The arrival of Spring brings with it many reasons to celebrate, and there’s no better way than by opening your home to family and friends. Whether it’s a dessert party after a spring recital, a Mother-Daughter tea in honor of Mother’s Day, or a brunch after the Saturday morning game, you can create great memories with the people you care about by following a few simple tips:
Decorations – Flowers are the obvious choice for bringing life and color into a room during this season. Trim some daffodil stems or tulips from your flower beds and place them in a vase for an instant centerpiece. Purchase a few perennials (pansies are a great choice), and transplant them into inexpensive clay pots with a little potting soil and scatter them around the room - and don’t forget to transfer them to the great outdoors when the party’s over!
Creating a memorable event doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, and doesn’t have to take a lot of time. With a little advance planning, you will be able to relax and have fun – and if you’re having fun, your guests will, too.
Friday, April 29
Wednesday, April 27
SPRING CELEBRATIONS - TIP #2 - FOOD
The arrival of Spring brings with it many reasons to celebrate, and there’s no better way than by opening your home to family and friends. Whether it’s a dessert party after a spring recital, a Mother-Daughter tea in honor of Mother’s Day, or a brunch after the Saturday morning game, you can create great memories with the people you care about by following a few simple tips:
Food – Pick a menu that uses items that are in season and that can be partially prepared in advance. Slice a pound cake or angel food cake, serve with sliced fresh strawberries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream, and you’ve got the main course for your next dessert party. For a Mother-Daughter tea, take help from your local grocery store, serving fancy cookies or croissants with assorted jams and jellies. For an easy brunch, serve a make-ahead egg casserole (check out http://www.cooks.com/ for a variety of recipes), some cinnamon-raisin bread, sliced ham and a homemade fruit salad (also make-ahead), and you’ve got a brunch menu that can feed a crowd in a hurry.
Creating a memorable event doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, and doesn’t have to take a lot of time. With a little advance planning, you will be able to relax and have fun – and if you’re having fun, your guests will, too.
Food – Pick a menu that uses items that are in season and that can be partially prepared in advance. Slice a pound cake or angel food cake, serve with sliced fresh strawberries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream, and you’ve got the main course for your next dessert party. For a Mother-Daughter tea, take help from your local grocery store, serving fancy cookies or croissants with assorted jams and jellies. For an easy brunch, serve a make-ahead egg casserole (check out http://www.cooks.com/ for a variety of recipes), some cinnamon-raisin bread, sliced ham and a homemade fruit salad (also make-ahead), and you’ve got a brunch menu that can feed a crowd in a hurry.
Creating a memorable event doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, and doesn’t have to take a lot of time. With a little advance planning, you will be able to relax and have fun – and if you’re having fun, your guests will, too.
Tuesday, April 26
Ideas for Royal Wedding Receptions | eHow.com
Why not have your own Royal Wedding? Check out these ideas...
Ideas for Royal Wedding Receptions eHow.com
Ideas for Royal Wedding Receptions eHow.com
Monday, April 25
SPRING CELEBRATIONS - TIPS FOR CREATING GREAT MEMORIES - #1 - BUDGET
The arrival of Spring brings with it many reasons to celebrate, and there’s no better way than by opening your home to family and friends. Whether it’s a dessert party after a spring recital, a Mother-Daughter tea in honor of Mother’s Day, or a brunch after the Saturday morning game, you can create great memories with the people you care about by following a few simple tips:
Budget – If budget is a concern, keep it simple and keep it small - save the fancy food and large guest lists for some other time. Being part of an intimate gathering of 8-10 people will make your guests feel extra special, and provide lots of opportunities for making real connections.
If you don’t have enough plates, cups, or tableware to serve your guests, there are some disposable versions that are quite suitable that have the added bonus of providing quick and easy cleanup. I prefer the clear plastic style – it’s sturdy, you can buy it in bulk at your local shopping club or party goods store, and it will blend nicely with any color scheme you bring in through napkins, tablecloths, and centerpieces.
Creating a memorable event doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, and doesn’t have to take a lot of time. With a little advance planning, you will be able to relax and have fun – and if you’re having fun, your guests will, too.
Budget – If budget is a concern, keep it simple and keep it small - save the fancy food and large guest lists for some other time. Being part of an intimate gathering of 8-10 people will make your guests feel extra special, and provide lots of opportunities for making real connections.
If you don’t have enough plates, cups, or tableware to serve your guests, there are some disposable versions that are quite suitable that have the added bonus of providing quick and easy cleanup. I prefer the clear plastic style – it’s sturdy, you can buy it in bulk at your local shopping club or party goods store, and it will blend nicely with any color scheme you bring in through napkins, tablecloths, and centerpieces.
Creating a memorable event doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, and doesn’t have to take a lot of time. With a little advance planning, you will be able to relax and have fun – and if you’re having fun, your guests will, too.
Sunday, April 24
NOTEWORTHY - HOW TO HELP A LOVED ONE WHEN A LIFE-CHANGING EVENT HAPPENS
We've all been in the position of feeling a little helpless when someone we love is struggling because of a life-changing event. Whether they are ill, or have lost a loved one, or are just journeying through a hard time - everyone around them wants to help but they're not sure how. I recommend that you check out http://www.whatfriendsdo.com/. This website provides tools that can help you organize a team of family and friends to schedule meals, errands, child-care, home/lawn/car maintenance, you name it! This is a place where you can rally the troops so they can sign up for the tasks that meet their schedule and abilities. Awesome idea!
The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. ~Mother Teresa
Saturday, April 23
ENTERTAINING AT HOME - MYTH #3
THINK YOUR HOME ISN’T COMPANY-READY? – THINK AGAIN!
Are you hesitant about inviting people to your home because you think it isn’t company-ready? Many people miss the opportunity to create great memories with family and friends because they think their home is deficient in some way. It’s time to bust those myths once and for all!
Myth #3 – My house isn’t clean enough
While it’s true that you’ll want to give the bathroom and kitchen some attention before guests arrive, don’t think that your home must be sparkling from floor to ceiling before you can entertain. Clear out the worst of the clutter from the public areas, wipe down major surfaces, dim the lights, close some doors, and forget about the dust bunnies in the corner or the stain on the carpet – your guests will never notice.
Are you hesitant about inviting people to your home because you think it isn’t company-ready? Many people miss the opportunity to create great memories with family and friends because they think their home is deficient in some way. It’s time to bust those myths once and for all!
Myth #3 – My house isn’t clean enough
While it’s true that you’ll want to give the bathroom and kitchen some attention before guests arrive, don’t think that your home must be sparkling from floor to ceiling before you can entertain. Clear out the worst of the clutter from the public areas, wipe down major surfaces, dim the lights, close some doors, and forget about the dust bunnies in the corner or the stain on the carpet – your guests will never notice.
Thursday, April 21
ENTERTAINING AT HOME - MYTH #2
THINK YOUR HOME ISN’T COMPANY-READY? – THINK AGAIN!
Are you hesitant about inviting people to your home because you think it isn’t company-ready? Many people miss the opportunity to create great memories with family and friends because they think their home is deficient in some way. It’s time to bust those myths once and for all!
Myth #2 – I don’t have matching tableware, glassware, flatware. or serving pieces
No one said that everything has to match in order to entertain (and if someone did say it, they are dead wrong!). Mix and match pieces you already own, or borrow a set of dishes or flatware from a friend. There are also some disposable party items that are quite suitable that have the added bonus of providing quick and easy cleanup. Try the clear plastic style – it’s sturdy enough to wash and re-use if you wish, you can buy it in bulk at your local shopping club or party goods store, and it will blend nicely into any color scheme or décor.
More myth-busters to follow...
Are you hesitant about inviting people to your home because you think it isn’t company-ready? Many people miss the opportunity to create great memories with family and friends because they think their home is deficient in some way. It’s time to bust those myths once and for all!
Myth #2 – I don’t have matching tableware, glassware, flatware. or serving pieces
No one said that everything has to match in order to entertain (and if someone did say it, they are dead wrong!). Mix and match pieces you already own, or borrow a set of dishes or flatware from a friend. There are also some disposable party items that are quite suitable that have the added bonus of providing quick and easy cleanup. Try the clear plastic style – it’s sturdy enough to wash and re-use if you wish, you can buy it in bulk at your local shopping club or party goods store, and it will blend nicely into any color scheme or décor.
More myth-busters to follow...
Tuesday, April 19
Great Baby Shower Ideas
Take a look at these awesome cupcakes created by my friend Julie for a baby shower she recently hosted. She found the design in a book called "What's New Cupcake", written by Karen Tack and Allen Richardson (http://www.hellocupcakebook.com/) - so many great cupcake ideas in this book - check it out! She expanded on the theme by using a baby tub shaped like a baby duck for keeping drinks cold. Great job Julie!
ENTERTAINING AT HOME - MYTH #1
THINK YOUR HOME ISN’T COMPANY-READY? – THINK AGAIN!
Are you hesitant about inviting people to your home because you think it isn’t company-ready? Many people miss the opportunity to create great memories with family and friends because they think their home is deficient in some way. It’s time to bust those myths once and for all!
Myth #1 – My house isn’t big enough
You don’t have to have a formal dining room or single table that seats all of your guests; you don’t even have to seat everyone in the same room. Encourage more interaction among your guests and a create a less formal atmosphere by placing drinks in one room, food in another room, and scattering seating throughout the public areas (including the front porch or back deck if weather permits). Utilize lap trays, folding tables, or even small patio furniture to increase your seating capacity.
More myth-busters to follow...
Are you hesitant about inviting people to your home because you think it isn’t company-ready? Many people miss the opportunity to create great memories with family and friends because they think their home is deficient in some way. It’s time to bust those myths once and for all!
Myth #1 – My house isn’t big enough
You don’t have to have a formal dining room or single table that seats all of your guests; you don’t even have to seat everyone in the same room. Encourage more interaction among your guests and a create a less formal atmosphere by placing drinks in one room, food in another room, and scattering seating throughout the public areas (including the front porch or back deck if weather permits). Utilize lap trays, folding tables, or even small patio furniture to increase your seating capacity.
More myth-busters to follow...
Tuesday, April 5
TURNING A RUMMAGE SALE INTO A BLOCKBUSTER EVENT
Dottie Diller has organized the rummage sale at St. Susanna's in Mason, Ohio for the last six years. Before Dottie came on the scene, the rummage sale netted around $2,000 annually. With Dottie at the helm, the sale has netted over $14,000 in a single year! The parish has several hundred families that donate goods, and has a spacious facility to hold the sale, so Dottie and her crew have capitalized on these resources to make this an extraordinary event.
How does she do it? Here are a few tips that you can apply to any size rummage sale :
http://www.garagesalesource.com/
http://www.christchurchwinnetka.org/
www.salvationarmysouth.org/valueguide
Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify - Henry David Thoreau
How does she do it? Here are a few tips that you can apply to any size rummage sale :
- Have a specific goal - when volunteers can visualize what they're working for, they will be more enthusiastic
- Control pre-sales - decide whether pre-sales to volunteers are permitted; if you do, make sure all items are priced before pre-sales begin
- Create a boutique room - one of the most popular spots at St. Susanna's; best quality items are priced at specialty or consignment shop prices and set up like a retail store with its own checkout
- Sorting - throw away anything that is soiled or in disrepair. Items that won't bring a price over 50 cents are displayed in a Bargain Basement area and not individually priced. Price all other items individually.
- Hang up as much as possible - all it takes is one person to wade through a perfectly stacked and folded pile of clothes to turn it into a messy mountain of madness. You can price items higher and they will sell quicker and stay more organized if you can hang them.
- Pricing - get people who have experience in the type of product. Check out pricing websites. Don't use fancy labels, they won't stick to fabric - masking tape and permanent markers work best (as long as the items aren't displayed in the sun, where the adhesive tape can melt). Price jewelry separately; if you have a lot of jewelry, consider setting up a separately manned display and checkout area.
- Appliances - find someone who can test each item to determine if it is in safe, working order. It's okay to sell non-working items as long as they're not deemed to be unsafe, and are marked accordingly
- Unique items - for unique or high-value items, consider a blind auction, where interested individuals place their bid and contact information on a slip of paper and placed in a sealed container until the sale is over; high bidder gets the opportunity to purchase first; work your way down the list until you get a buyer.
- Overhead - St. Susanna operates a school on their campus, so they must schedule their sale to take place immediately after the school year has ended. They actually rent a storage facility for a month or so to store early donations. They also rent tables
- Attracting volunteers - recruit small group leaders to contact their members; provide child care; have a variety of shift lengths; permit controlled pre-sales
- Concession stand - providing concessions will keep people at your sale longer and will boost sales; if you are unable to recruit volunteers to run the stand, consider offering the opportunity to another outside organization to set up, operate, and clean up
- Have a plan for disposing of leftover items; contact local mission groups like Goodwill or Salvation Army to see if they will schedule a pickup immediately after the sale.
http://www.garagesalesource.com/
http://www.christchurchwinnetka.org/
www.salvationarmysouth.org/valueguide
Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify - Henry David Thoreau
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