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?

I am sorry if it sounds harsh OP but you seem to view him like a pet you are vaguely fond of rather than a human being.

Why is charades a no no

Would he join in with escape room type board game?

Because he just doesn't want to?

I think forcing games on someone who doesn't want to join in isn't very nice.

@RampantIvy don't worry I'm on the guest's side. Just wondered why Charades was a no no, if according to the OP he likes acting.

If my MIL had her way we would play board games 24/7 when she is around, whether at her house or ours. I have a book and sewing, which I will do rather than play continuous board games. I will take part with a few but I am quite happy doing my thing when Risk or Monopoly appears!

Christ, if they start Mousetrap they'll still be playing it next Christmas.

posting threads on 27th about how Christmas was ruined by Aunty Doris not wanting to play Cluedo.

When everyone knows she prefers Monopoly!

OP I think I would ensure my kids get to do plenty of things they enjoy including Disney films etc. I would kindly suggest to my guest that that might be a bit annoying for him so he should feel very welcome to come and go from his room as much as he likes.

Also, perhaps take the kids out somewhere fun and leave him at home so they get some enjoyment and he gets some time to decompress.

my FIL is very similar and visibly winces and shudders at family gatherings if kids are (reasonably ) noisy etc. I used to quieten children down or take them out but now I say ‘oh FUL, do take my little radio and chill upstairs for a bit. It can all get rather noisy can’t it? Shall I find radio 4 for you? Do you want a cuppa to take up?’ Etc

@Twoshoesnewshoes is right. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming for people who live on their own to suddenly be thrust into the noise and hurly-burly of a large family gathering.

Is his name Father Stone?

But him a Christmas jumper, a Christmas hat and make him comfy in an armchair with his favourite tipple.

No need to have him cavorting around your living room.

Charades is a good game foe everyone who wants to participate!

Ime making them the quiz master is great... No questions to answer. Just ask them!

So, I hate being "made" to join in games or being told I am "spoiling the fun". I'm also not that keen on films . However I'm really happy for others in the group to play and I'll observe or take myself off for a bit to read a book or whatever.

I think there are 2 different issues here.
He doesn't like enforced "fun" - fair enough, no-one should be made to do something if it is making them cringe inside.

He tends to monologue on and on. - not such fun and will definitely make your kids want to retreat to their screens.

I think you could have a range of games to play with short gaps in between for him to talk !

"Uncle Geoff, you know we love having you for Christmas and I look forward to having a chat. We do like to play some games as a family though, but I don't want you to feel like you have to join in at all if it isn't your thing.

Then plan- immediately after lunch, 20 minutes chat with coffee and chocolates. Then, family game of charades ( Uncle Geoff, is this your thing? Otherwise maybe you'd like to hand out the titles or if you'd like a bit of quiet I've recorded Carols from Kings/got some great gardening magazines/Christmas edition of Private Eye/New Scientist and you could enjoy them in peace in the comfy chair in X room. I'll put the kettle on again at about y o'clock.)

Then encourage him to join again for refreshments for 30 mins and then do your cracker mystery game etc. Each time offer him the option of joining in or not depending on what he prefers!

You might want to give him the heads up beforehand. ( Uncle Geoff, we love your company at Christmas and we also really do want to do things as a family on Christmas afternoon. What with work/school/euphonium practice/Steve's microbrewery and looking after the alpacas, we get so little time when we are all together these days The kids are at that awkward age though where they tend to just disappear on screens if we aren't careful. We've found they do enjoy xy games though so we want to spend some time doing that. I know that maybe isn't your cup of tea so feel free to join in or not depending on how you feel. We will still have plenty of time for coffee and chat. I'm getting lots of mince pies/m and m's/Pringles/parsnip flavoured candies as I know they are your favourite.)

Buy the mind

Or the traitors

Honestly? If you like games then it is fine to have him join in on one games session BUT please don’t do that thing where you finish, say, Cluedo and then brightly announce that it’s now time for Throw, Throw, Burrito.

If someone doesn’t much like games then they definitely won’t like back to back games.

He's definitely not socially awkward, he lives alone but has a busy social life.
I just think because he hasn't had a gf or partner for a long time he doesn't have that person to say.. " hang on, your going for an extremely convenient Xmas at a families house, you love the food and company but your refusing to join in a game for 30 mins max??" because that's what I would be saying to him or for instance my husband!! *

I'd be saying there has to be a compromise with a family hosting you. One has to be self reflective.
However, he's not a relative but he's 100% more interactive and interesting than the in laws etc.

@CruCru

It was literally something to round off dinner with for half a hour to break the talking

@EducatingArti that's a wonderful plan thank you 🌸we are in a small house though with no where do retreat too. He does usually have some phone calls to make and text so I could suggest he does that perhaps whilst we play

"@crumblingschools I didn't know there were "sides" 🤣

I'm trying to sort something for us all so we can have a great day.

@MrsForgetalot that's a very interesting take thank you. I'd not thought of that before, I've come across many people with autism and I don't think he is but I will bear that in mind.

What about doing “Just a minute” - the radio 4 quiz. Where you hand it in turns to talk for a minute on a random subject and not repeat, hesitate etc etc. you pick the topics OP.

At least that way he’s only talking for a minute.

Just a minute also a brilliant idea thank you.
Some fabulous ideas here I'm looking through them all.
@Hoppinggreen I don't know what you mean by that comment.
Of course I'm fond of him.