It is that time of year. Families and friends come together to celebrate, share food and give presents. For some, Christmas is a religious holiday; for others, it is a cultural tradition. Whichever way you celebrate it, for most families, it is some downtime together. While it can be a stressful time for the cook of the house, it is also an excellent opportunity to release our inner child and remember how good it is to play.
It is too easy to forget to play. Life is sometimes so full of difficulties and obstacles. Playing games can be regarded as frivolous; surely, we have something else more important to do. The thing is, however, playing games is good for you. Play is a crucial way to unwind from our stressful lives.
When we play, we release endorphins that improve the functions of our brain and stimulate our creativity. Play can help us to stay young and to feel energetic. There have been studies conducted to show play stimulates the growth of the cerebral cortex and improves memory. Looking at it like that, we do not have any excuses not to play, so here are some games to consider.
Charades
The timeless classic charades will have you in stitches. However, there are only certain times of the year that you can do this because you need to have enough people together to make it work well. This is a game where one person acts out a word (usually the title of a film, TV show, book or video game) without speaking. Those playing can agree on some simple rules in advance, so the sign language for words or syllables is agreed upon upfront, but after that, it is all down to non-verbal communication. This can be a genuinely hilarious game that everyone can play regardless of age.
Picture Charades
There are several fun variations on this game. For example, rather than acting, you can play a drawing version. The concept is the same, but people must guess from the pictures.
Who am I?
Another highly entertaining game for family and friends is guessing who you are. Everyone else knows, but you do not. The simplest way to play is to write a name on a post-it note and stick it to someone’s forehead. They have to guess who they are. They are only allowed to answer yes or no questions until they get it right. This game is so simple and yet much fun.
Me time games
As much as we love to have people around, there can be a real pleasure in snatching a moment of calm on occasion. Sometimes you just need to do something for yourself. There are some tremendous solo games. This could be a pack of cards that lets you play old-fashioned solitaire. Or perhaps you like your gaming more interactive and unwind with a quick blast on the Xbox or online games. There are plenty of Christmas-themed slot games at online-slot.co.uk, like Santa Express or Scrooge Megaways. Whatever takes your fancy, just remember to indulge yourself a little.
Board Games
While you have the table out and the chairs around it, it is the perfect time to play some of your favourite board games. Monopoly is a timeless classic with many themed varieties, including The Simpsons version. Perhaps you prefer more of a murder mystery; Cluedo is a great option, and there are interactive options choices as well.
A pack of cards
The options are endless, with a pack of cards or a set of dice. You can play games like rummy or knock out whist. The rules for this are easy to find online. When playing card games, it is essential to ensure everyone follows the same rules! When the children have gone to bed, you could set up a home casino. You choose whether to play for matchsticks, pennies or bigger stakes!
