Throwback Taboo (Free DIY Game!)
Reminiscing on my 40th birthday; Avicii Docu "I'm Tim"
Ah, January. The season of resolutions, the month of kale smoothies, and, for some of us, the oasis known as Dry January. It’s a time to embrace clarity, swap pints for Perrier, and rediscover the joys of socializing without a buzz. So what better way to spice up your sober soirées than with a custom game of Taboo that’s packed with nostalgic flair?
For me in particular, this January 3rd marks 40 years on earth. I decided to do something different for my birthday celebration: I created a custom version of Taboo—the popular word guessing party game.
Yes, folks, I’ve done it. I’ve created a DIY version of Taboo—but not just any Taboo. This one’s got the heart of the ‘80s, the edge of the ‘90s, and the questionable fashion sense of the early 2000s. Think walkmans, Tamagotchis, AOL chatrooms, and gangsta movie references galore. It’s like a time machine, but instead of DeLoreans and flux capacitors, you’re armed with a timer and a word list.
Creating it was an absolute blast. Imagine sifting through memories of Macarena dance moves, awkward AOL chats with total strangers, and the sheer emotional rollercoaster of the Titanic.
Why was it again that Rose couldn’t scoot over to make a little room for Jack on her floating door? Or as the Guardian put it:
[D]id Jack really have to die to save Rose at the end of Titanic? Or is Rose a despicable, door-hogging monster?
You decide!
My taboo keyword brainstorming session turned into a full-blown nostalgia binge, complete with the soundtrack of the Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls. But the real fun? Watching my friends try to give each other clues without using the obvious words to explain the keyword.
My favorite blunder: “This was when planes crashed into buildings and America was destroyed.” Someone guessed: “The TSA!!”
Hold my NA beer…
I’m sharing this DIY game with all of you! Whether you’re hosting a Dry January hangout, a game night with old friends, or just need a new way to remind your kids how much cooler your childhood was, this custom Taboo might just be the perfect fit. Simply print, chop, and play. (There’s even a blank card so you can add your own custom card, and an entire blank page because I am so thoughtful; not really, I just had trouble formatting the document. Sad, I know!)
So grab your Spindrift, your kombucha, or your favorite nonalcoholic brew, and let the games begin. Way to kick off 2025 with some buzz-free, belly-laughing, memory-lane-walking fun. Because who says you need alcohol to have a good time? Not me. Cheers to a dry January and a game night for the ages!
I enjoyed this Brown by Athletic Brewing last night while watching the Netflix documentary Avicii—I am Tim. A moving film about an amazing artist who succumbed to drugs and alcohol to deal with mental health struggles, including anxiety, and the pressures of his rising fame. As Tim Bergling (Avicii) told GQ back in 2013: “…there’s free alcohol everywhere—it’s sort of weird if you don’t drink…I just got into a habit, because you rely on that encouragement and self-confidence you get from alcohol, and then you get dependent on it.” Don’t wake me up when it’s all over, please. I’d like to be here for it all!
