If you’ve been around the Crazy Busy Mama community for a while,
you know that Christmas Eve at our house has always had its own special rhythm —
the kind made of laughter, chaos, friendly competition, and those tiny moments that somehow turn into forever memories.
And one of our most cherished traditions?
The Saran Ball Game.
It’s silly.
It’s loud.
It’s absolute joyful chaos.
And yet somehow… it’s one of the things that keeps us connected year after year.
Yesterday on the blog, I shared my heart in “Christmas After Loss: Learning to Let Go, Hold On, and Create New Traditions as a Grieving Mama.”
I opened up about how grief has reshaped so much of what our holidays look like now — how letting go of certain things hurts more than anyone talks about, and how holding onto others feels like anchoring yourself to the pieces that still matter.
But there’s this third part, too:
Making space for new memories.
New joys.
New traditions that don’t erase the past
but honor it by allowing us to keep living, loving, and showing up.
And for us, the Saran Ball game is one of those sweet reminders that even in grief, laughter still belongs at the table.
So… What Is Saran Ball?
If you’ve never played it, Mama, buckle up — because this is one of the easiest, most entertaining games you’ll ever add to your holiday mix.
Here’s how it works:
🎁 Step 1: Gather Your Surprises
You’ll need:
- A big roll (or two!) of plastic wrap
- Small treats, dollar bills, small gift cards, candy, chapstick, cozy socks, gum, stickers — anything fun and tiny – my kids love those holiday scratchers!
- You can cater it to family friendly- or adult only style for adult holiday parties
- A pair of oven mitts (of you can use barehands if you choose)
- A bowl of determination and a dash of chaos (trust me)
Looking for last minute fillers for this Saran Ball game? I have collected some great ideas here and you can even get Walmart delivery too!
🎁 Step 2: Build the Ball
Start with your best prize in the middle — a gift card, cash, a mini-game, anything that sparks joy. I have always done a jingle bell with a $20 Bill wrapped around it!
Layer it with plastic wrap, then add a small treat.
Roll. Wrap. Add another treat.
Repeat until you have a giant, hilarious ball of crinkly joy.
You can make this ball as little or as big as you wish!
🎁 Step 3: Let the Fun Begin
Everyone sits in a circle.
One person, wearing oven mitts (if you choose), Rolls a dice (we love to use a BIG DICE like this )
and tries to unwrap the saran ball to the number they rolled on the dice.
The person next to them? They’re rolling dice.
If they roll doubles, they get to go again!
Meanwhile, anything you unwrap during your “turn” is yours!
There’s shouting.
There’s cheering.
There’s laughing until your stomach hurts.
There are kids diving across each other for prizes.
And the best part?
Everyone forgets everything heavy for a moment.
Loss, arguments, family drama, grief, stress — they all get wrapped up in that silly ball and replaced with something that sounds a lot like hope.
Why This Game Means More to Us Now
Christmas used to look different for us. There were routines we relied on, people we expected to be there, laughter that came easily.
Now?
Grief has woven itself into the season, and we’re learning — gently, slowly — how to live with it without letting it steal the joy.
In yesterday’s blog post, I talked about how traditions can either feel like painful reminders or like lifelines… depending on the year, the moment, and the heart behind them.
Saran Ball has become one of our lifelines.
It’s messy.
It’s imperfect.
It’s loud and silly and honestly a little ridiculous.
But that’s the point.
When you’re a grieving family, you cling to moments that remind you:
- We still laugh.
- We still show up.
- We still make memories — even the silly ones.
- And love, somehow, always multiplies- even when we don't feel it we are proclaiming it and trusting it!
The Saran Ball Game has become part of the way we honor the past while choosing to keep living fully in the present.
This Year, We’re Adding Even More Fun
As we walk into another Christmas Eve without Q, the kids and I decided to add a few new games into the mix — not to replace anything, but to expand the joy a little more.
🎯 Cup Pong
Yes, like the college game — except Mama-style and totally family-friendly.
Super easy setup.
Super competitive.
Super fun.
My boys especially get so into this one.
🖐️ Sticky Hands Game
If you know… you know.
These little sticky toys become absolute chaos engines.
Kids flinging them across the table trying to “grab” small prizes?
Trust me, you’ll be laughing nonstop.
🎁 And a Surprise Game… Courtesy of Fisher
This one might be my favorite part.
Letting the kids be part of creating new traditions is SO important — especially in grief. When they get to plan something, choose something, bring something new to the table… it helps them process, heal, and feel grounded in the joy of what’s still possible.
Fisher has a surprise game planned for us this year, and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with. Letting the kids build the fun, lead the joy, and dream up new moments?
That’s the heart of creating a holiday that keeps growing even when life has changed.
If you are looking for an easy Christmas Punch to serve alongside with this fun game of Saran Ball, it no doubt will be a hit. This Christmas Punch is one every age will love!
Traditions Don’t Have to Look the Same To Still Matter
Mama, if you're in a season where Christmas feels different — or heavy — or complicated… I want you to hear this:
You are allowed to change your traditions.
You are allowed to add new ones.
You are allowed to let your kids help shape them.
You are allowed to hold both grief and joy at the same time.
These silly little games?
They’re more than games.
They’re connection.
They’re memory-builders.
They’re moments where healing sneaks in through laughter.
And I truly cannot wait to share how our Christmas Eve unfolds with Cup Pong, Sticky Hands, Fisher’s surprise game, and our beloved Saran Ball.
Your Turn, Mama — Talk to Me! 💛
I would LOVE to hear:
✨ What are your Christmas Eve traditions?
✨ Do you have any family games you swear by?
✨ What helps your family stay connected during the holidays?
Drop your favorites in the comments on the blog — let’s inspire each other with joy, creativity, and the traditions that make our homes feel like home.
Your ideas might just become someone else’s new memory this year.
Just in case you are a visual learner like me here is a quick video of how we put ours together each year!
Because sometimes the memory of creating these games together as a family is the best memory of all ❤️
Here is a quick video of the How To: Saran Ball
So tell me…what family game do you play each year? Or will you be incorporating a new one this year to add to your family traditions? ❤️
