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.