# Good board games to give as gifts? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 8, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458 "2010-12-08T19:35:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/1 "2010-12-08T19:35:58Z")
I’ve decided I’m going to be giving board games this year and my outgoing Xmas list is all couples, a couple old (my parents, my GF’s parents) and the rest my age (early 30’s). Between everyone we’ve got all the classics (Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, chess, checkers, etc.) and the usual other standard games (Cranium, Settlers of Catan, Scattergories, Pictionary, etc.). I’m looking for family/friend-friendly board games that aren’t too involved (things like Risk or Axis and Allies won’t do). Thanks in advance for your suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/2 "2010-12-08T19:57:37Z")
Well, I don’t know what all counts as the classics or the standards, so here are a few that I think work with just two people: Boggle Tri-Bond (I’m not a huge fan, but my SO and I played this a couple of weeks ago and it works with two people) Facts in Five (I know the old 60s game, but I think it’s been updated) Pachisi ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/3 "2010-12-08T19:58:51Z")
I apologize for not taking the time to give links to these, but if you want more info on any of them, I suggest you search at [boardgamegeek.com](http://boardgamegeek.com). It is full of good info. Partyish games along the lines of Scattergories/Pictionary/Cranium: Apples to Apples Wits and Wagers (a combination trivia/betting game, lots of fun) Word Blur Non-party games suitable for family play, similar to Settlers of Catan: Carcassonne Ticket to Ride Qwirkle (especially suitable with younger players, although fun for adults as well) Bohnanza I’m sure some of our other board gamers will be along shortly with more ideas. Great idea for gifts, by the way! ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/4 "2010-12-08T20:07:51Z")
[Scotland Yard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_Yard_%28board_game%29) can be played in a short period of time and still requires some thought and cooperation between players. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/5 "2010-12-08T20:40:36Z")
[Blokus](http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-R1983-Blokus-Classics-Game/dp/B001P06GX4/ref=sr_1_9?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1291840666&sr=1-9) is a pretty good game. I’m usually pretty good at spacial visualization games, but I get my ass kicked regularly by my nephews and nieces. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/6 "2010-12-08T20:44:02Z")
Second the endorsement for Ticket to Ride and Bohnanza. I’d also suggest Agricola and Le Havre if your giftees like a more in-depth game experience. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/7 "2010-12-08T20:59:31Z")
> [@Wargamer](#): > > Second the endorsement for Ticket to Ride and Bohnanza. Yup, Also: Power Grid Pandemic Mag Blast Dominion Navegador Stone Age I know you said no Axis and Allies but in case there are wargamers reading this I cannot help but plug: Twilight Struggle Napoleon’s Triumph Paths of Glory ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/8 "2010-12-08T22:01:49Z")
Everyone loves Apples to Apples. It doesn’t matter if they are 10 or 95 (played with people in both age groups, though not at the same time). Can’t really go wrong with this one. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/9 "2010-12-08T22:14:27Z")
Pente is a good one. You probably have to order it online. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/10 "2010-12-08T22:19:23Z")
Blokus was mentioned, but I’m going to second it. There are really no complicated rules at all, so people who don’t like games have fewer excuses to avoid everyone having fun (“I guess I just don’t understand what’s going on” and “this seems complicated - I’m not going to try” all become “oh, this IS pretty fun - why don’t we play more games?”). ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/11 "2010-12-09T02:57:43Z")
Thanks for the input. A lot of my targets already have Apples to Apples. Think I’m gonna be giving Blockus, Qwirkle, thinking about Ticket to Ride, maybe an electronic Catch Phrase, and probably give out a couple of really nice mah jong sets to my parents and/or my GF’s parents, or maybe a really nice Go set. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/12 "2010-12-09T03:05:21Z")
We love [Betrayal At The House On The Hill](http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/10547/betrayal-at-house-on-the-hill) - it’s not too complicated, doesn’t take too long, but it’s different every time we play and always fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/13 "2010-12-09T17:42:03Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > We love [Betrayal At The House On The Hill](http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/10547/betrayal-at-house-on-the-hill) - it’s not too complicated, doesn’t take too long, but it’s different every time we play and always fascinating. Hm. I have a sister who collects board games; I wonder if she has this one yet. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/14 "2010-12-09T18:16:32Z")
Parcheesi. It’s more fun than the games like it, like Sorry! It brings out serious competitiveness! Plus the little animals are cute. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/15 "2010-12-09T18:23:21Z")
No one’s mentioned **Puerto Rico** , which recently recaptured bordgamegeek’s top spot as the #1 game of all time by popular vote? Puerto Rico has the feature (innovative at the time of release, somewhat more commonly found in new games these days) that when it’s player one’s turn, all the other players have a choice to make to advance their own goals or frustrate the goals of others, so there’s never a period of “down time” where player attention drifts away. I like **Ra** also (it’s a bit simpler), and it’s a bit faster to play. The hot new thing in our gaming groups this year has been **Telestrations**. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/16 "2010-12-09T18:29:40Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Hm. I have a sister who collects board games; I wonder if she has this one yet. Does she have any [Cheapass Games](http://www.cheapass.com/)? They’re fantastic. Their best, Kill Doctor Lucky, seems have been retired though. No, wait! It’s been bought by someone. Here you go: [Kill Doctor Lucky | Board Game | BoardGameGeek](http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/257/kill-doctor-lucky) ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/17 "2010-12-09T19:01:39Z")
I got my girlfriend “Zombies: Last Night on Earth”. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/18 "2010-12-09T19:19:35Z")
If you’ve got creative people who are good at making shit up, try Beyond Balderdash. You make up fake definitions for unusual words, fake plot summaries for really obscure movie titles, fake bios for “famous” people nobody ever heard of, etc. We’ve had games nearly abandoned because people were laughing too hard to continue. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/19 "2010-12-09T19:37:45Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > The hot new thing in our gaming groups this year has been **Telestrations**. It’s called Eat Poop You Cat in our group. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458/20 "2010-12-09T20:01:29Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Does she have any [Cheapass Games](http://www.cheapass.com/)? They’re fantastic. Their best, Kill Doctor Lucky, seems have been retired though. > > No, wait! It’s been bought by someone. Here you go: [Kill Doctor Lucky | Board Game | BoardGameGeek](http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/257/kill-doctor-lucky) I’ll check her collection when visiting in two weeks. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-board-games-to-give-as-gifts/563458.md?page=2)