I just realized...

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2008
I just realized...
8
Sun, 12-21-2008 - 8:24pm

that when I am really trying not to spend money, I have more fun with my kids. They are 4 and 7, and they don't need any money to have a good time! DH worked this week-end. Between hibernating from the storm and watching cash flow, I knew we were not going out to do much. But, I thought ahead and did some planning. Saturday after lunch we went and bought a few last minute gifts and to the dollar store for bags and tissue paper. Then we went home. We made tags to put on the gifts. Lots of paints, sparkles, and stamps (which is always in our home). We spent hours, and we had a great time.

Today we took a big roll of paper and laid it on the floor. The girls laid down on it and I traced them. We cut them out and taped them on the wall. The girls had a blast coloring themselves and my oldest colored and cut some jewlery and a crown for herself. Life sized paper dolls. This afternoon we made some chocolate covered pretzels, which we will give to four families that we are close friends with, along with handmade cards.

Cuddled to watch the grinch who stole Christmas, and then tucked the kids into bed. So, I entertained by kids with about $10 for the whole week-end. And when I think of some of the best memories I have with my kids, they don't cost money...cuddling to read stories, afternoons in the park, doing crafts. I have always enjoyed the "simple things" but have never felt blessed not to have money to do stuff with.

Tara






iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Sun, 12-21-2008 - 8:48pm

Great ideas! I like the making gift tags for gifts idea. I need some of those. I don't have paper big enough to trace my kids although that sounds like a ton of fun!


Abbie


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2007
Sun, 12-21-2008 - 10:07pm

What great ideas

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-01-2008
Sun, 12-21-2008 - 11:37pm

I make gift tags out of old Christmas cards. It's a good way to recycle them. I tear or cut a small tree or skater or deer from a card and then glue it on a little folded card cut from the folded part of a card. My problem is that I have dozens of gift tags that I made in previous years, but I don't use very many each Christmas, especially this year, since I have cut back so much!

This year I've only received 4 or 5 Christmas cards. I didn't send any out myself, although I plan to make some Happy New Year cards with my daughter's stamps, inks, and sparkles.

The chocolate-covered pretzels sound great. I love them and never thought about making them myself. To make them, do you use the chocolate disks that they sell to make candy?

Mary Jo


Avatar for sohappilyme
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 12-22-2008 - 8:48am

I totally agree with that! You had some great ideas, too!

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Goal #1:

Sarah
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Mon, 12-22-2008 - 1:29pm

As for dipping the pretzels.... it is possible they have improved the chocolate disks, but I have always cringed at the taste of the Wilton chocolate.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Mon, 12-22-2008 - 3:36pm

That's a

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2008
Mon, 12-22-2008 - 8:19pm
I use chocolate chips. I usually buy the biggest bag I can find. We use them up pretty quick here for cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, fondues (great cheap date night), and chocolate covered pretzels. When I make them with the kids I melt the chocolate in the microwave and then I put it in a zip-lock bag. Cut a hole in the corner, and let them drizzle the chocolate on the pretzels. Tends to be less messy than dipping, and they have a lot of fun with it.
Tara





iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2008
Mon, 12-22-2008 - 8:21pm
I didn't have paper big enough either. But, I did have some old wrapping paper, on the roll. It was from years ago, and I didn't like the pattern. So, I turned it over and drew on the white part.