Autumn and winter. As the days get shorter, customers hunker down and try to find new ways to spend those long evenings. Before movies, radio, television and computers, what did people do for entertainment? For one thing, they played games.

Games are a vibrant part of the toy and gift business, representing about $2.4 billion in retail sales according to the NPD Group in conjunction with the Toy Industry Assn. And they aren't just for kids. As a family activity, they bring the generations together. As a group activity, they provide a fresh way to entertain. Games are also educational: They excite the imagination, teach teamwork and cooperation and challenge critical thinking. Most of all, they simply provide hours of wholesome fun for players of all ages.

For gift-givers, games can also solve certain gifting dilemmas or provide an alternative choice from the usual bottle of wine or a gift card. A majority of games are gender-neutral, so they appeal to both men and women, and are frequently given as a gift to a couple. They also span a range of age appropriateness — Bingo, for example, is as much fun at age 8 as at 80! — and oftentimes are purchased as a family gift. And with their moderate price points, the gift of a game gives the giver a lot of bang for their buck as it is played and enjoyed over and over again. So, why not get in on the game? Add some games into your merchandise mix and encourage customers to shut down all that electronic media and get playing!