Neighbor Gift Idea: Game Night in a Bag!

Every year I look forward to coming up with fun ideas for Christmas gifts for my neighbors and friends.  I love the challenge of thinking of a gift that I can produce in the masses while staying within my budget.  My goal--to put together the best gift I can for as little money as possible.  Now that can be a challenge!

This is the gift that I gave to my friends and neighbors last year.

  Game Night In A Bag   Included:  Everything you need to create a fun game night, in just one little bag.  

The Game

Have you heard of the dice game Farkle?  It's just one of many versions of this dice game.  I chose to use a version of the game called 'Ten Thousand'.  (There are no copyright restrictions on this version, it would be similar to making a tic-tac-toe game.)  My kids love to play this game, even the little ones.

The Cards 

• Print the cards onto white card stock
• Cut around the edges and glue them back to back.
• Use a corner punch or scissors to round the corners.
• Laminate them and then trim around the edges.  Notice that I left a wide border of lamination around the edges so that the cards can withstand some abuse and not seperate.

Click Here to Download/Print the Game Cards
(The margins are small, if the card edges won't print for you, select fit to printable area in your printer options.)

There is a printable book of dice games from A to Z  here if you'd like to choose a different game, or include more than one in the game bag.  Edited to add:  The link above now requires a membership to download it.  There is another list of A to Z games here that can be printed/downloaded for free.

The Dice

• You can buy the dice at the dollar store (I paid $1 for a package of 10). 
• You will need six dice for each game.

The Bag 

• I used corduroy to make this bag, but any fabric will work.   The FINISHED bag size is 5 1/4" by 8". 
• Skip To My Lou has put together an excellent tutorial on how to make a drawstring bag, click here. 
• My bag is slightly different than the tutorial.  For the drawstring, I threaded it through the casing at the top of the bag on one side and then sinched it up and tied the ends in a bow.

 A Treat Microwave Caramel Popcorn Recipe      

• You will need one package of microwave popcorn.
• Copy and paste the recipe card into a document and size it to 3 3/4" x 5 1/2".  Print and trim.
• Place it on top of the popcorn and tie curling ribbon around it.

Click Here to Download/Print the Recipe 

The printable recipe card is from Rainbow Row Graphics.  Click here for this card as well as several other Holiday recipe cards. 

Don't forget the chocolate!

Here's a birds-eye view.

 

 

The Gift Sack
 

 This gift sack came in a pack of three from the dollar store.  That's a pretty good deal, right?  Well it gets better!  I bought them at the after Christmas sale the year before and got a steal of a deal:  10 items for $1!  Since there were three in a pack, I bought 30 sacks for only $1.  I was also able to buy large gift sacks, and 3 pack gift boxes for the same price.  I stocked up and I'm so glad I did because I haven't found a sale like that since.  It really does pay to shop clearance!

 

Isn't it amazing how much fun you can pack into one little bag?

Todays Fabulous Find...Game Night in a Bag