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10 Free Fathers Day Gift Ideas

May 18, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life14 Comments

Celebrate dad with these Free Fathers Day ideas.

Do you ever want to gift your Dad something extra special…..but constantly draw a blank??? This is how I feel every.single.holiday. I am constantly racking my brain for that perfect “knock your socks off” gift…..but, I am also on a tight budget and don’t want to spend a lot of money on this gift. This makes it so difficult! You know what I have learned though??? My dad doesn’t want me to spend a lot of money on him! Sure, he wants to be loved and appreciated, but that doesn’t come with a price tag. It comes through loving actions and careful thought. So, I have started giving him Free Fathers Day Gifts. They are all chosen from the heart with love and thought to his personality. Here are a few of my gift ideas.

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Here are 10 Ways You can Show Dad You CARE, Without Spending a Dime

1. Bake Him Something

Bake your dad his favorite treat! Does he have a favorite cookie, or does he love fresh homemade bread? Make it for him! Be sure to package it in a gift bag with a nice ribbon for the perfect finishing touch.

My dad loves homemade snickerdoodles, so this is a gift I’ve given him for a few Fathers Day. He loves the cookies and loves that I remember his favorite things.

2. Watch the Game Together

If your dad loves to watch sports, invite him over to watch a game together. Use this as a time to enjoy each others company and bond over something he enjoys. Ask him questions about the game and take genuine interest in his interests.

My grandpa LOVES to watch “the game”, it honestly doesn’t matter what “the game” is, he just wants to watch it. I lived with him very briefly a few years ago and I treasure the evenings when I sat down next to him, watched a game together, and listened to him explain all of his insights and opinions on what we were watching.

The simple moments spent with a loved one is often the times that bring the best memories, don’t you think???

3. Give Him Service

Do something kind for your dad! Does his garage need cleaned out or the lawn mowed? Don’t even ask him first if he needs help! Simply find a need, show up at his house, and get to work. He will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and your willingness to help him without being asked.

4. Send Him a Thoughtful Card

Pick out a nice card for your dad (from The Dollar Tree, of course), and write a thoughtful note inside. Let him know just how much you appreciate everything he has done for you. Stick it in the mail, or hand deliver it with a hug!

My love language is words of endearment, so a card means more to me than any other gift I could receive!

5. Movie Night

Does your dad have a favorite movie? Invite him over to watch the movie together. Make sure to provide some popcorn and other treats (I love Good and Plenty…I know, I’m weird).

I always know I can get in some good quality time with my Father-In-Law if I offer to watch a John Wayne movie together! I don’t necessarily enjoy John Wayne, but I know he does, and that’s what matters most!

Related: 10 Gifts for Him under $10

4. Get Outside

Is your father an outdoors man? Suggest a day in the mountains together to go on a hike or fishing trip, choose whatever your dad enjoys most. He’ll love that you’re the one doing the inviting! Enjoy the quiet time together as a way to get to know him a little better. Ask questions about his interests and childhood. You just might learn something new!

7. Game Night

Host an old fashioned game night at your house. Invite your dad and a few of his friends and family members over. Ask him to teach you one of his favorite games, or you can teach him one of yours!

Games are such a great ice breaker and the perfect way to have some laughs and bonding time together. My favorite memories with my grandfather was playing games with him. He didn’t talk much, but when we played games together he had a twinkle in his eye and I loved watching his quirky side come out.

Need a few game suggestions? Here’s my list of our favorite frugal games.

8. Best of Memory List

Make a fun list of all of your favorite memories together. Include a few heartfelt memories, and some funny ones. You could make the list a little extra special by including a few photos!

I have made my parents a few of these memory books from Mixbook. They aren’t free, but you can make one for less than $20. Memory Books are such a sweet keepsake.

9. Cook Him Dinner

Invite your dad over for dinner and cook him all of his favorite foods. Let him relax while you do all of the work. Don’t forget to decorate the table in his favorite colors or interests (maybe even a sports team theme???).

My dad loves antiques, so if I were to decorate a table for him, I would be sure to include a few antiques as centerpieces. Think for a few minutes about what your dad loves, and try to add it to the table in some way. It’s these special details that can make a big difference.

10. Play a Sport Together

Does your dad love sports? Spend an evening outside playing a sport together. You could shoot some hoops, play catch, or whatever it is that your father would enjoy most. You might not be a sports fan, but play it with him anyways. This makes it even more special that you were willing to put your interests aside for your sweet dad.

In Conclusion

There are so many cheap ways to celebrate Fathers Day! The most important thing is you show him you care and love him. Choose one of these free Fathers Day ideas and spoil him rotten!

Cheap Gift Ideas for Neighbors, Teachers, and Friends

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

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Your dad will love these Free Fathers Day ideas.

50 Free Screen Free Summer Kids Activities

May 4, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The Ultimate List of Screen Free Summer Kids Activities

Summer break is just around the corner. I have been looking forward to summer for weeks! I just love having my kids home with me and I always look forward to a more relaxed schedule full of fun family activities. There are so many free summer kids activity, and we love to take advantage of all of them!

Outdoor Summer Kids Activities

Picnic at The Park

Enjoy some time outdoors with a picnic at the park. We love going to a new park each week exploring different areas of our city. We bring these Rate The Park sheets with us and my kids love critiquing each park we attend.

Get your free Park Rating Sheet Here for even more park fun with the kids.

Play Frisbee

Get out a Frisbee to throw around with your kids. Check to see if your local parks have a Frisbee golf course for something new.

Run Through the Sprinkler

I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to run through the sprinkler without having fun. There is just something about this simple activity that brightens up the day.

“Paint” with Water

Get out a bucket of water and an old paintbrush. Let your kids use the water and brush to “paint” the sidewalk, house and anything else they want. It’s so fun for them to watch the color change as they paint.

Go on a Walk

Get outside and get moving with a nice walk. We love to walk around our neighborhood or try out a few of the walking paths in our city. Make a family goal to walk 100 miles over the summer and celebrate with a treat once accomplished.

You can print my free 100 Miles Challenge Printable here.

Picnic in Backyard

Move the meal outside with a simple backyard picnic. Lay a blanket down in the shade and eat dinner outdoors enjoying nature.

Draw With Sidewalk Chalk

Get out some sidewalk chalk and draw pictures on your driveway. You could draw a hopscotch course or a road for your bikes to travel through.

Draw on Sidewalk With Ice Cubes

Don’t have any side walk chalk? Draw with ice cubes instead! They will melt on the hot pavement as you are drawing your picture.

Go On A Bike Ride

Go on a fun bike ride together as a family. Make sure to log your bike miles on your 100 Miles Challenge printable.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Give your kids a paper bag and a list of items to find out in nature. This might be a rock, pine cone, dandelion, etc. Have them go out and collect their findings in their bag. When they get back let everyone show up their new treasures. Such a fun way to get kids outside exploring.

Go On A Hike

Take your kids on an easy hike. Make sure everyone finds a hiking stick! That’s always a necessity in our family.

Plant A Garden

Have your kids help you plant a garden. They will be so proud when they harvest their veggies.

Jump On The Trampoline With Water Balloons

Fill up a few water balloons with water and put them on the trampoline. The kids love jumping with them and the surprise of when they pop and spray out water.

Play Catch

Get out a ball and play catch. Try to see how many times you can catch it without letting it drop.

Blow Bubbles

Go outside and blow bubbles together. See who can make the biggest bubble!

Go Geocaching

We love geocaching. It’s such a fun way to explore new places, and the kids love finding the treasure!

Play Night Games With Flash Lights

Invite a group of friends over to play night games together. Our favorites are Ghost In The Graveyard and Kick The Can.

Catch Bugs

Look for bugs to catch. Keep them in a jar for an hour to watch and observe. Then set them free again.

Star Gaze

Stay up late one night so you can watch the stars. Show your kids a few of the constellations and try to find a shooting star.

Make a Fairy Garden

Use your creativity and put together a Fairy Garden in your back yard. Build a mini house out of twigs and decorate with twigs and flowers around. We did this a few years ago and it was such a fun summer activity!

Give The Bikes a Wash

Set up a car wash, but for the bikes! Kids love using the hose, rags and soap to wash off their bikes.

Play Jump Rope

Get out a few jump ropes to play with. Try to see how many times you can jump over the rope before it stops or play a few games like Double Dutch.

Make An Obstacle Course

Use your backyard to make an obstacle course for your kids. They might have to walk across a “balance beam” (piece of wood or jump rope), run around all the cones (or chairs), jump on the trampoline three times, and then throw a ball. Use your imagination and get creative while setting it up. Use a timer to see how fast they can get through the course.

Set up a Lemonade Stand

Mix up some lemonade and sell it in front of your home. This is a fun way to socialize with the neighbors and help the kids learn about money.

Make a Nature Journal

Start a Nature Journal. This will be a place to save some of the fun things you find outside, draw pictures of the places you visit and write all about what you love about nature.

Indoor Summer Activities

Make Play Dough

Whip up some homemade play dough to play with. This play dough recipe is so quick and easy! Or, if you want to try something different (and my kids fave) check out this Peanut Butter Play Dough recipe.

Try A Science Experiment

Try out a new science experiment. We love this Magic Toothpick Experiment. It’s super quick and mess free (just the way this mamma likes it!)

Bake Cookies

Spend a few hours in the kitchen together baking your favorite cookies. We personally love chocolate chips! This is a great way to help kids learn how to read a recipe too!

Make Up A Play

Encourage your kids to make up a play that they can perform. Set up a little stage area to help them feel official. Invite over a few grandparents to watch the big performance!

Build A Fort

Get out some blankets and build a big fort. You can drape them over the kitchen table or a few chairs. Once your fort is built you can cuddle up and read books together or watch a movie!

Make A Dream Catcher

If your kids enjoy crafting, make a dream catcher together. It’s a great craft for older kids who are able to sit still. I love this tutorial for making a beautiful dream catcher.

Make Slime

Slime is all the rage in the kid crowd. It only requires a few ingredients and brings hours of fun play. Here’s a super easy slime recipe.

Play Hide-and-Seek or Sardines

Play a few family friendly games in the house. We love Hide And Seek or Sardines!

Color Hot Rocks

Try out our favorite twist on painting rocks. All you need is a rock and some crayons! Find the tutorial here.

Write Letters To Friends or Family

Everyone loves to get an old fashioned letter in the mail, or at least I do! Spend an afternoon writing letters for friends or family.

Play Board Games

My daughters and I love spending an afternoon playing board games together. It’s such a fun way to pass the time!

Related: 20 Family Board Games, all Under $20

Make A Summer Scrapbook

Put together a summer scrapbook of your favorite summer memories. Include pictures and any special events.

Sing Karaoke

Find free karaoke songs on YouTube and have an old fashioned karaoke party. We have this karaoke machine and love it so much!

Make A Nature Bookmark

Preserve flowers you find on your nature walk by turn them into a Nature Bookmark.

Fold Origami

Learn how to fold origami. There are many easy tutorials on YouTube. I would start with a frog, they are my favorite!

Put On A Puppet Show

Make puppets out of brown paper bags and put on a puppet show.

Make Homemade Butter

Teach your kids about life on the prairie by making homemade butter together. All you need is some cream and a jar!

Indoor Treasure Hunt

Put together a simple indoor treasure hunt for your kids to go on. You can hide different items around the house with clues to find each one.

Go To The Library

Visit your local library for a fun day out. We always set a goal to read 50 books in a summer, the library is the perfect place to get to that goal!

Play Dress-Up

Get out a few dress up clothes for your kids to play in. If you don’t have any, let them dress up in some of your clothing.

Have A Dance Party

Turn on some music and have a dance party in your living room! I have a playlist on my phone with all of our favorite dance tunes, it’s so fun!

Put Together A Puzzle

Spend the day doing a puzzle together. It’s so relaxing and a great way to bring out some conversation. We love Eric Dowdle Puzzles!

Make Ice Cream In A Bag

Make homemade ice cream in a bag. It’s really easy to do and the perfect activity for a hot summers day!

Have An Impromptu Photo Shoot

Get dressed up and have an impromptu photo shoot. Let your kids choose the poses and locations. It’s always so fun to see what they come up with!

Learn Magic Tricks

Look up a few magic tricks on YouTube. Once you have a few tricks learned, put on a magic show for your friends!

In Conclusion

There are so many fun kids summer activities out there, and many of them won’t cost you any money at all. Kids grow to fast! I hope you will use summer time as a way to reconnect and build lasting memories.

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What are your favorite summer kids activities???

Yarn Hearts: An Easy Valentine Craft for Kids

February 7, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life3 Comments

An Easy Valentine Heart Craft for Kids!

A friend shared a brilliant idea with me the other day! She said she uses a small Christmas tree for Valentines Day; instead of decorating it with Christmas ornaments she has a little box of Valentines decorations that she brings out every February and her kids get to decorate a Valentines Tree. I thought this would make a fun valentine craft for kids.

So, I got to work putting together my own valentine tree. I already had a small tree that I use for Christmas each year, the only problem is that I didn’t have any decorations for the tree….and I did NOT want to buy any.

We got to work crafting. First, we made a few hearts out of beads and pipe cleaners. They were so easy, just stick beads on a pipe cleaner and shape it as a heart. Done and done!

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Next, we made this darling Pom-Pom Garland. I loved it so much and I can’t wait to make more! You can find the tutorial here.

And last, but not least, we put together these Yarn Heart Ornaments. They were SO fun to make and easy enough for my 6 year old to join in. I love the projects that all three kids can enjoy together!

Yarn Hearts Tutorial

First, you need some cardboard hearts. I grabbed a box from my large stash of amazon boxes and cut out a few hearts.

Choose your favorite yarn color. Here is one of my favorite yarn brands. Use a little bit of tape to attach the yarn to the cardboard heart.

Now for the fun part. Just start wrapping your yarn around the heart. Try to wrap it in different angles to make the design interesting. It wasn’t easy to get all of the small nooks and crannies, but we kept working it and was able to get the entire heart covered.

When your cardboard heart is all covered and looks just right tie a small knot and cut off your excess yarn. I tucked the knot underneath some yarn to try to hide it, which seemed to work well!

And guess what! You are done! That’s it! We attached a few ornament hooks through the yarn and hung it up on our Valentines Day Tree.

I just love how these crafts and little tree turned out, and what’s even better….my kids love it! They are so proud that they helped make all of the decorations; and seeing my kids happy faces is the best kind of valentine gift I could ever receive!

Related Easy Craft Projects:

Tissue Paper Pom-Pom Tutorial

The Easiest Halloween Pumpkin Tutorial

How to Make an Easy Nature Bookmark Tutorial

Easter Egg Sun Catcher

Now it’s your turn to make this easy valentine craft for kids!

25 Completely Free Family Winter Activities

January 3, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Life21 Comments

Enjoy a frugal winter with these free family winter activities!

I absolutely love the snow! There is nothing better than waking up to a fresh blanket of new snow and seeing the sparkle it makes in the sunlight. The only negative about the snow is that it’s so cold!! Unfortunately, I live in an area where it stays cold for many many months! We all get a little stir crazy around here being cooped up for so long. I’ve learned to get creative during these cold months to help us stay sane and stay in budget! Here are my favorite free family winter activities.

2019 Goals

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Fun In the Snow

1. Sledding

Try a few sledding hills around town. See if you can find a new favorite. Enjoy spending the day laughing with friends and family.

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2. Snow Cave

Spend the day outside building a snow cave as a family. You could even have a contest to see who can build the best. Turn it into a castle, add some stairs or windows. Get creative and have fun!

3. Snow Candy

We fell in love with Snow Candy a few years ago after reading the Little House on the Prairie series. Simply place a bowl outside while it’s snowing. When the bowl is full of fresh clean snow, immediately bring it in and pour pure maple syrup on top. The syrup will harden to make a sweet treat!

4. Winter Walk/Scavenger Hunt

Bundle up and go for a walk in the freshly fallen snow. Make a game of it by putting together a list of different items to find; a pine cone, icicle, boot tracks, animal tracks, a snowman, etc.

5. Snowball Fight

Have a family friendly snowball fight. This is guaranteed to bring a lot of laughs and memories!

6. Build a Snowman

Why build one snowman when you can build a family of snowmen??? Have everyone build the snowman that fits their unique personality!

7. Snow Ice Cream

Search Pinterest to find hundreds of easy snow ice cream tutorials. It is a simple recipe using a few cheap ingredients. This is a fun way to enjoy the snow…while staying indoors!

Fun in the Snow for Families -free winter activities

Fun at Home

8. Movie Night

Snuggle up together, pop some popcorn and have a family movie night. Watch a few old classics or try something new. All that matters is that you are spending time together.

9. Bake Bread

I love spending cold winter days in my kitchen baking something warm. Try baking a loaf of homemade bread! Lather it with homemade butter and eat it together as a family.

10. Homemade Cocoa

It only takes a couple of minutes and a few ingredients to make a big batch homemade cocoa. Make the hot chocolate together as a family and enjoy sipping it next to a warm cozy fire.

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11. Family Slumber Party

Haul blankets, pillows and sleeping bags onto the living room floor. Have a large family slumber party together. Your kids will remember this forever!

12. Read a Novel as a Family

My family loves to read a novel together every winter. I usually pick a classic and read it to the kids for 20-30 minutes every evening. A few favorites have been Little House on the Prairie, Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little.

13. Paper Snowflakes

Spend an afternoon cutting out paper snowflakes and hanging them around your home. We like to tape a few to the windows and use invisible thread to hang some from the ceiling. You can find countless Youtube video tutorials. This is such a fun, cheap and easy craft!

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14. Play Dough

Make some homemade play dough at home! Use it to build snowmen or other fun creations. You can use my favorite recipe or search pinterest for other variations!

15. Indoor Picnic

You don’t have to have warm weather for a picnic! Spread a blanket out on the floor, bring a few of your favorite picnic foods and enjoy a picnic indoors!

16. Make a Fort

Gather all the blankets and chairs in your house and build a gigantic blanket fort. Play games, read stories and spend the day hiding out in the fort.

17. Make a Sock Snowman

All it takes is a little creativity and a few random items found around the house to turn an ordinary sock into a snowman!

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18. Board Games

We love board games in our family! You can find some cheap ones at your local thrift store, but there are plenty of fun games played with just a deck of cards or dice.

19. Make Friendship Bracelets

My kids love spending an afternoon making friendship bracelets! You can do an easy braid or something fancier. Be sure to make two bracelets! One to give away and one to keep.

20. Family Dance Party

Sometimes our family (or maybe just this tired mom! 😉 ) just needs a good old fashioned dance party! We crank up a few of our fave dance tunes and dance the grumpy faces away!

Fun in Town

21. Visit the Library

The library offers a lot of free activities for everyone in the family. Take advantage of all the many free programs and be sure to check out a book or movie while you are there!

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22. Serve a Meal at a Homeless Shelter

There is nothing better for a child to learn than how to care for others. Pick a day as a family to help serve a meal at the local homeless shelter. This is such a humbling experience!

23. Visit a Pet Store

It’s so simple, but so fun! We love walking around the local pet store and visiting the cats, dogs, and birds. My kids ask to go regularly and I never complain!

24. Donate to a Thrift Store

As a family go through all of the toys, clutter, and household items. Fill up a large box of items to donate to a thrift store. It feels so good to start the new year fresh and clutter free!

25. Visit a Neighbor

Do you have an elderly neighbor who might need a visit? Or maybe someone new to the neighborhood? As a family pay a special visit to someone needing company. It’s a great way to brighten their day and get to know someone new!

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Free Family Winter Activities

What do you like to do with your family during the cold winter months????

Easy Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

December 5, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life24 Comments

A good hot chocolate mix recipe makes everything better!

Hot cocoa is such a fun staple to have in your home during these cold winter months. My kids will spend hours playing outside in the snow and the first thing they ask for when they come inside is some hot chocolate! Back in my “spender” days I use to buy hot chocolate mix at the store like it was nobody’s business! Once I started learning how to save and live a frugal life I learned how to make hot chocolate mix from scratch with this easy hot chocolate mix recipe and I have never looked back! Not only does making your own hot cocoa save you money, it is also so quick and easy to do. It also tastes much better than what you will buy from the store!

Print Recipe

Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients

2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup powdered creamer
1/8 tsp salt

Instructions

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in a tightly covered container.
To make hot chocolate: Stir 1/4 cup mix with 3/4 cup boiling water. Enjoy!

Related: 25 Completely Free Family Winter Activities

We usually make this mix for our family to enjoy all winter, but it would also be a really frugal Christmas gift for friends and neighbors. Whip up a large batch, portion it into cute jars and tie a bow around it. Done!

Related: Cheap Gift Ideas for Neighbors, Teachers, and Friends

Let me know if you make this hot chocolate! I would love to hear how it turns out!

Christmas Tree Cookie Recipe

November 29, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life3 Comments

One of my favorite Christmas Traditions as a young girl was my mom making these delicious Christmas Tree Cookies! I knew it was Christmastime when I came home to these delicious treats after school. This Christmas cookie recipe is so easy and always a hit for kids and adults!

My mom is no longer living, so I have continued on the tradition by making them for my kids. They are SO easy and I love the hint of almond flavor!

One of the best parts of making Christmas Tree Cookies is getting to use this fun Wilton Cookie Press. It’s really easy to use, and you can usually find one under $10! It comes with a dozen different plates with fun shapes for cookies. All you have to do is fill it with the cookie dough, turn it upside down and press the trigger! Out comes a cute little tree.

Print Recipe

Christmas Tree Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
green food coloring

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream the butter and sugar together in mixer.
Beat in egg and almond extract.
Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Gradually add to mixer.
Add a few drops of green food coloring. Mix well.
Fill Cookie Press with dough and insert the tree plate.
Use Cookie Press to make cookies on ungreased cookie sheet.
Sprinkle with red sprinkles.
Bake in hot oven for 8 minutes.

They are so easy! Your kids will look forward to this Christmas cookie recipe every year, I promise!

How to Make Homemade Butter in a Jar

November 29, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life1 Comment

I had a container of heavy whipping cream sitting in my fridge for a few weeks. I kept looking at it, knowing I needed to do something with it, but never knowing exactly what! My sister finally suggested to me that I should use the cream to make butter in a jar with my kids. Best idea ever!

This actually turned out to be the best idea ever! Making butter in a jar is so so easy, cheap, and my kids absolutely LOVED it!

It was so fun watching my kids shaking their jars and checking every 5 minutes to see if the butter had formed. My daughter even said, “Wow! They use to have to work hard in the olden days! I can’t imagine doing this every time we needed butter.” This led into such a great discussion about the conveniences we have now and how hard our ancestors had to work in order to survive.

You can make your very own butter; all you need is a mason jar and heavy whipping cream. Seriously, that’s it!

Butter in a Jar Tutorial

Pour some whipping cream into the jar. I filled our jars about half full, but if you are doing this with your kids I would recommend only filling it about 1/4 full. It just makes the process easier and quicker for the kids if the jar has less cream in it.

Now, you shake it! Shake, shake and shake! This took us about 45 minutes of hard shaking. If I had done less cream I’m sure it would’ve been much quicker.

We turned on some music and danced while shaking our jars.

Related: 50 FREE activities to do with your kids over the Summer Break

The cream will slowly become thicker. You will eventually notice the butter separating from the cream. The butter will form together in a nice solid ball. Once this happens, you are done! See, so easy!

Drain the leftover cream, rinse your butter, and then transfer it to a plate. Wah-lah! You have made butter!

Now is the fun part! Enjoy your butter on some fresh bread or rolls. It really is delicious!

20 FREE or FRUGAL Family Christmas Traditions

November 19, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life10 Comments

Christmas is just my very very favorite season. I love the lights, the snow, the family Christmas traditions planning that perfect gift for a loved one, and the joy I feel from everyone around me. It truly is the most magical time of the year!

December is the perfect month for establishing family traditions. My hope is that one day my little family will look back on their childhood and remember the sweet memories and traditions we made together.

You do not have to spend a lot of money to make these memories with your family. A lot of activities can be done completely FREE! Here are 20 FREE or FRUGAL Family Christmas Traditions!

Free or Frugal Family Christmas Traditions

1. Decorate the Christmas Tree

Each year our family hikes through the forest to cut down our Christmas Tree. After finding that “perfect” tree we bring it home, turn on some Christmas music and spend a fun evening decorating it together. Our Christmas tree is decorated with salt dough ornaments, candy canes, and all the things that bring sentimentality and love to my life. The ornaments made by the hands of my sweet children are ones I will cherish forever!

2. Christmas Stories

Every night for the entire month of December we turn off the lights in our house, sit in front of the lit up Christmas tree, and read a Christmas Story. Short stories can easily be found and printed from the internet, or you can usually find Christmas books at your local thrift store.

3. Christmas Lights

Take a drive as a family and look at all of the Christmas lights around town. We have found a few favorite neighborhoods that we enjoy visiting each year. I always pop popcorn for the kids (and me!) to snack on during the drive and the kids bring a blanket and wear their pajamas. Of course, we have our favorite holiday music on in the background. It is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to enjoy the holidays

4. Holiday Baking

I mean really, does it get any better than holiday baking?? I think NOT! With hundreds of different recipes and treats to choose from, we could be baking all month long!

Holiday baking is a fun tradition to do with your kids. My kids love to help in the kitchen, ESPECIALLY if they know treats are involved! A few of our holiday favorites are gingerbread men, peanut brittle, pretzels dipped in chocolate, and homemade toffee.

5. Neighbor Gifts

After all the holiday baking it’s so fun to deliver those yummy goodies to friends and neighbors. We like to get the kids involved in this. We package up the plates together, make cute little cards and spend an evening bringing some joy to our little neighborhood. I love this tradition and the way it brings a community together.

6. Advent Calendar

Years ago I made a Christmas Advent calendar. It was quite a bit of work and honestly, there are so many cheaper and easier options out there. But, my kids love this calendar. It’s nothing fancy. They don’t receive a treat or activity each day, they just put a little felt ornament up on our felt Christmas Tree. When the tree is full, Christmas is here. It makes the long wait a little bit easier for the excited kids!

7. Christmas Movies

Have a Christmas Movie night. I love snuggling up with my family and enjoying a feel good holiday movie. We enjoy classics like; It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas; or a newer family favorite is Elf. Netflix has a lot of great options, or check out a few from your local library.

8. Christmas Crafts

There are hundreds of darling Christmas Craft ideas all over Pinterest. I like to do a few of these during the school break with my kids. You can always find some ideas using items you already have in your house.

9. Paper Snowflakes

Cut out paper snowflakes and hang them around your house. You can find many tutorials on YouTube. These are usually easy enough for younger kids to enjoy. I will usually fold the paper for my preschool kids and then let them be in charge of cutting out the fun shapes. It’s such a joy to see every snowflake with a different unique design.

10. Christmas Eve Dinner

I like to have a big fancy dinner with my family on Christmas Eve. When we have our big dinner on Christmas Eve, we are able to just relax and enjoy Christmas day stress free. We invite over extended family and everyone brings a side dish to share. When everyone helps contribute to the meal, it keeps the costs low.

11. Letters to Santa

My kids like to write letters to Santa Clause every year. I am personally not a huge fan of the traditional letters to Santa, where the kids ask for all the things they want to be brought to them. Instead, I have my kids write to tell Santa about all of the good and nice things they have done throughout the year. I have told them this is how Santa decides if he will bring them a present or not. My hope is this will encourage them to focus more on being kind and less on materialist things.

12. Light the World

We have been participating in Light the World for the past few years. Light the World is a campaign sponsored by my church. It encourages families to look for ways to serve within their family, community and in the world. It is absolutely open to EVERYONE! The focus is less about religion, and more on service.

There are so many different ways to serve and love others. Bake cookies for your local fire department, participate in Operation Shoe box, volunteer at a local soup kitchen, or become “Secret Santa” for a family in need. I love having my kids participate in this and have found it really brings the true spirit of Christmas into our home.

13. Act out the Nativity

Every Christmas Eve, after our special dinner, my kids act out the nativity as an adult reads the story out of Luke 2. The kids dress up as mary, joseph, donkey etc. I love this tradition!

14. Make a Ginger Bread House

Spend an afternoon making a ginger bread house with your family. You can usually find fairly cheap kits at your local grocery store. One year we just used graham crackers and homemade frosting. For decorations we used items already in my pantry, like chocolate chips, marshmallows and almonds. It really doesn’t matter how fancy of a house you build, all that matters is that you’re spending time with your loved ones.

15. Christmas Cookie Exchange

Invite some friends over for an annual Christmas Cookie Exchange. Ask everyone to bring a dozen cookies and enjoy socializing and taste testing all of the different holiday cookies. You might even find a new favorite recipe!

16. Send out a Christmas Email

Ditch the traditional Christmas card and instead send out a Christmas e-mail. You can include a few pictures and a short update of what your family has been up to over the past year. I have even seen some free email card services you could look into!

17. White Elephant Party

Host a White Elephant Party at your home. Ask everyone to bring a wrapped gift (something they already have around their house). Play a fun gift exchange game (these can be found on Pinterest) to decide who will open which present.

This is a fun way to exchange gifts with friends, without having to spend a lot of money on everyone. It also brings a lot of laughs!!

18. Hot Chocolate Bar

Set up a hot chocolate bar on Christmas Day. Keep it simple to prevent overspending. A few peppermint sticks, some marshmallows and whipped cream are all easy ideas. Search Pinterest for easy homemade hot chocolate mix.

19. Christmas Concerts/Events

Look to your community for free Christmas Concerts and Events happening around town. Does your community put on a free nativity, light parade or other special concerts? You can usually find at least a few Christmas Concerts at the local high school.

20. Cookies for Santa and Reindeer Food

Set out milk and cookies for Santa Clause on Christmas Eve. Go one step further and make Reindeer Food. Mix together oats and glitter for magic reindeer food. Sprinkle it out in your yard to help the reindeer find your house.

I am always searching for fun new traditions! What are some of your families favorite holiday traditions??? Let me know in the comments!

13 Must Try At Home Date Ideas

September 14, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Fun date night ideas you can do at home!

I am so excited to share our at home date ideas with each of you! Date nights are so important to all relationships.

I’ve been married 15 years and life has HAPPENED. Right now the majority of our time is spent taking care of our three kids, working our jobs, and maintaining our home. It’s been far to easy to become consumed with all of our long list of “to dos” and leave less time for my spouse. We have learned that we MUST make date night a priority, or else it probably won’t happen.

However, dating can be expensive! Just dinner and a movie could easily cost you a quick $50. PLUS, when you have to hire a babysitter….those dates can add up fast. I have BEEN there!

We learned quickly that if we wanted to have regular date night, without breaking the budget, we need to start having them at home. We brainstormed some fun at home date ideas, schedule a night each week, put the kids to bed, turn off the TV, put away all phones and other distractions and we spend time together. It has done wonders for our relationship!

I’m excited to share these ideas with you! I hope you can find something that you and your partner will enjoy together.

For even more free date night ideas check out my post, 20 FREE Valentine Date Ideas.

10 of our Favorite At Home Date Night Ideas

1. Candlelight Dinner

There’s no rule that says you have to go out to a fancy restaurant in order to enjoy a romantic dinner. Cook a special dinner, put the kids to bed and enjoy a quiet dinner for two. Set the mood by lighting some candles, dimming the lights, and adding a pretty tablecloth.

2. Put Together a Puzzle

I am not usually a huge fan of puzzles (I lack patience!), however, my husband really enjoys them. Through him I have learned to better appreciate puzzles. Often when we do a puzzle together it has turned into sweet moments where we are able to just talk and laugh. It’s fun to have a project/goal we can work towards together. I have surprised myself by saying I enjoy puzzles…..as long as they are done with my husband! 😉

3. Would you Rather

Ask each other “would you rather” questions to get to know each other a little better. It’s such a fun way to learn more about each other. You can ask serious questions, or be a little more lighthearted and fun. I’m still surprised at all the random idiosyncrasies I keep learning about my husband!

4. Food Tasting

Try some new foods together with a food tasting. Look for new food at the grocery store that you normally wouldn’t buy. Perhaps, some fancy cheeses and unique fruits. You might even find a few new favorites!

5. Personality Quizzes

I’m a bit of a nerd in the fact that I seriously love personality quizzes. I’m betting there isn’t a personality quiz out there that I haven’t taken. For a fun date night you could both take a personality quiz and then read each others results. It’s such much easier to understand why someone is the way they are if you understand their personality better.

6. Dream Board

Dream up your future together! Set goals and put together a dream board of what the two of you hope to accomplish within the next 5, 10, 20 years. The best way to achieve a dream, is to have a dream!

7. Outdoor Picnic

If it’s warm outside, set up a little outdoor picnic. Lay out a blanket to sit on, pack all your favorite finger foods, and enjoy time together in your own backyard. Try to schedule it right before the sunset so you can enjoy dinner and a show. Be sure to bring an extra blanket for snuggling.

Related: 50 FREE activities to do with your kids over the Summer Break

8. Ice Cream Sundaes

Who says ice cream is just for kids???? My husband and I have a serious deep love for ice cream. It’s fairly common for one of us to buy a pint of ice cream as a sweet gesture to the other. How about making gourmet ice cream sundaes, WITHOUT the kids around? Pile it high with all your favorite toppings, finish it off with a cherry on top (of course!), and enjoy talking and spending time together while you eat your ice cream sundae!

9. Play Name That Tune

Test each others music knowledge with a friendly game of name that tune. Travel back in time and play some of the hits from when you were kids. Turn it into a friendly competition with a small wager (maybe loser has to make the bed the next morning????).

10. Learn a New Skill

Watch some youtube videos about a new skill you have both been wanting to learn. These could be a few weeks worth of dates, as you continue to learn and improve your new skill. Perhaps you will want to learn about photography, cooking, art, or a foreign language? The options are endless! Maybe you could each pick a new skill you would personally like to learn and you can take turns supporting and learning the others chosen skill together.

11. Game Night

Get out a few of your favorite board games and have an old fashioned game night. Pop some popcorn, or your favorite snack choice, and enjoy a night of friendly competition, food and good laughs.

Just don’t play Monopoly……my husband and I can NOT play that game without getting mad at each other…..

12. Star Gazing

Put a blanket outside and lay together under the stars. Download an astronomy app on your phone to help you find constellations. Enjoy snuggling up together, good conversation, and a beautiful view.

13. Indoor Smores

Roast marshmallows over the stove top and make indoor smores! It’s ok to act like a kid again with this fun treat!

In Conclusion

You do not have to spend a lot of money, or even leave your house for a special date night. I am challenging you to start making date night a priority….even if you have to do it while staying at home!

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What are some of your favorite at home date ideas???

Peanut Butter Play Dough Recipe

June 20, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

My kids LOVE making play dough, and we do it regularly. Try making this Peanut Butter Play Dough Recipe for a fun alternative to the classic play dough recipe.

I was introduced to this Peanut Butter Play Dough Recipe years ago in a college Child Development class. Instantly I loved the concept of using this recipe as a sensory activity for kids. They can touch, see, smell, and even taste it. I think it would be fun to use for a preschool lesson about the 5 senses.

My kids ask to make this play dough all the time. I’m pretty sure their favorite part is that they are actually allowed to EAT the play dough!

Get your kids in the kitchen and have them help you make this recipe. It’s easy and fun and you can whip it up in less than thirty minutes.

Print Recipe

Peanut Butter Play Dough Recipe

This play dough recipe will be a quick favorite for your kids!

Prep Time10 mins

Ingredients

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in bowl. Stir well and knead until smooth. That's it! Seriously!

Notes

You can keep this recipe in your fridge for up to a week.

Related: 5 FREE activities to do with Kids using items you already have at home

That’s it! So easy! Nos just let your kids play and enjoy! Get out some fun cookie cutters, knives, and a rolling pin. My kids can spend hours playing (and tasting! 😉 ).

Celebrate dad with these Free Fathers Day ideas.

Here are 10 Ways You can Show Dad You CARE, Without Spending a Dime

1. Bake Him Something

2. Watch the Game Together

3. Give Him Service

4. Send Him a Thoughtful Card

5. Movie Night

Related: 10 Gifts for Him under $10

4. Get Outside

7. Game Night

8. Best of Memory List

9. Cook Him Dinner

10. Play a Sport Together

In Conclusion

Related Articles:

Pin This Article For Future Reference:

Your dad will love these Free Fathers Day ideas.

The Ultimate List of Screen Free Summer Kids Activities

Outdoor Summer Kids Activities

Indoor Summer Activities

In Conclusion

Pin This Article For Future Reference:

What are your favorite summer kids activities???

An Easy Valentine Heart Craft for Kids!

Yarn Hearts Tutorial

Related Easy Craft Projects:

Now it’s your turn to make this easy valentine craft for kids!

Enjoy a frugal winter with these free family winter activities!

Fun In the Snow

1. Sledding

2. Snow Cave

3. Snow Candy

4. Winter Walk/Scavenger Hunt

5. Snowball Fight

6. Build a Snowman

7. Snow Ice Cream

Fun at Home

8. Movie Night

9. Bake Bread

10. Homemade Cocoa

11. Family Slumber Party

12. Read a Novel as a Family

13. Paper Snowflakes

14. Play Dough

15. Indoor Picnic

16. Make a Fort

17. Make a Sock Snowman

18. Board Games

19. Make Friendship Bracelets

20. Family Dance Party

Fun in Town

21. Visit the Library

22. Serve a Meal at a Homeless Shelter

23. Visit a Pet Store

24. Donate to a Thrift Store

25. Visit a Neighbor

Liked what you read? Pin it for future reference!

What do you like to do with your family during the cold winter months????

A good hot chocolate mix recipe makes everything better!

Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients

Instructions

Let me know if you make this hot chocolate! I would love to hear how it turns out!

Christmas Tree Cookies

Ingredients

Instructions

Butter in a Jar Tutorial

Free or Frugal Family Christmas Traditions

1. Decorate the Christmas Tree

2. Christmas Stories

3. Christmas Lights

4. Holiday Baking

5. Neighbor Gifts

6. Advent Calendar

7. Christmas Movies

8. Christmas Crafts

9. Paper Snowflakes

10. Christmas Eve Dinner

11. Letters to Santa

12. Light the World