Board games for holiday giving

Generally when it comes to this time of year thoughts turn to which good boys and girls will be lucky enough to get games for the holidays ahead.

This year I thought I’d offer up a few ideas a bit earlier affording wannabe Santa’s to do a bit of shopping ahead of the big day, and will be providing a few ideas over the next couple of weeks.

Now a lot of people will think video games as presents, but the advantage of board games is the face-to-face interaction playing them affords. During the holidays especially getting together with family and friends should be a big part of festivities and board games fit right in.

Let’s start with my favourite game of all, crokinole.

Over the time writing about games the Canadian classic has been oft mentioned, and with good reason in my mind. The game is easily learns, at least the rules and mechanics, although the skill to be good at crokinole takes a lot of time to refine. But since it is a skill it can be developed, unlike games where you are confined to the luck if the draw of a card or roll of the dice.

Crokinole plays with two or four players although solo time at the board to define skills is not a bad time either.

A board well cared for should last decades.

And the game is not overly expensive. I have seen them locally this year for under $75.

Regular readers will know I occasionally include some outdoor games here, and I will again.

I am an avid disc golfer, and with nearly 20 courses now within a 125-kms radius of Yorkton there is plenty of opportunity to play this outdoor game for recreation or sport.

Disc golf can be played by all ages, so when you think about a starter set of a driver, midrange and putter for one of the children grab one for your better half and the in-laws too. Oh, and don’t forget a set for yourself. The whole family can play setting their own level of interest, from casual Sunday afternoon outings as a family, to tournament warrior on the go most weekends through the summer.

And for that aforementioned starter set of three discs you are only looking at about $60, so the holiday budget won’t be too badly hit either.

Next week I’ll give a few more game gift ideas which would be appreciated by anyone who loves board games to start with.