Valentine Gift Ideas for Kids
January 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Kids love any occasion where they get presents. Valentine’s Day is no different. Let them know about the meaning of this particular day through the gifts that you give to them. Here are a few ideas for Valentine’s Day gifts for kids.
Kids usually don’t get to spend nearly enough time with mom and dad. When both parents are busy, precious family time can be lost. More than one child in the house reduces that time even further. Kids like one-on-one time with parents so that they can feel special.
This Valentine’s Day, award them with that special time. Clear your schedule for the entire day so that nothing will interrupt the bonding time. When planning a special day like this, don’t forget to consider what your child would like to do, even if it is something that you are not particularly interested in. As a parent, you get to be the one trying a new thing this time. Spend the day at the arcade playing video games, fishing, reading, or whatever else your child enjoys doing, so long as you are doing it together.
Take them to the store for a new outfit. They may want a new pair of pants, shoes, or a dress. At Christmas we give them clothes that they need, but on Valentine’s Day they can get something that they want. No matter how outrageous it seems, let them be in control of their wardrobe for one day.
Not only to kids like to receive gifts, but they also like to participate in gift giving. They can give fun, quirky valentines to the other children in their class. Let them know that these valentines are not about romantic love but friendships. Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love for one another which includes more than romantic love. Parent-to-child and friend-to-friend relationships are also important to highlight on this day.
Kids are thrilled about any occasion that they get to celebrate something. Teach them about showing love on Valentine’s Day through the gifts that you give.
Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Husband
January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Valentine’s Day is an occasion for people to show their love for one another. For husbands and wives, it is a time to go above and beyond for the person that we have pledged to love as long as we live. Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day gifts that your husband is sure to love.
The first rule of gift giving is to give a gift that the receiver will cherish. Erroneously, we often choose a gift that we would like to receive and give it to someone else. We shouldn’t wonder why they are less than head over heels about the gift. On Valentine’s Day this rule is very important since the name of the game is demonstrating our love for another.
With that said, let’s move on to the special man in your life. All romantic gifts do not need to be serious in nature. Men are most surprised by humorous gifts. Why not send him a pantygram! He’ll laugh when he opens the gift and finds a pair of panties that are obviously not meant for him to wear. Give it to him in the morning before work so that he’ll be distracted by what is to come later on that evening.
What activities does your husband enjoy? It may be golf, basketball, fishing, reading, or one of a hundred other things. Don’t be afraid to get him the latest book by his favorite author or a new set of fishing lures. Boxes of chocolate and roses may be what women would like to recieve, but not their husbands. Sure, it’s a nice thought, but a pair of tickets to the basketball game or a weekend trip to his favorite golf course would really show him that you put some thought into his gift.
Husband and wives become so busy at times that they miss out on time spent together. Sometimes, the most precious gift you can give is not something that you can buy. Make up your own coupon book for your husband this Valentine’s Day.
Use a theme for the coupon book such as time, romance or sports. A suggestion for a coupon would be something like, “This coupon is good for three hours of free time on Saturday.” Sure, Saturdays are supposed to be relaxing days, yet we often request the hubby to repair everything that has been broken all week on Saturdays! These coupons give him what he most wants — time alone.
Let him know all day long how much you care with heart messages. Heart messages are written on pink, red or white paper hearts and left in places where he is sure to find them. Stuff one in the pocket of the jacket he will wear that day. Slip another in his shoe, briefcase or his lunch bag. The messages should express something about him that you love and appreciate.
Valentine’s Day gifts should be an expression of your love for your husband. Think of something that he wants and present it to him in the most creative way that you can.
Easy Steps for Grocery Savings - Show #21
January 18, 2008 | 14 Comments
My guest this week is Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom and she shares some more tips for saving money at the grocery store. Crystal walks us through the bare bones of menu planning and discusses how she has managed to shop for a week’s worth of groceries for only $35.
After you understand the basics of menu planning, then Crystal recommends creating your meal plan based on the grocery store sales but also committing to yourself that you will no longer be an impulse buyer. Travel with your list in hand to the store and stick with it!
Listen in for more tips and if you just can’t get enough, find more tips in Crystal’s popular ebook, Supermarket Savings 101 .
Other resources mentioned on the show: All Recipes, Pinching Your Pennies
Edited to add:
Listen to Part Two with Crystal about Coupon Strategies and CVS Shopping:
http://momsloveshopping.com/smart-coupon-strategies-show-22/
Chele at Frugal WAHM’s Talk Radio
January 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This morning I was invited to be a guest at the Frugal WAHM’s Talk Radio Show. The topic, of course was shopping and being frugal! I must tell you, I had a great time chatting with with show hosts Angie, Dianne and Maiken.
Here’s the direct link to the archived show:
Frugal WAHM’s Talk Radio Show #9
The show was filled with plenty of good tips and tons of laughter. Because the show is live, you never know what the next question will be or how one of the other three will respond. If you missed the show, an archive is available. I encourage you to listen to the show for a “pick me up” if you are still feeling the December Doldrums about being a frugal shopper. 
Fun on the Ark
January 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
As you may remember, I recently helped Annette Yen of Fun on the Ark run a contest to donate stuffable critters to children in the Hospice program.
Annette donates her critters to these children to help them work thru their grief. You can read some of the great stories that are being reported back to Annette about the success of Critters Who Care.
Soon after Christmas, my children received their own critters from Fun on the Ark . Now, most 13 year old boys would probably consider an activity such as this with his mom and little brothers “uncool”. The two little ones sleep with their new critters and my oldest says he’s keeping it to remember our Christmas together this year (he currently lives two states away with his father during the school year).
So, I say to you… if my children enjoyed these critters and treasured them to this extent, can you imagine what these animals mean to a child that Annette donates animals to for grief therapy?
How can you help? I’m so glad you asked. You can find more information and get in touch with Annette to sponsor Critters Who Care.
On the other hand, if you know of a child that would benefit from this type of therapy, you can contact Annette to recommend children in need of stuffed animals.
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