CHRISTMAS wouldn’t be Christmas without being forced to leave the sofa and your food coma for a tedious board game. But which ones will spark the best rows?

Monopoly

Guarantees an argument about the rules and discovering what a bunch of cheating scum your family are. The theme of buying properties is also great for creating tension between smug older homeowners and Millennials who’ll still be paying rent in 2059.

Pictionary

Many, many options for friction. Kick off with some simple snide comments about artistic ability, eg. “Is that meant to be a mouse?”, but then move onto deeper-seated resentments, eg. “You’ve always belittled me, Dad. ALWAYS!”

Charades

Performing the same mime again and again will leave you seething with frustration to begin with. Take it to the next level by shouting at people over their ignorance of well-known films, books and musical artists. Definitely refer to family members as “you idiots”.

Trivial Pursuit

Start with a dispute over what the pieces are called. Is it pie? Cheese? Segments? When you’re losing, complain it’s unfair to pelt people with questions written 30 years before they were born – especially obscure cricket ones. An argument starter par excellence.

Twister

Relieve the tension with a bit of physical play. Uncle Frank might break his hip again, but you’ll all be so furious about his 15-minute inability to explain Jaws during charades you’ll be glad to see the back of him as the ambulance takes him away.