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