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The idea is to get the sisters to Relief Society activities on time. Offer a special early bird program, where those who are 15 minutes early with receive a special treat!
Inexpensive Treat ideas:
A gem squash with gold or silver writing on it and neatly decorated with plain ribbon “You are a gem”
Go to McDonalds or some such place and get a whole lot of little bags of either salt or mixed spice season on the salt you put “You are the salt of the earth” on the seasoning you can put “you spice up our lives” also decorate with a little bow or ribbon.
An orange decorated and write on it “Orange you glad you came to Home, Family & Personal Enrichment Meeting?”
For Valentines or for Birthday social you can use little packets with a chocolate heart in it with an appreciation poem of some sort attached.
Ideas by: Alice Siems
The sisters in our ward were consistently late to our meetings until I started the Early Bird Program. The difference it made the very first week was surprising.
I tell the sisters that we will be having a surprise game, activity or mini-class starting exactly at 6:30, and only those who are on time will be able to participate. The reason I keep it a surprise is so they don’t have the option of deciding they are not interested in that particular activity. Everyone is interested in a surprise.
The activity lasts only 5 minutes, and it can be anything, but the idea is for it to be something fun or interesting, and I always make sure that we give away a little something extra, even if it’s just a piece of candy or a bookmark.
Once, we had a purse scavenger hunt. I said the name of an item, and the first person to find it in her purse got to choose a piece of chocolate from the basket. The sister with the most chocolates at the end got to choose a larger gift (an item from the LDS distribution center) while the basket of candy was passed around to everyone.
Another time, the theme of our meeting was making our homes a sanctuary and a refuge. The early bird activity was a demonstration on how to use fabric on walls.
At a spa night, the activity was supervised by a sister in our ward who does Mary Kay. She gave everyone the “Satin Hands Treatment”, then there was a drawing for a small set of the products we used.
Be careful, though, because the five minutes goes by fast. If anyone has any other ideas, it would be great to hear them, since we do this once a month.
-Kristen
A couple of things we have done, or I have seen in other wards are:
* Making cards for Valentines Day
* Decorating a cupcake (snowman cupcake from the January Family Fun Magazine)
* One lady made quesadillas with a barbeque turkey & cheese filling, then showed how to cut a template from a plastic page protector, place over the top of the tortilla, then sprinkle with paprika to make a simple design on top.
- Elaine Beswick
We often tie quilts or we do a simple craft that fits with the theme of the evening.
LA in Canada
I set up a large clear plastic jar (like the kind bulk pretzels come in) and labeled it “Mormon Chick Early Bird Prize Drawing”. I put a clip art picture of a cute girly looking chicken on the front. I set out pens and prize drawing slips that ask for the sister’s name, time of arrival, and asks whether she car pooled or not. If they get there before our designated time of 7 p.m. they get to enter. I then draw about 5 names to win. As the Enrichment Leader I know what the class topics are, so I get prizes to go along with the theme of the meeting. For example. Last month we had classes on Dinner in 20 Minutes or Less and The World’s Greatest Household Hints and Time-Tested Tips. I bought cheapo prizes like bag clips, sponges, scented spray, and rubber dish gloves. The ladies loved it.
The month before we had classes on Herb-infused Oils, and Cooking with Herbs and we made eggshell herb gardens. For Early Bird prizes, I got some magnetic memo pads with herb pictures on them, gardening gloves and packs of herb seeds to give away. It is always a fun time!
-Kathleen Rogers
Something my President wants is to have a craft class EVERY month, so I decided do it as an Early-bird class. Also, I want to start having a carpool prize. The person who brought the most people to Enrichment and everyone that came with her gets a prize. Probably just from the dollar store. We already do an Early bird drawing and the prize is an Emergency preparedness item.
-Sheri
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