At some point in my extended family's recent past we stopped doing annual holiday gift exchange. Too many unwanted items and under-appreciated gifts. But some objects are always welcome, even if you're just acquiring them for yourself. Case in point: board games. We have two cabinets in our back hallway loaded with games.

Cold weather, rainy days or just evening with friends can turn into festive events if you're prepared for fun. I absolutely love the vintage games they offer a this time of year at Restoration Hardware. Limited editions of classics. It's hard to go wrong here if you're looking for a great gift! The wooden boxes sure beat the flimsy cardboard that they usually come packaged in. Most friends I know would love one of these as a surprise. It's the kind of thing you never buy for yourself but always love having on hand. 

Frankly, even if your family doesn't do gift exchange it's hard to deny the appeal of an oversized version of Scrabble® on a wood-framed Lazy-Susan. It might lure even jaded Words with Friends players to the table. At least that's my theory.

This season give your handheld device a rest and pull up a chair. You might even spark a true love of the non-digital world. Maybe.