Four board games to play with friends and family during the festive season

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Catan

Catan has been a favourite of this writer for parties and catch-ups with friends because of how engrossing it can prove to be. Like the best games, it involves a nerdy learning curve at the start, after which it offers a chance to build an empire for yourself. Players earn and trade resources to build settlements and cities, as well as take control of ports. Whoever earns 10 victory points first, wins. The world building of this game can seem deceptively simple to a newbie, but beware: whoever has the robber token and achievements like building the longest road can change the game's outcome and emerge victorious in the end.

Taboo

This guessing game is a classic for a reason - it makes the shiest guests bubbly and energetic. Players, divided into teams, are given a word each, which they are not allowed to see. Their teammates must give them prompts to help them guess the word as the timer ticks. The catch is that the prompts and hints cannot be similar to the word itself. Taboo is bound to end in laughs, as players make the strangest associations.

Monopoly: cricket edition

2023 brings with it a new game that caters perfectly to the Indian taste. Hasbro, the creator of Monopoly, has launched a cricket-based edition where players can compete in matches, build dream teams and trade batsmen and bowlers. The usual properties are replaced by big Indian names in the sport; these cards list the sports person's strengths, like spin bowling or square cut.

Shasn

Like Catan, the made-in-India, award-winning game Shasn is also about managing resources smartly, but in the realm of politics. Players create legacies for themselves by taking stands on issues, using conspiracy cards and influencing how the aam junta votes. Shasn features ideologues like ‘The Idealist', ‘The Showman' and ‘The Supremo', which put players into their shoes as they expand their influence. Relatives may think that politics should be kept out of family celebrations, but this offering from Memesys Games could bring much needed spice and competitiveness to a party that looks like it will drag on.