Dear Ivan, Blanca, Mark, Big Andy, Mum, Stephen, Carla & Logan, Brian and Karolina, Barry and Tim, Gabi, June and John, and Paul, Lesley, and the kids,
Once again summer holidays are hovering enticingly on the horizon of the not-so-distant end of our working year, and I know you’re all thinking what I’m thinking: long lazy nights, trips to the beach, and yes, of course, our annual Summer Garden Party!
This year – as you may have already guessed – the privilege of hosting our traditional fun get together has fallen to me. So allow me to take this opportunity to inform everyone that I am taking this responsibility with the same gravity I take all responsibilities I am assigned, and I fully intend to do my duty to the best of my ability, thus ensuring a fun time for all. One thing. I have initiated a small change in the planning process this year – well, quite a big change actually! – but fear not, my goal is to amplify our amusement not dampen it, and if could have your undivided attention for a couple of minutes I’ll tell you about it. Cast your eyes on my latest creation, a Party Planning Popplet:
You’re all impressed, I know you are! No? Well, allow me to acquaint you with Popplet’s finer features. What you’re looking at is a Garden Party Popplet, but that’s of little consequence, what’s really important is that it’s our Garden Party Popplet and it’s going to help us have the best time ever. Excited? Let’s begin…
Getting Started
Click on the link in the Popplet email that you should now have in your inboxes, and you’ll see the Popplet again (when I made the Popplet, i clicked the “Share” button and added you all as collaborators). You will be invited to join Popplet first (it’s free!), so click on “sign up!”, and follow the instructions. Be sure to use the email address I have for you. Then, when you’re signed in you will see the Garden Party Popplet in your Popplet inbox. Simply agree to “collaborate”, and you are ready to start adding comments and information.
Who’s Coming?
Every year there is always someone at the BBQ who none of us seem to know. I mean, that’s not always a bad thing, as some of our – dare I say – uninvited guests turn out to be rather interesting, but do I really need to remind anyone of the garden hose incident last year? Not good! The blue section of the popplet is the guest list, and this is the place where you let me (and each other) know who’s coming, who’s not coming and what time you’re going to arrive. The more cynical among you might suggest alterations to the guest list, but I’d need a really good reason to remove someone from the list, not just mindless gossip. (Please don’t add gossip to the popplet, call me!) Still, if you want to add someone to the guest list, feel free.
To RSVP simply double click on the screen to create a new popple (seriously, that’s what they’re called) and type in your response like Mark has done here:
Be sure to connect your answers to the guest list popple, and I personally would be happier if we stuck to the color scheme I’ve chosen, i.e., blue for this section! A word of warning – when there are too many popples things tend to get messy, so if you’re not adding photos, it might be better to use Popplet Comments as I have in my response to Mark’s question about Lulu:
Thanks Mark! To add a popplet comment, click the comment bubble at the top right hand corner of the popple.
Where and When?
The day, the date, and my address with map are all included in the green section of the popplet. I have also taken the liberty of including some photos of my newest garden furniture, just in case some of you want to coordinate, and because it’s fabulous. Seriously though, this might be a good spot for suggestions about what time everyone wants to eat lunch, or other practical things such as what games to play? If you have an idea, add it as a new popple, or add comments to the existing popples as before:
What Are We Having?
I have heard it remarked, and I admit that there may be some truth to it, that my culinary skills fall a little below what is commonly perceived as average – one cannot be gifted at everything! As a result, I have searched Youtube for dishes that I believe are “in my range” and added them to the popplet so that you can comment (see above) and offer advice. Additionally, please feel free to add suggestions of your own: maybe you know a better recipe? One more thing, I know that I have listened to all there is to know about the dietary requirements of some of our number, but for some reason, my memory fails me in this particular area and I have forgotten more than I remember. Sorry! So maybe this section is a good spot for those with special dietary requests to let us know all about them. Be sure to add any old and new issues and this will avoid disappointment (and painful repetition) on the big day. If necessary create another popple – just make sure it’s red and positioned correctly! Gabi has already made her voice heard as regards her choices:
You could also add recipes from Youtube or Vimeo as I have done – nothing too complicated please!
Do I Have to Bring Anything?
Strictly speaking, no. However, I think you would all feel a little bit more comfortable if you did – sending out for take away last year was fun, but I distinctly remember having to pay for it all! So, this year I have made a list of things that we will need:
Take a look, it’s not exhaustive by any means, and if you can think of anything else, just add it to the list. If you can bring it with you, all the better! Remember to add comments to let the others know what you’re going to bring. Mark is offering to entertain us with his ukulele again, I’m sure it’s not just me who will have something to say about that!
Well, that’s it for now. I hope to see you all bright eyed and bushy tailed in a few weeks time, bursting with all the joys of work’s end and summer’s real start. Until then, let’s work together to make it the best Summer Garden Party ever!
Forever your your loyal friend, family member, and colleague
Gary
Do you have any ideas for planning your summer events? We’d love to hear them. Share your experiences with us, and our community on Twitter and on our Facebook page.