Abstract:
A game comprises: a game board; a tree trunk for each player playing the game, the tree truck attachable to the game board; a plurality of branches for the each player playing the game, the plurality of branches attachable to the tree trunk; a tree topper; and a pair of dice; wherein players in turn roll the pair of dice and build a tree from the tree trunk and the plurality of branches based on rolls of the pair of dice.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a board game, and more specifically relates to a Christmas-themed board game that may be enjoyed by people celebrating Christmas around the world. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In one aspect of the present invention, a game comprises a game board; a tree trunk for each player playing the game, the tree truck attachable to the game board; a plurality of branches for the each player playing the game, the plurality of branches attachable to the tree trunk; a tree topper; and a pair of dice; wherein players in turn roll the pair of dice and build a tree from the tree trunk and the plurality of branches based on rolls of the pair of dice. 
         [0003]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for playing a game, comprises opening a game board; rolling a pair of six-sided dice within a center area of the game board; taking an action in response to the rolling of the pair of six-sided dice; and continuing to roll the dice and to take the action until a tree topper is placed atop a tree trunk. 
         [0004]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a view of the components of a Christmas tree game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows an overhead view of the game board and dice of the Christmas tree game shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the components of the Christmas tree game shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of a method for playing the Christmas tree game of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0010]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0011]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a Christmas tree game that combines the joy of Christmas with a fun and challenging board game. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a view of the components of a Christmas tree game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows an overhead view of the game board and dice of the Christmas tree game shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  shows a side view of the components of the Christmas tree game shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0013]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the Christmas tree game may comprise a game board  101 , Christmas tree trunks  103 , branches  104 , colored dice  107 , and a tree topper  108 , such as a star. 
         [0014]    The game board  101  may be a foldable board on which the Christmas tree game may be played. The game board  101  may be approximately 18-inches square and may have rounded corners. The game board  101  may comprise, for example, four pre-fastened bases  102  near each corner of the game board  101  that may accept the Christmas tree trunks  103  so that the Christmas tree trunks  103  may be held straight and firmly in place on the game board  101 . The bases  102  may also be situated in an offset position so that the game board  101  may fold up flat. A center area  111  of the game board  101  may comprise a cone  106  at the center point  109  of the game board  101  and a containment fence  105  that forms a circle around the center area  111  of the game board  101 . The cone  106  may protrude from the game board  101  and may scatter the dice  107  when the dice  107  are dropped over the cone  106 . The containment fence  105  may help keep the dice  107  contained within the center area  111  of the game board  101  when the dice  107  are dropped on and scattered by the cone  106 . The containment fence  105  may also be fixed in an offset position to allow the game board  101  to fold flat. 
         [0015]    The Christmas tree trunks  103  may be affixed to the game board  101  by inserting the Christmas tree trunks  103  into the pre-fastened bases  102  on the game board  101 . The trunks  103  may be straight rods having square holes  110  up and around its body that may accept the branches  104  of the Christmas tree in order to attach the branches  104  to the Christmas tree trunk  103 . 
         [0016]    The branches  104  of the Christmas tree may be inserted into the holes  110  of the Christmas tree trunks  103  to attach to the Christmas tree trunk  103 . The branches  104  may be constructed in one piece and may have impressions of needles and/or secondary branches pressed into the branches  104 . The branches  104  may also have decorative ornaments fixed or painted on to them to create a more colorful tree. 
         [0017]    The tree topper  108  may be placed atop the Christmas tree created by a Christmas tree trunk  103  and branches  104  of the winning player. The tree topper  108  may light up, play a Christmas tune, and/or ring a bell when it is place on top of a Christmas tree. 
         [0018]    The colored dice  107  may comprise a pair of dice  107  having the same color pattern. Each of the colored dice  107  may be a 6-sided dice having two opposite sides that may be red and the other four sides that may be green. 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one to four players may play the Christmas tree game. The game board may be unfolded flat on a flat surface with the cone and the containment fence rising from the game board. Each player may have a Christmas tree trunk and branches to complete his Christmas tree. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of a method for playing the Christmas tree game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0021]    The object of the Christmas tree game may be to be the first player to finish constructing his Christmas tree including placing a tree topper atop the Christmas tree. To play the Christmas tree game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each player of the game may be given game pieces for constructing a Christmas tree, including a tree trunk, branches, and a tree topper, and may take turns tossing the pair of dice within the area of the game board contained by the containment fence. 
         [0022]    If the value of the pair of tossed dice is two red sides, the rules may instruct the player to remove one part of his Christmas tree. For example, the player may remove a branch from his Christmas tree trunk, remove the Christmas tree trunk from the game board if the player&#39;s Christmas tree trunk does not have any branches attached to it, or do nothing if he has not yet had the opportunity to attach his Christmas tree trunk to the game board. 
         [0023]    If the value of the pair of tossed dice is two green sides, the rules may instruct the player to add a part to his Christmas tree. The player may attach his Christmas tree trunk to the game board via one of the pre-fastened bases on the game board if he has not yet had the opportunity to do so, attach a branch to his Christmas tree trunk if his Christmas tree trunk has already been attached to the game board and if his Christmas tree trunk is not completely full of attached branches, or place a tree topper on top of his Christmas tree if his Christmas tree trunk is completely full of attached branches, thus signifying that the player has won the game. 
         [0024]    If the value of the pair of tossed dice is one green side and one red site, the dice may signify that the player should take no action and that his turn has ended. 
         [0025]    The players of the Christmas tree game should take turn rolling dice and taking actions in accordance with the dice rolled, until one player wins by placing the tree topper atop his Christmas tree. After a player has placed the tree topper atop his Christmas tree, the game may be ended, or the remaining players may continue playing the game until they each are able to place a tree topper atop their respective Christmas trees. 
         [0026]    In accordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention, the Christmas tree game may be implemented as a computer game, wherein the elements of the games and rules may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and/or software. 
         [0027]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.