Games, games & more games

Every year my sons get games for Christmas, either card games or board game, and sometimes both.

Years past have brought us Othello, Mancala, Life Twist & Turns, Get Hooked, Scene It, Sorry, Uno, Swap, Hearts & Spades, Backgammon & Chess, Pro Draft, Mountain Climber, Quoridor, SpongeBob Life, Clue, Pictionary, Deal or No Deal, and Monopoly.

This year's new games are Apples to Apples, Cranium, Laser Battle, and NHL Ice Breaker. But the most fun games the boys have played were the ones that Santa made up for them in 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008.

In the past it was just a simple scavenger hunt which began with an original "Night before Christmas" type poem they found on the tree. Then each rhyming clue lead them to the next until eventually they found the last present, which has always been NHL tickets.

This year was a similar game, but because the boys are getting older, the game was more challenging. It was a series of puzzles, jumbles & itty bitty brainteasers which, once solved correctly, lead them to not one but two sets of tickets to see their beloved Bruins. Santa must have known way back in September that the B's would be #1 in the East, and that tickets would be in high demand, albeit scarce, come Christmas Eve...

Oh that Santa is one smart, savvy little elf!

And in case you're curious here's a "copy" of the 2007 poem:

There’s a special surprise
I’ve hidden wisely for you.
You first must hunt skillfully
to find each lost clue.

The clues that you find
will lead you closer & then
You will finally discover
the prize at the end.

Don’t try to guess
what I’ve hidden for you…
In fact there’s not one thing,
But, in truth, there are two!

Put your thinking caps on!
The clues may be tough.
If you work as a team,
You‘ll find the right stuff.

Once the puzzle is finished
It’ll reveal a fine treasure,
which is sure to give you
much joy & great pleasure.

As usual I’ve saved the
best presents for last
And it’s better than any
from Christmases past.

It’s a known facts that
you boys love baseball
plus many other sports
played in Winter & Fall

So I’ve made a few calls
to friends in high places
to give you something that'll
put smiles on your faces.

I hope you enjoy playing
this game that I made.
It‘s sure to be the most fun
game you‘ve yet played.

And remember, good things come,
from Rome to Atlanta,
to those who believe
in the Magic of Santa…