The Best 5 Board Games for This Holiday Season

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The year is wrapping up and Hanukkah and Christmas are right around the corner. Here are a few my tabletop game gift recommendations for 2025.

1. Heroes of Barcadia

Grab a drink and hunt for the Drink Hoard.

This is one of my personal favorites this year and a perfect gift for anyone over the drinking age. I was skeptical as games like these can be unnecessarily difficult but it was a load of fun.

8 candles out of 8.

This is not a new game, but is my number two RPG to go to. Unlike other systems which have a focus on combat, Call of Cthulhu is more roleplay centered. For my fellow game designers I recommend playing running.

6 candles out of 8.

Love this system but many may already own it.

3. Cyberpunk Red

Out in Night City with the Chooms

Many know it from its video game Cyberpunk 2077 or its anime Edgerunners, but it has been a TTRPG since 1988. Cyberpunk Red is the latest edition. Perfect gift for anyone who loves the world.

8 candles out of 8.

4. Hues and Cues

The board is 50 shades of grey.

This game is so much fun. The best part is that I am colorblind. This does make the game difficult for me, but the concept is just so fun and unique.

5 candles out of 8.

Probably shouldn’t get it for a colorblind person.

5. Catan and its Expansions

Wait, there are Knights?

Catan is very well known but its expansions are missed. Expansions like Cities & Knights or Explorers & Pirates give the game refreshing change ups. It’s like you are turning it into Sid Myers Civilization. Any Catan lover will enjoy it.

6 candles out of 8.

It can get complicated fast.

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