One of my favorite parts of the first ever Escape Adulthood Summit was tapping into the collective knowledge and wisdom of every in attendance. We spent a few hours on Saturday afternoon sharing insights and ideas to help each other with various hot button issues. One of the things that got brought up by a camp director named Jen was the subject of pranking.
Pulling pranks and practical jokes is fun in large part because of the rush of excitement that comes from getting away with something and creating a scenario that contains the element of surprise. Unfortunately, it too often makes the person who was pranked feel bad, stupid, or even violated. So Jen shared that at camp, they only tolerate “positive pranking.” She gave an awesome example that she learned about via Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
It’s called Hostess Ding Dong Ditching.
Similar to the old game of ringing someone’s doorbell and then running away before the person opening the door could discover who it was, this updated version is a lot nicer and more chocolatey. In this version, you leave a box of Hostess Ding Dongs and a nice note at the doorstep before you run away. Pretty cool, huh? It’s just a nugget of the gold that was mined at the Escape Adulthood Summit, and I’m happy to share it with you!
I can’t think of a better way to cheer someone up or congratulate them on the new job, new baby, new promotion, or just because. This week, race back to childhood and try this new version of Ding Dong Ditch!
I appreciate the shout out. Not only to me but to the cool stuff I have learned from Amy as well. Both the stuff she does and you and Kim do are such a positive impact in my life (and job).
Thanks.
Jen
P.S. My younger son and I had date night and ate dessert first.
Thanks Jen. Here here for Mom & Son date nights!!!
Wanna know something sad? There are NO ding-dongs in Kirksville :( We learned this when Fr. Chris went to buy some for the booby prize for trivia night (ding-dongs, dum dums, and nerds!). He went, in his clerical collar, to every grocery store in town, and even asked for help. I think that’s the best part–imagining this nice, cute priest asking around for ding-dongs and letting them wonder why!
What?! How can this be? Is Kirksville run by communists?
Not only does Kirksville (MO) not have Ding Dongs, it is illegal to fry onions within one block of the courthouse in the middle of downtown! And frying onions is one of those wonderful “feel good” fragrances… (Talk about silly rules that DO exist!)
Well, at least Sweet Expressions can still make their kettle corn on the square and we can smell that! And hello to a fellow resident of the ‘ville!
Born there, at least. My mom still lives on a farm near Elmer.
Are Ding Dongs back now that Hostess is up and running again?
I believe my daughter just had one the other day, so I’d have to say yes. Although it might have been a cheap knockoff smuggled in from Mexico. ;)