Lise Wong 1/16/21 Lise Wong 1/16/21

Yardi Gras | Mardi Gras Float Houses

Nothing can stop a parade in New Orleans! Our Mardi Gras Yard Sign lets you bring the parade home to you!

Happy Yardi Gras, Y’all! We love that people are finding socially distant ways to celebrate the Carnival season amid the pandemic. So what is Yardi Gras? The way this works is residents are decorating their homes like a Mardi Gras parade float. Then anyone can view all of the homes in the ‘parade’ by walking, biking, or driving for a tour of the different neighborhoods to see all of the decorations. On Mardi Gras Day, everyone will ‘parade at home’ by dancing on their porches and throwing things to their neighbors. Traditions have always evolved and I think we are going to see some super creative ways to still connect and have fun this Mardi Gras because normalizing our lives, in small or big ways, is important in moving forward.

Lise Wong 1/14/21 Lise Wong 1/14/21

Galentine’s for Your Bestie

A great gift for your bestie. Watercolor friends illustrations, modern fonts, trendy two toned text and add your favorite photo to the back. Minimal one photo template of your favorite photo for a gift anyone would love. Hair color and styles can be changed upon request.

Calling all single ladies! There's no need to feel left out this V-Day. Gather your girls and head out on February 13th for some Galentine's Day festivities, no date required. It's possible that mystery filled chocolates and romantic candlelit dinners with your significant other are totally your thing, but if you've ever found yourself dreaming about a holiday that solely celebrates you and the love you have for your girlfriends, Galentine's Day is something you should have marked on your calendar. Basically, it's like Valentine's Day, only instead of celebrating the love you have for your significant other, you spend it with your best girlfriends, who are, after all, your soul mates, and therefore deserve a holiday all to themselves, too. Bring your gal pals together to celebrate each other, give each other homemade gifts and load up on waffles. Discussion topics include romantic relationships, past hookups, and historical events that happened on the day you were born.

Lise Wong 1/5/21 Lise Wong 1/5/21

Virtual Bar Mitzvah

Virtual b’nai mitzvahs are a part of life now. The kid reads Torah and delivers a d’var Torah, often over Zoom, to an audience of friends and family.

This bar mitzvah is made possible by the power of technology! If you can't get together in person, invite guests to celebrate virtually with a video party. Get the perfect bar mitzvah invitations for your celebration like this modern design that's trendy and stylish. All you need to do is ensure that everyone has access to the internet, a camera or microphone for the event.

This is also where quarantine plus modern technology is a real blessing. A family member who couldn’t fly over from Israel, Europe or wherever to attend, can now be included. This is much better than just watching a video of the celebration, after the event. Who would you love to share your Simcha with but they were unable to attend? The more the merrier. Video links are so easy to set up and are available around the globe. Help your elderly relatives and technophobes get set up on video link and then hold an international celebration. Celebrating life’s milestones, creating joy, and connecting with friends and community are Jewish obligations and must continue in spite of this deadly virus.

Top Tips for a Virtual Bar Bat Mitzvah Service

Select a Conference Service – Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime are all options. Zoom is the most popular. Make sure you can record everything!
Internet connection – Check the signal strength in the room where you want to have your service; you may need to purchase a WIFI booster or mesh system.
Audio – Consider using a plug in speaker so guests can hear you and your clergy.
Ask a Friend or Family Member to Host the Call – This will allow you to be present and not distracted during the service.
Ask a Friend or Family Member to Record the Service – To capture all of your guests, ask someone and make them a “host” so they can record the service, from their home, and scroll through the additional screens of guests/participants so you have a video memory of everyone who attended.

Additional Ideas to Keep the Service Festive and Fun

Create an At-Home Kiddush bag – If you have already printed your kippahs or programs, why not hand deliver or mail them to your guests for the virtual service?
Introduction - Just like at a live bat mitzvah party, invite the DJ to introduce the bat mitzvah girl and her family while playing their favorite tunes.
Virtual Mitzvah Care Package – Things to include: a program of the service, a personalized yarmulke and some favorite treats that they would have gotten in a hotel welcome bag or as part of the favor. And of course a note saying how much it means to us that they are watching the service.
Plan a Bar Bat Mitzvah Drive-By Parade to Celebrate – Your child has worked so hard to prepare for their big day. Celebrate with family and friends through a drive-by parade at your house. Many entertainment companies will even bring their DJs and equipment to your driveway – just ask your vendor!
Dress Up! – This is a special day, so let go of the comfy quarantine clothes and put on what you’d originally planned to wear for your temple service.
Take Photos – The best angle for your service (being eye level with your computer), blocks your sight line for photos. In order to commemorate this important day, stage some photos in advance with your child and other participants.

Lise Wong 1/4/21 Lise Wong 1/4/21

Keep in Touch the Old Fashioned Way

We are all feeling the effects of social distancing and quarantine as individuals, families, and as a society. This is why feeling connected to others is more important now than ever before. Writing and sending letters isn’t something you only do for Santa Claus. Why not write grandma or grandpa a cute note or card to let them know that you’re thinking about them? It can also be a great way to let friends and family know about milestones in your life, like graduations, baby showers, or engagements. You may not be able to throw parties, but you can still let people know about your accomplishments and life events. Share the things that don’t make it on social media. It’s much more personal than a text and makes you feel a little closer.

If you want to send your relatives and friends snail mail, but don’t want to go to the store for non-essential paper products, you can order cards and announcements online through our Zazzle store. You can customize any design, including the paper or ink colors, and font style or size. Writing letters is just one old etiquette practice that should make a comeback.

Lise Wong 12/14/20 Lise Wong 12/14/20

Virtual New Years Party

Stunning faux gold accents, watercolor champagne glass, and festive laptop. It’s hard to imagine New Year’s Eve without glitter confetti falling over a packed, champagne-soaked party, but like the rest of 2020, this December 31 will be a little diff… — Stunning faux gold accents, watercolor champagne glass, and festive laptop. It’s hard to imagine New Year’s Eve without glitter confetti falling over a packed, champagne-soaked party, but like the rest of 2020, this December 31 will be a little different. If you can't get together in person, invite guests to celebrate virtually with a video party. All you need to do is ensure that everyone has access to the internet, a camera or microphone for the event.

While we may not get to spend the holidays physically together, we can at least share the moment virtually. A virtual party may not seem like the best option for connection, there are plenty of ways to personalize the experience and make this New Year’s Eve one for the ages. Set up a Zoom, Skype or FaceTime call, invite those you’re missing and get set to celebrate.

Choose your party time: As you plan the timing for your virtual New Year’s Eve party, consider your family members and your friends’ schedules. While it’s typical to spend the whole evening out at an in-person NYE party, a virtual soirée is better kept short and sweet. Plan your party at a time that works well for everyone in the group, whether you need to wait for people to get off work or allow time to put the kids to bed. Then, structure your virtual event with an activity on the ideal platform to keep everyone entertained.

Decide your budget: With a bigger budget, you can send guests goodie bags with crowns and noise-makers ahead of time, send a meal, dessert, or a bottle of champagne to everyone, or hire someone to teach a class (mixology, perhaps?).

Pick a theme: For New Year’s, there are plenty of fun themes to try. You can go for classic black and white, disco, glitter, or even have a pajama party. Even more niche themes — based on TV characters, puns, or celebrities — are always welcome, too. If you want to up the stakes, give a prize to the best dressed: For example, a gift card to a local small business. Perhaps it’s a familial inside joke, a color, or decade theme, or costumes; pick something you know all of your guests will gladly embrace and something everyone can have fun with. Want to take it a step further? Create a fun custom background for your streaming space. You can do this digitally (there are tutorials online about how to accomplish this) or decorate your physical space to match your theme and help make the night feel like something special. You may not be able to leave home, but you can at least make home feel like somewhere new and fun for an evening.

Share a playlist: Let everyone share the evening and feel connected by creating a shared playlist. You can create collaborative playlists using Spotify, where every household can access the same playlist. Or create a playlist on YouTube, if having a video in the background is your thing, where everyone can have similar musical experience and create a lasting memento of the night that can be played again in the future.

Send your invitations: Just because the party is going virtual, it doesn’t mean beautiful invitations are out of the question. Make your guests feel extra special. Send out something glitzy in the mail for a personalized touch. Paper invitations also give you a chance to include some special extras for your invited guests, like photos, game cards, raffle tickets and whatever other extras that will help guests feel included in your big event. They also serve as a great keepsake!

If you are sending paper invites, then you will need to adjust the invitation wording so that guests know that it is a virtual party.

Pick an activity: No matter how big or how small your invite list, you need to plan a group activity. Your options for said activity are wide, and the best one will depend on the sort of crowd you’re hosting. You can do trivia, karaoke, tarot readings, bingo, or even hire an entertainer to virtually join your party: a DJ, comedian, magician, singer, etc.

Set up a space for the computer: If you want to make it seem like you’re all together, set a place for the computer, so you can all video chat during the night. Depending on your group, you may also want to consider designating a “tech captain.” That person can teach your less-tech-savvy relatives how to use Zoom in advance and help sort out any technical issues that arise day-of, so they don’t derail the entire event.

Share New Years resolutions: Go around the virtual circle and tell each other what you want to do differently in 2021. It may seem cheesy to some, but it's a great way to break the ice and reconnect with your loved ones. You might be surprised at what you learn about one another!

Pros of hosting a Virtual New Year:

No need to book a venue, just make sure that you're somewhere with a good internet connection
Anyone can join from anywhere meaning no one gets cut from the guest list
No intensive set-up or breakdown of the event
No need to provide food and drinks for guests
Guests can "attend" in their pajamas
Guests do not need to travel far!

Understandably, many are disappointed this year at how New Years is bound to play out. While a holiday celebration done virtually may not be the most optimal or the most traditional, there’s no denying that they can still offer a ton of fun and excitement for everyone involved. Plus, it will be an experience that you’ll likely remember for a lifetime! A virtual holiday party presents an opportunity to make lasting memories you can only create online.

Note: Before committing to a virtual option, please check to make sure the platform you are using offers the features that you need to make your party a success. If you are unfamiliar with a platform that you are considering, then jump online and test it out. The more comfortable you are with the technology, then the better chances you will have of making it all work out.

Lise Wong 11/28/20 Lise Wong 11/28/20

Virtual Christmas Party

Everything in 2020, including the holidays are probably going to look a lot different this year. Measures implemented to minimize the spread of the virus have seen travel bans put in place, forcing people across the globe to celebrate their weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other notable events completely online, through video conferencing technologies. These events help you maintain strong and natural connections with friends and loved ones you can’t see due to physical or social distance. Online festivities help maintain a sense of normalcy and a feeling of living full lives even when celebrations have to take place through different formats.

Still, if the thought of hosting a Virtual Christmas makes you cringe, you’re not alone. It will probably be weird, but so is everything else. You can still dine with pals over videoconference — perhaps even on a turkey meal prepared the day before and dropped off at “guests”’ homes that morning. So let’s hang out, catch up, and get wine drunk this year. If you’ve never hosted a virtual event before, this guide will give you all of the tools and resources you need for successfully planning and hosting a virtual Christmas.

1. Coordinate your menus

Work with each household to plan at least a few similar dishes on each family’s menu, so you can all enjoy the same appetizers, your family’s secret stuffing recipe, or a slice of apple pie for dessert. Or consider virtually cooking the meal or baking some cookies together. Even if you can’t be together in person, you can still spend time cooking with family. Set up a Zoom call with the rest of your family and catch up with one another as you cook your favorite dishes. While peeling vegetables, talk about all the new hobbies that everyone has picked up while stuck in quarantine or make travel plans for when the global pandemic is over. Or, take a trip down memory lane by reminiscing about past Christmas highlights.

2. Create a decorating scheme

Even if no one is coming over, you shouldn’t forget about décor. You’ll have plenty of time to go all out on your house, whether it be by hanging Christmas lights from the ceiling or having decorated gingerbread houses on display – you now have all the time in the world. Look for ways to make it feel like you’re all in the same space. Order the same flowers from sites so you can all enjoy the same centerpiece. If you really want to get matchy-matchy, you can rent the same table settings. Another way to make things feel festive is to mail items to your guests in advance, such as a homemade dessert, a bottle of champagne, a cocktail kit, or custom outfits. This might be a Santa hat, Christmas sweater or t-shirt, reindeer ears, festive jewelry or even a Santa suit! During the party you can vote on the best dressed and award virtual prizes.

3. Set a place for the computer

If you want to make it seem like you’re all eating together, set a place for the computer, so you can all video chat during the meal. Depending on your group, you may also want to consider designating a “tech captain.” That person can teach your less-tech-savvy relatives how to use Zoom in advance and help sort out any technical issues that arise day-of, so they don’t derail the entire event.

4. Get creative with family traditions

If your family is a Christmas Vacation or Home Alone family, gather each group around the TV and video chat or group text as you enjoy. Let each group create a slideshow or video presentation of the things they’re thankful for this year and spend some time enjoying those for a Christmas spin on the PowerPoint party.

5. Play some games

Besides turkey and stuffing, traditional Christmas celebrations often include a family game or two. While you may not be in the same room, thankfully, with the power of the Internet available at our fingertips, we can easily play virtual games.

Pros of hosting a Virtual Christmas:

No need to book a venue, just make sure that you're somewhere with a good internet connection
Anyone can join from anywhere meaning no one gets cut from the guest list
No intensive set-up or breakdown of the event
No need to provide food and drinks for guests
Guests can "attend" in their pajamas
Guests do not need to travel far!

Understandably, many are disappointed this year at how Christmas is bound to play out. While a holiday celebration done virtually may not be the most optimal or the most traditional, there’s no denying that they can still offer a ton of fun and excitement for everyone involved. Plus, it will be an experience that you’ll likely remember for a lifetime! A virtual holiday party presents an opportunity to make lasting memories you can only create online.

Consider Paper Invitations:

It's a little extra to send out actual Christmas invites if you're just going to be chowing down with the fam over Zoom. Although since you are having a virtual party, it may be nice for your invited guests to receive a real invitation in the mail and perhaps a virtual reminder before the big event.

Paper invitations also give you a chance to include some special extras for your invited guests, like maternity photos, baby shower games, raffle tickets and whatever other extras that will help guests feel included in your big event. They also serve as a great keepsake!

If you are sending paper invites, then you will need to adjust the invitation wording so that guests know that it is a virtual party.

Note: Before committing to a virtual option, please check to make sure the platform you are using offers the features that you need to make your party a success. If you are unfamiliar with a platform that you are considering, then jump online and test it out. The more comfortable you are with the technology, then the better chances you will have of making it all work out.

Lise Wong 11/27/20 Lise Wong 11/27/20

Reflecting on 2020

Yes I have a bunch of #BlackFriday sales happening all weekend. But you know how to find those deals without any reminders. So in the midst of all the advertisements today I wanted to take a moment to reflect. We can all agree that 2020 has been a year of significant ups and downs—between the long lockdowns, and the closing of many facets of our economy, and all the unexpected curveballs the last 10 months have brought - this year has been exhausting for many of us. But I would like to think it has also brought some growth. We’ve been challenged, tested, and have grown beyond our self-imposed limits. And we’ve learned to be unbreakable.

In this next chapter, I know I'll be sure to remember the important things in life. And soon we can start shifting gears to think of what next year will look like and what we wish for ourselves and the world. While 2020 has been unprecedented and difficult at times, in the end, it has only made us stronger.

We know we can’t control what happens around us but we can control the story we choose to write. What story will you write for yourself in 2021? I can’t wait to find out. I hope everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season, and is able to take some time to reflect on their own moments of joy and gratitude.

Black Friday Sale

Up to 60% Off + 20% Off Sitewide – Use code: ZBLKFRIDAYGO Starts: 11/27/2020 12:00 AM - Expires: 11/27/2020 11:59 PM PST

Sale details:

60% off holiday cards (60 or more), canvas prints, posters, wood posters

50% off calendars, cases (case-mate & uncommon), keychains, ornaments, puzzles, shot glasses, water bottles

40% off golf head covers, leggings, lighters, notebooks, ping pong paddles, plaques, towels, totes

Black Friday Deal of the Day

60% off mugs

50% off fleece blankets

Lise Wong 11/22/20 Lise Wong 11/22/20

Happy Sagittarius Season

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watercolor_sagittarius_astrology_zodiac_monogram_latte_mug-r978c250a1cfc4c4bb836a71802de4fda_0sjqf_1024.png

HAPPY SAGITTARIUS SEASON!
Shop for the Zodiac collection. Perfect for friends & family to wish them a happy day on turning one year older.

SAGITTARIUS

November 22 - December 21

Cheerful and friendly,

you’re admired by many.

You exude an infectious

optimism that draws people to you.

Passionate yet easy-going,

you have many friends

with whom you love to laugh.

You bring a natural creativity

and curiosity to everything you do.

Lise Wong 11/20/20 Lise Wong 11/20/20

Neighborhood Social Distanced Block Party

There's not much else to do these days indoors, other than watching TV, of course. So neighborhoods are being creative in coming up with ways to get together without being too close. Depending on where you live, guidance from your local authorities and your comfort level, it may be possible to get together outside in small, physically distanced groups where guests can remain at least six feet away from one another. Try hosting a Driveway Cocktail Party with neighbors putting chairs far apart to sit and have a drink together. Or make it a “block party” where besides drinking, everybody on the block can just sort of shout down the street at one another.

It’s important to stay connected while staying apart and as everyone settles in, six feet apart, wine glasses in hand, we gradually ease out of the awkwardness and remember what it’s like to eat and drink with loved ones. That feeling hasn’t changed a bit. Go outside and chat — just don’t share any items or food and simply enjoy the time together. Whatever method you prefer, don’t let yourself be lonely. While we are still under orders for people stay far apart physically, we can still find ways to come together socially.

Lise Wong 11/9/20 Lise Wong 11/9/20

Merry Friendsmas

Friendsmas, the best friendship centered holiday after Friendsgiving.

The best holiday you didn't know you you needed to celebrate! What is Friendsmas, you'll ask? Quite simply, it's a Christmas celebration party exclusively for your friends. Why might you want to have one? Well, for one, most of us will want to be with our families on Christmas day, so hosting a separate celebration for friends makes sense. Or, for those who live away from home, Friendsmas might be what you do on Christmas day instead of heading back to see relatives.

Whether you’re looking to host a big neighborhood party with your folks, or a modern day gathering with friends, you’ll want to throw an impressive party everyone will remember for years. Friendsmas isn't technically Christmas. You don't have to follow any Christmas traditions, feel free to start your own. This is a holiday to celebrate friendship, so just get your friends together and do whatever will make you all happy.

If you want your Friendsmas party to be exceptional, this is not the time to skimp out on quality food, and unless you have an exceptionally large budget to feed everyone, a collaborative pot luck is your best bet. Enlist your friends to bring at least one dish or beverage to the party.

A Friendsmas doesn’t exist without a proper alcoholic beverage or five as well. Don’t get me wrong, food is very important, but beverages are the life blood of the party and sometimes the only thing to keep your guests at the party. If you can, recruit one of your friends to act as the mixologist for the party. Select at least 3-4 easy cocktail recipes or pick up a premade keg cocktail to keep on draft.

What’s a Friendsmas party without a few gifts changing hands? Ditch the Secret Santa routine and go for the White Elephant game. Be sure to determine a fair spending limit, no one wants leave feeling they were jipped or go home broke. Have everyone pick numbers out of a hat to determine the gift selection order and take turns selecting presents. Stealing up to two times is normally fair game, but make sure everyone brings something someone else will actually want to steal.

Whether it’s your turn to host Friendsmas or it’s a new tradition you’re looking to kick off, here are some of our top tips for throwing an epic Friendsmas bash!

Get out the tinsel
Decorations are an absolute essential. Choose a color scheme and decorate your table & venue with all things Christmas. Go for colorful napkins and funky plates. Introduce elements of humor with novelty decorations. Neon lights are an easy and chic way to introduce a party vibe into your home while still keeping things elegant. Neon lights have a very attractive, soft glow that will complement most interiors and will help get everyone into a party mood. To give people more space – and more of a chance to mingle – it's a good idea to decorate more than just the Christmas tree. By scattering colorful fairy lights, balloons and garlands, you'll be signaling to your friends that they can congregate in different areas of the living room. The more the merrier is our motto for Friendsmas.

Make it a dress up affair
Santa hats, red dresses, reindeer costumes… get your squad dressed the part for your Christmas function! Themes can be so much fun at a party and when you’re spending the day drinking with your friends, selfies are bound to happen. If you’re not big on themes, it’s still fun to pick up some Santa hats, reindeer ears and a few photo props to add something a little extra to the party.

Cute desserts
Something nice to have after the meal or as a gift for your guests at the end of the function.

Christmas tunes
Whether you love them or hate them, get people in the festive spirit with a Christmas playlist ready to go.

Entertainment
Are you going ice-skating before having dinner, playing games at home or settling in for a Christmas movie marathon? Once you know how long the party is going to last, you’ll be able to figure out what you’re going to do to keep everyone entertained throughout the party.

The best part about having a Friendsmas party is getting together with your crew before the busy season kicks into full gear. No matter what you do, being with your loved ones is going to be epic so don’t stress, just enjoy!

Lise Wong 11/5/20 Lise Wong 11/5/20

Early Black Friday Sale

25% off all products in IYHTVDesigns Zazzle store! Promo code: ZDESIGNERS25 Expires: 11/30/2020 — 25% off all products in IYHTVDesigns Zazzle store!
Promo code: ZDESIGNERS25
Expires: 11/30/2020

Early Black Friday Sale

60% Off Business Cards & Holiday Cards + Up to 50% Off Gifts + 20% Off Sitewide - Use Code: FRIDAYOFFERZ - Starts: 11/06/2020 12:00 AM - Expires: 11/06/2020 11:59 PM PST

Sale details:

60% off holiday cards and business cards

50% off calendars, fleece blankets, golf balls, Post-it notes, watches and envelopes

40% off buttons, flasks, leggings, lighters, plaques, serving trays

20% off everything else!

Are you done your holiday shopping? We have invitations & gifts to suit just about anyone, whomever the recipient may be, so you can be confident that your loved ones will appreciate the extra care and attention that went into crafting their memorable gift. We can't think of a more thoughtful gift to give than a personalized, tailor-made design, crafted especially for its recipient.
Whether you choose a precious Christmas decoration for your grandma, a funny holiday gift for your little brother or a gorgeous invitation for your upcoming event, your custom design is sure to be a memorable one. Present a gift your loved ones can’t wait to open with some personalized wrapping paper or festive gift tags! Tick everyone off your list with personalized presents. You can customize any gift to make it truly special by adding your giftee’s name, favorite design or photo. Stock up on cards and wrapping paper, tableware and more. Let's rock the holiday season together!!!

Canadian Link: https://www.zazzle.ca/store/iyhtvdesigns/products

US Link: https://www.zazzle.com/store/iyhtvdesigns/products

Lise Wong 11/3/20 Lise Wong 11/3/20

Holiday Cards, Gifts & Décor Sale

When we can’t be together right now send a custom card. These minimal typography photo cards highlight your imagery with fresh, modern typefaces. Customize with your own photos, and a personalized message. Colors can be customized. We believe that d… — When we can’t be together right now send a custom card. These minimal typography photo cards highlight your imagery with fresh, modern typefaces. Customize with your own photos, and a personalized message. Colors can be customized. We believe that during certain events throughout out lives, no matter how big or small, faith is what helps keep us positive and hopeful.

25% off all products in IYHTVDesigns Zazzle store!
Promo code: ZDESIGNERS25
Expires: 11/30/2020

TODAY’S DEAL: Up to 60% Off Holiday Cards, Gift Wrap, Ornaments & More + 20% Off Sitewide - Use Code: SHOPHOLIDAYZ - Starts: 11/02/2020 12:00 AM - Expires: 11/05/2020 11:59 PM PST

50% off calendars, other cards & invites, canvas prints, gift tags, stickers, stockings

40% off binders, magnets, ornaments, puzzles, rubber stamps, wrapping paper

Canadian Link: https://www.zazzle.ca/store/iyhtvdesigns/products

US Link: https://www.zazzle.com/store/iyhtvdesigns/products

Lise Wong 10/23/20 Lise Wong 10/23/20

Happy Scorpio Season

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watercolor_scorpio_astrology_zodiac_monogram_latte_mug-r7ee7b8aad8cf4f16b8c37b5053151da5_0sjqf_1024.png

HAPPY SCORPIO SEASON!
Shop for the Zodiac collection. Perfect for friends & family to wish them a happy day on turning one year older.

SCORPIO

October 23 - November 21

Intense and determined, you

throw yourself into

whatever you choose to

do with passion and grit. You know

what you want and you

go out and get it. Resourceful and

curious, passionate and

perceptive. You have a magnetic

charm that can't be ignored.

Lise Wong 10/21/20 Lise Wong 10/21/20

Celebrating Hanukkah Covid Style

Hanukkah 2020 runs from December 10 through December 18, which means it’s almost time to start thinking about how you’ll celebrate those eight crazy nights. Even if you aren’t able to get together this year, you can still enjoy the same treats and Hanukkah recipes together. Drop off a sweet treat, like rugelach, sufganiyot, or a little gelt to make their Hanukkah celebration a little brighter. Get personalized wrapping paper or favor tags that will light up the hearts of the recipients. Consider picking quarantine-friendly gifts this year as well. Opt for gifts that’ll help make your time at home this winter more cozy and comfortable—custom socks, a warm blanket, a good book, a fun game to play, or a clever mug. Decorating your home can also get you into the spirit. Choose from many Yiddish puns and color-coordinated holiday décor, including dinnerware, dreidels, wreaths, and more. Because even if no one is coming over, you shouldn’t forget about décor.

The 2020 holiday season is likely to look very different from what we’re used to, but taking advantage of different ways to connect can help us feel closer and support each other. Prepare for modified or canceled Thanksgiving travel plans, Hanukkah dinners on Zoom, outdoor Christmas services, and more Santa-themed PPE than any of us can bear. But maybe this is also a chance to reset. Maybe this is the year we stop holding ourselves to impossible standards — of perfect meals and perfect gifts, of zero fights and zero tears and only perfect togetherness. Maybe this is the year we stop expecting so much of ourselves. So although the holidays may not be the same this year, that doesn’t mean it should stop you from getting into the holiday spirit!

Celebrate the spirit of Hanukkah with friends, family with our gorgeous photo cards. We also have invitations & gifts to suit just about anyone, whomever the recipient may be, so you can be confident that your loved ones will appreciate the extra care and attention that went into crafting their memorable gift. We can't think of a more thoughtful gift to give than a personalized, tailor-made design, crafted especially for its recipient. Tick everyone off your list with personalized presents. You can customize any gift to make it truly special by adding your giftee’s name, favorite design or photo. Stock up on cards and wrapping paper, tableware and more. Let's rock the holiday season together!!!

Canadian Link: https://www.zazzle.ca/store/iyhtvdesigns/products

US Link: https://www.zazzle.com/store/iyhtvdesigns/products

Lise Wong 10/15/20 Lise Wong 10/15/20

Christmas is Coming

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20% off all products in IYHTVDesigns Zazzle store!
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TODAY’S DEAL: 50% Off Ornaments – Use code: ZAZDAY5DEALS - Starts: 10/16/2020 12:00 AM - Expires: 10/16/2020 11:59 PM PST

We are running a full week of fantastic sales! Check back every day for the “Sale of the Day” - 40% Off Daily Deals, 20% Off Sitewide Normal exclusions and restrictions apply: https://www.zazzle.com/offer+details

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Lise Wong 10/14/20 Lise Wong 10/14/20

Holiday Head Start SALE

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Lise Wong 10/13/20 Lise Wong 10/13/20

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Lise Wong 10/5/20 Lise Wong 10/5/20

Virtual Thanksgiving Party

When you have to stay home, stay connected through virtual events. This design features a watercolor living room couch scene perfect for a Friendsgiving Thanksgiving at home. Chat and check in with loved ones, coworkers, and friends online maintaini… — When you have to stay home, stay connected through virtual events. This design features a watercolor living room couch scene perfect for a Friendsgiving Thanksgiving at home. Chat and check in with loved ones, coworkers, and friends online maintaining safety and fun. It’s important to come together during this unprecedented time where sanity is vital to our happiness.

Still, if the thought of hosting a Virtual Thanksgiving makes you cringe, you’re not alone. It will probably be weird, but so is everything else. You can still dine with pals over videoconference — perhaps even on a turkey meal prepared the day before and dropped off at “guests”’ homes that morning. So let’s hang out, catch up, and get wine drunk this year. If you’ve never hosted a virtual event before, this guide will give you all of the tools and resources you need for successfully planning and hosting a virtual Thanksgiving.

1. Coordinate your menus

Work with each household to plan at least a few similar dishes on each family’s menu, so you can all enjoy the same appetizers, your family’s secret stuffing recipe, or a slice of apple pie for dessert. Or consider virtually cooking the meal together. Even if you can’t be together in person, you can still spend time cooking with family. Set up a Zoom call with the rest of your family and catch up with one another as you cook your favorite dishes. While peeling vegetables, talk about all the new hobbies that everyone has picked up while stuck in quarantine or make travel plans for when the global pandemic is over. Or, take a trip down memory lane by reminiscing about past Thanksgiving highlights.

2. Create a decorating scheme

Even if no one is coming over, you shouldn’t forget about décor. You’ll have plenty of time to go all out on your house, whether it be by hanging streamers from the ceiling or blowing up balloons to creating an actual turkey out of paper-mâché – you now have all the time in the world. Look for ways to make it feel like you’re all in the same space. Order the same flowers from sites so you can all enjoy the same centerpiece. If you really want to get matchy-matchy, you can rent the same table settings. Another way to make things feel festive is to mail items to your guests in advance, such as a homemade dessert, a bottle of champagne, a cocktail kit, or custom T-shirts.

3. Set a place for the computer

4. Get creative with family traditions

If your family is a football or dog show family, gather each group around the TV and video chat or group text as you enjoy. Let each group create a slideshow or video presentation of the things they’re thankful for this year and spend some time enjoying those for a Thanksgiving spin on the PowerPoint party.

5. Play some games

Besides turkey and cranberry sauce, traditional Thanksgiving celebrations often include a family game or two. While you may not be in the same room, thankfully, with the power of the Internet available at our fingertips, we can easily play virtual games.

6. Pie Eating Contest

Totally ridiculous? Yes. Insanely fun? Also yes. Everyone bakes a pie, then goes head-to-head on Zoom to see who finishes theirs the fastest. With witnesses, of course. And yes, you do have to eat with your hands behind your back, thanks for asking.

Pros of hosting a Virtual Thanksgiving:

No need to book a venue, just make sure that you're somewhere with a good internet connection
Anyone can join from anywhere meaning no one gets cut from the guest list
No intensive set-up or breakdown of the event
No need to provide food and drinks for guests
Guests can "attend" in their pajamas
Guests do not need to travel far!

Understandably, many are disappointed this year at how Thanksgiving is bound to play out. While a holiday celebration done virtually may not be the most optimal or the most traditional, there’s no denying that they can still offer a ton of fun and excitement for everyone involved. Plus, it will be an experience that you’ll likely remember for a lifetime! A virtual holiday party presents an opportunity to make lasting memories you can only create online.

Consider Paper Invitations:

It's a little extra to send out actual Thanksgiving invites if you're just going to be chowing down with the fam over Zoom. Although since you are having a virtual party, it may be nice for your invited guests to receive a real invitation in the mail and perhaps a virtual reminder before the big event.

If you are sending paper invites, then you will need to adjust the invitation wording so that guests know that it is a virtual party.

Lise Wong 10/5/20 Lise Wong 10/5/20

Happy Teachers Day

Honor a special educator in your life with a teachers day party. They have gone above and beyond to encourage your child’s learning and potential. Their patience in dealing with 20 kids (and those 20 kids’ parents) is admirable.

Also known as International Teachers Day, this holiday happens globally every year on October 5. Teachers’ organizations around the world have been celebrating World Teachers’ Day since 1994. World Teachers’ Day aims to focus on “appreciating, assessing, and improving the educators of the world” and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching. It‘s the perfect opportunity for administrators, students, parents, and loved ones to show their teachers they appreciate the significant contribution they make to their classrooms and communities.

Consider the following actions that may be taken up by a school volunteer organization:

Hang a sign on each classroom door saluting, by name, the teacher within.
Have National Honor Society, Student Council or other student groups furnish punch and cookies for the teacher's lounge on Teacher Day.
Give teachers candy, apples or other food gifts with appropriate notes attached (e.g., fortune cookies with a note about how fortunate the school is to have a teacher of such high caliber).
Provide balloon bouquets and flowers for every teachers' lounge.

If there are no school-wide teacher appreciation activities planned, consider giving your child's teacher a token of gratitude with these simple gifts ideas.

Spring Survival Kit – Include desk cleaning wipes and tissues — there is not a teacher on earth who can't use more of these with the onset of allergy season!

Gift Card Bouquet - Ask families to donate gift cards and put in a "bouquet" (attach cards to craft sticks) with some silk flowers for each of the teachers to enjoy.

Shopping for Compliments - Fill a reusable shopping bag with index cards decorated by students on one side and with an encouraging note about the teacher on the other.

Your Team is Sharp - Collect donations and buy each teaching team an electric pencil sharpener and box of pencils to get them through the end of the year (and final exams).

You're the Bomb - The science teachers will get a giggle when they see this simple combination of Mentos mints and a bottle of soda in each of the staff mailboxes. Caution: May not be combined during school hours!

Gestures of teacher appreciation can run the gamut from simple to elaborate, but the outcome is always the same: teachers love them. The most important part of any appreciation effort is the heartfelt sentiment behind it.