Picture the scene if you will. Long shot through snow storm of warmly lit house. Steadily zooms through the ground floor window. Pan across sitting room to where family are sitting miserably around spanking new home computer. The TV screen is glowing but blank. Mother gently weeps, father quietly curses, grandad gnashes his gums, grandma snaps a knitting needle in frustration. The children sob uncontrollably.

The reason for their total despair, dear reader, is this: they failed to read this article. And just what magical key to domestic bliss and contentment does this piece of journalism hold, I hear you snarl.

Quite simply this: Oh ye of little faith and cynical lip: it brings tidings of software most eminently suitable for that great British tradition, the gathering of the clans at Christmas.

What better way to start the festivities than write a computerised version of one of the classic board games? Take Scrabble (Leisure Genius) for instance. No longer will Dad be able to 'accidentally' kick the board over just as you're about to blow everyone out of sight with a triple-value seven-letter humdinger. (There's also Cluedo, Kensington and Mastermind, all popular games and just the thing to shake off the after-effects of eating too much Christmas pudding).

What's more, the clever-clogs in the family can be challenged to pit their wits against the computer itself. What fun to hear the excuses when the brain of Acacia Avenue goes down 566-12 to a mere collection of silicon chips.

Moving along to a more cerebral area, why not let Grandad, Grandmaster of Guildford, pit his wits against one of the many superb chess programs? Among the very best are Mychess (Beyond Software), White Knight (BBC), Spectrum Chess II (Artic), Cyrus Chess (Sinclair) and Grandmaster (Audiogenic). One program - Voice Chess (Artic) - even speaks to you!

Most have a host of fun features such as giving you a hint as to what to do next (ban grandad from using it), varying skill levels, problem solving and action replays. How jolly to get the whole street in and show them how grandad was mated in ten moves!

If chess is not your thing, there's always other board games, such as Backgammon (Sinclair), or, if you like Othello, Renaissance (Audiogenic).

After all that brain power, perhaps you're in the mood for something lighter. Adults, would you like to know what kind of lover you are? Are you compatible with your present partner or would you be better off with someone else? How are your dating skills? What kind of relationship would suit you best? If you would like to find out the answers to these and other related matters, you could try The Dating Game (Acornsoft). This asks you a lot of questions and comes up with a diagnosis. There's even a section that will let you see who best matches you, a sort of miniature matrimonial agency - a giggle at parties, perhaps.

Married couples could have a go at I Do (Acornsoft), an analytical guide to a happy marriage. If you do decide to play any of these, make sure you do so only in a spirit of fun - this sort of diagnosis is a far from perfect science. Wouldn't do to have a bust-up over a program, would it?

If you like answering questions of a less personal kind, there's bags of quiz programs on the market, ranging from general knowledge to more specialised ones on such things as science fiction, theatre, opera, detective novels, etc.

On a more rigorous plane is Cattel IQ Test (Sinclair) which will give your grey matter a thorough workout and tell you whether it's worth your while applying for Mensa membership.

The more physical family may prefer a bit of armchair athleticism. There's plenty of sport simulation around.

For the football fanatic, there's the excellent International Soccer (Commodore) where you'll really believe a goalie can fly, Football Manager (Addictive Games) or World Cup (Artic). Leather and willow watchers may opt for Test Match (CRL) while those wishing to leave the nineteenth hole for a while could go for Royal Birkdale (Ocean). Tennis aces could try their service out in Tennis (Atari) or Matchpoint (Psion).

It doesn't matter whether or not you've ever been orienteering or even know what it is (I didn't!). If you can read a map then the marvellous The Forest (Phipps) will provide countless hours of pleasure. You may even end up having a go at the real thing - I did and it's great.

Fancy playing the role of a dictator in a banana republic for a few hours? If so, Dictator (DK'tronics) is just the answer. If governing Britain is more your style, 1984 (Incentive) will give you the chance. It's great fun and should help sober everyone up.

If accumulating rather than dispensing money seems more attractive, Millionaire (Incentive) should reveal just what business acumen you really do have.

Playing an adventure is akin to reading an exciting book where you are the central character. Full of twists and turns, puzzles and mysteries, adventures are wonderful entertainment - even more so when there are several people all trying to offer advice about what to do next: "Break the door with your axe"... No, look through the keyhole first.

Best of a massive bunch are the Zork trilogy (Infocom/CBM), Colossal Adventure (Level 9 - though all of its are brill!), Macbeth (Creative Sparks), Sorcerer Of Claymorgue Castle (Adventure International), The Ket Trilogy (Incentive) and Philosopher's Quest (Acornsoft).

Finally, for relaxation why not use your micro for a spot of creativity with Print (Atari) or The Designer's Pencil (Activision). Happy Christmas.