Board Game gifts.
As Bossy’s kids get older, the big ticket Christmas presents are waning. It’s kind of hard to get fired up about sweat socks and fingerless gloves compared to shiny red bicycles and doll beds.
So these days Bossy makes an extra effort to research and buy a board game the whole family can play together, which isn’t always easy considering the age range of all involved and the inequity of smarts, for instance some of us are brilliant and prolific writers and some of us are Bossy.
Anyway, that’s how it came to pass that Bossy found the above game, Blokus, which Bossy and her family pronounced as Blow-cuss for two hours until someone said, “I think the object is to block us,” and the family sheepishly looked around and were all, “oh.”
This is a game that features different pieces of varying size and shape, and the object is to get all of your pieces, in a particular color, laid out point to point across the game board before you are boxed out by your opponents, and now Bossy thinks you understand why she doesn’t have a job with Hasbro as Game Describer.
The first time Bossy and her family played the game they were throwing their pieces on the board willy-nilly, but by the next round the boys separated from the men and developed strategies, where both the boys and the men in Bossy’s example are represented by Bossy’s son’s girlfriend, who whipped the pants off everyone.
Bossy is still advertising this game in her right column if you’re interested. It’s under $25.
I’m adding this one to my wish list. It is like the board version of tetris. Now I just have to find someone willing to play with me.
Ohh, this game was under our tree as well. It is a fun game! We played last night w/ our 5 yr old, 7 yr old and the adults. The 5 yr old almost won! It can be tricky. And like you our first game was willy nilly but then you ‘get it’ and the next round was a bit more cut throat as we tried to cut off our opponents and snag as much land as we could for ourselves.
We love it too, and still call it BLOW-cuss. (even if that is wrong).
Yep – got this for eldest son last year. We love it!
I love a good board game. We got Jenga this year, and I must say I’m terrible at it. Too much physical skill required and that is something I’m in short supply of.
Wait – it’s NOT Blow-cuss? Hm.
I’ve wondered about this game too…
but, was this an endorsement or a warning?
One word for you: bananagrams.
my son and I have been having Connect Four marathons, board games rock!
I’m pretty sure I have played this 299,999 times since eldest daughter got it from Santa last year.
We always give my uber-competitive husband one new board game every Christmas. It is the most productive way to bring on the holiday version of family dysfunction.
Have you played Mad Gab? It’s fun, too.
My daughter got this for Christmas. We also call it Blow-cuss, which given the curse words that come out of my mouth when I play…I believe that’s the correct pronunciation.
BOSSY and readers:
Let me introduce you to Matthew Baldwin, an extremely funny blogger, and a mad skillz board game afficionado, who reviews board games.
I know he did a great post in December, here is his blog:
http://www.defectiveyeti.com/
LOVE the Blokus. However you pronounce it.
We LOVE Blow-cuss. Got it for my 5 year old last year and we all play it! Apples to Apples is another great family game that spans a lot of ages and very funny to boot.
You should add that it is fun for all ages. I can play it with my 6 year old and my wife. Obviously, I make accommodations for the kids.
This game is so fun that I am currently sleep deprived from not being able to stop at night.
Santa brought this gift to the Trenches as well. And now Hubby and I are OBSESSED. Yeah, we haven’t even let the children play yet.
My 12 year old daughter got this game this year too — we LOVE it — and even the 7 year old can play. Makes a fun game of “you cannot put it there — cause I said so” and also “ha, did too use all of my pieces, wait, how did that one hide in my pocket?” Also, fun for adults who play by the rules. 🙂
I much prefer the Blow-cuss pronounciation.
Love this game! My hubby got it for Christmas a couple of years ago, but I’m not allowed to play it anymore – I keep winning. 🙂
Apples to Apples rules.
We love Blokus. Every time we whip it out we get into a “blow-cuss” v. “block-uss” smackdown. Even my 5 y.o. plays!
If you don’t have Apples to Apples (which #22 speaks of), get that one on your list. It’s a blast. Also, the loud but always amusing “Pit.”
Is he wearing my favorite glasses? The #1’s??? I have added the blokus to my amazon wishlist. I think it would make a great scrapbook weekend game. Ready Denise????
Love your blog still…btw.
hey…
apples to apples..is another great family game.
we got this game for christmas last year. love it! and we call it blow-cuss as well. but we figured it was just because we were pronouncing it the way a turk would. we have tried to say block-us, but we always say it wrong first. old habits die hard.
There is an off-color joke to be made regarding Bossy’s son, his girlfriend, and her ability to whip the pants off people, but this is a family blog, so I’ll demonstrate restraint.
Love me some board games… of course, I have only ever played monopoly and snakes and ladders… d’ya think it’s time I arrived in the 20th century??
Happy Noo Year Bossy!
🙂
BB
Oh I love this game. I bought it last year. I actually started with the two person version as it was the first one I saw. When I ran into the big one I was overcome. I had to take it home. It’s a great game even if it does lead to fighting and hard feelings. 🙂