Ho Ho Ho Christmas Card Game

Get in the Christmas spirit with the Ho Ho Ho Christmas Card Game. 52 numbered and colored playing cards allow you to play a variety of games in the target language of your choice, including a traditional Japanese game (rules included in box). Perfect for Christmas lessons, parties, and events.

A fun, fresh, and flexible game for Christmas!

How to Play Ho Ho Ho Christmas Card Game (Traditional Japanese Game Rules)

Dealing
Shuffle and deal out all of the cards in clockwise rotation.
Playing
The player on the dealer’s left begins by leading any card or pair of cards they like. The next player on the left may then play an equal number of matching cards with a bigger face value, or may pass. Note that the same number of cards as the lead must be played. If the leader starts with a pair, only pairs may be played on top of it. If a three-of-a-kind is led, only three-of-a-kinds can be played on top of it. The next player may do the same, and so on. This continues until all players pass. The last person to play a card leads the next round.
Notes on Game Play
The strength of each card is determined by the number on the card. 1 is the smallest, 12 is the biggest. Players can pass anytime, even if the player has cards that could be played. Wild cards can be any card, therefore they are the strongest cards in the game.
Winning the Game
The winner is the player that uses his or her cards up first.
Basic Strategy
The basic strategy is very simple; players attempt to get rid of smaller cards first so that only stronger cards are left in the players’ hands near the end of a game. If a player is stuck with a small card, it will be very hard to get to play it and empty their hand. However, as winning a round lets the player lead any card to start the next round, one weak card can be kept to be played last.
Language
For very young children, they can simply say the name of the Christmas item when playing their card(s). For children that are able, They should say “A ___ is stronger.” or “A ___ is stronger than a ___.” If multiple cards are played, they can say; ” ___s are stronger than ___s”. Teachers should feel free to make the game as easy or as difficult as they like depending on the abilities of the kids.
Other Usages
These cards can be used for multiple games, including Concentration, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, or any other playing card-based game. Add two sets of cards together to make the game more interesting!