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Gift Ideas for Toddlers Under $25

August 30, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Check Out These Budget Friendly Gifts for Toddlers.

Toddlers are honestly one of my favorite people to shop for! They are so fun, cute and excited about almost anything! Their toys are always bright and colorful and just bring me a lot of joy. I also think toddlers are perfect for budget friendly gifts. They do not need anything fancy and will be happy with a free, empty box! Here are a few budget friendly gift ideas for toddlers all under $25. I hope you find just what you’re looking for!

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

LeapFrog Learning Book:

There is so much learning that happens during the toddler years. This LeapFrog Learning Book is the perfect way to enhance this important learning by teaching new words to your child. It has lights, songs, pictures, and everything that any kid could want in a book. Plus, it’s affordable! Yay!

Melissa & Doug Safari Chunky Puzzle:

Little hands will love this Safari Chunky Puzzle. The pieces are easy to maneuver and a great toy to help with fine motor development.

Drum Set:

With over 10,000 positive reviews this Toddler Drum Set is a sure to be a favorite. It comes with different melodies to play with, or has other options for free play, letters, and numbers. We all know toddlers love to make noise and this drum set is perfect for doing just that!

Matching Eggs Set:

Help toddlers learn colors and shapes with this STEM toy. The Matching Eggs Set helps toddlers develop fine motor skills as they learn and practice matching items together.

Lego Duplo Alphabet Train

I love this cute LEGO DUPLO Alphabet Train. It makes a perfect educational toy as it will help kids learn their letters. Plus, a train is so fun to push and pull for free play.

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Kids Tent:

My kids always loved when we had a kids sized tent in the house. This Rocket Ship Tent is perfect for toddlers to snuggle, hide, and play in. If the Rocket Ship theme isn’t for your toddler, they even have other styles to choose from!

Shopping Cart:

Toddlers love to push just about anything around the house. This cute Shopping Cart is perfect to get those little legs moving!

Mega Bloks:

These fun Mega Bloks are perfect for little hands to hold and build with. This set of building blocks comes with 80 pieces and has fantastic reviews!

Slice and Bake Cookie Set:

Ok, but how cute is this Slice and Bake Cookie Set???? I mean, I want one for myself! This is such a fun way to encourage pretend play with your toddler! And the price is right!

VTech Spin and Learn Flashlight:

Let your toddler have their own kid friendly flashlight with the VTech Spin and Learn Flashlight. It’s less than $10 and comes complete with songs, sounds and lights!

Fine Motor Hedgehog:

This Hedgehog Toy is perfect for helping little ones develop those important fine motor skills. It has over 10,000 positive review and currently priced below $15! A great deal!

Play Doctor Set:

When my oldest was just 2 years old we bought her a Play Doctor Set and throughout the next ten years that was the most beloved toy by all of my kids and their friends. It was worth every penny and I am saving it for my grandkids to pay with one day!

Here is a similar Play Doctor Set that I know all of the toddlers in the world will love! It’s less than $15 and comes with 11 pieces to play doctor with.

Shape Sorter:

Every kid needs a shape sorter and this wooden shape sorter is perfect! It has bright colors and 12 different shapes for sorting.

Pull and Sing Puppy:

Toddlers love push and pull toys. This Pull and Sing Puppy will provide a lot of entertainment for kids to pull along behind them while listening to music. Plus, it has tens of thousands positive reviews. This is a great gift!

Take Apart Truck With Toy Drill:

Most kids love toys that make them feel more grown up. This Take Apart Truck with Toy Drill is perfect for that! The drill gives toddlers the ability to take apart a truck, and put it together again!

Storybook Projector Flashlight:

This Storybook Projector Flashlight is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen! It’s a projector you can attach to your smartphone and then projects images from a story on the wall or ceiling as you read.

Kids are sure to love this fun, magical way to read a story.

Luv N Snuggle Baby Doll:

Baby dolls are well loved toys for toddlers to practice pretend play. The Luv N Snuggle Baby Doll is the perfect size for toddlers to carry around and love on.

Kids Cleaning Set:

Another fun toy for encouraging pretend play is the Kids Cleaning Set. It comes with a kid sized mop, broom, and duster perfect for them to mimic cleaning around the house. And, (my favorite part) this toy includes a place to store the toys that is equally cute and fun! It’s currently on sale for just under $25!

Board Books Set:

Toddlers love to look at books with bright, big pictures. Give them this Board Book Set with 10 books focused on teaching them all about numbers, colors, animals, and more! This set is a great deal at less than $20!

Doodle Mat:

Mess free coloring exists with this Aqua Doodle Mat. You won’t have to worry about paint or markers on the walls or furniture when your toddler uses this fun mat for coloring.

Fishing Bath Toy:

This Fishing Bath Toy looks like so much fun for any water play. Your toddler will get to play fisherman with 30 different colorful fish. Use it in the bathtub or just for playing around the house!

Bristle Blocks:

Another fun and easy building block for toddlers to use are these Bristle Blocks. The pieces are chunky and easy to stick together. This set even comes with flowers and jungle animals!

Toddler Busy Board:

Toddlers will have so much fun learning new skills and keeping their fingers busy with this Toddler Busy Board. It would be the perfect toy for car trips or quiet church activities.

Scavenger Hunt Game:

This Scavenger Hunt Game is perfect for helping little ones explore their home. The colors are bright and fun and the game is less than $15! This would be such a fun way to encourage parent-child or sibling-sibling interaction at home.

Bubble Machine:

There is just something about bubbles that makes everything more fun! This Bubble Machine will keep the bubbles flowing for your toddler. It has over 5,000 positive reviews and will be an instant favorite!

In Conclusion

The most important thing when buying presents for loved ones is to remember that the price of the gift is not what’s important. All that matters is that you have taken the time, thought and kindness to choose something they will enjoy. Toddlers are great are truly appreciating all the little and beautiful things in life!

Cheap Gift Ideas for Teen Boys All Under $25!

25 Gift Ideas for Tween Girls; all under $25!

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What frugal gift ideas for toddlers do you have???

Easy Homemade Christmas Ornament

December 13, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

This is the perfect Christmas craft idea for kids!

Are you looking for a fun craft to do with your kids this Christmas? You have to try this easy homemade Christmas ornament! I bought all of the supplies at the Dollar Tree, making it a very budget friendly activity!

I always add a craft to our Christmas bucket list each December, and these are the perfect Christmas ornaments to make with kids, because they only take a few minutes, and the kids can easily customize the colors however they want. Plus, there is nothing better then getting to see your child’s art hanging on the tree each year. Every piece is full of sweet memories and make me so happy!

Gather Supplies

The first thing you will need to do is gather your supplies. I bought all of my supplies at Dollar Tree, but you can also get them on Amazon or any craft store.

Clear Christmas Ornaments

Craft Paint

And that’s it! Such an easy, budget friendly project!

How To Make This Easy Homemade Christmas Ornament

Now that you have your supplies, let’s get crafting! One of my favorite things about this Homemade Christmas ornament is that it is fast and easy. If you worry that you aren’t a “crafter”, do not worry anymore! This craft is perfect for you!

The first thing you will need to do is take the cap off of the ornament (easy enough right?)

Next, take one of your paints and squeeze a small drop into the outer rim of the ornament. Allow the paint to pour down the sides. Remember, you can never add to much paint.

Then, take another color of paint and do the same thing, squeeze a small drop into the outer rim and allow it to pour down the sides.

Continue dropping paint into the ornaments, alternating the color each time. I recommend 2-3 colors in each ornament.

Make sure to add plenty of paint so that it will cover the entire ornament.

And you are almost done! See, I told you this was easy!

Lastly, just turn your homemade Christmas ornament upside down and place it in a plastic cup. Let it sit there for 24 hours. Do not skip this step or shorten the time. The bulb needs to let all of the paint drain out and fully dry. Gravity is an important step in this craft!

Finishing Touches

After letting your ornament dry for a full 24 hours, pick it up from the cup, admire the beautiful, colorful design you made, attach the cap and then proudly hang it on your Christmas tree to enjoy.

So pretty, right?!? I love experimenting with different combinations of colors, and especially watching what my sweet kids come up with. No two ornaments ever turn our the same, and that’s the best part!

More Christmas Activities:

Easy Cinnamon Candy Recipe For Christmas

Best Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas Tree Cookie Recipe

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I hope you love making this easy homemade Christmas ornament as much as we did!

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

November 3, 2021 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.

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!

Related: 25 Completely Free Family Winter Activities

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

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.

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

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!

Christmas Hard Candy Recipe

Frugal Christmas Traditions For Families

Best Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

Don’t Forget To Pin This Recipe To Use Again:

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

Easy Toilet Paper Pumpkin Craft Tutorial

October 13, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life5 Comments

How to make toilet paper roll pumpkins!

Yesterday I pulled out all of our fall decorations and had fun getting the house looking a little more festive. After that I decided I wanted a few more small decorations, but didn’t want to spend very much money. So, I decided to make this easy toilet paper pumpkin craft!

My friend showed me how to make these toilet paper roll pumpkins a few years ago, and I knew they would be the perfect addition to my house this fall. The best part about these pumpkins is that they cost less than $1 to make! Yep, you read that right, $1!

The only item I bought for this easy fall craft was the fabric. I bought three fat fabric squares from Walmart for 97 cents each. If that’s not frugal, I don’t know what is! If you already have scrap fabric at home, these will be even cheaper to make!

Not only are these crazy cheap to make…..they are also one of the easiest crafts ever! Most importantly, I spent less than an hour making all three of these darling Halloween Pumpkins. If you aren’t a crafter, this is the craft for you!

“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.”

Toilet Paper Pumpkin Craft Supplies

First, let’s gather the supplies. You only need three items to make these cute pumpkins, and you probably already have most of them at home.

Supplies Needed:

One roll of toilet paper
One fat fabric square of fabric (or fabric cut to 18″x22″)
Hot glue gun (optional)
A twig for the stem

Toilet Paper Roll Pumpkin Instructions

Now that you have all of your supplies, the fun part can begin! Let’s start crafting!

First, lay the square of fabric right side down on the table.

Next, place your toilet paper roll right in the middle of the fabric square.

Now, take the ends of the fabric and tuck them into the middle of the toilet paper roll. As you tuck the ends, make sure to pull the fabric tight, this helps make some cute textures and creases for the pumpkin. Sometimes it takes me a few tries before I get it looking just right.

Keep stuffing the ends of the fabric into the toilet paper roll until all the ends of the fabric are hidden and the toilet paper is completely covered with fabric.

You are almost done!

For the stem, just go into your backyard, or a local park and find a small twig. I had to break my stick to get the perfect twig size.

Next, just hot glue a small amount of glue into the middle of your pumpkin and then stick the twig into the hot glue, making sure it is sticking up correctly.

If you don’t have a hot glue gun, that’s OK! Just stick that stick inside the pumpkin and you are ready to go! The twig will usually stand up straight without the glue.

And that’s it! You are done! Just beware, these toilet paper pumpkins are so addicting! You might end up making thousands. They make great gifts for friends and neighbors.

A Few Tips

Try playing around with the toilet paper to make different shapes and sizes. You can change the pumpkin look just by taking off some toilet paper.

For the polka dot pumpkin, I took off about 1/4 of the toilet paper to make a smaller pumpkin. I also wrapped some toilet paper loosely around the entire roll. This gives it a slightly more rounded look. So cute, right???

I wanted my other black pumpkin to be a little bit larger so, I added extra toilet paper to the roll, and tried to give it a rounded loose look.

I loved the way this one turned out! There really are some many possibilities! And for a whopping 97 cents…..you can make a dozen of these without breaking the bank!

Have you ever made a toilet paper roll pumpkin before??? It truly is such a fun and easy pumpkin craft! Let me know if you try it out, I would love to hear how they turned out.

Happy frugal crafting!

YouTube Tutorial

Check out my YouTube toilet paper roll pumpkin tutorial for even more tips for making this easy fall craft!

You might also like:

–Rice Krispie Halloween Monsters Recipe

–No Sew Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

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Enjoy your toilet paper pumpkin!

DIY Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

September 2, 2021 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!)

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:

–Canvas Craft Tote
Scrap fabric (I chose Halloween colors)
Wonder Under
Iron/ironing board
Pattern for tracing

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.

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!

Easy Pumpkin Craft Tutorial For a Fun Fall Decoration

Fall Bucket List for Families

Monster Rice Krispie Treats

Pin for Future Reference:

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

Cheap Father’s Day Gift Ideas Under $25

May 21, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Best gifts for Father’s Day under $25.

Father’s Day is right around the corner. I love any day when I get to celebrate the amazing men in my life, and all that they do for me. Fortunately, showing someone that you love them doesn’t have to cost a lot of money (shocker, right?!! 😉 )! Here are 25 cheap Father’s Day Gift Ideas he is sure to love! Everything is less than $25!

Techy Father’s Day Gifts

Are you shopping for a dad who enjoys a lot of screen time? Try one of these affordable gift ideas!

1. Apple Watch Stand

This highly rated Apple Watch Stand is a great gift for the Apple user. It has a spot to hold both your phone and Apple watch while being charged and has a few different colors to choose from, there is something for everyone!

2. Remote Holder

Is your dad constantly losing the remote??? How about gifting him a remote holder for Father’s Day. This remote holder is a great option and can be mounted to the wall with removeable adhesive, no tools necessary!

3. Wireless Charging Pad

A great gift idea is a wireless charging pad. I loved this one from Amazon. It’s thin, attractive, has a lot of good reviews and comes in many different colors! Basically perfect all around!

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves To Be Outdoors

My husband loves to be in the great outdoors, so I am always shopping for affordable outdoor gear. Here are a few of our favorites.

4. Personalized Pocket Knife

I love personalized gifts and this personalized pocket knife is the perfect gift for fathers day. You can request to get his name engraved on the knife, or leave a sweet message. This pocket knife also comes with a rope cutter, can opener, and glass breaker.

5. Camp Chair

It’s always nice to receive a new camp chair, especially if you spend a lot of time doing outdoor activities. Check out this camp chair which is less than $25!

6. Stadium Seat

A stadium seat is the perfect gift for a dad who spends a lot of times attending sporting events. I found a portable stadium seat for a really good price here!

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves To Cook And Eat

I love all of these fun gift ideas for the dad who enjoys food and cooking!

7. Grilling Set

Are you shopping for someone who loves to grill? How about gifting them a new grilling accesories set? This is a great option, it’s under $20 and includes multiple accessories and an apron!

8. Grilling Apron

Help your dad feel special while he’s in the kitchen with a fun apron like this one. It’s the perfect gift for the man that loves to cook!

9. Hot Sauce Set

You might want to gift your father this global edition hot sauce set. It’s such a fun way to help them try new hot sauce flavors! This set comes with 5 different flavors, each from a different region around the world.

10. Knife Sharpener

A knife sharpener is another great Father’s Day gift idea. It’s always helpful to have a few of these around to keep your kitchen knives sharp. Here is a great knife sharpener from Amazon, it has great reviews and the price is right!

11. LED Grill Light

Does your dad love to grill? Consider gifting him an LED Grill Light. This is such a fun accessory and can be used in multiple ways for many different projects.

12. Beef Jerky

You can’t go wrong with gifting Beef Jerky as a father’s day gift! Try to find a brand or flavor that is unique, so that he can try something new! This Cattlemens Beef Jerky looks and sounds delicious!

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves Tools

Perhaps the dad you are shopping for this year spends a lot of time using tools. Check out one of these ideas for him!

13. Digital Tape Measure

This digital tape measure would be a great addition for any dad’s toolbox. Measuring can be a lot easier and quicker with a digital tape measure and this one will measure up to 165 feet and has multiple accessories. Yay!

14. Tool Roll

If you are shopping for someone who has a lot of tools or enjoys being the handy man, this tool roll is a great gift idea! It includes 19 storage slots for different tools and accessories. Plus, it’s less than $25!

Father’s Day Grooming Gifts

We all need to groom, right? Right! Help your dad feel special this year with these affordable grooming gifts.

15. Grooming Kit

Another great cheap Father’s Day gift option is a Grooming Kit. This 5 in 1 grooming kit includes a hair clipper, hair trimmer, nose trimmer, shaver and precision trimmer. It’s the perfect all in one set up for any man.

16. Beard Kit

Does your father sport a beard? He might like this beard kit! It comes with shampoo, oil, conditioner, brush, comb, scissors and more. A great all in one set for the man in your life!

17. Man Soap

Even men like fancy soap! Get your man a nice bar of Big Al’s Pine Tar Soap. We love this Forest Scent.

18. Toiletry Bag

Everyone deserves a new toiletry bag every now and then! Your father might love this mens toiletry bag. It’s the perfect gift, especially for someone who travels often.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas For The Best Dad Ever

I know that your dad is the best ever (so is mine 😉 ). Why not let HIM know just how amazing he is with one of these fun dad gifts!

19. Best Dad Shirt

What better way to help your dad feel amazing this Father’s Day then with a Best Dad shirt. I found this cute one on Amazon, along with many others!

20. Dad Mug

There is nothing better than being reminded of how amazing you are each morning with your coffee mug! Check out this cute Best Dad Ever mug. He will love this daily declaration of love!

21. What I Love About Dad Book

Dads deserve a little extra attention and love for all of the hard work they do for us. This What I Love About Dad Book gives 100 different prompts for you till fill in about why you love your Father. It would make such a sweet keepsake for a child to give to their father.

22. Father’s Day Picture Frame

Gift your dad a special keepsake picture and frame. It’s the perfect gift for them to keep on their desk and remember how much you appreciate them. Make sure to include a picture of the two of you together!

Father’s Day Accessory Gifts

Here are a few fun accessories to gift your dad this Father’s Day.

23. Leather Journal

Shopping for someone who loves to write or sketch? Why not buy them a beautiful leather journal? I love this vintage handmade leather journal, it has great reviews and an affordable price.

24. Baseball Cap

My husband can never have enough baseball caps, he calls it “his thing.” If you are shopping for someone similar, consider gifting them a new baseball cap like the one here.

25. Leather Money Clip

How about gifting dad a new leather money clip? Here is a great and affordable option he might love!

In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these Father’s Day gift ideas. But, remember as a parent, I know that all I want on these special days is a little bit of time spent with my loved ones. It truly doesn’t matter how much you spend on a gift for Father’s Day, all that matters is that you take the time to show him how much you care.

10 Free Father’s Day Gifts

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

What are some of your cheap Father’s Day gift ideas this year?

Fun Easter Lesson For Kids

March 2, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life7 Comments

Fun Easter ideas for kids!

Easter is almost here, yay! This is such a beautiful time of year to celebrate new life and new beginnings, and of course the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although I love Easter I have actually never really been a huge fan of the Easter bunny and the materialism that comes with Easter. The whole idea of a giant rabbit giving my kids presents just has never really resonated with me (am I weird????). Because of this I’m always looking for activities to teach kids the true meaning of Easter, and what it’s really about. We have tried a few different things in the past and nothing has really seemed to feel right to me. I came up with this fun Easter lesson for kids and I am really looking forward to implementing with my kids. Hopefully it can become our new Easter tradition!

Gather Your Supplies

It will only take a few minutes to gather your supplies needed for this fun Easter lesson for kids.

First, print out 7 scriptures from the Bible that discuss the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

These are the 7 scriptures I suggest your type and print out for your Easter eggs:

Jesus Enters Jerusalem: Matthew 21:6-11
Sacrament: Luke 22:1, 19, 20
Garden of Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36,39
Judas Betrays Jesus: Luke 22:47-51
Pilate Washes His Hands: Matthew 27:22,24
The Crucifixion: Luke 22:33-34
Jesus Appears: John 20:10-20

Next you will need to number 7 Easter eggs and put the corresponding scripture in the right number of egg. You want the scriptures in order of the events happening.

And that’s it! Now you are ready to teach your kids about the true meaning of Easter.

Implementing This Fun Easter Lesson For Kids

This Easter activity is meant to begin on the Monday before Easter.

Starting with the egg numbered 1, have your kids open one egg each day of the week. Your first egg will be the scripture Matthew 21:6-11 and you will end on Sunday with the egg containing the scripture of John 20:10-20.

After the egg is opened each day, read the scripture together and discuss what it means and how we can relate it to our lives.

This activity has been a lot of fun for the kids to participate in. I’m hoping it will help us keep our focus in the right place, yet also be a little fun for the kids as they open a new egg each day.

How do you teach your kids the true meaning of Easter?

Pin this article to remember each year:

Check out my other Easter posts:

Easter Egg Sun Catcher

Dollar Tree Easter Basket Ideas

I hope you enjoy this fun Easter lesson for kids!

How To Make Yarn Pom Poms

February 6, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life1 Comment

How To Make A Pom Pom Garland Out Of Yarn

I recently discovered how to make yarn pom poms and I am now obsessed! These pom-poms turned out to be easy to make and so cute! My daughters and I spent all evening making pom poms and experimenting with different sizes and techniques.

We decided to turn these yarn pom poms into a cute garland for Valentines Day. I love how it turned out and am already planning more garlands in other themes and colors! I see a spring garland in my near future!

These were so fun (and cheap!) to make, I thought I would share an easy tutorial with all of you! I was able to use items I already had at home and didn’t need to spend any money (yay!), but you can find some quality yarn for less than five dollars and it will make hundreds of pom-poms!

Gather Supplies

To make your yarn pom pom you will need to first gather your supplies. For this project you will need:

Yarn (softer yarn seems to work best)
Sharp Scissors

Yep! That’s all you need! I told you these were easy!

How To Make Yarn Pom Poms

Now that we have the supplies, let’s start crafting!

First, take a small string of yarn and begin wrapping it around two of your fingers.

Keep wrapping the yarn around your finger until the yarn looks a good size. I just eyeballed it, but I probably twisted the yarn about 70-100 times.

When the pom pom looks right, cut the yarn leaving about 6 inches of a tail. You will then push the tail through your two fingers and pull it out the other side.

Bring the tail up on top of the yarn and push it through the top of your two fingers. Pull it tight (this is important!).

Now, gently slide the yarn off of your fingers, making sure to keep the yarn pulled tight and kept across the middle (this was a little tricky, but you can do it!).

Knot the tail and wrap the remaining tail across the other middle, this will form a plus sign. Pull it tight and knot it. This will form four sections. Tie another knot securing the yarn.

Next, grab some sharp scissors. I used my fabric scissors (aka: “if anyone uses these for anything other than fabric they will be in HUGE trouble” scissors).

Begin cutting the loops apart in each section. Make sure you do not cut the tied tail. We only had this happened once, but it’s important to remember.

Continue cutting all of the loops. Once finished, it will not look very good and you’ll wonder if you did it right! You did. I promise.

The pom pom just needs some fluffing. Shake it, separate the pieces and try to fluff it out as best as you can.

Once your little ball of yarn is all fluffed out it’s time for a haircut! This is when you will see your pom pom begin to take shape.

Trim the yarn pieces until they are all nice and even. I like to cut them fairly short, but not to short.

Play around with it a little bit and you will find the style you like. My daughters kept theirs a little more long, it’s all personal preference.

That’s it! Your pom pom is done! Isn’t it cute???? The first one takes the longest…..to be honest, I threw away my first five (or was it ten????).

But, once I had a little practice I was able to whip them up much quicker.

Stick some googly eyes on those pom poms and make little monsters for your kids, OR you can string it together to form a cute garland. I chose the garland.

Pom Pom Garland Tutorial

Using your pom poms to make a garland is really quick and simple!

Gather Your Supplies

To make your pom pom garland you will need to first gather a few supplies. You will need:

Yarn Pom Poms
String

After browsing through my house unable to find a string for my garland I resorted to the garage (I was refusing to spend money on this project!).

I found some string in my husbands stash of “stuff” and it worked really well. Twine or even embroidery thread will work great too.

How To Make A Pom Pom Garland

First, tie a knot at the end of your string and use the string to thread a needle.

You will then stick your needle right through the middle of your pom-pom, pull it along the string until it reaches the knot, and continue until your garland is at the desired length.

Knot off the end and you are done! You can hang your yarn pom-pom garland around your house, but we came up with a different idea.

We decided to decorate one of our little Christmas Trees as a “valentine tree.” We have been making little crafts for it all month and decided this pom pom garland would be the perfect addition!

Let me know if you make a pom pom garland! I would love to hear how it went.

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I hope this helped you understand how to make a yarn pom pom!

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

January 6, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life6 Comments

Check out these budget friendly Valentine Gifts for men!

I LOVE Valentines Day. It is so fun to spend a day showing the people I love most how much I care about them. I started browsing last night for Valentine Gifts for my husband. I knew I wanted to get him something he would LOVE, but I also wanted to make sure we would be able to stay in budget with the gift. I made a list of ten GREAT Valentine gifts for him, and ALL of them are under ten bucks! That’s my type of shopping!

10 Valentine Gifts for Him ALL Under $10

Here are a few valentines gifts for men that are sure to make anyone on your list happy!

Flashlight

My husband seems to never have enough flashlights. He loves having them in all shapes and sizes. I loved the design of this LED flashlight. It would be useful for the adventurer in your life. It’s water resistant, bright and adjustable. Everything I know my husband needs in a flashlight! This flashlight is only $9.99!

Survival Fire Starter

I found this great Survival Fire Starter with Compass and Whistle for the great outdoors loving man in your life. It is small and compact and perfect for taking on backpacking or hiking trips. I also think this would be a great gadget to have around the house for emergency preparedness. It is currently only $9.99!

Phone Case

What about gifting him a new iphone case? It’s always fun to get an upgrade! This one is less than $10, and perfect for any style preference!

Meat Thermometer

Does the man in your life love to grill??? He might enjoy this meat thermometer. It has lots of fantastic reviews and is digital so will be very easy to read.

Related: 20 FREE Valentine Date Ideas

Hand Cream

This Working Hands Cream is fantastic for smoothing out rough cracked hands. With over 8,000 positive reviews, it obviously works as advertised! It is a great price for this type of product at $7.99.

Keychain

Feeling romantic? How about gifting this sweet keychain so he can always remember how you feel about him.

Message In A Bottle

How sweet is this message in a bottle? You get 45 papers to write little love notes on to put in the cute tablets. It’s a gift he will never forget!

Fun Socks

Does your man love to play video games? These gaming socks are hilarious and a must buy for all the gamers in the world!

NFL Gaiter

Another great Valentine gift for him are these fun NFL themed gaiters. They are the perfect gift for all football fans! You can customize them with whichever team you cheer for.

Beard Brush Set

If you are shopping for someone that loves to sport a beard, he just might like this Beard Brush Grooming Set. It comes with a brush, comb, and trimming scissors. Plus, it’s the perfect size for travel!

Have Fun!

I hope some of these Valentines gifts for him are the perfect fit for what you are looking for! Remember, it’s the thought that counts….not the price tag!

Valentine Gift Ideas For Her Under $10

A Frugal Family Valentines Day

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I hope these gave you some ideas for Valentines gifts for him!

20 FREE Valentine Date Ideas

December 18, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Our favorite budget friendly valentine dates!

With Valentines Day just a couple weeks away my husband and I started brainstorming some free date night ideas. Valentines Day does not always have to be celebrated with an expensive dinner and fancy night out. There is no price tag on quality time spent with the one you love very most. And now, here is our list of 20 FREE Valentine Date Ideas.

I’m sharing a few of our favorite ideas below! Some are a little more romantic, and others are just plain old fun! There is a great date idea for everyone!

These dates are perfect for any date night, it doesn’t have to be on Valentines Day! I hope you find a new favorite!

20 Free Valentine Date Ideas

It’s possible to enjoy a fun date with your spouse…without having to spend any money! Here’s a few ways you can do it!

1. Candlelight Picnic

There is no need to go out to a fancy restaurant to have a candlelight dinner. You can set one up at home!

To make an at home candlelight dinner, just put a blanket on the floor and few candles set around the room. Make sure to cook your loves favorite dinner and enjoy eating and talking over candlelight.

2. Night Drive and Star Gazing

You might enjoy going on a long drive, just the two of you. This is a great time to talk without any interruptions.

Drive to somewhere secluded and wrap up in a blanket together and enjoy some star gazing from the back of your car. Use a star finder app to locate a few constellations.

3. Netflix and Chill

Who doesn’t love to Netflix and Chill???? This is a classic date, and for good reason!

All you have to do is set up some blankets and pillows in front of the TV. Enjoy snuggling together while watching your favorite Netflix shows.

4. Game Night

Another great free date night idea is to have a game night together. Pop some popcorn, get out your favorite snacks and crack open a few games. Let your flirty and friendly banter come out and enjoy a fun game night together with just the two of you.

If you are needing some fun, family friendly games, check out this article!

5. At Home Star Gazing

If you don’t want to go for a drive to look at the stars, you could do some star gazing at home!

Make it a little more special by stringing up some Christmas lights on your back porch and getting out a few blankets to snuggle in.

6. Stroll through Memory Lane

Get out old pictures and letters you may have written to each other. Reminisce about your first dates and talk about how special your love story is. This is a great way to rekindle the flame and to grow closer together as a couple.

Related: Cheap At Home Date Night Ideas

7. Cook Dinner Together

Do you or your significant other enjoy cooking? You might enjoy spending an evening cooking in the kitchen together!

Turn on some music and enjoy each others company while cooking dinner together. Light some candles in the kitchen to help set the mood.

After the dinner is cooked you can enjoy eating the nice meal together!

8. Couple Questions

Even after 17 years of marriage, I am still learning new things about my husband! It’s always fun to find out a new quirk or story from his past.

Find a list of couple questions, like this one, to ask each other. This is a fun free date night to see how well you already know each other and enjoy learning new details about your lover.

9. Roast Smores at Home

You don’t need a campfire to make smores! You can roast them right at home over the stove.

Make them into gourmet smores by adding peanut butter or nutella to the graham cracker! Yum!

10. Dessert Iron Chef

Play an at home version of Iron Chef. This is such a fun cooking competition game!

To play Iron Chef, pick a few “secret ingredients” that you both have to use in your dessert concoction. Set a time limit for each person to whip up the best dessert they can, all while using the “secret ingredients.” End the game by taking turns judging each others desserts.

11. Snowy Walk

If you live in a cold climate (like I do), Valentines Day usually includes snow. Use this to your advantage by taking a walk with your love out in the snow.

Try to explore a new trail or area you have never been before and enjoy the winter beauty together.

12. Comedy Night

Have an at home comedy night. Grab your favorite snacks and search you tube for funny videos or watch a comedian on Netflix, our favorite is always Jim Gaffigan.

13. Window Shopping

If you are wanting a free Valentines Date out in the town you might enjoy window shopping. This is a fun way to browse the stores, without having to spend money.

Make it a little more fun by picking out funny items for each other to try one. See who can find the funniest outfit and promise each other you will try it on no matter what!

14. Photo Scavenger Hunt

Another fun and free Valentines date idea is to have a date night photo scavenger hunt. Try to complete the list together, but give yourself a certain amount of time to make it more exciting. This date is always so fun!

15. Fondue Night

Have a fondue night at home by melting chocolate chips in the microwave. Enjoy good conversation together while dipping fruit and marshmallows into the chocolate.

16. Heads or Tails Drive

A heads or tails drive is a really fun date night idea! First, pack a picnic dinner into the car. Then, go for a drive using a coin to find your destination.

At every intersection flip the coin. If the coin lands on heads, turn right. If it is tails, turn left. turn right if it’s heads and left if it’s tails. Do this for 10-20 intersections and then enjoy eating the picnic together at whatever the destination ends up being.

Related: 10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

17. Paint Night

Let your artistic side show with this free Valentines Date idea! Whip out the paints and a few canvases for you and your honey to paint on. Enjoy talking to each other while painting your individual masterpieces. I’m not very creative, but I do always enjoy this activity. It’s so soothing!

18. Video Games

Play a few video games together and let your competitive sides show with friendly banter and laughs.

19. Sledding and Hot Chocolate

Enjoy a fun night outside sledding together. End the night back home snuggling next to the fire while sipping hot chocolate.

Related: Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

20. Health Night

If you are looking for a physical activity to do on a date, consider doing some couples yoga together. You can find a lot of great, free videos on YouTube! Afterwards prepare a healthy dinner together and enjoy each others company while focusing on your health.

In Conclusion

There are so many ways to date your significant other, without spending any money. The most important part of a date is spending quality time together!

Check Out These Budget Friendly Gifts for Toddlers.

Melissa & Doug Safari Chunky Puzzle:

Matching Eggs Set:

Kids Tent:

Shopping Cart:

Mega Bloks:

Slice and Bake Cookie Set:

VTech Spin and Learn Flashlight:

Fine Motor Hedgehog:

Play Doctor Set:

Shape Sorter:

Pull and Sing Puppy:

Take Apart Truck With Toy Drill:

Storybook Projector Flashlight:

Luv N Snuggle Baby Doll:

Kids Cleaning Set:

Board Books Set:

Doodle Mat:

Fishing Bath Toy:

Bristle Blocks:

Toddler Busy Board:

Bubble Machine:

In Conclusion

Related Articles:

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What frugal gift ideas for toddlers do you have???

This is the perfect Christmas craft idea for kids!

Gather Supplies

How To Make This Easy Homemade Christmas Ornament

Finishing Touches

More Christmas Activities:

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I hope you love making this easy homemade Christmas ornament as much as we did!

The best homemade hot cocoa mix recipe makes everything better!

How To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Gather Ingredients

Mix It Together

Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients

Instructions

In Conclusion

Related Articles:

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

How to make toilet paper roll pumpkins!

Toilet Paper Pumpkin Craft Supplies

Toilet Paper Roll Pumpkin Instructions

A Few Tips

YouTube Tutorial

You might also like:

Pin For Later:

Enjoy your toilet paper pumpkin!

Check out this No Sew Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial!

DIY Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

Find Your Pattern

Prepare Your Design

Iron On The Picture

In Conclusion

Related Articles:

Pin for Future Reference:

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

Best gifts for Father’s Day under $25.

Techy Father’s Day Gifts

1. Apple Watch Stand

2. Remote Holder

3. Wireless Charging Pad

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves To Be Outdoors

4. Personalized Pocket Knife

5. Camp Chair

6. Stadium Seat

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves To Cook And Eat

7. Grilling Set

8. Grilling Apron

9. Hot Sauce Set

10. Knife Sharpener

11. LED Grill Light

12. Beef Jerky

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves Tools

13. Digital Tape Measure