BEWARE—The Holiday Gift Card Scam

I don’t know where you live, but if you reside anywhere around the Midwest portion of the United States then you may have heard about a new scam involving gift cards. Thousands of victims have flooded area Better Business Bureaus with their tragic stories of being ripped off. Here’s how the scam works: Scammers go to a store where gift cards are hanging on a rack. They then copy numbers and merchant names from these gift cards. They wait a week or so and then call the 800 number that was on the back of the card to find out … Continue reading

Arts and Crafts: Silhouette Images

Your kids may have done something similar in school, but these are variations of the typical silhouette projects you’ve seen before. Have your child stand near a blank area of wall, in a profile position. Set up a lamp or shine a bright flashlight toward your child. You can certainly try the typical head shot silhouette, but you can also do a full body drawing or something in between. Instead of a plain head shot or bust, you might want to try an action pose. Have your little cheerleader pose with arms up, holding pom-poms, or draw your little dancer’s … Continue reading

Inexpensive Gift Baskets

Have you ever received a gift basket full of goodies? They are wonderful gifts and some can even seem quite elaborate. When I was pregnant, a friend of mine gave me a big wicker basket full of baby care items and even a few special Mommy care items. It was the best gift I had ever received. Gift baskets are easy to put together and can really be quite personal if you take the time to pick the right items. The best thing about gift baskets is they don’t need to be wildly expensive to make a huge impact. Whether … Continue reading

Business Card Holder

This craft makes a great gift for your favorite executive or home business owner. Items Needed: Craft sticks (Popsicle stick size) Glue Felt Utility knife (with adult assistance) Paint Paintbrush Stickers, stencils, or other embellishments Directions: Place plastic over your work surface to avoid messes. Newspaper isn’t great for this project. Use plastic grocery bags if you don’t have anything else handy. Place three craft sticks lying flat, side by side, and glue them together. This will be the bottom of the business card holder. Stand another stick on its side and glue it the edge then do the same … Continue reading

10 Electronic Father’s Day Gift Ideas Under $100

Ah Father’s Day. June 18th is rapidly approaching. Have you done your shopping for your papa? I thought I’d share a few electronic gift ideas with everyone and I am trying to keep the price tag under one hundred dollars. Everyone’s Dad is different though and while some dads will love it, others might want you to stick with the standard tie. This list will be in random order. Atari Flashback 2.0 w/ Bonus Pong T-Shirt – Ah, a joystick and a bright orange button, the memories the memories! Was your Pa a big fan of video games back in … Continue reading

Make a Clock

While this project will make a great Father’s Day gift, it can also be made for other loved ones on other special occasions. You can find clock kits with simple instructions at most craft stores or order them online. They are far easier to put together than you might think. You will need to pick up some craft wood to use for the clock face, and you can either drill a hole in it for your child, or you can look for wood shapes that are pre-drilled especially for clock making. You can also find your own interesting objects that … Continue reading

Gift of a Father’s Day Poem

One of my husband’s favorite Father’s Day Gifts from my kids was also the simplest. It is especially poignant when coming from a son. You will need: 1 piece of cardstock, paint or an inkpad, the following poem, and a picture frame. I typed this poem about Daddy’s and printed it on a piece of cardstock turned landscape direction. Footprints “Walk a little slower Daddy,” said a child so small. “I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall. Sometimes your steps are very fast, Sometimes they’re hard to see; So walk a little slower, Daddy, For you … Continue reading

Frugal Gifting

Many people worry about giving gifts that seem cheap. The truth is you can purchase very nice gifts that don’t cost a lot of money if you put a little effort into it. As Marily discussed in her Mother’s Day gift article, choosing thoughtful gifts is the best way to go. Selecting something that is especially for the recipient that matches his or her tastes or interests, or that simply says “I care” is a great way to choose gifts. It also means that the price tag doesn’t have to be huge in order for something to make a great … Continue reading

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Stepping Stones

Ok, so Dad might really enjoy a week away golfing in Vegas but let’s be real! When us Moms are juggling so much and finances are tight and a week in paradise isn’t a realistic option, we need to be more creative. I like to give my husband a token of my appreciation and a little something from all of our children, as well. After all, he’s their father, not mine! But finding something that six small kids can do or make for their father is a daunting task. This is the first in a series of Father’s Day ideas … Continue reading

Home Business Idea: Gift Baskets

Many people with busy lifestyles tend to pick up gifts at the last minute or order something that can be delivered, saving them time and effort. This has created a good market for gift baskets. Making gift baskets is a terrific home business that can be quite profitable once it takes off and it can also be a lot of fun. The best part is that you can start small without a lot of out-of-pocket expense. Make up just a few baskets as samples and ask local businesses, such as florists, gift shops, greeting card shops, restaurants, or bookstores, to … Continue reading