12.07.2014

Christmas Punch – A Family Game


Easy to make – fun to play!

What? Place small prizes in a punch cup, cover with tissue paper.

Then… Play trivia.

How? Get a correct answer, pick a random cup, punch through the lid to reveal your prize.

Why?  It is lots of fun for the whole family.

Supplies Needed:
Punch cups
Tray or box for display
Tissue Paper
White School Glue (like Elmers)
Scissors
Trivia Questions
Prizes – Use your imagination and select items that will appeal to your group.  
This is where you need to evaluate your ‘audience’ and your budget.  I want this to be just a fun game so I am using simple inexpensive prizes like candy, coins and small toys.  If you want to ‘up the ante’ you might use gift cards, $20 bills or more, maybe even jewelry.  Just keep in mind that the prizes will be drawn randomly so be sure every prize can go to any participant.

Larger Size Prize Alternative – if your prizes are larger than the cups, simply wrap the large prizes separately and label with a number.  Then write the corresponding number on a small piece of paper and put that into the cup instead of the small prize.


Here’s how:
1.  Cut tissue into 5” squares (one per cup). This will be used inside the cup to conceal the prize.
2.  Cut tissue into circles about ½” larger than the rim of your punch cups.
3.  Loosely wrap a ‘prize’ in the square tissue and place in a cup.
4.  Squeeze a very small ring of white glue along the rim of the cup.
5.  Take the tissue circle and place over the top of the cup so that it is taut.  Press the edges downward so it creates a ‘lid’.


Continue this for each cup/prize set
then get ready for the fun.

Prepare your game:
I like to make up my own trivia question and make them personal for my family with questions like “Who lived in the brick house on Oak Street?”  What happened to Grandpa Frank in 1921? What is Aunt Linda famous for?”  You can make up your own or pick from a Trivia Book like …..

Take turns around the group asking questions.  When the question is answered correctly, that person will select a ‘punch’ cup.  "Punch" through the tissue to reveal the prize. 
I think the fun is in the randomness of ‘quality’ of prizes.  It might be as simple as a piece of candy or more valuable like a dollar bill.  Just be sure you know your group and plan accordingly.  You really don’t want anyone in tears.  That is why I like to do it with simple prizes.

If your group is larger, you might want to create teams but you will need to be sure your prizes are appropriate. 

The Clean Up:
When the fun is finished, collect your cups and pull off the loose tissue.  If it doesn’t come off easily, soak in hot water a few minutes.  Run the cups through the dishwasher to completely remove any traces of the glue and they will be ready for the ‘liquid’ kind of punch and your next party.  (This is why you want to be sure to use white school glue.)

I hope you and you family have lots of family fun over the holidays and throughout the year.  Happy Crafting!