Collected Ideas

Collected Ideas

Ideas by Number
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June: We are having a preserving memories class which will focus on scrapbooking. The majority of the sisters signed up for this class. A Mom, I'm Bored class which will give ideas and activities to mom's to help keep their kids busy during the summer. Last of all, we will be having a Berry Delightful class that will teach how to make freezer jam. The sisters can come and just watch or bring their own supplies and make a batch of jam to take home. We are going to have a taster table of mufffins and fresh fruit.

July: We are planning a dutch-oven class that will also provide our dinner for that night. We are going to make visiting teaching packets. A sister will do a demonstration on rubber stamping and then everyone can stamp some cards for their sisters they visit. We will also have some signs that you hang on doorknobs for the sisters to color that say "Sorry, we missed you!" We also will have an outline of a pickle that will have this message on it. "If your ever in a PICKLE, Call and let us know the DILL" Then the visiting teaching sisters can put their names and numbers below and give it to their sisters. I'm still thinking about maybe having a CPR class or not. It might be too much for this month and I want everyone to be able to attend it because I know that it is important information that each sister should know.

Hope these ideas help. If anyone has a cute name for my class that we will be making the visiting teaching packets I would appreciate it. I want to label it with a cute name so that it will attract sisters. Thanks, Heidi,TN.

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Here' something quick and easy for Homemaking that was extremely successful for us last month. We showed a video of Sister Dew's BYU Women's Conference talk (this is absolutely outstanding), and then we had "admiration circles". Everyone has a turn being "it" and the other sisters take turns telling something that they admire about about that sister. My sisters loved it. We made our circles a little too big and took a wee bit too long, but it was worth it when one of the sisters said "Thank you, thank you so much. I never knew that's how other people see me." The joy on her face was worth every minute we spent doing it. I would suggest having about 8 or so people per circle. It takes a bit longer to do this than you would anticipate. Hope this helps.

We did a Dutch Oven Cooking class in June that was incredibly popular. There are several internet sites with Dutch Oven recipes to help you along; your ward's Scout leaders should be able to help you out too.

We've also considered a Summer Fun theme. We'd have a demonstration on summer skin care, including sunscreen and the best ways to update makeup for the summer. Also an outdoor meal and a picnic table display (creative picnics).

For our July meeting, we decided we'd all want to stay indoors where it's air conditioned! Our theme is "Sisters Together, Heart to Heart." We are sponsoring a "baby shower" service project for a local homeless children's daycare, and we'll bring our "gifts" that night. We're having a scrapbook workshop (we learned about acid free and appropriate materials last month, this month we'll bring our pictures and put together some pages). We have a lot of sisters who have asked to just socialize so we're doing a "Bring Your Own Project" activity--finish up on something while socializing. We're also having a guest speaker--a cookbook author who will make us one of her summer desserts. I put this July Homemaking together in a day (including handouts) so I know with all the creative ideas out there you will think of something wonderful!

Ice cream social; American History,- the Constitution,& How to get involed in local government and issues; Auto repair and maintanance; Quick Summer cooking ideas; Jelly and Jam making and canning; Family History- how to plan a family reunion- how to keep a journal- how to write a personal history; Just a few Ideas of the top of my head
Heidi in New york

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In June we had the theme of "Friendship Warms the Heart" and had a class in Friendshipping Others and one on Gifts from the Heart. We also chose secret sisters to do things for. We had a potluck salad dinner with sherbet and cookies for dessert. It was fun and the sister's really loved it.

In July our theme is "What's Cookin?" We will have a class called "Gourmet Guys Grilling", featuring 3 brethren from our ward who are great cooks, teaching us various grilling recipes. We will have the results for our dinner. The other class is "What's cookin' in Rochester". One sister has assigned several sisters to visit places in or near our town and write a short review, such as museums, parks, restaurants, shopping, etc. All this will be put in a booklet and handed out.

Well, for our July Homemaking, we're going to a play... so that probably won't help. It's a play up in the mountains. I think a fun Homemaking would be something like "A Slice of Summer" -- you could decorate with watermelons and strawberries... Have different workshops on summery things: fun things to do with kids during the long summer months (crafts, places to go in your city, etc); fun summer foods (bar-b-ques, cutting fruit in fun shapes, yummy salads, etc); 4th of July ideas....

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Janna K Mauldin Heiner

Subject: Re: Homemaking Specialists out there?

I've gotten a couple of questions about our ward's Take It or Leave It table, so I'll explain. This is an idea I adapted from our Missouri branch, where many of the members were struggling. They had a table set up every HM meeting for people to bring things they no longer had a use for, and anyone who did could take what they wanted. In our ward, the table is themed in connection with the theme of HM for that month, and each month we have some kind of exchange. Back-to-school homemaking; kids' clothing exchange or books. Christmasy homemaking; ornament and decorations exchange. Springy homemaking; seed exchange. September self-reliancy homemaking; garden produce exchange. This month is "Get in shape for the New Year," and the table will feature copies of favorite health-conscious recipes the sisters bring, provided our copy machine is fixed by Wed. Next month is a Valentines' oriented homemaking, and the theme for the exchange will be Love--Anything red, anything white, anything romantic--that kind of thing. I go to HM a bit early, cover the table with bright-colored butcher paper that I buy by-the-foot from a teachers supply store, and write the theme in fancy letters (I'm a calligrapher but those cute scrapbook-type styles are what I usually use). Then everybody just throws their stuff on there, and if something catches someone's fancy (whether or not they brought anything for the table) they can take it home. The leftovers go to D. I., Bishops storehouse, or to struggling friends of mine. We've been going for almost a year and the sisters really enjoy it. At first I made sure I brought a fair amount for each table to make it look busy and get everyone interested, but now they do it on their own.

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As for ideas, I will ask one of the Karens (our RS prescy, two Karens and a Marie) for the list they requested from me of homemaking ideas, and Cindy, I'll send it to you. But for now here are a couple:

A scrapbooking workshop papermaking (not as hard as you'd think--I can recommend a book) garden stepping stones made with rubbermaid type containers as the molds and mortar mix, with leaves embedded for the imprint and removed when dry calligraphy bulb gardens or potted gardens--have some plants and soil, let them bring their own pots, and enlist a garden-center person for expertise (ours did it free just for ordering all those plants) taking good photos growing and using herbs fun summer drinks in the blender (I have some cool recipes from the two very funny men who taught us this) bring all those magazines you've been meaning to go through and pull out the good stuff from, and do it together how to get great stuff at yard sales (I have the system from the two very funny college girls who taugh it to us)

I wanted to thank you all for all the wonderful ideas I've been able to garner. Last week was homemaking, and we started with the idea someone posted of having each sister bring a silk flower that had special meaning to her. It went over so well! We decided it was something that would have been great for the RS birthday event, because it was so nice. We only had it for a half hour. Then we did some bath salts (thanks again!) and a toll painted sunflower. We have started a FHE handout. One sister on the board is in charge of it, and presents a packet each month with a FHE lesson prepared, that can be adapted for any family. She tries to center it around the Primary theme of the month. She had 15 lessons this month and they were all taken (they will be between 50 cents and a dollar, just copying charges and the envelope). This was without signups, so we expect next month to go over even better. We have decided that whatever sort of dinner or taster's table we do, we will send out signups, because we seem to get a better response and attendance when the sisters have something to bring. (So we try to do dinners with lots of ingredients)
Love, Janet

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In response to the question: "Why Homemaking"

Have learned about disaster preparedness, couples communication, friendship, cooking, cleaning, crafting, penny pinching, budgeting, artistic things, books, things for my kids, etc.

Now, saying all that, I have been the homemaking counselor before and I almost always incorporated a spiritual type thing, such as a lesson series on women in the scriptures. And a cooking type class or learning class such as Making Friends. And a craft of some sort. If possible. I felt that was pretty rounded out. Our attendance started going up to 25-30 people regulary after a few months.

About 3yrs ago, the 2nd Counselor in the General RS (I can't remember her name, sorry) came to our Stake for leadership meetings. During the meeting she emphasized that Homemaking was not a time for crafts, in general. She basically told us that there are too many things out there that we need to be preparing our sisters for. She said the General Presidency is upset when they go to a homemaking meeting and the only thing being taught is crafts.

I didn't take this as crafts are bad, just that there are many needs in our wards. Some are very basic (cooking, sewing, gardening, etc.....) Many of the younger sisters do not know how to do these things. Some of us older ones don't either. She instructed us to use crafts as a teaching tool.

Crafts have there place but I for one would not want to be held responsible for my sisters when the time comes and they have to be totally self-sufficient and don't have a clue as to how to go about it. I served as 1st counselor for 3 years in our ward and loved every minute of it. It wasn't an easy job, <grin> but it was an eye-opener to me. The needs of our sisters are GREAT.

Sometimes we can have crafts, just for fun and we should. But our first responsibility should be to help our sisters as much as we can. One of the most fun HM we had was when we had a class on changing a tire, a class on water-proofing matches, and on how to make an outside grill out of a #10 can. For that evening we cooked our meal on these cans. It was well attended and a lot of fun.

Beth BBatta

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I believe Beth hit the nail on the head as far as homemaking goes. Relief Society is not a craft club or sewing circle - the objective and purpose of Relief Society is to work unitedly to bring women and their families to Christ and this carries over into the Homemaking meeting. Of course there is a place for crafts - but when you go to a homemaking meeting and there are 4 different wood crafts with tole painting and that is it - you have to wonder. Sisters need to be offered things they can't get out in the world - such as .... SISTERHOOD - so important to get to know and talk with each other - our 3 hour Sunday schedule leaves little time for visiting and getting to know each other. THE HOME MANAGEMENT LESSON - only place where sisters can learn and talk about self-reliance and provident living skills, nutrition, care of the sick in the home, ideas & motivation for food storage and 72-hour kits, etc. THE VISITING TEACHING LESSON- not the monthly lesson itself, but skills and motivation and ideas to do effective visiting teaching.(The most important job in the church.) MINI-CLASSES - to learn a skill, ideas to strength sisters & their families spiritually (ie: how to mark and use scriptures effectively, how to be a more effective mother, grandmother, sister, daughter or friend, book reviews on church or good literature, how to keep an exciting journal, study women in the scriptures) family fun ideas (vacation sites, camp cooking & activities, activity boxes for travel in a car, children's literature, FHE ideas,) service projects (quilts, homeless, SORT center, abused women shelters, conv.homes,)

As far as attendance goes - by far the most mitigating factor is so many of the sisters now work outside the home and every minute is precious with their home and family. That is why Homemaking needs to be well planned with worth-while activities that will justify a sister leaving her home and children, that will bring out middle-aged sisters who think they've had it all and learned it all. Even if they just come for the lessons and lite supper and don't stay for any of the classes their time is well spent. But a variety of classes, plus a corner where sisters can bring their own projects to work on and still enjoy the fellowship and sisterhood. Also, we've found that a "Bring and Brag" or "Show and Share" table helps sisters with ideas of things other sisters are doing and they might want to try. Once a month - to help fill your bucket - If it's done right - it will!
Karen

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I too have a great testimony of homemaking meeting.....When I was not a member of the church (hadn't even heard of it) A friend I had made asked me if I wanted to go with her to relief society.....I said ok cause we did everything together....after I got in the car she said do you know what relief society is? I said well not really but I figured it was to go help at a nursing home.....she said no...and said it was a meeting at church.....I looked down and she said well what do you think you will turn black if you go to our church and I said no I would have dressed differently I had slacks on. I had the most wonderful time I ever had they had a quilt up and there was a mini class on hair cutting and on fruit leather (I took this one) and there was a luncheon and it was much fun this attracted me to the church.

Since Joining.....I have learned so much about being a wife, mother, homemaker, daughter, sister.....when we first got married I could bake 2 kinds of cookies and fix hot dogs and mac and cheese from a box. for variety we would have mac and cheese and hot dogs are you figuring out that I did not know much! I baked a loaf of bread that they will find in the back yard of our first apt. It was pretty well petrified when it was done cooking so one can only imagine what it is like now........

I recently had a baby shower here and some young wives were here and said wow how did you learn to do so much I had fresh baked bread on the counter and I can now cook more than our meals in the beginning years.....I replied that I learned it all from Homemaking meetings.....I learned and learned some more. I watched mothers and how they did with their children so I have learned motherhood, I watched sisters and how they treated each other I saw how I did not want to be and I saw how I wanted to be and became it. So I told them go to homemaking meetings and ask people what you don't know everyone is willing to teach.

Becky

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I needed to respond to the question "Why homemaking." I have been a member of the Relief Society of almost 18 years. During the beginning Home Making was a place to learn new skills and to build friendships. When my husband and I joined to the Church my family decided that we were no longer apart of the "family" and the Church became our family. For me the Relief Society provided sisters I never had and leaders that taught me how to be a good wife and mother. Now, as I have entered the lifespan where early child care is not where I focus my needs (oldest is returning from his successful mission today) and my youngest has entered the priesthood, I realize that Homemaking has entered a new phase in my life. I work full time as a Domestic Abuse therapist and part-time college teacher, I need the Relief Society Homemaking to help me stay connected with my Sisters. Even I at times have wondered why do I need to attend, but when I am not there I miss the socialization that comes from the followshipping. Your question has merit if you forget that Homemaking serves two vital services. One to teach lilfe skills to enrich our lives as women and second to develop a network of support people when we need them. You may not see right now the need for homeking but I can tell you that there will come a time when you will need the contact. I know how to craft (I spin wool , weave, knit, quitl and many other crafts) I think have have fixed many different meals in my 24 years of marriage but I can always learn a new skill or how to do something better. If anything I learn more about myself from the meetings than I do anything. When I teach a college class on Thursdays and Homemaking is scheduled I feel as if I have missed something. The money may be nice but I can't take that with me. But the lessons learned is something that will last a life time. Good luck in your search for why. May be your question should read How can I help make Homemaking better for my sisters.

How about a class on basic stain removal, or basic sewing/clothing repair, or basic shopping (getting the best deal!), or basic budgeting, or basic car maintenance - endless possibilities here!

Dividing up into groups according to the age of the daughters may allow for a better variety of classes. For example, women with daughters 8-12 could do a class on basic journaling or basic scrapbooking. While women with daughters 13-18 may benefit from a class that might better prepare them for college. Daughters in an older bracket qualify for RS already but may have missed some sage advice from Mom in the past on Canning or Food Storage.

You may have older sisters without daughters nearby and younger ones away from home - or without daughters. I'd pair them up - sort of adopt a mom/daughter thing. Visiting Teachers could sub as a mom or daughter too! I've been a daughter for someone before. It was very fun and we've become close friends!

I was Achievement Days leader in our ward for the last three years before being called to RS, and I used a lot of "mother/daughter" nights for activites I thought the girls could use but would need extra help on. Some of the things I did (that they liked- I won't mention the dumb ones :-) ) were jam making (taught basic kitchen skills such as measuring, cleanliness, etc.), a "scrub the font" service project (basic cleaning skills and materials), and a felt Christmas ornament (it was blanket stitched together with button eyes and then stuffed) that taught a little about basic sewing skills. We also ironed shirts for dad close to Father's Day. The moms all seemed to enjoy this time with their girls and everybody learned a thing or two. The key thing to the successful activitites that I did was to do something tangible where the girls could see their accomplishments quickly.

We have an annual Mother-Daughter homemaking in May. It is our biggest event of the year next to our picnic. We have been having over 80 mothers and daughters attending the past 2 years. We announce that everybody is a mom or a daughter. Then we tell the sisters that they can grab a daughter from a mom who has more than one. Many bring non or inactive member relatives to the meeting. We let them know that it is important for them to come and they belong. I think telling them that if they are not a mom they are somebodies daughter makes them feel comfortable in attending. Perhaps you could let them plant an herb garden or a flower in a pot. Another thing would be to prepare something that could be used as the dessert for the refreshement table. One year we made the candy mints that you mold. They took some home and we had after dinner mints for everyone. Another class that would be basic was a cupcake decorating class. Many of them learned cake decorating skills and could decorate family birthday cakes, etc just after taking this simple class. Another time we made bookmarks for our scriptures. This was a class that I taught. We just worked 1/8 inch ribbon through 10 count plastic canvas. This same technique is a start for ribbon embroidery another good basic to learn.

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We found that a lot of the sisters did not enjoy or support a craft day so we have changed ours a little. The first time we called it the "great Escape". We had seminars, crafts, a room with sofa, chairs, Lamps, where you could just sit and relax, read a book, or sew or whatever you wanted. The Priesthood does all of the cooking for the day starting with a continental breakfast, soup and rolls for lunch and a nice sit down dinner, we end the day with a testimony meeting. Our seminars cover all kinds of topics that could enters other, Like making a will, how to support our children while serving a mission, I can be the perfect Mom (ha Ha) this year we are calling it "A Little Taste of Heaven" It is truly a day to share with sisters and forget about all the struggles of the world.

Lois

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