Its kind of funny you should ask that...I was talking just the other day to another consultant about that....
I play a game called "ask a question, win a prize". I made a flyer that I post on my display and I bought the "tickets" that you can make from Office Depot, they are already numbered and I can add a PC design on them..
I then decorate a bag and add information on hosting a show, a congratulations note, a flyer on the PC opportunity, a pen, a PC pin, and a PC product (normally the hold 'n' slice, i-slice, etc..). The rules of the game...every time you ask a question, PC related, you get a ticket, and your other half goes in the bowl....at the end of the show...we draw the winning ticket and you win the "mystery" prize...
Its a neat game and holds people's attention, especially since they don't know what they are winning...that's why I try to make it a "good" prize each time... its funny when the person who asked 1 question wins, when there was someone who asked 20!
Anyways, if it is a quiet group and they aren't talking...I say something like, "wow, ya'll are so quiet...that's alright, as you can see, I love to talk, so since you won't, I will..." and I laugh and go into a story about a product..(i.e., how great stoneware is...leaving the cookies in the oven for 3 hours and they weren't burnt..etc)...
There is a great game here that someone posted...you can search the files...I think its called Riddle Cards...but I love playing that game...its so much fun and guest get a kick out of it!!
Anyways, hope that helps a little!
Good luck!...remember, though...relax and enjoy yourself...if you try to hard...you might not have as much fun...just my 2 cents...
Cheers,
Angela

 

Gosh, what a great question! I have started thinking about this, and philosophically...what is "fun"? Fun means something to everyone, so I have started trying different things at my shows and gauging the response...

1) Having several and easy opportunities for little prize winnings b/c winning is fun. One example: for the holidays, I have copies of the "Gift Ideas" in each guest folder. Only one of them is in color...the person w/ the color flyer gets to pick from my goodie bag.

2) I research trivia and facts about the dish I'm preparing or the foods that I'm using...example: at my wine & cheese show last night, we had a lesson on how to drink, serve, and experience wine (AWESOME!). At a chocolate show, I made little strips of paper that I handed to each guest that had funny things like "I could give up chocolate, but I'm not a quitter"...everyone reads theirs off and got a piece of chocolate and of course we giggle b/c it's funny.

3) I make jokes or tell stories about everything that I can b/c it makes me comfortable when people are smiling & laughing.

4) I am working on shortening the time that I spend talking so that a) they are more interactive in the process and b) they aren't at a party all night long.

5) Ultimately, I think that if I have fun....they're going to have fun.

 

Having fun

I did something off the wall and it was a hit. I made crowns out of wire and pipe cleaners that had the letters PHD on them. I honor all past hostesses at the show by "allowing" them to wear the crown. I will also ask for group responses - like OOOOO and Ahhhhhh's. I also don't really have a script I follow. I follow the crowd. I have had alot of people ask me how the micro steamer works, ect. I just put everything aside and cook brocolli. Everyone always has a good time. Do we look silly - yes - but it is fun.

Boomer Sooner
Shannon Overstreet

 

I love the crown idea. I think I will try that at my next show.

 

I tried to find premade tiaras to wear but they were expensive and really cheap. I may have $3.00 invested in 10 crowns. If they get squished - I can just bend them into shape.

Boomer Sooner
Shannon Overstreet
www.pamperedchef.biz/soonerchef

 

Angela I bought a HUGE roll of "raffle tickets" and give them or chocolate kisses out to those who say "Have it, Love it!" or "Want it, Need it" ~ it gets fun too.

What prizes do you usually give out?