Army Life 101 - There's
a special place in heaven for an Army Wife!
"The cultivation of friendships is perhaps the most
worth-while thing you can do."
Eleanor Roosevelt
The coffee is a social tradition that has survived since the nineteenth
century. We must not let this unique tradition vanish. A coffee
is not only a social get-together, but a network of information
as well. It gives military spouses the opportunity to get aquatinted,
meet new arrivals, farewell those departing and share information
on upcoming unit or community events.
In the past, most coffees where held in the morning between hours
of 0930 and 1130; now they are more frequently given in the evening
to accommodate working wives. Refreshments can range from cake
and coffee to a more elaborate variety of cookies, finger sandwiches,
vegetable tray, crackers and cheeses or fruits. Serving something
nutritious as well as sweets is always a welcome addition.
Refreshments may be served from a silver coffee service and china
or on decorative paper plates and cups.
Invitations may be extended by phone, handwritten notes, or fill-in
invitations. Although an RSVP is not always required; it is recommended.
Invitations should be sent out approximately
two weeks in advance.
Coffees, Brunches & Luncheons
Programs
Tours and Shopping Trips
Parties
Novelty Parties
Seasonal Parties
- bring wedding pictures
- bring baby pictures of yourselves and/or spouses and try to
guess who's who
- tacky party ~ dress tacky, serve tacky food and give a prize
for the tackiest
- cooking, cake decorating or candy making demonstration
- white elephant auction (in a large group a lot of money can
be made, especially if you have a good auctioneer). If you have
a small group, consider inviting a sister coffee group.
- learn a craft ~ A spouse may teach a special skill or go to
local shops and recruit a professional to come and teach.
- wine and cheese tasting party ~ invite someone from the Class
6 store to talk about wine selection (if you are driving, remember
to TASTE!)
- salad or dessert luncheons ~ ask everyone to bring a salad
or dessert and copies of the recipe to share
- pool party
- visit a health spa or attend an aerobics class
- book reviews
- cooking demonstrations
- mystery auction
- picture framing/scrapbooking demonstration
- soda fountain party ~ serve banana splits or sundaes with
lots of different toppings
- Christmas gift exchange ~ Chinese raffle - this is really
a fun twist on an ornament or gift exchange wherein a number is
written on a slip of paper for each person in attendance who brought
a gift. The numbers are put into a hat. Each person picks a number,
the number decides what order you choose a gift in. The catch
is, each person is allowed to either choose a gift from the table
or they may take a gift that has already been opened. When a gift
is taken form another person, the person is given a chance to
choose a gift from the table to replace the gift they lost.
- Christmas ornament and/or cookie exchange
Return to choices
- "Did you know this about our unit?" Invite a special
guest like the Battalion Commander to speak
- A fashion show
- Demonstrations such as sculptured nails, a beauty make-over,
napkin folding, etc.
- Color analysis
- Visit by a local florist who can do a program on flower arranging
or plant care
- Community resources ~ invite a legal officer to speak about
wills, someone from ACS to speak about what programs are offered,
someone from the Red Cross to speak about CPR classes and services
available, someone from the post craft shop to talk about available
resources, etc.
Return to choices
- art galleries or museums
- movies then dinner
- historic homes and sites
- ice skating, roller skating or bowling
Return to choices
- wine and cheese tasting
- casual parties with at theme - Mexican Fiesta, Hawaiian Luau,
Western B-B-Q
- potluck suppers
- salad bar or soda fountain parties
- visit local restaurant or dinner theater
- progressive dinner - a dinner party where each course of the
meal is served at a different couples home
- seasonal parties
Return to choices
- pool parties
- picnic or barbecues
- bowling
- ice or roller skating
- miniature golf
- horseback riding
- scavenger hunt
- auctions ~ desserts, boxed suppers, husbands and children
- international night ~ food, music, costumes, perhaps a board
game or card game that is native to your chosen country
- costume party ~ Halloween, country/western, 50's, 60's, 70's,
a M*A*S*H theme, etc.
- wear your favorite sweatshirt or most unusual hat party
- Special days ~ Super Bowl Party, Kentucky Derby Party, St.
Patrick's Day, etc.
- Roasts ~ No, not pork, pot or standing rib - like a comedy
roast. You might ask your platoon leader, first sergeant, or company
commander about this one. However, it might be a good idea for
a farewell.
- talent auction- auction special talents or labor of members
of the group
Return to choices
Well, I hope these suggestions help you to plan some great
Spouse's Group Coffee Meetings! Email me if you have any ideas I can add!
Army Wife 101
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