Gift Guide 2017: 7 Glamorous Games for the Aesthete

Some gifts get used. Some gifts get displayed. And then there’s the rare unicorn gift that does bothwhile also making your coffee table look like it has a personal publicist.
Welcome to the glamorous game: a board game (or card game, or tile game) that’s as decorative as it is playable, the kind of thing you “accidentally” leave out because it matches the room.

The vibe in 2017 was clear: we wanted more reasons to gather, fewer reasons to scroll, and at least one object in the living room that said,
“Yes, we have tasteand yes, we can destroy you at Scrabble.”
Design-minded games hit that sweet spot: tactile, social, photogenic, and pleasantly analog.

What Makes a Game “Glamorous,” Anyway?

Glamorous doesn’t have to mean fussy. It means the game looks intentional in your spacelike it belongs there even when nobody’s rolling dice.
Here’s what separates the “cute game night” from the “gallery opening, but with snacks” energy:

• Materials you can feel: lacquer, marble, acrylic, leather-like insets, solid wood, metal details.
• Storage that looks like furniture: built-in drawers, boxed sets, magnetic closures, trays that don’t scream “toy bin.”
• Graphic impact: high-contrast boards, sculptural pieces, or typography so sharp it could slice cheese.
• Display value: pretty enough to stay out; sturdy enough to survive actual gameplay (and one overly enthusiastic friend).

1) WS Game Company Monopoly Luxury Edition

Monopoly, but make it heirloom. This is the set for someone who appreciates a classic and also appreciates that the classic should come with a cabinet.
The whole experience feels upgraded: the board looks like it belongs in a library, and the storage is built inso you don’t end up with tiny pieces living in a random mug.

Why an aesthete loves it

• Furniture-style presentation that can live on a shelf or console without looking like a “kids’ game.”
• A warm, traditional palette that plays nicely with walnut, brass, leather, and moody lighting.
• It signals “grown-up hosting” without saying “we only drink sparkling water and judge your throw pillows.”

Style tip

Put it on a lower shelf under your coffee table with a small stack of art books. It reads as “intentional vignette,” but it’s also an instant activity when conversation needs a plot twist.

2) WS Game Company Scrabble Deluxe Edition

Scrabble is already the game of choice for people who secretly love fonts, word origins, and winning politely.
A deluxe edition leans into the ritual: it feels like an object you bring out the way you’d bring out a nice decanterconfidently, and with just a hint of menace.

Why it’s glamorous

• Classic, warm wood tones that complement almost any decor stylefrom traditional to modern organic.
• The board-and-storage design is made for real living rooms: clean, compact, and easy to put away neatly.
• Scrabble doubles as a personality test (in a fun way). Who plays “QI” on the first turn? A visionary. A villain. Both.

Best for

The friend who loves The New Yorker’s caption contest, has strong opinions about em dashes, or can pronounce “Worcestershire” without blinking.

3) Jonathan Adler Lacquer Backgammon Set

Backgammon is already glamorous by default. It’s the game equivalent of wearing sunglasses indoors and somehow pulling it off.
A lacquer set makes it even more of a statementbold, glossy, and unapologetically display-forward.

Why aesthetes keep it out year-round

• High-shine lacquer reads like modern artespecially in black-and-white, graphic patterns, or bright colorways.
• It functions as decor when closed and as entertainment when opened. (Two jobs! In this economy!)
• Backgammon has quick-start energy: it’s social, slightly competitive, and perfect for a drink-in-hand pace.

How to gift it

Wrap in matte paper and finish with a ribbon in a contrasting texture (velvet, grosgrain, or a metallic cord). The set is glossylet the wrapping be soft.

4) MoMA NYC Skyline Chess Set

Chess sets can be beautiful, but this one is a whole conversation. Instead of traditional pieces, you get an architectural skyline feelclean lines, modern materials, and a design story built in.
It’s the perfect gift for someone who loves cities, museums, or objects that look good even when they’re not “doing” anything.

Why it works as decor

• Sculptural pieces that feel like mini design objects, not just game components.
• A strong “coffee table centerpiece” presence without needing loud color or clutter.
• It invites curiosity: guests ask about it, and suddenly the living room has an activity that isn’t “watch me refresh my email.”

Hosting move

Leave the board partially set up in a mid-game position. It creates instant ambiencelike you’re in the middle of an intellectual thriller.
(Bonus points if you have dramatic lighting and a snack that looks expensive.)

5) The Mahjong Line: Color-Forward American Mahjong Tiles

Mahjong is having a modern style moment for a reason: it’s social, strategic, and visually irresistible.
A colorful, thoughtfully designed tile set makes the whole ritual feel elevatedlike a hobby and a design statement at the same time.

Why it’s a top-tier aesthete gift

• Tiles are inherently graphicnumbers, suits, symbolsso color choices make a huge impact.
• Mahjong accessories (racks, mats, cases) add a whole “set styling” dimension that design lovers adore.
• It’s a game night format with structure: you can build a recurring gathering around it, which is basically self-care disguised as competition.

Who it’s best for

The friend who loves rituals: tea ceremonies, curated playlists, color palettes, and group chats with names like “Wednesday Night Legends.”

6) theory11 Luxury Playing Cards

Some people collect art prints. Some people collect vinyl. And some people collect playing cards so beautiful they feel too fancy to shuffleuntil you do,
and then you realize the whole point is to use them.
theory11 decks are designed to impress: crisp printing, bold graphics, and that “giftable object” vibe even before you open the box.

Why they’re glamorous

• They look like small design objectsgreat for stocking stuffers that don’t feel like an afterthought.
• Perfect for cocktail parties: set out a deck and suddenly people are teaching each other games again.
• They pair well with other gifts (a nice candle, a bar tool, a small book), making a mini “host bundle.”

Easy upgrade

Add a simple card tray or a sleek box. It turns “cards” into “cards, but make it gallery gift shop.”

7) Marble-and-Brass Domino Set

Dominoes are quietly iconic: simple rules, satisfying clack, and a social rhythm that’s perfect for long conversations.
When the tiles are marble and the markings are brass-toned, the whole set feels like a sculptural accessoryequal parts game and tabletop decor.

Why the materials matter

• Marble adds weight and presenceevery move feels intentional (even when you’re improvising).
• Brass accents read warm and luxe, especially in rooms with mixed metals or vintage touches.
• It’s the kind of item people pick up absentmindedly just to feel ittactile design is a love language.

Display tip

Keep the set in its box on a console table with a small tray. It makes the room feel styled, and it’s ready for “two minutes until dinner, let’s play something.”

How to Nail the “Glam Game” Gift Presentation

Aesthetes notice the details, so the wrap matters. Three rules that never fail:

• Match textures, not colors: glossy game box + matte wrap; wooden set + linen ribbon; graphic set + simple monochrome paper.
• Include a tiny “how we’ll use this” note: “Friday night, cheese board, and ruthless Scrabble?” makes the gift instantly emotional.
• Add one supportive accessory: scorepad, pencils, a card tray, a dice cup, or a small timerlittle things that make play feel curated.

of “Experience” (The Part Where Game Night Becomes a Whole Mood)

There’s a specific kind of satisfaction that happens when a glamorous game enters a homeand it’s not just about the gameplay.
It’s the moment you realize the object is changing the room’s personality. A lacquer backgammon set sits on the coffee table like it owns the lease.
A sculptural chess set makes the space feel a little smarter. A marble domino box gives your console table the confidence of a boutique hotel lobby.
Without saying a word, these games send a message: “People live here. People gather here. People have fun here.”

The first night you bring one out, something shifts. Guests drift toward it the way they drift toward a well-made charcuterie boardcurious, slightly reverent, and ready to participate.
Someone runs their fingers over the pieces (because of course they do). Someone asks, “Wait, do you actually know how to play?”
And suddenly the room has a gentle, low-stakes plot: we’re learning, we’re laughing, we’re competing, and nobody has to perform small talk for two straight hours.

Glamorous games also have a funny way of revealing people’s personalities in the most harmless way possible.
The Scrabble player who pretends they “don’t care” but absolutely knows every two-letter word.
The Monopoly player who tries to negotiate like they’re closing a real estate deal in a glass tower.
The chess player who goes quietnot because they’re rude, but because their brain just turned into a strategy documentary.
The backgammon player who narrates their moves like they’re in a sports highlight reel.

And then there’s the aesthetic joy: when the game isn’t being played, it still earns its spot.
It becomes part of the home’s visual rhythmstacked with books, framed by a candle, balanced by a vase.
You stop thinking of it as “stuff” and start thinking of it as “a reason.” A reason to host. A reason to linger after dinner.
A reason to invite the friend who always cancelsbecause now you have an activity that’s not just “come over and talk.”

The best part is that glamorous games make the idea of gathering feel easier.
They give structure without pressure. You can play for ten minutes or two hours. You can teach newcomers, or let people watch and snack.
They turn a regular night into an occasionwithout requiring a theme, a dress code, or a spreadsheet.
In 2017, we called it a gift guide. In real life, it’s a shortcut to more memorable nights at home.

Conclusion

The aesthete doesn’t want clutterthey want objects with purpose and presence. These seven glamorous games deliver both:
beautiful materials, satisfying play, and a reason to gather that doesn’t involve staring at a screen.
Wrap one up, add a note that promises a rematch, and you’ve basically gifted a future memory.