Parent Projects

What is not to love about summer? It's the time when folks around here begin to emerge from hibernation. Celebrations - such as reunions, weddings, and barbecues - are in full swing. The sun is shining and spirits are high. So whether you're hosting a formal dinner party, impromptu picnic, or casual grill-out, we wanted to give you a creative idea to beat the heat!

Paddle fans are a fun and easy way to cool down any special event. My cousin used this idea to create the the programs for her wedding ceremony, and her foresight was greatly admired and appreciated on that hot June day!

There are endless ways to make these fans unique and personal. Here's a basic outline of how you can make them yourself as a fun project with the kids or for an event - plus a few photos of my own creations: ...read more

It has been really windy here in Dallas lately-- way more than usual. One good thing about a windy day is that it makes for excellent kite-flying weather. I have found different websites with tips for making kites and came up with my own template for a small kite that is pretty easy to put together and allows you to decorate it however you want. 

Here are the supplies you’ll need and steps for assembly. (FYI, most of these items can be found at FedEx Office locations and some can be used free of charge in the self-service area.)

What You’ll Need: ...read more

At Out of Office, we like to think we’ve got a lot of great ideas to share with our readers. But truth be told, sometimes we can’t hold a candle to the creativity of some fellow bloggers out there in the world. So when we find those projects that make us stop and say “Why didn’t we think of that!?”, we just have to share!

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Giving a photo of your child as a gift is a great idea for friends, family, and even teachers as the school year comes to a close. However, you do run into one dilemma – how to give it to them.  You can either just give them a bare photo or put it into a picture frame that will cost at least five to ten dollars and usually lack personality. A third option is to create your own custom picture that you and your kids can decorate and make personal. Plus it's pretty easy. You can print your photos off at home or using the Sony Picture Station available at many FedEx Office centers. And while there, ask one of the FedEx Office team members for a small easel back, which will cost less than a dollar. 

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With summer coming up there is a lot for kids to write about – and they’ll certainly be in need of projects to keep them busy. So why not get your teens and tweens a head-start by whipping up an easy-to-make journal that shows off your kid’s unique style and taste? It’s a fun springtime project to do together – but also makes a great gift. 

My 15-year-old niece, Brooke, is taking a two-week trip to Europe this summer, and I wanted to make her a cute and special journal to take with her.  I’m hopeful that she’ll jot down a few lines about what she did each day to look back on it later and share with friends and family. She can even paste in ticket stubs, photos and other mementos.  I studied abroad in college and really wish I’d taken better notes on where I went and what I did - it’s all a blur now!  

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Guest Blogger Michelle Kelley is a marketing specialist advisor at FedEx Services and has been with the company for almost eight years. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and two daughters and loves to plan parties down to the very last detail.  

When planning my daughter Anna's first birthday party, I searched for ways to make her party special. More than that, ways to make her guests feel special. See, it doesn't end with great invitations and a fun theme. Once the party is over, we try to always say thanks for the gifts that people have given. Remember that expression, "It's not over until the fat lady sings”? Well at our house, it's not over until the thank-you notes have been sent! ...read more

I may not be a parent myself, but I love my godchildren like nothing else. And one of my favorite things to do when visiting them is reading together before bedtime. Granted, 2 year old Gracie hasn’t quite gotten into the ritual yet, but Blake and I have been reading books together for years.

With that in mind, I thought I’d share a quick and easy project idea. I’m talking about making personalized bookmarks! This is great as a craft project for kids on a rainy day or you can make them as stuffers for stockings and gift baskets around the holidays. Hint: Easter is just around the corner! ...read more

Another week, another round-up! Now that we’re past Valentine’s Day, I’m already starting to get spring fever - which to me means vacation. Road trips, sunshine, maybe a beach! Trips like that can be a little tough with small kids though, so I thought I’d share a few ideas I’ve come across that keep the little ones busy while on the road or in the air. And who knew there’d be SO MANY ideas – and Web sites – out there to help parents with this challenge! Here are a couple of my faves: ...read more

Finding cute Valentine’s Day cards for a two year-old to give away is no easy feat. I don’t like cards with licensed cartoon characters – it seems so commercial for a toddler. And the other cards I see are too…well…“mature.”

Michael Digiacomo, a team member from one of our FedEx Office stores in the Boston-area, wrote in and suggested making “custom cards straight from the heart.” And it got me thinking of fun ways to make personalized cards for friends and family. ...read more

It seems like birthday party season is upon us. My refrigerator is covered with invitations to toddler birthday parties. So I’ve started making my own gift tags that are reusable and that the moms adore – they’re backpack nametags that tie on perfectly to each kid’s gift bag.

To make them, I use the following steps: ...read more