Just because winter has officially begun in full force doesn’t mean that you have to cancel your social life for the next 3 months. I find that one great, budget-friendly way to reconnect with friends and stay warm is having board game nights.
Board games are also an amazing ice-breaking activity for people you are still getting to know and are scared of running out of conversation. I believe that there is a board game out there for everybody.
I also think that board game parties go beyond just having board games ready to play. You are here to entertain and I will show you how to throw a great board game party to impress your friends and family.
Game Selection
Starting with the most important part of a board game party- the board games! I have several different ideas for you to get this piece together
Idea 1 – Take inventory of all your existing board games and group them into categories.
For example, your strategy games, card games, dexterity games, etc. Once you do this, it will be easier to come up with a theme for your party. This option is great if you have a lot of games and struggle with picking which ones you want to play. Some examples of themes you can use are murder mystery nights (include games like Deception, Mysterium, and Clue), budding artist game night (include games like Pictionary, Telestrations, etc)
You can even have your guests dress up according to your themes to make it extra fun!
Idea 2 – BYOG (Bring Your Own Game) Night.
This is a great option if you have a small game inventory but want to host a great game night party on a budget. Have your guests bring their games and have a raffle draw to pick which ones you will be playing that night. This is a great way to get to know what your guests like as well.
Idea 3 – Make it a *specific* game night
This one is the easiest to do if you have a long strategy game on hand. For example, you can host a Monopoly night or a Dungeons and Dragons night, a Katan party, etc. You can use the same ideas as #1 with dress codes and fun decorations to match your game.
Here are some of my favourite group game recommendations:
- Anomia: This game keeps you on your toes and tests your quick-thinking skills! I can guarantee that this game will keep your guests alert and entertained. You pick a card and have to be the fastest to name an object/animal/person/word within your category. This is a game night favourite for me.
Price: $16.95
- Cranium: Another very fun, light game to keep your guests on their toes. Players work in teams to complete the different types of activities in this game including trivia, solving puzzles, sculpting things, charades, and blindfolded drawing. It is so fun and does not get boring because there are so many activities to keep up with. I recommend the 25th-anniversary edition, it’s great.
Price: $35.99
Cranium 25th Anniversary Edition
- Trivial Pursuit – 2010s edition: I enjoy trivia a lot and adore this edition of Trivial Pursuit. This edition includes questions surrounding every major pop culture event, news, music, and film and TV that happened in the last decade and is a fun way to reminisce with your friends and go “I feel so old! I can’t believe that was 10 years ago!”
Price: $39.99
- Telestrations: This game is so hilarious and so much fun. It is a great bonding activity. Put your drawing and deciphering skills to the test. It has the most unpredictable, funniest outcomes and is one of my absolute favourites.
Price: $31.99
Renting Board Games
If you do not own enough games and do not want to spend too much money buying new games, renting is a great option for you. Here are some board game rental services:
Snack Selection
A board game party is incomplete without some chips, dips, and drinks to bring out the fun. My go-to chips for any board game party are Ms. Vickies in any flavour except dill pickle (sorry to all the dill pickle fans)
I would like to direct you to some of my favourite easy-to-put-together recipes for cocktails, mocktails, and dips for your perfect board game party:
Cocktail Recipes
Aperol Spritz for fruity deliciousness
Mojito for something refreshing
Baileys Hot Chocolate for those cold winter nights
*Substitute alcohol with Sprite to make the first two recipes a mocktail and the third one can just be a regular hot chocolate!
Dips
Creamy Kimchi Dip – best paired with some plain Ruffle chips.
Seven Layer Dip – best paired with nacho chips
Enjoyed this blog? Check out my dinner party blog here:
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