Game nights are a fantastic way to bond with friends and family while fighting for some bragging rights. But the actual gaming is only a part of the overall game night experience. A nice ambience needs to be created for a laid-back evening: comfortable seating, plenty of space for people to relax, good lighting, some music, and, of course, plenty to eat.
Game night isn’t a time for sit-down three-course meals, naturally, and the buffet-style finger-food set-up is the way to go. While it’s “buffet all the way”, that still comes with a fair amount of planning. You need to know what to include in the spread so that there’s something for everyone (which can be a challenge), and you don’t want it to turn into a cumbersome ordeal. Let’s look at some easy buffet ideas to bring out for your next game night.
Game Selection
Firstly, however, game selection is an important part of planning. A balance has to be struck between allowing newcomers to gently integrate while remaining challenging enough for more seasoned and game-wise players, which will enhance the experience.
It’s a bit like using an online casino platform where you can customise an experience by saving the games you like – whether that’s Megaways slots, live dealer blackjack tables, simpler classic style slot machines, or a mix for whatever you are in the mood for at the current time.
Everyone’s personal preferences may be different, even down to the selection of the online casino platform. However, expert casino reviewers can help players pinpoint the right platforms, like those selected by AskGamblers, for offering reputable options for card games like baccarat and blackjack. In contrast, other platforms may be better suited for classic slots.
Having the right balance of games will ensure you get the most enjoyment out of the experience on the platforms, just as it will when it comes to everyone getting something out of the game night experience.
Planning Ahead with a Slow Cooker
The secret to pulling off a laid-back game night from a food perspective is preparation, as you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen while others are enjoying themselves at the game table. Part of the planning is keeping in mind foods that are convenient and easy to make.
Making dishes ahead of time is the way to go. For example, there’s nothing wrong with making all your dips the night before and keeping them in the fridge. Be sure, however, to reach out for the player’s dietary preferences, because showing that you are considering people’s tastes and adhering to any restrictions elevates your status as a host.
If you plan on making something warm, then it is hard to beat a slow cooker. It’s such a convenient asset as you can throw anything in there from pulled pork to shredded chicken and chilli, and just let it do its thing with no intervention. This also helps come game night, because the slow cooker can just be left on the “warm” setting, so it’s ready.
Pre-made Goods
For a laid-back game night, avoid foods that are going to be too messy, greasy, or complex, like tacos, soups, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and pizza. Those have the potential to get board games dirty – and, while on topic, don’t forget to leave out plenty of napkins and paper towels for spills!
Using store-bought shortcuts is a good idea. You can put out meats and cheese from the deli, bread selection, crackers, hummus, coleslaw, sliced vegetables, olives, and other similar foods. Besides looking great on the buffet table, they aren’t complicated or too messy to eat.
The general rule of thumb is to go for simple foods that don’t need two hands or require two utensils, while opting for cold items prevents the need to try to keep a lot of things warm throughout the evening. The other advantage of having store-bought items is that you can put a little more time into the presentation because everything’s already sliced or diced, which takes some time constraints off your shoulders.
Careful Layout
Think about how to lay out the buffet as well, and where it will be. If you shove it in the corner of the kitchen, is that going to cause a traffic jam of people trying to get in and out? Try to spread it out along a longer surface, like an island, where people can move around more easily.
Stack the plates in a convenient place at the start of the buffet line, and then the cutlery at the end. Group foods together so people can easily see all the available choices, whether that’s a selection of cheeses, deli meats, or sweet treats. The layout should also correspond to a menu setup as much as possible, with quick, easy hors d’oeuvres-style snacks at the start, any bigger items like warm meats in the middle, and then those sweet treats at the end of the line.
It’s worthwhile setting up a separate drinks station away from the food to cut down traffic and congestion as well. The drinks should just be all laid out so players can go and help themselves when they want, so that you don’t have to be up and down all night preparing and serving beverages.
Set Up for Clean Up
Game nights are lively and active social events, so think about things that will accentuate that. Picking pinwheel sandwiches over spaghetti and meatballs should be done for obvious reasons, and always do a pre-check for allergies or dietary needs. Disposable plates and cutlery facilitate an easier clean-up.