Uses for Your Stockpile: Baby & Wedding Shower Game

Coupon Cravings had a great guest post from Rachel at Common“Cents”ical on using your stockpile as part of a bridal or baby shower game:

Recently I helped put on a bridal shower at my church. I like to coordinate the games. There's a certain game that everyone likes to play - The Price Is Right. One of the reasons I like this game so much is because the items used in the game become my gifts for the bride. Another reason is because I can find all of the items I need for the game and my gifts in my stockpile!

I think all in attendance have fun playing because.....everyone shops! Here's how it goes:

Pick a Theme. Is this a bridal or baby shower? The theme I chose this time was a mix of personal and home scents products.

Choose 10-20 Items to Include in the Game. Keep in mind that all items will be used as your gift. Find a nice basket to hold the items.

Price Check the Items. Make a list of what you chose and pick a store. I picked Target. Then I went to Target and wrote down the regular price of all the items (this took half an hour or less). This list becomes your answer key. Be sure to add up the total of all items.

At the Shower. Hand a piece of paper to each guest with numbered lines down the page (as many lines as there are items in the game).

The Price Is Right! Explain that you're playing The Price Is Right and that everyone should guess the regular price of each item if purchased from Target. Hold up each item one by one, stating the size (e.g., Colgate Advanced White, 4.2 oz).

Who Wins? Once all items are shown, have guests tally up their total. I used a few small calculators for this. It went quick. The person whose total "bill" is closest to the actual total ...wins!

Prizes. Use more stockpile items as prizes for the winners. You can choose one person to win or the top three, etc. I use small items like hand sanitizer, handsoap, lotion and loofahs for prizes.

Give the Guest of Honor Her Gift. As you finish the game, place all items nicely into the basket. I tied a bow on mine to make it look more like a present since it wasn't wrapped. Tell the bride or mom-to-be that she gets to keep all of the items from the game.

Voil-a! This has been a very inexpensive way to not only give a gift, but play a fun game at the same time.