New research commissioned by Centra has revealed that snacks, games and good company are at the heart of Irish festive fun, with Christmas board-game nights emerging as one of the country’s most cherished seasonal traditions.
The nationwide study highlights how board games bring together families, friends, neighbours and festive “blow-ins”, creating nights filled with laughter, light-hearted chaos and just the right amount of competition.
According to the findings, 87% of Irish adults play board games with family or friends, with 27% treating it as an annual Christmas ritual and a further 38% playing frequently. However, these wholesome gatherings are rarely without drama, as 38% admit to being the most competitive person in the room.
Competition, Craic and Conflict Resolution
The research paints a familiar picture of Irish households around the table. One in four adults (24%) say their sibling is the most competitive, while 19% point the finger at a partner or spouse. Rule-bending is also part of the tradition, with 30% blaming siblings for cheating, 20% accusing a once-a-year relative, and 19% openly admitting “it’s me.”
Yet when tensions rise, Irish hospitality quickly restores the peace. 44% of adults will offer a drink refill, while 25% reach for a snack to calm frayed nerves. As the research suggests, nothing defuses a heated board-game dispute quite like a well-timed treat.
Adding to the chaos, 33% of players admit they get so caught up in the craic that they forget whose turn it is, while 22% secretly keep score while pretending not to care. Meanwhile, 14% deliberately let someone win, spreading festive goodwill like Christmas confetti.
The Perfect Irish Games Night
When it comes to creating the ultimate Christmas games night, the research confirms a simple formula: craic plus snacks. For 66% of adults, the “right crew” is the most important ingredient, while 53% say a top-tier snack table is essential, complete with crisps, dips, pizzas and party trays. Choosing the right games also ranked highly at 53%, while music trailed far behind at just 26%, proving that good company and lively banter provide all the entertainment needed.
The study also identified distinct games-night personalities. The Grazer, who makes up 32% of players, balances gameplay with constant snacking. The Feeder, the unsung hero at 26%, keeps bowls topped up and moods steady. Meanwhile, Rulebook Royalty, accounting for 17%, ensures every technicality is enforced — dramatically — preventing total festive anarchy.
Couples and Competitive Lines
Board games can test even the strongest relationships. The research found that 26% of couples always stick together, choosing loyalty over logic, while 34% decide teams based on mood or past rounds. However, 17% never team up at all, embracing competition over romance during Christmas playtime.
Centra Launches ‘Monop-Deli’
Inspired by the findings, Centra has launched a limited-edition Christmas board game called ‘Monop-Deli’, celebrating Ireland’s love of snacks and spirited competition. The game reimagines a classic board-game format, allowing players to land on Superquinn Sausage Street, pass Jambon Junction, or snap up properties on Chicken Fillet Roll Row.
The game is not available for purchase and will be given away exclusively through Centra’s social media channels, alongside influencer collaborations throughout the festive season.
A Centra spokesperson said the idea was born from real Irish living rooms: “Games night is a Christmas ritual for so many families, and snacks are absolutely central to keeping the mood light and the craic flowing.”
The launch of Monop-Deli is supported by Centra’s festive food range, from healthy options by The Happy Pear to indulgent seasonal favourites and party-ready snacks, making Christmas game-night preparation easier than ever.
This Christmas, Centra isn’t just feeding the nation — it’s helping save festive game nights, one snack-fuelled roll of the dice at a time.
