Are you bored of Monopoly and Taboo? Here are 5 party games that will keep you entertained during the holidays

The Christmas holidays are approaching, with a whole series of welcome returns, including flashing lights, lunches, dinners, decorations and traditional family evenings in front of a board game. Hours spent competing for victory amidst laughter, not always light rivalries and that pleasant confusion that only a house full of relatives can provide. The problem comes when we find ourselves faced with the usual titles, from Monopoly, which we now know by heart, to Taboo, which has stopped surprising.

To avoid yet another game dragged on by inertia and regain the authentic taste of playing together, it is worth looking beyond the aforementioned titles and letting yourself be intrigued by new, more dynamic proposals, often capable of involving even those who normally remain on the sidelines, without forgetting some great classics that are perhaps a little put aside. Titles designed to spark lively discussions, stimulate ingenuity or simply make you burst into uncontrollable laughter at the most inopportune moment.

If the idea is to build evenings that remain in the memory, with a more brilliant rhythm and shared fun that has nothing artificial about it, here are five party games that can transform parties into a perfect excuse to get together, chat, unplug and discover how much a simple board can change the atmosphere of an entire evening.

Lupus in Tabula

Forget classic deduction games. With Lupus in Tabula you will find yourself catapulted into a medieval village where some players are hiding a dark secret: they are hungry werewolves. During the day everyone discusses identifying the monsters, at night the wolves choose their victim. The tension grows at every turn, glances become suspicious and even the calmest relative becomes a fearsome accuser. Perfect for large groups, the game will test your bluffing skills and ability to read other people’s intentions.

Exploding Kittens

If you’re looking for something fast and unpredictable, Exploding Kittens is definitely the right choice. In this card game with an ironic look and surreal illustrations, you draw cards one after the other hoping to avoid the dreaded explosive kittens. You can defend yourself with special cards ranging from laser beams to magical goats, creating absurd combinations that will make the whole family laugh. The simplicity of the rules makes it accessible to everyone, while the strategic component keeps the attention of even the most expert players high.

Scotland Yard

Thriller fans will love Scotland Yard, a great classic where one player plays Mister X, a criminal on the run through the streets of London, while the others are detectives determined to capture him. Taxis, buses and subways become tools for escape and pursuit in a game full of tactical tension. The board reproduces the map of the British capital and every move requires careful planning: Mister

Thrill

Another great classic from the period between the Eighties and Nineties, Brivido will take us inside a three-dimensional castle where every corner will hide traps and secret passages. Roll the dice, move your character and try to be the first to escape from the haunted mansion, but be careful: a ghost wanders between the rooms and could set traps for you when you least expect it. Secret passages offer valuable shortcuts, but the risk of ending up in a trap is always around the corner. The three-dimensional element will make every game visually engaging, as well as adding a good dose of suspense to every roll of the dice.

Scarab

For those who love playing with the Italian language, Scarabeo remains an always valid and never banal option. Compose words on the board by crossing them together to accumulate points, take advantage of the bonus boxes and test your vocabulary. Unlike more chaotic games, Scrabble alternates moments of strategic reflection with intellectual satisfaction, deriving from placing that rare word worth its weight in gold. Perfect for digestive breaks after Christmas binges.

Happy Holidays!