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| Miss Olive's
Green Scene
At the risk of clashing woefully
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with the pink and
red hues of Valentine’s Day, I feel compelled to add a splash of green. My Betties recently gave me this alarming news from The Greeting Card
Association: approximately one billion  valentine cards are sent
world-wide each year. Only
Christmas ranks higher as a card-sending holiday. Most of those cards, along with thousands of candy boxes, wrapping
paper and ribbons, go to the landfill each year.
Dearies, please consider E-cards. These not only cut down on paper, but
also reduce the carbon footprint, since the cards don’t travel through the
mail.
To save on paper and
ribbon, consider giving your gift in a reusable bag. If you do decide to use wrapping paper, choose one made of 100% post consumer recycled paper. This
is made from paper that was brought to a recycle center. Also try to find paper printed with soy
or vegetable ink, so that, once disposed of, it can biodegrade without harming
the environment.
Instead of cut flowers, why
not give a potted plant or herb?
Many plants, including palms, dracaena and ficus, actually help purify
the air you breathe. Potted herbs
continue giving, as you enjoy them in your cooking.
As a gift to your
sweetheart, think about completing a task or two from your “Honey-do”
list. This is an opportunity to
give something truly meaningful without spending much money.
If you are fortunate enough
to be gifted sweets in a delightful container, save it for reuse. Next year, you can fill it with
homemade chocolates from Whole Foods or Schakolad – or with your own confections.
Consider making a heart-shaped
box into a charming clock for a little girl’s room. Buy the inner workings at a craft store, poke a hole in the
lid for the hands and insert the workings. Glue the lid to the base and cut a
hole in the base for access to the battery.
I personally have an old heart-shaped
box filled with love letters, ticket stubs and sundry romantic souvenirs from former
suitors. Of special note are an
exquisite silver bell and three feathers from one particularly romantic evening…
Pardon, I must dab my eyes… sniff…
Now then.
Some chocolates come in
formed plastic molds. These are
lovely for storing small craft items, such as beads, buttons, charms, and small
shells. Or they can be used for
mixing paint.
Wishing you a most romantic
–-and green --
Valentine’s Day, Dearies! 
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For this was Saint Valentine's Day, When every bird cometh there to choose his mate. |
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Plan a Party!
With Valentine’s Day comes an air of light-hearted
celebration. It’s a warm red
glow in the middle of our coldest month.
Children dash to school, bookbags fairly bursting with whimsical
messages for classmates and teachers.
And surely, at lunch – a party! Time for snipping paper hearts, reading poems aloud
and sharing sweets and good feelings.
 It’s a festive, decadent time of truffles and
champagne, plump strawberries dipped in finest chocolate… Brave hearts wax eloquent, even a
little sappy. What better time to
have a party?! And not necessarily
a Valentine’s Day party, either.
Just take the spirit and share yourself with friends.
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"Where Do I Begin?"
 It doesn’t take much to have a party.
First you need a reason – or you can
make one up. Next you need guests,
or else, admit it, it’s not really a party. Then, find a place for those guests, add some food and
drinks, and … congratulations – you’re a host!
Not difficult, right? Yet, the thought of planning a party sends shivers of alarm
through us. Maybe we’re cowed by
imaginary comparisons to Martha Stewart.
If so, that’s too bad.
We’re robbing ourselves and our friends of a lot of fun and some great
memories.
If you want to have a party but feel trepidation,
here’s a tip: Don’t call it a party.
Call it having a few friends
over. A get-together. A little gathering. That’s what it is, after all, right?
Ready?
Here’s what you do:
1. Decide what the occasion is. An upcoming birthday or holiday may
suggest a theme – e.g., Valentine’s Day, Superbowl, St. Patrick’s Day. A theme will help you with other elements
of the party – er, gathering.
2. Pull out your calendar and pick a date.
3. Decide how many guests you will invite.
4. Determine where the gathering will be and what time
of day.
5. Invite your guests. Calling or emailing is acceptable, but paper invitations are
always appropriate. (Use
post-consumer recycled paper.)
These can be funny or serious, depending on the tone you want your party
to have.
Note: This is a turning point. Once you have invited guests, make no
mistake: you are having a gathering.
Oh, let’s be brave: a
party! Do not panic! Worrying that things won’t turn out
perfectly, wastes a tremendous amount of energy. Send that energy to your sense of fun. Let it invigorate you and rally your
creative juices! Remember,
perfection is not the goal here.
Enjoyment is!
6. When you know how many guests are coming, plan for
food and drinks. You can make your
own food or have it catered. Time
of day and theme can influence your menu choices. Choose make-ahead
items, so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen. Consider setting up a buffet, so guests
can help themselves. How about a big pot of chili, corn bread and a large
salad? Or ask guests to each bring
a dish to pass. If you do, though,
make sure this is clear when you invite them.
7. Decorate.
This is optional.
Decorations help create the mood you’re going for, but you don’t need
extravagant flowers or expensive store-bought items. Let your theme suggest colors and creative decorations. Valentine’s Day suggests red, pink and
purple; lace and hearts. Why not
hole-punch all the hearts from a cheap deck of cards, and hang them in doorways? Superbowl Party? Buy some crepe paper in the teams’
colors and drape it overhead and around your TV room.
8. Play music.
Also optional, but easy to provide. Again, your theme can suggest a type of music, or at least a
mood. If you don’t have an
extensive collection, check out your local library for CDs to borrow.
9. Plan activities: Optional again.
Just getting together with friends is usually enough. A good ice-breaker, if needed, is “Who
Am I?” As guests arrive, place a
sticker with a famous person’s name on each person’s back. The group will enjoy asking each other
yes-or-no questions to determine their own identities. This gets strangers talking right
away. Valentine’s Day can
feature famous lovers. St.
Patrick’s Day – famous Irish people.
You get the idea…
If you’re new at hosting parties, start out
small. Invite a few friends who
already know each other and get along.
If serving food scares you, order pizza. Worried your guests will be bored? Have a game theme and ask each guest to bring a favorite
game. Above all, remember, you’re
providing your guests – and yourself -- a relaxing evening of good
company. Enjoy!
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For large events, weddings, corporate affairs, mitzvahs, even
children’s parties, professional event planners, such as The Betty Brigade, can
help. From handling every detail
to managing one or two aspects of your event, we help you create a vision and
then make it happen.
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