My sister-in-law turned 40 about a month ago, and since we couldn’t be there to celebrate (she lives in Texas), we sent a special present over to her. I contacted her friends and other family members, and everyone wrote a few reasons why they loved Suzi so much. I gathered all the handwritten notes that totaled 40, it was her fortieth birthday after all, and then the girls and I wrapped each one into the surprise ball. We all facetimed together as she opened her gift and she was so surprised, especially since I was able to gather some notes from her friends, whom I have never met before, but that’s one of the blessings of technology (thank you facebook!).
Surprise balls are such fun gifts to make and give. I’ve made Easter egg ones in the past for the girls, a Valentine’s Day one for Ben with love notes and trinkets, and an orange one for Ben’s birthday a couple years ago. Actually, he still hasn’t unraveled that one because he doesn’t want to ruin it, so we said we will unravel it later (Lord willing) when the girls are older. I think it will be sweet to see what their kid writing looked like and read the messages they wrote for Ben as little girls. I’ve always wanted to make a bunch as a party favor (though I’m not into throwing parties) or maybe we will do it again for the girls, but Star Wars themed. Oh, they would so flip over that!
If you ever want a thoughtful, little gift that has a big impact, bookmark this idea for later. I guarantee the gift recipient will have a blast unraveling the gift to see all the messages/treats.
love the surprise balls as unique, thoughtful, personalized gifts! do you use regular/invisible tape to tape the crepe paper strips together and how do you keep the surprises (especially when you include trinkets) tightly together so that you can wrap it all up well? thanks, Ruby!
I just use a dab of white Elmer’s glue with each new streamer and it holds together nicely with it.
Love this idea! Can you give a few more details as to how you assembled? Is everything lumped in the middle, or do you happen upon notes along the way? Do you use a base object to start, or just lump the crepe paper in a ball?
Thanks!
There’s one thing in the middle that starts it, then you wrap with crepe streamer, add another item, wrap, and add another item, and repeat until all items in and you’ve reached your desired size. The girls love these surprises so much that I may need to make another for Valentine’s, so stay tuned for a Valentine’s surprise ball post. 🙂