Overview
A classic holiday card-based trivia game featuring a distinctive two-part white box with festive red and green typography. This 1996 edition represents the peak of the 1980s-90s board game boom, designed for multi-generational family play.
Preliminary identification
'Tis The Season Christmas Trivia Game, 1996 Edition
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
In 1988, a small Illinois company captured lightning in a bottle by turning holiday nostalgia into a competitive sport. This 1996 version arrived just as 'trivia fever' became a permanent fixture of the American family Christmas.
Maker / Origin
Debco, operating under Anton, Inc. in Downers Grove, specialized in niche seasonal entertainment that bridged the gap between casual parlor games and serious trivia. They were masters of the 'card-in-box' format that required no board, making it the perfect travel companion for holiday visits.
Condition & Value
The box shows minor shelf wear and some light scuffing/soiling on the bottom and side panels consistent with age. The structural integrity of the cardboard appears good. Complete sets in crisp condition command the higher end of the range. Value is driven by nostalgia and completeness.
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.