Mom's rickety game table stands at the center of some of my favorite holiday memories. While the adults were busy with dinner, all the kids would set it up, lay out all the games we could find, and dust off the folding chairs so everything would be ready dinner was over. All of us played games after dinner - young and old.

Grandpa was the King of Charades. It didn't matter who he partnered with - his team almost always won. My sister was the best of the board gamers (except Monopoly - that was my territory!) and my cousin beat us all at any kind of card game. Mom loved word games and Dad liked puzzle games. It seems everyone was a champion at something.

We still have holiday game night. Believe it or not, everyone still plays. Even the kids put down their devices to join the games. We gather around Mom's old table to watch, play, and cheer. Tradition is important, but here's the main reason Game Night is so much fun: it brings everyone together for fun and a little competition. And every now and then, we're lucky enough to witness a new gaming champion emerge.