TOPS Malibu: Packaging the Magic of Surprise
Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by Kira Andrus
Some gifts are fun to open. Others turn the moment of opening into the best part of the celebration.
For TOPS Malibu, that moment of surprise is at the heart of everything they create. Since the 1980s, the company has been designing imaginative gifts and interactive party goods that bring people together through laughter, curiosity, and shared wonder.
From its signature Surprize Balls® to Wish Paper, Magic Flying Butterfly™, and Good Fortune Candles, TOPS Malibu creates products that invite people to play, make a wish, and experience something unexpected. Behind each idea is a creative process that transforms inspiration into a memorable experience, with products handmade by artisans in the USA and, for select items, Europe.
TOPS Malibu’s creativity extends well beyond its signature products. The company also creates custom products for a wide range of occasions, from large corporate events and brand collaborations to private parties and personal celebrations.
When it comes to presenting and protecting those creations, the details matter and that includes the packaging.
A Little Surprise Goes a Long Way
Founder Judy Walker has always appreciated the power of a little unexpected fun. Growing up in a family with a scientific and academic background, she found herself drawn to creativity and self-expression.
Her first invention was Good Fortune Candles, introduced more than 30 years ago. That early idea helped set the stage for a business built around imaginative products and the joy of discovery.
For Judy, the magic happens when a surprise brings people together.
“At a party or gathering, when you bring out a fun surprise, your guests are momentarily caught off guard in a sharing of wonderment,” she explains. “It’s a delicious moment when everyone connects in fun and laughter.”
That philosophy continues to guide TOPS Malibu today. Whether someone is unwinding a Surprize Ball to discover its hidden treasures, making a wish with Wish Paper, or sending a butterfly soaring from a greeting card, each product offers an opportunity to create a moment worth remembering.
From Creative Spark to Handmade Product
Turning an idea into a finished product takes imagination, experimentation, and a talented team.
Judy describes the creative process as an amazing phenomenon. Inspiration can be elusive, and part of her role is capturing those fleeting ideas and turning them into something tangible.
The process begins with a prototype. From there, TOPS Malibu works with its team in Eugene, Oregon, to bring the concept to life through handmade production in the USA.
Today, the company offers hundreds of products and has reached millions of customers around the world. Its collection spans party favors, interactive gifts, celebration accessories, and custom product possibilities that are all designed to make ordinary occasions a little more extraordinary.
The Details Behind the Surprise
TOPS Malibu’s products are designed to be handled, opened, discovered, and enjoyed. But before they reach the recipient, they need packaging that keeps them protected while letting their details shine.
That’s where ClearBags comes in.
TOPS Malibu uses ClearBags packaging for products such as Party Blowers with fortunes and Confetti Pops. Crystal clear bags also help protect many of TOPS Malibu’s products during shipping and handling.
One detail the team particularly appreciates is the clarity of the bags.
The company recently discovered that some retail stores were leaving products inside their protective bags rather than removing them for display. The bags were doing more than protecting the products: their crisp clarity helped shoppers see the details while keeping the items protected from handling.
For TOPS Malibu, that was a welcome discovery. Packaging that lets customers appreciate a product without exposing it to unnecessary wear is a valuable part of the presentation.
It’s a reminder that packaging can do more than keep a product safe. The right material can help preserve the look and feel that make a gift special in the first place.
Making Room for More Wonder
From a candle that reveals hidden treasures to a butterfly that springs to life when a card opens, TOPS Malibu continues to explore new ways to surprise and delight.
Its work is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and the connections people make when they share an unexpected moment. And as the company develops new ideas and custom products, thoughtful packaging remains an important part of bringing those creations to customers.
Want to discover more of TOPS Malibu’s imaginative gifts and celebration products?
Explore the collection at TOPSMALIBU.com or shop its wholesale offerings on Faire. You can also follow along on Instagram at @topsmalibu.
At ClearBags, we’re glad to help protect the little details that make these products and the moments they create so memorable.
Have a creative idea of your own? Explore TOPS Malibu’s products and custom capabilities at TOPSMALIBU.com. Need to package your own dream? Find out how ClearBags can help https://www.clearbags.com/contact-us.
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