Using Time Wisely

Organized to save money, energy, and time

You are here: Home / Archives for Event Planning

Party Ideas: St. Patrick’s Day 2012

by

Photograph Credit: Flickr (lookiloos)

Looking at some of these adorable St. Patrick’s Day party ideas almost makes me want to host a play date or small dinner party. Some of my favorites include:

1. Rainbow fruit kabobs

2. Heave-Ho game

3. Easy green St. Patty’s Day centerpiece

4. Lucky You party favors

5. St. Patrick’s Day recipes

Though a St. Patrick’s Day party is not on my schedule, I will celebrate with my family. As we wear our green, possibly eat a green pancake (food coloring in the batter), and enjoy a cupcake, we will celebrate our own Irish holiday together. Happy planning for next week’s holiday!

Question: Does your family celebrate each holiday? 

Using Time Wisely: Learning to Say “No”

by

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Laura Crowell)

Balancing hospitality, family responsibilities, and ministry opportunities is truly a juggling act. Seeing all the needs and assuming you are the answer to their problems will overwhelm you.

WARNING: No matter what activities, events, and ministries you undertake, there will always be more to do.

So, how do you choose what to take on and what to let go? That answer lies with you as you consider your priorities, time, and abilities.

Priorities

What are your priorities? Five years from now, where do you see yourself? Who do you want to become? Answering these questions to find your priorities will help in answering your question.

Five years from now, I want to have a close bond with my husband and my children. Being involved in their lives through school and church programs is investing my time into their lives. Staying available to help with field trips, science fairs, and programs keeps me connected with my children’s activities.

Will participating in this event deter you or draw you closer to your priorities?

Sometimes choosing to say “no” to a good activity frees you up for another opportunity with more flexibility.

As I stay involved in our school, I have learned to say “no” to a room mom position. Would being a room mom draw me closer to my priority of a close bond with my son? Yes, but when my daughter starts school, I would have to choose.

Instead of room mom, I choose to serve on a committee that stays involved in all the events. During class related activities, I am free to roam between classrooms without conflict.

Time

Considering your current family, work, and home responsibilities, can you take on another project? Be realistic. Taking care of your family with clean clothes, meals, and special moments with you consumes your time. Be careful about adding other opportunities to your hectic schedule. (Ahem. *Speaking to myself here*).

Abilities

Will this task be difficult for you? Substituting for our music teacher would be very difficult for me. I do not play an instrument, sing solos, or read music well. Though this opportunity would keep me close to my son and I could spare the hour, I would struggle with the task. However, overseeing recess would be easier for me to stay close to my son while fitting within my schedule and relying on my mothering skills to watch the children.

When taking on an event, responsibility, or opportunity, consider your priorities, time, and abilities. Filter your question through these channels, consult your spouse or friend, and either accept the responsibility or choose the freedom found in learning to say “no.”

Question: How do you choose which opportunities to accept and which to reject?

Event Planning: Many Helpers may not be Helpful

by

Though I agree with the phrase “many hands make light work,” I have recently seen how too many hands create confusion.

With many trying to help by showing initiative, they act without consulting the coordinator. The results are time-consuming and chaotic in the midst of a fun event.

On the other hand, I had the privilege of assisting with a luncheon, seating 15-20 people. Working with two other talented organizers, we quickly and efficiently staged the area, set the tables, and arranged the food. Not only was the preparation effortless, but also fun.

Without confusion, I enlisted the help of my girls. They helped wiped down the chairs and place the programs. Teaching my girls how to organize, plan, and coordinate events gives them the framework to organize, plan, and coordinate their daily lives.

My goal is to see my children take on any project knowing they can organize, plan, and coordinate because they have learned the framework. My oldest daughter has the gift of creativity. I look forward to cultivating her framework to see how her creativity will blossom into magnificent spectacles.

Though your goals and events are different from mine, practicing a framework and working with a core group of assistants eases the confusion and increases the productivity. In using time wisely, I prefer to work with one or two adults to coordinate an event for 15-20 attendees. Any more than two is too many helpers which is not helpful.

Determining the size of your event and minimizing the amount of help keeps all helpers on-task while using time wisely. Happy planning!

Question: How many helpers is too many for a 15-20-participant event? 

Valentine’s Day: Last Minute Timesavers

by

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Olivia Whitlatch)

Did Valentine’s Day sneak up on you, too?

Though the children and I have already attended a Valentine’s Day party and written out many Valentine wishes, I have made no plans for our family.

Sometimes I feel like I give so much that I am spent by the time the special day arrives. If you are feeling this way, hang on.

There are a number of options to still make this Valentine’s Day special.

Need a Card?

Still need a card? Walgreens is offering $.99 customizable photo cards. To get yours,

Photograph Credit: Walgreens

1. Click on this link.

2. Choose a 5×7 folded card.

3. Design it.

4. Use the coupon code LOVE99 at checkout.

5. Pay $.99 for in-store pickup or $1.49 for shipping.

This Walgreens offer is good through February 15, 2012 with a limit of 5 cards per account.

Do you already have Valentine’s Day cards? This offer is available on all 5×7 folded cards. In planning ahead, consider birthdays, anniversaries, St. Patrick’s Day, or Easter options. Then when the next event sneaks up, you are one step ahead.

Photograph Credit: Flickr (fabcakelady)

Need a Food Idea?

Breakfast: Heart-y Pop Eyes

Lunch: Cute cutouts and a love-ly lunchable option

Dinner: Heart Pizza (kid friendly) or just a home-cooked dinner for two. 🙂

Dessert: Heart-shaped cookies or brownies

Even if Valentine’s Day arrived sooner than expected, you can still make the day special. At our house, I’m thinking the heart-shaped brownies. We can bake together in the kitchen drumming up a delicious dessert while using time wisely. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day: 5 Party Ideas and More

by

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Tomek Burdzinski)

Love is in the air. My girls are getting excited about attending a Valentine’s Day party later this week. We will be writing out cards and making containers to carry our love notes.

Celebrating holidays has been a family tradition since I was young. My mom made each holiday special with little tokens, games, and memories.

Party Ideas

If you are hosting or looking for ideas for your love celebration, then check out these 5 party ideas to get started:

1. Theme: Express Family Appreciation is my kind of party.

2. Game: The Famous Pairs word scramble game sounds like fun.

3. Food: Love this Heartwarming Pizza entrée idea.

4. Cards: Free printable color-by-number Valentines.

Free E-Books

Need a few more ideas? Check out these free e-books:

1. Finding Cupid E-book

2. Valentine Crafts for Kids

3. Dessert Recipes for Valentine’s Day

Lots of ideas to get your creativity flowing for your Valentine’s Day celebration. In using time wisely, borrowing ideas saves me energy and time. Hope you find your inspiration quickly. Happy planning!

Question: How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Please add your answer to the comments.