What can I use as a centerpiece for a going away luncheon for office personnel?!
What can I use as a centerpiece for a going away luncheon for office personnel?
I work in a middle school office. Three of the people are leaving and we're having a suprise going away luncheon. Everyone signed up for food. By the time I got the list, the person in charge said "we have enough food, why don't you supply a centerpiece". So what does she mean? I am no entertainer. One of the people leaving is a male and two are females. Can anyone give me any ideas? We already chipped in our money for movie gift cards. Why should I have to pay $50 or more of my own hard-earned money to supply an expensive centerpiece? Thank you!!!!! I hope you can help me. I am not very creative and I hope someone out there is.
Answers:
Go to the dollar store and buy a mirror. Size is your choice. Get a coloring book, some crayons, a coffee cup size tin (or a coffee cup) and office supplies (ruler, pens. etc.). Use the pages of the coloring book as place mats and put the crayons around the cup on the mirror. Fill the cup with the office supplies. It should cost about $15. It is unfair for you to provide and pay for this alone, ask the one who is in charge to help you cover the cost, or give her the receipt and let her pay you back.
Source(s):
Done lots of these
Center pieces don't have to be expensive. You can always get some balloons that say good luck, we'll miss you or something along those lines. I am a single mom, so the money thing is on my mind all the time. There are alot of dollar stores that carry mylar balloons for a buck. Get 9 balloons and 3 weights , those can be used as center pieces and the people leaving can ever take them home. And to add to it, try and get the attending parties to sign the balloons for the people leaving to remember everyone. Just a thought.
You don't have to spend $50 to get a center piece. You can do a couple of things that are pretty inexpensive. Go to Michael's or your local craft store and pick up some kind of cheesy paper center piece... or a banner that says something along the lines of "Farewell"... it doesn't have to be something that goes in the middle of the table. You can also go to your local grocery store or florist and get a small and inexpensive floral center piece. You can also tell your boss that you don't have the funds to provide some fancy center piece... these kind of things aren't mandatory and if he really wants to be pushy ask for a little help from the company or a little help from him, financially if he wants something extraordinary. Like you said, you already chipped in for the gift cards... it's not necessary to over extend yourself.
Why don′t you do a Martha thing and use a silverish metal bucket full of ice, and put inside some bottles of colorful sodas?
Why not just use helium balloons? They are inexpensive. You could use both the colored balloons and a few that say things such as Good Luck.
You could also get 3 pots of ivy, use them as a centerpiece, and then give them to the teachers as a remembrance.
Hope this helps!
Make dirt desert, it is a center piece that turns into desert, it surpirses everyone and is a good conversation piece.
NOTE: Make a day ahead for a great party centerpiece. You will need a large (10 inch) flower pot (no hole!) and some artificial flowers.
2 (8 oz.) cream cheese
2 (3 oz.) instant vanilla pudding
3 c. milk
2 (16 oz.) Cool Whip
2 tsp. vanilla
1 lg. pkg. Oreo cookies
Gummy worms (optional)
Cream sugar and cream cheese. Beat milk, pudding and vanilla until thick, then add to cream cheese mixture. Fold in Cool Whip. Grind Oreo cookies in blender.
Layer Oreo mixture and creamy mixture, hiding gummy worms in flower pot, ending with cookie mixture on top. Chill overnight. Put flowers into "dirt" and surprise your guests when you serve your centerpiece for dessert! Makes enough for 2 pots.
I like the idea of getting the folks something they can use and remember you guys by. Maybe buy each one of them an inexpensive mug (that has something on it they like)...fill it with colorful tissue paper and maybe some mini candies and tie some balloons on them. Tah-dah! You're set.