Honor and Commemorate our Armed Forces this Memorial Day. Memorial Day is just around the corner, it’s time to dust off those grills, gather your friends and family, and get ready to kick off the summer with some delicious food and good times with a Memorial Day BBQ. We look forward to Memorial Day Weekend by planning fun events. However, it’s also important to remember why we’re all able to enjoy a long weekend in the first place. Memorial Day isn’t just about barbecues and beach trips; it’s a day of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It’s a time to honor their courage, valor, and unwavering dedication to our country. It’s in that spirit that we like to kick off the summer by decorating for Memorial Day and remembering the freedom we have in this country. And here’s a little secret: I leave all those decorations up through the Fourth of July to extend our decorating efforts. We will use red, white, and blue to show our patriotic spirit by adding wreaths and flags to our porch décor. We have table runners, banners, plates, cups, napkins, sprinkles, flag picks and patriotic frames that we will use to embellish our celebrations. As for the BBQ itself, you can’t go wrong with classic favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and grilled corn on the cob. We also make a delicious sweet potato salad, coleslaw, and easy baked beans. This is an easy backyard party where most of the prep can be done ahead of time so everyone can enjoy the day. For dessert, we also keep it simple by slicing a watermelon into wedges and putting them out on a platter. We also bake an angel food cake ahead of time, cut it up into cubes or circles using a biscuit cutter, slice some strawberries and with a store-bought can of whipped cream we create an easy DIY strawberry shortcake bar (pictured below). Of course, no BBQ is complete without some good company and perhaps a friendly cornhole tournament in the grass and a pickleball court set up, and racquets on the driveway. So, fire up those grills, raise your glasses to our fallen heroes, and make your Memorial Day BBQ one to remember.
Entertaining
Celebrating Our Graduates…
Graduation is a milestone worth cherishing. It marks a monumental achievement in one’s life, symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Whether it’s transitioning from lower school to high school, high school to college, or from college to the next chapter of life, it’s a momentous occasion that deserves celebration. First and foremost, graduation is not just an individual accomplishment but a collective success, made possible by the support of family and friends. From cheering in the audience at school performances to late-night study sessions, our encouragement and belief in our students form the bedrock of their journey. Congratulations to all of the families and friends who are celebrating graduations this Spring! As our graduates embark on the next phase of their lives, it’s essential to take time to celebrate their achievements. We have compiled a Graduation Gift List and Graduation Gift Labels to help you recognize your graduates. Listed below are more details to make the most of this special occasion: Throw a Graduation Party: Organize a gathering with family and friends to celebrate this significant milestone. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a themed party, a formal dinner, or drop in gathering at a favorite restaurant/bar surround your grads with love and share the joy. We have all of the hosting essentials that you need to make planning simple. Personalized Gifts: Show your support of the graduate with personalized gifts. There are so many custom items you can find like personalized stationary, monogrammed towels, custom luggage (duffel bag or garment bag), college specific swag, alumni items, a work bag or leather notepad case for interviewing/notes. Always add a note sharing why this gift is important and how you hope it supports them going forward. Gifts of Experiences: Consider gifting experiences rather than material items. Concert tickets, a weekend getaway, tix to a sporting event or a cooking class can create lasting memories and provide a well-deserved break after years of hard work. Host a Virtual Celebration: For those unable to gather in person, organize a virtual celebration. Utilize video conferencing platforms to connect with loved ones near and far, share stories, and toast to the graduate’s success. Graduation Dinner: Treat the graduate to a special dinner at their favorite restaurant or host a homemade feast at home. Decorate the table with graduation-themed centerpieces and indulge in delicious food to mark the occasion. Create a Photo/Memory Book: Compile photos, messages, and mementos from family and friends into a memory book – digital or a bound copy. This personalized keepsake will serve as a beautiful reminder of the love and support the grad received on this journey. Useful Gifts: Show your support of the graduate by helping them transition to their next chapter. Perhaps it’s dorm-life supplies like a laundry basket or shower caddy filled with essentials (bedding, hygiene, laundry or charging blocks in addition to an Amazon gift card for additional needs). Maybe it’s some basic needs for the college graduate’s first apartment. Functional gifts may not be the fanciest ones but they help with important essentials. You can always add a special note with the functional gift that shares a personal experience and/or need for the specific gift. Outdoor Picnic: Enjoy the beautiful weather with an outdoor picnic. Perhaps this is a trip to a favorite park, local winery, brewery or local farm (it’s cherry and strawberry picking season). Pack a basket with delicious snacks, sandwiches, and refreshing drinks. Bring along games like frisbee or cornhole for some added fun celebrating your graduate. Books: A book is always a great gift. Think about your graduate and their interests and find a book that fits them. There are a few good options in our book section – Orientation to Graduation book about college life, a Travel Guide or Find Your Why business inspiration book. Custom Piece of Jewelry: A custom piece of jewelry is another gift that signifies the importance of the graduates’ accomplishments. Perhaps it is the purchase of or contribution towards the purchase of a school ring, school cuff links or a piece of jewelry with the school colors (LaFonn is a good option for classic pieces). These gifts will convey your pride in the graduates’ achievements. Graduation is not just about closing one chapter but also about embracing new beginnings. It’s a time for all graduates to reflect on their past accomplishments, express gratitude for the support they’ve received, and a time to look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. So let’s celebrate our graduates and raise a toast to their achievements and wish them success in all their future endeavors!
