Gift Idea – Game Night

Every once in a while my friends Eve & Matt throw a game night. The first time I went to one, I thought, “Am I eight years old? Why would I want to play a board game?”. Little did I know that I was in for a whopper of a good time. Everyone really got into the competitive spirit and it was fun to do something completely different than we would normally do.

Since then I’m a game night junkie. Whether its with family or friends, its always a great time. Board games also make great gifts, and are pretty inexpensively. Around this time of year stores often have promotions, and there is a wide selection of fun games for all ages. Here are some of my personal favorites, that are sure to please.

I was at a friend’s cottage this summer, stuck inside during a week-long rainstorm, and someone pulled out this game, Dutch Blitz. I was in awe. Its kind of like Solitaire, Uno and Spit all rolled into one, but with colours. And its fast! When you get into this game, you would be surprised at how quickly you are tossing those cards down. Keep all drinks and food off the table, because they’re guaranteed to go flying. This is one of the best things to come from the Amish since Mission furniture!

Pictionary is something that we approach with caution in my family because it always ends in everyone on the floor laughing. This is the game that made me realize how alike my sister and I really are. If we both have to draw a picture to describe the same clue, without fail the two pictures will almost always look alike. Almost like we visualize things the same. My dad on the other hand….well, lets just say that we are still working on his Pictionary skills. You’ll get there someday, Dad, I promise.

Cranium is a great team game! When we do a game night, we usually try to put people in teams with others that they don’t really know all too well, and by the end of the night they are guaranteed to be giving each other high fives. Its a great way to bring together a room of mixed groups (your high school friends, college roommates, coworkers, awkward new boyfriends, etc.), because it calls upon so many different skills (sketching, charades, wordplay, trivia, etc) and really forces the teams to work together. Plus a healthy dose of competitive spirit always helps 🙂

Monopoly is a tried-and-true classic. To this day, my father still INSISTS on being the banker. This isn’t the game to start at the end of the night for “one last round”. Monopoly can turn into a whole night’s worth of buying and selling…and in this economy it feels nice to be able to afford a house! (even if it is only a tiny plastic one). I always like to be the little Scotty dog, or the car…never the iron, it reminds me of the ironing that I refuse to do (wrinkly shirts are in, right?).

Give a game this year to your family and get ready for some great quality time. Or better yet, host a game night yourself this holiday season. Its a great way to have some fun during this busy time of year. Make up some great comfort food, microwave some popcorn and invite the gang over for a night of fun. You’ll be surprised at how quickly people get into it.