Ask Rosemary

Rosemary is our resident expert on party planning, party favors, fun recipes and great gift prize ideas.

If you would like to Ask Rosemary for ideas to help plan your next party please fill out our Inquiry Form detailing your information. Your question and Rosemary's response will be listed below within one week.

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My husband passed away several weeks ago. I thought the donation to the pastor was included in the cash accomodations by the funeral home. I just found out this did not happen. How do I address the card?
	I am sorry for your loss. I would not mention anything about not knowing about the donation. I would include a note: Thank you for your kind words and participation in John's services. Your words were very comforting. Enclosed please find my donation for your services.
I have a friend who is 70 years old. His coach of 54 years ago was responsible for acquiring a high school diploma for my friend who join the Navy when he was 14 years old. he never set foot into high school but he did acquire his GED. He now wants to write his old coach a thank you note for what he did for him. He asked me to write one for him and so I am seeking your help. Thank you very much.
	You may want to say: John, you hold a very special place in my life. You have made it possible for me to make a desire come true. I am forever grateful for your assistance and intervention to help me earn my high school diploma. May the Lord bless you and keep you in His care.
My two sons are graduating and I would like to give them a combined party. One is graduating from college with a bachelor's degree and my other son is graduating 8th grade. How should I word the invitation?
	Congratulations! You may want to say: We are proud to invite you to a combined celebrations in the lives of John, our eldest son who will receive his bachelor's degree from (college name) on (date) and James (our youngest son) who will be graduating eight grade from (school) on (date). The celebration will take place on date time place
I am being ordained as a deacon in my church, and I want to order invitations for special people as well as for family who live to far to attend. Can you help me?
	God has chosen me to spread His word and I would like to share this special vocation with you. I will be ordained a deacon of the Catholic Churh on (date). The road has been hard and long but the blessings are overflowing. For those of you who are able, please join me on (date of ordination) at (name of place) followed by a gathering at (reception place).
Hi, can you give me a sample on how to say Thank you for a monetary baptism gift. Thank you!
	You could write something like... Thank you for being a part of our daughter's baptism. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.
A customer has recently suffered the loss of an unborn grandchild and her daughter is still in the hospital, not doing well. I would like to send her a card, but don't want it to sound as though she has lost her daughter. How do I incorporate both into the same sympathy note?
	In this particular situation, I would send a card for wishes of her daughter's speedy recovery and return to good health. I would send a second card for the loss of her grandchild. You could include that the Lord has hand-picked another spotless angel for His heavenly palace.
Hello Rosemary. Last week was our daughter's baptism followed by a celebration brunch at our home. We did not open the cards until the next day. My daughter did not receive a card or present from one of the guests who is usually very generous. I'm unsure if this relative did bring a card and it was misplaced or accidentally thrown away. What should I write on her thank you card. I want to thank her for coming but I don't want to sound rude not acknowledging her gift. On the other hand, I feel it would be inappropriate to ask especially if there was no gift.
	I would NOT send a thank you for coming. I would try to have a phone conversation with this guest and mention that you are worried that some of the cards were misplaced. Ask her how she would handle this. Then after hearing her out, let her know that she is one of the guest who's card you did not receive.
My triplet children are having their confirmation this month and we will be sending out invitation. My husband wants to send everyone an invitation to the ceremony which has almost 150 people confirmed. The ceremony starts at 7pm on a Thursday night and will be very crowded and will last about 2 hours. I think we should just send out the invitations for the celebration which will be held on that Saturday. We are inviting about 30 people.
	I think that your guests should be made aware of the date of the Confirmation so they can decide if they want to come. The only problem this presents is if some elect to come to the ceremony will you be having something small afterwards? If not the main invitation should read like: Please join us in celebrating the confirmation of our children, John, Matthew and Mary which was administered on May 10th in St. Catherine's church. This celebration will be held on date, time place.
A friend and I are planning a surprise graduation party for a special young man in our church who is graduating from USC School of Pharmacy. We plan to reserve a private room at a restaurant and invite guests to show up for a surprise celebration. He knows that our two families are taking him to dinner, but no clue that there will be others invited. My question - What are some special things we could do to make the event more special and provide a keepsake of the celebration. (the pin the diploma idea is cute, but not exactly our style - have any others?) Thank you !
	I would suggest a nice picture collage or small scrapbook with pictures and well wishes from members of the church and family. (We have a wonderful selection at www.scrapbookingetc.com). Take a group picture and have everyone sign it for him with the church in the background. Use the school as a background page in the book. There us also the alchemist mortar set. A pharmacy medallion for his car. I am certain anything you select will be much appreciated.
My pastor is retiring after being at our church for 40+ years. I am looking for a poem or a special way to say thank you. do you have any ideas? Thanks, JoDee
	I would suggest a french collage board. You can make one or purchase one and fill it with memorable photos throughout the years of his stay at the church.

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