Category: Uncategorized

Tips on Celebrating with Kids

A new school celebration gaining popularity in elementary schools across the country is dubbed, “The 100^th Day of School.”  This celebration literally occurs on the 100^th day of the school year. The calendar date varies, due to differences of start dates and inclement weather, but it typically falls in the January-February time frame.

This day provides the opportunity to plan fun activities for young minds.  They can learn new math skills, create a new art project, or stretch their creativity. Here are some 100 days of school ideas to do with your little ones either at school or at home:

1. Practice Counting- Think about it. There are lots of ways to count to 100! You can count by 1s, 5s, 10s, 20s, etc.  100 is an easy, round number for young minds to practice with. Here’s some neat ideas to practice counting!
2. Exercise- Explore ways to get to 100 with your body! Do 10 reps of 10 different exercises, like jumping jacks, sit-ups, or push-ups. Or walk 100 steps and measure the distance of your steps compared to someone else’s. Check out some other fun kid-friendly exercise ideas!
3. Design a necklace- Build fine motor skills by having your children or students string 100 items onto a piece of yarn that they can wear as a necklace. Use cereal such as fruit loops to combine craft time with snack time!
4. Make a t-shirt- Here at WorkPlacePro®, we are all about t-shirts! We love the idea of kids creating their own. Start this project plenty of time in advance, so the child can begin collecting items that they will later glue onto a t-shirt.  Fun ideas might include stickers, pennies, Legos, or sequins.  Let them use fabric paint to decorate and make it their own! We love these creative examples shown here.

The 100^th day of school is not only a great way to have fun, but it’s also a time to reflect on what has been learned so far and what is yet to come.  We wanted to create a t-shirt design that celebrated a memorable school year for this purpose!  Check out our “Best School Year Ever” design here, available until November 14, 2019!

Winter is coming!  While some love the coziness winter brings, this season can be tough for many people.  Proclaimed “winter haters” blame less natural sunlight, colder temperatures, holiday stress, and more sickness as contributors to their negativity.

So, what can you do to brighten someone’s day this winter season?  Below is a list of a few small tips that might make all the difference.

1. Give someone a sincere compliment. Simple enough, right? Complimenting an outfit, a job well done, or telling someone to have a nice day might just be all they need to put a little pep in their step.
2. Make a batch of cookies for a neighbor or friend. Not a huge baker? No problem. Check out these easy, no-bake Christmas cookie recipes.
3. Send Christmas Cards to residents at a nursing home. Even better- get your kids involved! Imagine the love and joy that a nursing home resident would receive through a homemade card.  Get some ideas on easy cards that kids can make here.
4. Pay for someone’s coffee. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read on social media that when someone had their coffee paid for, it completely made their day. Pay it forward!
5. Take breakfast to the firefighters at your local fire station or to the officers at your police station. They brave bad weather on a regular basis to keep their citizens safe.  Here’s another cute idea to show them you much you appreciate what they do for their communities!
6. If you have a child or children that ride the bus to school, bring the bus driver a treat bag such as this one. He or she will appreciate the ray of sunshine on a cold day.
7. Put together some care kits in ziploc bags for those who are homeless. You may want to include chapstick, lotion, gloves, hand warmers, a hat, snack crackers, etc.

Want to further promote kindness this holiday season? Check out our “Cool to be Kind” snowman shirts available for purchase on WorkPlacePro.com!

Doesn’t it seem like the Holidays come earlier and earlier each year? Start making your list and checking it twice now, because the holiday festivities will begin quicker than you can say, “Can I put my decorations up yet? It is September, after all.”

Ahh, the most wonderful time of the year. A time for celebration, family, traditions, decorations, hot cocoa and fuzzy socks. Is there really anything better?

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

One of my favorite traditions that we started a few years back is making a “Christmas Eve” box. We do this with our children, but even if you don’t have kids – adult-sized onesie pajamas are still fun, right? Usually it’s something similar to this. We wear comfy PJs, have hot chocolate and popcorn, watch a holiday movie and read a holiday-themed book. 🙂 It really is fun for everyone, and gets us all settled for that long winter’s nap!

Food, Food and More Food! Did I mention food?

Guys. There are so many different cool ways to make holiday treats! Check out these must-have cookies that are easy and fun. Not to mention the whole family can participate, thus creating more traditions! There are millions of creative ideas for treats – and there is nothing like walking into a room that just smells like holiday cheer!

DIY Projects

Who doesn’t love a good DIY project? The holidays can be expensive. Between traveling, hosting dinners, gifts, cards, parties, however you celebrate – there is almost always a cost involved. Look into some of these DIY decorations that could save you money off the retail price, and yet again, another tradition!

Whatever your traditions may be, however you celebrate your holidays – WorkPlacePro® invites you to celebrate with us. These holiday designs are perfect for numerous professions, or just for fun! Stay safe (and warm) and we wish you all Happy Holidays!

Fall is upon us! Here at WorkPlacePro, we like to celebrate with fun ideas and activities for the whole family! Here are some of our favorites:

1. Pumpkin Patch
   Pumpkin patches are the perfect family outing when the weather starts getting cooler! We are sure that’s no secret. 🙂 Here are some Pumpkin Patch Success ideas, and even ways to have your own Pumpkin Patch at home with your kids, family or friends!
   
2. Fall Crafts
   There is hardly anything more fun than creating crafts from your own ideas, or from the trusty Pinterest boards like this one! Fall comes with so many opportunities, from scarecrows and wreaths to pumpkins and pie! And pumpkin pie….. 🙂 Check out some of these ideas and go crazy with the crafts this season!
   
3. Carving Pumpkins
   Carving pumpkins can be messy, but it’s always worth it! Whether you fancy the masterpieces that can be carved nowadays, or the simple jack o’ lantern style, carving pumpkins is fun for the whole family! And a great way to display your creativity and welcome trick-or-treaters! Which brings me to possibly the most fun fall endeavour….Halloween!
   
4. Halloween
   Halloween is a time for you to step out of your shell and be someone you’ve always wanted to be! Put on a costume, take the kids trick or treating, pass out candy to your community and enjoy the brisk fall air in the process. We have tons of Halloween designs this year that you can use to (pumpkin) spice up your workplace, or just for fun! Check them out here today! Be sure to check out all of our fall designs, as well. 🙂

Fire Prevention week takes place October 6-12th, 2019! Taking steps to ensure you and your family are safe is crucial. Here are some ways to prevent fires from breaking out and to keep them controlled if they do:

1. Check your smoke detectors monthly.
   Checking your smoke detectors is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself if a fire were to happen. Change batteries as needed and test to make sure they’re working properly so you can sleep easy!
2. Take precautions by performing yearly inspections.
   Have your furnace checked yearly to make sure everything is up to code and there are no threats of fire being an issue. Change your furnace filters once a month as well, as they can collect dust easily which is a hazard.
3. Check your water heater.
   Water heaters are often placed in inconvenient places, but it is important to clean around them. Be sure that there is nothing too close to the unit, as they hold high temperatures and can cause fires more often than you’d think. Always keep any heating element free of debris and clear of clutter.
4. Keep ovens and stoves clear.
   When you’re making dinner, cleaning up your kitchen or even bringing in groceries, strategize where you put things in your home. Ovens and stoves should always be clear of towels, paper products and anything that is not meant to be stored in or on them.
5. Watch for frayed wires.
   Never run electrical cords underneath rugs or in between walls and furniture. Watch for any frays in wires, even just a phone charger. Be sure to unplug any device that feels warm from just being plugged in because this is a hazard in itself.
6. Breakers.
   Know where to shut off your utilities, gas lines and fuses in and around your home.
7. Store flammable products in cool, dry places.
   It’s no secret that flammable items should be placed in cool areas where there is no risk of fire. Don’t forget about those lit candles, either!
8. Keep fire extinguishers handy.
   A fire extinguisher should be a requirement for all homes. When using a fire extinguisher, remember the P.A.S.S. acronym: “Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.” Keep baking soda handy for grease fires, as they must be smothered in order to extinguish them.
9. Close bedroom doors at night.
   If a fire were to break out, they do spread quickly with no discrimination. Keeping bedroom doors closed can create barriers that can slow down the spread of the beast.
10. Have an exit plan.
    It is beyond important to have an exit strategy if a fire were to happen. Meet with your family regularly to discuss the exit plan. Educate your guests on the exit plan, as well as the safety guidelines you follow in your home to prevent fires.

Firefighters can be overworked and underappreciated – many people don’t think about them in their daily lives until they are needed. WorkPlacePro wants to show our appreciation for these silent heroes by offering new designs like these!

Show your support of your local firefighters who risk their lives to save others. Mark your calendar for your fire safety plans/maintenance so we can help save lives as well!

For those of you who love camping, I’m sure you don’t need a reason to plan your next outdoor adventure. For those of you who have thought about camping but aren’t sure what all the hype is about — check out some of the benefits it could have on your health!

Photo by Jack Sloop on Unsplash

Stress Relief
Many of us are living life running around like chickens with our heads cut off. We are all just trying to make it through the work week. We have multiple obligations that keep us rushing home, rushing through activities and rushing through life. It’s time to catch a 5-minute break.
Camping is basically a break for the duration of your trip! The great thing about camping is you are exposed to the fresh air. Oxygen releases serotonin in your brain– the chemical that boosts your happiness and mood– therefore leaving you feeling more relaxed. Stress can take a toll on our health in all sorts of ways, so seizing every opportunity to relieve us of it is crucial. Pack your bags, the relaxation train is headed to the campground!

Photo by photo-nic.co.uk nic on Unsplash

Exercise
It is certainly no secret how important physical activity is for our health and overall well-being. Camping involves lots of exercise! You exercise even in preparation for your time away. Hiking equipment to a campsite can be a tad awkward due to the size/shape of tents and other gear, essentially forcing you to utilize muscle and get some cardio going. When you’re outside with no television or video games, you wind up spending most of your trip walking, hiking, fishing, etc., which all involve moderate to extreme exercise. Again, exercise is a serotonin booster, so you’re likely to feel exhilirated instead of run-down and sluggish like we can often feel throughout our normal routines.

Clear Your Mind
Some people use yoga and meditation to clear their minds and relieve tensions. Others claim that just taking a long walk in nature will do the trick. All of these things are good for resetting your brain and revitalizing your quality of life. Camping can (figuratively and literally) bring you back down to Earth. When you’re out of your home, you’re not worrying about cleaning the house, doing dishes, doing laundry or keeping anything organized. All you have to worry about is exploring, playing and maybe the occasional wild animal. 😉

Take Away Those Distractions
Leave the electronics at home! Get back in tune with yourself, nature, your friends, your family. Camping is one of the easiest ways to leave distractions behind and enjoy the company you have, even if your only company is yourself. It brings us into a simpler time and simpler environment, making our emotions simpler as well.

Gather your friends, family and/or dogs, and head for the hills! Make sure to visit our website and check out our new camping/lake designs to wear on your adventure!

National Wear Pink Day is approaching, occuring on June 23rd, 2019! We have put together a short list of how you can help raise breast cancer awareness by wearing pink, donating and becoming an advocate for breast cancer!

How does wearing pink make a difference?

Wearing pink can promote and remind other individuals of the importance to get regular screenings for breast cancer. It also reminds us of the thousands of people battling cancer, as well as the many survivors that help us keep the hope we need to fight and overcome this disease. Simply wearing this color on a scheduled cancer walk like this one, when going to the grocery store and even wearing pink to work helps raise the awareness to others who may not be conscious of their own risks of develpoing breast cancer.

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

Where can I donate to make a real difference?

I’m sure you’ve heard of the American Cancer Society. ACS is a non-profit organization that raises over $1 billion dollars each year to pour into fundraisers, research, patient support, prevention and treatment. ACS is made up of mostly medical and lay volunteers that work tirelessly to facilitate awareness events, raise money for research and cost-cutting treatments for those affected by cancer. No matter what type of cancer you wish to support/donate to, ACS covers it all.

How do I become an advocate for breast cancer?

We consider anyone who wears pink an advocate for breast cancer! You can make a difference in the world’s biggest cities and smallest towns just by displaying your pink garments to show support for this disease. Here is a great article on how to become an advocate for breast cancer.

Personally, I was inspired to become an advocate for pancreatic cancer after a very close family member was diagnosed– so don’t think that you have to have cancer to be an advocate for awareness! If you’ve done your research, if you know someone suffering– even if you are just inspired by stories or intrigued by how far research has brought us in 2019– get out there and share your knowledge!

Make sure you visit our website to check out our available breast cancer designs & remember to think pink on June 23rd!

Image by laurixnh from Pixabay