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!

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!

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!

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

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!

SPRING CELEBRATIONS - TIP #4 - ACTIVITIES

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:

Activities – If conversation lags during your dessert party, pass around some conversation starters that you’ve written on slips of paper and placed in a bowl (What is your favorite vacation destination? Biggest Pet Peeve? Favorite Movie Star?) During the Mother-Daughter Tea, have someone share some basic etiquette tips, or have each daughter read a poem aloud celebrating mothers. If your weekend brunch includes kids, make sure you have some dollar-store items at the ready for some fun outdoor play – bubbles, Frisbees, jump ropes, etc.

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.

SPRING CELEBRATIONS - TIP #3 - DECORATIONS

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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...

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...

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 :

• 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.

Noteworthy Resources
     http://www.garagesalesource.com/
    http://www.christchurchwinnetka.org/
    www.salvationarmysouth.org/valueguide
   
Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify - Henry David Thoreau

Time to Move!

Buying or selling a home is a life-changing event.  Many times it is coupled with some other significant occurrence, such as the birth of a child, death of a spouse, or a change in job or income.  Whatever the reason, moving from one home to another is an emotional experience.   Whether you are moving across town or across the country, it can be overwhelming to select a realtor, prepare your home for showing to prospective buyers, and select a mover in addition to planning the actual move.  What tips or stories can you share that will make navigating this exciting and sometimes exasperating journey a little easier?

Super Bowl Party Time!

What is your favorite part of a Super Bowl Party? The game, the food, the commercials, the food, the halftime show, the FOOD? What are some things you have done to make a Super Bowl Party more fun?

Gifts for Teachers, Stylists, Mail Carriers, etc.....

There was a thread not too long ago started by a teacher that basically said "Thank you for thinking of me, but no more coffee mugs PLEASE!" What gift ideas have you found that lets your teacher, stylist, party hostess mail carrier, paper carrier, pastor, etc. know that they are appreciated?

Making an Overnight Guest Welcome

Grandparents, college roommates, or treasured friends - for many of us, this time of year means having friends or relatives spending time as overnight guests in our homes. This can be a really fun time, but it can also result in chaos. What do you do to make your guests feel welcome while still maintaining a happy household?