The wedding reception is the first time the newly married couple truly socializes with one another as bride and groom. It’s the first time to share time with friends and family members as a married couple. It’s also the time right before the honeymoon starts, and many newlyweds are getting pretty nervous as the reception comes along–even more nervous than during the wedding. To break the ice, try some fun wedding reception surprises.
Give everybody in the wedding party masks to wear that feature celebrity faces. When the bride and groom walk into the reception, they will find themselves looking at an A-list celebrity party. This can create huge laughs, especially if Mom and Dad are wearing the most outrageous of the masks. You can even theme it based on groups of families and friends. One part of the family may be the Brady Bunch, and the other part may be the Osbournes. Have fun with it.
Give mock speeches for the first few tries. (This should later be rectified by a proper speech). It should usually be done by the bride’s family, but it would be funniest if done by the most conservative-behaving of the families. A father acting drunk while roasting his son-in-law is a good prank, but make sure that the bride and groom have a comfortable, easy relationship that makes this funny instead of inciting a fight on the most important day of their lives. This part is hard to balance successfully. When in doubt, do without. Keep it lighthearted.
Have the DJ work with you in pretending like he only has a certain type of music. Pretend like you accidentally booked a band that can only play polka music. When the couple starts to actually get frustrated, have the real band step up and play the couple’s favorite song.
Make up last-minute excuses directly after a wedding ceremony for not attending the reception. While all people attending should accept the invitation to both the wedding and the reception, have a large amount of people back out at the last minute. In addition to the people backing out, all should hide at the venue. Then have all hide in an adjacent room, with one person keeping an eye out. Have the bride and groom show up to find nobody at their reception, despite many people at their wedding. Pop out to surprise them when the joke stops being funny.
Write outrageous things on the car for the couple to find on the way to the reception. While decorating the car of the bride and groom is hardly an original concept, this can get really funny if you go the outrageous mile with it.
Dress it up. The bride and groom have the most important costumes of all. Do a theme like “Two Worlds Collide.” In this, half the celebrants can dress up like exaggerated types of people on Earth–from trashy to trendy–and the other half can dress up as aliens in all their fictional incarnations.
Hire a celebrity impersonator that is the bride’s favorite singer. Have one that is the groom’s. Let the two duet together all night for an ideal, fun pairing of the favorites of the couple coming together as one.
A birthday party doesn’t have to be limited to having cake and ice cream at someone’s house. There are a number of ways to celebrate a birthday, ranging from traveling to trying a new activity to celebrate. Whether you’re into romantic dinners or thrilling adventures, there are places that can provide the perfect birthday location for you, no matter what your interests are. Take your friends or go with a date, and make it a day to remember.
Party Locations
If you’re tired of your usual hangout, try a different spot to celebrate your next birthday. If your budget is limited, find free places around your town. For example, you could visit a local park, or drive to a recreation area in a nearby town. Many parks offer gazebo rentals, which are ideal for a large group and to protect against the rain.
The free picnic areas are also an option for smaller groups or to save money. If you enjoy roller skating or laser tag, big cities often have a laser tag building or a roller rink. Chuck E. Cheese’s offers a variety of activities for children, and will organize and help you throw a birthday party there for a price of around $15 per child attending. Bowling, a trip to the pool hall or a drive to an arcade are also good options. For a 21st birthday, going clubbing is a way to relax and enjoy good music and dancing.
Traveling
Consider saving money to travel when you want a birthday to be extra special. A cruise is the perfect way to celebrate, whether it’s with friends, family or your sweetheart. Smaller cruises are available in certain cities that last only a few hours and provide dinner. If you’ve moved far away from home and haven’t visited recently, consider taking a road trip to see friends from your hometown.
There are other shorter adventures you can find in nearby large cities too. For example, you can go skydiving, rock climbing or even visit a cave. These vary in price depending on location and group size. Think about what interests you, or the person you’re planning the party for. If he likes golfing, pay to take him out for an afternoon on a golf course. If she enjoys shopping, buy her a gift card and plan a weekend at the mall.
Romantic
For couples celebrating their partner’s birthday, a romantic dinner for two is a great way to mark the occasion. Pay to take her out somewhere special, or cook dinner yourself at home. You can also base your plans around the season. In the winter the two of you can go ice skating or skiing. Cuddle up by the firelight afterward and drink hot chocolate. In the summer, swimming and fishing are options. Rent a cabin in the woods and enjoy the nights alone together.
Make frozen mocha latte treats. Mix two cups of old coffee with one pint of your favorite ice cream. Use chocolate ice cream for a true mocha flavor. Try vanilla for a creamy, coffee-flavored treat. Add two tablespoons of sugar and one tablespoon of chocolate powder. Pour the mixture into a container, seal a lid on the container and freeze. Serve the recycled coffee treat when it is slushy.
Pour the old coffee and grounds on your potted plants. Stale coffee and used grounds help condition the soil. Alternate the plants you pour the coffee onto, so you don’t overwhelm the soil.
Use the grounds as ant repellent. Recycle old coffee by pouring it over the ant mounds in your yard. The strong scent of coffee helps repels ants.
Touch up wooden furniture. Use stale coffee to fill in scratches in wood furniture. Dip a cotton swab in the stale coffee and gently rub it over the scratch. The coffee fills in the scratch with a brown tone.
Rejuvenate your hair color. If you have brunette or dark red hair, wash your hair in coffee to brighten your color. Rinse the used, stale coffee through your hair for added shine.
Eliminate refrigerator odors. Place a bowl of used coffee grounds at the back of your refrigerator. They help absorb odors and keep the refrigerator smelling fresh.
Reuse packing peanuts yourself or take them to local packing and shipping stores for reuse. The Plastic Loose Fill Council operates a 24-hour hotline to direct consumers nationwide to businesses that reuse polystyrene peanuts. The organization’s website also offers a list of drop-off sites.
Recycle molded polystyrene packaging–the rigid blocky Styrofoam used to protect electronics and other delicate products–by sending it to the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers’ Mail-Back Recycling Program. Check that the polystrene packaging is marked with a recycling symbol and the number six. Remove any paper labels, plastic film or glued-on cardboard from the polystyrene.
Break the polystyrene packaging into smaller pieces if desired. Pack the polystyrene into boxes or sturdy plastic sacks to mail to recyclers. The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers’ Mail-Back Recycling Program accepts clean expanded polystyrene at any of their 47 participating locations across the country which are listed at epspackaging.org/images/stories/National_Mail_Back_Locations.pdf.
Recycle material such as Styrofoam cups and pressed polystyrene egg cartons, meat trays and other foam food containers at recycling centers operated by Dart Container in 15 states, Canada and Mexico.
Empty and rinse the Styrofoam cups, egg cartons, meat trays and other foam food containers. Make sure they are free of food remnants.
Pack the cups and containers into transparent plastic bags and write your name or organization and phone number on the front. Take it–or package and mail it–to one of the recycling centers found at dartcontainer.com/web/environ.nsf/pages/drop-off.html.
Recycling materials instead of letting them sit in a landfill has led to the development of new technologies to deal with almost any type of material. According to Seawolf Design, fiberglass insulation and pressed panels used to be difficult to reuse but now can be used in many ways. Most homeowners encounter fiberglass material when removing and replacing old insulation, or in the form of corrugated panels. Both of these materials can be remade into boats, spray insulation, and many other items.
Call your city or county waste management office. Ask if any of the recycling centers in your area accept fiberglass insulation.
Contact the state environmental protection department and ask about hazardous waste recycling. The United States Environmental Protection Agency website explains that each state has at least one office that can help you find a proper recycling outlet for your fiberglass.
Find a company or association that specializes in recycling fiberglass. The experts at Fiberglass World maintain a list of such organizations from all around the world.
Wrap the fiberglass insulation or paneling in heavy plastic garbage bags and seal them with duct tape. Wear work gloves, safety goggles and a respirator while handling insulation to avoid eye or skin irritation.
Salvage and reuse the fiberglass panels or insulation. If the batts of fiberglass insulation are still intact, they may be able to be used again as they are. Broken pieces of fiberglass paneling can be reused for smaller projects, such as a miniature greenhouse.
Time required: 10-15 minutes, 1-2 times per day (may take several weeks)
Here’s How:
Choose one simple word for the bark command. The word should be easy to remember and used consistently. Good choices: “speak,” “bark” or “talk.”
Choose one simple word for the quiet command. This word should also be easy to remember and used consistently. Good choices: “enough,” “quiet,” or “hush.”
When your dog barks, briefly acknowledge it by checking for the source (look out the window or door, go to your dog). Then, get her attention with a clap, whistle or similar sound.
Immediately after the barking stops, say your quiet command in a firm, audible and upbeat voice while giving a treat.
Practice the “quiet” command frequently. You can do this anytime she barks, but keep sessions brief.
Once your dog seems to understand “quiet,” you can move onto the bark command.
Create a situation that will cause your dog to bark. The best method is to have a friend ring the doorbell or knock on the door. As this occurs, say your speak command in a clear, upbeat voice.
After your dog barks 2-3 times in a row, say “good speak!” in a clear, upbeat voice while giving a treat.
Repeat the speak command process several times until your dog seems to understand.
Once your dog learns “speak” and “quiet” separately, you can use them together – have your dog speak a few times, then tell her to be quiet.
Save Your Money by Manufacturing Your Own Chopsticks
If you want to make your own chopsticks, you’ll be happy to know it’s not as difficult as you might think. If nothing else, it’s a great way to spend some hours in the workshop. The following instructions will give you the basics to make your own chopsticks. Practice will allow you to create unique and handmade gifts for family and friends. Read on to learn more.
Begin with 2 rectangular blocks of wood. Aspen is the most commonly used for chopsticks. Make sure the blocks are larger than the length of the final project.
Carve away the excess wood until you are left with the general shape of the chopsticks you want to create.
Sand away the excess wood to finalize the shape of your chopsticks using either a sanding block or a hand sander.
Work cautiously to avoid making chopsticks that are too flimsy or breaking through the wood entirely.
Stop often to test the way the chopsticks fit in the hand. Continue this process until you are happy with the final outcome. Make sure both chopsticks are the same length and feel similar in your hand.
Give the final product a good sanding with the finest sandpaper available. This step is critical to prevent splinters when chopsticks are in use.
Finish the chopsticks with either lacquer, non-toxic paint or by oiling. Whatever method you use, be sure to research the product carefully if you plan on using your chopsticks or giving as gifts to someone who may use them.
Kids find painting fun and relaxing. Why not try making a different kind of painting. Did you know you can create a masterpiece with some paint and a toothbrush? You can. It’s easy and entertaining, but very messy. You are going to have to do this craft in a area that can get splattered. The best place to do this outdoors.
Find a location that can be easily cleaned. The outdoors for this project is ideal. If not, make sure you completely cover all areas with newspaper.
Make sure you are wearing old clothes that you don’t care about. Or if you are doing this activity outside you can wear a bathing suit and a plastic smock.
Design some shapes you can use for your painting. Draw those shapes on one of your pieces of paper. You can have two or three big shapes or five to seven small shapes. Your shapes can have a theme such as fish in the sea, or animals in the desert. Once you are done drawing your shapes cut them out.
Place your shapes on to another sheet of paper.
Dip your toothbrush in to your paint. Whatever color you like is fine. Now splatter the paint across your paper by running your fingers across the bristles of your toothbrush. Don’t worry if any paint gets on your shapes at this point. Do this as many times as you like with as many colors as you like. You can do one color across the top and another across the bottom or do them both all over the page. You are the artist so you choose.
Now remove your shapes to see that your painting is now complete. The spots where your shapes were are now white and they stand out. Isn’t that neat?
Leave your paper out to dry and then hang up or place on your refrigerator.
Choose some fabric with a large-scale pattern. Go to your local art supply store and buy 4 lengths of wood frame made for stretching canvas. The wood strips have corners designed to interlock. (Or you can cover an existing blank stretched canvas, but it will get pricey if you go very big.)
In local art stores the wood strips were standing in bins, available in lengths all the way from super short to too long to manage. Buy two each of 50″ and 34.” Each piece is just a couple bucks. Push the corners together, pounding them with a hammer if needed. Cut your fabric to a size somewhat larger than your frame; you’ll need enough to wrap around to the back. Iron the fabric; wrinkles will show!
Position your fabric the way you like it and use a staple gun to tack it down. I stapled along a long edge, then did the opposite side, pulling it very tight. Next do the short sides, one at a time. Trim off any extra fabric that hangs past the inner edges of the frame. To finish the corners, tuck in the extra fabric as if you’re wrapping a present and then staple it down. It doesn’t matter how you do it as long as it looks tidy from the front. The art store gave me a wooden tool to help with this, but it’s not essential. Attach a picture hanger (or maybe two if your panel is large) and hang.
This will be your home-made fog machine. It uses the same regular fog juice used in store-bought fog machines. You can buy the juice from Terror by Design, Spencers, or party/theatrical supply stores (check your yellow pages). You can also make your own juice. It’s less expensive, but there may be legal issues if the general public is going to breathe your fog. According to the Halloween-L archives: “For fog juice, mix 15% to 35% glycerin to distilled water.
Experiment, the less glycerin you use the cheaper and cleaner your fog will be but it will also be lighter and not last as long.” You don’t have to use distilled water with my fog machine design because there’s no heat exchanger to get clogged. You can get small amounts of glycerin at a drug store, or larger amounts from restaurant supply companies.
A piston air pump (bought at the local surplus store for $5) squirts the juice onto an inverted, disassembled iron (bought at a garage sale for $1). The iron is on all the time. It’s held above the juice by long bolts from the bottom of the box. The wooden box is sealed and waterproofed inside with a kind of paint called C.R.A.E. (Corrosion-Resistant Acrylic Enamel.)
Any thick, waterproof paint will work. If you build something like this, be certain to keep enough space between the wood and the iron, you don’t want to start a fire! Any device like this should be thoroughly tested before being used unattended. Heat it up without juice in it to be sure it won’t burst into flames when it runs out of juice.
The juice is pumped into a metal tube 4 inches above the iron with several pin-holes in it to distribute the juice over the hot surface. The heat vaporizes the juice into fog. Fans (salvaged from an old computer) on both ends of the box blow the fog out the front of the machine. Unvaporized juice runs back down into the reservoir. The intake for the pump is a metal tube glued to the side of the box with water-proof epoxy. It’s bent 90 degrees at the bottom and the end is covered with a screen to keep little bits of junk out of the pump.
Give everybody in the wedding party masks to wear that feature celebrity faces. When the bride and groom walk into the reception, they will find themselves looking at an A-list celebrity party. This can create huge laughs, especially if Mom and Dad are wearing the most outrageous of the masks. You can even theme it based on groups of families and friends. One part of the family may be the Brady Bunch, and the other part may be the Osbournes. Have fun with it.
