2012 Update Week: Fall Festival

December 11, 2012 by Tracy

Since most of my summer and fall focused on coordinating the KidZone at our Fall Festival, I felt it time to give you an update of the event.

Though KidZone itself ran smoothly, the process was not without incident. In using time wisely for a successful event, I planned, executed, and adjusted.

Planning the Fall Festival

Having coordinated for two years now, I used my prior year’s information and started with the framework, filled in the space, and chose reliable volunteers.

The Framework

Upon contacting the vendors and deciding on the number of spaces needed for the event, I rearranged the areas considering noise, electrical connections, and curb appeal. With bounce houses and generators, we are talking about a lot of noise. In consideration of our vendors, I worked to fit them in without overpowering them with constant sounds.

Without power on the field, some of the vendors and performers needed electricity. Keeping those areas near a generator limited the amount of cords scattered throughout the event.

The curb appeal focused on attracting the attention of drivers, who may see our event and stop by. This year, I had a giant slide, bounce house, pony rides, and hayride visible from the main road. Though I am not sure how many saw these attractions, we had around 1700 attendees at our event.

Filling the Spaces

Assigning spaces and discovering what each vendor needed, I put together a master supply list, including items from tape to generators. Anything I might have needed was added to the list.

I also worked with our live performers regarding the schedule and addressing their concerns. This year, we had 2 stage areas: main stage in the center and preschool stage to the side. Both areas were very well attended.

Staffing the Event

Though the process for volunteers changed this year, I ended up with the best combination available. I am very protective of my workers, and they do not disappoint. I appreciated their promptness, energy, and time. My setup help saved the day as I needed assistance throughout the event, and they came to the rescue.

Executing the Fall Festival

Setup went lickety-split this year. The crew of volunteers came ready to work, and we finished our preparations early. The first-shift helpers worked hard until the transition.

When the second-shift volunteers arrived, they jumped right in. We had fewer workers, but all areas were covered. The issues from the first shift were resolved, and second shift ran more smoothly through the end of the event.

Clean up was a breeze. I kept all the KidZone items out on the field. We sorted and returned items without any confusion between zones. It was great! I missed my son’s soccer game, but I was not exhausted and utterly worn out this year.

Having a setup schedule, event schedule, and clean up schedule solved most of the issues that occurred last year. Thankfully, I learned from my mistakes, and this year was a grand success netting our school over $12,000.

Adjusting at the Fall Festival

The new issues that arose this year included a falling bounce house. A fuse blew in one of our borrowed generators. Thankfully, a setup helper came to the rescue. He immediately detected the issue, and he rerouted the power. We tried to get power from another generator, but it blew a fuse as well before realizing that the blower to the bounce house was the problem.

After a quick call, the bounce house owner brought a replacement blower, but our generators were not operating at full power. We ended up taking down a donated basketball/soccer combo unit which worked out just fine.

Another small bump in the road was the late arrival of the majority of our second-shift volunteers. The first-shirt workers stayed though some were inconvenienced. I appreciated all their help, and let them go as soon as I could.

With these small adjustments, the day went just as planned. It was a great day. My parents came to help, and I could not have survived without them. They walked around with my kids enjoying all the stations. I took a break and went with them on the hayride which was my favorite part of the day.

In using time wisely to organize our Fall Festival, I planned, executed, and then adjusted. Working from the successes last year, I laid the foundation, tweaked the format, and enjoyed raising money for our school through the KidZone. Happy relaxing!

Question: What type of events did you plan in 2012?

Christmas Party: Ornament Exchange

December 4, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

When I was a teenager, I got invited to my first Christmas ornament exchange. My Sunday School teacher was very creative and wanted a special party for our class.

All dressed up, my friend and I went together with our new ornaments purchased and wrapped. Feeling all grown up, I remember unwrapping the red and green striped paper to reveal a shiny gold sleigh ride ornament.

Though I did not have a Christmas tree in my room, we had a family tree where I proudly displayed my new ornament. Today, that ornament is no longer bright and shiny, but I still proudly hang in on my tree year after year.

My Favorite Ornament Exchange

Since my first ornament exchange, I have attended a number of parties that included an ornament exchange.

My favorite exchange occurred with my roommates in college. After purchasing and wrapping ornaments for each other, we met for the campus lighting ceremony complete with singing Christmas carols. Then we headed out to dinner and exchanged our ornaments over dessert.

We took turns giving our ornaments to each other. When we got back to our dorm room, we decorated our Christmas tree with our new ornaments. This ornament exchange holds a special place in my heart as the experience brings back fond memories with special friends.

Options for Your Ornament Exchange

As you plan your holiday festivities, an ornament exchange offers an opportunity for making special memories. You can allow one participate to gift her ornament. Then the one gifted, chooses another participant to give her wrapped gift until all have a new ornament.

Another option is to turn the ornament exchange into a game where all the ornaments are put together. Then numbers are drawn. When it is your turn, you may either choose from the group or “steal” from one that already opened an ornament you want.

In using time wisely this holiday season, an ornament exchange requires little planning with lots of fun, laughs, and memories. If you need (or want) a reason to party, consider an ornament exchange or a cookie exchange. Both include seasonal items to make the gathering fun for adults, teenagers, and children. Enjoy this Christmas season with those you love. Happy planning!

Question: What gatherings are you planning this holiday season?

My 25 Days ’til Christmas

November 27, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

I don’t know about you, but each year I have such good intentions of doing so many fun things for Christmas that never end up happening.

My problem is that I think of fun things, but I don’t make a plan. Well, this year is going to be different. I may not get everything accomplished, but I will have a plan. 😉

Since most of our Christmas traditions begin on December 1, I will highlight one item per day for my 25 Days ’til Christmas.

My 25 Days ’til Christmas

1 – Take a Christmas museum tour.

2 – Decorate our home for Christmas.

3 – Read the Christmas story.

4 – Start making gifts for my children’s classmates and teachers.

5 – Begin wrapping gifts.

6 – Place remaining on-line orders for gifts.

7 – Watch a Christmas movie.

8 – Assist with Sunday School Christmas Party.

9 – Prepare packages for mailing.

10 – Continue working on gifts for teachers and classmates.

11 – Mail all Christmas presents to friends and relatives.

12 – Bake Christmas cookies for school friends.

13 – Package gifts for my children’s classes.

14 – Deliver packages to school.

15 – Wrap more presents.

16 – Drive through town looking at Christmas lights with our Wendy’s Jr. Frosty desserts.

17 – Finish shopping for stocking stuffers.

18 – Wrap stocking stuffers.

19 – Bake Christmas cookies.

20 – Bake Christmas goodies.

21 – Wrap Christmas goodies for delivery.

22 – Deliver Christmas goodies to neighbors.

23 – Attend Bethlehem Revisited – a reenactment of Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth.

24 – Distribute the “Reindeer food” in our front yard.

25 – Read the Christmas story and celebrate the birth of Jesus, my Savior.

With a list of only one item per day, I am excited at crossing these items off my Christmas list. As some of these items occur multiple times, our family can adjust this list as needed. Now, I shouldn’t forget to mail the packages or send the goodies to school. 😉

As you prepare for the holiday season, consider writing down your Christmas list. With one item per day, you can accomplish your list leading to 25 Days ‘til Christmas. Happy planning and deciding!

Question: What’s on your 25 Days ‘til Christmas list?

Keeping Children at the Table: Reusable Placemats

November 20, 2012 by Tracy

Entertaining company with a meal brings about a change in my children. I’m not sure if it is because talking about their day gets overtaken with conversations with our guests, but my children seem to eat lightning fast with guests.

Any other night, they linger and chat and need reminding “to eat.” Even though we include the children into the adult conversations, they seem to finish early and want to depart from the table with company present.

In noticing this pattern with my children, I tried incorporating placemats and dry erase markers with their table setting, and it worked. When my children completed their meal, they remained at the table and colored their placemats.

Not only do my children enjoy these placemats, but also their friends. The children stay at the table and participate in the conversations while coloring their placemats. Win, WIN, WIN!

After the dinner, a simple wipe with a paper towel (or from my daughter’s finger :-)) removes the colors. Our reusable placemats keep children at the table meal after meal after meal.

How to Make Reusable Placements

1. Enlarge or print a coloring page or printable, like these adorable ones from Cheerios & Lattes.

2. Laminate them or place them in a plastic envelope purchased at a craft store.

3. Color, draw, and write with dry- or wet-erase markers.

In using time wisely to entertain family and friends, reusable placements assist hostesses in keeping children at the table. As you execute your plan on Thanksgiving Day, consider adding a reusable placement to each child’s place setting.

As they finish their meal, they can remain at the table coloring and creating with the markers provided. With happy children, the adults can interact while all guests remain together. Happy entertaining!

Question: While entertaining, how do you keep children at the table?

Preparing: Thanksgiving Week Schedule

November 13, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

In preparing for Turkey Day, I am thrilled to have minimal responsibilities this year. My mother-in-law has invited our family over for dinner, so I will not prepare a huge meal.

Without the family responsibility of the Thanksgiving Feast, I will make the sweet potato casserole and bake the pies for our family celebration. Yum!

As our family is so grateful for the blessings of which we do not deserve, we are joining with our Sunday school class to supply a meal to a charitable organization.

Our class has adopted this ministry and will provide a Thanksgiving meal for the moms and kids less fortunate than ourselves.

In addition to providing sweet potato casserole, our family has the added privilege of delivering the meal to them which I hope is the highlight of our Thanksgiving season.

For those of you serving your family’s Thanksgiving Feast, planning and starting ahead alleviates the time constraints on Thursday morning. Last year, I posted my Tuesday and Wednesday preparations and then my detailed Thursday schedule.

This year, my Thanksgiving Week is different from last year as our situation has changed. My tentative plan for the week is as follows:

Thanksgiving Week Schedule

Monday – organize my coupons and general cleanup

Tuesday – pay bills and start cleaning

Wednesday – prepare sweet potatoes and bake pies

Thursday – bake sweet potatoes and Thanksgiving Feast

Friday – game night with friends

In using time wisely to prepare for your Thanksgiving week, plan a schedule, execute, and count your blessings. Enjoy the time with your family and friends as you bless others during this Grateful season. Happy planning!

Question: What are you planning for Turkey Day?

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