COMPANY CHRISTMAS PARTY IDEAS

This year we decided to break tradition from the typical 'Dirty Santa' gift exchange at our company Christmas party and find some other activities that would be fun and interactive. So we decided to create some voluntary 'action stations' that people could visit throughout the evening. 

The first station was a wine-tasting; we chose a local winery and selected 5 varieties (two reds, two whites, and a sparkling wine) and poured a flight of 1-2 oz. tastes of each.  The glasses sat on a place mat that provided some printed information about each variety that could be taken home and used for future reference.

The second station was a beer tasting; a variety of five craft beers with a printed place mat similar to the wine tasting. It was a chance to try something you wouldn't normally choose and possibly find a new favorite.

The third station was run by the wife of one of our co-workers; she provided all the supplies to create four Christmas card designs using rubber stamps; it was fun to see both guys and girls sitting down and working to create some beautiful cards to take home!

The last station was an opportunity to make a Christmas tree ornament to hang on the tree in our company lobby.  Everyone got in the act here, and it proved to be the most popular station of the evening. And by the way, the tree looks great!

The action stations turned out to be a great opportunity for small groups of people to interact and get to know each other a little better. We're already thinking of new ideas for next year - any suggestions?

Discounted Back-to-School Supplies Provide Endless Possibilities

You can’t walk into a discount store or office supply store this time of year without seeing aisles filled with back-to-school supplies.  I’m always drawn to the bright colors and new crayon smells.

You may not have a child that needs a backpack full of new school supplies.  But think ahead for a moment – is there an event coming up in your life that might require some of these same items?

 

Do you own a small business?  Stock up on presentation binders, legal pads and computer supplies.  Hosting a retreat or conference? You'll need pocket folders (five cents apiece!) and pens for the participants.  If you’re a troop leader or a Sunday school teacher, or help with a children’s program at your local library, you can always use more markers, crayons, and other art supplies.  

Take stock of your needs over the next few months and take advantage of the deeply discounted items on store shelves today.    

Selecting a Theme for Your Next Conference

            Selecting a theme for your conference will set the tone for everything else, from speakers and entertainment to colors and decor.  Here are few examples of themes used in events that I’ve helped plan that really made an impact: 

Making a Splash – This theme was used for a conference we held at a venue that boasted an indoor water park.  This theme also fell right in line with our efforts to ‘make a splash’ with a new product announcement.  A facility with a water park can be a great location for a corporate conference; just be sure your event isn’t scheduled during school breaks, when attendance of families with children is at its highest.

Going Green – At this event, in addition to our regular education sessions, we incorporated sessions that presented strategies for saving money by going green in the workplace.  We asked the venue to provide pitchers of water will real glasses during our refreshment breaks instead of plastic water bottles, and made sure our swag was made of all recycled materials.  This was the first time in the history of this event where paper handouts weren’t provided for each session; they were made available online instead, which saved thousands of dollars in copying costs and allowed us to actually lower the registration fees. 

Be Prepared – We concentrated on disaster preparedness at this conference, using a Boy Scout theme – our keynote speaker was an expert on disaster planning; one of the giveaway items was a sling pack perfect for hiking or backpacking.  Entertainment included a team-building event where various readiness skills of the participants were put to the test.

Putting You in the Winner’s Circle – This theme was centered around setting and achieving goals, and included a bus trip to the local race track.  One of the races was dedicated to our group and we were all able to go down to the winner’s circle for a picture with the winning horse and jockey.

Road to Excellence – This event had a car racing theme, and our decorations included lots of  road signs scattered around the public areas and on the banquet tables at the ‘Speedway Dinner Buffet’, the ‘Autobahn Breakfast’, and ‘Grand Prix Dinner’.  For entertainment we had a Monte Carlo casino night.

Passport to Success – This year's conference will be held at a resort that is known for its international decor and menu, so we picked a travel theme; the agenda is fashioned after an actual passport (which, by the way, fits nicely into a standard name badge holder.) Attendees will earn stamps in their passport when they attend certain events or visit vendor booths; this makes them eligible for a prize drawing each day. We are also hosting an international food fest, where participants will have the opportunity to try delicacies from around the globe.

 Pick a theme and have fun with it! Incorporate it into every aspect of your event, and give your participants an experience that they will never forget.

Conference Themes - Your Passport to Success!



Baby Shower Idea - The Gift of Reading

This is the best idea I've heard in a while for a baby shower.  Rather than waste money on buying a greeting card to attach to the gifts, suggest that each person purchase a children’s book instead and sign the inside front cover.  Mom will be able to recall who gave it every time she reads it to her little one.  What a great way to remember a special day!

THE ESSENTIAL COLLEGE MOVE-IN CHECKLIST

THE ESSENTIAL COLLEGE MOVE-IN CHECKLIST

Whether you’re rooming with a friend from your hometown or a complete stranger, when you have to share a living space that’s probably smaller than a bedroom you had all to yourself at home, it can be a challenge.   To prepare for dorm life you need to do your homework.  With some careful planning (and careful packing) you can arrive prepared to have a great college experience.

Use this checklist to help you think through the essential items you may need to bring:

SLEEPING                                                          EATING

__Extra-long twin sheets (2 sets)           __Microwaveable cereal bowls/plates

__Foam mattress pad                            __Utensils

__Comforter                                           __Mugs

__Blanket                                               __Can/bottle opener

__Bed Pillow                                          __Chip clips

__Clip-on Fan                                        __Food Storage Containers

__Clip-on Lamp                                     __Paper Towels

__Alarm Clock

SHOWERING                                         DRESSING/LAUNDERING                      

__Shower Caddy                                   __Iron                        

__Shower Shoes                                   __Ironing Board

__Towels and Washcloths                    __Clothes Basket

__Robe                                                 __Lint Brush

__Toiletries                                          __Wrinkle Release

      __Hair Dryer/Hair Products                  __Laundry Detergent/Dryer Sheets

                                                             __Stain Stick

                                                             __Drying Rack

                                                     

COMPUTING                                         DECORATING

__Surge Protectors                                __Wall hooks/removable poster tape

__Flash Drive                                         __Posters/photos

__Laptop accessories                           __Memo board/bulletin board

__Printer/ink cartridges                         __Dry erase markers

__Printer paper                                      __Area rug

__Ethernet cable (a long one)               __Throw pillows/blankets

__Headphones

STUDYING                                                         STORING

__Tape, Stapler, Scissors                     __Pant/Skirt hangers

__Pens/Pencils                                     __Underbed storage container

__Binders                                              __Over-door hook or shoe rack

__Backpack                                          __Bed lifts (if you are unable to loft your bed)

__Calculator                                                      

PERSONAL                                            IF NOT PROVIDED (AND IF THERE’S ROOM)

__Camera                                               __TV

__Rain Coat                                           __DVD player

__Umbrella                                             __Chair/Futon

__Snow Boots                                        __Window Fan

__Sewing kit                                           __Bookshelf

__Basic tool kit                                       __Full length mirror

__Flashlight                                            __Microwave

__First Aid/Medication                          __Mini refrigerator

__Duct Tape                                                      

__Power strips/extension cords

__Stamps/Stationary

__ Phone charger

EVEN IF NOT EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED, IT’S JUST A BAD IDEA TO BRING:

__Toasters and toaster ovens

__Coffee Pots

__Candles/incense

__Hot plates, electric skillets or grills

__Halogen lamps

__Valuable jewelry or other irreplaceable items

__Electric Blanket

__Popcorn Popper



PREPARING FOR COLLEGE MOVE-IN DAY

                Whether you’re rooming with a friend from your hometown or a complete stranger, when you have to share a living space that’s probably smaller than a bedroom you had all to yourself at home, it can be a challenge.   To prepare for college dorm life you need to do your homework.  With some careful planning (and careful packing) you can arrive prepared to have a great college experience.

READ WHAT YOUR COLLEGE SENDS YOU

They have lots of experience with how to make move-in day as smooth as possible and they’ll help you avoid some of the mistakes that people before you have made.  Some of them are:

•  Waiting until move-in day to buy supplies – expect long lines and higher prices on campus for   computer and office supplies, storage and shelving units, etc.
• Taking your own desk chair, desk lamp, or wastebasket.  Don’t waste your money buying those color-coordinated items that are found in stores in abundance from mid- to late summer – if these items are already provided by the school they’re probably required to stay in the room.  Even though they may be somewhat industrial, you’re probably stuck with them.  To make them    more bearable, buy a brightly colored seat cushion and cover the wastebasket with removable contact paper.
• Bringing two of everything.  As soon as you get the contact information for your new roommate, get in touch with them and start talking about how to divide up the list of necessities  you will bring to the living space.  You won’t have room for two televisions, two microwaves,  two game systems, two area rugs, etc., so save yourself some money and space by working it out with your roommates ahead of time.

DORM ROOM DETAILS

Check the college website for room layouts. In a typical double occupancy dorm room, you can expect to have 24-36 inches of clothes hanging space with some room above or below for shoe storage or a laundry basket, 3-4 dresser drawers, a desk with a drawer or two, and possibly some room under the bed for a flat storage bin, and a couple of coat hooks.  Keep this in mind when packing. Measure out about 30 inches of hanging space in your closet at home, and don’t take any more that what will fit in that space.  If you have a floor to ceiling closet in your dorm room take advantage of hangers that will hold multiple pairs of pants or skirts. 

Hint – if your school allows lofting of the beds, I recommend doing it.  Taking advantage of the vertical space in the room frees up a lot of floor space.  This makes it more reasonable to entertain bringing some other comforts from home, i.e. a futon to sit on and to house overnight guests, a chair, television stand or shelving unit.  Check to see if your university has arrangements with a company that provides bed lofting equipment, usually for a low annual rental fee which includes set-up and tear-down.  It’s worth every penny!

THE BIG DAY

Plan to move in on the stated move-in day.  This is the day when the school is most likely to have modified traffic patterns to get you onto campus and get your vehicle as close as possible to your dorm.  Many schools will have a move-in squad, a group of students and volunteers that have been trained to help you get through the check-in process, get you to your dorm, help you unload and maybe even get your belongings to your room.

Plan to arrive at the prescribed time.  If the school suggests getting there between 9 and 11, try to make that window.  The school knows that by staggering student arrival times there is a better chance of avoiding bottlenecks on the streets and in the hallways.

Have a change of clothes ready – after you’ve arranged and rearranged the furniture, crawled under desks to plug in your electronics, and hauled boxes for what seems like miles, you’re going to want to have a fresh change of clothes before you head to a restaurant or bookstore!

Spin the Bottle at a Kid's Birthday Party?!? Read on...

Thanks to Rebecca P. for this alternative activity to the  typical opening of the presents at a children's birthday party:


"A fun variation on opening gifts for kids' parties is to turn it into a 'spin the bottle' game. This avoids a free-for-all of "open mine first!", lost cards, hurt feelings, and general mayhem. You have all the party guests sit in a circle and the birthday child spins a bottle in the middle. Whoever the spin lands on, gets to draw a piece of paper from a jar and perform whatever silly or fun task is written on the paper...for example 'sing the first verse of your favorite song', 'make your silliest face', 'say the alphabet backwards', etc....the possibilities are endless. After performing the task, that child gives his/her gift to the birthday child to open. After the gift is opened, the child who was 'it' gets to spin the bottle to determine who goes next. If the bottle lands on someone who has already given his/her gift it defaults to the person to the left of that child. Play proceeds until everyone has had a turn. This worked wonders at Anna's party last year...gift opening was calm, civilized, and fun for everyone. She wants to do it again next year. I just wish I had come up with the idea years ago!”

I said yes because it made my heart thump

               I recently read an interview in Writer’s Digest Magazine with Cheryl Strayed, author of Torch, Wild, and an online advice column on The Rumpus called “Dear Sugar”.  When asked by Christina Katz why she took on the no-byline, no-pay assignment of writing an ongoing advice column, Cheryl said “…I felt sparked when I wrote that first “Sugar” column. I said yes because it made my heart thump.”

                I just love this answer! This is what is called ‘living in your sweet spot’, knowing yourself well enough to know when it is right to say “yes!”  This is the real trick to living every day with intention; only saying yes to the things that ‘make our heart thump’, because it almost always means having to say “no” to something else. So listen to your gut and fill your life with the people, places and projects that you truly believe will add to your joy.

                Thank you, Cheryl, for stating it so simply!

USING PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS AS WEDDING FAVORS

We have all been handed a promotional pen or coffee mug with a company logo imprinted on them from time to time.  The companies that create these items have an enormous variety of products that you can turn into a table favor or gift for your wedding party. By adding your custom artwork (a photo of the bride and groom or your names intertwined with the wedding date for example) for a one-time set up charge, you can turn an ordinary item into a keepsake that people can really use:

For a beach wedding, tuck a bottle of sunscreen, some sunglasses, and a rolled-up beach towel into a sand bucket:

For your bridal party, provide an tote bag with a sewing kit, compact mirror, travel size toiletries, etc:

For a table favor, colorful bags of mints are a nice choice:

The possibilities are endless!  I have personally used 4imprint.com to purchase many promotional items in the past and their quality and service are first-class.  They will provide free samples of most of their items if you want to inspect an item for color, size, and quality before ordering in bulk.

The Greatest Failure is the Failure to Try

I saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel last weekend, and I really enjoyed it. It's the story of a band of misfit senior citizens, strangers who find themselves thrown together in a place far removed from everything comfortable and familiar, bound by a common quest to find a place to belong and feel wanted again.   I especially connected with Judi Dench's character, a widow who walked through her fear and embraced the challenges she faced.  In her blog to her loved ones back home, she wrote that 'the greatest failure is the failure to try', and the statement hit home for me.  How about you?  What are putting off because you're afraid you won't be successful?  Is it a job change, taking on a new project, asking forgiveness, making new friends? Let go of whatever it is that is holding you back, and TRY! I don't think you'll be sorry.

BABY GENDER REVEAL - A GREAT REASON TO THROW A PARTY

I love a good excuse to throw a party; how about gathering with friends and family to announce the gender of your new little bundle?  You can combine this with a baby shower or have a separate party - why not?

Decorations are simple – think lots of pink AND blue - balloons, flowers and food. Have attendees wear in Team Blue or Team Pink gear and plan a couple of games (check out whattoexpect.com or babyshower101.com for a few ideas).  

There are many ways to pull off the Big Reveal:

Cut the Cake – have a cake prepared that has the caked dyed either pink or blue, and iced with a neutral icing.  Cut into the cake, and taa-daa – a baby boy or baby girl is on the way!  Another option here is to have individual cupcakes with a pink or blue treat baked into the center – a jelly bean, gumball, or a mint.

Balloon Release – get a BIG box and fill it with helium balloons with the appropriate color; unwrap it and watch the sky fill with the happy news.

Pinata – fill a pinata with boy things or girl things (small toys, socks, pink or blue candy, etc.) and watch everyone cheer when they spill out all over the ground.

Keep it a REAL secret - if you really want to make things interesting, keep the secret from yourself – have the sonographer put the evidence in a sealed envelope and enjoy the surprise with your loved ones.

Have other fun ideas for a Gender Reveal Party?  Share them here!

THE SHOW WILL GO ON!

     At every event I’ve ever organized, the people in attendance have shown up wanting to have a good time, and therefore have been pretty forgiving if everything wasn’t 100% perfect.  I’m sure that you’ve attended lots of events where everything wasn’t necessarily going according to plan, and you didn’t even realize it!  That’s because everyone was having a good time in spite of the glitches. So, strive for excellence, but don’t freak out if something goes wrong – keep breathing, and improvise!   It helps if you try to anticipate the potential roadblocks, and formulate a contingency plan to overcome it or work around it.

There are a lot of things that are within your control, but many others that are not. Weather, technology glitches, vendors or others who don’t come through are potential threats to your success. A successful planner plans what she can, and anticipates the rest.

If you’re having an outside event, know what your backup plan will be in case of bad weather.  If you’re relying on technology for a presentation, test the system ahead of time, find out if the venue has backup equipment, have a copy of your presentation on a flash drive, and have a handout available for photocopying.  Confirm your third-party vendors once, twice, three times if necessary until you’re comfortable that they will be on time and on target with their product or services.  And if you’re relying on volunteers, stay in constant contact to measure progress and assign more help if you’re not confident that they’re up to the tasks they’ve been given.

Ready for Anything - Bride and Groom Emergency Kits

Having assisted in coordinating many weddings over the years, if there's one thing I've learned it's to expect the unexpected.  The tux rental shop forgets to hem the groom's pants.  Nothing can be found to light the candles.  A bridesmaid's up-do starts to fall out.  A grass stain gets on the wedding dress during picture-taking.

I make sure to let the couple know that an emergency kit will be waiting for them in their dressing room - just in case.  They don't have to worry about dragging these items with them to the venue, and can relax knowing that they'll be prepared for almost anything. 

My checklists are provided below.  What would you add?

Bride's emergency kit:

Spool white thread
Sewing needles
Scissors
Duct tape
Spool wire
Safety pins
White candle
Box matches
Hose size A, B, and Q
Shout wipes
Pearl earrings
Bobby pins
Rubber bands
White trash bags
Ibuprofen
Breath strips
Shoe polish, white
Deoderant
Transparent Tape
Ink pen
Stapler
Moistened towelettes
Static guard
Hair spray
Baby powder
Hand Lotion
Stick Pins for Flowers
Hand held fan
Hand mirror
Manicure set
Tissues
Sanitary napkins
Bandaids

Groom's Emergency Kit:

Spool black thread
Sewing needles
Scissors
Duct Tape
Shoe Polish, Black
Safety pins
White candle
Box matches
StaticGuard
Shout Wipes
Deoderant
Ink Pen
Moistened towelettes
White Trash Bags
Ibuprofen
Breath Strips
Hand Lotion
Manicure Set
Tissues
Bandaids

CONFERENCES AND TRADE SHOW PET PEEVES - UNDERESTIMATING SPACE REQUIREMENTS

I received a conference registration packet for a large national conference, and after reading the breakout descriptions and speaker biographies, I knew I had to attend. The session topics were tailored for my current career path, and I knew I would be able to pick up a lot of great information that would benefit both me and my organization.  I got permission to go, registered for the sessions I planned to attend, and invested over $2,000 of my company's money (conference fees, airfaire, hotel stay, food, etc.) in order to participate in this valuable educational experience.

Here's what I found when I arrived at the first breakout session:

The room was packed - every seat was taken and people were sprawled on the floor and spilling out into the hallway - what you don't see in this picture are the dozens of others who were turned away and left to peruse the agenda to find another session to attend, or camp out in the hallway in front of their next breakout so they would be assured a seat!

Conference planners - it's important that the venue you select has the capacity to accommodate your attendees, and that you have a contingency plan if your attendance exceeds your original estimates.  Have stacks of overflow chairs in each room, offer a repeat of an especially popular topic, or locate the breakout in a space that has the ability to open an air wall to expand.  How have you dealt with this problem at your events?

 

BUSINESS TRAVELER SURVEY

Calling all Road Warriors!  Do you have any tips or tricks to share about life on the road?  Packing tips, surviving airports, making hotel life more bearable - fill out this 10-question survey and share your expertise!

SPRING GARAGE SALE - PLANNING PART 2

Garage Sale Checklist

___ Pricing – discussed in a previous blog post.  Price as you go, use masking tape instead of expensive labels, and price everything individually if you are partnering with a friend or neighbor to keep sales separated.

___ Determine your hours of operation – check out local garage sale notices in advance and plan to open a half-hour earlier than everyone else in the area.  Hard-core garage sale-ers will hit your sale first before making their rounds.  Staying open late usually doesn’t generate enough sales to be worthwhile.

___Advertise, Advertise, Advertise – here are few ideas to get your sale noticed:

1)      Local newspaper - learn your local paper’s dates and deadlines.  You’ll want your ad to appear at least 5-6 days before your sale so this will have to be submitted at least a couple of weeks in advance.  Highlight any popular categories of goods you have for sale such as tools, sporting equipment, and baby items.

2)      Online – Craig’s List and Facebook are great vehicles for spreading the word.

3)      Local bulletin boards – stores, restaurants, etc.

4)      Signage – check your local zoning codes about the types of signage permitted. Put a sign at every turn from the main thoroughfare to your location, and be sure to take them down when the sale is over!  Keep them simple – address, dates, and times – and print as large as possible so they can easily been read as people drive by.  Nailing signs to telephone or electric poles is almost always prohibited, so plan to use ground-mounted signs.

5)      Flags or balloons – eye-catchers for passers-by

___ Get change – Make sure you have enough fives, ones, and coins to make change for your customers.  Keep it simple and price everything a quarter or more to eliminate the need for smaller change.  Keep your money in a waist pouch, apron, or backpack so you can move around without leaving your earnings unattended.

 ___ Collect bags and boxes for shoppers to carry home their purchases.

___ Collect folding tables, etc. for arranging your items. Try to avoid setting things on the ground, folks will look right past them. Clothes sell much better when they can be hung on racks instead of folded in piles on a table. 

___ Arrange for access to electricity to test powered items.  If it doesn’t work, say so on the price tag, otherwise they buyer will expect the item to be functional.

___ Prepare to negotiate – If it’s sitting on a table in your garage with a price tag on it, chances are you don’t want it to go back in your house.  Be realistic about the price you can get for your items, and be open to reasonable negotiation.

___ Have a plan for ridding yourself of unsold items at the end of your sale.  Contact local charities to see if they have a pickup service, or have a truck on standby to haul your usable, unsold items to a donation site.  Get out your trash toter too – no charity wants your unsold plastic butter bowl collection – don’t be afraid to toss it if it truly has no value.

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify - Henry David Thoreau

EVENT PLANNING - LIKE BULL-RIDING?!?

           



            One of the most dangerous sports on earth has to be bull-riding; scary as can be, but boy is it fun to watch!  A 150-pound man against a 1700-pound animal – all they have to do (!) is hang on for 8 seconds to get a score. 

            There’s a lot of preparation involved – you have to be in top physical condition and have the right equipment for the job - a vest and helmet to protect the mission-critical areas of the body, plenty of rosin on your rope and glove to get a better grip.  Mental preparation is a big part of it too; those cowboys have to have a truckload of confidence to get on the back of a rank bull!

            When the cowboy is getting ready to ride, the other riders help him get settled and encourage him with shouts of “Bear down!” The rider tucks his chin, tightens his grip, and when the bull explodes out of the chute, the rider must constantly adjust as the animal spins right or left, kicking up the dirt and trying every trick he can to shake the rider off his back.   The bullfighters are there at the end of the ride to distract the bull while the ride makes a clean ‘get-off’ and moves away from the danger.

            I get a lot of inspiration from these cowboys.  They are some of the most humble, hard-working young men I have ever met.  They love to have fun and kid around with each other and the fans, but when it’s time to get the job done, they give it their all. 

            These same principles apply to successful event planning.   By visualizing your goal, creating an action plan, focusing your efforts on mission-critical tasks, utilizing the right tools, surrounding yourself with the right people, and making adjustments as you go, you can create an occasion that you can be proud of.  So bear down and go for it!

Photo Credit - www.pbrnow.com

SPRING GARAGE SALE? TIME TO GET BUSY!

If you're thinking about having a garage or yard sale this spring, it's time to get busy and start gathering your items. Start in one room and work your way through the house until you have sorted through every area.  My best advice is to price as you go!  Don't wait until the week before the sale (unless you've carved out a solid couple of days before the sale to price it all at once!)  Every item should be priced individually, especially if you're partnering with a friend or neighbor - add your initials to each price tag if this is the case.  I always use masking tape and permanent markers to price my items -  it's inexpensive and it sticks to almost anything, unlike some more expensive adhesive labels.  My only caveat to using tape would be if you plan to set things out in direct sunlight - the heat will melt the adhesive off the back of the tape. For those items in direct sunlight, switch to paper tags that are attached with string. 

For a guideline to pricing garage sale items, check out http://www.garagesaletracker.com/.

ORGANIZING TIP - FISHING TACKLE BOXES

Here is an inexpensive but effective organizing tool that I use all over my house - fishing tackle boxes! Go to your local discount store - be sure to skip the craft area that has similar boxes for 4 times the price - and go all the way back to the sporting goods area to the fishing aisle. There you will find all shapes and sizes of clear plastic boxes with dividers that can be moved around to fit whatever it is you are trying to organize. The snap locks insure that it won't burst open even if you drop it. They can be stored flat or on their side without items shifting from one compartment to the next, and the clear plastic allows you to view everything in the box.

I use tackle boxes to organize office supplies (pencil lead, erasers, paper clips, staples, coin wrappers, post-its, push pins, letter opener), the 'junk' drawer (super glue, batteries, spare keys, picture hangers, nails and fasteners, ball inflation needle, shoestrings), my scrapbooking area (ribbon, colored pens, brads, buttons, other notions), and my jewelry collection (great for storing lots of earrings in a small space, and you can always find the ones you want!) Since I work out in the morning before I go to work, I pack my jewelry for the day in a little 4 x 6 inch tackle box that fits nicely in my gym bag and keeps everything from getting tangled.

These containers can also be used in your makeup area (pencils, lipsticks, mascara, eyelash curler, small jars or tubes), auto (Shout wipes, hand sanitizer, spare sunglasses, pen and paper, registration and insurance papers, change, tire pressure gauge), or suitcase (toiletries, power cords and chargers, reading glasses.)

Tackle boxes are cheap, versatile, and durable - and they're not just for fishing lures any more!

Valentine's Day Party Ideas

Familyfun.go.com has a ton of Valentine's day crafts, recipes, cards and party ideas for families and kids - if you're involved in planning a Valentine's Day party, this is the place to go!