Tombola, Sinco, Sette e Mezzo - a Christmas filled with board games

The Christmas season has always been a time of joy and sharing with family and loved ones, enriched by traditions that make the holidays even more special. Among these, board games play a central role, enlivening Italian homes and adding a touch of fun to the long festive days.

The tradition of Christmas games has its roots in family and community life in the 19th century, when winter evenings and breaks from work encouraged moments of conviviality. In the absence of television and technology, simple and accessible games became precious opportunities to be together, taking on a strong symbolic value linked to Christmas over time.

The undisputed emblem of the festivities is tombola, which originated in Naples in the 18th century as a domestic alternative to the lottery. Based on the drawing of numbers from 1 to 90, the game involves winning combinations such as ambo, terno and tombola, often enriched by the ironic meanings of the Neapolitan smorfia. Alongside it are other traditional games such as Sinco, sette e mezzo, which recreates the atmosphere of a casino in a family setting, and classic card games such as scopa and briscola.

The panorama is completed by mercante in fiera and word and mime games, which everyone can get involved in. Beyond the rules and victories, what makes these games special is the time shared, filled with laughter, stories and memories that are destined to last.

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