SET – Fun Game!

The Gift Detective — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:42:25 +0000

This was one of the presents that I got my boyfriend for his birthday.

SET! Available by Clicking Here
The game’s simplicity makes it easy to learn – you have to compare four things (color, shape, shading, and number) on each card independently. When you compare the cards, each of the four things either has to be completely the same or completely different. The rules are really that simple but the game gives your brain a workout! You really have to scan the cards and try to quickly ascertain if there is a “set” on the board or not.

This game got five stars on Amazon and it is no wonder. I was looking for a game that could be as good for two players or a group of people so that we could play it alone or when we had friends over and I did a lot of research before heading to the Games of Berkeley store for some in-person advice. I walked in with my list and the moment I asked about a great party game the young man immediately said “Set!” No hesitation at all. Since I had that on my list and I knew it was highly ranked on Amazon as well I took my chances and got it.

I was not disappointed.

Everybody enjoyed the game and my boyfriend and I have played it several times since the party as well. Once everyone is on the same page, the game moves quickly so you can easily sneak in a game or two here and there and, I might add, what a nice way to connect! It may seem a bit old-fashioned to sit and play a game in the evening but it really is nice, relaxing, fun and isn’t a huge time commitment for set-up nor play. You just shuffle the cards well, lay out twelve of them and start playing. This game can even be played solo or with as many people as you desire – they just have to able to see the cards. Simple, fun and engaging – I see us playing a lot of it in the future!

This game makes a great gift!!! (I speak from experience…) Are you going to a party? Great host/hostess gift! Going to stay with friends? Bring this as a gift and present it at the beginning of your stay and you will not only have given them a wonderful gift but you’ll have fun playing together as well! Birthday? Affordable present that will appeal to a really wide variety of people. This is a great game for children and adults. No reading involved! If the child can differentiate shapes, colors, shading and numbers they can play (recommended for children 6 and over). In fact, I read many reviews in which the children are as good at this as the adults so everyone in the family can participate and enjoy themselves. Want to give your family a present for a holiday or an anytime present? This would be great because it encourages thinking, everyone can play and you’ll be giving them a gift that gives back in the form of creating memories and having time to bond with them.

This is a really affordable ($9) gift so you could even buy several and keep them on hand for the next time you need a last minute gift.

If you live in the Berkeley area and are in need of a game I highly recommend visiting the folks over at Games of Berkeley. They have a huge selection of games, Frisbees, Yo-Yos, kites – pretty much anything worth playing with, they have it! The person who helped me couldn’t have been more helpful – he even recommended some fun card games as well which I thought was really nice because he wasn’t pushing me into a sale but really considering my request of what would be fun for a party. They are conveniently located at 2151 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, which is right across from the Berkeley BART station and just one block from the UC campus. If you’re a real game enthusiast, you should visit their website and check out the calendar of events that lists all sorts of gaming activities.

Happy gifting and gaming!

Books with Meaning

The Gift Detective — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 08:00:58 +0000

Miss Rumphius – available here!
I love giving books, that have special meaning to me, to the people I care about – the purpose is two-fold, books can make wonderful presents and it also gives you the opportunity to share a bit of yourself with the recipient, which can bring you closer together.

Miss Rumphius is one of my favorites because, although it is a children’s book, it makes a wonderful gift for children and adults alike. It is all about finding your place and discovering how you can make the world more beautiful just by being you. The meaning of this book is enhanced by the wonderful illustrations. It makes a great gift for a child who you want to share the lesson that their uniqueness makes the world more beautiful or an adult who has touched your life to show them how they have made your world richer by being a part of it.

This is an idea you can do this with any book that has meaning to you, provided you give it in the right way. Don’t give a five year old War and Peace! Inscribe the book with the date and a personal note to the recipient – mention why you are sharing this particular book with them, why you think they might enjoy it and what you loved about it. Don’t forget to wrap! It takes an extra five minutes but going to the trouble of wrapping is part of showing somebody that they are worth the extra time to you. Cards are always thoughtful – if you don’t find one you like you can always get a blank card and write your own note inside – but don’t give away what the present is in the card.

You, like Miss Rumphius, can make the world a more beautiful place by putting thought and care into the presents that you give your loved ones.

The Gift Detective » For Teens

SET – Fun Game!

Books with Meaning