Assuming the game closet already contains the Top Ten Classic board games, here are another top ten board games which make great Christmas gifts.  The gift of a game spreads the joy of Christmas and brings entertainment for days to follow.  Games provide just one more reason for family and friends to gather together and have a great time.

The Hobbit movie premiered in theaters just a few weeks prior to Christmas in 2012, but the Hobbit board game can still make the list. It will extend the captivating adventure of Middle Earth onto the game table.  Staying with the fantasy theme, other games consisting of wizards, forests, magic, dragons, spells, and mystical creatures are included, as well.  All will bring timeless fun to players this, or any other Christmas.

Depending on the age of player can help determine which Hobbit game to consider.  If a Lego fan, the Hobbit Lego game is ideal. Here, players construct the board from Lego’s and then compete to find the missing dwarves.  The dwarves have become lost in the Hobbit holes of the Shire.  Players challenge their memory skills and enjoy an unexpected journey. (recommended for 2-4 players, ages 7 and up, about 15-30 minutes to play)


The Hobbit board game by Fantasy Flight Games has players compete to reach the Lonely Mountain and claim all the treasure from the evil dragon Smaug.  Answering riddles, reciting songs, and stealing treasure, without being noticed by Smaug, provide an entertaining and suspenseful time. (recommended for 2-5 players, ages 10 and up, and about 45-60 minutes to play)


Lord of the Rings is a cooperative board game which all players (as Hobbits) travel to Mordor in attempt to destroy the One Ring.  It is a challenging goal for older players.  Players win if they succeed in throwing the ring into Mount Doom.  However, they lose if they have been overcome by the influence of Sauron. Although difficult to win, the game offers a rewarding and stimulating endeavor for players. (recommended for 2-5 players, for ages 12 and up, about 60 minutes to play)

 

Seven Dragons is a domino-style card game.  The cards are beautifully illustrated and feature colorful dragons.  Easy to learn, players strive to connect seven of the same colored dragons together by placing cards against matching panels. The Silver dragon card begins the energizing drawing and playing card game of Seven Dragons. (recommended for 2-5 players, ages 6 and up (plus a preschool version), about 15-30 minutes to play)


Explore and hunt for treasure through the Enchanted Forest. Offering a mixture of strategy and chance, players of this board game have a magical time searching for items from their favorite fairy tales.  The game consists of a great theme that children find amusing, and all while enhancing their memory skills. (recommended for 2-6 players, ages 6 and up, about 30 minutes to play)


The cooperative board game of Castle Panic makes a great gift for Christmas.  It works both as a solitaire game for when only one person wants to play, and as a family game.  Players all work together (or by oneself) to defend their castle from goblins, orcs and other monsters creeping out of the surrounding forest towards the castle.  Destroying all monsters before they take over the castle’s tower wins the game.  (recommended for 1-6 players, ages , about 30 minutes to play)

The card game of Fantasy Wizard reveals a winner by using the Score Pad of Truth.  Dwarves, Humans, Elves, and Giants, battle, but Wizards trumps all.  A player looks into the future and places the number of tricks he predicts he will take on the score pad of Truth.  The best wizard, at peering into the future, wins. (recommended for 2-4 players, ages 10 and up, about 15-30 minutes to play)


Magician’s Kitchen is a new and unique board game.  Apprentices strive to add and mix up the four needed ingredients into their cauldrons.  They must be careful, though, because there are hidden stumbling points (magnets underneath the game board) which will cause them to toss and lose the required items.  The first apprentice to succeed in mixing his brew wins. Suspenseful and spellbinding fun!  (recommended for 2-4 players, ages 5 and up, 30 minutes to play)


The award winning game of Whoowasit? is another fantastic and cooperatively played board game.  The electronic treasure chest provides random clues and determines the game’s difficulty.  It is a unique feature to the game.  Players need to uncover clues, discover the magical ring, and defeat the evil Wizard, all while collecting food in order to communicate with animals. Exploring a castle has never been so much fun!  (recommended for 2-4 players, ages 7 and up, about 30 minutes to play)

For players who like collectible card games, Summoner Wars is an ideal gift for Christmas.  The master set comes with all six civilizations with easily to learn instructions.  The different factions offer different strategies for game play.  As some players describe it, a two player game is like a mixture of chess with surprising magic.  Fantastic and challenging. (recommended for 2-4 players, ages and up, about 30-60 minutes to play)

Opening the above fantasy themed games on Christmas morning will only be the beginning of the adventure.  Players, like the Hobbit in the movie, will be able to go on their own unexpected journeys through the play of the games.  They can be enjoyed by families and friends on any game night of the year.  Merry Christmas!

(check out the top ten best stocking stuffer games too or create a Christmas fun and games gift basket for a family with the games above)