Blog

The Christmas period ended up being the most CRAZY I have had since starting Boardgamist, not just because it was busy, but because of how you chose to shop. I brought in a much wider range of newer releases this year, and you did something that really stood out. You trusted recommendations, asked questions, and were happy to take a chance on games you might not have picked up before, often alongside a couple of familiar favourites.

What made it interesting was not just that people wanted new games, but that they wanted the right new game. Whether you were buying for yourself or choosing a gift, there was a real appetite for understanding what made a game special rather than defaulting to the safest option on the shelf. That kind of curiosity is what keeps me excited to run this shop, and it was genuinely encouraging to see so much of it over Christmas.

A huge part of the rush came from gift buyers getting in touch for advice. Messages about who a game was for, what sort of evening it might create, or whether it would suit a particular group filled my inbox. Those conversations sit right at the heart of Boardgamist. When the range is thoughtful and varied, it becomes much easier to help someone land on a game that actually fits their table, not just their budget.

Alongside all of that, a couple of milestones landed at the same time. The Instagram account passed 5,000 followers, and Boardgamist appeared in the Guardian’s top 30 board games list. More than anything, those moments felt like signals that the shop is reaching the right people and building trust beyond the immediate community here.

If you picked up something new over Christmas, thank you! Keep following that instinct. The best game nights often come from trying something unfamiliar, and there is a lot of exciting design coming through at the moment. With more new arrivals on the way, there will be plenty more opportunities to discover something that surprises you.

Thank you to everyone who shopped, asked questions, or pointed a friend in this direction over the festive period. That support makes it possible to keep curating the shop the way I do, and to keep stocking games that are worth your time.

Dan