Warning, this may become so popular that people request traditions or ask you to teach them more often! In my family we call it THE calendar and it started one year when I was finishing my Masters Degree and had an extremely tight budget. I knew in about 6 months that should change, as I’d already landed a better paying job and would be able to dedicate the hours I put into school back in to work. Being from a family full of crafty women, I am all for homemade gifts. However, my time was tight and I have a whole folder of Pinterest fails so I didn’t want to end up rushing out for a last minute gift, on top of the cost of the glue and glitter used to create homemade. So, THE calendar was born. It is simply a promise, written on paper, for spending time together. It takes the guess work out of what to do and creates excitement to last all year! So, go buy, or make, a calendar and keep reading to spark ideas about what unique twist your schedule will take!
Spa Day
If your budget is larger, go ahead and schedule a day. Most spas have group packages. From scalp massage and facials to manicures and pedicures, everyone loves to be pampered. For a smaller budget, if you don’t have product around your home to use, there are a multitude or do-it-yourself sugar scrubs, coconut oils skin masks, avacoda hair treatments and you name it available with a quick google search. Many fruits, veggies and oils are multi-purpose and can be transformed into spa worthy potions. You can ask people to bring their own favorite supplies or provide a special pair of slippers for each guest. Diffuse some soothing oils, provide mimosas or fruit infused water, some healthy snacks and you have yourself a spa.
TV Series Night
Plan to rent or DVR a favorite series and watch it as a group. Sometimes gift giving can feel high pressure, but instead of the theme being stress let it be something simple that everyone wants to do anyway, then plan to do it together!
Baking Event
Many culinary classes are offered at colleges, wineries or local restaurants. Check out living social or group on for deals near you or if baking is something you like, share your talent and recipes with others. If you have a larger group you could set up a bake-off. Kids love the chance to judge the adults in their life, so if you have kids, get them involved by letting them judge the dishes on taste and presentation. Make score cards and tally the results to award the best baker (or team). This could be the theme of the whole calendar, giving people a fun motivation, as they research new ideas prior to the scheduled rematch! Award a ‘golden’ spatula to the winning team, to be passed around as the winner changes hands. If this is a popular pick for your family, you could mix it up by letting opposing teams pick the ingredients the other teams have to work with. Every dish may not come out perfect, but the time spent together will be priceless
Pallet Project
Pallets are free, or close to, from many businesses. There are thousands of ideas out there on-line about how to re-purpose your pallets into everything from wall art to bed frames to outdoor pathways. There are chic to rustic ways to express your personality with pallets! Grab the person with the most power tools and reuse old paint laying around, or buy sample can for $2.50 from Home Depot, and you are set to have a creative day together
Local Event
You can find tons of local events your friends/family may not have heard or thought of. Sometimes it seems as if everyone knows what’s going on, or that you have no new and unique ideas, but remember we all can’t be everywhere. And having the idea is way different than actually taking the time to plan it out. Whatever comes up in your day-to-day travels that draws your eye and provokes your interest is a good bet for sharing with those close to you. Local home and garden tours, plant exchanges, open mic nights at local coffee houses, apple picking, community concerts, local author book readings, are typically low and no costs options offered by many communities. If you have a friend or family who would want to participate, sign up your group and try a new way to put yourself out there!
Not So Local Event
Painting parties, glass blowing classes, wine tastings and mystery dinners are just a few of the events that are typically offered near you and you can locate by checking out sites such as group on or living social. You can also do knock-offs of such things at home with smaller investments. If you have any talent you have spent your time developing, those close to you will be interested to have you share it.
Gardening Day
Schedule to have your group learn about your interest as an amateur farmer. You could purchase or use recycled glass bottles to force tulip bulbs but adding bulbs (rocks if desired) and water. Or if it is the right time of year to start some container gardens, how fun would that be to do with friends. Use recycled items, such as popsicle sticks for marking seeds, old plastic jugs or egg cartons to start seedling and create a greenhouse effect.
Book Club
You could give a book with your calendar, and plot a day when it will be completed and discussed. Your group can come in costume of their favorite character or just come in something comfortable. Themes always help your event feel special and unique and give guests something to plan for and show their personalities off.
Whatever you choose to include in your calendar, or however many times a year you plan to meet, getting it on paper and giving the gift of time will be remembered long after the perfect gift is forgotten. There is an event for everything and everyone, and with a little thought you will find great ways to spend time with those close to you!
