Games

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Box One Game

This is a game for one person so feel free to ignore your family for 24 hours and play to your heart’s content! Created by Neil Patrick Harris (yes I’m serious!), this is the perfect gift for anyone who’s a fan of puzzles, codes, escape rooms, etc. While you can play Box One with more than one person, this is really a thoughtful gift for anyone who’s been riding out the pandemic solo.
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Frida Kahlo Puzzle

Yes, we still need indoor activities that are not banana bread. This puzzle is next on my list, and if you’ve done any quarantine shopping for puzzles you’ll know that this one is actually really affordable considering it is a work of actual art. It’s beautiful enough for me to maybe turn into one of those people who frames their puzzles once complete. Maybe.
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Jigsaw Puzzle Relocator

If you’ve been puzzling a lot during quarantine but you also don’t have endless amounts of flat surfaces in your home, this genius rolling device is your new best friend. It allows you to piece together your puzzle atop its surface, which then conveniently rolls up around an inflatable tube, preserving your puzzle while also allowing you to eat dinner in a civilized fashion.
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Actually Curious

Listen, group Zooms are getting boring. Let’s look for ways to make them more meaningful, and let’s start with Actually Curious, a card game created by a talented Black designer to be played among friends or partners that prompts deeper, more meaningful conversations. This is a brilliant way to get out of a conversation rut, and it’s also a cool gift to send to those you love chatting with from afar.
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Bocce Ball Set

In addition to opening up new ways to not be bored in your own backyard, I love how cute this bocce ball set is. Because it’s L.L. Bean, obviously you can personalize it, making it an outstanding gift to give during any summer, but especially this one when we’re all looking for safe and fun activities.
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Mark & Graham Games

I have a feeling this summer is going to reinvent backyard entertainment, so let’s make it chic, shall we? Mark & Graham’s entire games section is so stylish (and giftable!). You likely already know my affinity for backgammon, so I’m starting with that set, but the chess board is equally wine-on-the-patio worthy. Also, pro tip: Get your dad a customized bags set for Father’s Day—which is really, really soon!
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Lumosity

Hello, brain fog? This is Mary. If quarantined life, stress, and just overall craziness has left you feeling a little less sharp than usual, I really recommend training your brain (it’s way more fun than than the phrase suggests) with Lumosity. Its brain games help improve your focus, memory, and sharpness while also being just plain fun to play and an outstanding socially-distanced activity.
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Fishbowl

Fishbowl is a parlor game that’s one of my family’s all-time favorites. It’s basically a guessing game that combines charades, taboo and password where two teams play against each other, and there’s a helpful YouTube video that will quickly explain the rest of the rules. I love this game because you don’t have to actually purchase anything to play it, and it’s great for families and groups of friends isolating together. It can also be played via facetime or zoom if your loved ones are quarantined elsewhere.
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Puzzles

We’re reverting to full elementary school entertainment around here, indulging in a good puzzle or two during our downtime. Rich and I recently ordered this one and it’s a great time-occupier while you’re practicing social distancing! These are also great for the days before Colette hits toddler-status and starts grabbing for everything. I mean she can’t really even master her own thumbs right now much less invade our puzzle space, so we’re good. She’s a terrible backset puzzler though, questioning my every move…
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