Thursday, September 29, 2011

10 Party Games for Grand Final Day

Melbourne is at a standstill. Poised, waiting for Saturday afternoon when the AFL Grand Final will be decided.

Tomorrow is irrelevant except if you are planning a gathering of friends to watch the game. As an avid AFL fan (Go Bombers) I am more interested in actually watching the game. So if you've been lured by the title you will possibly be disappointed. However, here are some ideas to mark the day.

1. Arrival: Face Paint
Invite your guests to show their true colours by donning face paint ahead of the game.

2. Lucky Door Prize
Hand out raffle tickets and draw winners at half time. Prize ideas include chocolate footballs, umpires whistle, footy garb, badges, posters etc...

3. Food
  • The usual MCG cuisine: meat pies, cold drinks, hot jam donuts, coffee
  • Team coloured food
  • White jellybeans or white witchetty grubs' - white maggots' (affectionate term for umpires)
  • Cake in team colours
  • Jelly cups in team colours

4. Clothes
  • Provide raincoats and make space behind the seating for those for whom footy is not right without  standing room in the outer.
  • Eye patches for one-eyed supporters
  • Whiskers for Cats supporters, feathers for Magpies.

5. Music
Obviously the team songs, but also Advance Australia Fair and footy songs by Mike Brady of 'Up there Cazaly' fame.


Ok, ok, so you'd like a few games to warm up before the game. What about these for starters:

6. Lolly Game
Chose either M&Ms, Smarties, Jellybeans or similar. Guests race the clock to fish team coloured lollies from a central bowl. The person with the most lollies of the right colours in their cup after a minute wins.

7. Handball Competition
You know what to do.

8. Play 'Malthouse says', or 'Scott says' (aka Simon says)

9. Footy PiƱata - a great half-time occupation. 

10. Ladder competition 
Divide guests into teams. Use either an actual ladder, or make one from cardboard and fix it to the wall. Provide each team cards on which each AFL team is written. Race the clock. Team members take turns to pick up a card and place it on the ladder in the order which the teams finished this year.

You may also be interested in 10 Party Games for Melbourne Cup Day 

Friday, September 23, 2011

Friday, September 16, 2011

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Annie: An All-Time Favourite Returns to the Australian Stage

In Melbourne yesterday the Australian season of Annie was launched, with an impressive principal cast on hand at the Plaza Ballroom. Annie is set to grace Australian stages from December, touring Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Read my Annie Update now published by Stage Whispers.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Hidden Treasure in the Burbs - McAlpin Reserve

Ever been to Ringwood North?
Know about McAlpin Reserve?
It has to be one of the most serene places in Melbourne's suburbs.
Read my review now published by Weekend Notes.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Federation Playspace - Warrandyte (review)

Looking for something the whole family will love?
A trip to Federation Playspace is within coo-ee of activities to engage history buffs, fitness freaks, foodies, sweet tooths (or is that teeth), and wildlife lovers. My review of Federation Playspace in Warrandyte is now published online.