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Time to "Fall"unteer | Ideas for Giving Back this Season

8 Fun Ways to Give Back with Family & Friends this Fall

Colder weather means even warmer hearts! Have FUN this Fall with these creative ways to give back and practice random kindness:

1. Ding Dong Surprise. Ding dong ditch some delicious, festive treats for your favorite teacher or school staff member by wrapping and leaving them - in secret, or at the doorway after you quickly knock and run.

2. Treat or . . . Treat? Wouldn't a new neighbor or old friend be wickedly surprised when you family comes to trick or treat and instead leaves a delicious treat or gift for them on Halloween? Get your kids involved and they'll be as thrilled for this surprise as that king size candybar.

3. Game Day. NFL Sunday & World Series viewing boasts good food, good friends and good . . . giving! Turn attendance to your game day party into a way to collect non-perishable food and goods to donate to your local food bank.

4. Warm & Cozy. You're kids new winter coats might look totally fab, but are their old ones still any good? Collect gently used cold-weather apparel with your kids in your own home and donate to a local charity story or family shelter.

5. Pumpkin Party. You're planning on a family night carving session anyways, so why not find a pumpkin to purchase to support a good cause. Google local Pumpkin Patch fundraisers in your area and reserve one today.

6. Halloween Candy Buy Back: Find a participating dentist in your area and let your kids cash in or swap out their Halloween candy for other goodies; the candy is donated for care packages to our troops overseas. More info here

7. Extra Dinner. Are the kids already helping you whip up a batch of your favorite squash and pumpkin seed soup? Make bonus servings and deliver to an elderly neighbor or local family in need.

8. Fired Up. Show your civil servants some appreciation this Fall. Get a group of families together to deliver warm cider and baked goods to your nearby fire or police station.

 

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Five Fall-themed Finger Foods

Whether you are planning a family potluck or tailgating on game day, these finger foods will make an impression on your guests. From the saucy to the spicy there is something her for every taste.

Fantastic Finger Foods for Fall

Jalapeno Popper Burger Bombs via Life of a Ginger

 

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Chicken and Waffle Bites via Harper Mondays

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Slow-cooker BBQ Glazed Kielbasa via Julie Measures

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BBQ Chicken Dip via Adventures of a Frugal Mom

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Pesto Chicken Sliders via A Magical Mess

 

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Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers via Home Made Interest

 

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Related posts:

5 Steps to Potluck Perfection

SignUp.com Potluck Ideas

Potluck Printables

Easy Peazy Planning | Halloween & Fall Parties

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Pumpkins, Candy and Class Parties!

Your classroom Halloween or Fall party is just around the corner - are you ready? Start planning now in order to have a stress-free, festive Halloween party the whole class (and your teacher) enjoys!

Tips for a successful Halloween class party:

Celebration Check: Ask the teacher for the school policy on what holidays can be celebrated – make sure Halloween is one of them, and if not, try a Fall leaves or Harvest theme.

Craft Projects: Plan a craft that can be easily completed in 10-15 minutes and fits with the suggested theme. Ensure the craft parent volunteer has EVERYTHING needed and brings full craft kits (glue, scissors, etc.), also a trash bag for clean up. Don’t assume the teacher will provide all items. Check out fun Fall crafts HERE

Party Favors: Hand out colorful, festive pencils, candy, Halloween stickers, erasers or other school supplies as party favors or as prizes for games. 

Snacks: Keep it simple and portable, and plan extras for the teacher, staff and parent helpers. Are there allergies or school guidelines to consider? Pumpkin treats are always a hit – check out this blog post for 5 easy pumpkin snacks kids love!

Decorations: A colorful tablecloth, balloons, and hand-cut paper pumpkins are inexpensive and go a long way to making a room look festive. Add some spooky (but fun) Halloween music to complete the mood.

Memories: Pick a volunteer to take photos or videos of the party and share with the parents who could not come. Upload to a shared online album, private facebook page or class blog.

Relax and have fun! Your kids love having you help in their class. Halloween can be fun for everyone – including YOU!

Bonus: Get more class parents involved in the festive fun with free online sign up sheets! For class party signup templates, click here.

Here's to a fantastically planned class Halloween party and a safe and fun Halloween!

 

Don't miss:

Class Party Ideas on Pinterest

Halloween Party Games & Activity Ideas

Halloween School Party Activity Sheets

Fall Craft & Snack Ideas

Halloween Craft Ideas

Halloween Class Party Snack Ideas

Halloween School Party Online Sign Up Sheets

Free Halloween Class Party Sign Up Templates

Ask any kid and they'll tell you that Halloween is one of their favorite holidays . . .from the candy to the costumes to the CLASS PARTIES, Halloween is a time of pure imagination and fun frights!  

Room Moms and Dads, your class parties are just around the corner and it's time to make the switch from clipboards and reply-all emails to free and easy online sign up sheets with reminders!

 

 

 

School Halloween Party Sign Up Sheet (Organizer Screen) - Day: Organizers can quickly schedule times volunteers are needed to help with activities as well as items they require for the party which volunteers can bring. 

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Halloween Party Online Sign Up Sheet - Volunteer View (Day):  Volunteers access the sign up sheet via invitation or activity link, click the Sign Up button for the shift/task they can help with, and Confirm their spots!

Helpful Tips & Hints to Remember for this year's School Halloween Party

 

• Siblings: Ask the teacher before inviting

• Craft Projects: Ensure the craft parent volunteer has EVERYTHING needed – e.g. a trash bag for clean up. Don’t assume the teacher will provide all items.
  
   
• Kids under 10: Divide them into small groups, rotate them through activity “stations” (10-15 min each) and have at least one parent per station.
  
   
• Prizes: Hand out pencils or other school supplies as favors.
  
   
• Snacks: Plan extras for the teacher, staff and parent helpers.
  
   
• Wagon: Hands-down the best way to tote party supplies to/from the classroom.
  
   
• Decorations: A colorful tablecloth adds festivity and plastic ones are inexpensive. Balloons, streamers, and curled ribbon also go a long way to transforming a classroom into a party room.
  
   
• Memories: Ask a parent to volunteer to take photos or videos of the party and share with the parents who could not come.
  
   
• Remember: Relax and have fun! The elementary years go by quickly. Celebrate these moments with your children.