Our PTO is in the process of organizing a SPA day for our Mom's near Mother's day. We will have gals from Mary Kay come to do makeovers, we happen to have a local massage therapy school and they are having some of their members give free 15 minute massages, and we have a beauty supply store that is giving away free samples of product.
Kids will be on-hand to 'paint' their own Mom's toenails, serve coffee/tea, and other pampering ideas.
We are taking over the staff lounge for this event and decorating in soft tones with tule and lace, calming music and free hand and foot massages as well.
For Dad's we will be sponsoring a Ice Cream Sundae scavenger hunt. Our town is fairly small with only one elementary so I'm not sure if this would work with a large city. Complexity of clues will be based on the grade level of the child so that the kids will be doing the reading. Each clue will take a team to a location to 'pick-up' different ingredients for their sundaes. For example "go to the Mayor's house for your utensils" where the Mayor will be there handing out plastic spoons. Each team will be given a plastic bag for collecting. Everyone wins in the end because they all meet back at the school to enjoy their gatherings. Ice Cream is not an item to be "picked-up" rather a 31 flavors type set-up will be waiting for them at the school.
I do agree with everyone being so busy and all and wanting to do things with the kids. But in our situation, we do SO MUCH with the kids and we have had so many moms that are not part of PTO that wanted to get to know people and who aren't so outgoing that can be invited. I don't ever want to exclude someone just because they're not a member. I'll let ya know if it takes off and how it goes.
I have been thinking about suggesting an event for PTO participants that would be like a reward type event for all of their hard work that would include a meal or snack and gift bag. We have a volunteer recognition event but it is sponsered by the PTO and at least one of us does some work for it so it's not really a reward when you have to do the work. One local school does a Ladies Night out that includes dinner, door prizes, a fashion show, and silent auction. Most of the stuff is donated and they charge $10. Good luck.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
Would it be for ALL the moms at your school or only for those in the PTO? That could cause some hard feelings. We toyed with the idea of an adult's night out so we sent out a little survey type note to see what kind of attendance we would get, what people would like to have, and how much they would be willing to pay. We got very little response so we tabled the idea and instead we are doing a family night that's free. Everyone is so busy these days and I know that personally, I'd rather do something WITH my kids than without them.
If you have a better response than we did, I'd be more tempted to make it a fun night not a fundraising night.
We've been brinstorming ideas for a Girl's Night Out for our PTO Moms. We want to plan a night at a local VFW type hall. Cater munchies from a local restaurant (hopefully donated). Have theme tables that are decorated to the max according to themes such as; Flowers, Sponge Bob, Military, Americana, Silver & Gold, Queen/Princess, Beach etc. The plates, cups, balloons, table cloths, centerpiece and decorations will all be according to theme. We are trying to book a local "Sister Act" to come perform. They are entertaining as well as do a little 1/2 hour dance set.
Any other ideas would be appreciated. Thinking of doing raffles and making it a fundraiser and charging admission to cover cost and make a little money too. What do y'all think?
