Using Time Wisely

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Welcome, Blogelina Commentathon Participants!

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Welcome, Blogelina Commentathon Event Participants!

Photograph Credit: Blogelina

Hello! I’m Tracy, the owner and writer of Using Time Wisely. Around here, we are on a journey of using time wisely. Sometimes that walk is on a straight path while other times we backtrack and try again.

Life is full of ups and downs, and we take the bumps as they come. If you are on this journey of using time wisely, then come join our fan base on Facebook.

Another way to stay connected is through e-mail. To receive in your inbox one e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts (1-2), subscribe to my FREE daily newsletter.

I will not share or sell your e-mail address or send you spam. For more details of how Using Time Wisely operates, please visit my privacy policy and terms and conditions pages.

Enjoy your journey of using time wisely as you read and comment on the blog posts in your group through the Blogelina Commentathon. Happy commenting, and welcome to Using Time Wisely!

Event Planning: On the Job Training

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Growing up in a home where parties were the norm and not a rare occasion, I learned how to organize an event via on the job training. I can still remember arranging fruit and vegetables on trays, filling cups with ice, and counting plates and napkins. Those training sessions equipped me with skills I use today.

As I stay involved with many events, my children join in the process. By involving them and allowing them to help, I offer on the job training for event planning.

My oldest daughter loves to cook, clean, sort, and organize with me. Embracing her desire to help, I give her simple instructions, space to work, and time to complete the task.

Simple Instructions

While setting up for an open house, I received a request by my daughter to help. As I surveyed the tasks, I chose to give her the opportunity to place the pink and blue (Sweet n’ Low and Equal) packets into one bowl and the white (sugar) packets into another bowl. After having her repeat the instructions back to me, I left her to work.

Space to Work

I went to the kitchen to bring out the trays of goodies. When I returned, I checked my daughter’s work and praised her for continuing to sort.

Time to Complete the Task

Without rushing her, I gathered the other items and added them to a kitchen cart. When my daughter finished, we packed up the extra supplies and transferred the items from the cart to the table.

  

By giving my daughter simple instructions, space to work, and time to complete the task, she welcomed the praise she received for helping with the open house. What a joy to watch my daughter develop confidence by completing tasks alone!

As I continue assisting with events, I seek for ways to include on the job training while using time wisely. By teaching, demonstrating, and encouraging, I am providing opportunities for my children to develop, practice, and perfect their event planning skills.

If you have little ones close by that love to help while you are busy executing your plan, consider offering on the job training. You might save time with the extra help and nurture a special relationship in the process. Our little ones are watching and learning. They love the extra attention and opportunity to succeed alone. Happy training!

Questions: What tasks can you entrust to your child?

Inspiration: Halloween Party Ideas – Part 1

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Matthew P.)

Are you planning a Halloween Party this year? For the last two or three years, our family has hosted a non-scary Halloween party with friends. With a busy scheduled this year, I am still debating whether or not we will host this year.

If you are interested in hosting a gathering but have no idea where to start, let me help. In scanning the posts from my favorite blogs through my Google Reader, I came across a great article written by Joanie from thekrazycouponlady.com: Halloween Party Ideas: Plan your Spooky Party for Under $50. She gives you a list of supplies for the food and decorations. Oh, the spider cakes look like lots of fun and simple for little ones to create.

Though I am not currently planning a Halloween party, I enjoy keeping event notes and gaining inspiration in case my schedule frees up to plan a Halloween Bash. In using time wisely, I keep watching for inspiration since I might need one of these ideas soon. Happy planning!

Question: Are you having a Halloween party this year? If so, what are you planning? Please inspire us and add your answer to the comments.

Back-to-School Night: Keeping it Simple

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Estelle Broyer)

Marked by new school supplies, books, and information packets, our Back-to-School Night was a success. Besides gaining new information, meeting the teacher(s), and dropping off our supplies, the participants enjoyed a time of fellowship.

The refreshments consisted of sweet breads and a beverage station. The loaves of bread were sliced and placed on individual platters with name cards identifying the type of bread. The center table was simply decorated with a flower bouquet center piece. A separate table with gluten-free and sugar-free options was set to the side of the hallway.

By keeping the food choices simple, all participants enjoyed a time of meeting and greeting new and existing friends. This arrangement worked beautifully for a back-to-school night. I would also consider serving sweet breads for a reception, after-dinner meeting, and part of a brunch menu. In planning events, you can have a successful activity by keeping it simple.

Question: What is your favorite sweet bread? Please add your answer to the comments.

Offering your Help

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When I attend an event where I know the host or hostess, I always offer to help. Some hostesses decline the help, but most take me up on the offer. Knowing how tiring it is to put on an event, I can empathize with the hostess. Just helping clean up or take a load of gifts to the vehicle can be a tremendous help.

During this summer with bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, lemonade stands, backyard BBQs, and other events, consider spending your time wisely in helping your host or hostess.