tipsandsolutions

Easy ways to boost your craft Sales and great organizational tips! 

‘Tis the season to pull out your craft materials and start hauling your goods to local craft shows and bazaars. If you’re displaying at your local indoor church bazaar for just a few hours, set up might be a little less elaborate than an all-weekend, outdoor city craft show. However, either way, we’ve pulled together some tips and hints to help your booth sizzle with success!

Checklist

• Lifetime display tables
• Lifetime folding chairs
• Craft Show Caddy
• Cash box
• Change
• Receipt book
• Calculator
• Several pens
• Order forms
• Clipboard
• Lined paper pads for writing orders, names, phone numbers
• Tax certificate (if applicable)
• Tax tables
• Business cards
• Catalogs
• Large sign with name and/or logo, with hanging wire or easel
• Safety pins (for anything)
• Large white sheet/material for sun protection pinned to tent back wall or sidewall (if needed)
• Racks, shelves, mannequins, boxes, etc. used to hold/display your crafts for sale
• Display signs with item categories and prices
• Extra price tags
• Extra material and tools used to make your products
• Bags for items sold
• A basic toolbox including a stapler, scissors, duct tape, and a utility knife.
• Paper towels
• Moist wipes
• Tissues
• Small broom/dust pan
• Garbage bags
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm (if outdoors)
• Cash for lunch if you can buy it at the show, otherwise pack a lunch
• Flashlight
• 3”x5” index cards for emergency sign replacement
• Small first aid kit with bandages, aspirin etc.
• Place last list item here.

Small, Indoor Bazaars

• Often times, space is limited. A Lifetime 6-Foot Fold-in-Half Table will provide ample display space for small crafts and will use minimal space in your vehicle.
• Depending on the size of your crafts and if there is adequate space, try adding extra dimension to your display by stair-stepping Lifetime Adjustable Height Tables. Use a Lifetime 6-Foot Adjustable table at its highest level, then place a Lifetime 4-Foot Adjustable table in front of it set at the middle level.
• Take a Lifetime Personal Table along to set beside you to keep your cash box and paperwork within arm’s reach, but away from the customers.
• Remember to take a Lifetime chair to use for seating when you need a rest at your display.

Large Outdoor Craft Shows with Individual Tent Space

• Place six Lifetime 6-Foot Tables in a square - two tables on the sides and one table on each end. You will stand in the middle and your customers will walk around the outside. Place a Lifetime Personal Table in the middle with you to hold your cashbox and paperwork.
• Use six Lifetime 5-Foot Tables and place them in a U-Shape - two tables on each side. This allows room for your customers to easily browse under the protection of the tent.
• Use six Lifetime 5-Foot tables and align them in three separate rows (two tables per row) so customers can walk “up and down the aisles”. Place a Lifetime 4-foot table at the back of the tent as a “checkout” counter.
• Remember to take a Lifetime chair to use for seating when you need a rest at your display.

Large Outdoor Craft Shows with Individual Tent Space

• Looks Matter! Think of creating your craft show display as if it was your own mini-store. Your display should be attractive, neat, organized, and creative to get your customer’s attention and interest.
• Themes and props. Themed displays are a great way to tie your entire display together. If your craft involves sewing, set up an old sewing machine. If you make a seasonal craft, use seasonal props and colors.
• Colors. Keep in mind the mood the color of your table cover can create and how it will make your craft pop. Blue, green and white tend to be comforting colors. White and black tablecloths are best for showcasing shiny jewelry. If you have a seasonal craft, use those prominent colors (such as red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, pastels for Easter) to set the tone and remind people of the upcoming holiday.
• Eye level. Display your crafts at different elevations to make your display more interesting. Get creative and look for fun items around the house! Covered boxes, wooden crates, shelves, flowerpots, etc. can be used to place your crafts at different levels. Keep in mind, items at eye level will be seen first.
• Explain your craft. Don’t always assume everyone will know how to use your craft. Try to display your craft in use. If it’s a holiday ornament, set up a miniature tree to display your ornaments. If you make baby booties, put them in a cradle. Be creative, and don’t forget to wear your craft if you make something wearable like jewelry or clothes!
• Different perspective. After you set up your display, always remember to take a step back and look at the display from your customers’ point of view. What will they see as the focus of your display? Is there anything they won’t be able to see and might miss?
• Price tags. No matter how many signs you may have stating the price of your items, people will still ignore them. To save yourself being asked over and over, or possible missed sales because people don’t want to ask, be sure to have price tags on each individual item. For quick and easy price tags, customize and download our free “Handmade by” price tags!
• Make your craft. If time (and your craft) permits, actually work on a craft at the show. This will draw attention as people watch how you actually make your goods.

Tips

• Put all your checklist items into a Craft Show Caddy. If you plan to sell your crafts at shows frequently, save yourself some time and put together a Craft Show Caddy. Purchase a large plastic container with lid and fill it all of your non-inventory craft show essentials. Also purchase several smaller plastic containers to easily organize similar items – one for a cash box (preferably a non-clear box so people can’t see how much money is in it), one to use as a tool box, and one for miscellaneous small items.
• Designate a place in your garage or basement to keep the Craft Show Caddy, along with the tables, chairs, tents, dolly, etc. so that everything is in one spot and easy for you to quickly load. After each show, be sure to restock any items you may need to make sure you’re always ready to go. Print the caddy checklist above, and tape it to the inside of the lid. That way, if you run out of something, you can easily double-check what’s missing!
• After you set up your display at each show, take a photo of your display so you can easily remember how it was arranged to quickly replicate it again next time! It’s also a great way to evaluate what you like, don’t like, and need to improve.
• Sell yourself! Have a professional sign saying who you are, where you are from and what you make! Create a shirt with your logo for extra marketing. In addition, have a stack of business cards and catalogs prominently displayed so people can share your information with interested friends.
• Acknowledge browsers. Allow your customers to browse at their own leisure and don’t hound them. However, if you see a customer showing particular interest in a certain item, approach her in a helpful tone with “I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about my items.”
• Make it obvious. Customers don’t like to ask if they don’t have to. Have plenty of signs stating the prices of your items and make sure everything is individually priced.
• Credit Cards. If you accept credit cards, post signs saying so. This may help boost your sales as many people don’t expect crafters to accept plastic!

Some fun activities for you and your family to enjoy and preserve our beautiful Earth

It’s time once again to celebrate Earth Day by appreciating our world’s beauty and fighting pollution. The first Earth Day was held April 22, 1970 as a nationwide demonstration, petitioning the government to put environmental issues on the political agenda. Thousands of schools and about 20 million demonstrators participated in the original Earth Day. Earth Day was such a success that it is now celebrated annually.

People everywhere get involved in community events or honor family traditions that build our environment. What? Your family doesn’t have an Earth Day tradition? Well it’s never too late to start! Below are 10 examples of Earth Day family traditions to get you thinking.

Ideas

1. Plant a tree in your back yard: Besides being a fun activity for your family, planting trees help to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and they provide a habitat for a variety of other plants and animals. Go to your local nursery, and pick out the perfect tree for your yard. Lifetime trailers make it easy to haul the tree home. More trees in your yard can actually lower your cooling bill by providing shade over your house.
2. Make pine cone birdfeeders- Bring birds right to your yard and watch them as they enjoy a healthy snack. Making pine cone bird feeders is a fun and easy activity for children, click here for instructions.
3. Visit a nearby recycling facility- Recycling processes are fascinating and fun to watch. If you save up recyclable materials to drop off during the visit, you’ll earn some extra change you can use to pick up ice cream cones afterward.
4. Sit with the family and set specific goals to recycle and save energy- It’s often as easy as changing your light bulbs, adjusting the setting on your fridge, or making a routine trip to a nearby recycling bin.
5. Plant or renew your vegetable garden- April is the perfect time to plan your garden. Section off an area of your yard, and decide what you’d like to grow this year. If you don’t have a yard, window boxes and large pots work just as well. Home grown vegetables are pesticide-free and help you save money. Let the children choose new types of fruits or vegetables to try out each year, and give them responsibilities in the garden.

6. Plant flowers at a local non-profit organization or church- Contact the organization prior to planting. Most are thrilled when someone offers to beautify their grounds.
7. Go on a nature hike- Nature hikes are a great way to appreciate the details of our beautiful earth. Pick a park or nearby trail, or visit a new place every year on Earth Day.
8. Clean up litter at a local park- Parks provide places for everyone in the community to enjoy nature. Unfortunately, litter detracts from their beauty, and can be dangerous to people and animals. Bring some large bags or a Lifetime Yard Cart and gather up trash to revive your park. Use sticks to pick up the litter you don’t want to touch.
9. Attend an Earth Day event- Earth Day events are held across the nation, and are full of fun activities for both you and the kids. Pick a place close to you, events can be seen at www.earthday.net.
10. Cook a special Earth Day meal using all non-processed foods- Invite the friends and family over to share a healthy, home-cooked meal. If you have many guests, set up extra tables and chairs to accommodate them. Get creative and decorate in an ‘earth day’ theme using leaves or potted plants, and let each guest take a plant home to add to their garden. See table decorating tips at “Going Green Dinner Party.”

Build a neighborhood fast food stop for your feathered friends

Pine cone bird feeders bring nature right to your door. Most birds eat both seeds and insects, and will see your feeder as a convenient stop for ‘fast food’. Hang it on a tree visible from your window so you can watch all winter long. Make a few of these feeders and hang them at different heights to attract a variety of birds. Now you and your kids can enjoy beautiful birds while they enjoy a welcome treat!

Checklist

• Lifetime Table
• pine cone
• yarn or wire
• scissors
• paper plate
• butter knife
• peanut butter
• margarine or lard
• bird Seed

Steps

1. Find a clear workspace. A Lifetime table is easy to clean afterward.
2. Tie the yarn or wire to the top of the pine cone, creating a hanger.
Mix an equal amount of peanut butter and margarine (or lard), then spread the mixture over the pine cone.
3. In a shallow dish or plate, pour some birdseed about ½” deep.

4. Hold the pine cone by its hanger and roll it in the birdseed, until evenly coated.
5. Put in the freezer until set (about an hour).
6. You’re done! Hang it outside on a tree or by your back door, and enjoy the new friends you’ll attract.

Tips

• You can buy pine cones at any craft store, or prepare ahead of time and pick them up off the ground for free.
• If you can, buy a seed mix with Niger and Safflower. This will attract goldfinches, cardinals, chickadees, and downy woodpeckers, if they are native to your area. Try not to get a mix with red millet; most birds won’t eat it.
• Pine cone feeders work best in the fall and winter, but they can also be used in the summer. Cold weather just helps the peanut butter to keep from going bad.

5 Easy Fall Leaf Crafts for Kids. Take advantage of nature’s free craft supply and spark your child’s creativity with some simple leafy projects!

Fall is here and colorful autumn leaves are abundant. But falling leaves create more than just a chore, take advantage of nature’s free craft supply and spark your child’s creativity with some simple leafy projects! After you’ve finished raking the leaves in your yard, give your child a bucket or box to collect moist leaves of different shapes, colors, and sizes. If you don’t have many trees in your own backyard, take a stroll through the neighborhood or your local park.

While enjoying quality time with your child outdoors, take the opportunity to make your walk educational. Collecting fall leaves with younger children is a wonderful occasion to teach colors and counting. With older children, try teaching the proper tree names (use our list of useful links below).

Checklist

• Lifetime 4-foot adjustable folding table OR Lifetime card table
• Lifetime folding chairs
• Leaf Painting: Moist leaves (not dry crunchy leaves), cardboard or cardstock, glue, tempera paints in yellow, red, orange, and brown, paper plate, small paint roller or paint brush, and construction paper.
• Leaf Placemat or Bookmark: Moist leaves, white poster board, glue, Markers, clear contact paper, and scissors (plain, pinking shears or fancy-edged)
• Leaf Rubbings: Moist leaves, 2 pieces of white paper, and Crayons.
• Leaf Wreaths: Moist leaves, pinecones, cardboard or paper plate, glue, and some string or yarn.
• Leaf Trees: Moist leaves (not dry crunchy leaves), large piece of paper, pencil, crayons, and glue.

Steps

1. Once you’ve collected the leaves, it’s time to let your child branch out and explore their creativity. Before you begin, make sure your child has a comfortable working place where you won’t mind if things get a little messy! Setting up a separate craft table for your child also will allow your child to complete the project at her own pace without having to clean up supplies for mealtime etc.
2. Now that the workspace is set, pick a craft below, grab some supplies, and let the fun begin…you won’t “be-leave” what your kids can make!

Crafts

1. Leaf Painting Glue moist leaves in different shapes and varieties onto a sheet of cardboard or heavy cardstock paper. Let dry completely. Pour a small amount of paint onto a paper plate. Dip a small paint roller into the paint and then roll it over the leaves or use a paintbrush and paint the leaves different colors. Once the leaves are painted and while the paint is still wet, lay a piece of construction paper over the painted leaves and rub it to get a good print. Lift the paper to see the print and let your masterpiece dry.
2. Leaf Placemat or Bookmark Cut a piece of poster board the size you want to make either your placemat or bookmark. Glue your leaves onto the poster board. Use markers to add extra decorations such as borders or personalize it with your name. Cut two pieces of Con-Tact paper twice the size of your placemat or bookmark. Peel off the back of one piece of contact paper and place your poster board in the middle of it. Peel off the back of the second piece of Con-Tact and carefully place it on top of your poster board trying not to leave any bubbles. Use scissors to trim away excess Con-Tact, leaving a slight Con-Tact border all the way around (pinking shears or fancy-edged scissors make fun shapes for your border).This is a great gift for kids to make for friends and relatives!
3. Leaf Rubbings Place leaves (vein side up) on a piece of paper. Place another piece of white paper on top of the leaves. Peel the paper wrapper off of your crayon, and using the long side, gently rub the crayon over the leaves and watch the shapes magically appear!

4. Leaf Wreaths Cut a piece of cardboard into a circle and then cut the middle out to make a wreath shape. Or, use a paper plate and cut a circle out of the middle. Glue leaves and pinecones all over the cardboard or paper plate so it is completely covered. Tie a piece of yarn around the wreath to hang it from your door!
5. Leaf Trees Place your child’s hand and forearm on the piece of paper and trace it all the way to the elbow (the arm will be a tree trunk and the fingers will be tree branches). Color the tree trunk and branches. Glue leaves onto the “branches” and don’t forget to add some falling to the ground!

Tips

• Tree identification links: Curious to know what type of leaf you found? Check out some of these handy guides and interactive sites to help you easily identify your leaf! www.arborday.org, www.uwsp.edu, www.mastgeneralstore.com, www.msu.edu.
• If only one child is making the craft, a Lifetime 4-Foot Adjustable Height Table is the perfect-sized craft table to hold all of the supplies and still have room to work. You can raise and lower the table to best fit your child’s level so she can sit comfortably, and the stain-resistant plastic top makes it easy for you to wash off any paint, markers, or glue that may miss the paper!
• If more than one child will be working on the craft, set up a card table and place all of the supplies in the middle of the table so the children can easily share supplies while still having plenty of space to create their own masterpiece!
• For crafts that involve painting, you might want to place some newspaper on the floor under the table and chairs to protect your floors from accidental splatters.

Secrets to success when selling your old treasures

With the winter thaw complete and the warm sun shining down on the yard, it’s time to engage in the timeless act of “spring cleaning.”

Spring is the perfect time to climb up in the attic, creep down into the basement and de-clutter your entire household. Pull out all of the hidden treasures that have worn out their welcome and hold the first great garage sale of the year.

Checklist

• Full assortment of Lifetime Folding Tables
• A beautiful day!
• Wide selection of junk from the basement, attic, closets and garage
• Signage for posting around the neighborhood
• Ad in the local paper or community newsletter
• Price tags
• Change (small bills, coins and receipts) and a cash box
• Refreshments (or a Lemonade Stand so the kids can participate)

Steps

1. Before you begin, be sure to have plenty of Lifetime Folding tables on hand to display all of your beautiful treasures. These tables are strong and sturdy, and won’t add to the clutter when you are done because they fold-up and are easy to store.
2. Check with your local government for any laws or restrictions in regards to your yard sale. This should include asking about rules on posting signage.
3. Pick a warm, sunny day for your garage sale. Weekends are always the best time and it’s always wise to keep your eye on the weather before you start. A wet garage sale is no fun for anyone.
4. Now take inventory of what you have to sell. This will help you create a nice pricing plan as well as giving you an idea of how to package certain things together. Sometimes, a pair of old skis may just sit there and not get sold, but if you package them together with boots, poles and a fluffy scarf, you may move it much quicker!
5. Advertise your garage sale around town. See our free downloadable flyer below. This can include signage posted on street corners and in neighbor’s yards. It’s also a good idea to advertise in the local newspaper classified ads. Most garage sale aficionados check the papers first before planning their treasure trips.
6. Start early! Many people who frequent garage sales are “early birds,” especially if you post it in the newspaper. So prepare your yard and your family, it’s going to be an early start to a long morning.
7. Make sure you have plenty of change on hand to handle even the smallest purchase, and mark everything clearly with price tags. The eventual price is ALWAYS negotiable at garage sales, but it’s nice to give your customers a place to start the bartering. Have a secure cashbox on hand to keep all of your change and earnings in one place.
8. Provide refreshments for your patrons. Shopping can be a tiring chore, so it’s nice to have some cool beverages on hand. If you want to involve the kids, use a smaller Lifetime table and a few chairs and set-up a Lemonade Stand. It’s a great way to get the kids up early and the perfect spot to raise a little money for their summer spending sprees.
9. Invite your neighbors to join in on the fun. Garage sales that include the hidden treasures of more than one home are always a hit. Besides, it’s the perfect way to make new friends and re-kindle your old friendships.
10. When everything is done and it’s time to close up shop, take an inventory of what has been sold. If you don’t want to store your unsold bounty, make a trip to the local thrift shop or Salvation Army center. You may also want to check to see if your kids’ school or your church is having a rummage sale, your stuff may be a good addition to the local community drive.

Free Downloads

• Printable flyer.
• Printable pricetags. compatable with Avery Labels 8163 5963, 5163, or 5263

The most important element of your yard is the feeling it creates.

Whether you go outside to relax, work, entertain, play, or pursue your hobbies, you want a yard that sets the right mood and is easy to care for. Sound at all like your current patch of land? Don’t worry, there’s no better time to start than now, and most can be done in ten easy steps! So cuff your sleeves, break out gardening tools, and prepare to create the ultimate lawn.

Checklist

• Lifetime Trailer
• Lifetime Shed
• Lifetime Yard Cart
• Rake
• Shovel
• Garden spade
• Soil
• Grass Seed
• Lawn mower
• Broom or Hose
• String trimmer
• Long pruning shears
• Black spray paint
• Compost or fertilizer

Steps

1. Clear the Clutter: Your kid’s sun-bleached plastic wagon, the forgotten patio furniture, rakes from last autumn—you’ve got to either move it or lose it. Look at all the “stuff” taking up residence in your yard, and then decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Make 3 piles: one to keep, one to throw away, and one for the local charity or thrift store. When it’s time to haul a load to the dump, or donate those larger items to charity, you might purchase a trailer that suits your needs. We recommend the Lifetime Fold-in-half trailer, built to handle big loads and it folds to 29” for easy storage.
2. Organize: Now that you have everything you want to keep, it’s time to assign it a home. Storing summer toys, rakes, and additional patio furniture against the house not only looks bad, but it’s also dangerous and these things can take up lots of space in your garage. If you need extra space, we recommend a Lifetime storage shed. Choose the best fit for your yard: 8x10, 15x8, 11x13, or any size in-between. These polyethylene plastic sheds are easy to care for, and have shelves and pockets great for storing rakes, shovels, and your other important “stuff.”
3. Break out the Lawn Mower: Mow the main lawn area, cutting off about 1/3 or less of the grass blade. Grass blades, like any other plant need their leaves to take in sunshine. Mow while the lawn is dry, and try not to go the same direction every time (which makes the blades grow at a slant.) If you took our advice and purchased a storage shed, try using it to store your mower. In the future, you can pull out right onto the grass to start cutting.
4. Even things out: Rake up fallen leaves, twigs and other debris so nothing stands between you and the lawn. Next, get a garden spade or shovel and level the high and low spots in your lawn by cutting down bumps and filling in holes with topsoil and grass seed. To remove bumps, use a garden spade to cut an “X” shape into the raised area. From there, use a shovel or garden-hoe (if it’s small enough, your hands will do) to peel the back the sod and dig out enough soil to let the area lay flat once again. Lay the sod back in place. While you’re at it, sprinkle grass seed mixed with soil into any bald spots. Break out the Lawn Mower: Mow the main lawn area, cutting off about 1/3 or less of the grass blade. Grass blades, like any other plant need their leaves to take in sunshine. Mow while the lawn is dry, and try not to go the same direction every time (which makes the blades grow at a slant.) If you took our advice and purchased a storage shed, try using it to store your mower. In the future, you can pull out right onto the grass to start cutting.
5. Edging: This is a simple but important step that gives your lawn a clean, manicured look. Use a string trimmer to cut tall grass along the edges of your lawn, and grass shears around trees. Use a broom or hose to brush clippings into piles, you can either throw them out or use them for nutritious mulch somewhere else in your yard. Eliminate weeds- Like party crashers; weeds are uninvited guests that rob your plants of nutrients and sunshine. You can pull out weeds with your hands or use a shovel to dig them out. Taking loads of weeds to the compost pile can be laborious. Use the Yard Cart from Lifetime to save time and effort. Various chemicals will kill weeds without harming your other plants. You may also think about laying down a weed barrier mat in real problem areas, keeping weeds from even breaking through the soil.
6. Lighten up: Now, go pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade, and take a few minutes to relax. Once you’ve taken a load off, do the same for your trees and shrubs. First, find out the best ways to prune each of your trees. Each type of tree reacts differently to pruning; there is much information to be found online. First, with black spray paint, mark the places you should cut. Then use long pruning shears or a saw to cut the branches down and up, forming a point in the direction you’d like it to start growing again. Finally, spray all the clipped edges with the black paint to keep away wood-eating bugs. Haul off your clippings to the dump, or rent a mulching machine and turn it into nourishment.
7. Check your Watering: One of the primary causes of brown spots is improper watering. If you have a sprinkler system, check suspicious areas for a blocked sprinkler head. It’s often as simple as identifying a shrub or tree trunk that’s blocking flow to a certain area. The best times to water are in the early morning and late evening when water does not evaporate as quickly in the sun. Also beware of over-watering. Watering too much can leach nutrients and cause fungus or runoff.
8. Get Flower Power: Nothing lends beauty quite like the color and versatility of flowers. If your yard already has a flower bed, revitalize it by pulling out weeds and replanting your favorite flowers. If you’re starting from scratch, decide where you’d like flowers in your yard, and start digging (call a locator service to be sure you’re not digging into cables or pipes.) Dig down about 1-2 feet, and as wide and long as you’d like the area to be.
9. Remove any chunks of sod or unwanted plants: Mix in compost or a good fertilizer, and rake the area smooth. Finally, pick out what plants you’d like to have. A good rule of thumb is to choose a bush, some medium height flowers, and ground cover, so that your plants vary in height and are more visually interesting.
10. Make a maintenance plan: Now that you’ve got your lawn right where you want it, it’s time to draft a feasible plan to keep it that way. For most of us, yard work is not a welcome chore. But by breaking down the upkeep into small steps, and setting a simple schedule, you can enjoy a beautiful lawn year round. One great system is to assign each family member one chore, and get together every Saturday to work. (I.e- mom-weed, dad-mow and prune, son-rake, daughter-edge.) Be sure to keep the seasons in mind. So the chore of raking becomes snow shoveling in the winter, and clearing out sticks and rocks before mowing in the summer, etc.

Tips

• Looking for additional ways to add color and varitey to the yard? Check out our potting and planting article.

Bring Spring’s vibrant colors to your house and backyard

Add dimension and color to any area with potted plants! Potted plants will liven up your home whether they sit in your living room, on the porch or patio, or out in the garden. All gardening enthusiasts know that potting expands your growing area and is a great way to make your favorite plants into portable bouquets. Take advantage of Mother Nature’s color palate, and create beautiful, vibrant displays you can enjoy anywhere.

Checklist

• 6-foot Lifetime table or the Lifetime Workcentre
• 1 bag of potting soil
• Pebbles
• Pieces of a broken pot
• Desired pots
• A garden spade
• Variety of plants and flowers

Steps

1. Pick your plants- Pick plants that have just started to grow; they have roots that can adapt to transplanting. Think about the colors, textures, and themes you’d like to incorporate in your house or yard. If you’re looking to place the potted plants indoors, be sure to find species that can handle shady conditions.
2. Pick your pots- Find a container that is the right size for your plants. It’s a common temptation to use a large pot your plant can “grow into”. But oversized pots can lead to overwatering and sour soil. Some plants will not produce flowers unless they sense they are bound inside a pot, and will not grow actively when they have too much room.
3. Keep it clean- If you want to reuse flowerpots, be sure to clean the inside walls thoroughly, removing any old soil. New feeding roots have a difficult time breaking through the caked residue left in old soil. Soak clay pots in water for a few hours before potting, so they don’t leach the water intended for your plant!
4. Make a drainage Layer- pieces of a broken pot, followed by a layer of pebbles along the bottom of your empty pot. This will prevent the soil from plugging up the drainage holes built into the pot, and keep the soil fresh.
5. Fill with soil- Fill the container about one quarter full with damp soil. Place the plant’s roots in a natural position, spread over the soil. Fill the pot with potting soil to about an inch of the containers rim, covering the roots. Pat the soil down so that it’s firm, but not so dense that the roots cannot get air through the soil.
6. Water- Be sure to water well after planting, or if the species of plant is succulent or downy, mist it with water for some extra pampering.
7. Making an easy adjustment- When a plant is first brought inside, or repotted, keep it in dim light with little sunshine so that it can adjust.

Tips

• Plants potted in the spring enjoy taking a dip in the garden. If you don’t mind having them outside, dig appropriate sized holes for each pot, and place some gravel at the bottom. Bury the entire pot in the soil, showing only the pot’s brim. The gravel will serve as additional drainage, and discourage earthworms from entering through the pot’s bottom hole. This is a great way to let yout plants enjoy the refreshing spring season before moving them into the house.
• Beware of potting in the winter, roots are dormant and will not grow into new soil. March, April, and May are ideal potting months.
• Make it a Party! Set a date and contact friends and family. Invite them to bring pots, plants, and a garden spade. Let them know you’ll provide the dirt and workspace. Or shake it up and invite each person to bring a palate of one type of plant from the nursery, and trade with each other until you have the perfect arrangement. Potting with friends gives you the opportunities to trade ideas, gardening tips, exchange plants and seeds, and use your extra potting soil.

Give your young entrepreneur the best lemonade stand on the block

Nothing gets your young entrepreneurs going like a good ole’ fashioned Lemonade Stand. It’s a spring and summer tradition that everyone has participated in, and with sturdy and lightweight Lifetime Tables and Chairs, the Lemonade stand is certain to make a comeback in your neighborhood.

Your little ones can be the first on the block to bring out the refreshments with these simple tips and solutions to making a quick and successful stand.

Checklist

• A Lifetime Personal Table or 4-Foot Fold-in-Half Table
• A beautiful Spring or Summer day
• Fresh Water
• Ice
• Fresh Lemons (or a suitable powdered lemonade)
• Sugar
• Plastic Lemonade Pitcher
• Plastic or Paper cups
• Large Mixing Spoon
• Tongs for the Ice
• An Apron
• “Lemonade” Signs
• Cash Box
• Change (lots of quarters, nickels and dimes to make change!)
• A safe and highly visible location
• A great attitude and huge smile!

Steps

1. Select a warm, sunny day to open your stand. Not too many people like to sit out in the rain and sell lemonade.
2. Find a safe and highly visible location for the lemonade stand. If your street is not well-travelled, find a safe corner in your neighborhood, set-up the lemonade stand at a garage sale, a sporting event, your local church or even at a supermarket. Be sure you have permission to set up anywhere that is not on your own property.
3. Pick your favorite kind of lemonade recipe. We recommend fresh-squeezed lemonade, but a powdered lemonade can be just as refreshing on a hot day. You can also substitute lemonade with a fruit punch, other juices or even soda – it all depends on what you have on hand. Make sure that when you are preparing your refreshment that you wash your hands and have a clean pitcher to prepare it in.
4. Decide on the right price for your ice-cold refreshments. Keep in mind how much your supplies cost, and make sure your price is fair and attractive. Mark your price clearly on the signs you post at your stand. Have a small cash box on hand to store your earnings. A nice selection of change is good to have, especially when people only have bills to pay for their drinks with.
5. Set-up your Lifetime tables with a couple of chairs to sit on – it can get hot out there! Make sure your spot is level and not too close to streets or traffic. Set-up your pitcher and cups on the tables for everyone to see. It’s also a great idea to keep a cooler full of fresh ice to keep your drinks cold when they are served.
6. Attract attention! We all know that your children are cute enough to attract attention on their own, but it’s a great idea to add to your stand to attract as many customers as possible. Post flyers all around your neighborhood. Use bright colored balloons or streamers to decorate your tables, and make signs large enough to be seen across the street. Hang your signs so everyone can see “Fresh Lemonade!” It’s also a good idea to have an extra sign on hand to hold up high in the air to attract customers.
7. It’s also VERY important to stay clean and safe while operating the stand.
8. Have a trash bag on hand to dispose of used cups. This will keep your area clean and free of litter. You also want to wear an apron and have plenty of paper towels or napkins on hand to clean up any spilled drinks. Use a spoon or tongs to put ice into your cups, and always keep your pitcher covered.
9. Never let your little entrepreneurs run their lemonade stand alone. Make sure they have friends, brothers, sisters or even you with them at all times. And instruct them to NEVER cross the street or approach a car to make a sale.
10. Most importantly, have a great time selling your refreshments! Tell them to be polite, friendly and always have a great big smile on their faces as they talk with people. At the end of the day, it’s not a money making venture, it’s a childhood memory that they will surely pass on to their children.

Tips

• Take some hints from professional lemonade sellers: www.lemonadeblog.com

Free Downloads

• Printable Lemonade Stand Flyer.
• Printable Lemonade Recipe

Give your computer or console gamer the ultimate LAN party

Before you tell them to put down the Wii or Xbox paddle and join his friends in a rousing game of golf, you may want to rethink his gaming hobby. Despite common belief, gaming is becoming a very social activity. With LAN (group gaming) parties on the rise and new internet capabilities, the days of playing alone are numbered. So instead of pulling the plug, use that Xbox, Playstation, computer or Wii to celebrate his hobby—throw him a LAN party!

Use the tips and steps below to make it übertasic, and show him you can pone, frag and “woot” with the best of them!

Checklist

• Lifetime 6-foot tables
• Lifetime folding chairs
• Lifetime personal tables (optional)
• Your avid gamer
• Extension cords
• Various sodas (plenty of the caffeine variety)
• Non-sticky finger foods

Steps

1. Make a list of who to invite and determine the party size. If they intend to use computers, find out if they plan to use laptops or desktops. Desktops need more space and are often very bulky. A good rule of thumb is to estimate two desktops per 6-foot table, or three laptops. Use personal tables for additional laptop stations.
2. Find an area large enough to accommodate everyone. Set up tables and chairs in advance to determine how many players will fit. Try using your garage or basement. You may also want to get a large whiteboard to track the tournament.
3. How you network the players depends on what devices they use to play. The easiest are consoles (like Nintendo, Wii, Xbox and Playstation) they are played as usual with multiple players. If he prefers gaming on a computer, you may need the help of your avid gamer to plan a network. If the game is over the internet, be sure your gaming switch will be connected to the internet. If it’s not over the internet provide a small 100BASE-TX Ethernet switch and at least two 100BASE-TX network cables (be sure there are enough ports for all your guests). You can often purchase these together in a network starter kit. Ask friends who have their own switches and cables to bring them.
4. Be careful with the power. Not the feeling you get when you test his equipment and beat him at his own game (though that does secure bragging rights). No, I’m talking about power outlets. Use extension cords to plug into various parts of the house so you don’t overload any outlets.
5. What games to play? Whether it’s Guitar Hero, DDR, World of Warcraft, or Halo, be sure to gather all the equipment you need to get everyone involved. Keep in mind newer games often can’t be played on older computers and games with heavy graphics may not play on slower laptops.
6. Serve up some gamer fuel. Remember, no LAN party is complete without caffeine. Buy a variety of sodas, and while you’re at it lay out a platter of real food. Try to prepare foods that won’t leave their fingers sticky. Pizza, chips and salsa and beef jerky are always popular.

Tips

• Use extra personal tables if he’s a console gamer. Everyone will appreciate a place to put their snacks and drinks.
• Impress your gamer with gaming slang. Here are a few terms to brush up on: Frag/p0ned- beat, destroy. Rig- computer. HaX0r- hacker, cheater. R0X0r- really cool. Noob- newbie, low level, novice. W00t- yay, sweet, awesome. Leet- really good, "elite". And most importantly, FTW- For the Win!

Set up the perfect space for Back to School success

Getting back into the study zone at home can be a tough process after a long, fun summer. Some simple organization can help you approach the coming year with the perfect homework setting; tailored to your child's school situation. So, grab a highlighter and take note of these easy ideas for finding and creating the perfect homework place!

Steps

1. Designated space Designate a set place in your room or home for your child to study. If it is a younger child, make the space someplace (such as the family room or kitchen) where you can easily supervise the work and be readily available to answer questions. If it is an older child, his own bedroom is an ideal location.
2. Table it There’s a reason classrooms have desks and chairs instead of couches and beds…it keeps the students alert! The same should hold true at home. Make sure your child has a desk or table to use for studying and doing homework. Try to make it someplace where his homework can lay uninterrupted if the work may take a long time. (For instance, a kitchen table may not be the best homework place because it may require unfinished homework to be moved at dinnertime.) A Lifetime Personal Table is the perfect size for a student desk. And, it can easily be folded and stored on the weekends when homework is out of sight!
3. Size matters Making sure your child has a desk or table is important. But, it also needs to be the appropriate size. For younger child, most homework usually involves just a worksheet or one book so a small desk such as a Lifetime Personal Table is adequate. And, the table height is adjustable to ensure a proper fit for your child. Middle school and high schools students, however, often have multiple items in use at the same time such as a textbook, dictionary, and notebook. Consider using a Lifetime 4-Foot Table for more space and an economical solution. If space permits, place two 4-Foot Tables in an L-shape to really give your child a place to spread out while having everything within arm’s reach and eye’s view.
4. Light bright Your child’s homework space should be well-lit to provide good reading light, as well as to help keep your child alert while studying. Placing your child’s desk near a window for natural lighting will also help brighten his homework mood. (However, ideally the desk should not face the window so you’re child won’t be tempted to watch activities going on outside.)
5. Shhhh Study halls require students to be quiet while studying and so should you. Keep your child’s homework space free from noise distractions. Kids will complain, but that means no TV, no radio, no iPods, no video games, no phones, no cell phones, etc. Parents and other siblings should also abide by this rule and be quiet in around the homework space.

Tips

Not sure where to put your study space? There are lots of places in your house or apartment that provide the ideal quiet corner. Here are 5 Places to Get Instant Personal Study Space.

• The Bedroom. Children need to have a designated place to do their homework. The Lifetime Personal Table is the perfect size for use as a small desk in your child’s bedroom. Plus, with three adjustable height settings, it’s made to grow with your child.
• The Family Room. Younger children frequently need homework supervision. Set up a Lifetime Personal Table in the family room so you can quietly read a magazine and be readily available to answer any questions while your child is doing homework next to you.
• The Office Room. Computers are now an essential part of homework. When your child needs to do homework on the computer, place a Lifetime Personal Table to the side of the computer desk (to make an L-shape configuration) so she has room to spread out her books and papers to her side while having the computer easily accessible in front of her.
• The Class Room. Teachers often need extra desks for student tutor time away from the rest of the class. Moving a desk can be cumbersome and extra desks aren’t always available. A Lifetime Personal Table is an easy way to quickly gain an extra student desk. When it’s not being used as a desk, it also can be used as a podium, a demonstration table, or simply to hold the homework in-box.
• The Dorm Room. The Lifetime Personal Table is ideal for college students who need extra study tables during late night cram sessions with their friends. And, it folds flat for easy storage in compact spaces like under a bed or behind a dresser.

Simple break room solutions for small business owners

Happy employees are productive employees. And when it comes to your employees, little things can make a big difference. Creating an employee break room is a small perk that can help refresh minds, build friendships, and boost your bottom line. Whether you own a hair salon, a video store, or a real estate office, we can help you create a functional and affordable employee break room.

Checklist

• Lifetime Tables
• Lifetime chairs
• Sink
• Refrigerator/freezer
• Ice maker or ice cube trays
• Microwave
• Toaster
• Coffee pot
• Water cooler
• Dinnerware supplies- plates, bowls, spoons, etc.
• Plastic wrap
• Coffee mugs for guests
• Glass beverage glasses for guests
• Paper towels
• 409 or other all-purpose cleaner
• Dish soap and sponge
• Broom
• Vending Machines
• Water cooler
• Coffee
• Coffee filters
• Sugar
• Cream
• Coffee stirrers

Steps

1. Find Space A separate room is ideal, but if space is at a premium, start with a simple divided-off area (out of view from customers) where employees can get away from their desk to eat their lunch away or just to relax. This can easily be accomplished by setting up a cubicle in the back of the room (or using portable room dividers) and including a table and chairs. If you are fortunate enough to have a separate room to use as a break room, the design possibilities are endless! Read our list of table and chair suggestions below to maximize your seating space. In addition to the dining area, add a kitchen sink so employees can rinse lunch dishes and easily clean up spills.
2. Establish Kitchen Convenience If you have the space and money, create a break room with the convenience and coziness of your home kitchen. Add a refrigerator, freezer and microwave to encourage employees to pack their lunch. Water coolers, coffee pots, disposable dinnerware supplies (paper plates, napkins, utensils, etc.), and vending machines are nice extra touches. Establish basic break room etiquette rules to keep your break room clean, stocked, and free of moldy, unidentifiable food!
3. Set the Mood In addition to serving as a dining room, a break room should be a place where employees can escape from the noise and stress of work. They should leave the area feeling re-energized, re-charged, and ready to tackle their next project. Paint the room a bright, cheery color that is different from the rest of the office motif to help change the scenery. Hang a bulletin board to post company announcements and memos and for employees to post personal signs and ads. Subscribe to trade journals and news publications so employees can read about the competition and current affairs during their downtime. Provide activities to help relieve stress such as a deck of cards, a foose ball table, or even a coloring book and crayons.
4. Provide Food for Thought Providing food and beverages for your employees is a quick way for employees to boost their energy during the workday. Vending machines are an easy way to provide a variety of options. Keep in mind, they can also be more expensive (for both employers and employees) and take up more physical space than other options. A more economical food option is to purchase snacks and beverages in bulk from a warehouse club. Place them in a basket or container for employees to purchase using the honesty system. Have a change box for employees to drop their money in on the spot, or make a tally sheet so employees can mark each time they take something and then bill employees at the end of each week or month. If you are really feeling generous and you have the funds, pull out all the stops and provide free snacks and beverages for your employees! Just stocking a few bulk containers of snacks or providing a bag of bagels every Monday morning can make a big impression on your employees. To encourage a healthier working environment, provide more nutritional snack options such as granola bars, microwave popcorn, and dried fruits. Employees will feel better and work better in the long run!
5. Be the Host with the Most If you host business guests in your office or shop, be able to offer them a hot or cold beverage while you meet. If you have frequent business meetings, purchase glass coffee mugs and beverage glasses to serve your important guests properly.
6. Get Employee Input Periodically ask your employees what they would like to see added to the break room. After all, it’s their break room! Make a suggestion box for employees to anonymously provide their feedback and place it in the break room where employees are most likely to think of the ideas.

Tips

• Durable, and easy-to-maintain furniture is important for an employee break room. The tables and chairs should be easy to clean since frequent spills and splatters are a given when food is involved! And, as a small business owner, you need your furniture to be flexible for various purposes such as individual lunches, group birthday potlucks, training meetings, etc.
• For small spaces with room for only one table, a Lifetime 4-Foot Round Table and four chairs create a comfortable and trendy atmosphere. If you have larger space, purchase two (or more) Lifetime Folding Card Tables with chairs. This allows you to have two separate tables for eating areas, or you can push them together and make one large table for a bigger group meal or training meeting.
• If don’t have a counter in your break room, purchase a Lifetime 5-Foot Adjustable Height Table and set it at the buffet height, pushed up against the wall. This provides plenty of space to hold the microwave and paper supplies (such as napkins, plates, etc.), as well as room to prepare food before placing it in the microwave. Maximize your space and store extra supplies in containers under the table.
• If you have an outdoor patio area (that is not in view of the customer entrance), create an outdoor eating area with a Lifetime Folding Picnic Table so employees can enjoy some fresh air on sunny days.
• Assign a stock Boy or Girl. Designate one employee (or yourself) to be the person who stocks all of the break room food and supplies. That person should check inventory at the end of each day.
• Refrigerator and freezer. Everything gets thrown out on Friday afternoon regardless of when it was put in. Establish a weekly rotating cycle so each employee is responsible for helping with this nasty task. No complaining allowed – if everyone uses it, everyone cleans it.
• Coffee pot. First person to want coffee makes coffee. Make more if you empty the pot. Last one to leave the office turns the pot off.
• Microwave. Nothing is more disgusting than getting your lunch ready to cook and opening the microwave door to see crusted, splattered food! If your food splatters or runs over while cooking, clean up the mess!
• Dirty Dishes. No dirty dishes in the sink - rinse or wash them off. Empty dishes left on the counter to dry must be taken home each night.
• Spills. Clean up after yourself. If you spill it, wipe it up. If you drop it, pick it up. This applies to tables, chairs, counters, floors, and appliances.
• Refill it. If you emptied it, refill it. If you used the last paper towel, open a new roll etc.

Bring a taste of summer to your party, with table decor by Deborah Fabricant

Welcome the warm weather with a party as whimsical as the spirit of summer! Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, new pool, or just have a light-hearted neighborhood get together. This party works best outdoors and at night, when you display strings of glowing white Christmas lights and create a magical atmosphere. Deb’s recipe for Grilled Nectarines completes the scene with a delicious, sweet aroma. So gather your friends and relax in true “que sara sara” summer style— whatever will be will be!

Checklist

• Two 6-8’ Lifetime Banquet Tables
• Lifetime folding chairs
• Two double bed sheets
• Fabric paint
• Hurricane glasses
• Various sea shells, and some sea moss
• Candles
• Crayons
• White china
• Fish netting
• Sand dollars
• Natural looking twine or raffia
• Sand colored napkins
• Pearled Nautilus shells
• Placemats- adhesive Spray, medium grade sand and large cardboard cake rounds
• Shell topiary- a variety of shells, sea moss, strands of inexpensive pearls (from a bead shop), a Styrofoam cone and a glue gun

Steps

1. Purchase (or visit your linen closet) two flat double bed sheets. Lay them out on a work surface to paint.
2. Paint the sheeting with either brights, pastels or metallic colors. Use your imagination... flowers, leaves, fish, shells or abstract, making sure you are consistent with color as to match it all together later on. (For this table, I would paint fish and shells).
3. Once the paint is dry and the tables are covered with your new “artwork”, place big glass hurricanes at intervals along the length of the table. Fill with sand and a variety of shells, some sea moss and a fat candle in the middle.
4. Use pearled Nautilus shells as either additional candle holders or as planters for flowers or tiny plants. Take out the wick from small votive candles, and melt them with a crayon that matches the inside of the shell (pink or orange). Pour into shell and replace wick. Voila! You have beautiful “shell candles” to use both now and later.
5. Once the paint is dry and the tables are covered with your new “artwork”, place big glass hurricanes at intervals along the length of the table. Fill with sand and a variety of shells, some sea moss and a fat candle in the middle.Placemats- Make the placemats with adhesive Spray, medium grade sand and large cardboard cake rounds. Cover a work table with newspaper. Lay the cardboard cake rounds flat and coat them with Adhesive Spray. Generously pour the sand over the cardboard and let stand for about 5 minutes. Shake off excess sand. Should any spots be missed, simply repeat the process.

6. Shell topiary- Make a Shell topiary by gluing shells together onto the cylinder Styrofoam shape (you may want to make several for a big party). Lay newspaper over the surface of a table to create a workspace. Start at the bottom of the cone, and begin gluing shells onto the cone with hot glue. Continue gluing, making sure you vary the size, shapes and colors of the shells as you go along. When the cone is completely covered then begin to fill in small spaces with tiny bits of sea moss. Lastly, drape the cone with pearls and place on top of a sand placemat. Decorate around the bottom edge with sea moss and candles.
7. Finish the table off with white china, sand colored napkins with Florida Round Sand Dollars tied to them with twine (making napkin rings), and fish netting. Make Grilled Nectarines with Blue Cheese and Lavender Honey, the perfect summer night treat.

Tips

• Use a Lifetime folding table when you make the shell topiary and placemats. All Lifetime tables are so easy to clean, and glue always rubs off their polyethylene tops!
• Fresh out of sea shells? Order them online at www.seashellcity.com or www.shellhorizons.com
• To form one long, romantic repast table, place the two tables end to end. For a magical outdoor look, try stringing up white paper Chinese lanterns or Christmas lights. Place them in trees, under patio ceilings, etc. Also string loads of little white lights in trees, on fences, around windows, etc. for beautiful lighting and that fairytale outdoor look.

Free Downloads

• Grilled Nectarines With Blue Cheese and Lavender Honey Printable Recipe

Throw a festive Fourth of July bash for friends and family

It’s July, and the sweet smell of grilled burgers and fireworks seem to linger in the air. The sounds of crackling sparklers and children’s laughter make up some of our warmest memories. But no Fourth of July is complete without an invitation to a back yard barbeque! Plan an unforgettable Independence Day party for friends, family, or your church group with the following tips and steps.

Checklist

• Round Lifetime Tables
• Plenty of Lifetime Folding Chairs
• Shiny red, white and blue vinyl fabric. Cut into 48” squares (one per table)
• Either solid red, white and blue napkins. Or make “flag” napkins with “star” napkin rings: for this you’ll need paper towel rolls, glue gun, 2” red grosgrain ribbon, and large silver or gold stars
• Red and white gerbera daisies and blue iris or delphiniums
• Galvanized 2 quart metal buckets. Use either plain or decorated with stars and stripes: for this you’ll need red, white, and blue acrylic paint, brushes and some newspaper
• White dinnerware

Steps

•  
  1. Invitations set the scene for a party. Come up with a fun, creative invite for this years’ 4th of July and send it out one month ahead. Ideas: A photo of your dog with a big red, white and blue collar, photos of your kids in a wagon with flags, little flags with the invitation attached and placed in a mailing tube. Use your imagination…have fun with it.
  2. Use round tables set out around the yard, covered with white tablecloths and vinyl square toppers. When guests arrive, let them and their children sit where they like.
  3. Make the “star” napkin rings: Cut up the paper towel cardboard rolls into 2” widths. Then cut the grosgrain ribbon into lengths that will cover the circumference of the cardboard rolls. Glue the ribbon onto the rolls and allow to dry. Glue a big star onto the top of each ring.
  4. Paint the buckets: Cover your small Lifetime Table with newspaper. Use red, white and blue acrylic paint and brushes. Paint each bucket with stripes and stars in a fun heart shape, using the red, white, and, blue downloadable stencils. Allow to dry and fill with flowers. Make enough for one on each table, and some for the buffet table if you like.
  5. Make Deb’s delicious Lemon-Soy Swordfish Steaks with Avocado Butter, and make it a party to remember!
  • For easy serving, place white plates on rattan chargers and serve food buffet-style.

Tips

Recipe: Grilled Lemon-Soy Swordfish Steaks with Avocado Butter



Yeilds 8 swordfish steaks

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp. Grated lemon peel
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 T. Dijon mustard
• ½ cup Safflower oil
• 8 swordfish steaks
• Avocado Butter (recipe below)

1. Mix together the soy sauce, lemon peel, lemon juice, garlic, mustard and oil in a bowl and blend well.
2. Place swordfish steaks in a large ziplock bag, pour the marinade over and seal, squeezing out all the air. Refrigerate. Marinate the fish for 1-3 hours, turning the bag occasionally.
3. Grill fish over hot coals for about 3 minutes on each side. During cooking, brush with marinade. Serve with Avocado Butter

Recipe: Avocado Butter

• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 ripe avocado, mashed
• 4 T. fresh lemon juice
• 2 T. chopped fresh chives
• 1 T. chopped fresh parsley
• 1 T. chopped fresh basil
• 1 tsp. Worchestershire sauce
• freshly ground pepper to taste
• ½ tsp. Sea salt

1. Blend together the butter and avocado until smooth. Add remaining Ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate, covered, until serving time. Can be made 1-2 hours ahead.
   • Printable Invitation 
   • Stencil Example
   • Printable Bucket Stencil
   • Printable Bucket Stencil White
   • Printable recipe.

   Free Downloads

Dinner for the Girls! Plan the ultimate girls night—at your place.

At any girls night or girls-only party you’ve heard the phrase “fit for a queen”, well what about “fit for a goddess”? Plan a girls night to top all others using rich, warm colors and fresh flowers. You and your girlfriends deserve a night of indulgence and pampering. This party plan gives your girls night a glittering Indian theme in rich, warm colors, topped with a delicious desert. Why be treated like a queen when you can be treated like a goddess?

Checklist

• Lifetime banquet table
• Lifetime folding chairs
• An open-sided tent or canopy decorated with hot pink Indian-inspired fabric and brightly colored ceiling panels made out of silk or satin lengths of fabric.
• Bright fabric or table cloth (Indian inspired fabric also looks great)
• Gold chargers decorated with Bindis or self-stick Indian jewels along the rim
• Gold candle and candlesticks, or all shapes and sizes
• Moroccan glassware
• Gold fabric placemats
• Fishbowl centerpiece: you’ll need: One large fishbowl, over-sized sequins, small gold balls (or a string of plastic gold beads), and a hot glue gun
• Flowers- Bright green miniature mums, hot pink Cockscomb, hot pink zinnias, and hot pink dendrobium orchids.
• Deb's delecious Chocolate Cups Filled with White Chocolate Mousse and Strawberries (see below)

Steps

1. Send out girls night invitations! Think of who you’d like to spend a relaxing evening with, or the girlfriend you know who just needs a break. Use the download below for invites you can print at home.
2. Put up an open-sided tent or canopy and decorate it with hot pink Indian-inspired fabric and brightly colored ceiling panels made out of silk or satin lengths of fabric. Hang it near your table, this works very well outside on warm nights, and looks beautiful when the sun sets. You may also want to position it to block the wind from blowing out the candles if you choose to set up outside.
3. Set the table with your bright fabric or table cloth and top with the gold chargers decorated with Bindis or self-stick Indian jewels on the rims. Don’t be afraid to have fun with your plates and silverware too. Whimsical touches of glitz and glamour will make your girls night unforgettable!
4. Set out all your gold candlesticks, any shape, any size and fill them with a variety of gold candles.
5. Set Moroccan glassware and gold fabric placemats at each place.
6. Finish the table with the fishbowl centerpiece, full of fresh flowers. To make the centerpiece: Start about 4” down from the top of the fishbowl and begin to glue the over-sized sequins around the bowl, overlapping slightly. Glue another row of sequins above the first, again overlapping the sequins. Continue to glue the sequins in rows until you have 5 rows and have reached the rim of the fishbowl. Glue small round gold balls around the rim of the bowl and allow it to dry.
7. Time to add the flowers! Fill the bowl almost to the top with water. Immerse half of the flowers, stems cut off, into the water. Arrange the other half of the flowers as you would a regular arrangement, above the rim of the fishbowl. With any leftover flowers, make tiny arrangements in Moroccan glassware and arrange around the large fishbowl. What girls night is complete without fresh flowers?
8. Once your guests have arrived, eaten and socialized, end the girls night with a relaxing event such as pedicures, manicures, massages, or facials. Transform a room in your house into a spa-setting with white towels, scrubs, and sweet smelling creams, and offer each of your guests a chance to lie down and enjoy a treatment of their choice. Either hire professionals to provide the services for you, or gather a few friends beforehand who have some experience and are willing to give either a massage, pedicure, manicure or facial.

Tips

• Indian fabrics, Bindis, and glassware can be found wherever Indian accessories are sold. One good resource is Little India in Cerritos, CA. Many shops have online stores that are easy to find.
• Large sequins and gold balls can be found in most bead shops or Craft stores
• For a girls night with a large crowd, use 3 tables to form a big square, centered in the tent. Place the three tables side-by-side leaving about 1 ½ feet in between. Purchase 2x6 plywood and lay over the openings. Cover the table with white sheeting, fabric or cloths to reach the floor. Proceed with the decoration of the tables.
• Before your girls night party, trying emailing everyone a few days prior with notes on who will be attending. This gives everyone time to “get to know” the other guests before the party even begins!

Free Downloads

• Printable Invitation
• Printable Chocolate Mousse Cup Recipe

Manners please! What you must know about gifts, good conversation, and hosting.

Think you know everything about party etiquette? Think again. Manners and party etiquette are Deb Fabricant’s expertise. Check out twelve of her best tips that will make you a wonderful guest, and an even better host.

Deb's Tips

1. RSVP-ing for a Party: At any dinner or party, your host or hostess has gone to a great deal of time, expense and planning, be it large or intimate. It is your duty to RSVP. There are no excuses for not telling them if you will attend or not…NO excuses, puleeze! Just pick up the phone or send a quick email. (And, don’t wait until the last minute, it is rude.)
2. What to Bring to a Party- If you bring flowers to the host or hostess, please, please, please bring them in a suitable container or vase. There are few things more perplexing than trying to serve hors d’oeuvres, introduce guests, take coats and check on food, and to have a guest with a bunch of flowers looking for a vase!! Besides, most hostesses already have flowers in the house for the party. Why not bring a good wine, candles or something edible. Or, if they have a pooch or kitty, bring something for Fido or Fifi!!
3. When to Arrive: According to Charlotte Ford’s 21st Century Etiquette, the 15-minute-late standard is acceptable for a dinner party; in fact, your host will probably expect it. Unless you are asked to show up early to help, respect the host and arrive within 20 minutes of the party’s designated start time. Being an hour late is just not acceptable, disrupts the cadence of the already begun party and is embarrassing…to YOU.
4. How to Start a Conversation: In this day and age, asking “What do you do” is akin to asking “What can you do for me?” Forget about it! It is unimaginative! It is hard to come up with a brilliant replacement, however, but you might try something like “How do you know the host?” or “What part of town do you live in”? or “What is your favorite sports team/restaurant?” These will usually segue into a more meaningful conversation that will ultimately reveal what a person does!
5. Where to Sit: Even for small dinner parties, I prefer to make place cards. The reason for this is to make my guests feel relaxed and taken care of. Should you go to a party where you must fend for yourself, scope out the guests early on to decide who is interesting enough to spend an evening with. And, avoid sitting with your spouse or significant other…you see them all the time…so get out there and mingle!! To be clingy is boring.
6. Forgetting Names, or Rather, Remembering Them!:- It is perfectly understandable to forget someone’s name when you have only met them once. Should this happen, simply say, “Please tell me your name again.” If by chance you have met this person before and blank on the name, then solicit the help of a friend to start a conversation to introduce the two. The person whose name you forgot will offer up his name. If someone is struggling with YOUR name, be generous and re-introduce yourself by saying, “I’m Deb, and we met through Lynn the other day at the Nelson’s.”
7. Making a Toast: The clinking of glasses is a synergizing force at a gathering. If there is a guest of honor, let the host make the toast, and then you may chime in. Someone should, however, before the end of the evening, toast the host. And, remember…when you clink glasses, look the person IN THE EYE as you toast!
8. Cleaning Your Plate: There are times when you are caught at a dinner party and absolutely do not like the food being served. What to do? Simply take a bite or two of everything that is served, eat what you do like and leave the rest of it alone. Do not make your feelings known, however, for that would embarrass you and your hosts.
9. How To Be Entertaining at a Gathering: You have been invited to a party for a reason. It is your obligation to be “present” at the party, to join in on conversation and listen to others. Your host will be pleased that you were a good guest. At a loss for words? The day of the party read the paper, listen to the news, remember good books and movies you have recently enjoyed, remember sports information, think about what you have enjoyed recently, be it a museum, restaurant or outing, and be prepared to talk about it. Also, remember to be a good listener by asking questions of your dinner partner. One way I remember to ask questions is to imagine I’m a news interviewer like Larry King and pretend I’m interviewing my dinner partner!!
10. Taking Leave: The general rule is to linger at a gathering for at least an hour after dinner in order to avoid the eat-and-run syndrome. Making a graceful exit is sometimes difficult because if you are the first to leave, you don’t want to cause a stampede, so exit as quickly and gracefully as possible. If the party is very large, there is no need to say good-bye to everyone, but it is proper to seek out the hosts and thank them for a wonderful evening.
11. Cleaning Up. The kitchen is the friendliest room in the house, so it is polite to ask if your help is desired when it comes time to clean up. It is also perfectly polite for the host to decline your help. I, for one, like to pamper my guests, so I decline any help, unless it is a family dinner and then I do expect a little help. For more formal dinner parties, I try and get someone who will clean the kitchen if the budget allows. (Even a teenager who wants to earn extra money is a great way to get that kitchen cleaned up!) That said, it is always nice to offer... hosts appreciate your willingness.
12. Thanking The Host: It is customary to call or write a brief note thanking the host or hostess for a party. I prefer to write a note, since it shows that you took the time to sit down and make a special effort. However, in today’s electronic age, it is acceptable to send an email as a way of thanks. In any case, THANK YOUR HOST!! (Again, they went to a lot of time, expense and trouble on your behalf…a simple thank you is not asking too much.)