This thread is hijackable, so we can see where it goes organically, when people are struck by something that isn’t the main topic, and want to comment on that.
If the thread turns into someone’s personal rant about their favorite grudge, I assume that other people will just stop posting to it, and it with die of disinterest. So I’m not really worried about that “what if.” I ask moderators to step in only if someone is being abusive toward another poster, or if one person is getting mildly picked on, but by a lot of people. I just don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable participating.
I’m going to start with my current question of what to give for a first prize for the Purim Pinball Tournament, 5786 (current Jewish year).
Skip to arrow if you don’t want to read about party plans.
The benefactor has enjoyed these parties in the past, when I had more money, and this was my one big spend of the year, where I laid out a lot, and reciprocated for everything I’d been invited to over the past year. I really did spend a few thousand on the party, but it was the only big thing I did all year. The only other gatherings I eve have are some small Shabbat dinners.
I’m trying to rebuild savings after the pandemic, still, but that’s another thread.
Purim is March 2-3, which is a Monday and a Tuesday, so the party is Sunday, March 1, and will start at noon, with a big lunch buffet instead of dinner, and I’m still serving wine and mixed drinks, but since I’m putting out alcohol at noon, there will be a big selection of craft and imported beers.
We’ll have our noisy read and sing-alongs at 1:30 and 2:30, and I’ll still warn the neighbors, but it’s shouldn’t be so disruptive at that time.
Lunch is out at noon, and people are invited to arrive then, but to drift in any time after (and there will be people who won’t come until the tournament). The megillah read in when most of the drinking is done. Tournament set-up starts at 3:30, and actual play at 4. So if you want to play, be there at 3:30, if you just want to watch, be there at 4. It will take 60 to 75 minutes including awarding of prizes, and people will probably start to leave at 6, at least I’m guessing. We usually have them on Saturday, and start at 5 or 6, and have Havdallah; people leave around midnight. This is the first one on Sunday in a long time, and the first time I’m doing lunch instead of dinner.
Dog will be at daycare, and cat will be set up in the walk-in closet, with a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign on the door.
The tournament works like this:
I choose a certain number of machines, based on how many people want to play-- I need one machine for every four people. I write the names of the machines on slips of paper and put them in a hat, and everyone draws one.
Whatever machine people draw, they play against the others who draw the same one. The high scorer on each machine goes on to play one another on another machine. If there are more than 4, they play on two machines. we have high score play offs as much as we need until we have one machine, and then the two highest scorers on that one have a play off on my favorite machine: 1978 Bally Lost World. The high scorer here is the winner, and the low scorer wins second place.
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I have a benefactor, so this is not just what I can afford: the budget for prizes is about $500, and the second prize is going to be a year of Amazon Prime; there are going to be a few third prizes that are going to be gift baskets worth about $25. Everyone who participates will get a roll of Trump TP, which I buy in bulk, so the per roll price is about $5. The budget for first prize is $150 - $200.
Appreciate suggestions for first prize. I want it to be fun, but useful, too-- like Amazon Prime. Someone suggested the workings for an herb garden (???), which would be terrible, because not everyone care about having fresh herbs, and even some people who do, don’t want the trouble of growing them. And 2 years of Amazon Prime, I get, but I want something different from the second prize, not just more of it.
Awaiting suggestions or hijacks.
