5 Ideas for Hosting the Best Play Date Ever

It's about that time of year where it's not really warm enough for the kids to play outside, and in addition, with the holidays rolling around we are getting super busy.  Why not plan a fun play date to watch a few of your friends' kids one Saturday afternoon while they get some Christmas shopping and errands done?  Here are 5 great ideas to make for a really memorable experience and that will keep them busy!


1.  Build an Igloo!  Help the kids get together a ton of pillows and a big white sheet.  Forts are always a blast and making it an "igloo" instead just adds to the excitement!  Have some fun seasonal books and stories prepared to read, along with some hot chocolate while you all huddle together in the igloo.  The little Eskimos will let their imaginations run wild.

2.  If you have a fireplace, help the children make s'mores for a snack!  These can get a bit messy so having some wet paper towels nearby might come in handy.

3.  Host an American Idol show where the contestants can only sing Christmas songs!  The winner will get a special prize!  If the children are too young to know any lyrics yet, then teach them a classic Christmas song or two!  They will never forget where they learned it and how much fun they had during the process.

4.  Do crafts!  A few crayons, construction paper, and coloring contest rules can go a looong way!

5.  Have a dance party!  This will be sure to tire out the little kiddos so they will be ready for a nice long nap or even bedtime once their parents come to pick them up.

Thanksgiving Guide for Beginners

Hosting Thanksgiving for the very first time can be VERY overwhelming.  Many of us fortunate to have grandparents, parents, or aunt and uncles who are still in good health find ourselves still celebrating the major holidays at their homes.  We show up, bring whatever is asked of us, sit back, relax and enjoy.

We know in the back of our minds that Thanksgiving is a stressful holiday for the host, but never really put much thought into what actually needs to be done if we were actually hosting the dinner ourselves. Here are some great tips (suggested by punchbowl.com and adapted by me) to keep in mind when preparing for this special day of Thanks:

• Start early. As soon as you know that you’ll be hosting Thanksgiving dinner, make a list of everything you need to do to prepare for the day. Then, put together a calendar that plots out each task so you know exactly what you have to do and when. 
• Send online invitations or make individual phone calls.  Do not just assume that friends and family assume that they are invited.  Personally invite everyone.
• Order your turkey. It seems obvious, but remember to order your turkey in advance from a meat market or grocery store with a good reputation. You want to be confident that the turkey you pick up the day before Thanksgiving is the correct size you need and of the best quality.  
• Try a potluck. From the turkey and gravy to decorations and place settings, you have a lot on your plate as the host of Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to contribute. You can set up a Potluck when you send your invitation and indicate that you would like guests to bring a few appetizers and desserts (or side dishes, beverages, it’s up to you!) Guests can write-in what they’d like to bring so you can plan accordingly and make up for any else you might need. Or, have a list of items prepared as suggestions when you call them, and mark off who plans to bring what.
• Don’t forget to decorate. Turn to sites like Pinterest or party planning sites to look for festive fall decoration ideas. You might choose to purchase some items or you can find some time with the kids to create DIY Thanksgiving decorations that will be a fun talking point during dinners. Popular decorations include turkeys, fall leaves, cornucopias, barns, cornstalks, and more! 

10 Ideas for a Date Night "IN"

With the holidays creeping up on us by the day and the dollar signs running through our heads of all the additional expenses we'll be taking on in the upcoming weeks for Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, baking supplies, holiday outfits, holiday donations, traveling to visit loved ones etc. we really need to start conserving somewhere.. but where?!  You still need some nice relaxing time to unwind and get away from all the hustle and bustle but going out to dinner and movie these days can really be pricey.  How about a date night IN?!  There are so many fun and unique things that you can do at home for/with your significant other for a fraction of the cost that you would incur if you were to go out.  Here's a quick list of some ideas that I've come up with:

1.  Look up recipes on Pinterest!  There are millions of recipes just waiting to be attempted!  Pick one that suits your time frame and budget and head to the store to snag up all the ingredients that you're lacking at home.

2.  Send the kids to a relative's, neighbor's, or friend's house for a few hours.

3.  Set up a small table for two in a different area in the house (maybe next to the fireplace?) for a change of scenery to make for a different dining experience than the average night at the kitchen table.

4.  Look up some unique cocktails that encompass some of your favorite flavors and serve them in special drink specific glasses.  (I've purchased a variety of different kinds of unique glass-wear from TJ Maxx and Marshalls in the past for amazing prices! Check it out!)

5. Watch some home videos together to reflect on all the memories you've made together so far.  If you would rather just unwind with something new and interesting then do a quick Google search of some of the most highly rated movies that have recently been released On Demand, Netflix, or Redbox and rent one of those to snuggle up and watch on the couch.

6. Go for a walk together.  The fresh air and hand-holding can be therapeutic for a stressed out mind and will certainly help with digestion after a huge delicious meal!

7. Have the ingredients on-hand to make a special dessert together!  Some taste testing along the way, and a little food-fighting here and there can make for a really silly time.  Lots of laughing potential!

8. If you enjoy a good competition, how about a few games of cards?  The stipulations for the loser is up to you!  The sky is the limit.

9. Make a bucket list of things that you want to accomplish in the upcoming year!  Having a list in writing, with both of your signatures at the bottom will make the plans feel more like a contract that you're both promising not to breach!  This activity can be super fun while you explore your hopes and dreams together.

10.  Create a spa experience!  Light tons of candles with therapeutic scents.  Fill up a warm bath.  The details are up to you.

3 Tips for A Successful Fundraiser Party

We have finally embarked on the month dedicated to giving thanks for all of the wonderful things we have been blessed with.. what better way to celebrate our gratitude than to give to those who are in need of many of the things that we even take for granted? A fundraiser party is a fun and easy way to gather your friends together for a cause that is close to your heart. Follow these 3 tips suggested by CherylStyle.com for a successful fundraiser party:


1. Ask guests to bring a gift

Holidays are a wonderful time to add a charity element to your party, such as asking guests to bring a wrapped toy for an underprivileged children’s organization. Choose one that most people know, such as Toys for Tots ( www.toysfortots.org ), and you’ll get great participation.



2. Ask for donations in lieu of a birthday gift

As part of the invitation, be sure to specify which charity you’d like your guests to donate to. Or, if you support a broader cause, such as breast cancer awareness, provide links to a few organizations where guests may donate.



3. Hold bidding wars

Live and silent auctions are lively and fun ways to add a jolt of excitement to any party while at the same time raising funds for a worthy cause. Draft your most boisterous friend, give him or her a mic, and let the bidding begin. To entice bids, be sure to display all of the auction items prominently so guests can browse before placing bids.