Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Ok, to clarify, I'm talking about RPG's (Role-Playing Games, not military hardware).
In our house, "gaming" means our group comes over and spends hours either crowded around the dining room table, or sprawled out in the living room, eating, laughing, talking, drinking, and generally having a good time. Our daughter goes to Nona's for the afternoon, rejoins us for dinner, and has her bath and bedtime. And we continue until about 1am. This is how we spend our Saturdays - it's a good day.
In a traditional gaming group, everyone brings food. That way, there's no strain on the budget of the host. This of course, is born from the fact that when we started getting into RPGs, we were all college students and had no money.
In our current group, there are stand-by snacks - we always have Salt & Vinegar Chips, Garlic Bagel Chips, and Tortilla Chips and Salsa (Crazy Hot in season). That being said, I admit that gaming is not good for the waistline. Especially when you consider all of the other occasional treats (this is for those of you looking for ideas):
- Not-So-Famous Frank's Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Beefstick with Beer & Brat or Champagne mustard
- the Big Tub o' Cheeseballs
- various types of Licorice and Sour Candies
- homemade Holiday Cookies (in season, of course)
We do actually make an attempt every once in a while for healthy alternatives. Here are some from our current group, and my sister's former group as well:
- Whole Wheat Pita and Garlic Hummus
- Fresh-picked garden munchies, such as Green Beans, Peas and Cherry Tomatoes
- Assorted Greek Green Olives, stuffed with Garlic, Gorgonzola, Bleu Cheese (ok, maybe these should go on the "not good for you" list)
- Bagels (cream cheese is optional)
- Carrot Sticks and Celery
To complete the gaming experience; there's always LOTS of coffee.
It's not that we just eat until we explode when we get together - we have a lot of this stuff (especially the chips and candy) lying around for weeks at a time, when I finally have to clean out the pantry and put out a whole bunch of 1/4-full bags out. And we always have a real meal in with all of the munching - subs or panini, pizza & wings, sauce or chili...the usual group food experience.
Anybody out there with comments? What are your gaming groups' traditions - not just regarding food - anything!!!