Growing up as a child in the 80's, I recall a few stories from friends and classmates about the video game goodies they got to open at their family Christmas celebrations. It was always fun to hear what they got, in part because I knew I would probably get a chance to play some of those games soon enough, when I could go over to their house. Sometimes it was high praise for the game or console that mom & dad (or grandparents) bought them, and occasionally it was complaints that they got a game they thought was "lame" or that they had already thoroughly played via rentals or borrowing from friends. Typically, I was more than a little jealous, since I never got gaming stuff for Christmas. My first game system was the Game Boy at age 12, and I didn't get my own console until I was 14, and I had to buy it (and the TV it hooked to) myself. So I had to live vicariously through others, reveling in their new acquisitions as best I could from afar.



For me, the only game console I got as a Christmas gift was my Wii U, in 2013. At the time, I knew it was coming, though what I wasn't expecting was that it was given to me kind of early. I don't recall any other games I've been gifted for Christmas, outside the RF Generation Secret Santa over the last several years. Otherwise, this idea of opening up gaming stuff on Christmas has been largely foreign to me. I like the idea of getting gaming stuff for Christmas, but unless my friends and family have the link to my RF Generation Collection, they're not likely to find me something I don't already have, unless it's new. Even then, it's a roll of the dice.


I know there's a segment of folks who have Christmas gaming traditions. Whether it's replaying that childhood favorite game they got as a Christmas gift years ago, or just playing a game that they associate with Christmastime, I've heard a number of stories over the years. I haven't had any traditions of gaming on Christmas Day, or right around there, because usually I'm not at home, and don't have access to my gaming stuff, outside of a handheld. If I get a chance to game on Christmas, it's usually late in the day, when I'm home, and have no responsibilities. This year, I won't even be home until the day after Christmas, and even then, it will probably not be until late evening.

All of this to say that I'm thinking about starting a Christmas gaming tradition. I'm not sure it will happen this year, as I said, being out of town and not having much opportunity to game. But perhaps in the time surrounding Christmas, I can do something. I haven't decided yet what I want to do. I could go with the easy approach and finally play Christmas NiGHTS Into Dreams, or maybe apply a Christmas-themed DOOM mod, or something like that. I've also thought about just replaying an old favorite, or using that time to discover a new game, like I try to do on New Year's Day. Or should I play a game in my collection that I know is objectively terrible, in the Christmas spirit of being thankful for what I have? Or do I hook up the 2600 to a CRT, and play through a few games I enjoyed at my childhood next door neighbor's house? Choices...so many choices.


I find it a little odd that I've never created my own Christmas gaming tradition, but I guess I've just never been home during that time, enough to consider doing something. As I get older, however, I long for the simpler times, and have the nostalgic pull toward games that spark that pure joy, the way they often did when I was a kid. The more cynical the world becomes, the more we long to escape. And while I can't escape completely, these sorts of traditions and rituals help us stay grounded. They keep us centered, remind us of what's important, and connect us with good memories from days past. We all need a little of that now, given the state of the world, and I certainly need it right now.

So now I turn to you. Tell me about your Christmas gaming traditions! Maybe some of your stories will inspire me, and help spark some ideas for me. I'm eager to hear about the different games, systems, or ways you play on or around Christmas. I don't always feel like I'm channeling the "Christmas spirit" every December, but I'd like to say I try. Hopefully, everyone reading this has a little of their own to offer a weary gamer who just has a lot on his plate and needs a little holiday cheer.

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