Cheap 'n Easy Doortags

Considerations :

Use regular stickers or whatever you can come up with to decorate the tags instead of the foam shapes. Trimming the tags with craft scissors with different edges look cool. Write first names primarily, and if doubles occur on your floor, just add the last initial.

All in all, it should cost only about $8 for this project, depending on how much you want to put into it. Let your personality and creativity shine through- your residents will love it!!

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Description:

If you don't have a lot of time/money but a few helping hands, this doortag idea is for you. Residents may also help to complete the tags, already getting them involved with floor stuff. These tags add a lot of color to your floor, and every resident's tag is unique!

Instructions:

Go to a craft store and buy a package of foam paper halves. I'm not sure that's what they are called, but you will know what they are when you see them. The package I picked up had 40 differnt colors in it, which is great for implying unity through diversity, b/c everyone gets a different color.

Also buy several small packages of pre-cut foam shapes and lines while you're at the store. The "foam stickers" save even more time b/c you don't have to apply glue to them. The last thing you have to buy is about 5 1.5/2-oz tubes of Tulip paint. This is the best stuff for the job, and can be cheap if you find it on sale. You don't really need a lot, but I suggest getting at least 5 different colors. You will use these for the names.

Get some friends or family involved in this next step to get it accomplished quicker. Use creativity to apply the shapes first, and if you get stuck and run out of ideas, just randomly put the shapes on the foam until it looks good- you won't believe what you can come up with! When you're done making the templates, write the names on the foam with the paint. If you make a mistake just use a paper towel and dab it up- don't wipe. You may want to look at some different fonts on your pc before doing this to get an idea of how you want the letters to look. This adds a lot of personal touch to the doortags, and they will love how everyone's is different. *But be sure to leave some room for their picture near a corner somewhere, about the size of a typical senior picture will do.

There are a few different ways you can apply the tags to the doors, depending on the type of door. Magnet strips, tacs, and 3M brand temporary adhesive strips are great for the job. I do not recommend using tape or sticky tack, because it's hard to come off and doesn't stick very well.

Adrienne Mallery
Valley Forge Christian College
a_mallery@vfcc.edu