Now that my life is getting back to a normal pace, I am trying to recap what has happened in the last month since I have graduated....
For starters, let me just tell you the Short family really knows how to throw a party! Many months of research on Pinterest, constructing items, shopping, ordering items,prepping, etc, my graduation celebration extravaganza came together quite nicely!! I can't thank my family and everyone else who helped with the shin-dig enough!
Of course I wanted it to be fun for everyone (and for it to look cute)... but I also wanted my party to be affordable! Nothing drives me more nuts, than cheaply made items you can only use once....especially if you can make something BETTER! All decorations were either handmade, or items that I can reuse in my future classroom. I chose to select colors that I could see myself using in my classroom, rather than my university colors. Choosing colors that you like, rather than your school colors, makes it really personable. I had family friends compliment how much the party reflected my personality, and that was so good to hear. :)
I wish I would of had more pictures of the specific details, but honestly I was just having too much fun to take a bunch of pictures ;)
Miss Short Chalkboard
Like I said before... I am cheesy when it comes to themes. Being an education major, I made my party items to reflect items that would be in a classroom.
Have you ever been invited to a party and you get to the street, and even though you have the address you're still not sure if you have the right house (even with a bunch of cars scattered in the street)? What better way to make it personal by putting a huge sign! I refurbished this old sign into a chalkboard to write my "teacher name" to direct to people to all the fun. We had a light shining on it so people could even see it at night ;) Talk about a bright idea.
*Big shout out to my cousin who gave me this item, which I refurbished into a chalkboard :)
Colorful Frames
I am all about thrift shopping!!! Frames are so inexpensive at goodwill or at garage sales. Give them an easy and fun makeover by taking out the glass and spray-painting them fun colors. In the backyard I went with a variety of colors to make it super fun and summer like! "What do you plan on doing with all those frames when you are done?" Well you better believe, I will be using some of them to frame things in my classroom... (Or future house)! Boo-ya!
I probably spent no more than $15 with paint and frames... and I got a lot of frames!!
This banner cost no more than $7!!
Helpful tip: If the item isn't on sale at Hobby Lobby when you go, more than likely it will be on sale the following week. Also remember the 40% coupon you can get on phone to use on any item not on sale! Bring a friend so you can have them use a coupon on another item of yours too! I brought my mom each time so we could get two items 40% off!
Paparazzi Photo Booth
Photo booths are SOOOOO much fun at parties!! Why rent an expensive photo booth, when you can MAKE one?! My dad, being a wonderful craftsman, made the backdrop for my booth. All we did was made a wall, use some extra curtains we had laying around the house, and added some decorations. All props that we used we either had around the house, or we got at the dollar store!!!
Photo booths are great because they force people to take pictures, which I was able to go back and look at! Great memories!
Of course I had a hashtag that went with my party too #missshort14 :)
Of course I had a hashtag that went with my party too #missshort14 :)
*A big shout out to Roger who took all my photo booth pictures!!
Encouraging Words / Guest Book
My absolutely favorite part of my party was this children's book ( I know that sounds silly). If you have ever read the story, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!” by Dr. Seuss, you will know that it is beyond perfect for inspiration! Honestly, this was a last minute touch I decided to go with, to have guests sign in. I left this book in an area that was noticeable with a sign that directed my guests to pick any page to leave encouraging words.
There were so many things I liked about this! One of them was knowing that people took their time to leave a message. Some chose a certain page that they felt reflected their message, some wrote funny jokes to make me laugh (I love laughing), and most left such loving words that left me teary eyed the next morning when I read them. Reflecting back on those words, made me realize how blessed I am with knowing such WONDERFUL people! Goodness!
Blasty- Blast!
Miss Short Coming to a Classroom Near You
