Scrabble Up the Holidays!

Author: Brian Bowman

Date Published: 16 December 2024


As the holidays approach, theres nothing cozier than gathering around with family, friends, anda good old Scrabble board! For Scrabble enthusiasts, this season isnt just about mistletoe and eggnog; its a chance to show off word wizardry and rack up high scores! Here are some tips, tricks, and festive ideas to make your Scrabble games merry and bright.

Scrabble Tiles

1. Decorate with Scrabble Tiles

Start the season with a touch of Scrabble in your dcor. Spell out festive words like JOY, PEACE, or SNOW on your fireplace mantel using oversized Scrabble tiles, or use letter tiles to create unique ornaments for your tree. Its a subtle nod to your love of words that adds a bit of personality to your holiday setup!

2. Holiday-Themed Scrabble Variations

For something extra fun, try a holiday-themed version of Scrabble with these rules:

- Festive Words Only: Limit words to holiday-themed ones, like TREE, ELF, GIFT, or FROST. Bonus points if you manage to get HOLLY or JOLLY!

- Color Bonus: Give extra points if a player forms a word that matches the color of the letter tile (think GREEN or RED).

- Seasonal Anagram Challenge: Before starting, list a few holiday words, like WINTER, SNOWFLAKE, or CELEBRATE. Players can try to create these words on the board at any time for double points.

3. Festive High-Scoring Word Tips

The holiday season gives us some unique high-point words to boost your score. Here are a few you might be able to use in your next game:

- QUIZ - If you're lucky enough to get a Q, go for this one!

- JINGLE - Add a festive ring to your vocabulary.

- GLITZ - Glam up your game with this sparkly word.

- WREATH - Spread holiday cheer on the board!

- SNOWY - Embrace the winter vibes with this frosty addition.

4. Add Some Scrabble Snacks

Fuel up your Scrabble game with some letter-inspired snacks. Spell out words on your snacks using alphabet pretzels, cookies, or candies. Bonus points if you can make a holiday phrase like MERRY or PEACE appear on your snack plate!

5. Scrabble Stocking Stuffers

For the Scrabble lovers on your list (or maybe for yourself!), consider some word-lover gifts that would fit right into a stocking:

- Mini Scrabble Boards: Perfect for playing on the go.

- Tile Coasters: Keep it classy while you sip hot cocoa.

- Scrabble Score Pad: Track wins with style.

- Tile Keychains or Earrings: Fashion that shows off your favorite letters.

6. Cozy Up for a Scrabble Movie Night

End the day with a movie that feeds your love of letters and language. Wordplay, Spellbound, or even Akeelah and the Bee can offer some inspiration for your next Scrabble showdown.

7. Challenge Yourself with a Holiday Tournament

Why not take things up a notch with a holiday Scrabble tournament? Invite friends and family to join in, either in person or online, and compete for the title of Holiday Scrabble Champion. Give a small prize, like a festive mug or a Scrabble tile ornament, to the winner!

Whether youre trying for a triple-word score with HOLLY, basking in the glow of the Christmas tree as you play, or just enjoying the spirit of friendly competition, the holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate words, laughter, and a little healthy competition. So break out the tiles, fill your mug with cocoa, and let the holiday Scrabble games begin!

Happy Holidays, and may all your games be merry and bright!