The fun and hoopla of the holidays are over, and most of us are feeling the winter blues! So what better way to get out of that funk by having Family Game Night!!! This could be a once a week thing, or why not invite some friends and their families over for one big party! It's a great excuse to throw a party and get together with good friends, and it can definitely be a fun way to get over that winter slump!
To keep the party easy, serve a variety of appetizers! This gives you the freedom to hang out with your friends and enjoy the games! You can easily make most ahead of time too. Have a variety of snacks placed around the room too, such as popcorn, nuts, chips with onion dip, and candy/chocolate.
I like to serve fun retro-inspired recipes. My mom has this cookbook from the 70's (which I now have), that has some recipes that we have made in the past and they are always a hit. Two of my faves are Tuna Dip and Shrimp Toasts. I'll be sharing these recipes with you in this post, but here is a list of some other great recipes that your friends and the kiddos are sure to love!
**ham and endive cups
**chili cheese fries (serve in individual cups or bowl for easy eating) with toppings
-green onions, crushed corn chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa
*use canned chili to save time*
**cheese and crackers (serve them on a checkers board-so fun)
**mini meatballs (any flavour combination you like)
**tater tot skewers with spicy ketchup for the adults and regular ketchup for the kiddos (this is literally as easy as it sounds: thread cooked tater tots on skewers and serve)
**a veggie tray with ranch or spinach dip
**the following recipes are taken from the book "Quick and Delicious Gourmet Cookbook" (1979)
TUNA DIP
1 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 7 ounce can tuna fish
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons grated onion
4 to 6 drops Tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
*rinse and drain tuna; flake. Combine all ingredients. Chill several hours before serving. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
SHRIMP TOAST
1 3 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup snipped green onion (green part only)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 dash Tabasco sauce
1 4 1/2 ounce can of shrimp
*Rinse and drain shrimp. Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Spread on toast triangles and broil in oven on high or bake at 350 for about 5 to 10 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
*This can also be served as a dip, just make sure it gets refrigerated for a few hours before serving*
Set up an area, either in the kitchen, dining room, or living room, for a buffet style meal. It makes it easier for guests to get food as they wish, and leaves enough room at the games table for playing. Also, smaller plates are easier to hold or have beside you while you are playing.
A cute idea for food labels is to use a deck of cards. You may have tons of decks lying around the house, but if you don't, you can find them at any dollar store. Either fold the cards over like a tent, or attach it to a place card holder or picture frame holder. Simple!
It's also a good idea to set up a drinks station too, so you and your guests have access to the drinks all through the night, instead of having to go to the fridge every time someone wants something! Include some cocktail napkins, straws, enough glasses (plastic or paper are ideal), a bottle opener, and a tub or bucket of ice.
Now, it's time to play! If you prefer, have the adults in one area of the house, and the kids in another, and near the end of the night, why not get the kids and adults together for a fun family game to end the festivities! However, if you wanted to all be together for game night, there are so many fun and easy games that everyone can play!
-CANDYLAND -CHARADES
-TWISTER -BINGO
-OPERATION -CHECKERS
-CONNECT FOUR -FUNNY BONES
-MONOPOLY -SCRABBLE
-CARD GAMES (GO FISH, OLD MAID, UNO, etc.)
It could also be fun to make family game night a little bit of a competition! Divide families into teams and let the fun begin, with prizes being awarded at the end of the night!
To add some fun decor to your game night area, think about decorating the tables with dominoes or dice, and create a garland out of decks of cards and hang them around the room. It's a fun and simple way to amp up the party.
Another fun way to end the night is with a candy/dessert bar. Keep it simple with a few store bought desserts and a few jars of candy. Leave some small bags at the table too in case your guests want some sweet treats for the ride home! Here are some ideas:
-brownie bites -jelly beans
-chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies -mini gumballs
-old school faves such as Twinkies, Joe Louis and Flakies -licorice
-cupcakes -ju jubes/gummies
-mini doughnuts -M & M's
And don't forget to send your guests home with a fun take away gift! A small box/bag/container with a deck of cards and a game of dominoes is a great party favour! Your guests will remember Family Game Night every time they use them! Add a cute thank you tag such as the one above, and you are good to go!
I hope you all throw your own Family Game Night party, and I hope it helps alleviate some of the winter blues; that is until spring comes along!
Until next time! ~A
PRODUCT INFORMATION:
Printables: Family Game Night sign from www.littlehousestudio.com
Thank you favour tags from www.catchmyparty.com
-decks of cards, checkerboard, dominoes, block game, dice from www.dollartree.com
-vintage bingo game from www.valuevillage.com-metal pail for favours from www.ikea.com-metal candle holder from www.michaels.com
-various jars holding various games are my own
