Holiday Gift Guide 2026: Game Night
Playing cards, chess, dominoes and more—all with a design twist
There’s something so cozy and nostalgic about sitting around a table and playing a physical game with family and friends. This season, we’re putting away the screens and taking a little extra time to slow down, connect and get just a little competitive. Pull up a chair, grab a snack and let the games begin.
Assouline Pebble Domino Set
Part of its new Game Room collection, Assouline’s Pebble Domino Set takes the humble domino to the next level of luxury. The pebbled leather box comes in camel or cream with a brushed brass handle, while the dominoes themselves are made of inlaid leather framed in walnut. There’s so many ways to play dominoes, why not do it in style? Other games in the collection include chess, backgammon and more, all designed with the thoughtful, high-quality details Assouline is known for.
Jonathan Adler Soleil Backgammon Set
We’re fans of all of Jonathan Adler’s game designs and this high-gloss lacquer backgammon set uses the brand’s surreal signature sun motif in a new way. The box is lined with printed velvet to keep the acrylic pieces in place and minimize noise. When playtime’s over, fold it up for stylish storage to reveal a two-faced sun with fun graphic details and a nod to Greek architecture.
Ameico Man Ray Chess Set
Man Ray’s iconic chess set, inspired by his friendship with chess aficionado and fellow artist Marcel Duchamp, was designed in 1920 and looks as good today as it did more than 100 years ago. The clear-lacquered, veneered wood board has painted black squares and the solid beech geometric chess pieces have the same lacquered and black finish, with wool padded bottoms for easy gliding.
Connections Puzzle Book
We became Connections fans instantly and remain daily players of the fun and at times maddening game by puzzle editor Wyna Liu. Connections makes its print debut, allowing offline puzzle solving. You’ll find some previously published boards, some new ones and special print variations. If you haven’t heard our Design Tangents podcast episode with Wyna, it’s a great time to download it.
Éditions de la Tour x Analog:Shift Vintage Watches Playing Cards
Our friends at Analog:Shift dropped a watch-inspired set of playing cards with Éditions de la Tour, adding to the ephemera they feel is part of celebrating and collecting watches. The horologically-themed standard deck features 52 different watched curated by Analog:Shift’s founder James Landin and is beautifully designed and printed. It focuses on various watch influences, styles and details. The number cards feature blueprint-style illustrations while full-color artwork brings the court cards to life. As with all of Éditions de la Tour’s decks, you’re getting some of the best playing cards available.
WS Game Company Scrabble Nordic Edition
Scrabble is a fun way to to boost your brain power, learn new words and get into a competitive spirit. Just about every piece of the Scrabble Nordic Edition is made of wood, including the letter tiles, tile racks and the game board itself. It’s Scandinavian-inspired design makes it chic enough to leave out on display, or simply break down the three-panel board and stash it in its accompanying wood storage box.
Panisa Four-In-a-Row Game
This small version of the classic four-in-a-row game from Panisa—exclusive to the MoMa Design store—brings a dose of color and fun to the nostalgic game, minus all the plastic. SVA graduate Panisa Khunprasert, who grew up in her family’s toy business in Thailand, chose a contrasting color palette for the wooden board and discs, and the smart mint green base doubles as a storage box when not in use. Suitable for ages 3 and up, the whole family can enjoy it together.
G. McGee The Southampton Beach Board Backgammon Towel Set
We’re huge backgammon fans—and beach day fans. Now you can easily enjoy both in one thoughtfully designed product. G. McGee’s Beach Board is an oversized towel perfect for the beach or lawn, with a game board woven into it. Its 100% certified-organic cotton terrycloth is made in Portugal and has a matching canvas pouch with full-sized beech wood game pieces.
What are your thoughts?