Christmas shopping can be tricky, especially when you're buying for someone who seems to have everything or someone who never gives you any ideas! But one thing I've learnt from spending so much time surrounded by board games is that there's genuinely a game out there for almost everyone. You just have to find the right one!
And that's where personality comes in. Some people love a little friendly competition, while others would much rather spend a relaxing evening building something beautiful or working together towards a common goal. Then there are the people who thrive on absolute chaos, the ones who spend far too long planning their next move, and those who just want an excuse to get everyone around the table.
So, rather than putting together another list of the best board games to gift this Christmas, I thought it would be fun to approach things a little differently. What if we matched board games to the personalities of the people we're buying for?
Whether you're shopping for a competitive family member, a book-loving friend, or someone who insists they don't like board games (we all know at least one!), hopefully this guide will help you find something they'll love.
For the Person Who Has to Win Every Game
We all know someone who takes game night just a little too seriously. They're the person who remembers exactly how many times they've beaten you, insists on a rematch when they lose, and somehow manages to turn even the simplest game into a fierce competition.
For these people, a little friendly rivalry is half the fun! Games with plenty of opportunities to outsmart your opponents, race towards victory, or pull off a last-minute win are perfect.
Sea Salt & Paper
Don't let the beautiful origami artwork fool you! This little card game is surprisingly competitive, with players collecting sets, using special card abilities, and deciding when to end each round. There's even the opportunity to take a risk and give your opponents one last turn, hoping you'll come out on top! It's a great little stocking stuffer or for someone who loves little card games.
King of Tokyo
Perfect for someone who loves a little rivalry! Roll dice, unleash your monster's abilities, and battle to become the King of Tokyo. It's fast-paced, unpredictable, and gives everyone plenty of opportunities to steal the victory.
Unmatched
For the person who loves going head-to-head with their opponents, Unmatched is a fantastic choice. Each character has their own unique abilities and fighting style, so every battle is a new challenge. With so many different characters and sets to choose from, there's plenty of opportunity to find a new favourite fighter.
For the Person Who Loves a Cosy Night In
Not every board game needs to involve intense competition or complicated strategies. Sometimes, the best evenings are the ones spent around the table with a cup of tea, a beautiful game, and absolutely nowhere else you need to be.
This is probably one of my favourite categories because I love games that have gorgeous artwork, relaxing gameplay, and that wonderful feeling of creating something as you play. Whether it's building a garden, arranging colourful patterns, or collecting lovely little cards, these games are perfect for someone who enjoys slowing down.
Flamecraft
One of my personal favourites! In Flamecraft, you visit charming little shops, collect resources, and help artisan dragons find their perfect workplaces. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous, and I love how different each game can be depending on the shops and dragons that appear.
Daydream
If you love a relaxing game that feels a little like completing a puzzle, Daydream is a lovely choice. Roll dice, fill in the spaces on your illustrated sheets, and work towards completing different patterns and objectives. It's a wonderful way to spend a quiet afternoon, especially if you enjoy games you can play at your own pace.
Coffee Rush
For someone who dreams of running their own little cafΓ©, Coffee Rush is a gorgeous game filled with miniature drinks and delicious-looking orders. You'll race around collecting ingredients and completing customer orders, although be warned, running a cafΓ© is nowhere near as relaxing as sitting in one!
For the Person Who's Always Three Steps Ahead
Some people don't just play board games. They analyse them, plan their moves, and somehow seem to know exactly what you're going to do before you've even decided yourself.
These are the people who love strategy games. Give them a game with interesting decisions, multiple paths to victory, and plenty of opportunities to test their planning skills, and they'll be entertained for hours.
The best part is that strategy games come in all shapes and sizes, from approachable games that are easy to learn to more involved experiences that can take an entire afternoon.
The White Castle
A fantastic choice for someone who loves getting the most out of every move. With limited turns and so many different opportunities to score points, every decision matters. It's the kind of game that rewards careful planning and finding clever combinations.
Catan
A classic strategy game where you'll collect resources, build settlements, and trade with your opponents to expand your territory. It's a great choice for someone who enjoys a mixture of planning, negotiation, and a little luck.
The Castles of Burgundy
For someone who loves building an efficient strategy, this is a brilliant option. Develop your estate by placing tiles, completing regions, and finding ways to maximise your points. There's plenty to think about, and so many different approaches to victory.
For the Person Who Thrives on Absolute Chaos
You know the type. They're the person who makes completely unpredictable decisions, laughs when everything goes wrong, and somehow manages to turn a perfectly normal game night into complete madness.
For these people, the more ridiculous the game, the better!
I'm talking about games with unexpected twists, hilarious combinations, outrageous situations, and plenty of opportunities to make everyone around the table laugh. They might not always be the most strategic games, but they're often the ones everyone remembers afterwards.
Exploding Kittens
A wonderfully ridiculous card game where the goal is simple: don't draw an Exploding Kitten! With cards that let you steal, skip, and sabotage your opponents, things can change very quickly. It's easy to learn and perfect for people who enjoy causing a little mischief.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
This one is absolute chaos in the best possible way. Players take turns saying the words in the game's title while flipping cards, racing to slap the pile whenever the word and card match. It sounds simple, but once everyone starts getting confused, the laughter really begins.
Joking Hazard
For adults who enjoy outrageous humour, this card game challenges players to create the funniest (and often most ridiculous) three-panel comic strips. You never quite know what combination is going to appear next, which is half the fun!
For the Person Who Thinks They Could Solve Any Mystery
Whether they're obsessed with crime novels, love a good detective show, or can't resist trying to work out the ending of a movie before everyone else, some people simply love a mystery.
Luckily, board games offer plenty of opportunities to put those detective skills to the test!
From solving puzzles and uncovering hidden clues to working together to crack a case, mystery games can be incredibly satisfying. And unlike watching a detective solve everything on television, this time you're the one who has to figure it all out.
Mysterium
One player takes on the role of a ghost, communicating through mysterious illustrated vision cards while everyone else works together to uncover the truth behind a murder. It's a wonderfully atmospheric game that requires plenty of creative thinking and interpretation.
Unlock!
These escape-room-style games are perfect for anyone who loves solving puzzles and uncovering clues. Each adventure presents a new mystery, with players working together to solve challenges before time runs out. They're particularly fun for people who enjoy escape rooms but want to experience one at home.
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
For the person who really thinks they could give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money! Examine evidence, follow leads, interview suspects, and work through detailed cases to uncover the truth. It's a brilliant choice for someone who loves a proper detective challenge.
For the Person Who Loves Nature
For the gardeners, animal lovers, birdwatchers, and people who are happiest surrounded by greenery, there are some absolutely beautiful nature-inspired board games.
One of the things I love about this category is how much thought goes into the artwork and themes. You can create thriving habitats, grow colourful gardens, discover wildlife, or explore the natural world, all from your dining room table.
And while some of these games are wonderfully relaxing, others have a surprising amount of strategy hidden beneath their beautiful illustrations.
Pergola
Another of my personal favourites! In Pergola, you create your own beautiful garden by collecting flowers, plants, and insects. I love how much freedom you have when arranging everything, and how completely different everyone's garden looks by the end. It's such a lovely game for anyone who enjoys gardening or beautiful artwork.
Wingspan
Perfect for bird lovers! In Wingspan, you'll attract different species of birds to your wildlife habitats, collecting food, laying eggs, and creating combinations of abilities to score points. The illustrations are gorgeous, and there's so much variety in the birds you can discover.
Verdant
For the person whose house is slowly turning into an indoor jungle, Verdant is a wonderful choice. You'll arrange houseplants and furniture to create a cosy home, making sure your plants receive the right amount of light to thrive. It's a beautiful combination of gardening, decorating, and puzzle-solving.
For the Person Who Loves Hosting Game Nights
Some people are happiest when they've got a house full of friends, plenty of snacks on the table, and everyone laughing together.
For the natural host, party games are an excellent gift. They're usually easy to teach, get everyone involved, and don't require hours of explaining rules before the fun begins.
Whether it's a game of quick thinking, hilarious questions, creative clues, or bluffing your way to victory, these are the games that can turn an ordinary evening into a memorable one.
Hitster
A fantastic choice for music lovers! Listen to songs, guess when they were released, and try to place them in the correct order on your musical timeline. It's easy to get everyone involved, and you don't necessarily need to know every song to have a great time.
Poetry for Neanderthals
A hilarious party game where you have to get your teammates to guess words and phrases using only single-syllable words. Sounds easy, right? It's surprisingly difficult, especially when you're racing against the clock! And if you accidentally use a word with more than one syllable, prepare to get whacked with the inflatable NO! Stick. It's a brilliant choice for anyone who loves a game night filled with laughter and a little chaos!
Piles!
A fast-paced matching game where everyone races to collect sets of matching clothing cards. With players swapping cards at the same time, it gets wonderfully frantic! It's a great option for groups who enjoy quick games with plenty of energy.
For the Person Who Loves a Little Me-Time
When people think of board games, they usually imagine a group of friends or family sitting around a table. But some of my favourite games are actually ones you can play entirely by yourself!
Solo board games are a wonderful way to unwind, especially for people who enjoy puzzles, quiet hobbies, or spending a little time away from screens.
Some offer relaxing challenges you can complete in a short session, while others take you on an entire adventure. And there's something really satisfying about being able to sit down, play at your own pace, and enjoy a game without worrying about anyone else's next move.
Unsurmountable
A lovely little solo game where you attempt to climb a mountain by arranging cards and navigating obstacles. It's compact, easy to bring out whenever you have a spare moment, and offers a satisfying challenge without needing a huge amount of table space.
Kinfire Delve
For someone who enjoys a little fantasy adventure, Kinfire Delve offers a challenging dungeon-crawling experience that can be played solo. You'll work through encounters, manage your cards, and try to overcome the dangers waiting below.
Daydream
Daydream is also a wonderful solo recommendation. With its lovely illustrated sheets and relaxing dice-placement gameplay, it's perfect for someone who enjoys quiet activities, puzzles, and having something to work towards at their own pace.
For the Person Who Dreams of Adventure
Some people love the idea of discovering new places, exploring unknown worlds, and setting off on a grand adventure. And while we can't always pack our bags and head somewhere exciting, board games can take us on some pretty incredible journeys.
From fantasy worlds filled with magical creatures to epic quests, daring expeditions, and stories where your decisions shape what happens next, adventure games are perfect for people with big imaginations.
They're also a great choice for anyone who loves fantasy books, role-playing games, or video games and wants to experience that same sense of discovery around the table.
Sleeping Gods
For the person who loves getting lost in another world, Sleeping Gods offers an incredible adventure filled with exploration, interesting characters, and choices that shape your journey. It's particularly appealing to people who enjoy story-driven experiences and discovering what lies around the next corner.
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
Set off on your own adventure through Middle-earth in this cooperative game filled with exploration, battles, and quests. It's a fantastic choice for fantasy fans who want to immerse themselves in a familiar world and experience their own adventure.
Vantage
For someone who loves exploring new worlds and discovering the unexpected, Vantage is a fantastic choice! After crash-landing on an uncharted planet, you'll explore mysterious locations, make decisions, and uncover secrets as you go. With hundreds of places to discover and countless possibilities, every adventure can take you somewhere completely different!
Finding the Perfect Game Is Half the Fun!
One of my favourite things about board games is just how different they can be. You can have two games sitting side by side on a shelf that offer completely different experiences, and that's what makes finding a game for someone so much fun.
My favourite thing about giving board games as gifts is that it's not just this thing that they're going to put aside and forget about. You're giving them an experience and your time; you're saying, 'I want to spend time learning and playing this game with you', and that's the magic with gifting board games.
And who knows? You might even end up finding a new game for yourself while you're shopping!
