10 Ways to be a Supportive Virtual Bridesmaid

The pandemic put a lot of big celebrations on hold. Birthdays, engagements, weddings, holidays...it started to seem like the joy of being surrounded by the ones we love was an impossibility.  

While I completely understand the difficult choice of postponing big celebrations, that wasn't the solution for every bride and groom during the 2020/21 wedding season. 

In fact, I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in my best friend's California dream wedding, standing by her side all the way on the east coast while seated at my kitchen table. 

I was a virtual bridesmaid. 

Of course, this wasn't the original plan. We had big plans to order dresses, go on a big bachelorette party destination vacation, the whole nine yards. But like so many things last year, plans for her wedding needed to change in order to keep loved ones safe. Despite everything, it turned out to be one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever attended. 

What was it like being a virtual bridesmaid? 

As a bridesmaid, it's our duty to care for the bride and ensure that everything goes as planned (HA!), but is that even possible when you're almost 3,000 miles apart? YES!

Here are 10 ways you can be a supportive bridesmaid even during a pandemic: 

1. Get Ready with the Bride on Zoom

Just as you would in person, it's so important for the bride to be surrounded by her girls as she prepares for her big day. 

Get comfy and dress for the occasion in your matching bridesmaid pajamas! 

Our bride LOVES cheetah print...can't you tell?! This simple, cozy touch joins everyone together no matter how far apart they may be. You all want to be there in person, of course, but dressing similarly gives that all-important feeling of unity. After all, there are few things that a fun pair of jammies can't cure.  

Don't forget to pop the champagne and drink some mimosas! Toast are great if you'd like, but this is really a time to swap stories, compliments, and laughs with the bride. Drink up!

2. Create a Shared Spotify Playlist

Did you know you can allow multiple people to add to a playlist on Spotify?

Create a shared album full of music to listen to while the bride is getting ready. Romantic songs are go-to adds, but be sure to include songs that remind you of the happy couple. 

Is the bride a family member? Add songs you sang together during family karaoke. Former roommates? Be sure to add the songs you sang at the top of your lungs for the whole dormitory floor to hear at 2am. 

Keep it light and fun! I'll admit...I've returned to our playlist many times after the wedding day was well over. So many new (to me) songs from a diverse and amazing group of ladies. It's a good one!

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DIY Gift Tags: Crafting with Baby!

I love doing crafty things with kids. They bring so much fun and uniqueness to any project! 

Still, I find there aren't too many things out there for crafting with a baby less than one-year-old. How do we get them involved using safe and entertaining materials?

Well, this year my 9-month-old daughter and I had a blast making gift tags for Christmas gifts this year. She did the painting (without touching an ounce of paint!) and my Cricut did the rest! Quick, cute, and so fun!

Plus, Grandma and Grandpa kept theirs. I mean, who doesn't love a cute craft made by a baby?! 

What You'll Need: 

• White Cardstock
• Colored Cardstock(optional)
• Paints (I used finger paints, but any will do!)
• Ziploc Bags
• Cricut gift tag pattern OR scissors and a hole punch 😄
• Ribbon

I started by cutting my cardstock into 4 equal pieces. This was simply because I had half-gallon sized Ziploc bags but to each their own! You can absolutely skip this step.  

Next, spread out globs of paint on your cardstock. Try alternating colors as best you can. Since I was making Christmas gift tags, I chose shades of red and green. 

Place them carefully in the plastic bag, doing your best not to smear the paint (although it's no big deal if you do. It's a very forgiving project!)

Once your little one (LO) has smushed those paint mountains every which way to her heart's content, leave them in the bag to dry. Taking them out early can smear her hard work. 

In a rush...I have absolutely used a hairdryer to speed up the drying process in a pinch. No shame! 🤣

You could stop here! Display the artwork on your fridge or in a frame. You might even use it to make a sign! Check out this "Happy Birthday" banner my LO and I made for my husband's big day...

 

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Easily Teach Elapsed Time: Digital Resource

Digital clocks are everywhere: watches, cable boxes, phones. What happened to the good ol' analog? 

It's not that I don't have digital clocks all over my apartment too. It's just that this seemingly tiny shift has had a big impact on students' ability to grasp the concept of time... you know, something used worldwide...no big deal. 😉 

Not only is just figuring out what time it is more challenging for some of my students but understanding the concept of passing time confuses them. 

Visual learners benefit from seeing an analog clock when solving elapsed time word problems. 

It's those same visual learners who LOVE the "Mountain, Hills, and Rocks" strategy. It's me. I'm one of those "I've got to see it for myself" learners. Who's with me?! 

This strategy is easy to follow, uses strategies students are comfortable with, and best of all IT WORKS!

Here's how it works: 

Big MOUNTAINS represent 1 hour of time passing. 

HILLS can be either 5 or ten minutes. 

Tiny ROCKS show the passing of one minute. 

Head to the end of this post to grab your interactive elapsed time activity. It's perfect for virtual learning!

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