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Christmas 'game'??

14 years ago

Howdie All!!

To say that things have been crazy would be an understatement...alas I have been planning our family Christmas open house.

Its really been a blessing too taking my mind of the recent tragidy and helping me shift my focus so to speak.

So I am feeling a bit out of the loop when it comes to this whole open house thing.

For many in my family this will be the first time seeing the house so its bound to be hectic showing the house all the while keeping an eye on the foods.

Last night my MIL called my DH to whine about having to come during the "open house" hours. She claims she wants to come early and do the whole "gift" thing and leave before anyone else gets there.

Frank said a firm NO!! Stating that I would be up to my eyeballs in prep and would have no time to sit and do the whole gift thing.

The 2 families are pleasant with each other for the most part and I have no idea why MIL would feel like making a quick exit.

Maybe its because I haven't had the entire family together in some time that makes her feel anxious.

My friend suggested a game...like a shower game to break the ice. She said I should hand out ribbons with bells on it and if someone says a certian word like work or job ect...you lose a bell.

I think its weird but if it breaks the ice I will try it!!

Generally MIL will come to my home for partys and plant herself on the sofa arms folded wiating to be "waited on" and in most cases Frank will indeed wait on her but he also wants her to be more social and he thinks a game might work!!

Keep in mind there will be a LOT of people here and there is a LOT of things to do I mean after all we do have the pool table as well as a game table and wii, xbox, playstation for everyone to enjoy. Drew has been practicing his guitar so we can have a sing a long and I am sure there will be a more than a few walks down to the riverfront so at no point should anyone be bored LOL!!

So if anyone has any suggestions for an ice breaking party game I sure would love to hear them!!

Cheers!

Susie

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Comments (8)

suzyqtexas
14 years ago
One I just learned; everyone is in a circle and the leader says we're going on a sleigh ride and I'm going to bring a sweater and bells (you tell something you are bringing that starts with the first letters of your first and last name, but don't reveal that to the group). The next person tells 2 things they will bring and the leader tells them whether they can bring them on the ride or not, depending on the letters used for the items they want to bring. Continue around the group and pretty soon people will start to catch on and others won't, continue until all are frustrated or figure it out.
booberry85
14 years ago
We've played games like Scattergories & Cranium (in teams). A big tradition in the DH's fammily is to play Bingo with the nieces & nephews to keep them occupied. Your MIL could head up the game of Bingo. It might give her a sense of purpose.
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My family always plays that game at our Christmas Eve get-to-gather. Always fun and sometimes a lot of trading! A look back: I learned about the game at a church party, 60 years ago and it was called "White Elephant." One of the ladies in the group was a French War Bride and she didn't come to the party. Later when she was asked why she didn't come to the party she said she had looked every where in town and could not find a white elephant, so she didn't want to come without bringing something. No one had given a thought to the fact that this new comer to the States would not understand that term. Lesson learned. Overtime now I have heard the game called Dirty Santa and also recently Chinese Auction. Yanke Swap is brand new to me. What ever happened to White Elephant??
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shaun
14 years ago
Pin the tail on grandpa?
dedtired
14 years ago
How about that crazy game where you get to pick a silly gift and then the next person can either pick a different gift or take yours?
CA Kate z9
14 years ago
How about just skipping games and let people enjoy conversing. If your SIL wants to pout on the couch let her, once she finds it's getting her nowhere maybe she''ll join in. As to serving her.... ack!
susie_que
Original Author
14 years ago
Honestly MIL is a bit of a sour puss.
My family is addmittedly loud and chatty while MIL is more refined. MIl would rather enjoy a nice quiet gathering while my family is praying for snow to have a snowball fight!!

Maybe I'll just have her mind the food while I go build a snow man!!

Cheers!
Susie
Solsthumper
14 years ago
Susie, since you're hoping to break the ice, your family might enjoy a game called "Apples to Apples."

It's not only fun, it's adjukashional as well [G]
Look it up, or ask your wonderful kids about it, they'll know.

Sol
dedtired
14 years ago
Susie, looks like your family's prayers will be answered. Maybe a foot of snow on the way, and NJ will get more than Philadelphia!

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