Game Night Host's Elaborate Snack Spread Overshadows Actual Game Selection

A board game night host's preparation of an elaborate food and beverage spread has completely overshadowed the actual games, with guests reporting that they spent more time discussing the charcuterie board than any strategic decision. Host Amanda Garnish prepared for the evening with a themed spread including: a cheese board cut to resemble a hex grid, cocktails named after popular games ("The Catan Sunset" — orange juice and rum; "The Pandemic" — something green and vaguely medicinal), and custom napkins printed with meeple silhouettes. "I expected us to play three games," Amanda admitted. "We played half of one. But the gouda was incredible, so I consider the evening a success." Guests arrived at 6 p.m. and did not begin discussing which game to play until 8:30 p.m., having spent the intervening two and a half hours eating, drinking, and photographing the food arrangement from multiple angles. The group eventually selected a party game that could be played while eating, abandoning the planned heavy strategy game that Amanda had set up on the table earlier in the day. "The game was already on the table when we arrived," recalled guest Mike Cardstock. "By the time we decided to play, the game board was covered in crumbs and a cocktail ring. We played Codenames on the coffee table instead." Amanda has announced that next month's game night will feature a fondue station and a dessert course, developments that have prompted one guest to observe that "this is becoming a dinner party that happens to own games." Amanda does not disagree.