Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Nothing says, “Happy Father’s Day!” quite like the smell of fried chicken… or any type of chicken that Dad didn’t have to cook himself. To honor the man of the house on Sunday, consider combining some of his favorite foods in one dish. By incoporating a variety of Dad’s beloved ingredients you are sure to create a winning Father’s Day meal. The following recipes are not only affordable, but they’re also simple enough for even young children to help out with. What’s more, because the ingredients are kid-friendly Dad won’t have to deal with a table full of whining offspring as he digs into dinner on … Continue reading →

Simple Summer Sanity Savers

School’s out for some kids, while others are just a few weeks away from enjoying the freedom of summer vacation. For parents, the end of the academic year brings excitement and some trepidation. After all, most moms and dads know it’s just a matter of time before seasonal boredom sets in. To preserve your sanity in the weeks to come, consider keeping your kids busy with the following summer-themed crafts: Sugar-Free Ice Cream Cone Not only is this adorable ice cream cone sugar-free, it’s also calorie-free and drip-free. All you need to make this cute craft are a few sheets … Continue reading →

Fish Fun

Don’t let Mother Nature put a damper on your summer fishing adventures. If your big day has to be put on hold because of bad weather, have some fish-themed fun indoors. Children looking forward to reeling in the “big one” can practice their dexterity skills by making the following colorful underwater creatures: Fish Shapes: Cut various shapes (e.g. rectangles, squares, circles, triangles, diamonds, hearts, etc.) from colored construction paper, and then let kids use the shapes to construct their own fish. When they’ve put the final touches on their fish, have the kids glue the pieces in place and adhere … Continue reading →

Make a Splash Without Spending a Ton of Cash

There’s no better way to cool off this Memorial Day weekend than hanging poolside with your friends and family. Fortunately, you don’t have to drain your wallet to keep your clan entertained in the water. If you are tight on cash, skip the fancy pool toys and try these splashtastic games instead: Fish, Fish, Whale: This simple yet fun game puts a spin on the classic “Duck, Duck, Goose.” To play, have kids stand in a circle in the shallow end of the pool. Select one person to be “it.” That player then goes around the circle and taps each … Continue reading →

Inexpensive Mother’s Day Fun

There’s no better way to show mom how much she is cherished than by giving her a break from the daily grind. For many mothers, a day without having to make a single meal is heavenly… though potentially very expensive. Celebrating Mother’s Day at a restaurant is not cheap, especially if you are treating the entire family to a lavish buffet. To save on a delicious dining experience while still showing mom that she is worth her weight in gold, consider starting the day with breakfast in bed. Gather the kids and have fun in the kitchen making mom these … Continue reading →

Have Fun Toasting Mom

“All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Those wise words are courtesy of the late, great Abraham Lincoln. The 16th President of the United States knew a thing or two about waxing poetic, especially when it involved his dearly beloved mother. Lincoln’s mom Nancy died when Abe was just nine years old. Whether your mom is with you physically or in spirit tomorrow is the day set aside to celebrate the blood, sweat and tears she has shed to make you the person you are. Make it a Mother’s Day to remember by … Continue reading →

Affordable Pampering for Mom

Moms, grandmas, aunts, or beloved female friends; no gal is going to turn down a gift that promotes relaxation especially when life is so stressful. Sadly, indulging in a day of pampering doesn’t always come cheap. A trip to a professional spa can run upwards of $200 depending on the number of services rendered. Paying for luxurious privileges is no fun even if it’s a Mother’s Day gift. Fortunately, there is a way to enjoy treating mom to a day of decadence without breaking the bank. Here’s how: DIY Neck Wrap Materials: Fabric Dry, uncooked rice Dried lavender or rosemary … Continue reading →

Color Me Mom

Want to give mom an eye-popping gift this Mother’s Day? You won’t have to sell your sibling, barter with a Chippendale or sacrifice your retinas to make this one-of-a-kind present. Rather, all you’ll need is some vibrant dye, a t-shirt and a little creativity. The end result will be a brightly colored clothing item that mom can’t miss when perusing her closet. You might consider making one for you too, so that mom will have a tie dye shirt mate to match on Mother’s Day. Materials: Cold Water Dye such as Rainbow Rock or Tulip Cold Water Dye Soda ash … Continue reading →

To Mom With Love

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Fortunately, you still have enough time to get a memorable gift for mom that will prove just how much you love her. If you don’t have enough cash to say it with diamonds, pearls or an expensive vacuum, consider making the following affordable and heartfelt items that are sure to show mom how priceless she is: SHELL ART If your mom loves the beach, consider making these simple seashell-themed gifts. The items don’t require using your entire shell collection to create; rather, you can pick up a bag of shells from the Dollar Store or … Continue reading →

Simple and Affordable Mother’s Day Fun

If your budget doesn’t allow you to lavish mom with expensive gifts this Mother’s Day, don’t fret. With a little planning and creativity you can make your mom feel like royalty minus the queen’s ransom. The key to creating memorable Mother’s Day gifts is to make them with love. The other requirement is to have fun in the process. The following homemade gift ideas are simple enough for young children to help with; plus, they don’t require a ton of money to make: Pretty Pots Materials: Unglazed terra cotta pot Acrylic paints Paint brushes Craft glue Embellishments (buttons, gems, stickers, … Continue reading →