Many years ago, my sister, Sandy, presented me with my very, first Victorian-style, surprise ball. As I unwound the long crepe paper strips, little trinkets fell around me. I loved it!
When we learned about the Giant Saran Wrap Ball, we knew we wanted to share it with our extended family. Our first ball contained simple prizes such as balloons, buttons, and stickers. Today it has been zhuzhed up into something way fancier. You might even see cash flying! Gone were the days of slowly opening a softball-sized, surprise ball. Now, unwrapping is fast, frenzied, and loud.
Here’s how to make your own Saran Wrap Ball:
- Sort your prizes by size.
- Wrap the grand prize first. It will be at the center and the most anticipated.
- Two people begin wrapping with small, pliable trinkets. When the ball gets bigger, larger prizes can be added.
- Depending on the yardage of cling wrap used, your ball can be any size. We used six rolls of Dollar General plastic wrap. Hint: Instead of using one continuous piece of plastic wrap, cut it occasionally then wrap in a different direction. This keeps players *cough* Bryce, Jessica and Meris *cough* from hurling the entire ball like a bowling ball.
Creating the ball is simple enough but choosing the right gifts can make a huge difference in how successful the game is.
Typical stuffers like balloons, candy, gum, hair accessories and coins are fun, but here’s some clever swag I purchased for this upcoming Christmas. (Links in the list can be clicked to visit a site).
- Coffee and art. Brilliant.
- Disgusting yet fun!
- Don’t burn your fingers. Use these instead.
- Make a clean getaway.
- Maintain temperature and keep out floaters.
- These identify your beverage.
- What scrapes cookware and removes wallpaper?
- These help you look your best.
- Use this when you’re not ready for that Zoom call.
- Feeling a bit wired?
- My “aha moment”: Silicone!
- Bacon for your garage.
- You can never have too many of these.
- Jean Tats.
- No ordinary candy.
- Who doesn’t want to be #1?
- The bug life.
- Chunky is on trend.
- These crack me up!
- This will easily open a Mexican Coke.
- Happy pills. Or create your own!
You can make two balls, one for children and one for adults. We make one. If Uncle Ray doesn’t like that shade of nail polish or the five-year-old hates beef jerky, we have a swap meet when all is done.
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How Fun!!! I love how yours was a Victorian Style surprise ball! Will have to try this!
You’re so creative! You will have an excellent surprise ball!
So much fun! I did this one year for all of the kids and it was a blast.
We have so much fun playing, and the swap meet should be great this year!
One of my favorite Christmas activities!
I always like to see everyone getting wrapped up (see how I did that?) in playing. It’s one of my favorites, too!
Love this! Thanks for all the prize ideas
Thanks, Ruth! For me, making the surprise ball is almost as much fund as unwrapping it!