Although all the ready-made holiday scenarios are full of various contests and professional agencies offer them, as well as the hosts who are privately hired, most people categorically refuse to include such entertainments in their events.
This is due to the fact that the word "competition" means the need to get up from the table and start doing something. Such a pastime at the celebration does not suit everyone. Not every person associates fun with mobility or other forms of activity, many just want to just sit, drink, eat. Therefore, sighing, they abandon the finished scripts, and put up with the fact that the holiday will be boring again.
In fact, a fun and interesting feast is quite feasible without such entertainment as jumping in bags, riding children on their backs and other things. Competitions at the table can diversify the identity.
What it is?
You can diversify the celebration without getting up from the table in different ways. Competitions at the table are games, lotteries, “leapfrog”, “cities”, familiar to many from childhood, and much more.
Many people think that holding table entertainment requires preparation. This, of course, is true, but there are also games for which nothing is needed except for the participants themselves. Similar competitions at the table are funny alphabetical games, "continuation of the song" and many others.
Preliminary preparation will require table entertainments like all kinds of lotteries, leapfrogs, exchange of wishes and other similar games. You can use ready-made options, for example, "Mafia". If a theme party is planned, for example, "Chicago", and for some reason competitions are required at the table, then the "Mafia" will be an ideal option.
Also, without rising from the table, you can play in the association, in "explain in 30 seconds." These entertainments will also not require preliminary preparation. In principle, competitions at the table are all that does not require physical activity, but at the same time it amuses and allows you to diversify the celebration.
How to play interesting?
The most popular and interesting contests at the table are “Questions and Answers”. There are a lot of options for their implementation, the simplest and most ancient - riddles. They played at feasts even before the baptism of Russia, therefore, if there is no opportunity or desire to prepare competitions at the table, funny puzzles will surely help. You only need a collection of folklore. If there is no book, you can use the Internet.
As prizes when playing puzzles, you can put up the items in question, for example, scissors or turnips. But if the contest began spontaneously, impromptu, the prize may be a plate with salad or something else. The main thing is to have fun.
The most successful spontaneous "mysterious" contests at home. As a rule, relatives or close friends gather at the table, so the prize in the form of a bowl of soup or a sandwich, which the winner must eat, invariably amuses everyone present.
In addition to puzzles, you can play "questions and answers" and otherwise. For example, like this:
- everyone writes on the sheet the name of something;
- all pieces of paper are mixed;
- one guest pulls;
- he is asked questions, he answers “yes” or “no”;
- play until someone guesses the contents of the leaflet.
As a rule, interesting contests at the table in the form of questions and answers in various ways draw even the most skeptical guests. The explanation is simple:
- everyone is involved in such entertainments;
- no need to move;
- there is intrigue.
Indeed, the most important element of such table games is intrigue, because it is not known what is written on a folded sheet of paper. Often, even the author of the voiced note does not know what it is about and someone else wins. It is with this quality that such competitions at the table are interesting.
Do you need prizes?
The very word "competition" implies the presence of rivalry, competition, and therefore the winner, and the award. After all, competition should be for something, otherwise the meaning of the competition disappears. However, prizes to winners can be anything.
The best reward option are inexpensive and fun items or products. For example, you can prepare a playful lottery in advance or an auction in which vegetables are played - beets, potatoes, carrots and others. Or some small objects - spools of thread, needles, sponges for washing dishes. Absolutely any thing can be a prize, because the reward in this case has a symbolic meaning. However, it is important that it is logically combined with the theme of the held drinking competitions.
What is suitable for a corporate party?
Competitions for corporate parties at the table can be any. But, as a rule, employers believe that a corporate event is carried out not only for the entertainment and relaxation of employees, but to establish a closer, trusting relationship in the team, to bring people closer and, accordingly, to increase the performance indicators of their work in the future.
Among the table entertainment, designed not only to amuse people, but also to unite them, turning them into a single team, the most interesting is the game "Find a Dinosaur." Instead of a dinosaur, any absolutely object or toy can be involved. Usually they are looking for a symbol of the year, a flower or a weapon, depending on the reason for the feast.
And in Japan, it is customary to look for a chief figure. It is very interesting. Although usually competitions for adults at the table, held at corporate parties, do not immediately resonate with those present, this version of the game instantly captivates everyone. Everyone wants to attach the boss to someone from the back or, conversely, catch a symbolic figure.
The competition lasts all evening or until the leader announces its termination. It is carried out as follows:
- at the entrance everyone receives closed envelopes, in one of them there is a note with the words "hunter", the others are empty;
- during the evening, the leader attaches to clothes or throws them in a bag, puts a dinosaur or something else next to a plate;
- the beginning of the hunt is announced and its basic rules are announced, at this moment those present open the envelopes and find out who they are in this entertainment;
- guests hide a toy on each other so that the “victim” does not notice.
If the item falls to the "hunter", he wins and receives a prize. If during the evening the dinosaur didn’t get to the “hunter”, then the prize goes to the one he got.
In order for the guests not to be cunning, until the end of the game, in random order, pauses are announced and it turns out who has the dinosaur. The guest who has the item receives a penalty - it can be anything, for example, skipping the next toast. But if someone points to a silent person with a dinosaur at the time of control, he receives an incentive prize.
Therefore, it is more profitable to confess, besides, the feast does not continue until the subject of the hunt is in the hands of the host. As soon as the holiday begins to move on, the host again throws up a toy to one of those present.
Based on this wonderful game, you can come up with your own adult contests at the table, but you need to consider that this type of entertainment is not suitable for a narrow circle. Playing in this way is interesting only with a large number of people. Such a game is also suitable for children, but it will have to be adapted.
How can children have fun?
Competitions for children at the table, or rather, their content, are completely dependent on the age of the assembled company. For example, if the birthday of a five-year-old baby is celebrated, and children of the same age are at a party, then the contests will be of the same content. And if you celebrate the anniversary of ten years, then it’s completely different.
However, there are funny contests at the table for a small company of any age, for example, "Guess the lie" or "What anyone has."
Both entertainments are carried out as a general principle.
“Guess the lie” is as follows:
- one child says something about himself;
- the rest should answer, is it true or false.
If the company is mistaken, the prize goes to the person who started the game, and if he guesses, then the prize does not go to the one who drives. The response of the company of children should be general.
“What anyone has” is carried out as follows:
- the child characterizes a thing, for example, a hairpin, describes it, but does not name it;
- other children should guess what it is about.
The answer should also be general. If the company guesses, then no one gets the prize. And if not, then the reward is given to the one who made the plans, but the child must name the item and show it.
What to do so that children do not make noise?
This question interests parents most often. Quiet birthday contests at the table are held using any improvised means, such as paper.
The bottom line is that the kids have to do something. However, the task should be simple, and the prizes interesting, from a children's point of view, of course. If the award seems decent to young children, then they will react to the next such competition with great zeal, giving adults a little longer silence than during the first.
However, such tasks cannot be abused, the minimum allowable interval is 1 competition in 20 minutes.
How to have fun on March 8?
The competitions for March 8 at the table are no different in principle from similar entertainments on other days. However, whatever type of table entertainment is chosen, it should be filled with the appropriate date theme.
For example, the main prize of the lottery may be the right to order a song for the ladies present, or to perform it. And at the table auction should be presented such lots as:
- kisses from the ladies;
- bouquet of flowers;
- dance and so on.
Competitions for men at the table in honor of March 8 may be in the form of competitions. If this date is celebrated by a small company, then you need to arrange a “Compliment Blitz”.
The essence of the competition is as follows:
- men take turns complimenting;
- he who does not know what to utter drops out;
- the participant who finds the most other pleasant words for women wins.
Anything can be a prize. A rather funny resonance is caused by such a reward as the right to purchase champagne for the ladies present. Usually the winner is puzzled at first, and then laughs louder than all the other guests.
Competitions for March 8 at a table where there are no men can consist of ridiculous riddles. For example, you need to guess the celebrity by description. One lady writes the name of a well-known person and hides it under a plate, after which she gives a brief description of this person. The rest, asking leading questions, should guess who it is.
However, having fun in this way is possible not only for celebrities. If the company of ladies is small and everyone knows each other well and for a long time, then such competitions at the table for women will be funnier not with making up celebrities, but with writing down the name of one of those present.
How to have fun on February 23?
Table entertainment for men's day is not much different from other similar contests. But, of course, the theme of the holiday should be taken into account during their implementation.
The competitions for February 23 at the table in the presence of women can be very funny. For example, a feast of the type “question and answer” can be carried out as follows:
- every man writes on the sheet the name of something that relates to the specific interests of the stronger sex;
- papers are mixed;
- women take them out in turn, voice and explain what it is.
- the option “I don’t know” is prohibited.
For example, a bulletin is written on a piece of paper. A woman who read this out loud should tell what bullet is. If suddenly a lady gives the correct answer, then she deserves a prize.
Such a game not only gives explosions of laughter, but also bears in itself a benefit. After all, having fun in this way, men introduce women to the circle of their own interests. Although, of course, for such a banquet pastime, ladies should have a sense of humor.
Competitions for February 23 at the table may be held differently. For example, each man writes the name of what he loves. This may be the name of the dish, a sport, or something else. All notes are mixed, and the ladies present then pull them out in turn. After reading the text, a woman must guess who wrote it. For transparency of the contest in large feasts, the facilitators usually ask to fill out two pieces of paper - one needs to be lowered into a common box, and the other left at home. When a lady calls a name, a table neighbor or host will check on the second card for a match.
Do you need table entertainment at weddings?
Competitions for a wedding at a table, as a rule, are addressed to those who do not dance, do not go to smoke breaks and, in principle, do not rise from their seats. Leading events usually supplement the program with them and are not particularly pedantic to such entertainments, practically without thinking through them.
Meanwhile, drinking classes can be fun and interesting for all guests and the newlyweds themselves. For example, congratulations-shifters.
The essence of the game is that you should congratulate the young spouses, using words that are opposite in meaning to those that should sound. Young people should “translate” the received congratulations. Or, the translation can be entrusted to witnesses.
No less funny and "Mental wishes." For this type of table game, you will need a hat or cap, as well as a large box, pieces of paper and pens. Each guest writes a wish for the bride and groom and puts it in a box. Of course, all notes are mixed up. After that, the host walks around the guests, puts on a hat on them and gives a note to get it. The text is read aloud.
You can record not only wishes, but also short toasts or questions. In principle, there are no restrictions. And it is not the guest himself who can read the text, but the host, imitating the speech of the hat itself.
Are there any restrictions or rules?
Table competitions or games are far from always appropriate. This is the only restriction for their implementation.
For example, on big holidays, the most common mistakes in choosing the time for a table entertainment are as follows:
- immediately after a series of toasts and active contests;
- at the beginning or end of a feast;
- in the absence of most guests;
- during the lively communication of those present.
That is, such entertainment, like everyone else, should be out of place. It is not necessary to hold such contests at a time when guests eat, drink or socialize. That is, in the first 30-40 minutes of any holiday table competitions are inappropriate. This rule is always valid, regardless of the age of the guests and their number.
The best time for a table game is after the guests of the event ate, drank, participated in an active competition, went for a smoke or visited the sanitary room and returned to the table. That is, it is approximately 50-60 minutes after the very first toast.
It’s worth navigating according to the situation, you just need to observe those present. As soon as people start to disperse from the table, the facilitator should be ready to start the competition in 8-10 minutes.
When celebrating with small companies, everything is much simpler, if there is no certainty that a table game is appropriate, then you can simply ask those present whether they are ready to start playing or if it takes time “to smoke break” and “dust the spouts”. But under no circumstances should one formulate a question like “Will we play or not?”. There is always a risk that the answer will sound in the spirit - “Well, don’t, let's just sit.” It is impossible to give a chance to answer in this way. People usually refuse any contests and entertainments in advance, but if they begin, they are very willing to participate. This paradox is especially characteristic of small companies in which everyone is familiar with each other.
How to entertain older guests?
Table competitions are the best entertainment for home gatherings of people of advanced age.
There are a lot of similar entertainments - from group solitaire to fortune-telling on pies. Without preliminary preparation, you can play "Continuation of the phrase."
The essence of the game is that someone says the beginning of a catch phrase, and the rest continue it. For example, the one who starts says, “Who are you?” The remaining guests need to continue this offer. , – « ».
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Fortune-telling game requires preparation. You should bake a lot of small pies with different fillings, but without external differences. Before tea, you need to interview those present, which can mean cabbage, carrots, eggs, jam and so on. Of course, each guest should write down their version of the value in the format of the answer to the question “Why is this?”. For example, opposite the word “jam” it can be written “to rain, to love, to find” and so on. Explain why recording is not necessary. After home gatherings reach tea with pies, you should get a note and ask who has what baking. Of course, voicing the options recorded at the beginning of the evening.
Such a simple feasting will turn ordinary gatherings with neighbors into a fairly positive evening that will leave a good mood in your soul and smiles on your faces.
What is the advantage of table entertainment?
In general, table contests, often pushed to the background by organizers and holiday hosts, can be much more interesting and more comfortable for guests than those that require active action. The content of the table entertainment is limited only by the theme of the holiday and the circle of interests of those gathered at the table.
Competitions and games held at the table have undeniable advantages over all other types of holiday entertainment. The most obvious of them are as follows:
- such games are not placed in an uncomfortable or embarrassing position;
- it is convenient to take part in them on a full stomach;
- age and state of health do not matter.
Active contests, especially those that are supposed to run in bags, ride children or women on their backs, do not take into account the state of health and physical characteristics of people. For example, with radiculitis or simply lack of physical strength, it is rather difficult to roll someone on his back, jump or do something else. And if you consider that the competitions are held on holidays, where people eat and drink, then often there are embarrassments, for example, flatulence.
Table entertainment is available to everyone without exception. They are much more comfortable for many people than those that involve action.