Goodie Bags

What comes to mind when you think of “goodie bags”?  Do you have visions of cello bags filled with candy?  I remember growing up, every party had a goodie bag – something for the guests to take home to remember the fun they had at the party.  Or if you are in direct sales, maybe you think of the bags you give out to potential customers.  Goodie bags are a great what to share your business with some chocolates or other treats.

Gift bags have become an important part of every milestone – baby showers, bridal showers, Sweet 16 parties, weddings, retirement, graduation and the list goes on, right?  We are always trying to figure out what to put in them especially in these days of food allergies and political correctness.  Why not reach out to your favorite direct sellers and ask them for samples?  Interesting thought right?

Almost every business has samples of some kind that they would love to share with your friends and family.  From samples of soap, nail decor, perfume, lipstick, candy, bookmarks, coloring sheets, etc.  Business people LOVE the free advertising and as “Hosts”, we love the opportunity to save money.  If you are in a business where samples are not available,you can print out bookmarks, recipe cards, candy wrappers, gift bag tags, shopping lists, chore charts, etc all with pretty designs on them along with your business card and a coupon.  Depending on the party or event, would determine what would be donated.

Do one of these special events happen in the next few months while we are in the midst of the busiest season of the year?  Why not make those goodie bags a little more special with a reusable bag.  These festive holiday bags are by Thirty One! Available for a limited time only, each set includes one large pouch and one small pouch, each with a drawstring closure. Large Approx. 15 ¼”H x 13 ½”L Small Approx. 7 ¾”H x 6 ¾”L.  The best part, they are only $5 for the set!

So reach out to your friends in direct sales, help them to promote their business while putting together some unique goodie bags.

I do a goodie bag for kids that includes a coloring sheet, a few crayons, my business card and a mini catalog.  See a mom struggling with a fussy child, share the goodie bag with them.  What fussy child is not quieted by a colorful bag to play with?

What is your next event, you will need a goodie bag for?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROB!

Happy Monday Everyone!  I am going to make a change today in my blog from business as usual to celebrating my hubby’s birthday.   I am sure if Rob knew that I was sharing with everyone he would cringe – he definitely does not like things on the internet.  Today is his 58th birthday and I am blessed to be celebrating it with him.

Almost 9 weeks ago, I was wondering if we would get the chance to  CELEBRATE.  He was suffering from congestive heart failure and I was worried that our life together was going to be cut short.  This is the first time that I admitted that I was scared!  See, the social worker in me kicks in during a crisis and I get through it – and then sometime in the future, I fall apart.  It may be days, weeks, months and in some cases a year or more but it will happen.  I have had my moments but I think they are passed and I am ready to CELEBRATE life with Rob.

When I think about how long we have known each other – over 40 years, I think about how long we have been together – about 11 years, then I am blessed that we have been married a little over 2 years.  It has been a roller coaster of a relationship up till now with many twists and turns.  On the outside, he may seem indifferent (since he doesn’t show emotion often), a workaholic, some may say boring and a definite planner (this is inside and out).  On the inside, he is a soft, gentle and a VERY emotional person with lots of tidbits of information flowing through his mind.  When we reconnected 11 years ago, he took on the role of father to Belinda.  Not always something that she wanted but I was grateful that he wanted to do this.  When financial struggles came along before I moved to Brick, he was there to help.  No, I didn’t ask – he just offered or took care of it.  He wanted to provide for my daughter and I, something that I thought would never happen for me.  I mean I was an INDEPENDENT woman.

Rob is my rock – he keeps me grounded in reality when I sprout wings and want to fly into dream land.  Yes, that is a good thing because he is planning and thinking ahead.  He is my opposite and they say that opposites attract, right?  So, as I wanted to PLAN for a day trip to Atlantic City to his favorite restaurant (Harrah’s Buffet), he paused and made me think about the expense as I was getting ready to go to National Conference.  Was I frustrated?  YES!  Was I disappointed? YES!  The truth is – it doesn’t matter where we celebrate or how we celebrate just the fact that we are together is what counts.  So, it might be a walk around the lake and dinner locally but we will be together – enjoying each other’s company, sharing our dreams and wishes for the next year.

Birthdays don’t have to be flashy, especially as we get older.  They don’t have to involve lots of presents (we buy what we need).  We need to reflect and celebrate with family and friends the gift of another year.  Time is precious and we never know what God’s plan is for us or those we love.  I love him more today than I did when we got married and am grateful that God helped him to find me again.

 Happy Birthday to my hubby, my soul mate – Rob Wissel.

  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.  I know that we will…