Thoughts on Valentine's Day cookie decorating event

M

marilynfl

Moderator
Again, THANK YOU ALL for so many great ideas.

I'm considering a moveable event: if I have 20 people and have 4 stations set up, then folks can move around and it won't be so static. Also, there would be a game at each zone.

I have 3 station ideas so far:

Zone 1: Cake balls on sticks ready to dip, sprinkle and wrap. I would have the undipped cake balls ready and chilled and two Wilton melting pots. Folks can dip in whichever color they like and then sprinkle on some jimmies. Refrigerate completed balls for 5 minutes and then let them wrap each in a treat bag with ribbon.

Zone 2: Using those brilliant paint palettes Deb noted, I would have my already Royal icing baked cookies and the table would have images they can use as reference.
I also have edible pens for drawing.

Zone 3: Using the purchased cookie kits, I would provide Royal Icing in squeeze tubes to flood the surface. Those would need to be set aside to dry.

But I still need another idea for a fourth zone. Taking all suggestions!
 
marilynfl said:
Again, THANK YOU ALL for so many great ideas.

I'm considering a moveable event: if I have 20 people and have 4 stations set up, then folks can move around and it won't be so static. Also, there would be a game at each zone.

I have 3 station ideas so far:

Zone 1: Cake balls on sticks ready to dip, sprinkle and wrap. I would have the undipped cake balls ready and chilled and two Wilton melting pots. Folks can dip in whichever color they like and then sprinkle on some jimmies. Refrigerate completed balls for 5 minutes and then let them wrap each in a treat bag with ribbon.

Zone 2: Using those brilliant paint palettes Deb noted, I would have my already Royal icing baked cookies and the table would have images they can use as reference.
I also have edible pens for drawing.

Zone 3: Using the purchased cookie kits, I would provide Royal Icing in squeeze tubes to flood the surface. Those would need to be set aside to dry.

But I still need another idea for a fourth zone. Taking all suggestions!
Click to expand...
mini muffin pan brownies or red velvet cream cheese brownies to be decorated with heart mini picks? Or a non-food activity, card-making? Either of the below might be nice, especially the bookmarks. Sorry, I'm racking up the budget costs!

Amazon.com: FreshCut Crafts 240 Pieces Heart Paper Cutouts, 2-Sided US Made Card Stock Punch Out Sweet Colored Hearts for Valentine’s Day Crafts, Bulletin Boards, Classroom Decor, and Posters 4 Sweet Colors : Home & Kitchen

Amazon.com: ArtCreativity 126 Pcs Valentine's Day Heart Doilies Card Crafts for Kids + 314 PCS Valentine’s Day Bookmark Craft Kit - Makes 24 Bookmarks - Valentine Crafts for Kids Classroom : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
 
Marilyn, what about heart-shaped mini cupcakes and having buttercream in a piping pag with a fun nozzle?

"To make heart-shaped cupcakes using foil, simply line a regular cupcake tin with liners, then crumple small balls of aluminum foil and place them at the top center of each liner, which will create the indentation for the heart shape; then fill with batter and bake as usual; once cooled, you can slightly shape the top with your hands to further refine the heart form before frosting. "
 
I’ll be making 24-48 cake pops, so not sure about cupcakes too. Ordered a valentine stencil…most of the ones I wanted wouldn't arrive until the day before the event. Going to stop at the retirement home tomorrow to see the venue and make sure my zone concept work.

Decided against prizes because everyone will want a prize and I’ve already spent $100+ just on food stuff: 4 cookie kits, 6 bags of melting discs, 6 lbs of powdered sugar for Royal icing, 4 lbs of butter & regular sugar for sugar cookies, candy for decorating.
 
oh boy...stopped at retirement home and my contact person wasn't around (no one knew where she was at.) I asked to see the area where she planned to have the activity.

Remember...I originally planned on 6 people at the library. Now I'm up to 20 at their site. Here's the spot:IMG_4836.JPG

I stood there quietly screaming inside my head.

And the room next to it had at least 8 women in wheelchairs, about 80% of whom couldn't sit up straight. I'm guessing those are the folks she mentioned couldn't ride the bus.

Left a note for her to call me so I can see her IN PERSON tomorrow.
 
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ah geez. This is just sad. I suspect this will stop you from offering again without a whole lot of checking...venue, numbers, capabilities, exptectations and all that. But where is responsibility??????? I feel so let down, for you. Are these people not important to their caregivers?!

I am so sorry.

On the bright side though, you won't have to figure out how to organize the 'room'. And they will all be grateful.
 
deb-in-mi said:
Marilyn, what about heart-shaped mini cupcakes and having buttercream in a piping pag with a fun nozzle?

"To make heart-shaped cupcakes using foil, simply line a regular cupcake tin with liners, then crumple small balls of aluminum foil and place them at the top center of each liner, which will create the indentation for the heart shape; then fill with batter and bake as usual; once cooled, you can slightly shape the top with your hands to further refine the heart form before frosting. "
Click to expand...
FYI, I have a heart shape cupcake pan, and once iced was disappointed because they didn’t really look heart shaped anymore.
 
marilynfl said:
oh boy...stopped at retirement home and my contact person wasn't around (no one knew where she was at.) I asked to see the area where she planned to have the activity.

Remember...I originally planned on 6 people at the library. Now I'm up to 20 at their site. Here's the spot:View attachment 3091

I stood there quietly screaming inside my head.

And the room next to it had at least 8 women in wheelchairs, about 80% of whom couldn't sit up straight. I'm guessing those are the folks she mentioned couldn't ride the bus.

Let a note for her to call me so I can see her IN PERSON tomorrow.
Click to expand...
This looks like a repurposed hallway. I’m sure they must have a bigger area even if it’s the cafeteria/dining room. Whoever showed you this must not have all the info. After all they said 20 people, so need to accommodate their own count.
 
marilynfl said:
oh boy...stopped at retirement home and my contact person wasn't around (no one knew where she was at.) I asked to see the area where she planned to have the activity.

Remember...I originally planned on 6 people at the library. Now I'm up to 20 at their site. Here's the spot:View attachment 3091

I stood there quietly screaming inside my head.

And the room next to it had at least 8 women in wheelchairs, about 80% of whom couldn't sit up straight. I'm guessing those are the folks she mentioned couldn't ride the bus.

Left a note for her to call me so I can see her IN PERSON tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Wow, this is a sad story and pic. You put so much into the planning. I would think there's a dining room or larger space in the facility. Otherwise, maybe back to plan A at the library with the ambulatory group that can attend?
 
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