Reimagine Your Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with tradition.  With family gathered around your table and a feast of traditional dishes, there is something comforting about the familiarity of it all. At More Than Paper, we’re here to give you a few creative food and décor ideas that will make your 2024 Thanksgiving feel familiar, but exciting ! It’s not just a day of turkey and football on the couch – Thanksgiving is a day to make memories with family and friends.  Follow a few of these tips to make this holiday feel anything but ordinary! 

 

FOOD 

While classics like turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie hold a special place in our hearts, adding a contemporary twist can invigorate the holiday table and surprise your guests.  Plus, families these days are anxious to incorporate some more healthy cooking techniques to fuel their family.  Offering items that satisfy dietary restrictions shows attention to your guests needs, too. 

 

Here are some 5 traditional Thanksgiving dishes reimagined for a fresh take on this time-honored holiday. 

(Photo of Turkey & Quinoa Stuffing from "Arts & Crackers". Please view the original photo and source by clicking here.) 

 

1.     Herb-Butter Turkey with Citrus Glaze: Instead of the standard roasted turkey, try brining your bird in a mixture of citrus juices and herbs. The bright flavors of orange, lemon, and fresh thyme will elevate the traditional flavors. After brining, rub the turkey with herb-infused butter and roast it!  

 

2.     Quinoa and Mushroom Stuffing: Swap out the traditional bread stuffing for a hearty quinoa and mushroom version. Sauté a mix of mushrooms, onions, and celery, then combine with cooked quinoa, fresh herbs, and a splash of vegetable broth. This gluten-free alternative is packed with flavor and offers a nutritious twist on the classic stuffing.

 

3.     Sweet Potato and Chipotle Mash: While many families serve sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows (loaded with calories and sugar), consider a savory mash instead. Boil and mash sweet potatoes, then mix in chipotle peppers for a kick, lime juice, and a pinch of cinnamon for a smoky, spicy side dish.

 

4.     Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa: Elevate your cranberry sauce by transforming it into a vibrant salsa. Combine fresh cranberries, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and a hint of sugar for a sweet and spicy condiment. This salsa pairs beautifully with turkey and adds a colorful pop to your Thanksgiving spread.  You’ll really wake up the flavors here! 

 

5.     Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu: Instead of the usual pumpkin pie, impress your guests with a pumpkin spice tiramisu. Layer coffee-soaked ladyfingers with a creamy pumpkin mascarpone filling, spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon. This no-bake dessert offers a rich treat and modern presentation. 

 

At More Than Paper, we’re proud to have some serving dishes that will work perfectly for your Thanksgiving table. Here’s a round-up of some of our favorites.  These also work great as hostess gifts! 

 

-       This personalized melamine platter uses Fall colors. Dishwasher safe for easy clean up, this stylish design is perfect for serving turkey or other dishes at your Thanksgiving table. 

-       Enjoy this personalized dipping board that is engraved with your name! Use it for bread, crackers, cheese, dips, olive oil, & just about anything. Looks great on your table! 

-       These festive Thanksgiving napkins will be great served with your cocktail of choice: . The ivory napkins with brown print scream “Fall” and are extra festive for the holiday. 

-       For a hostess gift, we love these engraved wooden spoons. Choose from 4 different text styles, each with a different feel. 

 

 

DÉCOR 

While typical Thanksgiving décor tends to be fall-like colors of red, orange, brown mixed with flowers and foliage, here are some ideas to add spice to Thanksgiving décor! 

 

1.     Customized Place Settings: Make your guests feel special (and save the headache of “where to sit”) by personalizing their place settings. Use natural elements like small pumpkins or gourds as name cards. Simply write each guest’s name on a leaf or a slice of wood and place it on their plate. This thoughtful detail adds a charming touch to your table and encourages guests to engage with one another.

 

2.     Thankful Tree: Create a thankful tree as a centerpiece or a decorative addition to your home. Use a branch placed in a vase and hang tags or paper leaves from it. Encourage your family and guests to write what they are thankful for and hang it on the tree. This interactive decoration not only adds a unique element but also promotes gratitude during the meal.  Alternatively, you can ask your guests to write what they are thankful for on an index card, or a colorful cardstock and read it as you go around the table. Feel free to keep it simple but use the idea of expressing gratitude as the focal point!  Visit Lifeway Kids / Kids Ministry to see this example below. 

 

3.     Thanksgiving Quotes and Signs: Infuse your space with the spirit of Thanksgiving through decorative quotes and signs. Create or purchase wooden signs with heartfelt sayings like “Grateful, Thankful, Blessed” or “Gather.” Display them on your dining table, shelves, or walls to remind everyone of the holiday's meaning. Many craft and discount home stores have an abundance of these type of signs for a great price!  This one below was found on Etsy, please visit this link to view & shop now! 

 

4.     Incorporate Family Heirlooms: Old can feel new. Personalize your decor by incorporating family heirlooms or seasonal items that have sentimental value. Whether it’s a vintage tablecloth, a cherished serving dish, or framed family photos, these elements can add a meaningful touch to your Thanksgiving celebration. 

 

5.     Candlelight Ambiance: Use candles to create ambiance! Use a mix of battery-operated pillar candles and tea lights placed in a variety of holders like mason jars, glass hurricanes, or even hollowed-out pumpkins. Arrange them along your dining table or around your living space to add warmth and elegance to your Thanksgiving gathering. The more the better!  You can adjust your room lighting to dim settings or off-completely (depending on how many candles you have, of course!)  This image was used from AfternoonArtist, visit this source here. 

 

 

Enjoy the season and let your creativity flow as you prepare for a memorable Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends. Happy decorating and happy feasting!  

Ways to Celebrate the New Sorority Sister

For many young women at colleges and universities all over the U.S., the last few weeks have been marked by sorority rush.  The excitement is coupled with stress and stems from the numerous rounds at sometimes dozens of houses, all to find that perfect fit.   Joining a sorority can be a transformative experience for young college women.  It can help young women to find a place at a large university, provide social opportunities, and expose and offer opportunities to get involved in a lot of campus philanthropy, and many also may lead to career and networking opportunities.  

Most often, after bid day, women are celebrated and even spoiled as members of their new houses. There are big/little sister programs to get acquainted, parties with new members, and celebrations.  These things are the reward for all the weeks of difficult touring, interviewing, and decision making.  

 

You may know a woman who has recently joined a sorority – be it a family friend, your own daughter, or sister.  How do you acknowledge the young women in your life that have found their sorority house?  We have a few ideas! Here are some creative ways to celebrate her new journey.

 

Create a Memory Scrapbook

Gather photos, letters, and mementos from her journey leading up to joining the sorority and compile them into a scrapbook. Include notes from friends and family expressing their pride and excitement for her new chapter. This personal gift will serve as a cherished keepsake she can look back on for years to come.

 

Arrange a Special Dinner

Organize a dinner at her favorite restaurant or host a home-cooked meal when she comes home.  Make it special by inviting her closest friends and family. Add the Greek letters to a cake or cupcake or order a banner with the sorority house letters.  This allows everyone to share their excitement and offer advice as she embarks on this new chapter.

 

Write Her a Letter

In a world of digital communication, a handwritten letter can feel extra special. Write her a letter expressing your pride in her accomplishment, sharing your hopes for her future, and offering words of encouragement. This personal touch will mean a lot as she navigates her new sorority life!  Of course, More Than Paper has a lot of stationery options, if you are in need. Check out some of our favorite personalized stationery options here.

 

1.     This Clarity Wardrobe Set by Embossed Graphics is a great basic option for everyday thank yous and correspondence for congratulating a new sorority member. 

2.     These “Campus Cards Stationery” are personalized as you see fit (optional inprint at the bottom). You can also choose from dozens of typestyles.  

 

Gift Her Sorority Merchandise

Surprise her with sorority-themed merchandise, such as apparel, accessories, or personalized items like mugs or tote bags. These gifts not only celebrate her new status but also help her feel more connected to her sorority. Consider customizing gifts with her name or the sorority letters. Here are some ideas by More Than Paper. 

 

-       We love these bumper stickers! Show your sorority pride with these on the back of any car. 

-       These cosmetic bags are a great way to inexpensively honor the new sorority member: 

-       We also have a selection of notepads! 

 

Celebrating a friend, sister, or daughter who has just joined a sorority is about more than just the event itself; it’s about showing support, love, and encouragement as she goes on this exciting new chapter in her life. With these ideas, she will feel support from you as well as from her new sorority sisters. 

Back to School Organization

Families are busier than ever these days and the start of a new school year is a frenzy with activity. Managing your own schedule is difficult enough but add the schedules of one, two, three, or more children who are active and involved becomes a Herculean feat where only the organized survive.  We have learned a few tips and tricks along the way to help streamline your organization this back-to-school season.   Here’s what we can share from our experience. 

1.     Download all the Apps…. 

What’s the saying? There’s an app for that! There truly is an app for every activity and function and at least in our experience, there does not seem to be one that is preferred by coaches and club organizers more, so unfortunately – the recommendation we can give is: just download all the apps.  You will not convince the new cheerleading coach that she should download the one that you used before, she wants to use the one she wants to use so -- just get on board! One of our baseball teams uses “Game Changer” and the other uses “Heja.” Cheerleading and Varsity tennis both use Heja but they don’t sync between the teams, you just have to toggle at the top… You just have to download and check them all. (Pro Tip: Set your notifications to “on” so you get a push notification like a text message. Otherwise, you are manually going into each team to check for updates). 

2.     Know where to look for information.   

We also find it challenging because the school comes out with a weekly email with announcements that is chock full of dates and important information. At the same time, it also posts information to the school website AND the learning management software (LMS) that the children and parents of the school log in and use.  Frustratingly for us, sometimes it’s not all uniform, and if you forget to check one of the sources, you miss something. It’s therefore important that you check ALL sources of information: the website, the LMS, and read the email.  

3.     Centralize all that Info. Between the Heja, Game Changer, other apps, website, weekly email, and LMS – the next step is to centralize all the information into one spot. This is the biggest challenge, but the most important step in getting organized.  We use a paper calendar (and always have!) and this year we are trying out a new after-school desktop calendar.  We’re often targeted for fancy digital calendars that hang on the wall and cost thousands of dollars.  We admit – they are intriguing.  Advertisers promise to streamline everything for you magically but given how we outlined the multiple sources of information and apps above, you can imagine that this would not work for our family. There would still be a lot of manual input and the thought of yet another screen is just too much right now. 

The paper calendar is our new bible – it’s what we live by. 

Each child and parent has a square on the row that corresponds to the day in the column.  We’re only using this for after-school activities or medical appointments where we must get them somewhere. On any given day, you can easily scan and see who has what on which day.  

More Than Paper has dozens of these desktop calendar styles from which to choose.  From simple and functional to a pretty design that looks great on your desk, choose what will make you happy when you are filling it out! 

The ordering process was easy for this design, the price was great, and we love that you can write the date next to the day of the week.  

More tips: 

4.     Timing is everything.   We use Sunday as a planning day for meal planning, grocery shopping, and calendar creation.  It can be any day of the week that works best for you – whether it’s Sunday or another day – sitting down once per week with all your sources of information will help you feel accomplished and organized, ready to tackle whatever is ahead.  Be sure to edit as cancellations or changes come in.  We’re highly considering use of a pencil instead of a pen. 

Even more: 

Prioritize self-care: It’s easy to go on auto pilot and go, go, go but remember your body needs rest and time to recharge. Sometimes saying no is the best thing you can do. 

Establish good routines: You WILL get into a groove and sometimes it takes some tweaking. Have patience but recognize what works and what doesn’t. 

Rely on your community for support.  Another euphemism to use: “It takes a village to raise a child.”  Especially if you have several children, you will need the support and manpower of other people. You (and your partner) cannot do it by yourselves. 

Stay connected with the school and teachers and coaches.  It’s a lot to manage but staying in touch helps you feel in the know and, therefore, just naturally more organized. 

 

5.     Try to have perspective. 

We know that this time of year can be a difficult transition. The lazier days of summer filled with travel, rest, and laughter is quickly ushered out with early wakeups, late nights of homework, and stress.  Know that you aren’t alone but that you are capable.  If this is your 12^th year sending your children back to school or your first year, the time is fleeting, nonetheless.  One day the house WILL be clean.  You WILL be on top of the laundry, and you absolutely WILL have time for yourself.  The carpool shuffle and seemingly endless practices will be over.  Your kids will be grown and you’ll enter a whole new stage in life.  Do your best to have this perspective and try to enjoy the little things and the moments in between. 

Wishing you the best of luck this school year ahead! 

 

House Guest Etiquette 101

If you are lucky enough to be invited to a friend or family member’s beach house or lake house this summer, be sure you are an excellent house guest, so that you will get invited back! (Or at the very least, keep your friendship!)  

We’ve put together a couple tips and tricks on what we think it means to be a good house guest and the common thread is to be respectful and courteous of your host’s home, and leave as little trace and work for the host as possible.  

Chances are that the host has invited you because they enjoy your company, not because they are interested in serving you, right? So here are some tips! 

 

Communicate Needs or Preferences Upon Accepting the Invitation 

As soon as you have been invited and when you reply that you accept, make sure the host is aware of any allergies or special needs you may have.  If you have a severe peanut allergy or gluten allergy that may cause the host to have to adjust their cooking or preparation, you should let them know when you accept and make it contingent upon that being okay with them.  The last thing you want to do is let your host know later and it be an inconvenience or imposition. 

Your reply might look like this: “Thank you so much for the invitation! I am thrilled that you have invited me.  I wanted to let you know however, that I have a peanut allergy and that food preparation must be nut-free.  Will it still work for you to have me? I understand if not and wanted you to know beforehand. I am happy to help with food shopping and preparation, I just wanted to make you aware.”  That way, the host can prepare, or they have an out. 

 

Arrange your own transportation 

Whether you are arriving by air, train, or boat, we recommend trying to arrange your own transportation to the home where you are staying. Hosts are often busy getting the house ready for their guests, so if you can take the burden of transport off them, your host may feel more relaxed and be more welcoming. Try Uber, renting a car, or taxi.  

 

Bring a gift 

Show your appreciation and thoughtfulness by bringing a hostess gift.  You are saving money by not being in a hotel or Airbnb so spend just a little money here. Even if the person you are staying with is family or a close friend, it’s good etiquette to bring a small token of your gratitude. At More Than Paper, we have a variety of gifts for the lake hostess and the beach hostess. Check out some of our favorites here. 

 

            FOR LAKE HOSTESSES: 

1.     We like this “Better Lake Than Never” big and bold notepad. Measuring 5.5 x 8.5” this 200 sheet notepad is functional and cute and works great for jotting down quick notes at the lake house. It’s a thoughtful gift! 

2.     Frosted Cups personalized with the host/hostess’s monogram or Lake House name make a great hostess gift! Choose from a variety of motifs and fonts to make it personal: 

3.     We like these personalized rope tote bags that are charming and versatile. The canvas bag is perfect for the lake and trips around town! 

 

FOR THE BEACH HOUSE HOSTESS 

1.     We love this “Beach House” Chunky notepad as a gift for the beach house hostess. With 300 sheets, it is available with or without lines and can be personalized with whatever island or beach name you’d like! 

2.     These nautical themed personalized like-linen guest towels are a luxurious gift that make a great hostess gift: 

3.     These “Beach Please” foam cups are another cute item for the beach hostess. They would work great in a larger basket full of other “beach” themed items: 

4.     Another idea for the beach hostess is this “beach girl” cosmetic bag that the hostess can use for personal items inside their beach bag. The 5 x 7” size is great for storing all sorts of items like lip balm or a cell phone and has a zippered closure for safe keeping! 

 

Clean Up After Yourself 

This likely goes without saying that you will take your dishes to the sink and not expect to be waited on hand and foot.  Extend this “clean up after yourself” tip to making sure that you don’t leave your belongings all over the house where you are staying.  Your shoes, computer, phone charger, etc. should all be stored neatly in your room and not scattered about the house. Bring your towel inside and hang it up in your bathroom.  This includes making your bed every day.  Offer to do household chores to help out, such as loading / unloading the dish washer or take out the trash. 

 

Offer to Cook 

While staying in someone’s house for several days, it’s nice to offer to cook one night and take the burden off the host. Door dash or Instacart the groceries you need, after checking your menu with the host to make sure it’s okay. (Or, if you have rented a car, make a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up your ingredients). Taking one meal off the host is a great idea that will surely get you closer to an invitation another time! 

 

Offer to change linens 

Offer to take off your bed linens and bring to the laundry room on the day of your departure. You should also bring used towels, as well.  If the host has a spare set of sheets for the bed that you were sleeping on, you can offer to put a clean set on. Anything you can do to contribute is a good idea. 

 

Write a thank you note

Always, always, always write a thoughtful thank you note immediately upon returning home. Take the time to get out your stationery and hand write a note.  The best thank you notes are specific.  Recall funny moments or your favorite parts of the trip.  Recount special meals that you had or highlights of your adventures. The more detail that you use, the more thoughtful and heartfelt the note will become.  (Need stationery? You’ve come to the right place. Shop all stationery for adults at More Than Paper by visiting here! )

 

True that a lot of these tips may seem like overkill.  The chances are that your host will reject many of them – but by simply offering to do them, they will feel like you are an active guest and not someone who expects to be waited on.  Focus your time on the quality time with your host and enjoy your stay! How lucky are you to be at someone’s beach or lake house.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packing for the PERFECT Pool Day

Summer is here and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spend at least a few days this season poolside.  There’s nothing like a good book, the sounds of children squealing (or maybe music is more your speed), the smell of burgers at the grill, toes in the water, and sunshine on your face. It never gets old!  Here at More Than Paper, we have a few tips for packing for your next pool day to ensure your day is great.   One of our favorite tips is to have your pool bag stocked and ready to go – so at any time, you could just go to the pool or beach without much effort. Store it in the front hall closet or by the door so if the moment strikes you – you are able to go.  

Bag Essentials 

Keep everything in one large bag that you can easily transport. You will want to select a bag that is large enough for towels, books, magazines, snacks, and water bottle. Keep your essentials like sunscreen, phone, keys, and wallet safe and dry by packing them in a waterproof bag or pouch that fits inside. At More Than Paper, we have a variety of large tote bags that work perfectly for the pool.  Most popular are our large canvas tote bags.  See them all here: 

 

Lather Up 

Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays is critical and you will want to be prepared. Pack a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. We recommend using a multi-step approach to sunscreen (yes, really!)  First, lather with the cream version before you leave for the pool.  Re-apply with the spray version when you arrive.  (Double-duty!) Use a stick for facial sunscreen as it tends to cover your face better.  Don’t forget sunglasses to shield your eyes (they are not just for fashion) and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and scalp. Store all your sunscreen in one dopp kit bag that is easily accessible like this one: 

 

Stay Hydrated 

Hydration is key in the sun and summer heat. Be sure to bring a water bottle and keep drinking! If you are indulging in any adult beverages, make sure you have a 1:1 ratio at least of adult beverages to water. These custom engraved 32-ounce water bottles are perfect for the pool this summer. They come in a variety of colors and design styles for your engraving. 

 

Towels

Don’t forget the towels! We love a thick, absorbent towel that does double duty on uncomfortable lounge chairs.  At More Than Paper, we have a variety of personalized towels that are great additions to your pool bag. This “Big Name” towel stands out from the crowd, and we love the bright and cheery yellow and white stripes. The towel is sized 30” x 60”, too – so it is nice and big!

 

Flip Flops or Pool Shoes 

Slip into a pair of comfortable flip flops or pool shoes like Crocs to protect your feet from hot surfaces and to easily transition from the pool to other areas without getting your feet dirty. Lots of germs at pools, especially in some locker room-style showers so protect your feet! 

 

Entertainment 

Whether you enjoy reading a book, listening to music, or playing games, don't forget to pack some options that will enhance your day.  We always bring a combination of magazines and books and always have music, but you may prefer something different. Just don’t forget what makes you happy. 

 

Change of Clothes & Wet Bag 

No one likes a wet bathing suit on the ride home from the pool so before you head back home, change into dry clothes.  Be sure to pack a smaller, waterproof bag that you can store your wet bathing suit and clothes in. A zip lock bag will work just fine. 

 

Snacks & Drinks 

No one likes to go hungry and having snacks on hand at the pool is a must.  Consider packing a small cooler of fruit, dried fruit, salty snacks, or even sandwiches.  We have some great lunch cooler bags that can be personalized and work perfectly for these hot summer days. This small cooler has a zippered closure to secure items inside. The bag is water resistant and insulated inside to keep things cool.  

 

There you have it! With these simple tips, your pool day should be perfect.  Here’s to enjoying the summer. 

Packing for the Perfect Boat Day!

It’s May and with Memorial Day behind us, the unofficial start of summer is here. With school out or about to be out, there is generally less pressure on families with less hectic schedules and a carefree feeling ushers in….. we can almost feel it! Though you may work and still must grind on, we hope that you find a few days (or weeks!) here and there to enjoy the summer season. Whether you are at the beach, the pool, or on the boat, here’s to Summer 2024 being your best one yet. 

 

One of our favorite summer activities is going on the boat with our family.  We have compiled some tips and tricks learned over the last few years to ensure a smooth boat day. From jelly fish stings to hungry kids, you don’t want to be left stranded!  Whether you are a seasoned pro or just getting out on the water for the first time this summer, follow these tips. 

 

Check the tides & plan your route accordingly! 

One of the best sources to check the tides is the government website, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov and click on your state and nearest location.  If you are planning on hitting the sandbar, you will want to make sure that low tide aligns with the time you will be there, otherwise you will miss it!  Along those lines, if you need a high tide to get into a dock or channel for where you are going for lunch, make sure you check the tides ahead of time.  

 

Pack your bag!  

You will want to have a variety of things on hand such as sunscreen, bug spray, a first aid kit, and sting reliever. Jelly fish stings really take the fun out of the day, so be prepared. You may want to pack meat tenderizer, which is an old tried and true method for relieving the pain from jelly fish stings. We also suggest you pack a hat and sunglasses. 

 

When choosing your bag, consider this lightweight and durable canvas tote.  It features a detachable shoulder strap with brass clips designed to make carrying easier. This bag can be personalized with your name, monogram, or initials. 

Another classic bag are these totes that were specifically made with boats in mind!  They come in two sizes and have zippered closures to keep your items secure:

Pack your cooler!  

Of course, you will want to make sure that everyone stays hydrated and is well fed during your boating adventure.  Be sure to pack a lot of water! Have on hand several beverage options for kids – juice, soda, or sports drinks. For adults, we like to pack a variety of adult beverages, including beer and spiked seltzers.  We like this stylish box cooler that has a handle strap for easy carrying.  

For food, sandwiches are always a crowd pleaser! Be sure to wrap sandwiches in tinfoil and then store in a plastic bag that zips tight (so no water can get in!  No one likes a soggy sandwich).  This is particularly important if you are placing your sandwiches in the same cooler as your beverages!  We also like cut veggies and fruit, chips, and other snack items to bring on board. 

 

Here are some other lunch ideas: 

-       Protein Rich Salads – use plastic mason jars (glass is not a good idea on the boat!) filled with salad layers. Insert lettuce, protein, veggies. Add salad dressing right before and don’t forget the forks! 

-       Vegetarian Sushi Rolls – using nori sheets, sushi rice, avocado, cucumber, and other favorite fillings, create sushi rolls for the boat! 

-       Chicken lettuce wraps – diced cooked teriyaki chicken in large lettuce cups drizzled with sauce! 

-       Caprese Skewers – put cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and mozzarella balls onto skewers. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and store in a Tupperware container. Keep on ice until you are ready to serve. 

-       Fruit Skewers are another great idea for a refreshing boat snack! 

 

You can even pack a separate cooler with sandwiches and keep them away from the drink cooler! This large lunch cooler is 9.5” x 13.5” x 5.5” and is large enough for several sandwiches and fruit/veggie items. The insulated lining will help keep your items cool and ready to eat when you are. 

Pack your boat gear! 

Make sure you have lifejackets on hand for every single person on board and make sure that your youngest ones are wearing lifejackets at all times, especially if the law requires it. If you are tubing or wake boarding, don’t forget the tube and wake board but also all the extra “stuff” that goes along with it such as your tow rope and inflating device and power adapter. (Nothing worse than lugging the tube onto the boat, only to need to inflate it and have forgotten the adapter/device to inflate it!) 

 

Bring your portable speaker!

In case the onboard audio system is having difficulty, have a back-up plan with a portable speaker where you can blast your favorite tunes. Music sets the tone for a fun boat day! 

 

Protect your skin!

Most folks love the breeze that zipping through the water on the boat provides. But what that breeze does is make you forget how strong the sun’s rays are! Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and apply before taking off. Large hats with ways to secure them to your head (think adjustable hats or ones with straps) are also good to help block the rays. And don’t forget your sunglasses!

 

With these tips, we hope you have a smooth and memorable boat day with your family and/or friends. Enjoy being out on the water and that carefree summer feeling.  We cannot wait!