CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 7: PLAY GAMES TOGETHER

“We didn’t lose the game; we just ran out of time.”  ~Vince Lombardi

Here’s our new game for this season: Monopoly Deal. It’s a card game that’s an abbreviated version of the old favorite–which, in my opinion, takes WAY TOO LONG. (The card game version is only $5.49 at Target if you’re looking for a last-minute stocking stuffer.)

We all have different favorite games so we take turns throughout the holidays, who gets to pick. Our favorite family games are (not in any order): Scrabble, Ticket to Ride (both U.S. and Europe versions), Stock Ticker, Rummikub, Phase 10, Apples to Apples, and Dominoes (Mexican Train). Sometimes certain family members will opt out of games that tend to render them homicidal (such as Ticket to Ride does to Tim). In such cases, a pass is allowed, for obvious reasons. 🙂

Why play games? I found this on a website and thought it was worth sharing, just as incentive to join in the fun (if incentive is needed!) :

Play connects us to others

Sharing joy, laughter and fun with others promotes bonding and strengthens a sense of community. We develop empathy, compassion, trust, and the capacity for intimacy through regular play.

Play fosters creativity, flexibility, and learning

Play is a doorway to learning. Play stimulates our imaginations, helping us adapt and solve problems. Play arouses curiosity, which leads to discovery and creativity. The components of play – curiosity, discovery, novelty, risk-taking, trial and error, pretense, games, social etiquette and other increasingly complex adaptive activities – are the same as the components of learning.

Play is an antidote to loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and depression

When we play vigorously, we trigger a mix of endorphins that lift our spirits and distractions that distance us from pain, fear and other burdens. And when we play with other people, with friends and strangers, we are reminded that we are not alone in this world. We can connect to others in delightful and meaningful ways that banish loneliness.

Play teaches us perseverance

The rewards of learning or mastering a new game teach us that perseverance is worthwhile. Perseverance is a trait necessary to healthy adulthood, and it is learned largely through play. Perseverance and violence are rarely found together.

Play makes us happy

Beyond all these excellent reasons for playing, there is simply the sheer joy of it. Play is a state of being that is happy and joyous. Jumping into and out of the world of play on a daily basis can preserve and nourish our own hearts, and the hearts of our communities.

http://helpguide.org/life/creative_play_fun_games.htm

Play definitely makes us ALL more happy.

What are YOUR  family’s favorite games?  Share them us and maybe we’ll check them out! 

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.” ~Ecclesiastes 8:15