Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

  • Start Here
  • Free Downloads
  • Frugal
    • Frugal Living
    • Budgeting
    • Travel
    • Gift Ideas
    • Good Deals
  • Parenting
    • Money Education
    • Holidays
    • Crafts
  • Recipes
    • Breads
    • Dinner
    • Cleaners
  • Recipe Book
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

November 8, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life5 Comments

Budget Friendly Teen Girl Gift Ideas. 

Are you needing a gift, maybe a Christmas present or a birthday present, for the teen girl in your life?  Are you on a budget and don’t want to overspend?  Well you have come to the right place!  I have researched all of the best gift ideas for teen girls!  The best part?  Everything is under $25, so you can stick to that budget!  Here are some of the best gift ideas for teen girls.

“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.”

Gifts for Fun

Karaoke Microphone

This Karaoke Microphone would be so fun for a teen girl party or for anyone who loves to sing!  It is compatible with both android and iOS and only costs $19.99!

Coloring Books

Maybe you are shopping for a teen girl that loves art.  Coloring can be such a fun way to relax.  I loved the inspirational sayings in this coloring book and think they are perfect for teens! It’s a great deal at just $6.99.

Phone Tripod

Let’s face it, teens love to take pictures!  This phone tripod looks so fun for setting up cute group photos or selfies.  It is currently only $15.98!

PopSockets

If you are shopping for a teen girl with a phone, she will probably enjoy a PopSocket.  PopSockets make carrying the phone easier, and able to be propped up using the small stand.  This one is a really pretty color and less than $15!

 

Accessories

Beanie

CC Beanies are all the rage right now with teen girls.  These darling CC beanies are a great price and so cute!

 

Scrunchies

I never thought scrunchies would come back, but they did, and are super popular with the teen crowd right now!  These long tail scrunchies are especially trendy!

 Backpack Purse

These backpack purses are so cute and trendy right now.  My teen daughter loves using her when she goes to the mall or for carrying extra items to school.  This backpack is only $24.99!

 

 

Teen Girl Gift Ideas For Beauty

Bath Bombs

This set of bath bombs comes with 6 different scents and colors.  It’s a fun “luxury” gift for your teen, especially if they love to take baths.  The entire set is on sale for just $13.99

Makeup Mirror

This Tabletop Makeup Mirror is a perfect gift for teen girls.  Plus, you know it will be good because the reviews are mostly all positive!

 

Makeup Kit 

What teen girl wouldn’t enjoy a new makeup kit???  This starter makeup kit for teens is great for anyone who is new to makeup or just loves it!  It includes everything they would ever want in makeup; concealer, eyeshadow, eye liner, lip stick creams, applicator and mirror.  You can get it right now for only $22.99, a great deal!

 

Makeup Brush Set

Another great gift for makeup lovers would be brush set.  This 20 Piece Makeup Brush Set is a great deal at only $7.99.  They will never want for a makeup brush again!

EmaxDesign 20 Pieces Makeup Brush Set Professional Face Eye Shadow Eyeliner Foundation Blush Lip Makeup Brushes Powder Liquid Cream Cosmetics Blending Brush Tool

Gel Nails Kit

I bought my teen girls this gel nails kit a couple of years ago and she uses it weekly.  Not only is it very easy to use, but the result are salon quality nails that last for weeks (without chipping!).  It’s a great price at just $16.99.  You will need to buy the special gel nail polish to go with it though.

 

Curling Wand

Another fun gift idea for teens is a Curling Wand.  This is a great curling wand with over 7,000 positive reviews and makes the most beautiful curls.  It is currently only $21.73!

Remington Pro 1-1½” Curling Wand with Pearl Ceramic Technology and Digital Controls, CI9538

Ipsy Subscription

I have had an ipsy Subscription off and on a few years now.  It is a fun beauty subscription service where they will send you 5 beauty products and a cute makeup bag every month for only $12! 

When you set up the subscription service you will fill out a form detailing what types of beauty products you would prefer, your coloring and more.  This would be a fun gift for a teen girl to receive, even if you only sign up for 2-3 months worth of subscription.  It’s a great way to learn new makeup skills and try out new products.  Plus, it’s Christmas over and over again with a monthly subscription!

Bag1

Hair Styling Book

I bought this hair styling book for my daughter last Christmas.  She loved it!  It gives easy to follow instructions for fixing hair.  If you are shopping for a teen girl that loves to experiment with hair, I highly recommend this book.  It is currently $15.01.

Makeup Eraser

Help your teen girl erase her makeup with ease by gifting her this makeup eraser.  Not only is it chemical free, but it also erases all forms of makeup with ease!  It is currently priced at only $20.00.

 

Books

The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault in our Stars is a story of a sweet teen romance and really popular for most book lovers.  The paperback is just $7.69

The Selection

Another great book for teens is The Selection.  This book is full of romance, royalty, and a secret plot….basically all the good things!  Plus, The Selection is a series so after reading this first book they will want more!  You can currently get the paperback for $6.48.

 

 

Room Decorations

Bluetooth Speaker

Teens love music, so a Bluetooth nightlight would be perfect for them to add to their room to listen to music.  This speaker only costs $22.95!

 

Felt Board

Felt Boards are super trendy right now!  Most teen girls would love having them in their room to be able to make fun and cute sayings.  This one is only $21.95!

Marquee Letter Sign

Give the teen girl in your life a marquee letter sign with her initial.  This makes such a fun room accessory!  It is currently only $9.99.

 

Photo Clip Light Strand

A really fun gift for a teen girls room is this photo clip light strand.  It comes with 20 light clips for attaching photos.  These lights are the perfect way to add to their room and remember fun times with their friends through photos.  You can buy it for just $13.90.

 

Teen Girl Active Gifts

Gym Bag

If you are shopping for a girl that plays sports, maybe she needs something to help carry all of her gear to/from practice or school.  This gym duffel bag is super cute and has sections to keep her wet and dry items separate.  You can buy it now for $23.99

 

 

Water Bottle

Another great gift idea for the active girl is a stainless steel insulated water bottle.  It will keep her water ice cold while exercising or at practice.  Plus, the colors are so pretty with a huge variety to choose from.  These water bottles are currently $12.95.

 

 

 

Related Articles:

25 Gift Ideas for 5-7 year old boys under $25

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

10 Valentine Gifts for Her under $10

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

 

Pin For Later:

budget friendly gifts for teen girls - christmas gift ideas for teens

gift ideas for teen girls under $25 - cheap gifts for teens.

I hope this list helped you find some gift ideas for teen girls under $25!

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!

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.

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!

 

Pin for future use:

cupcake wars birthday party ideas - tween birthday party ideas

girl birthday party themes - cupcake wars party

I hope this helped you know how to throw a cupcake wars birthday party.

Gift Ideas for Toddlers Under $25

September 25, 2020 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.

 

 

Numbers Train:

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

 

Kids Tent: 

My kids always loved when we had a kids sized tent in the house.  This Under the Sea Tent is perfect for toddlers to snuggle, hide, and play in.  If the Under the Sea 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:

This Storybook Projector 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.

 

Melissa & Doug Dust! Sweep! Mop! Toy:

Another fun toy for encouraging pretend play is the Melissa & Doug Dust! Sweep! Mop! Toy.  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!

 

Related Articles:

Cheap Gift Ideas for Teen Boys All Under $25!

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

 

Pin for Future Reference:

toddler Christmas Gifts - best gifts for kids on a budget

cheap presents for toddlers - toddler gift ideas on a budget

 

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

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!

43F5B180-C222-48C5-8AA2-EA02F2F11633

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.

CAFA0F64-AEE3-48FC-A67E-57C5A3746F1F

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

Pin this article for future reference:

frugal birthday traditions for kids - how to celebrate child on their birthday

frugal birthday ideas - fun birthdays for kids

What are some of your birthday traditions for kids?

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.

5B1BE874-5630-4FEB-8313-67DB68DEB5D6

 

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:

8D91C57B-5A50-466E-932D-19D5756504BC

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!

Yarn Hearts: An Easy Valentine Craft for Kids

February 7, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life3 Comments

An Easy Valentine Heart Craft for Kids!

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

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

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

“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.”

BD254F98-435B-4E4D-950C-BB364CEDE171

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

B7210225-BD9B-45DC-90DD-CEBC3CC99790

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

3D1DEFCF-D6FF-4817-A26E-331B1D47BC96

Yarn Hearts Tutorial

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

069C2ECC-AFF1-4978-AB0A-2E6C1E1E4BF2

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

6C21CA00-6ECD-4437-8B2A-BBD54A1EA200

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


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

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


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

diy yarn heart craft - easy valentine craft

easy heart craft for kids - valentines kids activities

Related Easy Craft Projects:

Tissue Paper Pom-Pom Tutorial

The Easiest Halloween Pumpkin Tutorial

How to Make an Easy Nature Bookmark Tutorial

Easter Egg Sun Catcher

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

Frugal Random Acts Of Kindness This Christmas

December 13, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Giving Back To Others During the Holiday Season For Cheap

Looking for some random acts of kindness this Christmas?  I have you covered!

My favorite memories from my childhood Christmas’ are the ones when we participated in Christmas acts of kindness to those in need.  I remember one Christmas in particular when I wanted to deliver a 12 Days of Christmas to a family who needed a little extra cheer that year.

My dad helped me choose a family, and I tenderly picked out 12 special gifts with a note to go along with each one.  I remember the excitement as my dad drove me to their house each night.  We always left after dark and drove slowly over the gravel driveway.

My heart pounded as I tiptoed up to the doorstep, quickly rang the doorbell and ran away to hide in the dark night.

I constantly imagined their faces as they opened the door every night to the gifts.  I wondered if they had any suspicions about who their “Secret Santa” was.  Were they anxiously waiting for the doorbell to ring?  Were they secretly peeking behind the curtain?  More than anything I hoped that this act of service brightened their December.

Frugal Acts of Kindness

Ever since those young Christmas memories I have wanted to continue to serve and give to others each Christmas.  I once thought that the only way to give back was to have a lot of money to spare.  But, that’s just not true.

There are many many acts of kindness that you can do this holiday season, without even spending a lot of money, and I want to share those ideas with you!

Frugal Ways to Serve Others this Christmas

Random Acts of Kindness This Christmas

1.  Stock The Food Pantry

One easy act of kindness is to check with your local food pantry to see if they can accept donations.  Most food banks love receiving canned goods during the winter months to help feed the community.  Look through your cupboards and pick out a few cans you are willing to spare and drop them off.

A fun way to make the donation even bigger is to ask a few co-workers or neighbors to donate along with you!

2.  Serve Food At The Homeless Shelter

Volunteer at your local homeless shelter to serve food to those in need.  This is such a humbling experience to take care of others and be reminded of just how blessed your life is.

3.  Visit Nursing Homes

Bring some joy to the elderly by visiting them in the nursing home.  You can join them for a game of cards or simply sit and listen to their stories.

Consider bringing your kids and a few friends to sign Christmas carols while there.  This is such an easy and rewarding way to brighten someone’s day!

4.  Shovel Your Neighbors Driveway

My husband once told me, “If you are out shoveling your own driveway, you have time to stop by and shovel another neighbors driveway too.”

This has always stuck with me and I love when I look out the window to see him and my kids shoveling a neighbors driveway.  The next time you get all bundled up to shovel your own driveway, consider shoveling one or two others while you are at it.

5.  Send A Card

You do not have to buy expensive fancy cards to send out Christmas Cards.  Simply buy a pack of blank note cards from the dollar tree, think of a few people who might need a little extra love, and then send them a thoughtful note in the mail.

I love receiving mail and would be thrilled to receive a card full of cheer!  Words are my love language!

6.  Drop Off a Frugal Treat

I love when someone drops off a surprise treat or gift.  It’s such a fun surprise and warms my heart.  Check out this list of frugal gift ideas for some inspiration.  Choose something cheap, yet thoughtful, and give it to a friend or neighbor who needs a pick me up.  Remember, it’s the thought that counts when it comes to serving, not the price tag!

7.  Bring Someone a Meal

Drop off a meal to someone in need.  This might be someone who hasn’t been feeling well, or who might be extra busy, or just someone who has been on your mind.  You can deliver a freezer meal for them to stick in the freezer to use another day, or a hot warm meal to eat immediately.

Christmas Acts of Kindness Frugal Giving

8.  Donate Gently Used Clothing

Look through your closets and pick out a few items you can donate to others.  A few places I like to donate are:

  • Local Thrift Store:  Donate used clothing, toys, home decor, etc. to a local thrift store.  A few common stores in my area are Savers, DI, and Goodwill.  This is a great service to others because it gives them good clothing to buy for a cheap price.
  • Facebook Free Cycle:  Search “Freecycle (type cities name)” on Facebook.  Most communities have a free Facebook group to share and request items in need.  These groups have a no selling allowed rule, I’ve given many items away through this resource.
  • Homeless Shelters:  Call around and ask what your local homeless shelters need for donation.  If you have any of the requested items laying around your house, consider donating to this great cause!

9.  Light the World

My family loves participating in the Light the World campaign each year.  This campaign runs through the month of December and shares easy ideas to serve others, without having to spend a lot of money.

I signed up for the daily text messages and each day I’m greeted with a simple prompt about how I can serve someone and spread goodness this month.

Some days I don’t participate in the prompt, but other days I do.  Yesterday the prompt was to tell my parents I love them.  So simple, yet so beautiful!

  • Related:  101 Frugal Ideas To Light The World

10.  Giving Jar

Fill up a jar with coins throughout the year.  Use this jar to serve someone in need during December, we call this jar our Giving Jar.  You can secretly leave the jar on someone’s doorstep, or exchange the coins to purchase presents for a Giving Tree around town.

F22B391E-D1EF-4D4F-833E-C2F1B5FCBB43

11.  Candy Cane’s on Windshields

Last year our family came up with one of our favorite acts of kindness ever!

First, we typed up a little note that says, “Merry, Merry Christmas and a Ho, Ho, Ho!  You’re simply amazing and we want you to know!  You’re loved beyond measure, you make the world bright!  Happy Holidays to you and have a wonderful night!  Love, The Candy Cane Bombers”.

We printed out a bunch of these notes and attached them to candy canes.  That night we went out in the dark and put these candy canes/notes on random cars.  We chose a few cars parked on the streets in our neighborhood and a few from a store parking lot.

This is such a frugal way to give!  Candy canes are really cheap, and you can brighten so many people’s day without spending a lot of money!

       

Frugal Giving is Possible!

In short, it is possible to serve and give to others in need without having to drop the big bucks.  Use your imagination, but most importantly use your heart!  The moments that mean most to me in life are the ones when someone gave me a hug, a smile or a simple kind act of service.  I hope your family enjoys serving others with these frugal Christmas acts of kindness.

Free Secret Santa Ideas - Serve and Give Frugal

What Random Acts of Kindness This Christmas will you participate in?

 

Cheap Gift Ideas for Teen Boys All Under $25!

November 22, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Need a gift idea for a teen boy??

Are you looking for a gift idea for a teen boy?  Trying to find something he will like and use without spending a lot of money can be a little stressful (ok maybe very stressful)!  Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!  I’m sharing 18 Gift Ideas for Teen Boys, and everything is under $25!  You’re sure to find something he will love.

budget friendly gifts for teen boys - what to buy teenage boys for christmas

“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.”

Sport Gift Ideas for Teen Boys

Light Up Soccer Disk

Bring soccer indoors for the sport lover with this Light Up Air Power Soccer Disk.  It’s sure to bring hours of fun and enjoyment to your teen.  And, it’s less than $15!

Indoor Mini Basketball Hoop

Another fun gift for the sport lover is this mini indoor basketball hoop.  It is sure to provide hours of fun, without even having to leave his chair!  Plus, it is currently priced less than $25!  Yay!

Light Up Basketball

How cool is this light up basketball??  You could spend hours playing night basketball with this gift!  You can buy it for less than $25!

 

Gifts to Read

I always give my kids a book to read each year.  It’s a great way to keep them busy and off of a screen!  Here are a few of our favorites for teen boys.

The Maze Runner

I have personally never read The Maze Runner, but I have heard such great things about the series from multiple teen boys.  It has adventure, suspense and excitement.  If your son loves to read, he needs to read this book!  The paperback is less than $9!

 

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

I had someone gift me the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens years ago and I was so appreciative.  I think all teens should read it.  It is full of so much wisdom and good advice.  The paperback is less than $10.

Recipe Book

Every teen needs to learn how to cook, right????  This is a fun recipe book to get teens cooking in the kitchen, it’s especially great for those preparing to go to college.  The paperback costs less than $10, yay!

 

Gifts for the Room

Here are a few fun gifts teen boys will love to have in their rooms.

Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

What about this awesome waterproof Bluetooth speaker?  It’s perfect for the shower, or a day at the lake or pool.

Clip on Light

Get your teen something he will use regularly with this clip on light.  It’s perfect for clipping on a table or next to the bed.  If he’s heading to college soon, this light will be put to good use for sure!  It’s a great deal at $15.99!

Magnetic Dart Board

How fun is this Magnetic Dart Board?  Teens will love playing darts with friends or during home work breaks.

 

Charging Station

Here is a fun gift idea, a 3 in 1 charging station!  It gives him the perfect place to charge all of his gadgets at the same time!

 

 

Gifts to Wear

If you are looking for something practical and fun, check out a few of these gift ideas for teen boys to wear.  They are sure to bring some smiles!

Taco Socks

Does your teen boy love tacos?  He just might love these hilarious taco socks for just $9!

Lavley - Mens Novelty Socks - Funny Novelty Dress Socks For Men and Women (Taco)

Gamer Shirt

I love this shirt for any gamer lover with a sense of humor!  It’s a good buy priced at less than $15.

I Paused My Game to Be Here | Funny Video Gamer Gaming Player Humor Joke for Men Women T-Shirt-(Adult,M) Sport Grey

Stranger Things Shirt

The Stranger Things series is all the rage among teens these days.  If your teen loves this popular show he might enjoy this Stranger Things t shirt.  It’s just $15.98.

Bluetooth Beanie 

How cool is this bluetooth wireless headphones beanie???  I mean does it get any better?  This is perfect for all outdoor use or for someone who likes to stay active year round.  It’s currently priced at less than $25.

 

A lanyard is both hip and convenient, two important things for teen boys.  I loved the subtle yet cool look of this lanyard for only $11!

Leather Wallet

This leather wallet is stylish and functional.  I’m all about teaching kids how to manage money and a wallet is the right step in that direction!  And, it’s less than $20!  Win!

  • Related:  Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

 

Fun Gift Idea for Teen Boys

Check out these gifts for boys that just want to have some fun!  You’re sure to never go wrong with one of these!

Star Wars Planes Kit

Do you have a Star Wars fan in your home?  He just might love this Star Wars paper planes kit!  It’s a great deal at $3.99!

Escape Room Game

Escape rooms are so fun, what’s even more fun is having an escape room game in a box!  It’s only $22.99, much cheaper than going to an actual escape room!

 

Tabletop Robot

Check out this fun Tabletop Robot.  It’s a great STEM toy and a perfect gift for teen boys interested in engineering.

Flipside Game

The electronic handheld game, Flipside, is sure to give hours of entertaining to your teen boy.  It comes with four different game modes and will be perfect for road trips or any down time.  You can get it now for just $17.99.

 

 

Outdoorsy Gifts

Are you shopping for an outdoor lover?  Here are a few gifts he is sure to love!

Portable Hammock

How about buying him this portable hammock?  It’s lightweight, which makes it perfect for hiking and camping use.  This hammock is a great deal at under $15.

Forbidden Road Hammock Single Double Camping Portable Parachute Hammock for Outdoor Hiking Travel Backpacking - 210D Nylon Taffeta Hammock Swing - Support 400lbs - 660lbs Ropes Carabiners Included

Engraved Pocket Knife

It’s always fun to get something personalized and this engraved pocket knife is perfect!  There are so many different styles and colors to choose from so you can find the right knife for your teen.  Only $24!!

Need more Gift Ideas?  You might also like:

  • 25 Gift Ideas for Tween Girls; all under $25!
  • 25 Gift Ideas for 5-7 year old boys under $25
  • Gift Ideas for Toddlers Under $25

Pin For Next Years Shopping:

Budget Friendly Gift Ideas for Teenage Boys. | cheap gift ideas | cheap christmas gifts | teen boy gifts | teen boy gift ideas | christmas gifts | christmas gift guide for boys | #christmasgifts #christmas2019 #teenageboys #cheapgifts #frugalliving

I hope you enjoyed these gift ideas for teen boys all under $25!

How to Save Money For Christmas

October 23, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to have a Debt Free Christmas.

We all know that Christmas comes every 12 months.  It’s never a surprise, and is a fact of life.  I absolutely love the Christmas season.  I love the traditions, the lights, the love shown to others.  What I don’t love is the cost (anyone with me on this??).  When you include holiday parties, gifts, travel, etc. the expenses add up fast.  One of the best things I have learned is to plan for this holiday well in advanced (like a year in advance).  Today I want to share with you how to save money for Christmas so that you can enjoy a stress free holiday!

“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.”

Are you looking for an easy way to keep track of your Christmas expenses?  Something that will help you stay on track with your budget?  You can get my free Christmas Expense Tracker at the bottom of this article!

I love using this expense tracker to help me make sure I can enjoy the Christmas season, without overspending on my budget.

1.  Set Up a Christmas Sinking Fund

Every January you should set up a Christmas sinking fund in your budget.  This is very simple to do and extremely effective. 

A sinking fund is setting aside a small amount of money for a longer period of time in order to save up for something specific.  A few common sinking funds are for:  travel, buying a car, etc. 

A Christmas sinking fund will give you the confidence to spend for the holiday guilt free because you already have the money saved and ready.

To set up your Christmas sinking fund simply add up how much money you spend on Christmas and divide it by 12 (for 12 months).

For Example:  If you spend $500 on Christmas your equation would look like:  500/12=$42

Starting in January you will need to save $42 every month for the next 12 months.  By the time December comes you will have the money you need for a guilt free holiday!

2.  Use a Credit Card

One of my favorite ways to save money for Christmas is by using the cashback on my credit cards.

I know many people in the finance world look down on the use of credit cards, and I get it!  If a credit card is a spending temptation to you then do NOT use one. 

If however, you are able to stay in budget with a credit card and pay it off in full monthly than this is an easy way to save for Christmas.

My husband and I prefer to purchase half of our expenses on our Discover Card.  With each purchase we earn cashback (usually somewhere between 1%-5%).  We allow this cashback to accumulate throughout the year and only use it to help us pay for Christmas.

This is such an easy way to save because it never feels like a sacrifice!  We spend as normal and earn free money at the same time!  Woo!

  • BONUS!  You can get a $50 bonus when you sign up for a Discover Card and make your first purchase within 3 months.  Just make sure you pay it off monthly!

3.  Save Your Pennies (literally)

Every year our family chooses a family to give Secret Santa presents too.  These are names that we hear of in the community that need some extra love during the holidays.  I love teaching my kids that giving is more important than receiving.

Years ago we decided to start a “Giving Jar.”  The concept is simple really. 

Starting in January we begin saving every coin we get throughout the year (using cash envelopes helps with this).   The goal is to have a jar full of coins by December.  We use this money to pay for the presents we buy for the family in need.

Now, your family doesn’t have to use your coins for Secret Santa presents.  But, you can save your coins throughout the year and use them in December to help pay for the holidays. 

Get your kids involved in the fun and use the coins on a fun family activity or treat!

4.  Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is one of my favorite ways to earn cashback.  Mostly because it is just so easy! 

You can download the Fetch Rewards App here.  Download the app here, scan your receipt after you go grocery shopping and points are automatically put into your fetch account (this seriously takes less than a minute to do!).

These points can be redeemed for gift cards to all of your favorite stores (like Amazon and Target in my case!). 

Save up these points throughout the entire year and when the holiday season comes around redeem them to use at stores to help you pay for Christmas presents.  Amazon is where I do most of my Christmas shopping, so obviously I will be redeeming for an Amazon gift card.

Download Fetch Rewards here and enter code FETCH2K for 2,000 ($2) bonus points when you scan your first receipt!

  • Related:  20 FREE or FRUGAL Family Christmas Traditions

5.  Take Advantage of Cash Back

Similar to Fetch Rewards (where you earn points to redeem for gift cards) are cash back apps.  These apps will give you actual cash back on items you buy during regular shopping trips.  Two of my favorite cash back apps are Rakuten and Ibotta.

Rakuten is so easy to use, you usually don’t even realize you are using it! 

First, sign up for Rakuten here.  Now, every time you shop online do it through the Rakuten website. 

To do this just log into the website, select the store you want to shop at.  You will be redirected to the store you clicked on; now just shop as normal and then you’re down! 

You will automatically earn cash back!  Easy right?!?!  Sign up for Rakuten here and you will receive a bonus $10 after you spend your first $25.

Ibotta is just as easy (if you can believe it!).  Download the ibotta app here.  Now, every time when you shop at a grocery store simply log into the app, check the grocery items you bought, and then scan your receipt.  You will be rewarded with cash back on any qualifying rebates.

I like to save up my earnings from Ibotta and Rakuten until the end of the year.  Then I use this money to help us pay for Christmas.  It has truly been a huge blessing for our family!

6.  Start a Side Hustle

Consider starting a side hustle as a way to earn some extra money in addition to your current form of employment.  A side hustle will be something you will do in your spare time.  Save everything you earn from this job to be spent on Christmas.

I know someone who started a Christmas lights hanging business and every penny goes towards their Christmas.  I’ve always thought that was an excellent idea for a short term side hustle.  If you are needing more ideas check out these side hustle ideas listed here.

7.  Sell the Clutter

Clean out all of your closets and basement storage rooms to find items to sell.  My personal rule of thumb is, “If we haven’t touched it for a year then we don’t need it anymore.” 

You can sell these online using any of these websites or have a yearly garage sale and get rid of the junk in one day.  Save the money you earn from selling your clutter and put it into your Christmas Sinking Fund.

In Conclusion

Choose a few of these methods to help you start saving for Christmas each year, or better yet, use all 7 of them for an even less stressful Christmas.  The most important thing is that you have a plan and you implement it.

Christmas Expense Tracker

***Grab my free Christmas Expense Tracker here. 

Feel free to use this free printable to help you track your spending this Christmas so you can enjoy a debt free holiday season!

 

 

 

how to save money for Christmas - free expense tracker printable

Pin For Later:

save money for christmas - debt free christmas

How do you save for Christmas each year?

 

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Hello! I’m Melanie!

Follow me on social!

Want more frugal tips?

Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

Copyright © 2022 · Modern Blogger Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT