Family traditions have a way of sticking, don’t they? For my family, a Wright gathering isn’t complete without a feast—followed by our signature game, Celebrity Handbags.

Over the last decade, it has become a rite of passage for every family member, young and old. Even the reluctant ones find themselves fully immersed once the game begins. Laughter, friendly debates, and spirited performances take over, making it the perfect post-meal activity, especially when heading outdoors isn’t an option.

I’ve shared this game far and wide—from introducing it to strangers during a New Zealand bushwalk to playing it in all kinds of settings across the globe. It’s adaptable, inclusive, and an absolute riot.

Here’s how you can bring the magic of Celebrity Handbags to your own gatherings.

 

Setting Up: The Essentials

1. Teams

Start by forming 2–3 teams, depending on your group size. In the Wright family, team selection is a sacred ritual:

• Write everyone’s name on slips of paper and toss them into a container.
• Draw names to assign members to teams. The first name drawn in each team becomes the team leader.
• Team leaders play Paper-Scissors-Rock to determine who goes first.

Arrange the seating so that each team sits together—this fosters camaraderie and quick thinking when the game gets intense.

 

2. Preparing the Slips

Each player gets five slips of paper to write down the name of a person, book, film, or TV show. Controversy often brews here, so a few ground rules help:

• If you choose an obscure reference, add a hint in brackets (e.g., "Ruth Bader Ginsburg [US Supreme Court Justice]").
• Avoid overly cryptic or personal choices—remember, the goal is to have fun, not stump everyone!

Fold each slip in half and place them all into the same container. This forms the pool of “celebrity handbags” to draw from.

 

Playing the Game

The game is played in three rounds, with each team taking turns. The objective is simple: get your team to guess as many slips as possible within one minute per turn. A waiting team is responsible for timing.

 

Here’s how each round works:

 

Round 1: Say Anything (Except What’s Written)

You can use as many words as you like—but not the ones on the slip (unless they’re in brackets). Here is a real example:

• For "Ruth Bader Ginsburg," you might say, “This is a person. Mish probably wrote it. She was a US Supreme Court Justice. Her first name sounds like ‘truth’…”

Keep describing until your team guesses the exact phrase. Once guessed, the slip goes to your team. If the timer runs out before guessing, refold the slip and return it to the container.

Pro Tip: Incorporate acting! The more dramatic your performance in Round 1, the better prepared your team will be for the next rounds.

 

Round 2: One Word Only

Now things get tricky. Each player can only use one word to describe their slip. Choose wisely:

• For "Ruth Bader Ginsburg," you might say “Justice.”

Your team’s prior memory and your acting skills from Round 1 will come in handy here.

 

Round 3: No Words Allowed

It’s all about gestures now. Think charades, but fueled by the hilarity of previous rounds. This is where the game peaks in terms of both laughter and frustration.

 

Scoring and Declaring Winners

At the end of each round, tally the slips each team guessed correctly. Keep a cumulative score to determine the final winner. The losing team takes on the dishes—a Wright family tradition that keeps the stakes high!

 

Why It Works

Celebrity Handbags is more than just a game; it’s an experience that bridges generations. From my great-niece and nephew to my parents in their 80s, everyone finds a way to shine. The mix of creativity, memory, and sheer silliness creates moments that become part of our family lore.

 

So, the next time you’re stuck indoors after a meal, gather your crew, prep some slips, and dive into Celebrity Handbags. Trust me, it’ll be a tradition worth keeping.