National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game – How To Play

Ready for a wild and hilarious time? Grab your friends and family and get ready to play ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game!’

This game is fun for ages 8 and up, and it’s perfect for a holiday gathering. Learn how to set it up, the rules of game play, and the winning conditions.

Plus, find out about special rules and variations so you can make the game even more exciting.

Get ready to have some fun!

Object of the Game

The goal of the game is to be the first player to collect all four pieces of Clark Griswold’s Christmas bonus. To accomplish this, players must roll the dice and move around the board, collecting money and fighting off the Griswold family’s misfortunes.

Along the way, players can pick up ‘Griswold Gifts’ that add to the game. Players can also use the dice to spin the game’s wheel of misfortune, giving them the chance to earn bonus points or to suffer a setback.

The player who collects all four pieces of the bonus first is the winner. Strategy and a little luck will help players succeed in this fast-paced and fun game.

Setup

To get started, grab your friends and gather the pieces of the game, including the board, the Griswold family cards, the money, and the dice.

There are three separate decks of cards to organize:

  • Griswold Family Cards: Includes 10 cards, each featuring a character from the movie.
  • Chance Cards: 12 cards with funny and unique events that may happen.
  • Destination Cards: 20 cards that offer rewards for completing various tasks.

Shuffle each of the decks and place them in the center of the board. Place the money in the center as well.

Now you’re ready to start the game!

Game Play

You will take turns rolling the dice and making your moves around the game board. The objective of the game is to collect as many Christmas gifts as possible and reach the Christmas tree before your opponents. You will land on squares that feature characters and events from the movie and receive rewards or punishments.

Good Bad
Receive gifts Pay fines
Gain bonus moves Lose turns
Draw cards Draw cards
Get extra dice rolls Go back home

Be the first to reach the tree and you will win! Be sure to follow the rules and enjoy the journey of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Winning the Game

To win the game, there are three key elements to consider:

  1. Keeping track of points: Points are crucial in determining the winner. You need to carefully track your points throughout the game and make strategic decisions to maximize your score.

  2. Gaining pieces to advance your progress: In order to succeed, you must acquire various pieces that allow you to advance further in the game. These pieces could be resources, cards, or any other game-specific components that help you progress.

  3. Beating your opponents: The ultimate goal is to outmaneuver your opponents and come out on top. This requires strategic thinking, anticipating your opponents’ moves, and making calculated decisions to gain an advantage over them.

Track Points

At the end of the game, whoever has the most points wins. To keep track of points, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Earn Points:

  • Collect Christmas cards

  • Roll dice and take turns

  • Answer trivia questions

  • Lose Points:

  • Don’t complete a task

  • Move to the wrong spot

  • Answer trivia questions incorrectly

  • Spend Points:

  • Buy holiday decorations

  • Add members to your team

  • Bribe other players

Remember: the player with the highest total at the end of the game wins!

Gain Pieces

To win National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game, players must gain the most pieces on the board.
Players begin by rolling the dice to move around the board and collect pieces, such as snowmen, Christmas trees, and ornaments.
When a player lands on a space with a piece, they collect it.
If a player lands on a space with a present, they must pick a card from the deck.
If the card matches any of the pieces on the board, that player gets an extra piece.
The game is won when a player collects all of their pieces and reaches the finish line.
The first player to do this, wins!

Beat Opponents

Once you’ve collected all of your pieces and reached the finish line, you’ll need to beat your opponents to win the game. To do this, you’ll need to utilize strategy:

  • Analyze your opponents’ moves

  • Plan your own moves ahead of time

  • Get creative

  • Take risks:

  • Make bold decisions

  • Don’t be afraid to lose a piece

  • Have faith in your own abilities

  • Focus on the goal:

  • Remember why you’re playing

  • Don’t get sidetracked

  • Stay on top of the game situation

Special Rules

Playing National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game comes with a few special rules to keep in mind.

Chance cards can be drawn to earn extra points and add some extra fun to the game.

Timed rounds add a bit of pressure to the game and a unique challenge.

Special events can suddenly appear to throw a curveball into the game and make it a real exciting experience.

Chance Cards

When playing National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game, you’ll draw Chance cards that have special rules you must follow. These Chance cards can be divided into three categories:

  • Fun:

  • Win a bonus gift

  • Get the Griswold’s cat back

  • Go caroling

  • Frustrating:

  • Lose a turn

  • Lose a bonus gift

  • Move back 3 spaces

  • Crazy:

  • Swap places with another player

  • Draw a card without looking

  • Skip the next round of turns

Timed Rounds

In addition to the Chance cards, you must also be mindful of the timed rounds in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game.

Every round will be timed, as players have to complete as many tasks as they can within the allotted time. If a player completes a task before the timer runs out, they’ll be rewarded with extra points. If the timer runs out before the task is completed, the player won’t receive any points.

At the end of the round, points will be awarded to the player who completed the most tasks. Additional points are also awarded for completing tasks within the allotted time.

Keep in mind that the game moves quickly, so it’s important to stay alert and act quickly.

Special Events

Apart from timed rounds and Chance cards, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game also has special events with their own special rules. These events can include:

  • Unexpected events:

  • Christmas lights going out

  • Cousin Eddie arriving

  • Santa Clause getting stuck in the chimney

  • Bonus rewards:

  • Receiving a holiday bonus

  • An unexpected gift

  • Winning a holiday party

  • Penalty events:

  • Getting fired

  • Losing a contest

  • Being scolded by Uncle Lewis.

Players must follow the instructions on the card to determine their outcome.

These events add an extra level of fun and challenge to the game.

Variations

You can play different variations of the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game. For a shorter game, reduce the number of rounds to 3, or play a “speed round” in which players must finish their turns in one minute. To make the game easier for younger kids, you can adjust the number of points needed to win the game.

Easy Medium Hard
10 20 30

For a longer, more challenging game, increase the number of rounds to five and the points needed to win. If you’d like to add some extra excitement, you can also add a “wild card” that allows players to draw an additional card or take an extra turn. The game can also be played with teams, or with different rules – such as everyone revealing their hand before the game starts. With so many options, you can tailor the game for any group.

Notes & Tips

Carrying on from the previous subtopic, keep in mind that different variations of the game can be tailored to suit any group, so don’t be afraid to get creative! Here are some notes and tips for an enjoyable game experience:

  • Ensure a Balanced Gameplay:

  • Provide each player with the same number of turns.

  • Make sure there isn’t an overwhelming advantage for experienced players.

  • Determine a suitable difficulty level based on the players.

  • Encourage Interaction:

  • Create bonus rules, such as allowing players to roll with a friend.

  • Offer incentives for assisting other players.

  • Encourage conversation and friendly competition.

  • Be Flexible:

  • Make sure to follow the established rules, but don’t be afraid to improvise.

  • Adapt the game to fit the players’ needs.

  • If something isn’t working, adjust it or try something else!

Conclusion

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Board Game is a fun and exciting way to celebrate the holidays.

With easy setup, straightforward rules, and plenty of laughs, it’s a great addition to any family game night.

With some creative variations and special rules, you can customize the game to fit your family’s needs.

So grab your dice and get ready to experience the Griswold family’s hijinks for yourself!