Games you can play on Christmas Eve alone

Christmas isn’t just about noisy gatherings and family dinners—it’s also an opportunity to spend an evening alone, wrapped up in a blanket and enjoying some games. If you’re celebrating the holiday by yourself this year, don’t worry—it’s a great chance to immerse yourself in a magical virtual world. This selection features 10 of the best games that will definitely brighten up your holiday.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

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Eventually, you might reach that moment when, following Todd Howard’s advice, you buy Skyrim. If you treat yourself to this gift at Christmas, the holiday certainly won’t be dull—especially if you install 1,500 mods, both adult-oriented and graphical enhancements. Yes, the project will be transformed.

Moreover, Skyrim captivates with its wintry atmosphere. It’s pleasant to wander through these lands with improved graphics, complete quests, level up, fight various enemies, and even get killed by guards who are ready to tear the hero apart for harming a chicken. 

And, of course, who could forget the famous sweetroll meme? You probably never stole one, though the guards seem to think otherwise since they keep bringing it up. By the way, you can try making this dessert yourself. Check out the recipe in this article.

Lake

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A wonderfully cozy mail carrier simulator where you play as the daughter of a postman who returns to the town where she grew up. There, she takes over her father’s duties, delivering letters and packages, and chatting with the locals, learning about their problems and events in their lives. The story unfolds in the 1980s.

A small town, charming graphics, an enticing atmosphere, and a calm gameplay style. This game is perfect for quiet evenings when you want to find yourself in small-town America, delivering mail to its residents.

For the holiday season, I highly recommend playing the DLC “Season’s Greetings,” which serves as a prequel. This time, you’ll play as the heroine’s father, driving around the same town now covered in snow.

Just a heads-up: don’t expect a complicated plot or any significant action. This title is meant for a couple of peaceful evenings at most. And at Christmas, driving around a small town can be a delightful experience.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

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Another chill game that’s perfect if you want to play something alone on Christmas. You’ll have adventures all across Europe, delivering orders from one point to another. These might be juicy pears or fragile glasses that will shatter with a single collision, costing you half your pay and making you hate that dumb driver who suddenly swerved into the oncoming lane against all the rules!

It’s best to play ETS2 with various mods that will definitely enhance the gameplay. You can check them out in our article. I particularly recommend the winter mod, a sound mod, and a graphics enhancement mod.

But even without any modifications, you can have a great time on this virtual journey. Different cities, landmarks, endless roads—the romance that this title undoubtedly offers to every player.

Until Dawn

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Now, a game for those who love horror. The interactive film Until Dawn will give you several unforgettable hours. The story begins with two girls dying right at the start of the game. Some time later, the whole group returns to that vacation cabin, unaware of the dangers that await them.

This title has an intriguing plot, unexpected twists, and choices that affect how the story unfolds. You’ll also need to act quickly, pressing the right buttons to save everyone, if you can manage it.

The title was released long ago, but in 2024 it made its way to PC. Those who previously couldn’t play it due to the lack of a console can now do so, crafting their own story and making the decisions they want, rather than watching a streamer, a friend, or anyone else play it. Observing is not as thrilling as experiencing it yourself.

Infinity Nikki

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This game quickly rose to success since, at the time of writing, it had been downloaded by more than 10 million users in just a few days! But what is the secret behind its success? The answer is simple: beautiful graphics, easy gameplay, and…the ability to collect and change various outfits. This harkens back to the days when we played Barbie or Princess series games, where we spent our time dressing up heroines. It was engaging and uplifting because the gameplay was simple yet fascinating.

Here, you’ll find a large open world, a loyal feline companion, intriguing adventures, and a hint of a designer’s simulator. You can dress the heroine however you like. Who knows, maybe you have some untapped potential as a fashion stylist?

You can also learn various skills, complete quests, follow the storyline, go fishing, catch bugs, and simply have a great time even on your own. It’s a wonderful game for a Christmas evening!

The Long Dark

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Don’t relax just yet, because next comes a hardcore survival game that immerses players in the dark forests of Canada, where it’s easy to die from cold or hunger. You’ll be surrounded by eternal darkness, with only the stars in the sky offering a tiny bit of relief from the looming despair.

There are two modes: story and survival. The story mode can be completed in about 65 hours. Survival mode is more like a sandbox, where you just need to stay alive by managing resources, building shelters, collecting hides, gathering food, and so on.

The story begins when the main character is separated from Dr. Astrid Greenwood due to a bright flash. The consequences of this flash are evident when your character appears in town. Over time, the main character’s personality and other intriguing details will be revealed.

Transistor

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A small indie game definitely worth downloading to enjoy at Christmas. First and foremost, the project is memorable for its singer with bright red hair. However, she can no longer sing, having lost her voice after an attack by members of the influential Camerata group in a city aptly named Cloudbank.

This sci-fi ARPG lets the player fight enemies with a unique weapon. The heroine wields a weapon that only she can command. She can also use abilities, and there are over a thousand possible combinations! It’s an incredible number! Transistor blends RPG elements with strategic planning, which enriches both the storyline and the game’s atmosphere.

Everything that belonged to the main heroine and her partner has been taken away, and now you have to reclaim it. It sounds like a challenge worth accepting.

Travellers Rest

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Of course, at Christmas you might want something light, like Travellers Rest, where you manage your own tavern. Yes, no action, no brutal survival, no horrors. A cute game reminiscent of Stardew Valley.

However, besides cooking food and drinks and upgrading your tavern, you must keep an eye on your guests’ moods. They can be very, very picky. Sometimes it’s easier to whack them with a broom than to cater to their every whim, practically kneeling before them. Fortunately, there aren’t too many such episodes. Travelers can not only sample divine drinks and dishes but also spend the night, because after all, it’s a tavern.

There’s a skill tree: nature, construction, cooking, brewing, communication, and magic. Basically, almost the same as in Stardew Valley. To create unique dishes, explore the surrounding world, make deals with merchants, and manage a farm. And don’t forget to decorate the tavern with various decorative items and furniture.

Frostpunk 2

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Had a break? It’s time to tense up again as we dive into a post-apocalyptic world covered in ice. The events of the second game unfold 30 years after the first. If you haven’t tried the original title, get ready—this one will evoke a wide range of emotions: hysteria, tears, maybe some laughter, relief when everyone survives, joy, and so on. Well, Christmas should be filled not only with garlands but also with emotions.

Your main goal is to ensure the city’s survival. Sometimes you’ll have to make tough decisions that might not align with your moral principles. But sometimes it’s even fun—you’ll feel like a master of fate. For example, will you use advanced or cheap medical treatment? Will you force the elderly to work or not?

This title is no walk in the park, as you must distribute heat wisely, gather food (which comes in varying qualities), collect resources, conduct expeditions, and so on. Even on an easy difficulty setting, I found myself really straining—so just imagine what it’s like on hardcore!

Never Alone

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We’ll end our list with a winter platformer based on the folklore of the indigenous people of Alaska. A girl named Nuna from the Iñupiat tribe and her Arctic fox set out on a long journey across the icy wilderness. They strive to find the source of a relentless blizzard and save their home.

The title allows you to play either alone or with someone else. But in this scenario (since we’re focusing on single-player), you’ll have to switch between the story’s two heroes.

Of course, this seemingly cozy world contains both friends and enemies. For example, the friendly Owl Spirit will give you a tool capable of awakening other spirits. Here, you’ll not only delve into the culture of northern people but also their mythology.

This was a list of ten games that will undoubtedly make your Christmas more enjoyable, especially if you’re celebrating alone. These titles will give you an unforgettable atmosphere that may remain in your heart forever.

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