Ideas to get a guest involved in Christmas "fun"

[CandlesandClemantines]

We have a very sweet guest coming whose ultra sensitive, lives alone and is hyper sensitive on their needs and why they are the way the are (brilliant BTW)
I think because they live alone they don't have that interaction with someone helping to move on from things.
They are wonderful company and we are low on family and I do love hosting them but I wish they would do a tenny bit more interaction with Xmas games.

For the dc so it's not adult talking.

He doesn't like anything that seems to test his intellect.
Murder mystery? Anything like that anyone can recommend?

@ManchesterLu surely that includes the two children having some fun???

So, let them have their fun with people who want to join in.

You are familar with the expression "you can lead a horse to water..."?

According to you, your guest is

• very sweet
• brilliant
• wonderful company

Just let the guest be the way he is. Invite him to join in the games and jolliness, but don't badger him. Enjoy his wonderful company, and let him be himself.

I hope you will all have a wonderful Christmas!

at the expense of your guest @CandlesandClemantines?

I don’t think it would be awkward? He might enjoy just observing and enjoying your company … not everyone wants to join in. Some prefer to be spectators. I would worry that he would feel very uncomfortable if you pressurise him to join in.

https://www.lakeland.co.uk/74637/6-lakeland-murder-mystery-whodunnit-christmas-crackers

So why don't you have Christmas day as a family and invite him on Boxing Day. Or play family games on Boxing Day when he's not there and let your children play with their new Christmas presents after late lunch and watch TV whilst the adults chat on Christmas day.

We got crackers with kazoos in one year, and a game book came with it. You had to be in teams and try to guess the tune the person on the other team was blowing into their kazoo. I haven't laughed so much in a very long time.

@AngelinaFibres I love that he's chatty because I feel it's me carrying it when he's not with us, covid, illness etc.

So I do appreciate that but dh isn't much of a talker so it's just him. Ie only 3 adults and 2 talkers

@Readingallthetime 😂🙏 thank you!! I never thought real made ones would exist.. These could be the solution! Thanks

@thatsawhopperthatlemon that sounds brilliant also thank you

The issue isn't that you really want to play games, you just want to lighten the atmosphere right?
I understand that, my MIL will talk at people, until people actually walk away.

I don't think you can 'encourage' someone to play games because he will end up simply adding negativity to your game. I think suggesting he pours a nice glass of wine, grabs a box of chocs and puts himself in front of the tv for a couple of hours is going to be the best outcome.

If you all want to watch something together and he isn't in agreement, then all of you (including your guest) will have to compromise.

Sorry I'm confused - are you talking about games to play while sat at the table?
If the kids want to play why not let them just go and play?

Some people just hate games, but I understand wanting some framing for the chat for the evening.

I think keep it simple. Nothing with acting etc. Random chance stuff like snakes and ladders. Would he do trivial pursuit?

I'm kind of tempted to get those crackers myself 😂

@Grabyourpassportandmyhand he struggles to accept some TV he's super sensitive.

Won't they have a crap load of new toys to play with? You seem really fixated on the games idea but there are plenty of other ways to all have fun in the same space.

If he likes acting, maybe charades WOULD work?! (I'd hate it)

Balderdash?

I agree with you but Mumsnet is full of uber-introverts who won't even answer their own front door

How old are the children?

Is he accepting your invitation because its too awkward for him to decline and actually he'd be quite happy not to attend if tv is tricky and games are tricky and...and

13 and 17

For me I would suggest:":
Cluedo
1% Club
Trivial Pursuit
Jigsaw
Jenga

Some more cracker ideas here:

https://www.puzzlepost.com/buy-a-puzzle/

I'm stealing this Idea. I have just shown them to DD and DH and they were keen. So thank you.

Jesus, compulsory fun! Argh!!! If the kids are 13 and 17 I bet they would rather watch the TV and if the guest is so sensitive, he can go to bed!