Main Considerations To Weigh Up When Hosting A Back Garden Game Night 

For millions of us, our gardens are our pride and joy; it’s where we spend the bulk of our time with our friends and family in the summer, and a place where we can flex all our skills. It doesn’t matter if we are overseeing the BBQ, holding court and telling a few jokes and stories, or showcasing the strength of our botanical insight. The back garden on a nice summer evening is where millions of people make their best memories. 

As the internet has markedly changed the way we socialize, communicate with friends, and get ideas for our garden, a game night is often one of the best ways to wind back the clock and enjoy company rather than fixating on our phones. Today, we’re going to take a look at the considerations to weigh up before sending out those invites. 

Matching The Energy Of The Game 

Having a few people around for a game night can be a quiet game of Monopoly, or it can be a high-stakes game of poker. We’ve seen the world of casinos move increasingly into the digital market over the last decade, but for millions of people, it can still be no substitute for sitting around on a nice summer evening with a few close friends and playing a few games. 

The success of the online market means that millions of players know where to find online table games within a few seconds, but if a game like poker is a prominent part of why you want to host a garden game night, then, unlike in online casino gaming, it’s important to limit the number of people and players.  

I’ve been there myself, attending a poker night where there are dozens of players, and when a few people don’t really know the rules or how to play, it becomes a slog, and the purpose of the night quickly dissipates. Finding a cohesive balance where those who understand the game are serious, but will still be able to have fun is a fine art.  

Finding Something For Everyone 

If you’re somebody who wants to show off their outdoor kitchen and focus on the food and the vibes rather than the game, then having it as a supplementary part of the night is a good move, too. You could have two groups of gamers, one that plays a serious game like poker, where the ante is upped, and those who want to have a game of charades, which is easier to follow and more high-paced. 

Some of you might have a swimming pool that is the pride and joy of your home, rather than your BBQ, and this can be where the night often ends up, and who can turn down a game of water polo on a nice summer day? Although, contrary to popular belief, winter barbecues are also a way to get people together, depending on your climate, of course. One consideration here? The surfaces you have in your garden. Cover all bases.  

Introverts & Extroverts – The Rich Tapestry Of Life 

Some people find it more difficult to pry away from their phone than others. After watching the clip below, my mind immediately jumped to a couple of people I know; yours probably did, too. Or, if you’ve been sitting scrolling aimlessly on your phone, maybe you’re the one who can’t be away from your phone screen for more than half an hour without subconsciously reaching for it. 

It’s a tongue-in-cheek remark, but it rings true. People like to be in the company of their friends and family, but they don’t want to sit there talking for the entire game night and draining their social battery. While some would rather drain their phone battery than their social battery, it’s important to find this balance, too.  

Not everyone wants to be at the center of the party, but they’re happy to be there. As an introvert, sometimes it’s good to be with your close circle, but there doesn’t need to be constant chatter to feel comfortable and balancing this social cohesion helps create a better balance. 

Final Thoughts 

The beauty of hosting your own game night is you can tailor it; you can invite the friends who are more attuned to these types of social ideas, ask them to come up with suggestions, and, most importantly, show off all the hard work you have been doing around your garden, and the sparkling renovations that felt like they were never going to be finished. 

Back garden game nights are modular by their design, and if you are thinking of inviting a larger group of people and their partners, it can pay to be flexible. I enjoy having a poker night as much as I would sitting around playing charades or Monopoly.  

It’s the company that does the lion’s share of determining whether a game night or a garden party has lived up to the billing. However, if you are a great host and you do all the legwork and preparation, then you give your guests the best possible chance of enjoying the event.