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HOW TO TURN YOUR HOME INTO THE ultimate entertainment hub

From high-tech goods to time-tested classics, we’ve got the hottest commodities to make staying in on a cold winter’s night truly entertaining. Here are 11 cool ways to amp up the fun factor in your home.

By Janene Mascarella

CINEMATIC MASTERPIECE

For the ultimate splurge, The Premiere is more than a projector; it delivers dramatic home cinema viewing that’s just like being in a theater using its triple laser light source. With a max 130-inch screen space that’s bright enough to watch any time of day or night, The Premiere is the world’s first HDR10+ certified projector. Samsung’s Smart TV platform comes built in, including Samsung Health’s at-home wellness and fitness solution and Samsung TV Plus, which provides instant access to more than 150 free channels. Its powerful built-in woofers and acoustic beam surround sound can brilliantly take family movie night to the next level! Starting at $3,499, Samsung.com

LOVE IT TO PIECES

The We Are One 500-piece jigsaw puzzle was created by UK artist Tarn Ellis. Once finished, this 18 x 24-inch masterpiece features a group of diverse women lying in peaceful connection. Inspired by women and nature, Ellis’ artwork takes the viewer on a journey of transformation, peace, and selfcompassion. As an advocate of unity and one love, her artwork is a celebration of selfcare and the vibrancy found in diversity. $27.95, WanderPuzzleCo.com

STATE OF THE ART

Feeling creative? Art Studio Live provides a unique and engaging experience to help release your inner artist. Create your own painting or even host your own painting party in person or live-streamed with your ZOOM family and friends. Designed to be easy and fun, their “Paint Party Experience” includes all the necessary tools and steps to create your own painting, which will be guided by professional artists via streaming video. You also choose the painting video you want to paint from their growing library of art. 48 $59.95, ArtStudioLive.com

Tied of hearing “I’m bored!”? Thanks to Game Night in a Can (ages 7+), the whole family can be entertained. It includes 30 different minigames that focus on creativity and physical skill for all ages and any amount of players. Competitively fly paper airplanes, perform ghost stories about the room you’re in, create brand new animal species, bank balls of paper off your partner’s face, and more! $19.99, Amazon

TAKE CONTROL

Level up your playing prowess in any room of your home with the Rotor

Riot Wired Game Controller (for iOS and Android). This full-sized controller offers the complete console experience on your smartphone or tablet. No battery means no need to worry about running out of juice during an important game. The Wired Game Controller uses minimal energy while you game on the go. $49.99, Verizon.com

WELL PLAYED

The SXFI Gamer is a wired headset engineered with one main goal in mind—to be the perfect companion for gamers. Focusing on the three main things that are important in a gaming headset—audio, microphone quality, and comfort—the SXFI Gamer features a prograde CommanderMic for optimal voice clarity, and Battle Mode, a Super X-Fi audio mode that offers the best audio projection and directionality, all packaged in a comfortable, elegant design. $129.99, us.creative.com

LISTEN UP

Extended Netflix sessions without disturbing anyone in your space?

Yes, please! Comfortable, high-quality, wireless earbuds (that are also affordable!) are the way to go, and quite frankly, isn’t too much to ask! These Outlier Air V2 Earbuds boast a 34-hour battery life and check all the boxes to keep your series binges totally uninterrupted. $69.99, us.creative.com

SMOOTH MOVES

Backgammon is one of the oldest-known board games, and now’s the perfect time to brush up on the classics! Olive & Cocoa Herman Backgammon Set is crafted in the style of mid-century modern design masters, making it as fun to admire as it is to play. The latching game set includes a painted playing field, fabric-lined dice shakers, dice, and all the game markers you need to play. $228, OliveandCocoa.com

WINTER BLUES CLUES

Dispatch by Breakout Games is a mystery-in-a-box adventure that tests your detective skills with a series of physical and virtual clues. There are four mystery stories to choose from, and you receive a new box of clues each month until you solve the mystery. Designed to develop teamwork skills and critical thinking, Dispatch is perfect for a game night with family or friends. $89-$125, Dispatch.BreakoutGames.com

REIMAGINE PLAY

Fun and futuristic, Blinks is the world’s first smart tabletop game system built with AI-powered intelligent game pieces that respond to your touch, communicate with each other, and think for themselves. Every piece knows its own game and can learn new games. Blinks are completely modular, so the more Blinks you have, the bigger games and experiences you can create. Core set of six games is $99, Move38.com

STAY THE COURSE

Never miss tee time again! The OptiShot 2 Golf Simulator allows you to play golf from the comfort of your own home on 15 different golf courses. You can use real golf balls or foam golf balls, making it safe for in-home use amongst all skill levels. If you’re looking to improve your distance off the tee, fix your slice, or adjust inconsistent ball striking, this simulator is perfect to hone your skills in a socially distant manner, rain or shine. $399, RainOrShineGolf.com