Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

By: Sweet Frugal Life24 Comments

The best homemade hot cocoa mix recipe makes everything better!

We love keeping hot chocolate stocked in our home during the cold winter months.  My kids will spend hours and 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 cocoa from scratch with this easy homemade 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.  We love this easy homemade hot chocolate recipe because it tastes much much better than anything we ever buy from the store.  I like to whip a huge catch up at the beginning of every winter and keep it stored in the pantry for the kids to use whenever they need a warm drink.

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How To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Once you start making this easy hot cocoa recipe you will never go back to the expensive store bought kind.  Kids love to help make this recipe and it’s a fun family activity to do together.

Gather Ingredients

All you need is 5 cheap ingredients to mix up this creamy hot cocoa….and you probably already have them all in your pantry!

You will need:

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

Mix It Together

Now, with a spoon, stir all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.

That’s it!  You are done!  (see, I told you it was easy!)

You can store your homemade hot chocolate mix in an airtight container in a cupboard.  This mix will should stay fresh for 6-12 months.

When you are ready to enjoy your hot chocolate just stir 1/4 cup mix with 3/4 boiling water in a mug.  Enjoy!  Feel free to add marshmallows, candy canes, or whipped cream for an even more festive treat!

Hot Cocoa Mix

Print Recipe

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!

This easy homemade hot cocoa also makes a great, cheap Christmas gift for neighbors or friends!

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Just put some in a mason jar and put a pretty bow around it!  Make sure to attach the instructions so your neighbors will know how to use it.

In Conclusion

This easy hot chocolate recipe will cost you pennies to make and tastes so very delicious!  I hope your family will enjoy it as much as we do!

Related Articles:

Christmas Hard Candy Recipe

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Best Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

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I hope you enjoy this easy homemade hot chocolate mix recipe!

DIY Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

By: Sweet Frugal Life3 Comments

Check out this No Sew Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial!

Halloween is just around the corner!  I love this time of year; I love the pumpkins, the crisp cool air, the changing leaves, and the excitement in my children.  My kids love to dress up and run around the neighborhood trick or treating.  The urge to craft came on strong the other day and I decided it would be so fun to make my kids new bags for trick or treating.  I wanted to create something cute, but also simple and frugal (because that’s how I roll!).  I came up with the idea of this DIY trick or treat bag.  I’ll be honest with you….it was even EASIER than I originally had planned!  (win!)

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Disclosure:  “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

DIY Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

My favorite thing about this tutorial is that it is an easy craft projects for non sewers, but comes out looking professional!

The first thing you will need to do to make this no sew Trick or Treat bag is to gather all of your supplies.

Supplies Needed:

Find Your Pattern

Now that you have gathered your supplies it’s time to find your pattern.  You can choose any design, picture or pattern.  It doesn’t even need to be Halloween related!  

When we were choosing patterns I asked my kids what picture they wanted on each of their bags.  My daughter requested a cat and my son asked for a spider, so those are the patterns I searched for.

You can easily find patterns by searching on google, they are fairly easy to find.  Just type in the pattern that you want.  For example, if you want to use a spider just type in, “spider tracing pattern.”  You will find many different patterns to choose from!

Another great option for patterns is to look at clip art in Microsoft Word.

Once you have found the pattern you want to use, print it and cut it out.

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Prepare Your Design

Next you will need to transfer the pattern onto your chosen fabric.  I recommend following the directions on your wonder under fusing, they are all a little different.

When I transferred my pattern I cut out a large square of wonder under (large enough to cover the entire shape), and ironed the rough side onto the wrong side of the fabric.

Then I used my tracing pattern to trace the shape onto the paper side of the wonder under.

Once the pattern is traced, cut the picture out (fabric and all), fabric scissors are really helpful to cut out the fabric.

Lastly, gently pull off the paper backing of the wonder under.

 

Iron On The Picture

Now, center your cut out fabric picture on the bag where you want it.  Use a warm iron to iron the picture to the bag.  The wonder under fusing will fuse the fabric to the bag, making it stick.

I have found that holding the iron steady for 5-10 seconds over each section of the picture helps give the applique a nice firm hold.

That’s it!  You’re done!  See, I told you it would be easy!!  It probably took me a total of one hour to finish both bags!  Quick crafting, is my type of crafting!  Imagine all the fun designs and fabric you could iron onto a bag!  So many fun ideas!

In Conclusion

Use your imagination when making this DIY Trick or Treat Bag.  There are so many fun possibilities.  You could iron on a pumpkin, ghost, witch hat, bat, skeleton, or fun lettering.

I can’t wait to watch my kids go trick or treating with their new bags!

 

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I hope you love this DIY Trick or Treat Bag as much as we did!

Valentine Gift Ideas For Her Under $10

By: Sweet Frugal Life6 Comments

Budget friendly Valentine Gifts to give.

Are you looking for the best Valentine Gift ideas for her??  I have you covered! There is no need to spend a fortune on gifts.  I believe you can show your loved one that you care about her, without spending a lot of money.

Here are 10 Valentine Gift Ideas, all under $10 you can give to the woman in your life.  If you are looking for some budget friendly valentine gifts for him check out this article.

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“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ”

10 Valentine Gift Ideas For Her ALL Under $10!

1.  Facial Sponge

I have been wanting to try this Facial Sponge with Activated Bamboo Charcoal for a while now.  It is all natural and the reviews sound amazing and claim it is really beneficial at clearing up skin.  I also really love that it is guaranteed, if you don’t like it you can return it for a full refund. 

This would make a great valentine gift!  Plus, it’s only $6.74!

2.  Lavender Essential Oil

Another great gift idea for your special lady is this Lavender Essential Oil.  The smell is perfect for a relaxing bath or to diffuse in the evenings.  If you are shopping for someone you enjoys essential oil, this is a great buy!

3.  Perfume 

I love receiving perfume for gifts.  It’s a luxury I rarely buy for myself, but absolutely love when someone gifts me some.  You might consider buying this Versace perfume to gift to someone this year.  It smells great and costs less than $8!

4.  Book

If you are shopping for someone who loves to read, consider buying them a new book.  The War That Saved My Life is a wonderful feel good book.  You can get the paperback version for $6.89, which is a steal! 

 

5.  Phone Case

Another great Valentine Gift idea for her is to buy her a new phone case.  I personally have this clear phone case and love it.  Browse Amazon for a while until you find the right look for your special lady.

 

6.  Gloves

It’s always nice to get a pair of new gloves during the cold months.  These cute winter gloves are less than $10 and include touch screen fingers, so you can still use your touch screens while wearing the gloves.  Yay!

7.  Body Cream

 What better way to pamper your loved one than with this Cocoa Butter Body Cream.  It smells great and is the perfect consistency of soft and creamy!  It is currently a great price at only $5.48!

 

8.  Farmhouse Decor

Farmhouse decor is all the rage right now, and something many women would love to receive more of.  This little blue lantern is really cute and less then $10!  Yay!

9.  Notebook

 Are you shopping for someone who enjoys journaling?  Maybe you could buy her a new notebook for journaling.  This floral journal is so pretty and only $8.99.

 

 10.  Manicure Kit

A manicure kit is a great valentines day gift!  It’s perfect for her to bring when traveling.  Plus, it’s currently on sale for just $6.99!

 

In Conclusion

I hope this list helped you to find the perfect gift to give to someone you love this year.  Finding great buys for a good price is my favorite type of shopping!

Remember, it’s not the price that matters, it’s the thought that counts.  And, I truly mean this!

 

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I hope you enjoyed these Valentine Gift ideas for her!

Free Mothers Day Gifts

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Best Mothers Day Gifts that are free!

Isn’t Mothers Day the best???  It’s one of my favorite days of the year.  I love being showered by my kids and husband with thoughtful gifts and notes.  I love celebrating all moms out there for the love and work they do every day of their lives.  Being a mom is without a doubt the most difficult, yet most beautiful thing I have ever done.  It is my favorite title and the thing that brings the absolute most joy into my life.  Because of this special job we all want to show our moms that we appreciate everything they have done for us.  And you know what!  Gifts do not need to cost any money!  I believe that some of the best gifts are free!  The most important thing with gift giving is that it comes from the heart.  Check out this list of Free Mothers Day Gifts.

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Free Mothers Day Gifts

Here are a few of the best Mothers Day gifts that I love!  I hope one of them will inspire you what to give your mother figure this year.

 1.  Write a Sweet Note

Write your mother a sweet note for Mothers Day to tell her what you love and admire about her.  Let her know the impact she has made on your life.  You could make a card by hand, just use lined paper, or buy a pack of cards from the dollar store.

My love language is words of affirmation, and nothing means more to me than receiving a kind and genuine note of love.  This is my favorite gift ever to receive!

2.  A Bouquet of Fresh Flowers

Give your mom a bouquet of fresh, spring flowers!  You could pick flowers from your own yard, or find some wildflowers.  Put your flowers in a mason jar or tin can, tie a pretty ribbon around it, and you have a beautiful gift!

I had a friend pick sunflowers for me off the side of the highway and it brightened my day so much!  Plus, it didn’t cost her a thing!

3.  Make Her Dinner

Who wouldn’t love a break from cooking?  I think we all would!  Why not offer to make your mom dinner??  If she refuses, make it anyway!  You could invite her over to your house for a nice dinner together or bring it to her home.  Make sure to include a few of her favorite foods!

4.  Mom and Daughter Book Club

Does your mom love to read?  Invite her to have a book club, just the two of you!

Check out two copies of the same book from your local public library.  Tell her you will both read the book and get together every week to discuss it.  She will love having a mini book club with her daughter (or son!).  A good book club always includes treats (at least for me they do…. ;) )!

This is a fun way to share interests and spend quality time together.

5.  DIY Hand Sugar Scrub

Give your mom some pampering with a homemade Hand Sugar Scrub!  All you need to do is mix 1/2 cup coconut oil with 1 cup white sugar.  Add a few drops of essential oil (I love lavender oil!).  Mix it all together and you’ve made your own sugar scrub!  Put it in a mason jar, tie a cute bow around it and you have the perfect gift!

6.  Make a Top Ten List

Show your mom some extra love and attention with a Top Ten List!  This is so easy to make, just list the Top Ten things you love about your mom.  Be sure to use some cute scrapbook paper or fancy fonts to give the list a little extra flare.

7.  Favorite Memories E-Mail

Send mom an e-mail with a few pictures of the favorite memories you have together.  Explain to her why those moments are so special to you.

You could even make it a little more fancy with a video montage, complete with pictures and music.  This is something your mom could watch over and over again.  It’s sure to bring a few tears!

8.  Weed Her Flowerbeds

When spring comes, so do the weeds (unfortunately!).  Give your mom the gift of service by weeding her flowerbeds.  Moms deserve a little break every now and then!

Don’t ask for her permission to do this!  Just show up one day, and start weeding!

9.  Homemade Cookies

Does your mom have a favorite cookie or treat?  Make it for her!  My dad loves homemade snicker doodle cookies, so we make those for him a lot.  Try to think of a yummy treat your mom would enjoy.  Remember to wrap it up in some saran wrap and a pretty bow.

10.  Wash Her Car

Maybe surprise mom with a car wash.  Show up at her house one day ready to wash her car.

You can even go the extra mile by dusting and vacuuming the inside.

11.  Gift of Time

What better way to show your mom that you care than to spend special one on one time together.  Invite your mom to do something just the two of you.  This could be by going on a walk, playing a game, doing a craft, or attending a free community event.

12.  Give Her a Pedicure

Give your mom a pedicure!  Bring your nail polish over to moms house and paint her toes and fingernails.  She will love having the extra bonding girl time.

13.  Make a Quote Jar

Does your mom enjoy motivational quotes?  Cut out a bunch of your favorite inspirational quotes and put them in a mason jar.  Tell her she can pull out a quote each day to help her feel loved and inspired.

If you’re feeling crafty, give the jar some cute decorations!

14.  Crafty Gift

Do you like to craft?  Find an easy craft you could make for mom.  This might be a decoration for her home, an accessory to wear, or something else you think she will enjoy.  Try to only use materials you already own!

15.  Be There for Her

Take the entire day off from other commitments and just be there for your mom.  Spend the entire day with her.  Help her around the house, share inside jokes, and show her you care making her your priority for a day.

Truly time together is one of the best gifts we can give each other.

In Conclusion

There are so many wonderful gifts you can give to your mom this Mothers Day.  Remember, it’s the thought that counts….not the price tag!

 

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