Parent Projects

Summer is officially here! That’s right, today marks the first day of the season. Bring on the barbeques, swimming pools and baseball games.

By now, school has closed for the summer or is just about to, and you’ve likely removed many of the papers and classroom projects that once adorned the refrigerator. Quite often, all those report cards, art projects, certificates and tests you saved throughout the year end up turning yellow or gathering dust in a file folder or box somewhere. Why not collect them in one place and make something that will save room while preserving memories of an A+ book report or fabulous finger painting?

  ...read more

The summer has arrived in Dallas! Despite our hot temps, it’s one of my favorite seasons and I absolutely love spending time on fun, easy, summer-related projects. 

I know many of you are looking for ways to keep your kids occupied while school’s out, so I thought I’d share some of the great activities I’ve come across in my search for new ideas:

  ...read more

What’s better than spending a rainy afternoon coloring? How about baking chocolate chip cookies? 

I thought both sounded pretty satisfying and came up with a way to combine the two for the ultimate Father’s Day craft project – a colorful and custom mailing tube, filled with homemade cookies!  Whether you’re shipping the cookies or just using the tube as a fun wrapper, this is definitely an affordable, fun and delicious Father’s Day gift idea that adults and kids will surely love making.

  ...read more

What is not to love about summer? It's the time when folks around here begin to emerge from hibernation. Celebrations - such as reunions, weddings, and barbecues - are in full swing. The sun is shining and spirits are high. So whether you're hosting a formal dinner party, impromptu picnic, or casual grill-out, we wanted to give you a creative idea to beat the heat!

Paddle fans are a fun and easy way to cool down any special event. My cousin used this idea to create the the programs for her wedding ceremony, and her foresight was greatly admired and appreciated on that hot June day!

There are endless ways to make these fans unique and personal. Here's a basic outline of how you can make them yourself as a fun project with the kids or for an event - plus a few photos of my own creations: ...read more

As a busy working mom, I’m constantly on the go. And it feels like every time I drop my son off to a birthday party or leave him with a babysitter, I scribble down my contact information. I found that I was leaving the same information over and over again – and frankly I’m starting to get a hand cramp just thinking about it! As a result, I finally decided to make cards – social calling cards – with all the info I find myself writing out again and again for folks in my personal life.

  ...read more

It has been really windy here in Dallas lately-- way more than usual. One good thing about a windy day is that it makes for excellent kite-flying weather. I have found different websites with tips for making kites and came up with my own template for a small kite that is pretty easy to put together and allows you to decorate it however you want. 

Here are the supplies you’ll need and steps for assembly. (FYI, most of these items can be found at FedEx Office locations and some can be used free of charge in the self-service area.)

What You’ll Need: ...read more

At Out of Office, we like to think we’ve got a lot of great ideas to share with our readers. But truth be told, sometimes we can’t hold a candle to the creativity of some fellow bloggers out there in the world. So when we find those projects that make us stop and say “Why didn’t we think of that!?”, we just have to share!

  ...read more

Giving a photo of your child as a gift is a great idea for friends, family, and even teachers as the school year comes to a close. However, you do run into one dilemma – how to give it to them.  You can either just give them a bare photo or put it into a picture frame that will cost at least five to ten dollars and usually lack personality. A third option is to create your own custom picture that you and your kids can decorate and make personal. Plus it's pretty easy. You can print your photos off at home or using the Sony Picture Station available at many FedEx Office centers. And while there, ask one of the FedEx Office team members for a small easel back, which will cost less than a dollar. 

  ...read more

With summer coming up there is a lot for kids to write about – and they’ll certainly be in need of projects to keep them busy. So why not get your teens and tweens a head-start by whipping up an easy-to-make journal that shows off your kid’s unique style and taste? It’s a fun springtime project to do together – but also makes a great gift. 

My 15-year-old niece, Brooke, is taking a two-week trip to Europe this summer, and I wanted to make her a cute and special journal to take with her.  I’m hopeful that she’ll jot down a few lines about what she did each day to look back on it later and share with friends and family. She can even paste in ticket stubs, photos and other mementos.  I studied abroad in college and really wish I’d taken better notes on where I went and what I did - it’s all a blur now!  

  ...read more

Guest Blogger Michelle Kelley is a marketing specialist advisor at FedEx Services and has been with the company for almost eight years. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and two daughters and loves to plan parties down to the very last detail.   ...read more