Game Night!

Tonight Mr. M and I are hosting one of our infamous Game Nights. It's a relaxed night in, sweatpants and all, at our house with 4 other couples. Usually on a Friday night, we play party games (Catch Phrase, Apples to Apples, etc.), partake in some adult beverages (beer, wine, and this time a non-alcoholic extra for one of our expecting friends), and indulge in some not-so-good-for-you munchies- Mr. M requested I make my delicious Buffalo Chicken Dip he's been craving, and he whips up his party pleaser, Taco Dip.

My favorite part is Cranium (if you haven't played it you NEED to!) but after as many game nights as we have (we try to squeeze in a few a year) the game is getting quite old... It's still fun, but it was time to buy a new game. So the other night I headed out to my local Target (the mecca of all things needed to sustain life!) and hit up the toy isle. Let me just say that it's not just for kiddies anymore. In edition to selling all the party games you could need, you can even find a few Adults Only ones sure to please the more open of friends...

After staring at the shelves for about 20 minutes I finally picked up a newer edition of Pictionary - Electronic Pictionary Man. Besides the fact I thought it would be a bit different then the typical game, the sheer fact that it has something to do with being artistic gives me not only an advatage over the others (I have a Bachelors in Fine Arts...) but because everyone in the group would not expect me getting anything else. (I always seem to be the one drawing or claying up in Cranium.) Anyway, at over $30 it was a bit pricey, but I figured an occasional game to up our current supply couldn't hurt. After grabbing up a few AAA batteries for the game and of course a few other necessities, I was on my way...

The process of picking out a $30 game for something we'll use with friends and family over and over, brought me to another thought - When it DOES come time to get engaged and create a registry, I am pretty sure we're both agreeable to registring for some fun stuff - including some new party games. (I already have my eye on a few others...) Besides the place settings, cookware (my personal favorite), linens, and all the other usual registry items, there are many other things new couples would prefer as well that may not be traditional - party games for one, more groom-ly stuff such as a nice bar set or beer tap, or even having all the gifts be a monetary donation to a good cause. Sometimes couples ask for money towards their wedding photography, their honeymoon, or a house they want to build together.

My big question is, what different, interesting, or unconventional gifts did your wedding registry have?