Letters to Santa is a card game where players aim to deliver their wishlists directly to Santa, or failing that, to get their letter closer to him than any other player. The player who successfully achieves this goal the most times over several rounds wins the game.
Objective of the Game
The primary goal in Letters to Santa is to be the last player remaining in a round, or to have the highest value card in your hand when the draw pile is exhausted. Winning a round earns you a "Wishlist Token." The game is played in rounds, and the first player to collect a certain number of Wishlist Tokens (which varies based on the number of players) wins the entire game.
Game Components
While the specific artwork and names are themed around Santa, the core components typically include:
- Character Cards: A small deck of cards, each representing a different character or concept in Santa's Workshop, from lowly Elf Helpers to Santa himself. Each card has a numerical value and a unique ability.
- Wishlist Tokens: Small markers used to track round wins.
Setting Up a Round
- Shuffle the Deck: Thoroughly shuffle all the character cards.
- Secret Card: For most player counts, one card is removed from the game face down without anyone seeing it. This adds an element of suspense and uncertainty to the card distribution.
- Deal Starting Hands: Each player is dealt one character card face down. This is their starting hand for the round.
- Form the Draw Pile: The remaining cards form the draw pile.
Playing a Round
Players take turns in a clockwise direction. Each turn consists of two simple steps:
- Draw a Card: A player begins their turn by drawing the top card from the draw pile. They now have two cards in their hand.
- Play a Card: The player must then choose one of the two cards in their hand to play. The chosen card is placed face up in front of them, and its specific ability is immediately announced and resolved.
Card Abilities
The core of Letters to Santa lies in the unique abilities of its character cards. These abilities often involve interacting with other players, trying to deduce what cards they hold, or protecting yourself from elimination. Common actions include:
- Forcing another player to discard their hand.
- Secretly comparing cards with another player.
- Guessing what card another player holds.
- Protecting yourself from being targeted.
Elimination and Winning a Round
Players can be eliminated from a round if:
- A card's ability forces them out.
- They play a specific high-value card (e.g., Santa) when they shouldn't.
A round ends when either:
- Only one player remains: That player wins the round and earns a Wishlist Token.
- The draw pile runs out: All remaining players reveal their cards. The player with the highest value card in their hand wins the round and earns a Wishlist Token. In case of a tie, the player with the highest sum of discarded cards in front of them wins.
Winning the Game
The game continues with new rounds until one player reaches the predetermined number of Wishlist Tokens. This player is then declared the winner of Letters to Santa!
Common Character Cards & Abilities (Thematic Examples)
The specific characters and values can vary slightly, but generally follow a structure similar to this:
| Card Name | Value | Quantity | Ability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elf Helper | 1 | 5 | Choose another player and name a card type (other than Elf Helper). If that player has the named card in their hand, they are eliminated from the round. |
| Reindeer Handler | 2 | 2 | Secretly look at another player's hand. |
| Toy Soldier | 3 | 2 | Choose another player. You and that player secretly compare your hands. The player with the lower value card is eliminated from the round. In case of a tie, nothing happens. |
| Snowman | 4 | 2 | You cannot be targeted by any other player's card abilities until your next turn. |
| Reindeer | 5 | 2 | Choose another player. That player must discard their hand and draw a new card. If they discard Santa, they are eliminated. |
| Head Elf | 6 | 1 | If you have this card and Mrs. Claus or Santa in your hand, you must play the Head Elf. (This card makes you choose your play carefully if you have high-value cards, sometimes forcing you to discard a valuable strategy). |
| Mrs. Claus | 7 | 1 | If you play this card, you win the round. (A powerful card for direct delivery of your wishlist!) |
| Santa | 8 | 1 | If you play or are forced to discard this card, you are eliminated from the round. (The ultimate goal, but also the biggest risk! If you have this at the end of the round and no one eliminated you, you automatically get your wishlist delivered). |
Playing Letters to Santa offers quick, engaging rounds with elements of deduction, bluffing, and luck, making it a fun, festive game for players of all ages.
