When coming home for the holidays, I always expect to find my family the same, just slightly different. Whether it be a new restaurant my family is obsessing over (Carson’s on Main, a Lexington, Kentucky favorite), or a new TV show they are binging (Righteous Gemstones dominated last Christmas break), I can always expect something new to enter our day-to-day. What I did not expect from this break was coming home to my mom’s all-consuming obsession with mahjong. Not only does she now have a weekly underground mahjong game, but whenever she has a moment to rest, she is playing the online bots on ‘mahjong4friends’.
Apparently, this obsession is not unique to my mom. Mahjong is sweeping the US, particularly women, with celebrities like Julia Roberts praising the game’s combination of fun, brain-teasing, and relaxation. Mahjong can be played in a variety of ways, each with its own set of rules. Mahjong became popular in America in the 1920s among Chinese immigrants, and in 1937, a group of Jewish women established the National Mah Jongg League. Though its prevalence in the States is not new, the mahjong craze is enjoying a moment in the mainstream limelight.
While I didn’t understand it at first, after only one game, I became just as obsessed as my mom, and suddenly, I had the perfect Christmas gift idea. My search began for the mahjong set. They range from the affordable ($35 for a small travel set) to the ridiculous (into the thousands), with lots in between ($500 is a common price). True to the American spirit, makers of “American” Mahjong sets provide endless accessories for mahjong players (play mats, tables, game lights, specialized racks, travel bags, etc.). In fact, the National Mah Jongg League releases an annual “card” required for formal play, listing that year’s winning “lines.” This has inspired my family to call American Mahjong “Capitalist Mahjong”. (Pro tip: a great birthday gift idea for your hard-to-buy-for-mahjong-loving-bestie is the National Mah Jongg card released in their birth year!) The sets I found came with intricate designs of the winds, flowers, craks, bams, dots, and dragons — each tile its own piece of art. I had to find the perfect set to match my mom’s aesthetic. Just as a coffee table book needs to represent the girl, so does her mahjong set. In my search, I found sets for every girl*:
Soft Girl:
With a pastel pallet and light disposition, a soft girl’s mahjong set must be chic and understated to reflect her. This Pearlescent set isn’t flashy, but the light color pallet and shiny finish reflect the cozy, pearly-perfection of the soft girl. This Rosehill set is adorned with a pastel pink that any soft girl should add to their pallet for a pop of color while maintaining the minimalist quality of their aesthetic.
Clean Girl:
Sporting minimalist fashion, dewy makeup, and neutral tones, a clean girl’s mahjong set must not be too bold, but also reflect her inner sparkle. This Plain Tile set has no design on the back, but its consistent look gives the set a uniform appeal that is attractive to any clean girl. Some clean girls, however, need a bit more color in their set, making this jelly-like Emerald set the ideal combination of understated effortlessness and a little fun.
Chronic Traveller
The chronic traveller, the category I find myself in, while always on the move and needing to be occasionally frugal, also deserves the perfect mahjong set. This Travel Mahjong set has small pieces and a compact case that easily fit into any carry-on (one that even fits the Ryanair measurements). Though sometimes every inch of space is needed when travelling on a budget, even these small tiles can’t make the cut. Enter Mahjong Playing Cards, eliminating the fuss and space of carrying tiles while allowing you to still play while away from home.
Dark Academia
Girls who find themselves in the Dark Academia category romanticize gothic architecture and a moody, intellectual atmosphere; their mahjong tiles must reflect this. This Drake Mahjong set has dark, earthy, muted tones that match the gloomy, and ‘lived-in’ autumn vibe that these girls love. The Verdant Santorini set, adorned with the quintessential muted green of Dark Academia, offers a simple yet moody vibe every Dark Academia girl needs.
Cottagecore
Cottagecore girls value similar muted tones that Dark Academia girls do, but a soft and earthy quality is also essential. These Heritage Mahjong Tiles are decorated with multiple earthy colors reflecting the rustic beauty of a cottagecore girl. Alternatively, this Little Birdie set is embellished with woodland creatures, centering the girl who plays with it in the rural setting she romanticizes.
E-girl
Even though mahjong tiles are inherently decorated with intricate and often light colors that an E-girl may not find appealing, there truly is a mahjong set for every aesthetic. These Gatsby Mahjong Tiles are decorated with dark, edgy colors that every E-girl loves. Perhaps that set is even too light for some, making this All Black set the simplistic, edgy, and artistic set perfect for any E-girl.
Coastal Granddaughter
The Coastal Granddaughter girl values the nostalgia and comfort of the seaside, as reflected by the soft blues in her color pallet. These Moonlight Mahjong Tiles feature three soft blue tones, making each tile a taste of East Coast beach vibes. For a design rather than simple colors adorning your mahjong set, this Chinoise set looks like your grandmother’s quilt or coastal cottage wallpaper, transporting you into the cozy ‘Nancy Meyers’ world every Coastal Granddaughter finds attractive.
Life of the Party
Girls who are the Life of the Party light up every room they walk into, and their bright, glittery personality must shine through their mahjong set. These Emerald Mahjong Tiles look like a collection of large gems, making the game itself sparkle, just like the girls playing. Every Life of the Party loves glitter and gold, and this Champagne Gold set looks like the bubbly that is needed to celebrate each and every ‘Life of the Party’ girl.
Beachy Babe
Similar to Coastal Granddaughter, Beachy Babes love being close to the water. However, they are there for the sun and the surf, and these Palm Royale Mahjong Tiles transport the player to the warm, sandy shores that Beachy Babes crave. The tiles in this Flower Set each feature an intricate flower design, making the game look like a beachy garden as you play, perfect for a Beachy Babe, whether she is near or far from her favorite place.
Art-Lover
With bold colors and designs reflecting the unique and creative personality of each Art-Loving girl, their mahjong tiles must not dim their light. These Glow Wild Mahjong Tiles are energetic and undeniably vibrant, just like the Art-Lover playing with them. Alternatively, each Art-Lover has a favorite work of art, and these Embedded Masterpiece tiles are adorned with a variety of famous pieces, from the Mona Lisa to the Scream.
Mahjong is a game for every girl, and her set should match her aesthetic. Hopefully, this guide can steer you in the right direction.
*Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with, compensated by, or sponsored by any of the companies or products linked in this post. The links are offered only as illustrative examples to demonstrate the variety of products available. Their inclusion should not be interpreted as a recommendation or evaluation of product quality.