There is a forty-minute window on Christmas day, after the dinner and before somebody mentions politics, when the whole house is in one room and suggestible. These games are for that window, and for every party either side of it. Nothing to buy, nothing to set up, all ages in.
A joke of traditional quality and a game forfeit in every one. Free refills.
Fourteen visiting relatives on one broadband line is how the router dies at 4pm on Christmas day. Mortified doesn't care: it runs over the host phone's hotspot, no internet at all, and one copy covers the whole gathering, 2 to 15 people, everyone joining by QR from their own phone. The Family preset keeps it clean while the wee ones are still up; the late shift after they're down is a different game entirely.
Out now on Google Play
The Christmas games slot, sorted.
The Family preset holds the whole house, and the game doesn't care that fourteen visiting relatives just killed the wi-fi.
See how it playsFree to try. One £3.99 unlocks the full game, every pack.
Christmas charades, the hat game and wink murder hold a full house from about seven years old to ninety. Nothing to buy or set up, which matters at 4pm on the day. On phones, Mortified's Family preset is built for exactly this room.
Everything on this page. The classics need a pen and the hat you already have; the cracker above deals forfeits for free; and one copy of Mortified covers up to 15 players with everyone joining by QR code.
The hat game with colleagues instead of celebrities is dangerously good. For a table at a restaurant, Mortified runs on phones with no TV and no internet, though check the room's appetite before picking the spicier packs.
Once the wee ones are down: werewolf by fairy-light, two truths and a lie fuelled by a year of material, and Mortified with the family filter off. We say no more.
The rest of the year lives on the games night guide, and the all-ages thinking is on the family game night page.
Charade!
The acting game, fed.
4–10 playersOne phone
Your charade
The last biscuit in the tin, defended
Deal a card, hand this phone to your victim, and they act it out in silence. Whoever guesses gets dealt next.
The Duel
Two of you. One kettle.
2 players60 seconds
Your duel
Alternate naming crisp flavours. First to blank makes the tea.
The stakes are traditional and non-negotiable. Best of three for the biscuits as well.
The Letter Round
Name things. Fast.
2–8 playersNo kit
Crisp flavours
Round the circle: things in the category starting with the letter. Hesitate, repeat or blank and you're out.
Who Goes First?
Settle it like adults.
Any numberZero arguments
Phone flat in the middle of the table.
Spin. The arrow picks. Losers are welcome to argue with physics.
The Hunt
Ten finds. Full pomp at the judging.
Pairs or solo20 minutes of peace
Your list
Deal a list, send the teams out, and tap each find as it lands on the judging table. The judge's decision is final and openly accepting bribes.
The Cracker
A joke and a forfeit in every one.
Whole table🎄 Seasonal special
Why did the snowman refuse the carrot? He already nose everything.
