Fun, family games seem to be popular with youngsters again, which means Christmas will certainly be entertaining, writes Moreen Simpson.
Only seven weeks until Christmas and – oh, the shame – nae even a card bought.
Since retiring a whopping 14 years ago, I’ve broken the habit of an earlier lifetime and been brilliantly organised for the festivities. This year, nae ideas in my napper, I on to Google for their prezzie countdown.
Looks like the top-seller is a game. Not any in particular – computer ones, telly ones, even yer bog-standard board games are apparently enjoying a renaissance. Eee-ha! Have always luuuved ‘em.
I wonder how many hundreds of rounds of Ludo and Snakes & Ladders I’ve had with my mum and dad, my kids and grand-toots over the decades. Almost every one ending in joyous victory and/or terrible tantrums. Fantastic, plain and simple fun.
I’m not crazy about the high-tech stuff. Once came to grief when my loon bought me the play-through-the-telly version of The Weakest Link – a show I loved. Sadly, that Christmas night, with Anne Robinson actually barking oot the questions and time limited, I was a hopeless, clueless, giggling, tiddling, affa weak link, and ootski first at every game.
But, I’ve a huge collection of made-of-board board games for the grandchildren, built up over many Christmases and birthdays – mostly those magnificent Orchard Toys ones which last an eternity, if you’re careful not to lose the bits.
There’s a huge stash of them under the twin beds in my spare room, where the toots have their sleepovers. The other day, with their mum in tow, we’d a hilarious round of What a Performance! (If you don’t have it, get it for a Christmas laugh with the family.)
Even before I attempted my forfeit, they all collapsed in laughter when they read the card: ‘Hop-scotch round the room – five times’
You’ve to do challenges, like my having to make the sound of a seagull – my grandson guessed, but not before the rest reckoned I was a duck or… a lion. Then, even before I attempted my forfeit, they all collapsed in laughter when they read the card: “Hop-scotch round the room – five times.” Don’t even let your imaginations go there…
Spooky sounds from under the bed
Staying with me on Saturday, the weans hopped happily into bed around 11pm – clocks going back, nae problem – and I settled to watch some telly. About half an hour later, my 11-year-old granddaughter opened the door and whispered: “Nanaaa, we can’t sleep. Every now and then there’s a strange noise from under the bed.”
Now, come on. An early Halloween joke?
Into the bedroom. Total silence for about five minutes, then… sure enough: an odd, throaty sound. Then another, minutes later. Fit in the name?
Collectively brave, we dived into the depths under the beds. Eventually discovered the game Greedy Gorilla – which burps when it eats unhealthy food – had suddenly sprung to noisy life. I wheeched it ootside, like some gruesome beast. Fa’ needs spooky horrors the night before the real thing?
Moreen Simpson is a former assistant editor of the Evening Express and The Press & Journal, and started her journalism career in 1970
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