Open House Tips and Tricks

It's been 2 years since the last time there was a High School Open House on my agenda. Thank goodness. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun, but it is also a lot of work. Well.....if you're very wealthy and can afford a party planner to do all of the planning, work, and decorating for you, not to mention the catering part of the process to boot....then it's just money. Right? Riiiiigggghhhhht. Most people don't have that kind of disposable income to hire everything out. So out of fantasy land and back to reality, you'll do most of the work yourself. Planning, making decorations, actual decorating, cleaning, and probably some of the cooking. I can't actually help you physically do any of those items (sorry), but I am here to give you a round up of a few of my favorite ideas to help get you on the fast track to your Open House Day. Simple. Easy. Affordable.

If you have the space, consider having an Open House/Graduation Party right at home. Maybe a friend has a large screen tent your could borrow, unless you have one in storage. Tents can be rented as well, but it can be costly.

Open House 2011

Use inexpensive items and customize them by adding decorative elements in the color of your theme.

Grad Cap Cardholder Tutorial

Graduation season is almost here. So....finally, the Graduation Cap Cardholder Tutorial is complete. Yippee!! Right?! Not a lot of pomp and circumstance today, no pun intended, but just the basics.

Open House Anyone?

Warning! Lots of pictures. Just to get me in the mood. (Cue the swanky 70's music.)

It's mid-March. Three months until "Open House Season" is well upon us. Time to get started! Are you ready?

Missing In (Craft) Action

I know it's been a long time. Missing in action is what has happened. The "action" of every day life completely took over.

Caramel Apple Snickers Salad

Do you love caramel apples with peanuts? Oh, and a little chocolate? Oh, and some cool whippy pudding? Yes, yes, and yes? Great! This little concoction of a "salad" is very awesome, and very easy. This was the third super easy and simple recipe that I tried on Memorial Day. The other two were Feta Dip and Grilled Asparagus. Both were delicious. Today's bit of deliciousness is a dessert. A friend up north often makes a version of this for get togethers. The other day I found out why. It's super easy.

Again, no foodie pics were taken on Memorial Day, therefore the pics you see are not mine, but there is a link back to their original source. This recipe is from Lindsay at her Potpourri Mommy blog. Please show her some love for the amazing recipe. My notes are in blue text.

Caramel Apple Snickers Salad

Ingredients:

* 3 apples (I used four apples and a mixture of sweet and slightly tart)

* 12 fun size Snickers or 6 full size Snickers (I scoured the house for more…use more)

* 1 cup milk

* 1 large package vanilla instant pudding (not made)

* 1 16 oz. Cool Whip (I like a little less cool whip in mine) (it's a lot of whip, maybe that's why I added extra apples and snickers)

Directions:  

Mix milk and pudding in a large bowl.  Add cool whip.  Cut the Snickers and apples into small pieces and add to the mixture.  

This dessert is best if you make it close to when it is being served.  I wouldn't recommend making it the night before. (the apples add too much moisture to serve the following day. Definitely a make and eat the same day dish. A couple of hours ahead is good, as it gives the pudding and cool whip time to set a bit.)

I happened to have shaved chocolate on hand, so I use it as a garnish. Very pretty. The dessert is easy, quick, no-bake, and delicious. Another keeper.

Thanks for visiting. Now go tend to your garden.

Grilled Asparagus

It's that time of year. There is an abundance of fresh asparagus to be had. If you like asparagus, this probably makes you very happy. It makes me happy too.

Feta Dip

Morning all. I know it's been a while, but we've been busy, busy, busy. Hope you had a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day!! Mine? It was wonderful, but not so relaxing to begin with.  Hubby and I had lots of family and friends over for a BBQ/Cook out. And the difference between the 2 is what?………….Well, that was not a retorhical question, I was waiting for an answer. Oh well. That's what the Internet is for, information.

Graduation Cap Place Card Holders

Update: Find the tutorial, just click here.

Place card holders are such a wonderful way to add that special touch to any event, be it large or small. You can use them for assigned seating, or use them for labeling all of your dishes so guest know what they are eating. Let's be honest, they're also just darn cute and very tidy.

Outdoor Tablecloth Weights

You have an outdoor gathering, tablecloths are in place, the table is decorated and set beautifully, and along comes a gust of wind. Ever had that happen?

The Party's Over

Yes, finally, the Graduation Party/Open House is done. You would think that I would be happy. I miss it. There's such an empty feeling now that there's no more planning and prepping.

Idea Time

The internet can be a wonderful tool for ideas. I have been thinking about the Open House and elements to go with it. Do you ever have a vision of something you want to do, but can quite put a finger on the exact vision? I do this often, sometimes it's that I want to see something similar to my thought, so I can better tailor my idea with out having to make 4 or 5 different prototypes.

Two years ago for eldest son's Open House, I used an autograph picture board. I wasn't too fond of the set up, as it's often difficult to write on a wall, so to speak. For the Open House for my youngest son, I have been thinking of the Wish Tree that I made for our wedding years ago, so people can leave well wishes. We still have the tree, it's out on display. Although, I don't think this sort of thing is quite right for my son.

Wish tree from wedding. Not the best picture, but the concept was great.

I kept thinking of a container to put notes in, with a large picture of him set up behind the container, on an easel maybe. The container was the problem. Flower pot? No, too girlie. Bucket? No, too industrial, and I don't want to sand and paint it. A large rustic type jug? Well, he has to be able to get his hand in it. Think about it later, just let the idea simmer and grow in the ol' cranium. While looking at ideas for centerpieces, I came across this beauty at celebrations website.

Good Luck jar. 

It's the perfect container. How could it be there? What a grand idea! The creepy part, I have that exact jar in the basement with my decorating stuff. I needed something to display river rocks in last year and got it at HobbyLobby for 50% off. So for a whopping $6, I grabbed it. I never did put the river rocks in it, but kept the jar, and now I'll use it for the Open House. BRILLIANT!!!

The paper is easy and quick, and the label will be a breeze. DIY ideas to customize a grad party has some really neat ideas. They were even nice enough to post a template for the little paper notes. I will change the look of mine some, as I need different colors. I've decided not to use the template for the notes, but instead will create my own note papers. I can create them on the computer and just tweak them once I figure out my fonts for the entire party, then print them later. I do like to stick with one or two fonts for a party, it keeps everything uniform. The fonts will be decided from the Open House invitations that I make. Instead of string tied around the notes, I'll make paper rolls in coordinating school colors, that the notes can be slipped into easily.

Back to that jar. This is the second time I have had something on hand and it's just sitting there waiting for me and I find a neat idea for it on the "InterWeb" (my son likes to call it that) or in a magazine. Last Christmas season I pulled out paper mache ornaments that I purchased for dirt cheap at the end of the prior year's Christmas season, at Hobby Lobby for about 80% off. So for about 20 cents each I bought 3 of them and knew I'd do something with them. Found a great project for painting them white and detailing them with really chunky glitter. I'll have to post pictures of them, next Christmas, as I don't want to even think about pulling out all of the Christmas boxes again right now. Not yet, I just got them put away. Wait...I might have photos on the camera of them, I'll have to take a look.

Until the next time. Enjoy! I'm looking forward to spring!