Recycled Centerpiece... It's Earth Day! Favorite 9

How simple and cutesy-poo is this! And-- It's recycled!



Country Living

Country Living painted coffee and soup cans for an adorable centerpiece.

My suggetion: use all different sizes--- from the Vienna sausage/Beanie Weenie size all the way up to the largest coffee or super-sized green bean cans. Make the arrangements fit the size of can.

To save money: buy the sample sized containers of paint, or try craft paint. (Be sure to read the labels about if it can be used on metals). I think I would keep the paints flat, not satin. Use wild flowers or the flowers blooming in your garden instead of buying artificial. Hosting a big party? Ask friends and family to keep their tin cans for you! Need more than that? Print it in the local newspaper or post it on social networks.

The event: A vintage shower/party, a girl's afternoon lunch, Mother's Day dinner.

My spin: keep the cans metal, but tie them up with beautiful ribbon, rafia, or twine. Pair with a colorful table linen and plates. Also try mod-podgeing (is that a word?) decorative paper to the cans.

Branch out: If you keep the cans metal, the same idea could be used for a western/cowboy party. Group the cans with bandanas, straw, cowboy boots... you get the idea.

Splurge: Hit up antique stores and flea markets for metal cans with the original labels....Add equally colorful flowers to the colorful labeled cans and pair with a simple tablescape.

Favorite 8-- Spring has Sprung!


Whether you're throwing a bridal shower, afternoon luncheon or wedding...this is a beautiful and inexpensive centerpiece!

Katie Brown Blog

 Look closely--- those aren't even vases--- they are drinking glasses! You have two options for painting glass like this. You can spray paint the outsides--- like this or paint this insides like this in video. In this particular picture they have painted the inside so that the details around the bottom still show. I love it! You could use glasses, vases, goblets, jars, etc. Cluster them together and fill with flowers.

Hit up your local thrift store, yard sales and boxes in your basement.

Bridal Shower Games

** I have created this post twice from scratch, and when I've published them, about half of my content is missing. Please bear with me. I'm trying to re-create it--- AGAIN!**

I've Never
On the shower invitation, guests are told to bring spare change for a game. The bride creates a list of things she's never done. At the shower, the bride reads her list one by one and the guests have to put a coin in the jar if they've done it. We played this game at my shower and I'm not sure if I've ever laughed so hard. I had some tame ones like "I've never been on a cruise" but I also had some like "I've never been skinny-dipping" and "I've never skipped school." We found out some things about some of the old ladies in the room, including my grandma!  When my sister planned with game, we figured we'd end up with a couple of dollars.... but people were so generous with what coins they chose and some even just dumped their container into the jar at the end that we got over $80! We used this money to splurge on a carriage ride on our honeymoon.

Memory Lane Mysteries

This game is every bride’s sentimental favorite. When you send out each guest’s shower invitations, include

a blank note card along with a request to write down his or her favorite memory of the bride, groom or the couple. When they arrive, have your guests drop their memories into a card box. At the shower, read each memory out loud and ask the bride and/or groom to guess which guest wrote it. From childhood memories to milestone moments, each card reflects the personal bond that each guest has with the couple. And, at the end of the day, the bride has a stack of personal keepsakes to cherish always.

Wedding Night Words

Here’s a nice n’ naughty game that’ll take the bride and bridal shower guests by surprise! While the bride is opening her gifts, have a bridesmaid secretly write down everything that the bride-to-be says (make sure she doesn’t notice). Once all the gifts have been opened, gather everyone together and—with your best bedroom voice—read aloud the “ooh’s” and “aah’s” and exclamations (e.g. “Wow! That’s tiny!”) that the bride said—it’s what the bride will be telling her groom on the wedding night!  

My friends did this for my shower and it was a hoot! Because of some of the older guests at the shower, the shower guests knew nothing of this. They read it at my bachelorette party, which just made it funnier! We have since kept this tradition for two more friends (without reminding them that we were doing it). I had tears running down my face at one of the showers from laughing at her comments! My sister and I knew what was going on and slowly told 3 other friends at our table. It was a riot!

What’s the Bride Wearing?

Pay attention! About 20 minutes into the bridal shower, test your guests’ observation skills with this fun little game. Without letting on that they’ll be tested later, begin the party as planned. Then, once everyone has had a chance to greet the bride and is just getting settled into the party, have the bride leave the room. Give each guest a piece of paper and pencil and have them write down everything they can possibly remember about what the bride is wearing, listing as many details as possible. Bring the bride back in and have each person read his or her neighbor’s list out loud. The guest that accurately lists the most items wins!

Guess How Many
An easy and cheap game is to fill a container with items and have guests guess how many it holds.

Guess What's in the Bag
Put samples of white powders in baggies. Number the baggies and hand out sheets of paper with the same numbers. The white powders can be sugar, flour, baking soda, etc. Without smelling or tasting guests must figure out what kind of powder is in which bags. These bags are passed around during the shower. After everyone has had a chance at every bag, the correct answers are added up and the person with the most correct answers wins a gift.

Advice Book
A gift all guests can give the bride at the shower is an advice book that they have compiled. The host can include a pretty notecard with the invitation and guests are asked to fill it out with their best advice and bring it to the shower. I would suggest having extra notecards at the shower for those that forgot. The cards can be added to a pretty photo album and presented the bride. Instead of cards and an album, guests could write in a pretty journal.

Having a cooking themed shower? Notecards could be recipe cards and guests give their 'recipe for a good marriage.'

Question the Bride

Instead of playing bingo or another game while the bride opens gifts, allow guests to ask her questions such as "Where did you two meet?" "When did you know you loved him?" "How did he propose?" "Where will you honeymoon?". This would be really nice for a larger group of women getting to know each other.

Famous Wives

Make a list of famous men--- musicians, TV or movie characters, actors, etc. Ask guests to write down the name of their wives. Make some really easy, and make others more challenging. Some men have very famous wives, and others don't.

Idioms

Each guest receives a paper with the first part of the sentence and they must complete the sentence in a given amount of time. My guess would be that grandmas and moms will do the best! The one with the most wins!

A woman's work...is never done.

A happy house...is full of laughter.

Behind every great man...is a successful woman.

A woman's place...is in the home.

When the going gets tough...the tough gets going.

A stitch in time...saves nine.

My house...is your house.

The path of true love...never runs smooth.

Variety is...the spice of life.

Every man's home...is his castle.

True love...conquers all.

Marriages are...made in heaven.

A watched pot...never boils.

If the shoe fits...wear it.

A penny saved... is a penny earned.

Home is... where the heart is.

Too many cooks...spoil the broth.

Kill two birds... with one stone.

A bird in the hand... is worth two in the bush.

Don't count your chickens...before they hatch.

Don't put all your eggs...in one basket.

Drastic times...call for drastic measures.

Never bite the....hand that feeds you.

Rome was not built...in a day.

Brand Name, Jingle or Slogan

Show logos of famous products and ask guests to name the product. You could either cover the name or digitally remove it. Some products such as Morton Salt have logos without the name covering it. Try: Toyota (or other car companies), Microsoft, Yahoo, Nike, Apple, BP, McDonald's, Starbucks, Little Debbie, Baskin Robbins,Girl Scouts, Quaker Oats, Gerber, Pepsi, KFC, and Ocean Spray.

Create a list of companies famous jingles or slogans and ask guests to 'name that company.'

Be all that you can be.--- Army

Breakfast of champions.---Wheaties

Eat more Chikin!---Chick-Fil-A

Every kiss begins with Kay.--- Kay Jewelers

Good to the last drop.---Maxwell House

Have it your way.--- Burger King

It takes a lickin and keeps on tickin.--- Timex

Just do it--- Nike

M'm M'm Good-- Campbell's Soup

Obey your thirst.-- Sprite

So easy a caveman can do it.--- Geico

Sometimes you feel like a nut, Sometimes you don't.---Mounds/Almond Joy

You can do it. We can help.--- Home Depot

Finger lickin' Good-- KFC

Taste the rainbow--- Skittles

Your potential, Our passion.--- Microsoft

The power to be your best--- Apple

Drivers wanted.--- Volkswagen

Hot eats, cool treast--- DQ

Hungry? Why Wait?--- Snickers

Everything we do is driven by you--- Ford

Where's the beef?--- Wendy's

Head for the border-- Taco Bell

Get the Sensation-- York Peppermint Patty

Memory

The bride comes out with an apron and a try of various kitchen items. She shows each item to guests while the hostess reads off the list. The bride leaves the room and guests must compile a list of everything they can remember. Want to make it more challenging?? Play a game in between!

Grocery List

Grab the current and local grocery store ad. Choose 5-10 items that you could use to make a great dinner. Calculate the total. At the shower, tell what store ad you're using and explain each item in detail--- brand, size, flavor, etc. Guests write their estimated cost for the item, or just keep a running tally in their head. Guests total their 'grocery bill' (with or without tax--- you decide!). The closest total, without going over, wins!

The Spice Game
Have ten bottles of herbs or spices with the labels covered. Have the guests guess the spices and herbs - they are allowed to smell the herbs or spices. The guest with the most correct answers may keep the spices or give them to the bride, preferably the latter.

 

Sources

Memory Lane Memories, Wedding Night Words, What's the Bride Wearing

Guess What's in the Bag, The Spice Game

Baby Shower Games

I think coming up with games for showers are some of the most difficult things about hosting such events. You want guests to have fun, but don't want them or the guest-of-honor to feel awkward and uncomfortable. I mean really, what woman at 9 months pregnant really wants to know just how big her belly is and how big each of her guests thought it was....that's just mean : (  If you've ever been to a shower, games can make you feel awkward really fast! Having to wrap a person you've never met in a toilet paper dress or diaper, sticking your nose in a 'dirty diaper' or listening to others' conversations so you can steal their clothespin makes some dislike games really fast...

  If you're the same way, here are some games/activities that might work for a baby shower you're hosting! Personally, I think 'activities' are sometimes just as entertaining as 'games.'

Tame Games and Activities:
Baby Price is Right - Purchase some baby items and set them on a tray. The more items you purchase, the harder the game is. Ask everyone write down the prices of each and then add up the total. Whoever is closest to the correct total amount wins--without going over!

How Many Are in the Bottle? - Stuff a baby bottle with Q-tips, cotton balls, jelly beans, m&m's, safety pins, or any item of your choice. Pour the items out so you can count them. Put the items back in the bottle. Pass the bottle around and have each guest write on a piece of paper how many they think are in the bottle. The closest one to the actual number wins a door prize and the bottle can go to the mommy-to-be as a useful gift!

What's In the Baby Bag? - You will need a baby bag and a bunch of baby accessories (pacifier, bottles, diapers, wipes, etc.) that fit and belong in a baby bag. Put the baby bag on a table or floor (wherever the guest can see it) and take out all the things from the bag. Have them look at the items and put them away. The more you have, the harder it is. Use smaller items so more fit! Guests then have to write down as many items as they can remember.

College Fund- Note on the invitation about a raffle for a big prize and to "Bring Your Money!" Each person at the shower can buy one raffle ticket for a $1 or ten for $5. At the end, a winner wins a nice prize like a gift certificate for dinner, Wal-Mart gift card, or a gas gift card. The money collected starts the baby's 1st bank account. Extra door prizes or extra favors can be raffled off as well.

Heavy Purse - Have a scale and weigh everyone's purse. The guest with the heaviest/lightest purse wins a prize.

Who's Your Mommy? - Make a list of baby animals (colt) then ask each guest to guess the animal Mommy's name (horse). It is amazing how many people really don't know.

Nursery Rhyme Quiz- Get a book of nursery rhymes and write down the first few lines on a piece of paper. Make enough copies for all of your guests and see who can complete the rhymes. You can do this with many different rhymes and see who can remember the most. You could also do this with children's books.

Name that Mom- Have a list of children from TV, movies, and children's books. Guests have to write the mom's name for each group of children.

Guess that Onesie- Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped onesie that describes them. Each onesie is displayed and the mommy-to-be has to guess who brought what. This game doesn't have a winner or prize, but sounds fun!

Decorate for the baby- Guests decorate onesies, bibs or quilt squares for the baby. Again, no winners/prizes and it works best with a small group.

Advice Book: Guests create cards of advice for the new parents and compile it into a book.

Mommy vs. Daddy- Before the shower, the host videotapes the daddy-to-be answering questions about the baby/pregnancy/mommy. Before playing the recorded answers, the mommy has to guess what daddy will say. After she answers, the tape can be played to reveal daddy's answer. Guests can guess how many mommy will get correct. The closest wins.

Lots-O-Diapers - Write on the invitation to bring (extra, unwrapped and detached from their gift) a pack of diapers or wipes for a chance to win a prize. Each guest who brought the item(s) would get a raffle ticket. At the end of the shower, have a drawing for a nice gift basket. The mommy-to-be will receive tons of diaper and wipes and a guest will leave with an extra special gift basket.

Create a Canvas- For a small shower/luncheon, guests can decorate small canvases with provided paint colors that will match the nursery. The canvases can then be clustered on the nursery wall as a sentimental decor.


Funny Games:
Bobbing for Nipples - Buy several packages of baby bottle nipples and put them into a baby bath tub full of water and play just like bobbing for apples.

What's In A Purse? - First you have the mother-to-be make a list of things that every mommy might need. (Examples: Spoon, bills to pay, band-aid, a photo, a Q-tip, etc.) Read off the list in front of your guests. The first person who can hold the item in the air wins a point. The guest with the most points wins! You can have a winner for each item if you'd like.

Blindfolded Baby Feed - Pair up 2 people and blind fold each of them. Give one of them a jar of baby food and a baby spoon. This person tries and feeds the other person while they are both blind folded! Have multiple groups competing against each other. The food must make it into their mouth. The group that finishes with the least amount of food on their face wins. I would only suggest this game with a small group of close-knit family and friends. This could make some guests feel very awkward.

Find others here!

April Showers....

A friend of mine is working on hosting a baby shower and we were bouncing around possible theme ideas.... We talked about several girly ideas before I asked when the shower was and she replied "April." Immediately my mind went to "April Showers bring May flowers June Babies." She really liked the idea of umbrellas and boots, so the gears started turning.

When you start Googling and Pinterest-ing (I know...that's not a real word...but you wait...it might become one!) rain shower party ideas, everything BLUE starts showing up, but this little bundle of joy is a girl, so we had to tweak and dig a little deeper.... here are some of the ideas I've come up with so far.

- My first thought was to hang umbrellas from the ceiling, but the venue is two story complete with a balcony so this idea is impossible. Umbrellas are a must, so I think a few open umbrellas (or this one or this one)  around on tables (cake, food, drink, etc.) would still look great and then they could be used as prizes. I mean really---who doesn't need an umbrella?!?! What a great prize idea---how many times have you left a shower with JUNK!?! (I feel a post about 'what not to do when hosting a shower' coming on....haha)

- The host found an invite idea called "Raining Hearts" that is absolutely adorable and perfect for the baby girl's shower. The invite also sparked another idea. I was struggling with how to use raindrops in the shower without making them blue or blowing the budget on 'diamond' strands..... and then the invite shows pink hearts as rain drops! How adorable! I would make double the amount of hearts you would need and hook them to fishing line in a random pattern and hang from the balcony to where the guests will enter below. The hearts will be simple to make because the host has a Cricut.

- Buy a kid pair of rain boots and use as the main centerpiece with a large bouquet of pastel flowers spilling out of the tops and onto the table. These boots aren't exactly as full as I am imagining, but I cannot find a picture that portrays my vision. And I imagine more hyndrangeas and peonies than gerbera daisies, but I'm not a daisy fan. If the budget allows, buy used boots from second hand stores and spray paint them to match.



Source

 - For other centerpieces, I suggest filling galvanized buckets, flower pots or metal watering cans with flowers.

- For favors, give away seed packets. Again, useful and inexpensive!

- I think I would use all white table coverings (and lace or organza would be beautiful!) with bright plates and utensils. I can see pink, green or yellow, but I don't think I would mix. I would use all the same color or style....and polka dots would be a-dor-a-ble!

- I went to Michaels and found so many cute things that would be perfect! Check out these rainboots and tell me they're not absolutely THE cutest! And this tiny umbrella at Old Navy! 

(Don't forget your coupons for Michaels!)