Unraveling the history of the Surprise Ball Our Bami Balls or Surprize Balls are created from 100 ft of colorfully changing paper ribbon with lots of fun treasures. As the crepe ball unravels, surprises and gifts spill out of each layer. Early history of Surprise Balls: The earliest evidence of surprise balls were found in the Native American culture. Traditionally, it was a common practice to tell the history of one’s life with this unique ball. The first layer represented birth and for each event in life, another layer and memento was added. The Surprise Ball of the Native American’s culture represents a person’s entire life. In the 1950’s, surprise balls became vogue in Mid America. A gent named Charles Gregor began creating surprise balls in New Orleans . He named his version-The Surprise Ball “The Toy You Destroy to Enjoy” The surprise ball soon made its appearance in prestigious toy stores such as Fao Swartz and the gift store at the famed Mayo Clinic. We hear that the auxiliary of The Children’s Hospital in Minnesota made the balls for their gift store. The balls were also sold at Ben Franklin Crafts throughout the 50s. A coastal store near San Francisco was also notorious for its wonderful balls throughout the 50s. And then there were no more. (It is hard work to wind a perfect ball.) There were a few copies of the balls made in Japan . These had a hard plastic ball in the center filled with trivial toys. They lacked the colorful fun layers filled with the wonderful original surprises. TOPS Brings back the original: Our balls are likened to the originals with lots of layers and mementos In the 1980’s Judy Walker, president of TOPS Malibu remembered surprise balls from her youth. She had been highly successful with her invention of the Good Fortune Candle (a capsule and charms hidden in a candle) and wanted to make another product filled with surprise. The Name Bami Ball: In 1967, while traveling thru Holland , Judy stopped at an outdoor vending machine which sold Indonesian noodle balls known as Bami ballen. Inside the middle of the noodle ball was a delicious surprise of meat or vegetables. It was from this fun experience that Judy translated this concept into the present day Bami Ball surprise ball. Bami Balls continues to be one of TOPS Malibu ’s top products. Handmade, following the classic design from the 1950’s and using many of the original trinkets and surprises like the fortune fish and old fashioned toys loved by all ages. Bami Balls are available for all different occasions and holidays. It is a great gift, for party place settings or hung as an ornament. Make every event memorable with unraveling the surprises -TOPS Malibu ’s Bami Balls. Please let us know any facts you learn about Surprise Balls! Tell us about your memories. Thank you. J Customer quote:"I recently bought one of your surprize balls for my niece who was turning 7. Not only was she growing more excited with each untwist of paper but so were 20 other little ones. Who for the first time during the whole party sat quietly waiting for the next surprise to fall, and then would all squeal with delight."Last Christmas I wanted to do a "memory Christmas gift" for my younger sister - items that reminded me of our childhood and gifts we always received at Christmas. I found your website by accident and was thrilled to be able to include one of your gift balls as this was something we always received in our stockings. My sister was so excited by the gift ball - she immediately unwrapped it to show her grandchildren what it was and why we loved them as children. She told me at the time that the gift ball was the favorite gift she received because it brought back so many wonderful childhood memories and that she was able to share those memories with her grandchildren.My sister passed away unexpectedly in May of this year (she was only 58) so will be with us only in our memories this year. I will always be grateful I was able to make her last Christmas with us special, in part thanks to your company and the gift ball I was able to send her.Thinking about my sister and her favorite "last" gift makes this Christmas a little easier to deal with. Thank you so much for giving us one more special memory together.Sincerely,Judy Port Orchard, Washington""We had a girls' weekend at our lake house in SC which included girls from 7 years of age to 63 years. We had a surprise 60th birthday party on Saturday night and the surprise balls were the biggest surprise of all. We had a wonderful time exploring the different layers and comparing what gifts we got each time. It was the hit of a very busy weekend of a family of women....thanks for your quick response to providing the party favors and entertainment on short notice.""I purchased a custom bami ballen from you around Christmas time last year. I just wanted to tell you what a great job you did. It was amazing. It was perfect, My girlfriend was amazed. Thank you so much" - Brian " I was traveling with my husband and 5 year old daughter 3 months ago. We live in Los Angeles but happened to be on a ferry boat in the San Juan Islands. Another family was sitting next to us with their little girl and our girls started playing. The mom pulled out two of your party balls and the girls were enchanted with them. They played with them for the full hour we were on the ferry and had a wonderful time. For me, it brought back fond memories of party balls I unraveled as a child and I loved watching my daughter marvel in them now. Thank you for a memorable experience." - Thea
