How to Plan a Fun-Filled Game Night with Friends
Throughout the past couple of years, many of us have become quite accustomed to having fun nights in rather than going out. For some, this was simply due to necessity and out of a concern for public health. For others, the practice of having nights in rather than going out has grown and transformed into a super-fun tradition and even a preferred way to see your friends and hang out. If you have been meaning to get together with friends and have a fun night in, read on!
We’ve compiled to an ultimate how-to guide to assist you in planning a super fun-filled game night for you and your friends.
Set the Tone
First, decide what kind of game night you would like to host. Is this a girl’s night in for you and your closest besties? Are you and your partner planning to host a couple’s game night? Is this game night strictly adults-only or is it family-friendly? It is important to know what the vibe of the night is before you start planning the details. You can make it a themed game night such as getting dressed up in your special occasion dress and playing card games like poker and blackjack.
You can move game night outside and enjoy some fresh air—host an outdoor game night and have a bonfire while playing cornhole and horseshoes. Invest in some outdoor furniture to really make your outside gaming area a welcoming and fun environment. Get in touch with your inner nerd and host a night of role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons and serve your guest's mead and roasted meats. Make a game night playlist to set the vibe with music. Get creative and have fun.
Invite Your Guests
This may seem like an obvious step, but it is not one to be taken lightly, lest anyone is overlooked. You can make this step fun-filled as well. It can be as simple as compiling your list of guests and sending out texts or a Facebook invite, or you can make your own cute and fun paper invitations (remember those?) and send them out via snail mail. Make sure to include if you have a theme or specific vibe to the night in the invitation—you wouldn’t want someone showing up dressed to the nines while everyone else is donning matching pajamas.
Create a Snack Menu
Snacks are a vital component of any fun-filled game night and are almost as important as the games themselves. You can turn game night into a full-blown dinner party with multiple courses, or you can keep it simple by popping some frozen snacks in the oven just before your guests arrive. You can invite your guests to bring their own snacks and have a potluck game night. A classic charcuterie and cheese board is also a fantastic option as it can really class up game night while being super easy to assemble—no cooking required. A small selection of sweets and desserts is never a bad idea either. Ditch the wasteful paper napkins and use this as the perfect opportunity to show off your monogrammed hand towels.
Have an Array of Drink Options
If your friends are drinkers, create a cocktail menu and have a couple of select fun and yummy cocktails pre-made for your guests to enjoy during your game night. If you opted for a cheeseboard as your snack, provide a small array of wines that pair well with your selection of cheeses. Create a fun mocktail out of some craft soda, fresh fruit juices, and homemade syrups for your non-drinkers and designated drivers.
Pick Your Games
Now is the time to choose your games for your fun-filled game night. You can stick to classic throwback board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble, or Clue. You can even take the potluck theme to the next level by having everyone bring their own favorite board game to your game night. You can put a 21st-century digital spin on game night by playing Jackbox games. These games can be played with all of your guests on their smartphones while casting the game onto your television. Gather 'round and get cozy with extra throw pillows and blankets.
Have Fun
This is, of course, the most important step in all of this planning and executing: Have fun. It can be easy to get wrapped up in playing host or hostess and forget that you aren’t doing this just for your guests—you are supposed to be enjoying this night, too! Grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let the super-fun game night with your friends begin.
Follow these steps and you’re sure to plan a fantastic and fun-filled game night that will assuredly go off without a hitch and have your friends asking when you’re planning the next one.