Gift Ideas Archives - Sweet Frugal Life

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!

The Easiest No Sew Halloween Trick or Treat Bag

October 2, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life3 Comments

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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 as anything they want 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 a no sew trick or treat bag. I’ll be honest with you….it was even EASIER than I originally had planned! (win!)

Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

– Canvas Craft Tote

– Scrap fabric

– Wonder Under

– Iron/ironing board

– Pattern for tracing

Let’s Begin:

You will first need to find your pattern for tracing. I asked my kids what picture they wanted on their bags and they requested a spider and a cat.

After a quick google search I was able to find a couple of good tracing patterns. Print these off and then cut out the shape.

Now, follow the directions found on your wonder under fusing.

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.

Use your 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).

Last, you will gently pull off the paper backing of the wonder under. Center it on the bag, and then iron it.

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!

There are so many fun possibilities for these bags! Pumpkin, ghost, witch hat, bat, skeleton, or lettering would all make darling trick or treat bags!

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

Mothers Day Gift Guide: 15 FREE Gift Ideas

April 11, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

I love Mothers Day. 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 me the absolute most joy into my life.

Gifts do not need to cost very much many, in fact some of the best gifts cost no money! The only thing that matters is that it comes from the heart. I brainstormed 15 free gift ideas to give your mom for mothers day.

1. Write a sweet note

My love language is words of affirmation and nothing means more to me than receiving a kind and genuine note. Tell your mother what you love and appreciate about her. Let her know the impact she has made on your life.

2. A bouquet of fresh flowers

Pick some flowers from your hard, or maybe some wild flowers. Put them in a mason jar or tin can, make sure to add a pretty ribbon tied around it.

3. Offer to make her dinner

As a busy mom, I love getting a night off from cooking dinner, and I bet your mom feels the same way! Invite her over for dinner and cook a few of her favorite foods.

4. Mom and daughter book club

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. You will have your own mini book club!

5. DIY hand sugar scrub

There are a lot of great recipes for sugar scrubs on Pinterest. I usually mix coconut oil with sugar and add a few drops of lavender essential oil. I keep the scrub stored in a mason jar. It works great!

6. Make a Top Ten List

List the Top Ten things you love about your mom. 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. If you are tech savvy, put together a video montage with music of all of your special pictures.

8. Weed her flowerbeds

When spring comes, so do the weeds (unfortunately!). Help mom out by weeding her flowerbeds. She will love a break from all the work and will appreciate the thoughtful service.

9. Homemade cookies

Does your mom have a favorite cookie or treat? Make her a favorite dessert. Wrap it in saran wrap and put a pretty bow on top. Remembering what treats she likes is always a sweet gesture.

10. Wash her car

Surprise her with a free car wash. You could even show a little extra love and detail the inside by dusting and vacuuming it out.

11. Gift of time

What better way to show your mom that you care than to spend time with her. Ask her to spend quality time 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

Bring your nail polish over to moms house and paint her toes and fingernails. She will love having a little girl bonding time.

13. Make a quote jar

Cut out a bunch of your favorite motivational 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.

14. Crafty gift

Do you like to craft? Find an easy craft you could make for mom. Challenge yourself to make it by only using supplies that you already have at home.

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 the entire day.

What are you giving mom for mothers day? What are some of your favorite free gifts that have been gifted to you?? Share in the comments so we can all learn together!