I grew up in a one wage-earner household with two sisters, one older and one younger. Growing up, we had the basics–roller skates and a bike each, shared baseball equipment, our dolls, and a few board games. So when one of us received a new board or card game at Christmas, we were overjoyed and played it for hours. Remember Password with the red cellophane that revealed the word underneath? Or when we grew a bit older, one of us received a game like the TV show The Dating Game. I remember those times fondly. When my own children were old enough, they started receiving games, and family fun ensued. A lot can be learned about how a person plays Monopoly or Life.

At some point, jigsaw puzzles were introduced, and a separate table was set up so people could contribute as they wished. Especially in Christmases past, when several families got together to celebrate and we traveled to stay with relatives for a week, jigsaw puzzles and games are a great multi-generational way to spend time. I have played many games with my granddaughters when they were younger. Last Christmas, Clue was the favorite, probably because of our family love of going to escape rooms.

Card games of the era provided entertainment on Christmas day in for Anora and Konrad in Silent Signals set in 1877 Colorado Territory. Tagline: Will the valley’s feud between cattlemen and shepherds keep Konrad and Anora apart?

Linda Carroll-Bradd

https://lindacarroll-bradd.com/