AFTER gorging yourself on turkey and Christmas pud, all you feel like doing is slumping on to the sofa to stare at your new Simpsons socks, obligatory bubble bath and video box set.

There's also the option of settling down in front of the hundredth re-run of Star Wars, which, incidentally, is on ITV at 2.30pm on Boxing Day.

But, come on, why not get out of that armchair and have some fun following your festive fodder, with a thrilling, frustrating or titillating party game?

After all, it's got to be more entertaining than squabbling over TV channels.

To help you along, here are a few gems to buy or simply create with your own Blue Peter-inspired hands:

n They say the best parties always start in the kitchen, so it's no surprise that Fridgeplay was invented by a couple of mates standing around at a social gathering, clutching a few beers.

For £9.95, you can choose from seven magnetic games including draughts, chess and battleships, turning your fridge into a gaming area as you go.

n There hasn't been a truly contagious word game to hit the shelves since Pictionary, but Spinergy, for £29.95, is guaranteed to get your mind in a tizz.

It involves creating songs, tongue twisters, chat-up lines, poems and countless other sayings from a series of random words, generated by its innovative, roulette-style word rings.

With more than 1.5 billion combinations, it should keep you amused until the liquors come out.

n Bladder, for £19.95, is a strange and rare combination of chess and football and is utterly addictive, according to its many fans.

The object of the game is to score a goal - which you do by entering your opponent's part of the board with the bladder on your head and tackling, defending and laming the opposition.

n Take the humble game of snap, throw in a totem pole and add a dash of confusing game-play cards and there you have Jungle Jam, priced at £14.95.

The object is to snatch the totem before your opponent, and, of course, this game is played best after a tipple.

n Superplexus, for £29.95, is a strange looking contraption for those wanting to escape over-affectionate aunts, tipsy uncles and riotous small children.

The idea is to twist and turn the transparent case to get a metal ball through the 3-D labyrinth - very frustrating but great fun.

n Rush Hour, costing £9.95, has won more awards than David Beckham has motor cars, and involves creating a path through the trucks and cars with the aid, or hinderance, of the puzzle cards supplied - one for those who like a challenge.

All of the above can be found at Firebox.com or in selected High Street stores.

DIY games can be just as entertaining and here are a few to get the cogs whirring.

n The first is perfect for party hosts who don't particularly like their gifts - there's no pleasing some - and have a bit of the green eyed monster for everyone else's.

Ask your guests to bring their unwanted pressies and knock up some pieces of paper inscribed with simple words such as "from", "then", "of", "in" etc.

Each guest takes a piece of paper which gives them their keyword for the game.

Then, give everyone a drink.

Read out a short Christmas story, or play a Christmas carol (with clear words in it) and every time you hear your keyword, you must take a sip and swap your gift with the person on your right.

Continue until the end of the story or carol and voil, you might get to trade your comedy socks from Aunt Mary in for a PlayStation 2.

n Another amusing way of passing the time is translating random sayings into Christmas carols.

Here are a few to get you going.

1. Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief - O Come All Ye Faithful.

2. Listen the celestial messengers produce harmonious sounds - Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

3. Nocturnal time span of unbroken quietness - Silent Night.

4. An emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good given to the terrestrial sphere - Joy to the World.

5. Embellish the interior passageways - Deck the Halls.

6. Exalted heavenly beings to whom harkened - Angels We Have Heard On High.

7. Twelve o'clock on a clement night witnessed its arrival - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.

8. The Christmas preceding all others - The First Noel.

9. Small municipality in Judea southeast of Jerusalem - O Little Town of Bethlehem.

10. Diminutive masculine master of skin-covered percussionist cylinders - Little Drummer Boy.