The Gift Of Games: Romantic Edition

I recently offered a tip about giving a game along with a snack to turn it into a gift of a game night. But what if the recipient is a bit closer to you – either someone you're dating or in a long-term relationship with? What do you give them?

As a tangential purveyor of fine games, my answer is the same: Fine games. (Honestly, as a tangential purveyor of fine games, I cannot overstate how much "give fine games" is my default go-to. Don't tap the "25% tip" button at a coffee shop; hand over a copy of Deadly Doodles Second Edition! Pet groomer did a great job? Thank them with a copy of Munchkin Tails! Is your postal carrier fantastic? Surreptitiously slip them a copy of the Car Wars Core Set!)

However, my insight for those in a relationship goes a bit further. A challenge with many gaming couples is not just "the physical game" but also "the time and plan." In other words, a stand-alone game without a plan could well end up in the closet of shame, along with myriad other games that you just haven't gotten around to yet. You may even have other closets or garage nooks full of yet-to-be-played games that you hope your spouse won't find out about when she's editing a Daily Illuminator post. Hypothetically.

So, rather than a game, or even a game and a snack, consider giving a game and a plan.

Go with dinner and a meal. Include an invitation to a proposed "date night and time" . . . or a few options if one of you is exceptionally busy. Provide a menu of foods you can make and/or provide. (Even a carry-out menu from a beloved restaurant will get the point across.)

Then, do the heavy mental lifting as much as possible to make the game happen. Learn the game as best you're able, sleeve the cards if you do that, check out any "how to plays" (or have a video cued up), look for any FAQs . . . Basically, if there's any mental resistence that tends to keep you from playing a new game, eliminate that as much as possible.

In other words, you're not giving your snugglebunny (say) a copy of Groo: The Game . . . you're giving a complete, ready-to-go "date night" that includes Groo: The Game.

Of course, if you do have a "closet of shame," you don't even need to buy a new game; you can do the above with something from your stash that's maybe been languishing too long. The important thing is to make the runway as clear as possible to enjoy it together. A meal, a plan, a game – it's a date!

-- Steven Marsh