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Budget Graduation Parties

In 1996, the late, great American novelist Nora Ephron shared the following pearl of wisdom with Wellesley College’s graduating class:  “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” Ten years into the future, not every student will be able to remember the commencement speech given on graduation day, but he will likely recall the party celebrating his academic achievements.  Fortunately, you don’t have to go bankrupt hosting a summer shindig for your graduating student. By incorporating these affordable elements, you can give your grad a rad party he will remember for years to come: Open House:  … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Halloween Ideas

Halloween is right around the corner. Does your house look haunted yet? Mountains of dirty dishes, piles of soiled laundry and black rings around the toilet don’t count. If you’ve waited until now to get into the Halloween spirit, don’t fret. There are a slew of simple ways you can create a spooktacular holiday display without breaking the bank: Sweet Treats on a Stick: With a little patience and a few cheap materials you can make a sweet treat on a stick. Halloween topiaries are a cinch to make. All you need are your favorite candies, such as gum drops, … Continue reading →

Seasonal Decorating on a Budget

Fall is in the air, and if you have kids, signs of the season are likely on your floors, tables and chairs. Yesterday, I found a colorful leaf near the bathtub. A soggy, orange leaf that likely hitched a ride on the bottom of my daughter’s shoe. While I am a huge fan of autumn’s brilliant colors, I’d prefer them sprucing up my home in others ways. For example, if you are trying to add seasonal flair to your home this fall, but don’t have a ton of money to buy elaborate decorations, consider crafting these affordable projects using natural … Continue reading →

Maximize the Mini

I love, love mini pumpkins. Not only are they adorable, versatile and portable, they are also quite affordable. You can purchase a small pail full of mini pumpkins for less than it would cost to buy a single full-sized gourd. What’s more, the decorating possibilities using several mini pumpkins versus one large one are virtually limitless. If you are considering experimenting with mini pumpkins this fall try out these simple projects that will turn your little gourds into major masterpieces: Mini Pumpkin Candle Holders: These natural candle holders made from mini pumpkins will enhance any fall-themed design. All you need … Continue reading →

More Fun Than Freaky

My daughter is in the second grade, but she still freaks out when she sees scary Halloween decorations. She’s terrified of the bloody limbs, moving skeletons and rolling eyeballs. Consequently, we tend to stick to the kid-friendly Halloween events and parties that pop up around our small community this time of year. No tours of haunted mansions, creepy corn mazes or ghost towns for my kid. Rather, we’ve been spending weekends at fall festivals that have allowed her to sample the fun side of a horrifying holiday. Some of the games she’s had a blast playing at the local fests … Continue reading →

Halloween on a Budget

Who says you have to go broke prepping for Halloween? If you are terrified by the prospect of draining your wallet on frightful costumes, props and decorations, then consider these budget-saving ideas that will help scare away the money blues: Pun-ny: A little creativity can go a long way on October 31st, especially if you are a fan of puns. For example, you can use a knife and a cereal box to be a “Cereal Killer.” Or, place a loaf of bread in a baseball mitt and goes as the “Catcher in the Rye.” Another affordable option is to dress … Continue reading →

Countdown to Halloween

Tomorrow we officially begin decorating our home for Halloween. Despite the fact that Target and Wal-Mart started selling Halloween merchandise the day after Labor Day, I refuse to display a single pumpkin, bat or scarecrow until October first. I just cleared off the kitchen table and emptied the craft closet, so bright and early tomorrow morning my daughter and I can get cracking on these homemade Halloween decorations: CARAMEL APPLE CRAFT Materials: Wooden apples Styrofoam plates Caramel colored paint Craft sticks Mod Podge Chopped nuts Wax paper Cellophane Ribbon Directions: Paint wooden apples with caramel-colored paint. Be sure to be … Continue reading →

Do-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes for Boys

Part of the reason I allow my 5-year-old to attend so many Halloween-related events is that I want to get the most out of the money I dropped paying for her overpriced costume. However, if your son is content with using a costume simply to trick-or-treat, then you might consider making your own. After all, why should you drain your bank account if your little guy is only going to dress up for a couple of hours on Halloween night? Save your money, and instead, rummage through your home for the materials needed to make these simple, yet creative costumes: … Continue reading →

Simple No-Sew Halloween Costumes

Whereas my mother could sew a bridge to connect Hawaii with California, I struggle to reattach buttons to blouses. If you are as bad a seamstress as I am, then you might have never considered making your own Halloween costume. Fortunately, there are a myriad of spooky getups you can create without having to sew a single stitch. Here are some ideas: Spider: Use a pair of black sweats and a black sweatshirt. For the spider’s legs, use old black pantyhose and stuff them with anything lightweight such as tissue paper or fiberfill. Then, staple or glue the pantyhose shut, … Continue reading →

Coordinating Halloween Costumes

I’m not a matchy-matchy kind of mom. I’ve never once considered buying coordinating mother/daughter dresses, nor have I ever honored the request to dress my child in an outfit that complemented her cousin’s. However, when it comes to Halloween costumes, I’m a little more flexible. For some reason, I have a soft spot for matching Halloween costumes, especially when children are involved. To me, nothing is more adorable than seeing two kids standing at your front door wearing coordinating costumes. If you want your kids to complement each other this Halloween, then consider the following costume ideas: Elmo and Cookie … Continue reading →