Surprise Balls
Surprise balls? What are these adorably named curious creations? Turns out, they’re like a piñata but even BETTER and definitely way less conventional. Plus, they have a pretty cool history too.
What is a Suprise Ball?
Surprise balls are simply put - a ball with a surprise inside. They’re often handmade using crepe paper, uniquely decorated, and stuffed with fun little toys and trinkets. They’re an increasingly popular trend in gift-giving and an unexpected add-on for parties, but they aren’t so mainstream that you’ll find one at your local big box store. Instead, they’re sold by independent artists, such as the Fortune Teller Surprise Ball by Surprise by Susan, and they’re also easy to DIY.
The best thing about the surprise ball is not just the gift but the anticipation of finding out what’s inside. As the recipient unwraps the surprise ball, they peel through several layers of colored paper which often have the tiny gifts nested in between the folds of the paper.
History of the Surprise Ball
Surprise balls have been traced back to Native American cultures where they were used to tell the story of an individual's life through the layers of a ball made from natural elements - leaves, grass, feathers, twigs, string, etc - that held small totems of significance inside.
They thrived in the 1950s through Charles Gregor, dubbing them “The Surprise Ball: The Toy You Destroy to Enjoy.” After fizzling out in popularity, they were brought back in the 1980s through TOPS Malibu founder, July Walker, and are available in a whole range of fun options including mini surprise balls on their website and through many individual creators.
We’ve shared some of our favs here, but be sure to click through to the individual artist’s collections to see the impressive range of surprise balls out there today.
See More Surprise Balls
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