St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas! Get Your Green On!

Any reason to celebrate & make memories, right?! What other day of the year do you get to drink green beer? Check out these St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas!

Share In The Luck Of The Irish! St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas!

Need some St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas? Look no further for your inspiration – these Party Ideas will have you finding your pot of gold in no time!

St. Patrick’s Day is a great excuse to party with the people you love. More and more people are throwing St. Patrick’s Day parties to bring good luck for the year with family and friends!

You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. People from all countries and background enjoy dressing up, going to parades, and enjoying a day of partying with their families and friends.

There are a lot of St. Patrick’s Day party ideas to choose from when hosting your own. Displaying rainbows, dressing up, and finding that pot of gold — the possibilities are endless.

But, to make things easier for you, we have a few fun ways to celebrate one of the happiest days the year:

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7 Ideas For Hosting A Theme Party!
PLUS Free Printable Party Planner List!

Tune In To Irish Music

When it comes to music, Irish music gets your heart going. Grab your partner and dance until your heart’s content!

Prepare your dance playlist or head over to some dancing feasts! Whether you choose to head to Minneapolis to see their lineup of Celtic Dancers and musicians who will be partying for two days, or Raleigh, North Carolina to experience the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival where live bands will play at the Shamrock ’n Roll event, you can enjoy St. Patrick’s Day parties near and far.

If you don’t want to travel, invite friends and family over and turn up the volume!

Start With Irish Coffee

Irish Coffee is one of the tastiest and most festive cocktails to prepare, especially on St. Patrick’s Day! Treat your guests to Irish Coffee to kick things off!

Preparing an Irish coffee is easy, gather the following ingredients:

Hot water
Light brown sugar (or brown sugar if you prefer it more)
Irish whiskey
Brewed coffee
Whipped cream for topping
Chocolate shavings for garnishing

To prepare your very own Irish Coffee:

Fill two mugs with hot water and let them sit for about two minutes.
Pour out the water and add 1 tsp light brown sugar to each mug.
Add the hot brewed coffee and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Mix in some Irish whiskey, to taste, pace yourself, though.
Top your coffee with a thick layer of cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

Don’t Forget The Games

One of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is by playing games with your family and friends.

Here are some fun relay/group type games you can easily set up and play.

Get All The Lucky Charms

Beat the clock and get all of the Lucky Charms from one bottle to another in just one minute.

If someone is able to beat the clock, they win. If not, move to the next player until someone wins.

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Each team would have to find as many green items of clothing as they can. But here’s the twist: They have to put them in a bucket in style – froggy-style.

Each player must hop like a frog when placing the item in the bucket on the other side of the room. Once they reach the bucket and place the item in the bucket, they must hop back, before their teammate can go.

The team with the most green items in the bucket after five minutes wins the game.

Bring The Pot Of Gold

Draw a small square and place a pot inside the square. Each player must stand outside the square and attempt to bounce plastic gold coins inside the pot.

The winner is the first player to get 3 coins in the box

Feeling Lucky

Each player must take a spoon, place a Lucky Charm in it, and race to his or her team member on the other side of the room.

Once he or she reaches the other person, they need to transfer the Lucky Charm from one player’s spoon to the teammates spoon. The other team member would then need to rush to the other side of the room and place the Lucky Charm in their designated bowl.

The team with the most number of Lucky Charms in a minute wins the game.

Style It Up

A party is not a full party without decorations!

Sync your house or room in theme with the party by dressing up the walls and the tables with St. Patrick’s Day designs.

You can either make the decor yourself or if you want to save some time, you can also buy them ready made.

St. Patrick’s Day Lucky Irish Green Shamrock and Leprechauns Party Decorations

Be Happy And Get Lucky: St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas

Decorative Pillow Covers

St. Patrick’s Day Burlap Banners with Felt Shamrock Garland

Plan A Scavenger Hunt

Test everyone’s luck this year and set up a scavenger hunt with your guests!

Make it St. Patrick’s Day themed! Add items that are related to the day – like a green napkin, a printed sign or paper with Happy St. Patrick’s Day on it, a four leaf clover (real or fake), a green beer – let you imagination run wild! (When we were youth pastors we did these all the time and gave huge point values to the harder things to come by… like – and I kid you not – Road Kill…. they got 10,000 points for that and 100 for a can run over by a car…) Use your imagination!

Watch A Holiday-Inspired Movie Or Parade

Enjoy your favorite treats and sip your holiday-inspired drinks while watching a good movie or enjoying a parade.

There are a lot of Irish movies that you can enjoy!

Dress Up

Making sure your St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas come together, remember no party is complete without the appropriate attire. Green is obviously the color of the day: But, why not make it a costume party?

St. Patricks Day 11-Pieces Costume

St. Patrick's Day Accessory Saint Patricks Party Favors

St. Patrick’s Day Decorations Set Irish Headband

St. Patrick’s Day Party Favors

You Might Also Like This: Spring Break Ideas That Don’t Break The Bank!

St. Patrick’s Day is another day for you and your family and friends to have a day full of fun and make lasting memories. Whatever your St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas are, make sure that everyone goes home with a smile on their faces and luck on their side.

10 Ways To Prepare NOW Financially For The Holidays!

by Dian 1 Comment

**10 Things You Can Do To Prepare NOW Financially for The Holidays So You Don’t Feel The Pinch At The End Of The Year**

Have you thought about how you can prepare now financially for the holidays, no matter how close or far off they are?

People often talk about how suffocating the holidays can be financially at the end of the year. It’s the time of the year when you’re looking back at all the holiday events you booked and the get-togethers you spent with family and friends last Christmas and New Year and you’re wondering whether you can bear the months of eating Ramen so you can pay for all the expenses you incurred only to turn around and do it all again. These 10 Ways To Prepare NOW Financially For The Holidays will help!

Holidays cost money, many times much more money than we can actually afford. But, it’s never a good idea to get into serious debt for any holiday.

Don’t let yourself get too down in the dumps about it, though, because there are ways of keeping yourself from feeling the holiday pinch at the end of the year!

Set Your Own Rules

You don’t have to do the things that other people are doing during the holidays. Change things up and focus on having memorable, enjoyable experiences rather than giving extravagant gifts.

Your goal is to thrive and be happy during the holidays, to make memories and enjoy the people you love. The goal is not to see how much debt you can get in year after year buying gifts you really can’t afford.

A few months before the holidays, create your own gift list. Decide how much you want and can spend on each person. Or keep a list of what you would like to purchase for each person on your list and throughout the year as you run across these things and they are a good deal and you have the finances to do it, then do it. Remember Mom having presents hiding away in a closet all year? That’s how she did it… if it worked for Mom… 🙂

If you have children, you should prioritize them first.
When you have an extended family, instead of giving them gifts one by one, suggest a Secret Santa instead.
If you don’t have a lot to spend on gifts, give the gift of time. Take your parents out to dinner or spend time watching a movie at home with them You know they really only want to spend time with you, right? They don’t really want anything but you). Babysit your nieces and nephews so your siblings can have a night out without having to pay for a sitter.

Open A Holiday Savings Account

It’s easier to save up for your holiday budget by setting up a separate savings account.

Open a second savings account with your bank or if they allow you, you can create a sub-savings account on your online banking for your holiday purchases.

Creating a separate savings account allows you to automate your savings contributions, so, it’s easier for you to meet your holiday budget.

Capital One 360 has a free online account. No fees, at all, and you can set it up online in minutes and have a card sent to you in a few days.

Place A Hold On Luxury Spending

Do you really need to buy that new bag or pair of shoes?

Is it necessary to grab a coffee from Starbucks? Maybe cut back once or twice a week and put your coffee money in your new account. I, personally, buy Starbucks bagged coffee for home and they come with Starbucks Rewards that add up to money I can have on my Starbucks card and spend for coffees at the store.

Look at the discretionary expenses in your budget. Shift those funds to your holiday budget instead. Again, you’ll be happy when the time comes that you took the time to prepare now financially for the holidays.

You can cut down the money you’re spending on dining out, entertainment, clothing, and other extras. You can save a few hundred to thousands of dollars and you’ll be surprised at the money you’ll have in time for the holidays.

Fly Strategically

Are you flying home for the holidays?

Instead of booking your flights on the weekends, book your flights on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday!

According to FareCompare, these days are the cheapest days to fly.

You should also consider flying late night or very early in the morning. Since most travelers don’t want to fly past their bedtime or at the crack of dawn, flights during these times are cheaper than those during normal business hours. Just keep in mind as you plan these things, that at the end of the year it will be worth it when you’re not stressed about the cost because you took the time to prepare now financially for the holidays.

Host Potlucks

Hosting a holiday dinner can put a hole to your pocket. It can add up quickly on your grocery bill. Keep the food costs low by encouraging your friends to have a holiday potluck dinner.

Ask your family members or friends to bring their favorite dishes, desserts, pastries, and drinks. You can also have a themed dinner party and prepare food and drinks that best fit your theme.

You Might Also Like: 7 Ideas For Hosting A Theme Party! PLUS Free Printable Party Planner List!

By hosting a holiday potluck, you are not only saving more money, but, you’re also encouraging your loved ones to share what they love.

You might also like: How To Recover Financially From The Holidays!

Use Your Credit Card Rewards

Review the rewards from your credit card and store rewards. You can pay for your gifts by using your points or redeem your points for gift cards and other merchandise.

If you have a credit card with grocery rewards, you can use it to buy gift cards at the grocery store.

You can also consider getting a balance transfer credit card with a zero percent introductory APR in January, if you have a good credit. You can pay your debt with zero interest for a period of time.

Organize A Exchange Gift Event

When you buy something for everyone you know, you’ll easily overspend! Buying for everyone spreads your resources thin and your credit card debt thick.

Instead of giving gifts to everyone, arrange a exchange gift event with your family and friends. Draw a name out of a box and buy a gift for that person.

Organizing a gift exchange event allows you to give a more thoughtful gift for that person. It also reduces the amount you spend on gifts. Plus, it’s exciting to wait for your own gift from your own Secret Santa!

Shop Online

Before you go to the mall to purchase your gifts, check out online shops first.

Look at the prices online and see if making an online purchase can save you more time and money.

A lot of online stores have free shipping and provide online-only discounts. It also lets you save money on gas and time spent driving to and from the store.

Buy Early

Set a goal to finish shopping at least two to three weeks before the holidays arrive.

Wrapping your gifts as soon as you buy them limits you from being tempted to add a little extra after.

Shopping earlier keeps your spending under control. It also makes your holidays more relaxing and enjoyable too.

Start A Side Gig

If you’re strapped for cash, try and start a side gig to earn extra cash.

You can help people tidy up their homes before the holidays. Market your service helping people to get organized. You can also offer to babysit for parents while they shop. You can also help busy parents who don’t have time to shop and run errands for them. It’s not hard to think a little outside the box to help you prepare now financially for the holidays. You’ll be happy you did!

You might also like: 12 Ways To Make Extra Money On The Side!

The holidays are the most wonderful, yet, the most expensive time of the year. Making some simple, but, important changes to your habits will ensure that you can enjoy your Christmas and New Year without feeling the holiday pinch at the end of the year.

What are your tips to prepare financially for the holidays?

How To Recover Financially From The Holidays!

by Dian Leave a Comment

Overspent This Holiday Season? How To Recover Financially From The Holidays!

Did you just pile up a ton of holiday debt? Paying off debt can be daunting. However with a great budget planner & these tips you'll be out of debt in no time.

With the holidays behind us, you might notice that your wallet is thinner than it usually is or you have a pile of holiday debt. The holidays are a wonderful time with family and friends and sometimes we just get caught up in holiday overspending. But, overspending can put a huge hole in your finances for months to come. Some people overspend during the holidays and don’t truly recover until they get their tax refund. Or they spend months paying off debt from the holidays.

The post-holiday financial stress is something that you can either run away from or you can face head-on. Dealing with the aftermath of the holidays as well as your poor financial decisions can be stressful, difficult, and time-consuming. However, if you deal with it sooner, rather than later, you can make an immediate recovery.

The sooner you work on paying off the holiday financial aftermath, whether it’s a small or not-so-small pile of debt, the less damage it will do to your finances.

Here is a step-by-step approach on how you can recover financially from the happiest, yet, most expensive time of the year.

Assess Your Current Financial Situation

Before you make any move, it’s important to examine your entire financial situation first. This includes your monthly budget, as well as your short and long-term financial goals.

Make a list of how much you spent over the holidays, all your debts, their due dates, minimum and maximum payment amounts, interest rates, and the timeframe in which you would like to clear your debt. Include how much money you have in your savings accounts and how many credit cards you are using.

Create A Plan And Stick To It

Creating an action plan is another obstacle. Despite the fact that creating a budget is one of the easiest and fastest ways to track your finances, the majority of people in the United States just don’t do it.

If you are looking to dig out of the hole that the holidays made to your finances, the first thing you should do is to create a budget that outlines your monthly finances. Having a budget planner will not only help you manage your money, but, it also helps you figure out how much you can afford to repay your debt every month.

Check this out: 6 Ways To Start A Successful Budget Plan! With FREE Printables and/or Spreadsheet!

Creating a budget does not need to be complicated! You need to make a list of your recurring expenses, including any one-time bills. Compare your total expenses to the amount of money that you take home every month. If you find that your budget is completely maxed out, then you’ll need to spend less on other items to free up some cash to pay your debt.

Select A Payment Strategy That Works For You And The Family

Consider paying off the credit cars that have the highest interest rates first and work your way down the list. Always pay on time and pay more than the minimum payment, if at all possible.

Cut Some Expenses

Remember your monthly budget? If it does not give you enough room for your savings, you need to think about cutting down some expenses to pay your debt. You may slash a couple of smaller expenses or reduce the major expense in your transportation, housing or food.

How will you choose which expenses to cut to pay off your debt quickly? It really depends on your lifestyle. If giving up your weekend entertainment, morning coffee or sandwiches for lunch will result in misery (and eventually, retail therapy), you might consider downsizing your apartment instead. Or if you live in a spacious home or have a car to go to work, you may cut back on leisure and store-bought lunches.

The key here is to free up more cash from your budget to pay off your debt. Eventually, once you paid all your debt, you can use the extra money to add to your emergency funds.

Get A Side Hustle

If you don’t have enough wiggle room on your budget or you want to immediately pay your debt, getting a side hustle is a great solution to end your debt problem.

If you are willing to work on a second job, you will get extra money to pay off your bills. Believe it or not, out of 44 Million Americans who have a side gig, more than one-third of them are bringing home at least $500 a month!

You might like this: 12 Ways To Make Extra Money On The Side!

Return What You Don’t Want Or Need

You might have plenty of holiday gifts that are just sitting around — these include gifts that you don’t want or need.

If you still have the receipts, return them. You may either get cash in exchange or if you can get store credits.

Sell Them

Maybe you received a lot of things during the holiday season — even if you already have them or you don’t know where to use them. You may sell some of it, either online or by holding a garage sale.

The extra cash that you get from selling that tablet can pay down your mountain of debt.

Check Out This Article: 10 Yard Sale Hacks That Everyone Needs to Know!

Stop Spending Frivolously

It may sound simple, but, stopping any frivolous spending can help a lot. Take a financial diet and try not to spend money on other non-essential items until you pay off all the extra debt you incurred during the holidays.

Cut back on your daily expenses by doing your own nails instead of going to the salon. Carpool to work to save on gas. You can also take your lunch to work or make your coffee at home.

Take advantage of free leisure activities. Instead of buying a movie ticket or going out for dinner, go to the park or visit a free museum or art exhibit. You might also organize a potluck dinner with your friends.

Together with these changes, you may save a total of $5,000 savings in a year.

Proactively Save For Your Holiday Shopping This Year

It is never too early to start saving for the upcoming holiday season. Start a holiday shopping budget and set aside money for it. If you put at least $100 every month, you will have more than $1000 you can put on gifts or travel.

No one wants to start the new year in debt. By following these guides, you will have a cleaner and better 2019.

Holiday Gift Guide 2018!

by Kaye Leave a Comment

2018 Holiday Gift Guide

The holiday season is upon us again and that means gift buying and giving! We hope this 2018 Holiday Gift Guide will help you take the difficulty out of deciding what to purchase for your friends and family. Every year we try and provide you with ideas and jumping off points with our Holiday Gift guide and this year we think it’s the best one, yet!

If there are a lot of people on your list (like mine), you can go blank when trying to decide what to get everyone. You want to make sure it’s perfect for them.

We have broken down the list to make it easier to zone in on the person you’re shopping for, we hope this helps! Here’s our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for all ages, relationships, and budgets.

Gifts For Mom

1. Cuisinart 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker What Mom wouldn’t love this?

2. 12-Piece Cookware Set If your Mom is a foodie, this is a perfect gift!

3. 3-Way 2-in-1 Shower Head Give your Mom the gift that pampers her all year long!

4. Cuisinart 12-Inch Skillet And Glass Lid Another great Foodie Mom gift!

5. Hot Waxing Kit Save Mom all those expensive trips to the salon with this thoughtful gift!

6. Naipo 2-in-1 Foot And Back Massager The perfect gift for Mothers who are tired after a long list of household chores or a day at work!

Gifts For Dad

1. Adidas Duffel Bag Perfect for Dads who love hitting the gym or going out on weekend fishing trips!

2. Stanley Classic Vacuum Thermos Dads who love camping out, or those that drive long hours will love this thermos to keep their drinks hot or cold!

3. Grooming Kit 12-Piece Set Give your Dad the gift that pampers him all year long!

4. Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Leather Wallet 2-Pack Dad can always use a new wallet!

5. Kenneth Cole Laptop Backpack Update Dad’s style with this stylish and functional laptop backpack.

Gifts For The Kids

1. Adventure Force Tactical Strike Quantum Motorized Team Competition Ball Blaster Perfect for all the active kids in the house who love endless battles!

2. Adventure Force Commandfire With this fun toy, your child can put their aim and strategy skills to the test.

3. American Plastic Toys Recycling Truck Teach your kid the value of reducing, reusing, and recycling while having fun with this gigantic recycling truck.

4. American Plastic Toy Police Cycle Your little aspiring police officer will be able to chase down any suspicious character on the American Plastic Toys Police Cycle Riding Toy.

5. Toy Folding Slide This is the perfect companion for a sandbox or other play area!

6. Calico Critters Town Series Grand Department Store Gift Set Your child will have a blast showing this off the next time friends come to visit and play.

7. Aquabeads Deluxe Studio This set comes with a ton of templates plus jewel and solid beads in 24 brilliant colors, so you and the kids can create different animals, food, and other fun designs!

8. American Plastic My Very Own Nursery What child doesn’t need their very own nursery for their baby dolls?

9. American Plastic Toy Sweet Petite Trike The perfect gift for the speed demon in your life.

10. Pie Face Showdown Grab a can of whipped cream and get ready for a pie showdown with a game that’ll make the whole family laugh.

Gifts For The Home

1. AuCuTee Fan White Noise Machine The perfect gift for someone who is having trouble falling asleep, is easily awakened at night, or under stress from school or work.

2. ShedRain UnbelievaBrella™ Reversible Stick Umbrella This is the perfect solution to keep the dry while getting in and out of their car!

3. 7-Pack Bath Towels For a college student, newlywed, or someone who just moved, this is a great gift!

4. Himalayan Salt Lamp This lamp works perfectly for a soft bedside lamp to create an elegant romantic mood, or a stylish addition to your office desk, or in a child’s room as a gentle night light.

5. Ralph Lauren Blanket A perfect gift for someone who loves cuddling up with a good book or movie.

Gifts For The Music Lover

1. Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Any music lover will love this compact Bluetooth speaker they can take anywhere.

2. Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker Boasting an impressive 24-hour battery life, this Bluetooth Speaker is the perfect gift for any music lover!

3. OontZ BudZ 2 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones These headphones provide all-day comfort, are sweat-proof, and water resistant, for your friend or family member who enjoys listening to music while participating in sports, or going to the gym.

4. Fire TV Stick With Alexa Voice Remote + Echo Dot Who would not love this ultimate set? Never miss another show even if you are away from home!

5. Sony Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth Get things going with some extra fun and bass for the music-lover in your life.

Gifts For The Foodie

1. Black+Decker Coffee Maker The perfect gift for coffee lovers or those who cannot live a day without a cup of Joe!

2. George Foreman Electric Grill & Panini Press This is the perfect gift for your family or friend who loves grilling and making delicious sandwiches and steaks. My kids took these to college with them and loved them.

3. Mickey Mouse 2-Slice Toaster Add a pop of color to your foodie friend’s kitchen with this iconic toaster.

4. Crock-Pot 6-Qt Slow Cooker This is convenient for travel, potlucks, family gatherings, and parties! Makes a perfect gift for your foodie friend or family, too!

5. Cuisinart Blender/Food Processor This perfect little kitchen helper is a smart gift for everyday home cooks and chefs extraordinaire!

Did we miss anything? let us know if there is something you’re looking for, we’d be glad to help you find it!

14 Non-Candy Halloween Treats! Best Alternatives For Halloween Candy!

by Dian Leave a Comment

Looking for Non-Candy Alternatives to hand out this Halloween. We've got you covered with these 14 Non-Candy Alternatives to Halloween Candy!

14 Best Alternatives For Halloween Candy!

Halloween is just around the corner. If you’re looking for ideas other than candy to hand out this year, then this list of 14 Non- candy Halloween Treats is what you want!

As your kids head out to trick or treat, your neighbors will no doubt be handing out an unlimited supply of candy.

If you can ration it, that candy can last for months, they can also cause your kids’ teeth to rot (as my parents would tell me! lol)!

When thinking about handing out candy for Halloween in years gone by not many neighbors thought about allergies kids may have, or that perhaps they can’t have sugar. I know they didn’t give us anything but candy growing up when we went trick or treating.

That is why you might think about giving away other treats instead of candy to your trick or treaters.

Here are 14 alternative non-candy Halloween treat ideas that your children and other kids will be sure to enjoy!

Bubbles

Pick up some Halloween-themed bottles of bubbles or grab some plain white bottles and decorate them with yourself with fun stickers.

Glow Sticks

Glow sticks would be awesome and they can use them while they trick or treat. They will not only help them to stay visible, but they are also fun to be used as necklaces or bracelets too.

Stickers

Who doesn’t love stickers? These can be used to decorate notebooks, mugs, tumblers, walls, and toys! And if you’re my grandchildren – the kitchen floor… 👀

Stampers

Stampers are lots of fun for the kids. Throw in some non-Halloween stampers, too, and the trick or treaters can use them any time of the year. They’ll love taking them to school and sharing them with friends.

Monster Tattoos

Kids love temporary tattoos! They are colorful, fun, and safe for use.

Popcorn

Microwavable popcorn packages are great for those Halloween movie marathons. They are small and won’t take up too much space in their Halloween loot bags! You can also decorate them with stickers or stamps.

Pencils

Pencils are simple treats but they will surely come in handy, especially during school!

Snack Bags

A lot of stores are selling prepackaged fruit snacks, pretzels, Goldfish, and cookies or if you can’t find them, you can make these snack bags on your own.

Spooky Accessories

Give away some spooky accessories like plastic spider rings, fake vampire teeth or glow-in-the-dark sticky eyes.

Mini Play-Doh

Kids will love this! You can make your own homemade Play-Doh and place them in mini containers or buy a bundle from Amazon.

Silly Straws

These Silly Straws will definitely be a hit!

Stress Balls

These stress balls are mini balls with unique designs that the kids will be amused by!

Finger Puppets

Adorable toys that kids will love. You can choose from Halloween-themed designs or you can also find non-Halloween themed ones.

Pocket Change

If you are in need of a last-minute treat or your non-candy treats were a hit and you don’t have any left, turn to your change jar. Kids will be delighted to have some extra money to add to their piggy banks!

Trick or treat doesn’t mean you just need to give away candy! There are a lot more fun treats that kids will enjoy.

What non-candy treats do you plan to give away to this year’s trick or treaters?

FREE $10 To Spend At Zulily!

by Kaye Leave a Comment

FREE $10 To Spend At Zulily!

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Gift Wrapping Ideas: 9 Creative Ways To Wrap Any Gift!

by Dian Leave a Comment

We all have gift lists and people to buy for each year. There are birthdays, anniversary’s, graduations, births, showers, and of course the holidays, but really the list is endless. But, have you thought about some creative, unique, and fun ways to wrap gifts? I have been given gifts that are too pretty to unwrap! I am hoping this list of 9 Gift Wrapping Ideas will spark your creativity and give you some great ideas for wrapping gifts!

Gift Wrapping Ideas: 9 Creative Ways To Wrap Any Gift!

After spending days hunting for the perfect gift, then you need to spend time wrapping the gift you carefully and lovingly shopped for.

Why is it important to wrap a gift? If you have given a gift to someone, you know the anticipation you have waiting to see them open it, but, that can be the icing on the cake when you first see how much they love the look of your uniquely wrapped gift. It just adds a layer of “I care” to the gift.

I love seeing the unique and creative gift wrapping ideas my family and friends come up with, I am not that person, so this list is for me, as well!

If you are looking for unique and creative gift wrapping ideas, here’s a list of ideas for wrapping any gift for any occasion.

Plaid Patterns

Mix and match the tartan prints in fun and festive colors to give your gifts a stylish and colorful statement. So simple, solid color paper and festive ribbon!

What You Need:

Paper Gift Packets

Image via CountryLiving

Let go of your typical gift wrapping style and change it up:

Cut different shapes from scrap paper
Layer two pieces of Kraft paper together and draw your chosen shapes on the top
Sandwich your gift between the two shapes
Stitch with a contrasting thread or a colorful Washi tape.

What You Need:

Tape It Up

Washi tapes are super fun and easy ways to add prints, colors, and designs to your gifts. Dress up Kraft paper with Washi tapes by alternating vertical and horizontal strips or alternate different designs.

What You Need:

Cut Out Silhouettes

White wrapping or butcher paper is a perfect backdrop for a cut-out silhouette.

Print and cut out any shapes
Then trace them onto newsprint or construction paper
Cut your shapes out
Tape the shapes on top of your gift
Finish it off with a twine.

What You Need:

Stamp It

Are you tired of the usual gift wrapping prints? Make your own by stamping your paper. You can even create your own personalized stamp. Maybe it’s the recipients initials, or a special memory or fun joke between you and the recipient. The ideas are endless.

Create a patterned wrap with simple materials
Dip your rubber stamp in a colored ink pad
Stamp it onto your gift.

What You Need:

Functional

If you want a gift that is functional and economical at the same time, use a shirt and a brooch.

Wrap the gift with a shirt
Finish it off with a pendant or brooch

With this idea they get three thoughtful gifts in one.

What You Need:

Shirt
Brooch

Perfect Model

Personalize your gift to its finest. Attach a photo of the recipient to the package with washi tape. This is a great way to wrap kid’s gifts, it makes it easy for them to find the gifts that are meant for them!

What You Need:

Back In Time

Let them remember the most important day of your lives. Wrap your gift with a sheet from an old calendar and encircle the significant date. This is not only super cute and sentimental — it is also very cost effective!

What You Need:

Old calendar
Washi tape

Krafty

Turn your unwrapped gifts into an interactive activity for the kids. Tape some crayons on to the box top with white Kraft paper or stick a toy on top of the gift to entertain the little one before the time to begin opening gifts arrives.

What You Need:

We hope you enjoy and employ these gift wrapping ideas. You don’t need to overspend buy the most expensive wrapping supplies. Giving a gift your own personal touch will not only make your recipient happy — it will also let them know that you put a lot of care and thought into their gift.

Don’t forget you’ll need a good and organized way to store your gift wrapping supplies. Check out these ideas <—

Which of these 9 gift wrapping ideas is your favorite? Do you have any to share? Leave yours in the comments below!

Save Now, Spend Later: How To Plan For The Holidays In July!

by Dian Leave a Comment

Save Now, Spend Later: How To Plan For The Holidays In July!

This post was sponsored by Axiom Bank.

Summer is the perfect time for beach trips, barbecues and … budgeting for the holidays? While Christmas and Hanukkah may seem far off, planning and saving now can take the pressure off your wallet in the months to come.

Here, we’re sharing our top tips for doing just that:

Start with a number in mind. Make a list of everyone you’ll buy for this year, from loved ones and friends to teachers and mail carriers. Allocate a dollar amount for each and add it up — that’s the total amount you need to save this summer and fall. If it’s more than you want to spend, trim your gift-giving budget or aim to save more each month.

Track your saving. It’s more fun to save when you’re working toward a concrete goal. Axiom Bank’s mobile app, AxiomGO, features a built-in budgeting tool, My $ Manager, that allows you to set savings targets and visually track your progress. You’ll be less tempted to splurge when you have a clear sense of where your money is going. Every time you pack a lunch rather than eating out, you’ll see the payoff in your account balance — and feel more motivated to continue your savings streak.

Make time work in your favor. Don’t wait until Black Friday to take inventory of your recipients’ wish lists. Start now, so you can comparison shop and watch for price drops. Sites like Dealnews.com and Buy.com offer discount roundups, and MyBargainBuddy.com lists free shipping policies and coupon codes for online stores. Planning ahead makes you less prone to overspending at the last minute.

Give from the heart. The best gift isn’t necessarily the most expensive one — it’s a personal one tailored to your loved ones’ interests. A homemade present or treasured heirloom might be just the ticket to making them feel special. And some of your friends and family may appreciate the gift of quality time rather than a physical object. Cliché or not, it’s the thought that counts.

Axiom Bank, N.A., a nationally chartered community bank headquartered in Central Florida, provides retail banking services, including checking, savings, money market and CD accounts, as well as commercial banking, treasury management services and commercial loans for both real estate and business purposes.

AAFES Holiday Gift Guide Is Ready!

by Razel Leave a Comment

AAFES Holiday Gift Guide Is Ready!

The Black Friday deals lists are beginning to leak and you can check those out <— here. In the meantime, the holiday gift guides for most of the retailers are already out!

We’ll be sharing them as they come out so you can keep up!

Here is AAFES Holiday Gift Guide:

Check Out All Of The Current Black Friday Deals!

Be sure to get organized! Download the Black Friday Shopping List Organizer – FREE

Meijer Electronics Gift Guide Is Ready!

by Razel Leave a Comment

Meijer Electronics Gift Guide Is Ready!

The Black Friday deals lists are beginning to leak and you can check those out <— here. In the meantime, the holiday gift guides for most of the retailers are already out!

We’ll be sharing them as they come out so you can keep up!

Here is Meijer Electronics Holiday Gift Guide:

Check Out All Of The Current Black Friday Deals!

Be sure to get organized! Download the Black Friday Shopping List Organizer – FREE

Share In The Luck Of The Irish! St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas!

You Might Also Like: 7 Ideas For Hosting A Theme Party!PLUS Free Printable Party Planner List!

Tune In To Irish Music

Start With Irish Coffee

Don’t Forget The Games

Get All The Lucky Charms

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Bring The Pot Of Gold

Feeling Lucky

Style It Up

Plan A Scavenger Hunt

Watch A Holiday-Inspired Movie Or Parade

Dress Up

You Might Also Like This: Spring Break Ideas That Don’t Break The Bank!

10 Things You Can Do To Prepare NOW Financially for The Holidays So You Don’t Feel The Pinch At The End Of The Year

Set Your Own Rules

Open A Holiday Savings Account

Place A Hold On Luxury Spending

Fly Strategically

Host Potlucks

Use Your Credit Card Rewards

Organize A Exchange Gift Event

Shop Online

Buy Early

Start A Side Gig

Overspent This Holiday Season? How To Recover Financially From The Holidays!

Assess Your Current Financial Situation

Create A Plan And Stick To It

Select A Payment Strategy That Works For You And The Family

Cut Some Expenses

Get A Side Hustle

Return What You Don’t Want Or Need

Sell Them

Stop Spending Frivolously

Proactively Save For Your Holiday Shopping This Year

2018 Holiday Gift Guide

Gifts For Mom

Gifts For Dad

Gifts For The Kids

Gifts For The Home

Gifts For The Music Lover

Gifts For The Foodie

14 Best Alternatives For Halloween Candy!

Pocket Change

FREE $10 To Spend At Zulily!

Dark Oatmeal Elbow Patch Open Cardigan

Ivory & Blush Floral Crisscross-Accent Three-Quarter Sleeve Top

Dark Plum Crewneck Sweatshirt Tunic

Anthracite & Black Sequin-Accent V-Neck Top

Here’s how to do the deal:

Gift Wrapping Ideas: 9 Creative Ways To Wrap Any Gift!

Plaid Patterns

Paper Gift Packets

Tape It Up

Cut Out Silhouettes

Stamp It

Functional

Perfect Model

Back In Time

Krafty

Save Now, Spend Later: How To Plan For The Holidays In July!

AAFES Holiday Gift Guide Is Ready!

Meijer Electronics Gift Guide Is Ready!

You Might Also Like:
7 Ideas For Hosting A Theme Party!
PLUS Free Printable Party Planner List!

**10 Things You Can Do To Prepare NOW Financially for The Holidays So You Don’t Feel The Pinch At The End Of The Year**