Planning a Family Reunion the Easy Way
Summertime's almost upon us, and around our house that means it's time for the annual gathering with all relatives near and far! Unfortunately, all the hard work of planning a family reunion has fallen to me this year. With grandparents, four uncles and their four spouses, and eighteen (that's right, eighteen!) cousins, it's a job for an army. But there's only one of me, so I need all the help I can get.
The first hurdle with planning a family reunion has always been where to go. When you've got relations in Colorado, North Carolina, Missouri, Utah, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Florida, there's really no such thing as a convenient spot! In an effort to keep any one group from having to travel forever, we chose a beautiful spot in the hills of Kentucky.
I was relieved to find that there are actually websites designed to help poor saps like me who are trying to keep six families happy! I found all sorts of information designed to help me plan our event from start to finish. My first great find was free software specifically designed to help in planning a family reunion. I downloaded timetables, checklists of things to bring, ideas for icebreakers and games, and all sorts of random tips for making our gathering special. The program also helped me with important details like invitations, choosing our lodging, deciding on how meals would be served, and coming up with a budget everyone could live with.
I have to admit that sorting out the logistics was tough. But now that we've got our dates and our destination set, I can focus on the fun part! I found special t-shirts online that we could buy pre-made or custom design for every person attending the gathering. The best part is that they're just $5, and the shipping is free. I also found sites where you can order photo buttons, custom invitations, and goofy party favors that have everyone's pictures on them. I didn't think planning a family reunion could actually offer a little retail therapy!
One of the great fringe benefits of being the one in charge of planning a family reunion has been setting up our own special website. It's been a clearinghouse of information for the families, and we've actually had a great opportunity to get to know each other even better as our plans were being formed. It's been a lot of hard work, but now that the big event is almost here I am completely excited, and I think it's going to be a terrific time. Who knew planning a family reunion could actually turn out to be a blast?
Monday, June 23, 2008
Place to Get Married
The Perfect Place to Get Married for All Couples
Marriage is a huge step and a lot of planning has to go into it. You and your loved one will want to make certain that everything about the day is as perfect as possible. This is a special moment and the biggest step in both of your lives so you want it to be as memorable as possible. The woman’s dress has to be breathtaking, the cake and food must be delicious and the music has to get everyone up and dancing, even the shyest of your guests. Although all of these factors are crucial there is one that must be planned first before the rest of the event can even become important. You need to have decided on the perfect place to get married.
Location is the most important thing about planning a wedding. It’s important to have enough space for everyone to fit comfortably. The ideal place to get married is different for all couples. Some really enjoy the traditional wedding in a church followed by a reception in a hall. Others might run away for a weekend and elope on their own. Some couples might fly their entire families out to Hawaii and get married somewhere tropical. Whatever your personality you already have it in your mind the amazing place to get married.
If your parents want something traditional but you would rather have a backyard wedding or something different, compromise may be called for. People can give you suggestions about a place to get married but the end decision is completely up to you and your mate. You two have complete control over it and everyone has to agree. They are the guests and although they would love to be in control, they simply aren’t.
It’s a great idea to make a list of all the possible choices you two envision. Then you should price out each version to see which best suits your budget. If you dreamt of having a wedding on a beach in Fiji but you can’t afford it, you may be able to still enjoy the essence of the ocean by getting married in California. There is always a way to fulfill your dreams if you set your mind to it.
Your wedding and its location should reflect the personalities of you two. It should have the music you like, the decorations you like the best and the tone that you have dreamed of. If you just want something simple, then you can have that. No one is going to be able to tell you what to do when it comes to picking a place to get married. This is likely the most important day of your life so far so it should be exactly the way you want it.
Marriage is a huge step and a lot of planning has to go into it. You and your loved one will want to make certain that everything about the day is as perfect as possible. This is a special moment and the biggest step in both of your lives so you want it to be as memorable as possible. The woman’s dress has to be breathtaking, the cake and food must be delicious and the music has to get everyone up and dancing, even the shyest of your guests. Although all of these factors are crucial there is one that must be planned first before the rest of the event can even become important. You need to have decided on the perfect place to get married.
Location is the most important thing about planning a wedding. It’s important to have enough space for everyone to fit comfortably. The ideal place to get married is different for all couples. Some really enjoy the traditional wedding in a church followed by a reception in a hall. Others might run away for a weekend and elope on their own. Some couples might fly their entire families out to Hawaii and get married somewhere tropical. Whatever your personality you already have it in your mind the amazing place to get married.
If your parents want something traditional but you would rather have a backyard wedding or something different, compromise may be called for. People can give you suggestions about a place to get married but the end decision is completely up to you and your mate. You two have complete control over it and everyone has to agree. They are the guests and although they would love to be in control, they simply aren’t.
It’s a great idea to make a list of all the possible choices you two envision. Then you should price out each version to see which best suits your budget. If you dreamt of having a wedding on a beach in Fiji but you can’t afford it, you may be able to still enjoy the essence of the ocean by getting married in California. There is always a way to fulfill your dreams if you set your mind to it.
Your wedding and its location should reflect the personalities of you two. It should have the music you like, the decorations you like the best and the tone that you have dreamed of. If you just want something simple, then you can have that. No one is going to be able to tell you what to do when it comes to picking a place to get married. This is likely the most important day of your life so far so it should be exactly the way you want it.
Birthday Party Decoration
Five kid's birthday party decoration ideas that rock!
Birthday parties for adults are usually not as rambunctious in nature, or party decorations for that matter. It seems the older you get, the less you want to make a very big deal of the event. However, kids absolutely love birthday party celebrations. Everything about is exciting, from making out the invitation list to the big day. With such enthusiasm surrounding the event, you want to make the occasion special and the day full of fun and laughter. After you've hosted and attended so many of these, ideas for birthday party decorations may grow stale. Here are five creative ideas that rock. With kids, that's what counts and makes that day live long after the party ends.
1.Go a step beyond the usual streamers hanging on the wall. Kids prefer to have hands-on birthday party decorations over static visuals. They like to play. Get some wooden dowels and use a glue gun to attach various colors and lengths of streamers to the end of the dowel. Make one for each child and stand them up in an umbrella stand or large vase by the door. Hand them out as the kids arrive and watch them fly these faux kites or wave them vigorously in a group hurrah.
2.Edible decorations create another opportunity to do rather than look. For example, you can make a 'bouquet' of lollipops and other candies on sticks. Tie these together with a ribbon and place on the party table at each setting. Attach a small card inscribed with each guest's name.
3.In summer, carry your birthday party decorations to the great outdoors. Decorate the kiddie pool with helium balloons spaced every couple of feet, with wired ribbon all around the perimeter. The kids will love this extra festive touch and it gives you a great photo op, with shots of all the kids in the pool, voluntarily sporting big smiles.
4.Kids are crazy about disposable cameras. Depending on the size of your guest list, this can run into some money, but hey, how many 10th birthdays does your child have? Set a camera at each place setting. They each take their photos and go home with some personal memories they shot themselves.
5.This birthday party decoration idea takes a little preparation, but is a fun do-ahead activity with birthday child participation. This one also serves to heighten anticipation of the birthday event. Make small paper mache candy bowls for each guest, roughly of the same size. When they're dry, set them on a platter, along with some acrylic crafts paint and brushes. Let them go at it, painting their own just the way they see fit. The kids have an activity, a handmade decoration and favor to take home.
Use one or all of these birthday party decoration ideas, or build on them for some fresh ideas of your own. Happy birthdays need one basic ingredient – fun!
Birthday parties for adults are usually not as rambunctious in nature, or party decorations for that matter. It seems the older you get, the less you want to make a very big deal of the event. However, kids absolutely love birthday party celebrations. Everything about is exciting, from making out the invitation list to the big day. With such enthusiasm surrounding the event, you want to make the occasion special and the day full of fun and laughter. After you've hosted and attended so many of these, ideas for birthday party decorations may grow stale. Here are five creative ideas that rock. With kids, that's what counts and makes that day live long after the party ends.
1.Go a step beyond the usual streamers hanging on the wall. Kids prefer to have hands-on birthday party decorations over static visuals. They like to play. Get some wooden dowels and use a glue gun to attach various colors and lengths of streamers to the end of the dowel. Make one for each child and stand them up in an umbrella stand or large vase by the door. Hand them out as the kids arrive and watch them fly these faux kites or wave them vigorously in a group hurrah.
2.Edible decorations create another opportunity to do rather than look. For example, you can make a 'bouquet' of lollipops and other candies on sticks. Tie these together with a ribbon and place on the party table at each setting. Attach a small card inscribed with each guest's name.
3.In summer, carry your birthday party decorations to the great outdoors. Decorate the kiddie pool with helium balloons spaced every couple of feet, with wired ribbon all around the perimeter. The kids will love this extra festive touch and it gives you a great photo op, with shots of all the kids in the pool, voluntarily sporting big smiles.
4.Kids are crazy about disposable cameras. Depending on the size of your guest list, this can run into some money, but hey, how many 10th birthdays does your child have? Set a camera at each place setting. They each take their photos and go home with some personal memories they shot themselves.
5.This birthday party decoration idea takes a little preparation, but is a fun do-ahead activity with birthday child participation. This one also serves to heighten anticipation of the birthday event. Make small paper mache candy bowls for each guest, roughly of the same size. When they're dry, set them on a platter, along with some acrylic crafts paint and brushes. Let them go at it, painting their own just the way they see fit. The kids have an activity, a handmade decoration and favor to take home.
Use one or all of these birthday party decoration ideas, or build on them for some fresh ideas of your own. Happy birthdays need one basic ingredient – fun!
Birthday Greeting Cards
Birthday greeting cards serve more than the obvious function of sending a birthday message. These notes offer an opportunity for you to show off your creativity and they serve to provide a memorable message that will be cherished forever. That is, if you give the birthday greeting cards some thought.
There are some unique approaches to creating all different types of cards. Birthday greeting cards come in many different shapes and forms and you have a world of interesting ideas at your fingertips. Try browsing online for some unique ideas for birthday cards that will make a big splash.
The music lover in your life will adore any of the musical birthday greeting cards available today. These thoughtful tokens have been around for many years but the newest musical cards are quite sophisticated. You can find items that have excellent sound quality as well as thoughtful messages to boot.
Maybe the recipient is a little more visually inclined. Art lovers will get a charge out of birthday greeting cards that offer lovely images created by classic artists or ones that are created by some of today’s creative crowd. Many of these birthday cards will wind up displayed all year long if they are well chosen.
Perhaps you are the creative type yourself. Why not add the extra personal touch by designing your very own birthday greeting cards for friends and family? You don’t have to be an artist to complete this task and you may be surprised by how easy it really is to make handmade cards. There are a couple approaches that you can take.
The first approach is a new tradition for many people who love making handmade cards. All you need to do is find a good craft supplier. There are many to choose from online. Once you have found a supplier, just order a kit and you are on your way to making handmade birthday greeting cards for others to enjoy.
Not so crafty? Then consider going online and following step-by-step instructions that will take you from designing the card to printing it in a matter of minutes. This online service is a thrill for anyone who has ever wanted to make homemade birthday greeting cards but never had the time.
Whether you choose to purchase a ready-made card or one that you craft on your own, you have a world of options to consider. Finding or creating birthday greeting cards has never been more exciting.
There are some unique approaches to creating all different types of cards. Birthday greeting cards come in many different shapes and forms and you have a world of interesting ideas at your fingertips. Try browsing online for some unique ideas for birthday cards that will make a big splash.
The music lover in your life will adore any of the musical birthday greeting cards available today. These thoughtful tokens have been around for many years but the newest musical cards are quite sophisticated. You can find items that have excellent sound quality as well as thoughtful messages to boot.
Maybe the recipient is a little more visually inclined. Art lovers will get a charge out of birthday greeting cards that offer lovely images created by classic artists or ones that are created by some of today’s creative crowd. Many of these birthday cards will wind up displayed all year long if they are well chosen.
Perhaps you are the creative type yourself. Why not add the extra personal touch by designing your very own birthday greeting cards for friends and family? You don’t have to be an artist to complete this task and you may be surprised by how easy it really is to make handmade cards. There are a couple approaches that you can take.
The first approach is a new tradition for many people who love making handmade cards. All you need to do is find a good craft supplier. There are many to choose from online. Once you have found a supplier, just order a kit and you are on your way to making handmade birthday greeting cards for others to enjoy.
Not so crafty? Then consider going online and following step-by-step instructions that will take you from designing the card to printing it in a matter of minutes. This online service is a thrill for anyone who has ever wanted to make homemade birthday greeting cards but never had the time.
Whether you choose to purchase a ready-made card or one that you craft on your own, you have a world of options to consider. Finding or creating birthday greeting cards has never been more exciting.
Musical Greeting Cards
I have always had a lot of trouble sending out presents on time for friends birthdays. I always used to miss the dates by just a few days. Although for some people it doesn't matter, for others it really makes a big difference. No one wants to hurt one of their friends feelings because of absentmindedness, especially when it is avoidable.
That is why I have become such a fan of musical greeting cards. I send musical cards to most my friends several times a year. I send them for birthdays, holidays, and as a way to cheer people up when they have been away for a long time. There are many different free musical greeting cards that are on the net, so I have my pick of different cards to send. The choices are practically limitless.
Of course, there's nothing that says that you can not create your own musical greeting cards. Not long ago, musical cards were all actually paper cards with FM computer chips in them. They were beyond the means of most people to make, so you had to buy them in stores. Nowadays, however, your typical musical greeting card is just sent over the Internet. You can program in any song you want if you know how to. You can use pictures, animations – your imagination is the limit.
Then again, there are plenty of musical online greeting cards available for your perusal. There are a lot of sites that generate ad revenue by giving away musical greeting cards for free. You don't have to pay anything, and all your friend has to do to support the site is look at an ad while the musical greeting card is loading up on his or her computer. Sometimes, they don't even have to do that. It is amazing the quantity of high quality services you can get for free on the Internet.
Another thing I like about musical greeting cards is the caliber of the greetings. I don't know about you, but I often go into a grocery store and have a lot of trouble finding a holiday greeting card that really suits my style. A lot of them are kind of cheesy and conventional, and few of them are really that imaginative. Somehow, once musical greeting cards got on the Internet the quality improved. Now both the cards you find in-store and online are better than they used to be. All in all, Musical greetings are a great way to brighten up a friend's day.
That is why I have become such a fan of musical greeting cards. I send musical cards to most my friends several times a year. I send them for birthdays, holidays, and as a way to cheer people up when they have been away for a long time. There are many different free musical greeting cards that are on the net, so I have my pick of different cards to send. The choices are practically limitless.
Of course, there's nothing that says that you can not create your own musical greeting cards. Not long ago, musical cards were all actually paper cards with FM computer chips in them. They were beyond the means of most people to make, so you had to buy them in stores. Nowadays, however, your typical musical greeting card is just sent over the Internet. You can program in any song you want if you know how to. You can use pictures, animations – your imagination is the limit.
Then again, there are plenty of musical online greeting cards available for your perusal. There are a lot of sites that generate ad revenue by giving away musical greeting cards for free. You don't have to pay anything, and all your friend has to do to support the site is look at an ad while the musical greeting card is loading up on his or her computer. Sometimes, they don't even have to do that. It is amazing the quantity of high quality services you can get for free on the Internet.
Another thing I like about musical greeting cards is the caliber of the greetings. I don't know about you, but I often go into a grocery store and have a lot of trouble finding a holiday greeting card that really suits my style. A lot of them are kind of cheesy and conventional, and few of them are really that imaginative. Somehow, once musical greeting cards got on the Internet the quality improved. Now both the cards you find in-store and online are better than they used to be. All in all, Musical greetings are a great way to brighten up a friend's day.
Trace Family Roots
Help When You Trace Family Roots
Finding out more about your ancestors can be a lot of fun, but many start out in earnest without really knowing where they should look first. You can go online and use many of the great genealogy sites that you can find there, but your search for your roots can be made a lot easier if you know where to do your preliminary searching. When you want to trace family roots, start with the offline sources that you can find first, then move on to the Internet for more information and further details.
The first step when you want to trace family roots would be to talk with your family. You may find that someone has done some of the work for you, and that they have leads they have not had time to follow. Talk with your parents, grandparents, or even your great grandparents if they are still alive. This can give you names and even dates that you can later use as the basis of some of your online searching to trace family roots. These people will not always be here, so don’t let them leave you without finding out what they know. This can bring you closer, and allow them to share even more of their life with you and the generations to come.
Another great source of offline help when you want to trace family roots is old photographs and family Bibles. You should ask some of your older relatives to share their old pictures with you, and to dig out any Bibles they may have. You can find some great information there that even they may have forgotten, or had forgotten to tell you. Look through the Bible for the family tree, and also look through the photos - don’t forget to check the backs for information - to see what you can find. Write it all down so you can then search for more online.
Online sites used to trace family roots are more common and more useful than they have ever been. That is because it has become easier to get large amounts of data online in a quicker manner. That means they can add all that they have, and then you can search to your hearts content for the information that you seek. You can even meet others that are working on this same project. They may have found relatives that are also in your family when they trace family roots, and that means they may have information they can share with you in your quest.
Finding out more about your ancestors can be a lot of fun, but many start out in earnest without really knowing where they should look first. You can go online and use many of the great genealogy sites that you can find there, but your search for your roots can be made a lot easier if you know where to do your preliminary searching. When you want to trace family roots, start with the offline sources that you can find first, then move on to the Internet for more information and further details.
The first step when you want to trace family roots would be to talk with your family. You may find that someone has done some of the work for you, and that they have leads they have not had time to follow. Talk with your parents, grandparents, or even your great grandparents if they are still alive. This can give you names and even dates that you can later use as the basis of some of your online searching to trace family roots. These people will not always be here, so don’t let them leave you without finding out what they know. This can bring you closer, and allow them to share even more of their life with you and the generations to come.
Another great source of offline help when you want to trace family roots is old photographs and family Bibles. You should ask some of your older relatives to share their old pictures with you, and to dig out any Bibles they may have. You can find some great information there that even they may have forgotten, or had forgotten to tell you. Look through the Bible for the family tree, and also look through the photos - don’t forget to check the backs for information - to see what you can find. Write it all down so you can then search for more online.
Online sites used to trace family roots are more common and more useful than they have ever been. That is because it has become easier to get large amounts of data online in a quicker manner. That means they can add all that they have, and then you can search to your hearts content for the information that you seek. You can even meet others that are working on this same project. They may have found relatives that are also in your family when they trace family roots, and that means they may have information they can share with you in your quest.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Affordable Wedding Invitations
Getting affordable wedding invitations can soften the damage to your wallet. Depending on how much research you are willing to do, you can get more affordable wedding invitations than you just may think. Obviously, the most affordable wedding invitations are those in which you create them yourself. A quick trip to any local craft or stationary store will give you lots of options for creating your own unique invitations. You’ll find invitations that simply need to be personalized with text and printed out on any standard printer.
Read More about... Affordable Wedding Invitations
Read More about... Affordable Wedding Invitations
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