From Giant Games to Gag Gifts: Unconventional Christmas Entertainment Trends in France

This Christmas season in France highlights unique entertainment and gifting trends that have captured family and social attention. In Narbonne, the 'palais du jeu' offers a free and vibrant indoor gaming experience during the Féeries de Noël festival, even in rainy weather. With 20 giant wooden games, 80 board games, and four children-specific zones, the venue welcomes about 500 visitors on weekdays and up to 2,300 on weekends. The ludothèques, La Fée Bistande and Christian Meyer, collectively house some 3,400 games and create opportunities for players of all ages to share laughter and imagination, with staff on hand to guide game participation. Open until January 4, 2026, this initiative ensures continuous festive play regardless of weather conditions.

Meanwhile, a viral TikTok prank has amused many with an unconventional gift trend: presenting ordinary stones as expensive celebrity memorabilia. Teenagers crafted dramatic reactions to convince surprised family members that they had received "lucky" stones from celebrities such as Emma Watson and Charles Leclerc. Some exaggerated prices for comedic effect, claiming costs up to 450 euros for a rock linked to stars like Gims. While some relatives quickly recognized the prank, others were taken in, adding a humorous twist to holiday gifting rituals.

Together, these contrasting trends—a free, community-driven game haven and a viral prank gift phenomenon—showcase how French families and young people are inventively engaging in holiday entertainment and gift culture this Christmas.