It’s supposed to be the season of love and understanding.
But most Britons are prepared for conflict this Christmas – as family board games descend into cheating, arguments and full-on relationship breakdowns.
More than six in ten say a row has broken out over a board game at Christmas, according to a study by toy maker Mattel.
And 27 per cent of 2,082 adults surveyed said they’d had a full blown argument over a game gone awry.
A further 11 percent even said a board game dispute has led to breakdown in a relationship.
But despite the risk of a family feud, two thirds – 62 per cent – insist board games remain an essential part of the festive season.
Cheating is the main cause of rows (49 per cent), while 78 per cent admitted they have tried to ‘bend the rules’ at times.
Almost half have been in a row due to a player ‘making up new rules’.
More than six in ten say a row has broken out over a board game at Christmas, according to a study by toy maker Mattel
27 per cent of 2,082 adults surveyed said they’d had a full blown argument over a game gone awry
Nonetheless, we do see board games as one of the positive ways to spend time together at Christmas
More than six in ten board game players (61 per cent) say that during Scrabble a player has tried to convince others that a completely made up word was real.
Seven in ten Brits – 70 per cent – say playing board games brings out their competitive side, with 23 per cent going as far as to calling themselves ‘extremely competitive’.
This explains why so many are driven to cheat and why 35 per cent of arguments are a result of someone ‘taking the game too seriously’.
Nonetheless, we do see board games as one of the positive ways to spend time together at Christmas.
Three quarters (73 per cent) say it ensures their family are not glued to screens all day and a similar number (71 per cent) say playing board games means their family spends more time together.
Scrabble World Champion and UK Grand Master Brett Smitheram said: ‘Board games have always been a key part of Christmas, and the research suggests a bit of rule bending, or even cheating, is increasingly part of the tradition.
‘I loved playing them so much with family when I was younger I never stopped, and went on to become a World Champion.
‘But it looks like some Brits are bending the rules and creating more festive strife than an overcooked turkey.
‘My top tip for those with particularly competitive or ‘creative’ members of the family is to opt for games which are more team-oriented.’