually require players to engage with their hands, so the food should not be too complex or greasy. It's better to choose small, convenient foods that can be eaten in one bite.

Mini Sandwiches

Recommendation: Mini sandwiches are easy to grab, don't dirty the hands, and can be customized with fillings based on player preferences (such as turkey, cheese, vegetables, etc.).

Suggestion: You can prepare different types of mini sandwiches, such as classic ham and cheese, chicken salad, or vegetarian sandwiches, to cater to different player tastes.

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Christmas Cookies

Recommendation: Cookies are classic Christmas treats, come in various shapes, and are easy to eat without messing up the game table. You can make or buy frosted cookies with Christmas elements to enhance the festive atmosphere.

Suggestion: Common Christmas cookies include gingerbread, Christmas tree-shaped cookies, and more. You can add chocolate or candy for decoration.

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Mini Pizzas

Recommendation: Small pizzas are easy to share and don't require utensils, so players can easily eat them with their hands.

Suggestion: Offer mini pizzas with different flavors, including both vegetarian and meat options, to meet the needs of all players.

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Foods for Sharing

Board game parties usually involve multiple participants, so the food should be shareable and not require individual preparation for each person. Here are some great foods for sharing:

Cheese Platter

Recommendation: A cheese platter is perfect for parties and gatherings. You can serve a variety of cheeses along with dried fruits, nuts, grapes, olives, crackers, etc., offering a variety of options to satisfy different tastes.

Suggestion: Choose a selection of soft and hard cheeses, blue cheese, goat cheese, and more to provide diverse textures and pairings.

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Salad Bar

Recommendation: A salad is a healthy and easy-to-share option. Eating fresh salad during board games satisfies the appetite without feeling greasy.

Suggestion: Provide various vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, and dressings, allowing players to mix and match and make their preferred salads.

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Fruit Platter

Recommendation: A fruit platter is rich in vitamins and has a refreshing taste, ideal for snacking during the game breaks. It's healthy and not greasy.

Suggestion: Choose easy-to-share fruits like grapes, strawberries, orange slices, chopped apples, and bananas that are both tasty and convenient to eat.

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Desserts and Candies

Board game players often enjoy some sweet treats to add to the festive atmosphere, especially during breaks and interactions.

Christmas Cake

Recommendation: Christmas cake usually has rich fruit, spices, and alcohol flavors, making it perfect for the holiday atmosphere. It can be cut into small pieces for easy sharing.

Suggestion: Classic Christmas pudding, fruitcake, or a simple red velvet cake can be made and cut into small pieces for everyone to share.

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Chocolate

Recommendation: Chocolate is a traditional Christmas treat, especially suitable for board game players during breaks. You can choose small chocolate balls, chocolate bars, or candies.

Suggestion: Choose high-quality dark chocolate or creamy milk chocolate that is perfect for sharing.

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Candy Canes

Recommendation: Candy canes are a typical Christmas candy, with a cute, sweet shape. They can serve as both a holiday decoration and a treat.

Suggestion: You can place candy canes on the table for players to pick up anytime. They're fun in shape and full of holiday spirit.

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Foods to Pair with Alcohol

If your board game party includes alcoholic beverages (such as mulled wine, beer, cocktails, etc.), consider serving some finger foods that pair well with drinks.

Mini Burgers

Recommendation: Mini burgers are perfect for pairing with beer or other drinks, easy to grab, and filling.

Suggestion: Offer beef, chicken, or vegetarian mini burgers with simple toppings like cheese, lettuce, and tomato. They're tasty and convenient.

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Chicken Wings

Recommendation: Chicken wings are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfect for sharing. They pair well with beer, mulled wine, or other drinks, offering a richer taste experience.

Suggestion: Provide different flavors of chicken wings (e.g., honey, spicy, roasted) that fit the relaxed atmosphere of a board game party.

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Mini Hot Dogs

Recommendation: Mini hot dogs are easy to grab, ideal for sharing, and can be paired with ketchup, mustard, and other condiments.

Suggestion: Offer both classic and creative hot dogs (e.g., with onions, cheese, etc.).

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Foods for Cold Plates and After-Dinner Snacks

During board games, everyone's attention is often focused on the game, so it's important to choose foods that are easy to eat and require little preparation.

Chips and Onion Dip

Recommendation: Chips and onion dip are classic party snacks that are easy to eat and won't make a mess. Players can enjoy them anytime.

Suggestion: Offer different flavors of chips, paired with traditional onion dip or yogurt dip.

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Popcorn

Recommendation: Popcorn is a light snack, ideal for eating during board games without making a mess.

Suggestion: You can make special-flavored popcorn, like caramel popcorn, cheese popcorn, etc., to add some fun.

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Christmas Gifts

The first Christmas gift for gamer recommendation is board game accessories and board game components, followed by board game-related artwork, and finally, board game furniture such as board game tables and board game storage, board game, and board game expansions. If you're thinking about gifting board game furniture, you should be careful, even though a DnD table and a board game storage cabinet can be very helpful for board game players.

For more details, check out the article The Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Board Gamers 2025 on Reddit. This article discusses various Christmas gift ideas, and I believe it will help you establish a strong framework for thinking about Christmas gift ideas. It will surely assist you in selecting gifts for gamers that will surprise anyone who has everything, while also being affordable for you.

In addition, the article mentioned above highlights the 3D printer. If the recipient has many Christmas craft ideas and enjoys DIY Christmas crafts, you might consider gifting them a board game 3D printer. Who knows, next Christmas, you might even receive unique Christmas stocking stuffers made with it. Speaking of which, a unique Christmas stocking seems like a good idea too?

If you're interested in learning about some board game 3D printing experiences, the article 3d Printing for Board Games: Two Hobbies that Each Make the Other More Fun is perfect for you.

When giving Christmas gifts, don't forget to include Merry Christmas wishes.