Well my daughters wedding shower was a huge success! We all worked hard to have things go off without a hitch and we had enough food for double the amount of people that were invited. I think people took home more than they actually ate at the shower.
Having a big event like a double bridal shower can also be very expensive but there are things that can be done to help save.
- Make your own invitations. K and I bought the blank invitations at the local large craft supply store. We were EXTREMLY lucky because we have a close friend who loves to make these things. I spent about an hour on the computer and couldn’t get the things lined up right. After about an hour of me trying then breaking out in a cold sweat K took over and that didn’t go so well. So in panic we called a friend.
- Buy bulk items that are not perishable long before the date. If you can hit the sales even better. Store it away and keep a list handy so that you know what you have and still need.
- Breath!
- Put cash aside for the “little” things that may be needed last minute.
- Breath!
Last but not least just remember to stay as relaxed as possible. These events can be very stressful and Moms get VERY tired. After it was all done and over and the kids were happy we are happy with the way it turned out.
The day before the wedding shower was the Royal Wedding. Did I watch? Oh yes, I did! I have a daughter getting married in August. Did I get emotional all by myself? You betcha! Oh, and Christie, I was thinking about you too. J
Want to know my last words while watching the wedding on my television? If the royal family can do it well then I can too!
Mothers Day is almost here and although it may not be romantic, Gift Cards are something my wife always asks me for. I don’t make it the only gift but I do try to make it part of the gift. If you have read any of my articles in the past you know that we fell on pretty hard times and had no money to buy anything other than absolute necessities for a very long time. Nothing made her happier when family members clued into how bad we were and got her gift cards so she could shop for things she needed but that we couldn’t afford since it wasn’t an absolute necessity to get by.
I just got an email from Amazon, they advertise on our site and they have some Mothers Day themed gift cards that are easy to purchase and will arrive in plenty of time for the big day. If you want to make Gift Cards part of your Mothers Day, you can check them out at Amazon Mothers Day Gift Cards.
From the husbands/sons/father perspective, gift cards are great because of how easy they are to get and to give. Just don’t make it the only thing you give her. Being a Mom is a hard and incredibly wonderful job, show her she is worth more than the 5 minutes it takes to pick up a gift card.
Mother’s Day is just a couple of weeks away!
Some Moms love flowers. Some Moms love jewels. Some Moms love candy. Some Moms would just love some piece and quiet — at least for one day. I’ve got great news for all of you, who are trying to come up with a Mother’s Day gift. You honestly don’t have to spend a lot of money, to let the special woman in your life know that she is loved and appreciated.
Nope! You really don’t. That’s the great thing about Moms they love anything their kids (and hopefully their husbands) give them, even weeds from outside.
Exhibit A — Weeds from outside that the boys gave me. These sat in a cup, in my kitchen for over a week. When I finally threw them away the boys asked me where they went. After I explained that they were all wilted and I had to throw them out — they promptly set off to get me some more. Awe!
Since I am a Mom, I have a Mom, I’m friends with lots of Moms and I worked in the retail industry for many years — I guess I would be considered and expert on the subject, of what makes a great Mother’s Day gift. This is why I have decided to share what I know, with anyone who might be having a hard time coming up with the perfect gift.
Below you will find a list of some really fantastic – if I do say so myself – ideas. I am very confident that there is something for everyone here and that there will be at least one item on this list to fit your budget.
(via Handprints on the Wall)
1. Hand prints– Moms love anything that are handmade by their children and it’s especially sweet when it contains the child’s hand prints. This can be as easy as using some paint and construction paper to make a beautiful card. The hand prints can be used to make a wreath or flowers.
2. Give Mom a Day Off– We love being with our kids but sometimes it’s just nice to take a day – or even a few hours – and spend it anyway we would like. So a nice thing to do might be get her a gift card to one of her favorite places. It doesn’t have to be expensive just something you know she would enjoy. Or you can assemble a homemade gift certificate that she can redeem -to spend some time - doing whatever she wants. It may sound silly. You may think “She can take time and do whatever she wants anytime. She doesn’t have to have a gift certificate for that.” For some Moms, they may feel guilty taking time for themselves, or they just don’t do it. If this sounds like someone you know, then this is perfect. If you get a little bouquet of flowers to go with it — that’s even better!
4. Make Mom Feel Special All Day – Let her sleep in, make her breakfast, leave the house or get the kiddos outside for a bit so she can get ready for the day, in peace. Try your best to make the whole day revolve around her. Do whatever it takes to keep things as stress free as possible. The rule for the day is that Mom isn’t to do any household chores. She’ll probably try, but keep it to a minimum. My husband did this for me last year and I really appreciated it!
(Mommy’s Time Out Gift Set — Via Charming Chick)
5. Pamper Mom — There are so many thing you can get for Mom that are pampering. A great smelling bath set, lotions, candles, super comfy slippers, a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure, etc. — just think about what she enjoys, and you are sure to come up with the perfect gift.
6. Have Kids Write a Story – Maybe it’s because I’m a writer, but I think a wonderful gift would be to help your kids make up a story all about Mom or Grandma. You can have them cut pictures out of magazines to illustrate the story, or they can draw their own. Depending on the ages of the children — this could get very interesting and fun. It will be a treasured keepsake and something she can bring out a read year after year.
7. Think Spring! – There is a very good reason Mother’s Day is in May and I think it is because - in most places – spring has sprung. All the flowers are in bloom and it is just a beautiful time of year. You can always run down to the local farmers market and pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers — but they also have gorgeous hanging baskets and other flowers, plants, trees, bushes, etc. that can be planted and enjoy for many months – or for many years to come.
(via Snapfish)
8. Photo Gifts– All Moms and Grandmas love photo gifts! There are so many things you can put together and it can really fit into any price range — photo mugs, photo books, mouse pads, office supplies, clothing, etc. I am featuring Snapfish for two reasons — 1. They run awesome deals! 2. They offer a 110% quality guarantee. They aren’t giving me anything to say this, I am just a really satisfied customer! Check them out. I’ve also used Walgreens, Costco, and Shutterfly with great success!
9. Jewelry — This may sound expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Sterling Silver charms are quite reasonable and can be placed on a bracelet or a simple silver chain. Craft stores also have beads – and other jewelry making supplies - so the kids can make something special that Mom or Grandma will love — and wear with pride.
10. Shower her with Love! This should be the easiest, least expensive and most meaningful gift of all!!
Do you have suggestions? What was your favorite Mother’s Day gift, you ever received? What was your favorite Mother’s Day gift that you have given?
“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”– Agatha Christie
Thanks for Reading!
~Christie
For last minute gifts, some people choose to go the DIY way. I am one those people and I choose this route for two reasons. One, I do not want to go out and brave the Christmas shopping chaos of last-minute panic buyers; Two, I want the gift to be special even if it is simple, which a lot of my homemade items are. The personal touch makes the gift special.
I’ve mentioned before that one staple in my country is the Christmas star or the ‘Parol’. This is a lantern made traditionally of bamboo sticks and colorful cellophane, white rice paper or Japanese paper. There are strips of paper coming from the two bottom points that represent the stars rays. The religious symbolism in this lantern comes from the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men on their search for the baby Jesus. No home is complete without some variation of the Christmas star.
One gift that is special, can be used again, symbolizes the season, and is just plain pretty is this Parol. And because of traditional simple roots, it is also easy to make at home.
You will Need:
Bamboo sticks
Very durable thin string
Strong glue
Colored cellophane- for a glossy look OR
White rice paper- for a classic look OR
Colored Japanese Paper- for a modern but muted look
Steps:
1. Make some thin sticks from a medium sized bamboo pole (fresher is better) that you might be able to find at wholesale flower markets or craft shops. If you can’t or don’t want to make these on your own, go and look for ready-made ones. They are just as good.
2. Tie five sticks into the shape of a star and make two of these forms.
3. Connect the ends of the stars and insert braces inside the star to make it three-dimensional.
4. Once secure, cover this frame with your choice of paper using the strong glue. You can get fancy and add frills, cut-out paper doilies, fringes, tails, etc. and attach them to the two bottom ends.
5. Optional: you can purchase a ready-made socket with wiring then it will be easy to put a light bulb inside your parol. Just make sure it doesn’t get too hot or the lantern could burst into flames.
And, viola! You have your Parol.
You can make this any size and any color you want. You can make this lit or not. You can make this to be attached directly to the wall or as a hanging piece or even as the décor at the end of the stick for your lawn. The point is, you can be flexible. If you are especially artistic, you can create a design on the body of the star as well. Here are some sample pictures:
I think these are the perfect, whimsical, special Christmas gift to give to your friends. Even here in the Philippines, where the Parol is a staple, these simple homemade stars are still much appreciated. There is that added bonus that it is re-usable, cost-effective, and environment friendly. With a little effort, some materials, and a little bit of imagination, you can give that special gift.
Happy Crafting!
Vicki
There are two times in the whole year when my kids go on a litany of “I want’s”. These are their birthdays and Christmas. They tap into the age-old tradition of gift-giving and suddenly they have reams and reams worth of gift suggestions you never knew they even had a clue about until now. Of course, it doesn’t help that the television flashes ad after ad of all these innovative, new, varied, and expensive toys. Even my kids, whom I try my very best to raise simply, succumb to the desire to own these toys. And this is a tough thing to fulfill being a single mom. But besides that, I really do not believe that they should have everything they want, any time they want it. I think it builds character to wait for a toy, to earn a toy, and to know that sometimes you can’t get the toy. And I have clinical support for this belief, apparently.
“ Kids who get whatever they want don’t develop the critical life skills of self-discipline” David Walsh, Ph.D. Author of No: Why Kids- of All Ages- Need to Hear It and Ways Parent Can Say It.
So here are some tips I’ve taken to doing to help my kids learn some self-control, and to save me from the needless and endless expense of too much toy shopping.
1. Earn your Toy
My 5-year old son really wants a Wii. Now, where we live, the kids don’t normally have Wii’s or PSP’s. But my nephew, who is younger incidentally, has a Wii and so my son knows exactly what this is and all the virtual fun it can bring. This is a very expensive toy though and not something I think a 5-year old should have yet. In fact, I am trying to limit their computer game exposure for the simple reasons that I want them to love reading and playing outside. I believe these activities enrich their minds and bodies. Reading allows them to stretch their imagination and creativity as well as communication skills because they learn a lot of different vocabulary words from these books. Playing outside will keep them agile, fit, strong, and will build their immune system as well. It is said that one of the ways to fight a cold is to get exercise because it is through physical activity that blood circulates and disease fighting cells are made.
So I told him: that a Wii is an expensive toy that requires some prerequisite behavior. First, he has to show me he can take care of the toys he currently has meaning putting them away properly after he plays with them and making sure he doesn’t intentionally break them. Second, he has to show me that he can stop playing and eat or do his homework when he needs to. Finally, he has to earn the toy through a combination of good behavior and his allowance. Granted, he has a tiny, tiny allowance, being only 5 years old, but still, it teaches him how to save.
2. Look at the root of the desire
My daughter likes toys in general but nothing really in particular. Thankfully, she is growing up fairly satisfied with having one of one kind of toy. This does not include her true favorite which are bags and shoes but that is an entirely different post. Anyway, because of this, I am surprised when she accosts me with a barrage of toy requests.
This is what I do: I sit down and listen to her and see if she really wants the toy for the toy itself. She can articulate why she wants the toy if it is really something she wants. Often it is usually parroting her brother or just the act of collecting things. If it is the former, then I have to sit down and look at the request. I have to see that it is age-appropriate and not too expensive. If it is, then I explain why she can’t have it. This usually works. If it is the latter, then I have to redirect her need to collect. So far, I’ve redirected her efforts towards creating cards from art paper. These she can collect all she wants and all year-round at that!
3. ‘No’ means No.
Sometimes, even the best efforts just fall by the wayside. These are the times when you have to look for your inner Hercules and stand your ground. My son keeps going on and on about getting this very expensive train track set that he doesn’t need because he already has 4 others. So finally I’ve told him that we won’t be getting it because he already has enough train track sets and that our budget would be better spent on something he doesn’t have or in saving for a rainy day. Naturally, he was upset when I told him this.
“Kids this age aren’t developmentally ready to understand that parents make and enforce rules to protect, not punish, them”. Dr. Walsh.
The thing that matters is that the kids see that you have values and that these are important and that you stand by them. These will be the values they will emulate themselves when they grow older.
More Helpful Tips:
1. Limit TV time.
Like it or not, kids get 80% of their ideas from what they watch on TV. Just as the take in and copy expressions and behavior, so do they take in what consumerism tells them they should want and have. Limiting TV time or popping in appropriate shows on your DVD will expose them to the good values in these shows and limit all the spending and collecting desires.
2. Explain things Clearly
When my son or daughter wants something, I talk to them about it. I asks them why they want it and I explain why I think it is not a good idea just yet. My son had adjusted well to this form of communication, so much so that I often hear him telling his play mates why he doesn’t have a certain toy, when he can get it, and all with ease and no acrimony.
3. If you must take them to the mall with you, reserve toy shopping for when they are at the play area or in the library.
Choose your battles. Remember that these are kids and that sometimes, no amount of explanation will calm a child who literally sees the toy of their dreams an arm’s reach away.
These tips have really helped me keep my kids tantrums in check when considering the presents they want this Christmas. I really think that these also apply to other aspects of life. It teaches them discipline, control, how to save and budget, and how to handle different, difficult emotions. If you get around to trying any of the tips, let me know how it goes.
Happy Shopping!
Vicki
Christmas is over and the chaos is behind us. It seems so passe to say it because almost everyone says that Christmas is their favorite time of year but count me among the masses, I love it! It’s a crazy month for me, I am part owner of a popular Ecommerce company and we do an insane amount of business during the month of December so it keeps me really busy. It’s really tough to stay in the spirit and do all the family stuff, all the work stuff, the blogging and still remain happy and festive, but somehow, I do manage it. I think I would be crushed if any Christmas passed me by without taking the time to be with family and enjoy our traditions so no matter how hectic it becomes, it is one of those things I will always make time for.
Now that Christmas is passed and we are approaching the New Year, I thought it would be fun to list the wonderful things I got this year.
Under the Tree!
- Kodak Zx3 Digital Video Camera – I Love It! It’s an economical choice for families, it’s only $149 and takes really great video at up to 1080p. There are a few choices in the $100 – $150 range for small digital video cameras but my wife picked this one because it’s waterproof. We spend a lot of time at my mother-in-laws pool during the summer and I can’t wait to get some underwater footage of the kids. I am excited to start using this to both capture family moments and to add a new dimension to KidsAintCheap! I will be doing a review on it in a future post
- Craft Beer! – That’s right, my wife knows what I like and really enjoy craft beer. It’s my parental aid of choice
When unwinding after a stressful day, there is nothing like a quality beer. My wife has gotten pretty good at picking out what I would like. She travels a lot for work and a few of the places she travels to have some great beer stores that carry nothing but craft beer. She got me an excellent selection this year. - Homebrew Equipment and Books – In addition to enjoying craft beer, I also enjoy making my own beer. My family got some excellent suggestions from my wife and got me a few new books and some equipment that will hopefully improve the quality of my brew.
- Restaurant Gift Certificates – As I mention on the about us page of this site, we are in signficant debt and live on a very strict and limited budget. We do without most luxuries which includes going out to dinner. We love to eat good food but in the last two years, we could very rarely afford it. This year we were grateful and happy to get gift certificates (enough to cover the entire meal) to one of our favorite local restaurants.
- With Our Powers Combined, we are Platypus! – I am a big fan of Snorgtees.com, they have some really hilarious t-shirts and I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy. I have only ever used the site to buy gifts for other people because as I mentioned, we are broke and do without things we don’t need. However, one of my favorite tees is this one and my wife bought it for me. She spent more than we budgeted but I can’t complain too much!
I also got a bunch of smaller items and some much needed clothing but that is a good synopsis of the physical gifts I was most excited about from my wife, my parents and the rest of my family. As much as I loved all of those things, they don’t come close to the best gift I got this year.
Not under the Tree
The greatest gift I got this year was not physical and many people wouldn’t even define it as a gift but those people are wrong. The greatest gift I got this year was seeing the unbridled joy, happiness and excitement on my children’s faces all weekend long. This was the greatest Christmas morning I have ever had, to see them so enthusiastically embrace the idea of Santa Claus and the excitement in their eyes when they saw the pile of treasure they received was just priceless. I hope to have many more Christmas’s like this with my family but I know this unbridled youthful joy won’t last forever so I intend to savor every minute of it.
Brian
P.S. For those interested, here is a video I shot the day after Christmas in the freezing cold at a local park. It’s my two boys riding their brand new bikes. I shot the video with my new Kodak Zx3!
