How to Host an Easy and Fun Board Game Party

If your friends are both filled with useless information and as competitive as mine are, why not throw a game party? It's easy, fun, there's plenty of guest interaction built in and you don't have to worry about entertainment.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lots of chairs and pillows
• A variety of board games
• Plenty of pencils and pads for drawing and scoring

1. 
    

   Send out a themed evite (available for free at www.evite.com) to your board game-playing friends and ask them to bring along their favorite games. Don't invite more than twenty people, though. That's just asking for unruliness...

2. Set up a large gathering area with a coffee table for the games and have plenty of chairs and pillows for folks to sit on.

3. Order pizza and have lots of snacks around. It's nice to have both alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. Some guests might need to loosen up to play the games, others might want to stay sharp.

4. 
    

   In my experience, hilarity most often ensues when playing these games: Taboo, Guesstures, Pictionary and Cranium, which is sort of a combination of all of the above. For a more intellectually challenging evening, there's always Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble. If you want to show off your new HDTV, try the "Scene It" or other DVD party games.

5. Play in large teams and switch up often so different people get to interact. The games will go much faster, too.

6. Have fun and keep it loose! Don't get into arguments. Vote on which games folks want to play next. If anyone wants to sit out because they're too shy, that's fine. Tell them they're free to jump in any time they feel like it.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you're familiar with the games and rules beforehand, in case anyone has any questions. But don't feel the need to follow the instructions to the letter. You don't want to become a "game Nazi."
• Take a break between games for people to chat and stretch their legs.

[chickenchick]

on 3/29/2009 This is right up my alley. We always play board games after holiday get togethers. A special game night is great. It's a good idea to have 1 a month at different houses, at least one. A kids game called Hands Down is hilarious when adults play it because unlike kids, adults try to sneak or ease their hand down without a lot of fuss. Laughs and no arguments. God Bless 5*

[Melanieee]

on 8/7/2008 I love board games! Definitely good ideas for a game night. I for one love BOGGLE