Recommended prizes that will be appreciated at after-parties and banquets
You often see bingo or games at wedding after-parties and company banquets, right?
Everyone’s happy to get prizes, and they really liven things up.
But if you’re the organizer, you have to think about the prizes too.
You’ll probably find yourself wondering, “What were the prizes when I participated…?”
When that happens, take a look at this list and use it to prepare for your banquet or event.
From luxury items to everyday necessities—things you might not buy for yourself but would be happy to receive—we’ve gathered a selection of great prize ideas!
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Recommended prizes that are sure to be a hit at after-parties and banquets (1–10)
Cultivation kit
Besides growing flowers in pots, I think many people also enjoy creating a “balcony garden” by lining up planters on their balconies.
Green onions are especially easy—you can keep growing them endlessly as long as you have the roots left over after using store-bought scallions.
Growing kits are great even for people who don’t usually care for plants.
Even without a balcony, a small sunny spot is all you need! Summer vegetables like tomatoes and bell peppers are resistant to pests and are beginner-friendly.
And it’s not just vegetables—tulips and lilies are perfect for hydroponics.
They could be a fun, quirky prize option too!
Premium ice cream voucher
When we were kids, wasn’t “Garigarikun” the only ice cream we’d buy with our own money? Every now and then, an uncle who came to visit would treat us to Häagen-Dazs, and to my child self it tasted so fancy—or maybe it didn’t—but I just remember being incredibly happy.
If the prize is a “voucher for premium ice cream,” everyone gets excited! Besides premium brands like Häagen-Dazs, Lady Borden, and Mario Gelateria, Godiva’s ice cream—famous for its chocolate—also feels luxurious and is highly recommended! Be sure to have these ready for after-parties with lots of women; the organizer is sure to become popular!
Luxury fruit
I’ve heard that some souvenir shops in Wakayama sell individual umeboshi for 500 yen—500 yen each! That’s way out of my league… Luxury items have a way of lifting people’s spirits; even if you don’t end up winning them, just seeing them as prizes makes you happy.
The premium Shine Muscat grapes and premium Miyazaki mangoes you often see in department stores go for around 5,000 yen apiece, and the quintessential high-end fruit, the muskmelon, can cost tens of thousands of yen per melon.
These luxury fruits, which are far too pricey for me to buy for myself, would surely delight anyone as a prize.
The increasingly talked-about imported luxury fruit, Rainier cherries, might also catch people’s attention.
Recommended prizes that will be popular at after-parties and banquets (11–20)
parody goods
At an after-party or a casual get-together with friends, it’s usually okay to cut loose a little, right? If it’s a gathering of people you’re comfortable with, how about preparing parody novelty items as prizes.
Things like a bundle of “1,000,000 yen” that looks real—this one’s actually a memo pad—or a gold bar—usually chocolate or candy inside.
Clever, tongue-in-cheek prizes like these are sure to liven up the mood! Lately you see lots of quirky, funny T-shirts too, so gag-packed tees or slightly risqué ones will probably get some laughs as well.
Parody goods can really heat up the lively banter among friends—but be careful not to get too carried away!
rice
Are you a rice-for-breakfast person or a bread-for-breakfast person? With changes and diversification in food culture—and lately the boom in low-carb diets—it’s said that rice consumption has been declining year by year.
Even so, there probably aren’t many people who don’t eat rice at all, so how about lining up a variety of rice as prizes? From classics like Koshihikari and Sasanishiki to Hokkaido’s Nanatsuboshi, Niigata’s Milky Queen, Kumamoto’s Hinohikari, and more—you could lay out plenty and let bingo winners choose.
It might also be exciting to feature “phantom” rice varieties like Hokushinshu Miyuki Koshihikari or Niigata’s Mizuho no Kagayaki! Perfect for second-party gatherings where many homemakers get together.
Outdoor goods
Lately, the outdoor boom has really been heating up.
Camping gear can be expensive to collect, and there’s so much you have to prepare, so the barrier to entry can feel pretty high.
That said, things like day camping—where you enjoy nature and a meal without staying overnight—chairing, where you just bring an outdoor chair to a riverbank and sip coffee, and even “veranping,” relaxing on your own balcony at home, are all trending.
Even if someone doesn’t go full-on camping, they’ll still be happy to receive a small outdoor item as a gift.
Coffee, black tea, and green tea
Coffee, black tea, and green tea make great prizes because they’re light and not bulky.
Lately, more people are getting into brewing coffee seriously at home or getting hooked on flavored teas and Japanese tea as companions for their at-home time.
Some people might not drink coffee or tea, but having a nice coffee on hand for guests is convenient.
These days, there are more and more adorable packages, so choosing something with a cute look is likely to be appreciated.