Works For Me Wednesday!

Ya'll, this is my second post *ever* & I am so excited it's for "Works For Me Wednesday" hosted by Rocks In My Dryer.

I've been lurking in blog-land for about a month now and I stumbled across Rocks In My Dryer by way of Dawn Meehan's blog, Because I Said So! The concept of this weekly post is for people to post their solutions to everyday quandaries and how it works for them. I have learned so many interesting tricks and now I get the pleasure of "Mr. Linky"-ing my own! :D

Ever heard the expression: always a bridesmaid, never a bride? Well that would sum me up if I wasn't already married. I do, however, have the extreme pleasure of "forever a hostess." Bridal, Baby, House Warming, you name it, I've planned it.

When organizing a shower it's really important to keep track of who attended, what was done and who gave what. Usually that gets scribbled on a piece of scrap paper or napkin by some family member or BFF when the presents are being opened. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to write a "thank you" note or an address on an envelope and had to send the handwriting sample off to the FBI for handwriting analysis. Well, okay, but you know what I mean.

If you have basic computer knowledge or half-way decent penmanship this is GREAT for you and the guest of honor.

I use Excel quite a bit for work, so naturally, I would create a spreadsheet with name, addresses and such. I am also printing out my invitations online, so I will use a "mail merge" to collate and print my invitations, envelopes and spreadsheet. I'll punch holes in my spreadsheet & place it in a pretty 3-ring binder. I then create a scrapbook page with the invitation and place that in front. All that is left to do is hand write the gifts received in the blank next to the appropriate guest. Your Guest of Honor will know: what the shower invitations looked like, who was invited, who was able to attend, what they gave and their addresses. All this at their fingertips! It's all inclusive and pre-made making their "thank you" a no brainer. This didn't take me ANY extra time to make and now they have a really great keepsake.

If your 'tech' challenged this also works with the big index cards that have the holes already punched in them. You can find a pretty day planner at Big Lots or Dollar Tree, remove the calendar/organizer and make a card for each guest invited. Then just slip a copy of the invitation into a sleeve or punch holes in it and place it on top of the index cards.

It "Works for Me" and I hope it works for you. Check out the other tips at WFMW!