what to do

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Family Day Ideas

Posted by Judy Bird on February 2, 2015
Posted in: Family Day, Sports, Winter Fun. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Tubing Fun

In recognition of the importance of the family, some provinces in Canada have made the 3rd Monday of February in each year a public holiday. This is not a federally established holiday and there are some variations to the dates chosen depending on province. Family Day was created to give people time to spend with their families and encourage positive family togetherness.

Family is Important

The family unit, whether talking the nuclear family (smaller family unit with adult(s) and child(ren) or the larger extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents), is very important for a number of reasons and should be nurtured to be a healthy structure with values conducive to physical and mental well being. Knowing you have a supportive family network is encouraging and can lower stress levels. Taking the time to focus on family and promote healthy positive relationships within that family unit is positive for the individual, family and then subsequently, the community.

What To Do

Common Family Day activities include skating, snowboarding/skiing, watching movies, playing board games, crafting, attending winter festivals, tobogganing or going to art centers and museums.  Your community newspapers will always list a number of events happening on Family Day in your city or town to give you ideas and help plan your day with family. 

You Know Your Family Best

Having a discussion prior to the day of what everyone would like to do together is a great idea.  Take everyone’s thoughts and opinions into consideration and let everyone know you are making this time together a priority.  Even if you don’t get the day off work you can plan to do an activity that evening or schedule another day that will work best for your family.

Pick an activity that will be fun for everyone to do together whether staying in the home or venturing out somewhere.  You might want to include other families in your neighbourhood to join in on your planned activity.  One family I know is planning a tobogganing event on Eventastic and is inviting relatives and other families to join in. Their event page displays all the details of their proposed special day, many fun photos from times past, a registration link and even a donation link to the cause that is near and dear to their heart.

Just Have Fun

Be creative. Relax. Let your hair down. Have fun with your family. It’s why it was created.

Create your Family Day event for free now on Eventastic.

 

Team Building Golf Game Great for Workplace Productivity

Posted by Judy Bird on July 9, 2014
Posted in: Charity, Event Planning, Fundraising, Golf. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Golf Team Building Day

Every workplace knows that having a great team of workmates leads to a more positive work experience for everyone and even higher productivity. Sometimes creating that team feeling can feel a bit challenging when personal or work stresses are high or staff changeover occurs.

Build an ‘All In’ Attitude

Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, both employee engagement consultants, wrote a book entitled: “ALL IN: How the Best Managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results”.  The authors talk about E+E+E.  The triple E’s stand for engaged, enabled and energized. Employee engagement refers to an employee attachment to the company and his/her willingness to put in the extra effort.  Enabled refers to the company environment in terms of supporting the employee’s productivity and performance. Energized of course is the employee’s feeling of well-being and sense of drive. The research comes from the collection of data from 700 companies and confirmed their theory of high-performance business results from companies with high engagement scores.

It makes sense that organizing a team building day outdoors could help to energize and re-fuel office minds. Getting to know your workmates in a friendly, fun environment and picking an activity where skill level varies (just as it does within the office environment) is a great way to build office moral and encourage teamwork.

Team Golf Event To Foster Relationship Building

An office golf day is a great way to team build. Playing a Scramble allows for golfers and non-golfers to enjoy a day of outdoor fun together with a sport most are familiar with. In a scramble all team members tee off on each hole. As a team, the members decide on the best tee shot and then all players play their second shot from that spot. The best of the second shot is then determined and so on until the ball is put in the hole. A mix of golfer expertise is advised for each team usually consisting of 4 players. Food and beverages to follow with Team Building Awards is a great added touch to the day.

Use Eventastic to organize a team building day that will help create the office buzz you are looking for prior to your event.

6 Event Website Features on Eventastic To Leverage

  • 1. Upload multiple enticing cover photos to market
  • 2. Include a personal event invite video
  • 3. Provide all the event details in one location
  • 4. Register attendees with the easy to use sign-up functionality
  • 5. Allow photo-sharing during & after the event day
  • 6. Allow charity donations for a favourite office fundraising cause plus more…

So get started now in organizing your office team building day.

100 Fun Things To Do This Summer

Posted by Judy Bird on July 2, 2014
Posted in: Event Planning, Party, Party Games, Summer Fun. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

It's summer!!! …great things to do for fun.

It’s summer!

You’ve waited and waited for it to come. School’s out! Time off! Now what!? You’ve probably planned for some things to do this summer but what do you do in those ‘down moments’ where you want to do something but can’t figure out what that ‘something’ is? Let’s see if we can inspire you.

I’m bored . . . what can I do?

1. Create some art pieces and have an art show

2. Make a new party playlist of favourites

3. Organize a walk-a-thon for a favourite charity & plan your route

4. Plan a pool party

5. Practice somersaults and cannonballs for your pool party

6. Make cupcakes and decorate with funny faces for a bake sale

7. Organize a bike-a-thon with friends to a new destination

8. Plan a neighbourhood BBQ with outdoor games

9. Gather items for a neighbourhood garage sale

10. Have a crafting party and paint rocks with words of wisdom

11. Organize a card party at a retirement home

12. Start a book club

13. Make friendship bracelets for an upcoming craft sale

14. Volunteer at a local charity event

15. Plan a dorm summer reunion

16. Have a zumba party

17. Have an afterwork impromptu potluck BBQ

18. Plan a bootcamp day for friends with a personal trainer

19. Organize a neighbourhood dog walking excursion

20. Have a retro kids game party with hopscotch, skipping, twister etc.

21. Make a list of campfire games like ‘recite the alphabet backwards’ & ‘Never have I ever…’

22. Gather recipes for the neighbourhood bake sale

23. Plan a poker night

24. Organize a tye-die party get-together with friends

25. Record a fun video for your party invite

26. Make brownies for a girls’ home movie night

27. Organize a slumber party

28. Organize a volleyball tournament with friends

29. Plan a day of horseback riding with friends

30. Coordinate a motorcycle ride for charity

31. Plan a retro-movie night

32. Plan a Luau Party with Hawaiian theme decor and food

33. Learn a magic trick for your next get-together with friends

34. Plan a team building day with workmates

35. Plan a picnic

36. Plan a day at the beach with friends

37. Organize a wine and cheese party

38. Arrange a makeover party with the girls

39. List all the makings for an ice-cream sundae party

40. Organize a sleepover

41. Make a list of music videos for your Retro Party

42. Make a collage of family pics for the next birthday party

43. Plant flower seeds in individual little pots as party favors

44. Start making your guest list for your Toga Party

45. Buy new PJ’s for your slumber party

46. Organize a neighbourhood baseball game

47.  Send invites to an impromptu 70’s Themed BBQ

48. Experiment making sushi rolls for appetizers with pizzazz

49. Organize a camping trip with friends

50. Plan a campfire with friends

51. Invite a group of friends to go dirt biking

52. Plan an evening of pizza and video games

53. Invite friends to make and bury a time capsule

54. Plan a bowling get-together

55. Invite friends for a Karaoke Party

56. Organize an evening out with friends to watch a play at a local theatre

57. Plan a winery tour

58. Plan a fishing trip with some buddies

59. Google ghost stories for your campfire

60. Plan a perennial plant exchange luncheon

62. Organize a bake sale

63. Invite a group of friends for a day of boating

64. Organize an evening of mini-golf

65. Plan a potluck deck party

66. Invite friends to play old favs like ‘Snakes & Ladders’ and ‘Sorry’

67. Plan a Beer Pong tournament

68. Google some new dance moves for Friday night out

69. Have a movie party with drinks and popcorn

70. Plan your birthday party

71. Play a beach badminton tournament

72. Organize friends to volunteer somewhere for an afternoon

73.  Fill a baby pool with water & invite friends for an impromptu pool party

74.  Make a lemonade stand and send invites to all the neighbours

75. Plan a “Hollywood Party”

76.  Get friends together for a sandcastle competition

77.  Plan a day at a theme park

78.  Go through recipe books for cool new appetizer ideas

79.  Make a country music playlist for a weekend hoedown

80. Invite friends for yoga on the beach

81. Plan a canoeing trip

82. Plan and invite friends to a rock climbing excursion

83. Invite friends for a jewellery making craft day

84. Organize a go-carting event

85. Plan a day of mountain biking

86. Organize a bus trip to a concert

87. Plan your own Arts & Crafts Show

88. Make a cool invite for friends to join you at the cottage

89. Play paintball with a group of friends

90. Invite friends to a gourmet dinner

91. Martini’s anyone?

92. Plan a bus trip to the zoo

93. Find a new treasure at a bookstore for suggested reading at your book club

94. Invite friends for an afternoon of basketball

95. Organize a road hockey tournament

96. Organize a day at the water slides

97. BINGO! Gather small funny prizes and get some friends together

98. Plan a couples pizza making competition where everyone votes at the end of evening

99. Organize a rollerblading get-together

100. Plan a party on Eventastic!  

Eventastic is an online platform where you create your party or event using cool video and photosharing technology and send invites to guests with all the pertinent details.  With a menu of features including such things as registration, merchandise and ticket sales, guest funding, donations/fundraising and silent auction, you choose and add the features you need to make your event successful.

Caribana Toronto – A Caribbean Festival for You and Your Family

Posted by Judy Bird on June 5, 2014
Posted in: Caribana, Event Planning, Promotions, Summer Fun. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Caribana Toronto, Amazing package offers!

What is Caribana?

Caribana is a fabulous festival of Caribbean culture and traditions celebrated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada every year since 1967, Canada’s Centennial year. It was originally performed as a gift from the West Indian community in Canada to reflect Carnival events that take place in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribana launches this year on July 8, 2014 and promises a 3-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine and performing arts.

Caribana Highlights for 2014.

Celebrating its 47th anniversary this year, Caribana will be highlighting several events of interest including:

  1. Official Launch – July 8, 2014 – Nathan Phillips Square – 12pm – 2pm & 4pm – 8pm, Free for All!
  2. Opening Service – July 13, 2014 – Church of the Nativity – 10am, Free for All!
  3. Junior Carnival – July 19, 2014 – Neilson Park – 11am – 6pm, Free Event!
  4. Festival Gala – July 25, 2014 – Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex – 5:30pm – 2am, Cocktails, Dinner, Awards, After Party
  5. King & Queen Competition & Show – July 31, 2014 – Allan Lamport Stadium – 7pm – 12am, Singles, Couples, Family, Dance
  6. Diamond Fashion Show – July 31, 2014, Included in Most Unique Destination Events Wknd Package or sold separately.
  7. Summer Slamm – August 1, 2014 – Wilson Ave. Outdoor Arena – 7:30pm – 11pm
  8. Jab Jab J’Ouvert – August 1, 2014 – Wilson Ave. Outdoor Arena – 11pm – 4:30am
  9. Cabana Pool Party – August 1, 2014, Included in Most Unique Destination Events Wknd Package
  10. Grand Parade – August 2, 2014 – Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Blvd – 9am – 6pm, Free & Paid Event; $5 Early Bird
  11. Socialites Caribana Ball – August 2, 2014, Included in Most Unique Destination Events Wknd Package
  12. Carnival Island – August 3, 2014 – Olympic Island – 12pm

Never a dull moment, with over a million people expected to attend this years festivities, don’t delay in marking your calendars and booking your overnight stay!

Most Unique Destination Events Packages.

Eventastic is excited to support Most Unique Destination Event’s Caribana VIP Weekend Packages running from Thursday July 31 – Saturday August 3, 2014. You will experience excitement, entertainment, cultural experiences and more fun than imaginable with package options including accommodation at Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel, welcome gift, bottle of wine, event options and transportation to the events.

Explore the package details and read more on the Networking Happy Hour, Diamond Fashion Show, Cabana Pool Party, Street Party and Socialites Caribana Ball by clicking here!

Planning Your Summer Camp and Community Program

Posted by Judy Bird on March 11, 2014
Posted in: Event Planning, Promotions, Strategy, Summer Fun. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The first day of spring for 2014 is Thursday March 20 and if you don’t think I’ll be kicking up my heels and whistling Dixie on that day you are sadly mistaken! The excitement is building. Only a month away, already people are gearing up for Spring which means the planning for Spring and Summer community programming is happening now. Parents are discussing and talking with their kids about what they would like to do over the next 6 months.  It’s not just about the kids either. Many adult based programs are also being planned for entertainment as well as educational and recreational purposes.

Camps and Community Programs

Fun at campWhen planning a camp or program there are a few things to consider:

  • Goals & Objectives – What are you hoping to accomplish?
  • Name – Use a short title identifying your program making it easily searchable
  • Participants – Your targeted market of clients; gender, age group, specific talents/interests etc..
  • Time – Is this a daily, weekly or monthly run program/camp? Certain hours? Overnight camp?
  • Venue – Establish where it will take place making it easily accessible to participants
  • Requirements List – What will participants need to bring/buy or will they be supplied?
  • Photography – Gather and use photos from previous years showing people’s positive experiences
  • Advertising -Plan how you will get the word out; social media, email, print, radio, commercial etc…
  • Payment – Establish an easy form of payment. Most people prefer to pay online saving them time

Camps and programs offered in your community can be easily showcased online giving potential participants all the information they need to make the decision to view, sign up and pay for your program.  Eventastic offers a free website which has so many features which allow you to effectively promote, market, accept payment (visa, mastercard, paypal) and even sell merchandise right on your webpage that is accessible on many devices; computer, iPad, etc. So whether you are promoting by sitting at a table in the mall or in an office you can easily fill in the template and use the ticketing feature for registration so that your customers can easily get the information, make the commitment and pay online and add to their calendar.

Camping funNothing is worse than having your child ask if you registered them up for their summer camp and you realize that the signup deadline is that day! As a mom, I know there were many times I would have loved the option of not only seeing all the details of a program but also signing up and paying right online. If you are are a program participant and don’t have the option of paying online tell the organizers about Eventastic.com today.

Promote For March Break Now

Posted by Judy Bird on February 7, 2014
Posted in: Event Planning, March Break, Promotions. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

I’m already being asked what my plans are for March break this year. It’s crazy as I feel that Christmas was just yesterday. If you are planning on doing something special for March break, it is smart to begin the process of planning a couple months prior to the school hiatus.

March Break Programs

My little butterflyMany companies and businesses are in the process of firming up their schedules and finalizing their plans for what they will be offering their customers over the break. Travel agents, attractions, parks, rinks, communities, entertainment facilities, little theatres, clubs, camps etc. all consider what they can offer kids and parents to make that week fun and interesting for all who can partake.

I remember when my kids were young and wanted to participate in a March Break program. It was not only about their interest in a certain theme like sports or crafting, but it was about which company met my need and my children’s interest that reached me first.That’s what is important. Once the decision has been made and the child is excited, a parent is very unlikely to change the decision even if what is being offered beats factors like quality and price. There would have to be a very good reason to make the change.

Timing is Critical

Grandma used to say “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” and I have certainly come to agree with that over the years. Effective advertising will bring the customers to consider what you have to offer and then it’s the details of cost, timing, availability etc. that will hold them to make a decision in your favour. Timing is just as important as the other factors. When creating offerings that are time driven, reaching the client during the time period where they make their decisions is critical.

The key is to not only reach the customer but catch their attention. In today’s world there are many tools at your fingertips to help with the process. Gone are the days of just putting an ad in the local newspaper. Multimedia is where it’s at if you’re going to compete with other companies offering similar services. Parents will pick one program for the week and you want it to be yours!

Forms of Multimedia

  1. Content (Text, Blogs, Articles, Program Itineraries, Testimonials)
  2. Audio
  3. Pictures
  4. Video

Features Making it Easy for You’re Customer

  1. Intriguing and attractive presentation – using various forms of multimedia
  2. Program information readily visible & at their fingertips
  3. Effortless sign up
  4. Easy form of payment – online being the easiest for consumer
  5. Sell related or required merchandise like t-shirts & supplies prior to start date
  6. Program details easily shared through all social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, email etc.
  7. Photos from the week simply shared with parents demonstrating they made the right choice

Eventastic is your free online invite platform allowing you to market your program and not just announce it. Eventastic offers you all of the features listed above to help you be successful. Take a few moments to fill in our template and get the word out now!

Family Day at the Cottage

Posted by Judy Bird on January 22, 2014
Posted in: Family Day, Winter Fun. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

My dream come true: Family Day at the cottage! Politicians knew what they were doing when they made a designated holiday where families could take time off work to spend with their families.  Making it in February is great timing since by then some of us are dreaming of Spring and warmer temperatures where we are more likely to spend time outdoors with family and friends. Family Day encourages us to plan a day of fun with family and forget the humdrum stuff for a day. If you’re lucky enough to own or have access to a cottage it is a perfect location to relax and have fun for the day.

Fun in the Snow

You never really know what the weather will be like for Family Day but being ready for the elements projected is always wise. Should there be snow, we have some ideas that may be intriguing for you.

  • Cross country skiing or snowshoeing around the area
  • Downhill skiing/snowboarding
  • Tubing/sledding
  • Snowmobiling to a destination or just around the area
  • Building a snow fort with cool covered rooms
  • Tromping a maze in fresh snow and play a game of tag
  • Make a snowman family
  • Hiking
  • Skating/hockey

Snuggles with dad in my fort!

Fun Inside

If the weather hasn’t cooperated with your outdoor plans or you wish to stay inside where it’s warm we have other ideas for you. Put on your comfy clothes and consider one of these.

  • Family movie day
  • Playing favourite board/card games
  • Hide and Seek with little ones
  • Drinking games with big ones (pop of course… :))
  • Make your own pizza and share party
  • Crafts time
  • Everyone work on a puzzle and then frame it
  • Electronic games like Wii
  • Karaoke

A cottage is a place where you most likely already are tuned to be in relaxation mode. This makes it a perfect place to celebrate Family Day. Put down the cell phone and close the computer screen for a bit. It’s time to kick back, appreciate family members and enjoy time with them. Hope our suggestions are helpful. Check in with our Family Day Pinterest board for more ideas.

Eventastic is designed to help you creatively market and manage your parties and events where people truly get a feel for what they will experience. People worldwide are now using Eventastic for personal, business and community events and programs.  You’ll have access to multiple features like registration/ticketing, donation and guest funding options, item and service sales options, photo and video upload capability, gamification options and a full dashboard to manage all guest or participant responses.  Try it now!