Playing games is a part of life that we humans have been playing in some form almost since we came into existence. At our house playing games is a regular thing. We enjoy challenging each other in a friendly competition. We even have regular game nights with our friends, who seem to enjoy it as much as we do.
But we don’t keep all of our games tucked away in a closet where no one can see them. Many are a part of our home’s décor so people can appreciate their beauty and use them easily. Having games out all the time can encourage children to experiment and teaches them how to be fair, think laterally, and improve reasoning. It doesn’t hurt us adults, either!
So what kinds of games can you display in your home? All kinds! Many types are beautiful, creative and decorative, as well as functional.
Let’s take a look a just a few.
One game that is left out for use on a regular basis is a chess set. But why not make it something that is unique and fits your personality? The Rustic Chess Set from Mexico using recycled car parts named ‘Pre-Hispanic Battle in Black’ is perfect to display in your home. Think of the fun conversations that will be sparked when looking at this beautiful chess set. I could see this set in any number of man caves, ready for a friendly challenge.
If you want something that is a little more classic and can travel around from room to room, this small wooden set from India, named ‘Game of the Intellect’, would work very well. This game board could help introduce your kids to the game while still looking nice in your home.
One game we have enjoyed displaying in our home is a stacking tower of blocks. But face it, a stacking tower is not always stable, so I was thrilled to see this set from Thailand called ‘Tower Delight’. It comes in a wooden box with one open side. You can display the beautiful set without worry of it falling over, and it is ready for play at any time.
Sometimes I want to play a game by myself, just to relax and get away from stress. This Wood Solitaire Board Game with Steel Marbles, ‘Wits to Win’, is perfect for that. The set is a classic solitaire game that comes with a hand-carved, sheesham wood board with a small drawer for storing the 36 stainless steel marbles when not in use.
A game I truly love to play and learned way back when I was around seven is Mah Jongg. My grandmother taught me and we would play for hours. This beautiful set from Thailand is made from rain forest wood and displayed and stored in a beautiful box that can be left out on a bookshelf or coffee table ready for play. The 142 tiles are painted with beautiful and colorful Chinese symbols depicting the sets you match up to help you win the game. This can be played by 2 to 4 players, though 4 is traditional, and it can take a lifetime to master.
Another classic game that will encourage young and old to play is Tic Tac Toe. But nothing could beat this beautiful set from Mexico, a marble board, ‘Rose on Black’. This set is made from beautifully veined white, pink, and black marble that would catch anyone’s attention sitting on a desk or coffee table. It invites friendly competition from the young and the old.
Every home needs a good set of playing cards to add to their gaming collection. But what better way to have them than in a beautiful sheesham wooden box from India, ‘A Hand With Aces’. The inlays of nickel plated brass add an elegant touch to this box that stores two decks of cards, (included with the box), ready for a game of solitaire by yourself or go fish with the kids.
But we can’t leave out the youngest ones in our families. Many of these games are not exactly meant for them with all of the small parts and pieces. But it’s not too early to get them involved. Once simple and fun way is with the handmade Inca Chief Owl Dried Gourd Desktop Ring Toss Set, ‘Inca Emperor Owl’. Looking like an Inca emperor, this owl is crafted by hand with a dried gourd and both the stand and rings are covered with multicolored ribbons. Each of the four rings is covered by the same multicolored ribbons. Think of the fun you and your little ones could have playing with this beautiful set from Peru.
When it comes to games, I consider puzzles to be a part of that. I enjoy the challenge and the laughter that ensues when struggling to figure out what goes where. There are so many puzzles to choose from, but one that caught my eye was this little handmade puzzle box, ‘Little Pig’. This puzzle made from Balinese sugar wood, only has four pieces to move and find a secret on the inside. But he is adorable and would so sweet sitting on a bookshelf, side table or desk, just waiting to be picked up.
Games don’t have to be relegated to the closet until you are ready to play, they can be a part of your every day life and decorate your home. Each time you look at them as you walk through the rooms, you can think of the fun and laughter while playing them. Don’t limit such a fun time together as a family to just plastic and cardboard stuck in a closet. Enjoy the beauty and artistry of these and oh so many more handmade games available on NOVICA.
