5 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with Your Tabletop Group

The holiday season is all about gathering with loved ones, sharing laughs, and creating lasting memories. For tabletop gamers, there’s no better way to celebrate than with your trusty dice, a great campaign, and your favorite adventuring party. Whether you’re sitting around a decorated table or connecting virtually across the miles, the holidays bring a special opportunity to infuse your sessions with warmth, creativity, and festive fun.

At Runic Dice, we believe the right dice and accessories make game nights even more memorable. That is especially true during the holiday season, when themed games and traditions add an extra layer of magic. Below, we’ll explore five creative ways to celebrate the holidays with your tabletop group in 2025. From running winter-themed one-shots to hosting dice giveaways, these ideas will bring cheer to every adventurer at the table.

So grab your favorite DND dice sets, put on your coziest sweater, and let’s spread some holiday spirit in your next campaign.

1. HOST A HOLIDAY-THEMED ONE-SHOT

A one-shot is the perfect way to embrace the festive season without disrupting your ongoing campaign. These short, self-contained adventures can be set in a winter wonderland, a snowbound city, or even a magical holiday market. Players get to experience something fresh and festive, and you can wrap it all up in a single session.

Ideas for a Holiday One-Shot:

• Save the Snow King: A mischievous villain has kidnapped the Snow King, and it’s up to your party to rescue him before the solstice ends.
• The Great Cookie Caper: Magical cookies have gone missing from a baker’s shop, and your adventurers must solve the mystery before the town’s festival is ruined.
• Santa’s Workshop Under Siege: Evil forces have invaded a magical toy workshop. Can your group fend them off before the gifts are lost forever?

One-shots are also a great chance to experiment with different dice. Holiday-themed resin dice sets, with reds, greens, or sparkling glitter, look incredible when paired with snowy adventures. For spellcasters, gemstone dice with icy blues or frosty whites make every spell cast feel magical.

2. PLAN A GIFT EXCHANGE

Few things feel as cozy as exchanging gifts with your tabletop group. A holiday gift swap adds excitement both in and out of the game. You can keep it simple or make it part of your in-game tradition, perhaps as gifts exchanged at a winter festival inside the story.

Gift Exchange Ideas:

• DND dice sets: A staple gift for any player. Choose gemstone dice for that “wow” factor or resin dice for colorful, budget-friendly magic.
• Dice accessories: Dice bags, trays, or towers make practical yet fun gifts.
• Miniatures: Surprise a party member with a custom figure that matches their character.

Tip: Set a budget that works for everyone so no one feels pressured, and wrap the gifts in festive paper for extra fun.

Runic Dice gift cards are also a smart option for your group’s gift exchange. They let each player pick their favorite dice set, whether that’s sharp-edged resin, hand-carved gemstone dice, or a set that perfectly matches their next character.

3. CREATE HOLIDAY-THEMED PROPS AND SNACKS

A holiday game night feels even more special when the table is decorated and filled with festive treats. Props and themed food not only add atmosphere but also encourage roleplay and immersion.

Ideas for Props:

• Miniature snowmen or frosted trees scattered across the battlefield.
• Maps drawn with snowy mountains, icy rivers, and frozen ruins.
• Candles or lanterns for a cozy, warm glow.

Ideas for Snacks:

• Cookies decorated like dragons, owlbears, or dice.
• Hot cocoa with marshmallows shaped like potions or healing stones.
• Gingerbread houses designed as wizard towers or rustic inns.

Pairing snacks with your favorite polyhedral dice sets makes every roll feel festive. Picture rolling bright red resin dice while sipping cocoa or using shimmering gemstone dice as the centerpiece on your holiday-themed table. It creates a complete seasonal experience your group won’t forget.

4. RUN A HOLIDAY DICE GIVEAWAY

Who doesn’t love free dice? A holiday dice giveaway is a fantastic way to add excitement to your session. Choose a festive dice set as the prize and come up with fun ways for your group to earn it.

Giveaway Ideas:

• The player who rolls the highest natural 20 during the night wins the set.
• Each player tells a short in-character holiday memory, and the group votes on the best one.
• A mini in-game challenge (like a snowball fight encounter) determines the winner.

If your group plays online, digital dice rollers can keep everything fair. And if you want everyone to feel included, consider small stocking-stuffer gifts like dice bags or accessories for the rest of the party.

For DMs, this is also a chance to surprise your players with a gift. Presenting them with a gorgeous set of hand-carved gemstone dice or a sparkling liquid core dice set is a gesture they’ll always remember.

5. SHARE A HOLIDAY-THEMED CAMPAIGN STORYTELLING NIGHT

Sometimes the best memories don’t come from dice rolls but from sharing stories. A holiday storytelling night lets each player step into the spotlight and bring their character’s history or personality to life.

Ask each player to prepare a short tale connected to the season. Maybe your bard recalls a winter solstice ball, your ranger shares a first snowy hunt, or your cleric remembers the traditions of their homeland.

To make the evening feel festive:

• Set the mood with candles or string lights.
• Play background music with soft bells or winter themes.
• Encourage players to dress in cozy sweaters or simple costumes.

Storytelling nights build deeper character connections and give everyone a chance to roleplay without the pressure of combat. And of course, everyone can still roll dice for fun skill checks or random twists during their stories, making your DND dice sets part of the tradition.

WHY CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR GROUP MATTERS

The holidays are about connection, and tabletop RPGs are one of the best ways to bring people together. Every laugh, every natural 20, and every shared snack helps create memories that last beyond the game. By adding a holiday touch to your campaign, you transform ordinary sessions into celebrations filled with cheer and creativity.

At Runic Dice, we know that dice are more than just tools. They’re the heartbeat of every game, carrying your stories forward and shaping the adventures you’ll remember for years. Our gemstone dice, resin dice, and polyhedral sets are crafted with care so that your holiday sessions shine as brightly as the season itself.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Whether you choose to run a holiday one-shot, exchange gifts, or simply share festive stories around the table, celebrating with your tabletop group is about joy, creativity, and togetherness. Add holiday dice sets, props, and themed snacks, and your 2025 game nights will feel magical from start to finish.

So grab your dice, gather your adventuring party, and let the season of cheer bring light to your tabletop.

Happy holidays from all of us at Runic Dice, and may every roll be a critical success.