Games to Play With Women's Purses

Who's Got It?

• Have all the guests help create a list of common and uncommon things found in a purse. Assign two to five points for common items like hairbrushes, lipstick, lip balm and mirrors. Uncommon items like lotion, perfume, eye drops or staple removers get at least five points. Assign more points to racy items like bright red lipstick, with items such as condoms and birth control pills given up to 20 points. Every player should earn some points, so make sure to keep some of the items simple. Call out the items and have each guest record her own score for what is in her purse. The person with the most points at the end is the winner.

Purse Partner

• The "Purse Partner" game begins by pairing women with a partner they don't know very well. Ask each pair to make a list of 10 things commonly found in purses and 10 more unusual items. Collect the lists and give each pair a list made by one of the other teams. Have the pairs trade purses with their partner and try to find as many items as they can on the list they received. This game is a bit personal, so warn women ahead of time that their purses are up for inspection. The team with the most items found on their list wins. This game is great to help people get to know each other.

Purse Memory

• Both men and women can play the purse memory game. Before the party, fill a purse with items that a woman would typically carry. Divide the adults into teams of two. Lay all the items out on the table to show the teams. Have everyone close their eyes while the game leader scrambles the items on the table, then puts one back in the purse. Tell everyone to open their eyes. The team that calls out the missing item first wins a point. This continues until all the items are gone from the table. The team with the most points wins. You can either assign a scorekeeper or let each team keep its own score.