Scatter a handful of Penny Stones on banquet rounds, and ask attendees to answer the questions printed on each. Questions include, “What is a favorite summer memory?” and “What would you love to try?” The topics will get strangers talking, and the stones themselves, made of recycled glass, might become a conversation piece as well. Each bag of 21 stones costs $15; aim to purchase one stone per person. If you have more time than stones, ask attendees to answer the opposite of the questions, i.e., “What are you loath to try?” (330) 998-2509; pennystones.com

Link: http://www.meetings-conventions.com/articles/penny-for-your-thoughts/d36108.aspx

Here’s an excerpt:
So you need a fun, reasonably priced, unique “______” gift.  (hostess, housewarming, baby shower, birthday, teacher, you-name-it!)

Well, look no further than Penny Stones.

And they’re giving two sets of Penny Stones away, Original and Slumber Editions.  Enter today!

http://www.kidseatout.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105:pennystones-review&catid=36:fab-finds&Itemid=56

Last night, my son told me, “Mom, I’m so tired I know I’m going to be wide asleep tonight.”

Sweet Sixteen and Quince Party Ideas

http://www.woai.com/entertainment/story/Quince-party-and-gift-ideas/FigTl5EoO0qFY0JJTfcyZg.cspx?rss=1484

And we made the TV spot too!  Penny Stones are recommended for table decorations to get the conversations flowing.

http://www.woai.com/entertainment/story/Quince-party-and-gift-ideas/FigTl5EoO0qFY0JJTfcyZg.cspx?rss=1484

Phi Mu Foundation Luncheon

During lunch, each of the 550 attendees received a Penny Stone and we used them in the workshop I gave afterwards.  The highlight for me was when I asked the ladies to ask their partner a typical icebreaker: “Where are you from? What’s your major? or How are you?”  The room felt flat.  Then I asked them to ask their partner a Penny Stones question.  The room lit up!  There was laughter, animation, and they didn’t want to stop talking.  One of the ladies turned to me a said, “These things really work!”

Ages: All. Recommend number of people: Groups of 3-12. Messiness factor: No sweat. Materials required: A large bag of M&Ms or any candy with multiple colors (e.g. Skittles).

M&M Game

This icebreaker is a simple way to help people introduce facts about themselves. It’s very flexible and adaptable – and (if you have a sweet tooth) delicious too! The M&Ms Game goes by other names: the Skittles Game, the Candy Game, the Color Game, among other names.

Setup

Pour M&Ms or any other multicolor candy into a bowl. Have everyone in the group grab as much or as little as they like from the bowl. Make sure that no one eats their candy right away.

How to Play

For each piece of M&M candy they took, they will have to answer a question, depending on its color. For example, you can designate:

• Red candy: favorite hobbies
• Green candy: favorite foods
• Yellow candy: favorite movies
• Orange candy: favorite places to travel
• Brown candy: most memorable or embarrassing moments
• Blue candy: wild cards (they can share anyone they choose)

You can be creative and choose any questions you think would be fitting for your group. The facilitator will then call out the color topic and everyone will go around the room sharing 1 answer per M&M. As an example: if you chose two red pieces of candy, you will have to name two of your favorite hobbies. After the individual has shared that color with the group, he/she may then eat their candy. Continue to go around the room until each color topic has been shared.

“A friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad.”  ~ Arnold H. Glasgow

“One can never speak enough of the virtues, the dangers, the power of shared laughter.” ~ Francoise Sagan 

“The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?” ~ Henry David Thoreau

“No comments from the popcorn gallery, please.” ~ 10-year old daughter

“You wanna piece of me?” ~ five-year old son as he’s playing a video game

“”I was really starving for my blanket last night.” ~ five-year old son

When our five-year old son was complimented for reading a hard word he said “Oh, I just rememberized it.”

“I’m just like a dinosaur oncologist! I have five books on dinosaurs!” ~ six-year old son

“What’s a time frame? I’ve never seen one before.” (thinking it’s like a picture frame…) ~ six-year old son

When asked how God made a woman, our six-year old son said “He pulled a ribbon out of his pocket.”

“I want to play ‘Corn in the Cobs’” (instead of Corn Hole) ~ six-year old son

“I’m full.  Can I have some ice cream?” ~ six-year old son

“We only learn stuff so teachers have somethin’ to do.” ~10-year old daughter

Out to lunch with Papa, Mommy asked her sons to share their sundaes.  The older brother replied, “You can have one bite of mine, but you can have as many as you want from my brother!”

• “To make my dream a reality, one of my best first steps was to make an appointment with S.C.O.R.E advisors.  They helped me create my business plan, gave me invaluable critical feedback, and helped me think of my product as a business, not a hobby.

• I have partnered with other women entrepreneurs who manufacture products sold to the gift wholesale and retail market.  Developing relationships with people who can relate to your problems, concerns, frustrations, and accomplishments adds another dimension to the rewards of owning your own business.

• Next month, I will be joining a group of women entrepreneurs who meet once a month for three hours and discuss the challenges they face.  These women will become my Board of Advisors.  I have been looking for a support group like this and am very excited to have found one locally (Akron , Ohio ).

Check out what the other folks had to say: http://www.passionsandpossibilities.com/category/blog

1. What do you do for a living?
2. What’s new?
3. Are you a Browns  fan?
4. None of the above

The answer is 4 – none of these questions are great openers. 
“What do you do for a living?”:  Unless you’re at a work function or event like this, try to avoid career talk.  Consider the possible outcomes:  their occupation may be of no interest to you, or in this economy, they could be out of work.  Ultimately, it’s better to try to talk about something that you are truly interested in.

“What’s new?” or “How are you?”: Too open-ended, you’ll get equally boring answers like “Nothing” or “fine”

“Are you a Browns fan?”:  A yes or no answer is not a great opener, and only a die-hard fan would admit to being a Browns fan these days.

The best kinds of questions to ask are open-ended: start your question with Why, How or In what way… 
Closed-ended questions ask for one- or two-word answers.  Try to avoid:  Are, Do, Who, When, Where, Which, Have you… ?  

Here are some stock questions to keep on hand:
“What person would you most like to meet?” (pause) “Why?”

You can also introduce a topic with “My friends and I were just talking about…” and add what you’d like to talk about:
 * Favorite place to visit
 * What you’d love to try
 * Your dream job
 * Favorite childhood show, game or gift
 * Favorite summer memory

Stock questions above are from Penny Stones - great ice breakers on glass stones.