Holiday Board Game Gift Ideas
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Looking for board game gift ideas this holiday season? Every game on this page comes from a small independent studio and was picked by our team. Whether you need a family board game for Christmas, a two-player game for a couple, a Hanukkah game, a party game for adults, or a stocking stuffer card game, you will find it here, with a link to buy each one.
Prefer to shop by occasion? See the full gift guide.
Family board games for Christmas
Board games for kids and adults to play together, for Christmas Day and the long evenings after it.
Monster Highway
Monster Highway is a family board game for 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up. Build a road home out of tiles while a radioactive monster smashes everything in its path. It won a Hidden Gem award, and it is an easy Christmas gift for kids and families who like a little chaos at the table.
Maize Craze
Maize Craze is a fast dice game for 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up, that plays in about 30 minutes. Everyone rolls and places dice at the same time, racing to trace the maze. With room for six, it is a good family game night gift and a strong pick for holiday gatherings.
War of Beast
War of Beast is a card game for 2 to 6 players, ages 7 and up. It takes the classic card game War and adds magical beasts, elements, and gems to win. It is a good card game gift for kids and a fun one for family game night over the holiday break.
Two-player board games for couples
Two-player games make good gifts for couples, roommates, and anyone whose game night is usually just two.
Canosa
Canosa is a two-player abstract strategy board game based on the Sirens of Greek mythology, for ages 8 and up, at about 20 minutes a game. If you are shopping for a couple, or for someone who loves strategy board games, this is the one to give.
Prise De Fer
Prise De Fer is an 18-card sword fighting game for two players, ages 10 and up, that plays in 10 to 15 minutes. It is a pocket-sized two-player card game, a good date night game, and a thoughtful gift for a fencing fan.
Push Hand
Push Hand is a head-to-head strategy game based on the Tai Chi practice of the same name. Only 100 copies were made, each with two wooden pawns and a muslin carrying bag, which makes it a unique board game gift for a collector or a martial arts fan.
Frog Pull
Frog Pull is a quick two-player dice and card game for ages 8 and up: a tug of war over three frogs, played in 10 to 15 minutes. It is a fun small gift for kids, siblings, or a parent and child.
Christmas and Hanukkah games
Holiday-themed card games to give, or to keep on the table through December.
Krampusnacht
Krampusnacht is a Christmas card game for two players, ages 10 and up. One of you is Santa and the other is Krampus, competing through deduction and influence. It is our pick for a holiday-themed game, a Krampus gift, or something different for a Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange.
Dreidel Dash
Dreidel Dash is a Hanukkah card game for 2 players, or up to 4 with the bonus cards, ages 8 and up, that plays in 10 to 15 minutes. Spin the dreidel, race down the menorah, and collect the most gelt. It is a Hanukkah gift for kids and families that can come out on all eight nights.
Party and cooperative games for adults and teens
For holiday parties, New Year’s Eve, and any group that would rather play than watch a movie.
Alien Entity
Alien Entity is a cooperative hidden-role card game for 3 to 5 players, ages 13 and up, with rounds of five to ten minutes. One player is secretly the alien. If you want a party game for adults and teens, a game to bring to a holiday party, or a gift for a fan of social deduction games, this is it.
Stocking stuffer card games
Small-box games that fit in a stocking and get played the same day.
Gnome Squad
Gnome Squad is a pocket-sized card game for 1 to 3 players, ages 8 and up, that plays in 15 minutes and works as a solo game too. Draft a squad of gnomes and send them into battle. Small and quick, it is an easy stocking stuffer for a gamer.
More pocket-sized games that fit in a stocking: Prise De Fer, Krampusnacht, Dreidel Dash, Frog Pull, Push Hand, and War of Beast.
Gifts for the board gamer who has everything
If they already own every game, give them something for the table itself. Our handmade wooden dice towers in walnut and white oak and our tabletop dice trays are gifts for D&D players, Dungeon Masters, and tabletop RPG fans. A custom dice tower can be made with their choice of wood and emblem.
Holiday board game gift questions
What is a good board game gift for a family?
Choose a game that seats everyone and suits the youngest player. Maize Craze plays up to six from age 8, Monster Highway plays two to four from age 8, and War of Beast plays two to six from age 7.
What are good two-player board games for couples?
Canosa is a two-player abstract strategy game, Prise De Fer is a quick card duel, and Krampusnacht is a two-player game with a Christmas theme.
What board games make good stocking stuffers?
Look for small-box card games. Gnome Squad, Frog Pull, Prise De Fer, and Krampusnacht are all pocket-sized.
Is there a board game for Hanukkah?
Yes. Dreidel Dash is a Hanukkah card game about spinning the dreidel and racing down the menorah for gelt.
What is a good board game gift for adults?
For a group, Alien Entity is a hidden-role party game for three to five players. For one strategy fan, Canosa or Push Hand.