The Ultimate Board Game Christmas Gift Guide

⬇️ BUY THE GAMES BELOW
🟠 BECOME A PATRON: / actualol
==================================================
57 board game gift ideas to buy for someone this Christmas - divided into categories, so you know which section to watch.
==================================================
🛒SHOP:
02:19 Easy Pleasers
- Cat Lady: geni.us/catlady
- Cockroach Poker: geni.us/cockroachpoker
- Codenames: geni.us/codenamesgame
- Codenames Pictures - geni.us/codenames
- Just One: geni.us/justone
- Las Vegas: geni.us/lasvegas
- L.L.A.M.A.: geni.us/LLAMA
- MicroMacro: Crime City: geni.us/micromacro
- Mysterium Park: geni.us/mysteriumpark
- Sushi Go: geni.us/sushigo
- Timeline: geni.us/timelineevents
11:27 Party Games
- Blockbuster: geni.us/blockbustergame
- Colour Brain: geni.us/colourbrain
- Mr Lister’s Quiz Shootout: geni.us/mrlister
- Concept: geni.us/concept
- Crosstalk: geni.us/crosstalk
- Decrypto: geni.us/decrypto
- Herd Mentality: geni.us/herdmentality
- Linkee: geni.us/linkee
- Mafia De Cuba: geni.us/mafiadecuba
- Monikers: geni.us/monikers
- Scrawl: geni.us/scrawl
- Top of the Pops: geni.us/topofthepops
- MTV: geni.us/mtvgame
- Unusual Suspects: geni.us/unusualsuspects
- Word Slam Family: geni.us/wordslamfamily
24:40 Gateway Games
- Camel Up: geni.us/camelup
- Celestia: geni.us/celestia
- Detective: Season One: geni.us/detectiveseasonone
- Forbidden Desert: geni.us/forbiddendesert
- Kokoro: Avenue of the Kodama: geni.us/kokoroavenue
- Paranormal Detectives: geni.us/paranormaldetectives
- Railroad Ink: geni.us/railroadink
- Sushi Roll: geni.us/sushiroll
- Ticket To Ride: geni.us/tickettoridegame
31:05 Next Step Games
- Board Game Arena Premium Membership: boardgamearena.com/premium
- Overbooked: geni.us/overbooked
- Pandemic Iberia: geni.us/pandemiciberia
- Parks: geni.us/parksgame
- Quest for El Dorado: geni.us/questforeldorado
34:55 Couples Games
- Arboretum: geni.us/arboretum
- Hive: geni.us/hivepocket
- Klask: geni.us/klask
- Onitama: geni.us/onitama
- Santorini: geni.us/santorini
- Schotten Totten 2: geni.us/schottentotten2
- Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective: geni.us/sherlockholmes
40:28 Stocking Stuffers
- Anomia: geni.us/anomia
- Bohnanza: geni.us/bohnanza
- High Society: geni.us/highsociety
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf: geni.us/onenightwerewolf
- Similo: geni.us/similo
- Skull King: geni.us/skullking
- Spicy: geni.us/spicy
- The Mind: geni.us/themind
45:34 Kids Games
- Coconuts: geni.us/coconutsdexterity
- Dragon’s Breath: geni.us/dragonsbreath
- Happy Salmon: geni.us/happysalmon
- Ice Cool: geni.us/icecool
- Junk Art: geni.us/junkart
- Rhino Hero: geni.us/rhinohero
==================================================
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
📃Get the monthly newsletter: / actualol
💷Make a one-off donation: paypal.me/actualol
==================================================
FOLLOW ME:
♟️Board Game Geek: boardgamegeek.com/user/jonpurkis
Facebook: / actualol
Twitter: / actualol
Instagram: / actualol
==================================================
Actualol is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

[@dilfhunter6123]

"that's what sofas were invented for. before that, people just lay on the floor waiting for dinner."

[@DeyaViews]

The costumes and acting was on a new level in this one! Came for recommendations, stayed for the characters. Marvelous work.

[@actualol]

Thank you! 😊

[@mattlowder]

I'm so happy for you, and proud of you, that you've bounced back after personal trials. Thanks for continuing to be in this space and in this hobby. Many of us appreciate what your voice and perspective brings.

[@sporknaut]

All I want for Christmas is an hour of Actualol

[@ryanmcnulty1006]

“Mum that’s just a drawing of Barry” Acting is incredible as always 😂

[@CoreyHardt]

"The ghost dies all over again having to listen to their nonsense" was the highlight line of this video for me, describes many of my experiences playing Mysterium EDIT: Also, my two cents: CrossTalk and Decrypto are games built from the same idea, you don't need both. (And Decrypto is the clear winner imo)

[@CitrusArchitect]

“Or some other reference Americans will get” xD Thank you for the recommendations! I am honestly just buying boardgames for myself, but it’s really fun to watch videos like this and see which ones I have not heard of, or feel validated about the ones I already own ;-)

[@kevintingley6161]

"what game?" (During Mafia de Cuba) - your finest comedy moment!! Thank you for the great video.😂

[@amandasupak]

That was some Damn good kazooing

[@RozanovaHunter]

This list is fantastic and helpful, but I can't help but be impressed by the quantity of costumes and characters. Really cool.

[@keatonhawkswell5714]

Best gift guide I’ve seen so far, the categories are perfect.

[@natts]

Proud to have my (losing) game of Patchwork featured at 31:55!

[@DestinedOblivion]

Came for the gift ideas, stayed for the storyline, lmao. Thanks for the video!

[@BenBroomfield]

Timed for Christmas, but really, it's just the best Boardgame Gift Guide full stop. Nice one 🎁

[@s4ad0wpi]

Incorrect. Now that Christmas season is over, it's no longer appropriate to obtain any of these games! (Just kidding, of course)

[@bski90]

"What game?" Hilarious. thanks for the list. Great job.

[@the_luggage]

22:46 All videos should have an awesome kazoo interlude!

[@shortydancer]

Dude i love the characters!

[@brianthomson3095]

Nice to see the "family" again!

[@amandasupak]

Games I bought this year because of your suggestions: Just One, micromacro, herd mentality, blockbuster, color brain, cross talk, decrypto, scrawl, railroad ink, overbooked, high society, and the mind! What a great year in gaming!

[@actualol]

You picked some great ones! Hope they were well received 🙂

[@evanstewy]

Thank you for the huge list!

[@carols-corner]

49+ minutes of Actualol?!? Heck YES, I am so here for this! 🍿🍿🍿

[@Melsboardgameroom]

This is a massive list. Loving it!!!

[@bumfuzzel4512]

This was incredible. Great Job.

[@AskformeJohnT]

I love your writing and all of your characters. Thank you for staying with your passion for writing

[@nikos_xenios]

This must be one of the most on point list I have ever watched, the editing/script was excellent so that you got the general idea of the game without dragging too long. Watched this on a public PC and came back to it on my phone so that I could comment and hit the like button.

[@nolanb134]

Incredible video. My Christmas shopping list is sorted. Thanks so much. Can't wait for the next video, the quality lately has been awesome

[@ccaldwell25]

Thanks for doing all my thinking for what to get my relatives (and a couple for me). This list saved me this year 😝

[@tgraphicdesign3045]

Thank you for this! Im getting started with board games and I learn many cool options feom your games.

[@amandasupak]

I love these videos every year 😍

[@meeple4hire103]

This is very well thought out. Nice job!

[@Nemmivoltunk]

That was a great kazoo performace!

[@yasmingoodwin9680]

So helpful! I know what to send people now for my wishlist haha

[@michellesimons7208]

😆 you had me laughing most of the time with the family characters you play! excellent list of games, quick and concise descriptions.

[@paulaionescu3221]

I discovered your channel a week or so ago and I am mesmerized by how many games you own, the fact that you have multiple characters when you describe the games and show how to play them (+ the jokes), and the fact that you offer info about different types of board games in case people are interested in 2 player games, party games, easy/complex to play! I already have 10 board games and I feel like I will soon need a bookcase dedicated to all the board games I want after watching one video with recommendations :))

[@Liliisntiiriis]

This is the first video I watch and love it!! It is really a great video. Awesome job!

[@tomasjonsson7789]

Very very good guide! Thanks

[@jefftothealbright]

Best board game video I’ve ever seen. Watching again.

[@giantsillyman8999]

This is 100% the best video on this channel. I’ve watched it at least 5 times for recommendations. Good work!

[@actualol]

Thanks! That has given me an idea for another video like this.

[@crowwick7652]

Good list. Couple of those are on my someday wish list. And a few I’ve never heard of.

[@MorrisMagic]

So glad to see this. This channel is underrated.

[@Krootjes]

This took so much work! Loved the acting inbetween 🤭

[@stevebrown5253]

Cracking list!

[@TehEeveeGeneral]

That rendition of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody on the kazoo was really stunning. Bravo, honestly.

[@NamaTiti]

I bought Stella this year because of your recommendation. My group has played it over 50 times, we love it to say the least.

[@mattias9095]

Another great video! I've added a lot to my wishlist

[@mattias9095]

update: just bought Blockbuster. Sadly enough it's one of the only party games that I wanted that's available in Belgium :'(

[@nrgsch0tti347]

1:30 into the video and you already deserved a Thumbs up!

[@shamamismael4300]

They are back!!!! Yay

[@dianekulback2430]

I just found your channel today and am so glad I did. You are really too funny. Have you thought of doing a stand up? I appreciate your review of these games but most of all your comedic presentation. Just what we need to start the day. Thank you!!!!

[@benvlynch]

Super, thorough video! Loads of great recommendations. Would love a top-pick(s) of each list but appreciate it can always be difficult to make recommendations as every person/situation is different.

[@actualol]

Okay, I'll give you my favourite from each category, and what I think would be the most bankable game from each: Easy Pleasers - Codenames / Just One Party Games - Word Slam / Concept (toughest category to pick) Gateway Games - Sushi Roll / Ticket To Ride Next Step - Pandemic Iberia / Parks Couple Games - Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective / Onitama Stocking Stuffers - The Mind / The Mind Kids Games - Junk Art / Dragon's Breath

[@taikothe1st]

I think Call to Adventure would be nice haha

[@lukeblackburn6738]

Lol, I assure you sometimes it's the wife

[@Grapegrape42]

Great vid!

[@voldosmith]

Great list!

[@anachimir9140]

😂I adore this channel! The jokes are amazing, thank you, you cured my depression ❤❤

[@joaquinperezblanca6242]

If this is the best boardgame youtube channel all around the world must be said and voiced! How marvelous work dear Jhon! Greetings from Spain!❤

[@actualol]

Thank you for saying it! 🙂

[@catherinetaylor556]

Fantastic list

[@melvinj.124]

Watching this mostly for the comedy 🤣

[@Zeenordnihon]

A great gift guide! Must have take a lot of time if yours. Thanks a lot for posting it!!

[@stixaw]

Love these videos... :)

[@asura899]

Hi Jon, I'am just preparing the games which I take with me for the christmas days. So I rewatch the video again and wanted to thank you for all your great videos ;) I'am always happy when I see a new video from you. I like your honest opinion, your excitement and of course your humor. You convinced me of several games which didn't caught my interest the first time and also about some games I was not aware of. Just recently I wanted to decide if I get the game "Champions of Midgard" and thought if there is somebody who could convince me then it is Jon ;) (the video is so funny ^^) So thanks a lot for all the great videos and recommendations.

[@actualol]

Thank you! 🙏 I'm so happy to hear I've helped you find games. I hope you have a wonderful game-filled Christmas! 🥳

[@wl5609]

OMG, you're soooooo damn hilarious! I love all the characters you play! Why aren't you on the BIG SCREEN!!?...🤣

[@volodja99]

Thanks for recommendations. Almost a year later I can conclude that TTR and Iberia have been excellent gifts.

[@Outrun37]

The jokes are top notch as are the suggestions

[@alexgreene5864]

Another great and entertaining vid Jon! Cat Lady and Cockroach Poker are already on my wish list. But now I know about Overbooked, which sounds like a unique and interesting game. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[@actualol]

Thank you 🙂 Merry Christmas!

[@jendubay3782]

Cat lady totally killed Sushi go for us. It’s the far superior game and we love it so much

[@kenstanitis2406]

Awesome video; very entertaining with a lot of great ideas here. New subscriber.

[@actualol]

Welcome aboard!

[@annikee5925]

Thank you!!!

[@jadein23]

I'm cracking up at your "family "

[@skyfran7357]

The mind is absolutely fantastic, im looking for other card ganes to play with friends like that

[@actualol]

There's not quite like the The Mind! But for other great, simple card games, I'd recommend No Thanks, High Society, Cockroach Poker, 6 Nimmt.

[@greplink]

I just want santa to bring me a Tracey Crokinole board

[@shortydancer]

Totally worth it too

[@h3w45]

Very well made, but unfortunately I live in a country where I can't have access to most of these games

[@maawdawg]

Great video, incredible production, and a really smart way to categorize the recommendations. I recommended Happy Salmon as a possible addition back on your video about the board game tent at a festival. Dr Hope' s Sick notes had replied he hadn't played it but I am curious if you had already at that point. I have played (conservatively) many hundreds of rounds teaching and demoing it at conventions, it is far and away my most played game all time in number of plays.

[@actualol]

Thank you! Yes, I've loved Happy Salmon for years. That segment is from my 2016 Christmas video. Can't say I've played it hundreds of times though! Respect!

[@maawdawg]

@@actualol When we did demos at conventions we would normally have them play a couple rounds with 6 players with the normal rules then we would have them play a round silently using only the hand gestures to find matches. We did many 12 player games as well, mixing the blue fish and green fish versions together since they have different color cards.

[@actualol]

Yes, I've done games of 12 and many silent games in my time too, they are so good!

[@Pablo.Minecraft.2007]

Thanks

[@GeorgMierau]

I'd love to buy Railroad Ink Challenge Lush Green (English version!), but it seems to be already sold out everywhere :(

[@Leron...]

Jon, so much work into one video! Brilliant use of repurposing old clips to create the mega mix of all Christmas recommendations... (Sadly, Crosstalk used Decrypto's title card, but if that's my only complaint on a 45 minute video, then you know you've created a winner!)

[@actualol]

Damnit! There was bound to be a mistake like that, I was editing them at a rate of one per second, hence the unusually late posting time 😬 Bit awkward because a notable reviewer said that the games were too much alike. They're not!

[@Leron...]

@@actualol TECHNICALLY there's another mistake where an old clip has you referring to your girlfriend... but hopefully she doesn't watch it :P

[@actualol]

@@Leron... Haha, good spot! I knew about that one. 😁

[@EricWoning]

I've seen quite som Christmas lists over the last days. None come even remotely close. But lets be honest.... the theme is pasted on. 😉 It's just a great list of party games, deduction games, entrypoints, next steps and kids games....

[@unraveledgamethoughts3841]

Great assemilation and I loved seeing the characters again. I shared this video with my coworkers where I started a Boardgames and Beer series a couple years ago and this was spot on for a holiday gift suggestion post! When you make it down to Denton Texas one day far far in the future, please bring a Scrumpy Jack to share as the name of the can intrigued me...lol. Side note...have you tried Nanga Parbat? Its on BGA

[@actualol]

Haha, Scrumpy Jack is a fairly cheap alcoholic apple cider, you're not missing much! Thank you for sharing the video 🙂 I haven't tried Nanga Parbat, good to know it's on BGA, will look it up, thanks!

[@unraveledgamethoughts3841]

@@actualol Send an invite to WadeB1977 if you decide to play Parbat. :)

[@daviie]

Just a note about Similo; there's 6 different themed decks by now, and they work great together

[@jsng88]

"the ghosts die all over again..." I'M DED TOO this is exactly how i felt as ghost

[@stanchechak9889]

I find it amazing that ALL the people in your videos are left-handed ?!? 🤣

[@letiziabecchelli5558]

I really loved this video! Actually, I was wondering if you had any games to play at a wedding? I'm getting married in April and my future husband and I love board games so wanted to include some simple but fun games for people of all ages/experience. Many thanks in advance and Merry Christmas! 🧑‍🎄🎄

[@Nemmivoltunk]

We played Just One, Imagine, and Spicy on our wedding (at least these are the ones I remember) :)

[@actualol]

When would they be played at the wedding? How big of a group would they need to play? Some fun games that work well with different sized groups and are very easy to play would be Just One, Herd Mentality and Wavelength.

[@gordcarleigh9157]

MTV and blockbuster look like they are the exact same game.

[@actualol]

They basically are, it just depends if you want a game about music or films.

[@ericengstrom2138]

Thanks so much for making this all in one place. There was a video where Timmy puts ketchup on pizza. Does anyone remember which video that is?

[@actualol]

That's the Champions of Midgard review 🙂

[@amandasupak]

Quick fyi: it says decrypto at 14:33 when it should say cross talk

[@jendubay3782]

Oh man, your cat lady looks a lot nicer than mine does

[@actualol]

It's the premium edition in the metal tin. Although the metal tin is a stupid annoying shape.

[@jendubay3782]

@@actualol awww I like shaped tins. Abandon all artichokes is fun!

[@rolandoa.valenzuela2756]

The pink chair is back!!!! Or is it??😂

[@actualol]

Haha! No, it has a new life now in Wales. Why? Because I sold it to someone in Wales.

[@nickvandam1214]

Will you be doing a similar video for this year?

[@lucario719]

16:26 bought herd mentality for a white elephant gift

[@dyslxeic]

Instead of The Mind get 6 Nimmt! It's the a nice competitive card game, which can still be played as the Mind so technically 2 games with the same set of cards.

[@keithbarlow8415]

"Or some reference Americans will get" 😂

[@themaster408]

"Or some reference Americans will get" I'd give you a like if I didn't already hit that like button Also, +1 on getting a BGA subscription, I hadn't thought of that. Every year I get some '10 great classic board games in 1 box' which is snakes and ladders, chess, checkers, sorry, and other games you really really don't want.

[@jaynekelso1585]

14:32 slight error, the title says Decrypto and than you go on talking about Crosstalk. But otherwise, this is an incredible video, perfect for the holidays, and great ideas for board games!

[@bestdisco1979]

Too many card games,,what happened to going round an exiting board that dictates what you do ?

[@nickvandam1214]

I was looking for a video that had the best improv party games, like Funemployed, Snake Oil, and the like. Do you think there's enough good video games to do a list like that?

[@actualol]

It's too niche of a subject to make a video on. My personal favourites are Snake Oil, Someone Has Died, Funemployed and Pitchstorm. But you really only need one or two, in my opinion. Off Your Rocker is a good one too, if you can find it. I wouldn't recommend Bad Medicine. And I prefer Snake Oil to But Wait There's More.

[@nickvandam1214]

@@actualol Thanks I hadn't heard of someone has died or Off your Rocker. I use these kinds of games at our youth group. We have Pitchstorm, Funemployed, and But Wait There's More. I heard about Aye Dark Overlord, and Snake Oil, but hadn't heard if there were many others. You're right it is definitely niche. Thanks for the great content!

[@actualol]

Another one I've never played is Champions of the Wild.

[@Goldmember1208]

Las vegas link in description is broken !

[@littlemissevel3607]

Any budget recommendations for the kind of people who think crosswords are alot fun ? ...

[@serenalangley84]

Bananagrams

[@littlemissevel3607]

@@serenalangley84 oh good shout! I already have it but i haven't played it much. I'll see if they like it. Thanks!

[@actualol]

I would say that Linkee (in the party game section) is similar to crosswords, because it's about knowing common trivia and spotting the link between the words. And for the simplicity and chilled vibes of crosswords, I would go for Timeline (in Easy Pleasers).

[@Singulitarian]

Veruca?

[@misterjerkface]

One too many kids 😂

[@matthiasschulz3569]

Is Pandemic Iberia still in print, though?

[@actualol]

It is coming back soon, so I included it for future Christmases.

[@matthiasschulz3569]

@@actualol Nice, I didn't know that! :) Thank you :)

[@seemekc]

LOL!!!

[@mmidho]

Could have put timestamps for the categories at least...