How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM cover image

How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

5 Tips to Make Your Dungeons and Dragons Game Christmas Themed

Dec 22, 2022
12:13

The entire tribe sat around the feast. They’d managed to down a mammoth and this was cause for celebration. The shaman claims the downing of the beast coincides with the yearly Midwinter celebration Hogash. All the children have been making gifts for each other and the adults have been creating altars for their ancestors. Now the tribe is sat all around the fire pit, feasting on delicious meat. 

Ulv stands up. The entire tribe hushes and the shaman waves for Ulv to speak. 

“I wish to attempt the trials. I will lead this tribe.”

Suddenly the men of the tribe start beating the ground with their weapons and chanting.

The shaman stands up. “Dnuk has accepted the call to the trial. Truly this is a celebration!”

We being the preparations at dawn!”

Intro

Warrick’s Problem.

Main Topic: Tips on How to Make D&D Christmas Themed

Justin

  • Add in a Random Celebration in the setting where your players are. 
  • This will give the feeling of the holidays even if the celebration is set in the middle of a desert.
  • Change the “skins” of NPC’s
  • Your players don’t actually have to fight Santa Clause. They could fight a giant that looks like Santa Clause but has all the same stats as a giant. D&D is half narrative and half mechanics. Instead of homebrewing your own Santa, just take the mechanics of something else and say it looks like Santa.
  • Give your Players a Gift
  • Every player loves getting new loot. Have a random patron show up and gift the adventurers some sort of interesting item. If you don't want to break your game have them give some sort of consumable item that is interesting. If you don’t know what sort of consumable, just choose the form (potion, food or other time) and then pick your favorite ability and give it a one-time use.
  • Change the weather.
  • For most people, Christmas is synonymous with winter. Make it obvious that the weather is changing. Make it snow and give them consequences for the snow. Either have someone open up their home during a snowstorm (spread Christmas cheer) or have the characters have to avoid getting stuck in a blizzard. 
  • Go all out with Christmas Homebrew Monsters

You can subscribe to people like GamingBrew from Episode 63. He for example has loads of themed monsters that are custom created for the right feeling and setting. Subscribing to him saves time because you don’t have to do anything other than plug and play.

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Listen to Our New Podcast

As a listener of this show, you obviously love story. Now that you’ve learned how to craft your own story on this show, wouldn’t it be nice to have some inspiration? Or maybe just a moment of immersion and escape? Then come join us in our new Actual Play D&D 5e show, Pact and Boon. Enter the World of Calignos where our characters, Jolly, Wolfgang and Alon will meet each other in Hell. Enjoy our troublemaking and near-death experiences wherever great podcasts are heard. Just go to session0studios.com/pactnboon and start listening today.

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