Planning Your Fall Event

A Fall Favor Idea

Small pumpkin favors can work for weddings, kids parties, and other fall events. Photo courtesy of Debbie Morrow

Having a youngster means going to a plethora of birthday parties and getting those conventional favors most parents give out. You know the ones I’m talking about…the plastic kazoos, rings, bouncy balls, etc.

But there are only so many of those little trinkets a parent can take scattered in one household. So when my own child’s birthday party came around I wanted something different.

I thought, what would make me happy as a kid and a parent?

I bought these small pumpkins three for a dollar from a local farmer. I purchased the favor bags, ribbon, stickers, and markers at the dollar store.

Now not only did I have a favor that was appreciated by kids and parents alike, I had an activity of decorating pumpkins at the party.

I could see this working for other fall events or giveaways from businesses. Instead of stickers or markers within the bag, you could add business cards, a love poem with a bride and groom’s name for fall weddings, and more.

Summertime Casting

Molding: Stage 1

Molding: Stage 1 (Photo credit: Gregory Wild-Smith)

I’ve found another reason to go to the beach. Not only can I catch a wave and a tan, I can cast all sorts of objects! I ran across several tutorials that showed how to make a variety of objects without too much effort.

I had made sand casts before by buying and lugging a 40-pound bag of sand into the garage. I poured it into a box where I pressed an object into wet sand and then poured Plaster of Paris into it.

But by going to the beach, there is no messy garage scene and backs are saved from lugging loads of sand around. Better yet, you’re not restricted to size.

Now you may be wondering how green doing your casting at the beach is, but after you’ve poured your plaster and let it dry, there usually isn’t a residue left behind.

Sometimes, a piece will break off but as responsible citizens of the earth, I’m sure most of us will have the sense to pick up after ourselves.

So check out the step-by-step video and don’t forget the sunscreen for your next casting trip!