Here’s our plan for cool and cosy winter fun.

Step 1.

Invite your friends over

Invite a handful for a few rounds of Scrabble, or transform your living room into a gaming parlour, with multiple games going on at once. It’s your call.

Step 2.

Choose the games

Ask your friends to bring along their favorite board game. They don’t have a favourite board game? Shame on them. Are you sure they’re your friend?

Apart from classics like Monopoly, Scrabble and Pictionary, there are loads of awesome games to discover. Try Settlers Of Catan, Ticket to Ride and Pandemic for starters. Use the internet to find out more, or head to your nearest games shop for the lowdown from an expert.

Some people rule supreme over the Monopoly board, while other people rock at Pictionary. Make sure there are a number of different types of games – strategy, skill, luck and teamwork – so everybody gets a chance on the winner’s podium.

Here’s a handy hint: make sure you have someone who know the rules. This will get the game moving along smoothly, without lots of stop-start checking on the rule book – not fun when the stakes are high.

Step 3.

Food & wine

Food should be small and shareable – you don’t want to interrupt the dice roll with knives and forks. Homemade dips and turkish bread are a yummy standby, while mini burgers, pizzas, teriyaki chicken wings and nachos with all the toppings will make everybody’s tummy rumble. Have a look at this link for more delish food ideas.

We love a hit of spicy mulled wine on a cold winter’s night – here’s our favourite recipe to add a little spice to your board game night.

Step 4.

The setting

To help your friends to settle in for a long cosy evening, make it comfortable for them. Ditch the kitchen table, and spread cushions around the coffee table instead. Add a little candlelight for atmosphere, a musical playlist that stays firmly in the background and some flowers for sweetness.

And finally, make sure there’s pencils and paper for game scoring and some spare dice for when they roll under the couch.

Have fun!