It seems like we are busier and busier each year, doesn’t it? More tests to score, data to track, work to differentiate…the list just never ends.
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And that busy schedule can make it hard for me to plan special events for my class. Yet I want to make those holidays memorable for my students, like the holidays I remember from when I was in elementary school.
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Do you feel the same way?Â
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If so, I’d like to share a few time-saving printables that will dress up a festive and fun Halloween table in no time!
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We don’t have very many parties in 5th grade. Our annual Harvest Party takes place tomorrow and then we have a Winter Holiday celebration right before the Christmas break. So I always like to make the events as festive and academically fun as I can.
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This year, I found some great plates and napkins from Target. I went with orange solids and black and white patterns (I knew this would be appealing to my older students):
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I also got some of those trendy paper straws for the water and juice (I couldn’t resist!):
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Many of my wonderful families are sending in waters, crackers and cheese, sweets, and healthy snacks as well. To showcase these items, I made some decorative table signs.
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For the water graciously donated, I made a sign for “invisibility potion” (get it?? Ha ha!):
(I know my 5th graders will appreciate the humor)
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I peeled the labels off the water bottles to make them look, well, more invisible:
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This took just a few moments to do and it looks great with the sign and straws! In the past I have made cute little bottle labels but, truth be told, it takes way too long to affix enough of them for an entire class. And they are only used for a moment before being tossed into the trash, where I gaze sadly at my creations that took so much time to set up.
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This was more practical and much faster.
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I also made a couple of signs to showcase the snacks my students will be bringing in. I kept them on the smaller side, so there is space for the food (the part that really matters to a 5th grader!):
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To add a bit more festivity to the table, I washed out and filled up some of the mason jars we use for
extra supplies:
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I also filled up a jar with my student gift…they will each get a couple of glow sticks to use as a safe treat on Halloween night:
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You may recognize that little sign, it’s a spin on an old file from a few years back. You can see the older version here:
A Bit of Light…
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I decided to use one sign near the jar to save time in taping the glow sticks to individual signs. However, I am sharing a entire page of them at the end of this post, in case you’d like to print enough for each student in your class…
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So the whole setup only took about 10 minutes after school this evening. Well, to be completely honest, it took a teeny bit longer since I had to take photographs. But if you would like to try yourself, this setup is very fast!!
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All files are in a rectangular shape that can be cut quickly with a paper cutter. I printed mine on cardstock and will slip them into a file to store and reuse again next year.Â
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If you would like to use any of the signs featured in this post, please see below:
(I cannot wait to see it tomorrow with all of the snacks as well!)
I hope this was of help if you are looking to set up a quick, but fun and festive Halloween table!
What are some of your favorite tips to set up a holiday party quickly?