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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!

fathers day gift ideas - what to buy for fathers day

 

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!

 

 

what to buy dad for father's day - cheap gift ideas for father's day

 

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.

 

Related Articles:

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:

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easter lesson for kids - teaching kids about the resurrection

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!

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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!

easy yarn pom pom tutorial - how to make yarn pom poms

“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.”

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!).

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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!).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

DIY pom pom garland tutorial

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.

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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.

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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!

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

Related Articles:

  • Yarn Hearts: An Easy Valentine Craft for Kids
  • A Frugal Family Valentines Day
  • Easter Egg Sun Catcher

Don’t Forget To Pin This Article For Future Reference:

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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!

“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.”

valentine gifts for him - cheap gift ideas for valentines day

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!

 

Manicure Set

This manicure grooming kit makes a great Christmas present for the man in your life.  It comes with 7 tools in an easy to carry case, perfect for traveling and staying organized.  It is currently only $9.98!

 

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 50 papers to write little love notes on to put in the cute tablets.  It’s a gift he will never forget!

 

LED Beanie Light

I was super excited when I came across this LED Beanie Light.  It’s useful, practical, and perfect for men who have to work outdoors or enjoy recreational outdoor activities.

 

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!

Related Articles:

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!

Free Valentines Day Date Ideas

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!  

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I hope you enjoyed these free Valentines Date Ideas!

101 Frugal Ideas To Light The World

December 11, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy Ways To Light The World This Year!

Have you heard about Light The World?  It’s a campaign my church puts on every year to encourage individuals, families, and communities to serve those around them throughout the month of December.  I love participating in this month of service!  It’s been the best way for me and my family to remember what the holiday season is all about.  Here are 101 frugal ideas to light the world.  I hope they will inspire you to spread goodness and light, without having to break the bank!

Frugal Ways To Serve Your Community

There are so many people working hard in our community.  I love being able to pay it back to them through a little bit of service and love.

1.  Smile at a stranger.

When walking through the store look up and smile at those around you.  You never know who just might need a little pick me up!

2.  Donate a gently used toy to a local charity.

Look through your kids toys and books and find one (or two or five) to donate to a local charity.

3.  Visit a nursing home to talk with the residents.

Stop by a local nursing home to get to know some of the elderly who live there.  Ask them about their life and listen to their stories.  Visit them again a few weeks later to continue to develop the relationship.

4.  Stop and help a stranger who is having car problems.

If you notice someone on the side of the road needing help, stop and see if you can help.  Look for opportunities to serve a stranger in need.  Sometimes if we aren’t looking for them, it’s hard to see them!

5.  Gather all of the grocery carts in the parking lot and return them back to the store.

Help a store employee by gathering all of the grocery carts in a parking lot and returning them to the store so that someone else doesn’t have to do it!

6.  Ask a cashier how their day is going.

The next time you are checking out at a store, ask the cashier how they are.  Genuinely listen as they tell you.  Leave them with a smile and a thank you!

7.  Donate food items to your local food bank.

Look around the house and collect some non-perishable food items from around your house and donate them to a local food bank.

8.  Deliver homemade treats to your local police or fire department.

Make some homemade treats and deliver them to your local police or fire department to thank them for their hard work.  We love these Christmas Tree cookies and this Cinnamon Candy recipe.

9.  Hold the door open for someone at the store.

Let someone else go into the store in front of you while you hold the door open for them.  This is such a simple, but kind gesture!

10.  Donate blood to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross always needs more blood donations, this is such a selfless way to serve.  You can check the American Red Cross website to find a blood drive happening in your area.  

11.  Put coins in an expired meter.

If you walk past a meter that has expired, help someone out by dropping a few coins in to keep it going.

12.  Pick up litter.

Go to a local park, or walk alongside the road, and pick up any trash and litter that was left behind.

13.  Compliment someone on an opposing sports team.

If you attend or participate in a sporting event, give someone on the opposing team a sincere compliment.  Look for their talent, and let them know that you see it.

14.  Donate gently used makeup to a women’s shelter.

You can light the world in your community by donating some of your makeup to a women’s shelter.  Make sure it is only gently used and still in good, usable condition.

15.  Run a 5k for a good cause.

Research any races happening in your area.  Choose one that is raising funds for a good cause and sign up to participate.

My sister and I use to run a 5k every year to help fight Breast Cancer, it was such a great experience to do together and to help spread awareness.

16. Check out the Just Serve website and choose a few service opportunities in your area to do.

The Just Serve website (and app) is full of service opportunities in many areas.  All you have to do is go to the website and enter in your zip code.  You will be shown a list of needs and suggestions of what you can do to help.  Take a look at it and find a few things you can help with where you live.

17.  Start recycling.

If you don’t already recycle, consider starting now to help keep our earth clean and healthy.  Research how to get a recycling dumpster at your house, or find a few around town you can bring your items to recycle.

18.  Thank a veteran for their service.

Call a veteran and thank them for their service.  Let them know how much you appreciate them.

19.  Compliment a mother with young kids.

If you come across a mother with young kids at the grocery store, pay her a compliment.  The chances are she’s trying to get her grocery store shopping as quickly as she can and feels a little stressed.  

All it takes is a simple, “You have well behaved kids, you must be a good mom” to change her day!

20.  Donate a warm coat to the homeless shelter.

Look through your coats, gloves, hats, boots, etc. and find a few that are in good shape to donate to a local homeless shelter.

21.  Leave a kind review for a local business.

Spend a few minutes leaving positive reviews online for local businesses that you enjoy.  This is such an easy way to help a business succeed.

22.  Offer your seat on the bus to someone.

While riding on the bus or train, offer your seat to someone who is in need of a seat.

23.  Volunteer at your local animal shelter.

Are you an animal lover?  Contact your local animal shelter to ask how you can help serve them.  Many animal shelters need help walking, caring for, and playing with each of the animals, which is so much fun to do!!

24.  Donate gently used books to your local library.

Find some gently used books in your home to donate to your local library.  This is easy to do, but you might want to call your library to ask if they have any specific needs.

  • Related:  10 Free Things At The Public Library

25.  Have a yard sale and donate your earnings to a charity.

If the weather is nice consider having a yard sale to earn money for a charity.  Let people name their price for each item you are selling and tell them where their money will be going so they can help participate in light the world!

26.  Share a link to a fundraiser on your social media accounts.

Find a link to a fundraiser or charity you want to support and share it on social media to help spread the message and to give others the opportunity to donate.

27.  Volunteer to clean your local church.

Bring your family to clean your local church.  This is a great way to work together to do some good in your community!

28.  Serve food at a soup kitchen.

You might want to consider volunteering to serve food at a soup kitchen nearby.

29.  Let someone cut in front of you while standing in line.

An easy way to light the world in your community is to let someone cut in front of you in line.  Whenever someone does this for me it changes my entire day and helps me to see the good in the world!

30.  Volunteer to read to kids at a local hospital.

Call a local hospital and ask if you can come read books to kids who are staying in the hospital.  This can be such a rewarding experience for everyone involved!

31.  Candy Cane Bomb a parking lot.

A great way to serve your community is to candy cane bomb a parking lot!  This is done by leaving uplifting notes attached to candy canes on windshields in a parking lot.  

32.  Send Christmas cards to soldiers.

Let’s support our soldiers this year by sending them Christmas cards.  This is a great activity to get your kids involved in.  The entire family can help make cards and to write sweet messages inside.  You can learn more about this cause here.

33.  Donate used electronics and gadgets to a local community center to use.

I have a few old phones just sitting around my house that we never use.  These have just been collecting dust ever since I upgraded.  If you can relate to this at all, consider donating these electronics to a local community center to use.

34.  Volunteer to coach a youth sports team.

Youth sport leagues are always in need of volunteer coaches.  If you enjoy sports and working with kids, you might enjoying offering yourself as a coach.  As a parent with kids who participate in sports I greatly appreciate the time these coaches give to the community.

35.  Learn CPR or another life saving skill.

You can serve your community, and those close to you, by learning CPR.  This gives you the ability to possibly save someone’s life and is an important skill for us all to know.

36.  Tape quarters to a machine at the laundry mat.

Leave a fun surprise for someone at the laundry mat by paying to do their laundry for them.  All you have to do is tape a few quarters to some machines at the laundry mat, and you will make someone’s day!

 

Frugal Ways To Serve Your Neighborhood

Are you looking for some free ways to light the world in your neighborhood and with your friends?  Here are a few ideas to get you started!

37.  Call a friend you haven’t talked to for a while.

Think of a friend you haven’t talked to in a while and call them on the phone, just to chat (no texting!).

38.  Invite a friend to join your family for dinner.

If you are going to be cooking dinner anyways, you might as well invite a friend to join your family!  Maybe think of someone in the neighborhood who might be lonely and invite them over to join your family for dinner.

39.  Shovel a neighbors driveway.

The next time it snows and you are out shoveling your driveway, go next door and shovel their driveway too!

40.  Go caroling around your neighborhood.

Does your family enjoy singing?  Go door to door one evening and carol to a few of your neighbors.  This is such a fun way to bring a smile to someone’s face.

41.  Share a happy memory with a friend.

Think of a friend that you share a happy memory with.  Send that friend a text and tell them about the memory.  Hopefully it brings some light and laughter into both of your days.

42.  Offer to babysit a neighbors kids.

Is there someone in your neighborhood who might be in need of a babysitter for their kids?  Offer to babysit for them so that they can run errands, get things done around the house, or just have a little free time.

43.  Read a friends blog articles.

If you have a blogger friend make sure to spend some time reading their blog articles.  This is an easy, but huge, way to support your friends business.

44.  Make and deliver cookies to your neighbors.

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is the goodies!  And I love sharing these with my neighbors.  Bake a batch of cookies and bring a plate of them over to your neighbors.

  • Related:  Christmas Tree Cookie Recipe

45.  Rake leaves for your neighbor.

Look around the neighborhood and find a few houses whose leaves need to be raked.  Without letting anyone know, go rake them and dispose of the leaves.

46.  Volunteer to help a friend pack or move.

If you know someone who is moving off yourself to help them pack or to move their boxes.  This is a great way to make a stressful time a little bit easier for your friend.

47.  Forgive someone who has hurt you.

Are you holding a grudge towards someone who has wronged you.  Try to find a way to let it go and to offer that person forgiveness.

48.  Help someone put up their Christmas lights.

If you see someone outside hanging their lights, stop and offer to help!  This is a job that always goes much better with more hands!

49.  Offer to run errands for someone.

Try to think of someone who might have a hard time getting out of the house, maybe someone elderly, sick, or just busy.  Offer to go pick up their groceries, or run a few other errands for them.

50.  Bring flowers to a friend.

Pick up some pretty flowers from the store, or pick a few wildflowers, and deliver them to a friend.  You could bring them to somebody who is having a bad day, or just as a random act of kindness.

51.  Scrape ice off your neighbors windshield.

Wake up a little early one morning and scrape the ice off of one of your neighbors cars so that they won’t have to.

52.  Leave supportive and kind comments on your friends Facebook posts.

As you scroll Facebook or Instagram make an effort to leave kind and supportive comments on their posts.  It always feels good to know others are reading and caring what we post!

53.  Highlight someone you admire on social media.

Think of someone in your life who you look up to and admire.  Post about them on one of your social media accounts to let others know about the great qualities you admire in that person.

54.  Bring a friend a cup of homemade hot chocolate.

If the weather is feeling cold and dreary mix up some hot chocolate and bring it over to a friend.  You just might make their entire day!

  • Related:  Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

55.  Visit a widow in your neighborhood.

Spend an afternoon visiting a widow who lives in your neighborhood.  Genuinely listen to their stories and get to know them.  Try to form a friendship that will last a lifetime!

56.  Teach others a talent for free.

Do you have a special talent you can help others learn how to do?  Maybe you could offer to teach them for free.  This might be giving free music lessons, teaching them how to sew, or gifting a free photoshoot to a family.  Whatever you do best, share it with others!

57.  Invite your neighbors over for a family game night.

Call up a few of your neighbors and invite them over for a family game night.  This is a great way to laugh, get to know each other, and have a fun evening.

  • Related:  20 Family Board Games, all Under $20

58.  Mow a neighbors lawn.

Light the world in your neighborhood by mowing someone’s lawn for them.  Try to think of someone who could use some extra help in the yard, and go mow without even mentioning it to them!

59.  Leave a thank you note in your mailbox for your mail carrier.

Let your mail carrier know how much you appreciate them by leaving a thank you note to them in your mailbox!  I love this easy way to brighten someone’s day!

60.  Decorate a neighbors driveway with sidewalk chalk.

Another great way to serve your neighbors for free is to draw pictures and uplifting messages on their driveway and sidewalk.  Just make sure there isn’t any rain coming that day!

61.  Apologize to someone who you might have wronged.

Is there someone who you might have hurt in the past (or maybe present)?  Take some time to apologize to them and to repair the relationship.

62.  Offer to clean someone’s house who just had a baby.

Do you know of a new mother in your neighborhood?  Or maybe someone who is expecting a child?  Offer to clean their house (or at least a bathroom, or two) for them so that they can rest.

63.  Brings a neighbors dumpster back to their house on garbage day.

After the trash has been picked up in your neighborhood bring the dumpsters back to the house for a few of your neighbors so that they won’t have to do it!

64.  Buy lemonade from a lemonade stand.

The next time you pass by a child selling lemonade, stop and buy some from them.  This small gesture can make a huge difference to young kids.

65.  Introduce yourself to a neighbor you haven’t met.

Is their a neighbor you haven’t had the chance to meet yet?  Take a few minutes to go introduce yourself and get to know them better.

66.  Compliment your friend’s children.

Honestly, one of the best ways to serve a friend who has kids, is to compliment their kids.  Tell your friend what you love and admire about their kids and you will make their day!

 

Free Ways To Serve Your Family

I love the opportunity to serve my family!  Sometimes I think it’s easy to ignore the ones closest to us, and light the world gives us motivation to remember everyone, including our family members.  Here are some light the world ideas for your family.

67.  Write a letter to a grandparent.

Spend some time writing a letter to one (or all!) of your grandparents.  Let them know the things that you appreciate and admire about them.  Make sure to share a few memories with them to help them smile.

68.  Decorate a family members bedroom door.

To serve one of your family members you live with you could decorate their bedroom door.  Cut out hearts, or draw some fun pictures to tape to their door.  Make sure to leave a few uplifting messages to0!

69.  Call your parents, just to chat.

Give your parents a phone call just to ask how they are doing.  Spend some time visiting about their day and let them know you love them!

70.  Leave notes in your kids lunchboxes.

Write a few notes to your kids and hide them in their lunchboxes.  My kids love when they are surprised like this at lunch!

71.  Go around the table at dinner and tell each family member what you love about them.

Have a special family dinner where you tell each other what you love about each other.  Give everyone a chance to have kind words shared about them.  This is a great bonding activity for families!

72.  Leave a note on your spouses car windshield.

Sneak over to your spouses work and leave a love note on their windshield.  The note will be a fun surprise for them to find after work!

73.  Spend one entire day without your phone.

Make a conscious effort to put your phone away for one entire day.  Try to choose a day when you aren’t expecting any important phone calls.  Use this extra time away from your phone to interact more with your family and others around you.

74.  Interview your grandparents about what life when they were growing up.

Set up a camera and spend an afternoon interviewing/recording your grandparents.  Ask them questions about what life was like when they were growing up.  This will be a special video you can share with other family members!

75.  Make a list of 100 things you are grateful for and share it with a family member.

Sit down for a few minutes and think of all the many things you have to be thankful for.  Write them all down, try to think of 100, and share them with a family member.  This will brighten both of your days!

76.  Tell your child you are proud of them.

Let your kids know that you are proud of them.  You could write them a note, send them a text, or just tell them face to face.  This is something we all need to hear from time to time.

77.  Hug a family member for 8 seconds.

Give a family member a huge for 8 seconds before letting go.  Studies have shown that an 8 second hug will release oxytocin, which helps you to feel calm and loved.

78.  Read a book to someone in your family.

Sit down with a few of your kids, siblings, or grandkids and read them a book.

79.  Speak kindly to yourself for an entire day.

Make an effort to spend one day giving yourself compliments!  You deserve to be treated with kindness too!

80.  Eat lunch with your child at school.

Surprise your child at school by showing up to eat lunch with them!  You can make it even extra special by bringing a pizza, or their favorite takeout food.

81.  Leave a love note in your spouses lunch box.

Slip a love note into your spouses lunch box before they go to work.  Make sure they won’t see it until lunch time!

82.  Leave a kind note on a mirror in your home.

Use a dry eraser marker to leave a kind note on a mirror in your home.  It will be such a fun surprise for someone to come home to after a long day!

83.  Secretly make one of your siblings beds.

Sneak into one of your siblings bedrooms to make their bed for them.

84.  Learn about an ancestor.

Research about one of your ancestors to learn more about their life.  Share the stories you find with your family so that the ancestor can be remembered and celebrated.

85.  Surprise your family by cleaning the house, without being asked to.

Clean the house (or just a part of the house) without anyone asking or expecting you to.  Your family will love coming home to a clean house!

86.  Compliment your sibling.

Give your sibling a compliment, just because.  You might want to tell them their hair looks nice, or they are a good cook, or anything else you might notice about your siblings.

87.  Make your spouse breakfast in bed.

Quietly wake up before your spouse and make them their favorite breakfast.  Serve it to them in bed and let them rest and relax before having to get up.

 

Free Ways To Serve Your School/Work Place

School and work places can be a hard environment for many people.  I think it’s so important to look for ways to serve your peers all year.  Here are some ways to light the world at school or in the work place.

88.  Write a thank you note to one of your teachers.

Write your teacher a thank you note to let them know how much you appreciate them and all they do for their students.

89.  Tell a joke to someone to make them laugh.

Share one of your favorite jokes with a friend to make them laugh, and then listen to let them share a joke with you.

90.  Get to know a co-worker better.

Try to talk to a new co-worker who you don’t know very well.  Ask them questions about their life and interests and genuinely listen to their responses.

91.  Befriend someone who looks lonely.

Look for someone who might be lonely at recess and introduce yourself to them.  Invite them to play with you and try to become their friend.

92.  Bring baked goods to your co-workers.

Surprise your co-workers with some homemade baked goods.

  • Related:  Easy Banana Bread Recipe

93.  Stick up for someone who is being gossiped about.

If you hear a friend, classmate, or school member being gossiped about, stick up for them!  Kindly let the gossipers know not to talk that way and then change the subject.

94.  Donate to a teachers wish list.

Ask your local school for some of the wish lists the teachers have.  Buy a few items off that list to donate to the school and teacher.

95.  Write your employer a thank you card.

Write your employer a thank you card to thank him for the job you have and for being a good boss.

96.  Leave a kind note on a co-workers desk.

Secretly leave a kind note on one of your co-workers desk.  In the note you could share a few things you appreciate and admire about them.

97.  Volunteer to be a school crossing guard.

Many schools need crossing guards to help the kids cross the road safely.  Volunteer to do it for free!

98.  Sit with someone new at lunch.

Sit by someone you don’t usually sit by at lunch.  This is a great way to meet more people and make new friends.

99.  Donate a sick day to a co-worker.

Offer one of your sick days or paid leave to a co-worker who has been ill or struggling with a family emergency.

100.  Offer to make copies for your child’s teacher.

You could light the world at school by offering to make copies, put up a bulletin, or help your child’s teacher in any other way they might need.

101.  Tell the principal how much you appreciate a teacher.

Make sure the school principal knows how much you appreciate your child’s teacher.  Sometimes a compliment means more when it is told behind someone’s back.

 

There Are Many Ways To Light The World

I hope you this article gave you some great light the world ideas.  There are so many ways we can light the world and brighten someone’s day, without ever having to spend a lot of our own money.

I truly believe if we all make it a little more effort to love others we can change the world for the better!

 

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How To Throw A Cupcake Wars Birthday Party

October 15, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Check out this fun tween birthday party theme!

My middle child turned 12 this month!  I can’t believe it and I’m not OK with it, but apparently I don’t get a say!  She requested a Cupcake Wars birthday party theme and I immediately loved the idea.  Have you ever seen the tv show Cupcake Wars?  It’s one of our favorite shows to watch at our house and my daughter loves to bake.  There is really no better party for her than a cupcake wars party!

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What is a Cupcake Wars Party?

Cupcake Wars is a competition between teams to see who can make the best cupcake.  Scoring is usually given based on presentation, creativity and taste.  In the TV show they have challenges, or a little twist, that the teams have to follow in each round.  The challenge make the cupcakes a little more difficult, but can also help you to try new things and get out of your comfort zone.

Cupcake Wars Rules

For our Cupcake Wars birthday party I divided the girls into three teams, with 2-3 girls on each team.  They were each assigned a “cooking station” as a spot in the kitchen to create their cupcakes.  Every cooking station was stocked with knifes, spoons, bowls, and a plate.

We had three rounds, with a challenge for the round.

The girls had 15 minutes to complete each challenge, which included plating the cupcakes.

After the 15 minutes were up the girls brought their cupcakes to the judging table.  The judges were my two other children.  They were so excited to get to be the judges and taste all of the cupcakes!

The winner of each round would receive 3 points, second place received 2 points and last place received 1 point.  The points were tallied up during all three rounds for a grand winner at the end of the game.

The Food

We had one table set up as the Food Table.  It contained the cupcakes, frosting, flavorings, and fun toppings…..basically everything the girls would need to create gourmet cupcakes!

I prebaked 3 different flavors of cupcakes:  strawberry, white and chocolate.  This was the perfect way to save time during the actual party.  The cupcakes were already baked and cooled, and ready to be decorated!

I probably bought to many toppings, but they were so fun to buy!!  Make sure you don’t get carried away and buy only what’s needed.  They used almost everything that I bought…..except for the raisins….nobody used the raisins…..

Here are a few topping ideas:

  • Oreos
  • Jelly beans
  • Graham Crackers
  • Sprinkles
  • Berries
  • M&Ms
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Oreos
  • Marshmallows

The Challenges

The challenges were so fun!  I presented them to the teams at the beginning of every round.  Each team was given a brown paper bag with the challenge clue inside.  As they ripped open their clue I explained the specific rule for the round.

 

Challenge #1:  Color Challenge

The first challenge was a color challenge.  Each group had a different piece of colored paper in their paper bag.  The challenge was to use that color somewhere on their cupcake.

This challenge went over really well.  It was a great way to allow each team some creativity with how they used their color.

Challenge #2:  Fork Challenge

The second challenge was the fork challenge!  The rules of this challenge were that they couldn’t use any knives, spoons, or piping bags to decorate their cupcakes.  The only utensil they could use was a fork!

Honestly, I was a little worried how this challenge would go over, but the girls did such a great job!  You would never know they were decorated with forks!

Challenge #3:  Book Challenge

The birthday girl loves to read.  So, for the last challenge we put three different books into each bag.  The challenge was to decorate the cupcake with that book as the cupcake theme.

I let me daughter choose the books.  She chose, Harry Potter, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and Hatchet.

The girls really enjoyed this challenge.  Especially Harry Potter….they all wanted the Harry Potter bag!

Cupcake Wars Decorations

We decided to go simple on the decorations because of the amount of food we would be getting.  My daughter requested a color scheme of black, white and gold.  I thought this was perfect for a classy cooking competition.

My first stop was Hobby Lobby (with coupon in hand, of course!).  I love shopping for birthday decorations at Hobby Lobby because of their large selection of colors.  You can find just about anything you could imagine at this beautiful store.

The Judges Table

I knew that I needed a place for the judges to sit when tasting the cupcakes, and I wanted it to be decorated as a focus point for the party.  I bought a plain white table cloth and adorable black and white table runner at Hobby Lobby.

The gold plates came from Dollar Tree and the paper plates came from my kitchen! (yay!  love when that happens!)

The darling Cupcake Wars banner hung at the window came from Paging Supermom.  It was a free printable and I am so excited I found it!

We placed the cupcake stand on the table as a place for the girls to place their cupcakes when they were ready for them to be judged!  It worked perfect!

Cooking Stations

I wanted to make a cute focal point over the girls baking stations, something fun to make decorating special.  The gold lanterns were bought at Hobby Lobby and I made the tissue paper pom-poms using tissue paper we already had at home.  Tissue paper pom-poms are so easy to make yourself!  Check out my Tissue Paper Pom-Pom Tutorial.

Party Favors

I love to make party favors as part of the party!  So, for a Cupcake Wars birthday party I knew aprons would be the perfect favor!

Each girl was given an apron before they game started.  I am so glad I did this too!!  The aprons were all very messy after the party, so I’m glad we had their clothes protected.

I bought my aprons on Amazon here.  They were perfect!


 

The other favor the girls received was a cupcake in a cupcake box.

At the end of all three rounds of the Cupcake Wars, I let each girl pick two cupcakes.  One of the cupcakes was to put in their cupcake box and the other one was to eat right then.  (this also doubled as the cake, easy peasy!)


 

In Conclusion

The party ended up being a huge hit!  Everyone had so much fun and I loved seeing their creativity in each cupcake.  If you have a child who loves to bake or enjoy watching cooking shows, I am sure they would love this tween birthday party theme!

 

You might also enjoy these related articles:

Budget Friendly Pancake and Pajamas Birthday Party!

How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag

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

 

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Budget Friendly Birthday Traditions for Kids

August 10, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Fun Birthday Traditions to Start This Year.

I love celebrating my kids birthdays every year.  They love having their special day all about them.  fun to have one day just focused on helping them feel important and loved.  I try really hard to give them a special day to remember, WITHOUT spending very much money; I truly believe that you do NOT need to spend money to help a child feel special.  Here are a few of our budget friendly birthday traditions for kids.

12 No-fuss Birthday Cakes

Decorate Bedroom

The night before a birthday, I sneak into my childs room after they fall asleep, and decorate. 

I blow up a bunch of balloons and leave them on the floor and then hang streamers from the doorway.They know every night before they go to bed what will happen, but they still love it.  It’s so fun for them to wake up to a party!

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Birthday Breakfast

A birthday is always started with our traditional breakfast of birthday pancakes.  These are so easy to make, but the kids favorite.

Whip up a batch of this delicious pancake recipe and then add some sprinkles to the batter.  So easy!

Sometimes, if I’m feeling real fancy, I’ll try to make a pancake in the shape of their initials….but let’s be real, I’m rarely fancy!  😉

Your-Choice Dinner

The birthday child at our house always gets to choose what I make for dinner the night of their birthday.  If they choose pizza, I make pizza!  If they want waffles, well then, I make waffles! 

This isn’t a hard tradition by any means, but my kids think it’s fun to get to be in charge of all the dinner plans.

  • Related:  Budget Friendly Pancake and Pajama Birthday Party for Tweens!

Red Birthday Plate

Another fun birthday tradition for kids is the “Red Birthday Plate.”  I bought this red plate years ago at a home decor store.  It’s a little chipped and loved, but also full of memories and joy.

This red plate only comes out on someones birthday.  The birthday child gets to eat their dinner on this special plate. 

This is a tradition I grew up with and have enjoyed carrying the tradition on with my own children.  It’s so simple, yet for some reason, it brings so much joy to whoever gets to eat on the birthday plate.

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Birthday Love

Another fun traditions happens while we are eating dinner.

Everyone in the family takes a turn telling the birthday child what they love about them.  I love focusing on all of the many wonderful qualities in each of my kids, and getting to hear them express these to each other.

Bedtime Stories

At bedtime I lay with the birthday child and share the story of their birth.  I try to go through all the details from that special day years ago, including the highs and lows.

Of course, I always end with sharing how that day was one of the most special, important, beautiful days of my life and I talk about just how perfect my life has become because they were born.

In Conclusion

None of these traditions cost a lot of money.  Sure, I spend a few dollars on streamers and balloons, but really that’s it!  It does NOT take a “pinterest worthy” birthday to celebrate a loved one.  All it takes is a little thought and a lot of love.

Related Articles:

Kids Birthday Party on a Budget

34 Places That Will Give you a Birthday Freebie

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Birthday On A Budget For Kids

July 24, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Fun Budget Birthday Ideas!

I think all parents know that kids are expensive.  They just are.  The clothing, extra curricular activities, school supplies, food, etc. all adds up fast!  Because of this, I am always looking for ways to pinch pennies as I raise my three wonderful kids.  One way I have learned to cut down on kids expenses is by throwing them a birthday on a budget.

Kids are really great (better than me tbh) at not caring about the price tag.  All they truly crave is our love and attention.  They don’t care if they have the most expensive party or the cheapest, as long as it’s a fun day centered them (and cake, they always want cake 😉 ).   Once I finally learned this little secret I started changing the way we did birthday parties and it’s made my wallet much happier!

budget friendly party tips - frugal birthday party tips

  • Related:  Birthday Traditions for Small Budgets

How To Give Your Kids The Best Birthday On A Budget

1.  Start a birthday sinking fund.

Have I mentioned before that sinking funds are my favorite part of budgeting????  Cause they totally are!  If you don’t have a birthday sinking fund for your kids, I recommend you start one ASAP.

So, what’s a sinking fund????

A sinking fund is a way to save money for an upcoming expense by slowly adding money into the fund. 

We contribute money each month into our birthday sinking funds and then when a birthday comes along, we are already prepared financially!  Yay!

  • Related:  How to Budget With Sinking Funds

2.  Don’t throw a big party every year.

One way I have learned to give my kids a birthday on a budget is to not throw them a big party each year.  Yes, we celebrate our kids birthdays every single year (of course!), but they only get a “big” party every other year.

When my kids turn an even number (6,8,10,etc.) they get to have a big(ish) birthday party.  This includes friends, a theme, games, decor, and all that fun party stuff.

However, when they turn an odd number (5,7,9,etc.) they have a small party.  This party is only for close family members.  It’s usually just cake and presents.  They are still celebrated and loved on all day long, just not a big friend party.

Having a big party every other year helps to keep expenses down because we aren’t paying for multiple large parties each year.  My daughters birthdays are just 4 days apart and it’s so nice to not have to pay for two big parties right in a row.

3.  Choose a free location.

When deciding where to host your birthday party choose somewhere that will be free.

My favorite free party location is our own home!  It’s just so easy to do all the prep and clean up from the comfort of my own home.

Another cheap location would be to have the party at a local park, if the weather is warm of course.  A park is a perfect party location because it gives the kids the freedom to run and play, without having to worry about keeping your house clean.

4.  Only invite a few friends.

The less friends your child invites, the cheaper the party will be.  Limit the guest list by encouraging your child to only invite their few closest friends.  

There is nothing wrong with saying, “You can invite “X” amount of friends.”  It’s a good way to teach your kids about budgets and spending limits.

  • Related:  Budget Friendly Pancake and Pajama Birthday Party!

5.  DIY the party invitations.

Make your own party invites instead of buying fancy, expensive ones.  

Try to get crafty with paper, scissors, and glue.  Here’s a Lego party invitation I made a few years ago.  It was seriously so easy!

Or, make the invitations online using the free website Canva.  Canva makes DIY invites so easy.  They provide free templates, fonts, digital stickers, and more to help you put together a quick invitation.  You can even save on printing costs by emailing or texting your invites out to your child’s friends.

6.  Only serve dessert.

Plan your party during a time when a meal won’t be expected.  This could be around 10:30 for a mid morning party or 1:00 in the afternoon.

Throwing a party during these times will mean most party goers will already have a full belly and you can save money by only serving cake and ice cream.  Win-win!

7.  Make the cake yourself.

Don’t spend your money on an expensive cake when you can make one yourself.  Your homemade cake doesn’t even need to be anything fancy!

Research a few simple cakes on pinterest until you find one you feel confident making.  Here is an easy cake I made for my sons birthday when he turned three.  It was so easy, but turned out super cute (and I promise I am NOT talented in creativity or cake decorating).

 

 You could also just make a simple sheet cake.  Spruce it up by decorating the cake with your child’s favorite toy/characters.  You might consider:

  • Small toy tractors for your tractor loving boy
  • Toy princess characters for your princess loving child
  • Characters from their favorite movie

The Dollar Tree is the perfect place to find small toys to top on cakes.

8.  Avoid Pinterest.

Okay, seriously just don’t look at pinterest if you’re trying to save money on a birthday party.

Which, I know basically contradicts what I said in tip number 7, but hear me out.

Every single time I search pinterest for birthday party ideas I am left with the feeling that I need to spend more money if I want my child to have any sort of special birthday.  It always seems like I am NEVER doing enough.

The thing is, your child is not looking on pinterest, they don’t see pictures of the perfect expensive parties.  They just want something special, it doesn’t need to as fancy and beautiful as Sally and Linda posted online.

Just do you!  Whatever feels right for you and your budget and your child is the type of party you should throw.  If pinterest will tempt you to spend more money, than just avoid it!

  • Related:  LEGO Birthday Party for Under $20

9.  Use decorations that you already own.

Get creative when decorating for your kids birthday parties.  Instead of going to the store to buy the decorations, search your house to find items you already own.

For my sons cheap Lego birthday party I put some of his Lego pieces into mason jars and used those as a table centerpiece.  It was completely free, but ended up being a cute, easy decoration.  Plus, the kids enjoyed playing with them while waiting for their cake!

Get creative when searching your house for decorations.  If you have empty cardboard boxes laying around, use the cardboard to cut out shapes to go with your theme.  For example:  for a Moana themed party you could cut the box into a palm tree shape, just paint the leaves green!

10.  Shop at The Dollar Tree

The Dollar Tree is full of budget friendly party supplies.  Search the store for decorations, goody bags, table cloths, etc.  This is always my first stop and a great way to plan a party on a budget.

Kids truly don’t care if the party tablecloth cost a $1 or $5, so save your pennies and buy what you can afford!

11.  Plan free games/activities.

Skip paying for entertainment, and plan free games and activities instead!  

A few of our favorite are:

  • Charades
  • Water balloon toss
  • Human knot
  • Relay races
  • Musical chairs
  • Photo scavenger hunt
  • Minute to win it games

12.  Double the activity as the goody bag.

Save money on goody bags by letting one of the activities also be the goody bag!  This can be done by planning a hands on activity that they can make and then take home.

For example: 

At my daughters “Cupcake Wars” birthday party the girls all made cupcakes, and brought them home instead of a goody bag.

In Conclusion

There are many different ways you can cut costs on birthday parties.  As long as you are focusing on giving your child love and attention, it will be a wonderful day!  Even without all the glitz and glamour!

Pin for future frugal parties:

how to have a party on a budget - cheap birthday party ideas

bday party for cheap - cheap kids birthday party ideas

Have fun throwing your kids birthday on a budget!

How To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday

April 6, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Places that give you free stuff on your birthday.

Today just so happens to be my birthday!  Yay!  Happy Birthday to me!  Birthdays are so fun!  But!  They are even MORE fun when you figure out how to get free stuff on your birthday!  This week, my email inbox has been flooded with birthday freebies and coupons and I am excited to share with you all of the places that give you free stuff on your birthday.

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How To Get Free Meals On Your Birthday

First up, let’s talk about free meals!  Here are a few of my favorite places to get free meals.  They all require signing up for their email list, which is so quick and easy to do!

IHOP

Sign up for MYHOP to receive free pancakes each year, and to be the first to hear about other deals happening.  This makes the best birthday breakfast!

Tucanos

When you join Club Tucanos you will begin receiving special offers in your inbox, but my favorite is the free meal for your birthday month!

Firehouse Sub

Another great birthday freebie meal is from Firehouse subs.  All you have to do is sign up for Firehouse Rewards and you will be sent a coupon for a Free Medium Sub every year on your birthday.  Yay!  You don’t even have to use it on your actual birthday!

Rainforest Cafe

Sign up for the Rainforest Cafe Club and receive a free $25 welcome gift AND a $25 gift on your birthday!  This is such a great deal!

Black Bear Diner

You can also get a free birthday meal AND welcome meal from the Black Bear Diner by signing up for their eclub.

Bd’s Mongolian Grill 

Join Bd’s Mongolian Grill and receive a free $5 off gift and a Free Meal on your birthdays!

Ruby Tuesday

Signing up SO Connected with Ruby Tuesday gives you access to free deals, and your choice of a Free burger or Garden Bar entrée on every birthday!

Benihana

You can get treated to a $30 gift certificate to Benihanas every birthday when you join their Chef’s Table list.  This is a great deal, and you are able to use the certificate anytime within 29 days of receiving it.

Dennys

Get a free Grand Slam meal on your birthday at Denny’s Restaurant.  You don’t even need to sign up for anything, just let your server know it’s your special day.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Join the Buffalo Wild Wings rewards program and get free buffalo wings during your birthday month!

 

How to Get Free Dessert On Your Birthday

And now, for my favorite part of a birthday, the dessert!  Here are a few fun birthday freebies for you to enjoy!

Marble Slab  

Earn points and a birthday freebie from Marble Slab when you download their app.

Dippin Dots

Who doesn’t love Dippin Dots?  Sign up for their email club to get coupons sent to your inbox, including a birthday freebie!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

One of my favorite birthday freebies is from Sprinkles Cupcakes!  All you have to do is join their Sprinkles Perks program to start earning rewards.  The more you spend at Sprinkles throughout the year, the more free cupcakes (up to a bakers dozen!) you will get on your birthday.  

A&W

You will be treated to a free A&W Root Beer Float when you sign up for the A&W Mug Club.

Krispy Kreme

Sign up for Krispy Kreme rewards and you will be able to get a free doughnut and drink during your birthday month!

Jamba Juice

Start earning rewards by joining My Jamba, once you have at least 15 points you can get a free birthday smoothie!

Red Mango

You can get a $5 reward every birthday when you sign up for Red Mangos Club Mango program.  It also includes other perks, which I love!

Del Taco

Get two free tacos for signing up with Del Taco AND you will also receive a free birthday milkshake each year.

Orange Leaf  

Join Orange Leaf to earn points and rewards and $3 off on your birthday!

Baskin Robbins

Enjoy a free scoop of ice cream for your birthday from Baskin Robbins by signing up for their Birthday Club email list.

La Madeleine

Download and sign up for the La Madeleine app and you will get a free pastry or piece of cake on your birthday!

Starbucks

Become a Starbucks rewards member and you will get a free drink or food item of your choice on your birthday.

Auntie Annes

Download the Pretzel Perks app to get a free birthday pretzel from Auntie Annes.

Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements offers a great birthday freebie!  Just sign up for their email list and you will get a box of chocolate dipped fruit on your birthday.  It’s a $29 value!

Perkins

Join the MyPerkins program to receive coupons and special deals throughout the year and on your birthday from Perkins.

 

Places That Will Give You A Free Coupon On Your Birthday

Do you love getting a surprise for your birthday each year?  Because I sure do!  Here are a few places willing to send you a free surprise birthday gift each year.  Sometimes it’s just fun to not know what you are getting!

Rodizio Grill 

Sign up for Club Rodizio and Rodizio Grill will send you a surprise coupon on your birthday.

Baja Fresh

You will get a free birthday surprise each year when you join Club Baja.

Marie Callenders

Receive free birthday coupons for signing up to the Marie Callender’s E-Club.

The Melting Pot

Join Club Fondue to get The Melting Pot coupons sent right to your inbox.

Texas De Brazil

Texas De Brazil will send you free surprise coupons on your birthday and on your anniversary when you sign up for their eclub.  Even more freebies!

Pretzelmaker

You can get a free birthday surprise from pretzelmaker when you join their eclub.

Red Lobster

Another place that will give you free coupons on your birthday is Red Lobster.  Just join their Rewards program.

Perkins:  When you join with Perkins you will automatically receive 20% off, and then a special surprise on your birthdays.

 

Non Food Birthday Freebies

If you are looking for some non food birthday freebies, check out these great offers below!

Redbox

Sign up with Redbox to get a free movie rental each year on your special day!

Sephora

You get to choose a free makeup item from Sephora during your birthday month if you sign up to become a Beauty Insider Member.

 

In Conclusion

If you are wondering how to get free stuff on your birthday, I hope this article gave you a few good hints.  You will love receiving all of these free coupons in your e-mail during your birthday month.

 

 

Related Articles:

Birthday Traditions for Small Budgets

Budget Friendly Pancake and Pajama Birthday Party!

LEGO Birthday Party for Under $20

Pin this article for future reference:

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How to get free stuff on your birthday

free stuff birthday - places that give free food on birthdays

Now you know how to get free stuff on your birthday!

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