How great is hosting game night? It’s FREE entertainment with friends, family, or colleagues. You don’t even have to cook a full meal. Candy, popcorn, chips, dips, soda, coffee, booze if you choose, mocktails, pretzels, nacho dip – makes me weak in the knees just thinking about it. You’ve got some fun pop songs going in the background. The lighting is just right. It’s fun to watch how certain people react. The most shy friend may seem out of character, becoming very loud, competitive, and excited. As they say, get your game face on.
You can team people up or let everyone fly solo. Teaming up is a way to introduce two people who are meeting for the first time.
If you don’t want a late night, don’t choose games that are all-nighters. Some people have a blast sticking to their childhood faves like Uno. Or, you could throw a Connect Four Tournament. This could actually be an ongoing affair, and the champion gets a grand prize – something cheesy, or maybe a homemade belt as in wrestling, and of course, bragging rights.
The guests crowd around the Connect Four table while two people play, then someone plays the winner of that, and so on. This is also a way for those on the sidelines to mingle and get to know one another.
For the super late night crowd, you might choose role playing or world building games. If you have a regular crew, you can introduce the latest game to fly off the shelves. If your guests are an assortment of regulars and newbies, more time might be spent explaining the game, rather than playing. Just some things to keep in mind.
Snacks can get messy and stain things. You might not choose cheese puffs snacks paired with…anything. Or if you’re using your rare, limited edition Monopoly board, keep the snacks to pretzels and such, that won’t leave residue.
Rule of thumb for anything you host – have plenty of toilet paper. You can never have too much TP, but you can have too little. There are those people who rolls it around their hand 15 times before tearing off the roll. I’ve experienced this in a public bathroom where the next stall asks for your TP. Okay, that might have been a little exaggerated, but you get the jist.
Will this gang be your game tribe – the repeat crowd who always attends game night, or will you mix up the crew? Aside from friends, it’s another great way to incorporate folks in your industry you’d love to mesh with, but haven’t had the chance. The neighbors are a great group, as well. It’s the perfect way to form a bond, no one has to leave home, and the annoying woman who complains about every little thing in the community, just might be a blast at game night.
Overall, it’s a cheap, fun way to get to know people, and to have bonding time with those you already know, without leaving your house.
