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THE GATHERMODO HOSTING NOTES

A good time starts
with a simple plan.

Choose your occasion, try the sample and use these suggestions to shape the evening. You decide the pace; nobody has to answer every card.

Friends & game nightCouplesFamiliesDinner & conversationInternal teamsBirthdaysCompare kits
Friends & game night

A relaxed 45-minute game night

4–12 people · Ages 16+

Play the free sample ↗See the full kit

  1. Before guests arrive

    Open the player on one shared screen. Decide whether you want optional points or a conversation-only evening. Keep paper and pens nearby for the challenge round.

  2. First 10 minutes

    Start with Talk cards and go around the room. Let people pass without explaining why. The host answers first to show that a short, imperfect answer is welcome.

  3. Next 20 minutes

    Move to Act or Challenge when the room is ready. Use the optional timer to keep turns moving. For a larger group, split into small teams so everyone gets a turn.

  4. Last 15 minutes

    Return to a favorite round or invite the group to pick the next card. Finish while people still have energy. Reuse the same edition with another group; the cards stay the same, but the answers change.

Couples

An evening in, with room to talk

2 adults · 20–45 minutes

Play the free sample ↗See the full kit

  1. Set the pace

    Put notifications away, open the player and choose a comfortable place to sit. Bring two pens and a little paper for Make cards. There is no score and no test to pass.

  2. Start with one card each

    Alternate who goes first. Both people can answer Talk and Imagine cards. Give a conversation time to unfold instead of trying to finish the entire deck.

  3. Make something small

    Pick a Make card when you want a change of pace. Take a few quiet minutes to prepare, then share. Keep imaginary plans hypothetical unless you both want to act on them.

  4. Leave room for next time

    Stop at a natural pause and choose a different round for another evening. Either person can skip a prompt. This kit is light entertainment; it does not provide relationship advice or therapy.

Families

A family activity where everyone contributes

3–8 people · Ages 7+ with an adult

Play the free sample ↗See the full kit

  1. Gather the basics

    Bring paper and pencils or crayons. An adult operates the shared screen and reads instructions aloud when needed. Choose a time when the youngest players can comfortably join in.

  2. Make the first turn easy

    Have the adult demonstrate one short answer before asking the children. Let younger players draw, speak or get help writing where an activity permits.

  3. Share the spotlight

    Rotate turns and give each person time to finish. Pair a younger child with an adult if useful. Offer a pass without losing a turn later; participation should feel welcoming.

  4. Finish with a favorite

    After 20–40 minutes, let each person name a moment they enjoyed. Keep drawings in a family folder if you like. Review the materials and rules before playing; adult guidance remains part of the activity.

Dinner & conversation

A conversation round between courses

3–10 people · Ages 16+

Play the free sample ↗See the full kit

  1. Keep setup light

    Use one shared screen or print a few cards. The activity does not require a meal, drinks or any dining equipment. It also works around a living-room table.

  2. Introduce one simple rule

    Explain that each person may answer or pass. Invite a short answer first and allow follow-up conversation when people are interested. Avoid turning a prompt into an interview.

  3. Work with the evening

    Play a few cards while people settle in or between courses. Pause when food needs attention. You do not need to complete all 24 cards or every round in one sitting.

  4. Include quieter guests

    Move turns around the table rather than letting the fastest speaker always answer first. Avoid asking someone to explain a pass. End the round when the group naturally moves into its own conversation.

Internal teams

A short opening for your next meeting

3–12 adults · 10–25 minutes

Play the free sample ↗See the full kit

  1. Make participation optional

    Tell the team the activity is a brief social break. Anyone can pass. Do not use answers for performance assessment or ask colleagues to reveal personal information.

  2. Prepare the screen

    Open the player before the meeting and share only the browser window you need. Remote teams can use normal screen sharing. Paper is optional; no account is needed to run the downloaded player.

  3. Keep the scope small

    Choose a few cards for the time available. Let the facilitator go first and keep responses brief. With 12 people, allow more time or split into smaller groups.

  4. Close cleanly

    Thank participants and move to the meeting agenda. The license covers one internal team of up to 12 people; paid client facilitation and public distribution are not included. The activities do not promise improved workplace performance.

Birthdays

A birthday round beyond the usual small talk

4–12 people · Ages 12+ with adult guidance

Play the free sample ↗See the full kit

  1. Prepare a shared activity

    Have paper and pencils ready. Open the player on a shared screen and review the rules before the guests arrive. No gifts, food or physical challenges are required.

  2. Welcome everyone in

    Explain that passing is always allowed. Start with a short example from the host and choose an activity that people can join without knowing every other guest.

  3. Keep turns balanced

    Rotate who starts and use the optional timer when it helps. Give quiet guests space to answer, but do not make them perform. An adult guides mixed-age groups.

  4. Leave time to celebrate

    Plan around the rest of the birthday rather than fitting every card in. A 30–50 minute session is a suggested format, not a requirement. Save another round for a smaller gathering later.

CHOOSE WITH CONFIDENCE

Which edition fits your group?

Each everyday edition has 24 cards, 3 rounds, an offline player and a printable layout. Times are suggested session lengths. Prices are USD before applicable tax.

EditionGroupAge guidanceSessionPrice
Game Night, Unscripted4–1216+30–60 min$19
Date Night, Stay In2Adults20–45 min$19
The Family Mix3–87+ with adult20–40 min$19
Around the Table3–1016+20–45 min$15
The Team Reset3–12Adults, internal team10–25 min$24
The Birthday Crowd4–1212+ with adult30–50 min$19

The Host Collection · $39

Game Night, Around the Table and The Birthday Crowd. Three complete editions with 72 cards. Personal household use.

Explore the Host Collection ↗

The Everyday Collection · $49

All six editions, with 144 distinct cards. Includes everything in the Host Collection. Team Reset includes one internal team of up to 12 people; the leisure editions cover your household.

Explore the Everyday Collection ↗
Buying a collection? Skip the individual editions it already contains. Seasonal Halloween and classroom packs are separate. Collections include the listed current editions, with no subscription or promised future releases.

Before your first session.

Download and open

Save your Payhip receipt. On a desktop or laptop, extract the ZIP and open START_HERE.html. For collections, extract each edition ZIP too. Local HTML support varies on phones.

Print only what you need

Use the player’s print control or your browser’s print command. Choose a printer or Save as PDF. Check the print preview before printing the entire deck. Paper and printing are not included.

Keep everyone comfortable

Review the age guidance and materials. Adults lead children’s activities. Anyone may pass, and the host can change rounds or stop at any time.