Hands up who’s excited for a summer of watching sport? From Wimbledon to Euro 2020 (or, 2021….confusing stuff) and even the Olympics in Japan, the next few months are going to be spent on our sofas, soaking up the action.
But if you prefer to be gathered around the table rather than the tele, then perhaps you’re considering hosting a game night or two this summer? If you’re hoping to coax friends who have become fixated on their TVs into a more sociable, and let’s face it, fun setting, then you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s take a look at everything you’ll need to know ahead of your spectacular game night.
KNOW THE RULES
First things first. We don’t mean to panic you, and panic you shouldn’t, but hosting a games night is a big responsibility. As host, you’ll be the default expert on knowing all the rules of the game and how everyone should play it. Moreover, when arguments break out over the minutiae of poker, Cluedo or Pictionary, you’ll have to be the mediator. A games night without the host knowing how to play the game from start to finish can quickly turn chaotic.
So, scrupulously study the instruction pull-out booklet or rules of the game online before the night itself. There are plenty of YouTube videos out there explaining the rules of even the most esoteric of games if passive learning is more your thing.
If you’re hosting a casino night, it’s essential to brush up on your poker skills or learn how to play poker first. In such instances, remember to decide on a budget to avoid any irresponsible gambling, too. Or, you could just play with coppers, mitigating the risk of sore losers come the end of the night.
Once you know the rules of whichever game your night’s revolving around, you can sit back, safe in the knowledge that you’ve done your first and foremost duty as a games night host. Bravo!
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SNACKS
One of the most important aspects of any event is keeping your guests well fed and watered. Rumbling stomachs and empty glasses will quickly kill any game night fun, so let’s start with the former and explore more of the latter later.
Snacks are the cornerstone of any games night; they fuel the fun and help your guests’ concentration and contentment. The number one rule is, of course, to serve finger food – you don’t actually want a full blown, three course meal. That, we think, serves as a distraction from the very point of the evening.
Chips and dip are a great start, but why not bring out the charcuterie and cheese board, instead; it’s super easy to prepare and super delicious, to boot. When it comes to designing your cheese board, remember that variety is the spice of life; ensure your cheeseboard has a mixture of soft, hard, and crumbly textures alongside varying strengths and sources, such as cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s cheese. Include at least one soft cheese and one blue cheese for textural intrigue and range of flavour.
Or, you could choose from the wide variety of food we like to call ‘stuff to bung in the oven’ – think pizza, french fries, samosas, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, spring rolls and the like. Always a winner, don’t you think?
GAMING IS THIRSTY WORK
Playing games is thirsty work, make no mistake. And whilst the focal point is gaming, people are expecting a bit of drink at such an event. That said, you don’t want to be playing the bartender and waiter all night, so set up a drinks station so people can help themselves.
This could be as simple as a trolley with a few choice pitchers, allowing everyone to help themselves, or something more elaborate with cocktail ingredients all laid out ready for budding mixologists to try their hands (or rather, wrists) at the cocktail shaker. Simply load your beverage station with bottles, mixers and glasses, and you’re all set for an exuberant time filled with lively conversation.
SET UP A PRACTICAL GAMING SPACE
Games nights require a spacious table and plenty of seating; there’s nothing worse than a cramped gaming situation where guests spend half the night worrying about knocking things over.
If your house doesn’t have a large main table, may we suggest buying an extendable dining table? If not, a coffee table will suffice, surrounded with floor cushions. Should you be running low on seats, consider investing in some portable camping chairs. You can buy them for as little as £8 from Argos, and they’re the perfect choice for the sequel to your gaming night….your Glastonbury night! Hey, this stuff writes itself.
THEME YOUR GAME NIGHT
Want to stand out and last long in the collective celebratory consciousness? The most memorable games nights are themed. A theme shouldn’t have to mean a much-maligned fancy dress affair (cue, a sigh of relief). However, having a theme for your games night, no matter how big or small, can pull the event together and allows you to create a backdrop against which you can choreograph the entire event.
For example, you can have a competitive wine tasting event set to the backdrop of good plonk and artisan cheese. Or, how about a poker night inspired by James Bond, including black tie, martinis (shaken not stirred) and a soundtrack of classic Bond songs? Running with the theme further, why not organise a subbuteo evening with everything dressed in their favourite football team’s kit (or colours)? Sounds like great fun to us!
Whatever you choose, having a basis to the event gives it a sharper focus both in the planning stage and later down the line, in the memory of those who attended.
HAVE A BACKUP PLAN
Even if you’ve themed your games night with precision, sometimes you and your guests can’t get into the groove of a certain game. A backup game is then essential to ensure the night moves and grooves along. Here, a pack of cards will suffice, or if things have really gone downhill, a playstation could even save the day!
Should the competitive spirit of the occasion turn things a little heated, may we suggest turning the night into a movie night instead?
If you are considering hosting that movie night, check out these 4 essentials of any home entertainment room for some top tips on getting the space just right.
YOU’RE ALL SET FOR A MEMORABLE TIME
Now that you’ve acquired everything for a wonderful game night, go ahead and invite your guests. No matter what the sport for the night is, you won’t go wrong with the effort put into the ambience and delicious snacks.