Farsa

Christmas and Posadas games for the family

Plan a short impostor round, a few charades cards or Spanish sayings to complete. These paper games fit around the table at Christmas or a Posada gathering.

Plan a round during the gathering

Posadas run from December 16 through 24. Leave a little time between food, presents and conversation for a game. You can use the same ideas at Christmas, New Year or a Three Kings gathering on January 6.

Choose cards for the vocabulary of the people playing. The ages below are suggestions for these paper versions. Someone can help read a card privately without showing it to the group.

Impostor with Christmas prompts

Suggested ages: about 8 and up, when players can read and give clues. Start with at least 3 people.

A person sitting out prepares the slips: all have the same secret word except one marked “Impostor.” Read privately, then give one clue each without saying the word. Discuss the clues and vote for the player you suspect. A caught impostor gets one guess: a correct answer wins for the impostor, and a wrong one wins for the table. In this short version, the impostor wins if the vote removes a player with the word.

Try real cards such as Árbol de Navidad or Piñata. Copy the 40 Christmas and Posadas prompts for another round. The impostor rules cover ties and longer games.

Charades you can play while seated

Suggested ages: about 6 and up, with reading help as needed. Play with 3 or more people.

Write a prompt on each card. The actor draws one and acts without speaking while the others guess. Change actors after a minute or when the card is solved. Allow a pass and let people act while seated so they can take part in a way that suits them.

Tamales, Árbol de Navidad and Piñata are real cards enabled for Charades in Farsa. Mime actions with your hands; the game does not need food, sticks or decorations as props.

Finish the saying after the meal

Suggested ages: about 10 and up for people who know some Spanish refranes. Two or more can play. If a saying is unfamiliar, read it out and move to another.

The reader says the part before the bar. Another player supplies the bold ending. Award a point for a correct answer or take turns without a score. These are real Farsa card examples in their original Spanish:

After the answer, talk about what the saying means. People learning Spanish can listen to a round before trying to complete one.

Switch games and languages together

Start with familiar prompts and change games when the table is ready. Decide whether clues can be in Spanish, English or both. In impostor, each secret-word card should refer to the same concept.

Try the Spanglish prompts or family list, browse all categories or save the Thanksgiving family games for another gathering.

Play it in Farsa

Impostor, Charades and Finish the saying on one phone. Choose a language for each player, then pass the phone to view the cards.

Coming soon to iPhone and Android.