Marine Corps News, news from Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Fun options if you can’t go to the ball

Not going to the ball because your spouse is deployed?

Many unit Key Volunteer groups will organize family picnics or functions to while away this special day. But if yours has nothing planned, consider organizing one of these gatherings with your friends:

*Hold an ugly gown ball. Send out invites asking your friends to wear the ugliest gown they have. It can be something from their early days as a Marine Corps spouse or a thrift-shop pickup. Award prizes to the ghastliest get-up.

*Go bowling. “Get completely done up and go bowling,” writes a spouse. “It is too funny to try and bowl in a long gown.” A plastic cup of beer and those red-and-green bowling shoes totally complete the look.

*Have a gown swap. Get a jump on next year. Have a party and ask your friends to bring gowns they don’t want or no longer wear. At the end of the evening, send the leftovers to a local thrift shop or a charity such as Fairy Godmothers Inc. or the Glass Slipper Projectwww.fairygodmothersinc.comwww.glassslipperproject.org.

*Conduct a cake-cutting ceremony. Get your friends together, make or buy a cake and hold your own version of the venerated ceremony. Have a video camera handy and send birthday wishes to your spouses.

*Visit a veteran. Can’t be with your own military veteran on Nov. 10? Share the day with someone in need. Get a group together and visit veterans at local seniors’ homes or a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. Bring a birthday cake or donations. These organizations often need safety razors, alcohol-free shampoo, conditioner and deodorant, combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream and more.