Tips 4 Moms

Thursday, May 5, 2011

DIY Paper Pompom

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/kids-party-decorations#slide_9

You can go to Martha Stewart website for the tutorial. Its extremely easy to put together and I always make them for my own gatherings. Xoxo

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Layer the ingredients for homemade cocoa in a jar, add a ribbon and a tag, and you have a simple but stylish gift. This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings), but if your containers are different sizes, just keep the ratio of ingredients constant. On the back of the tag, write: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Preparation

Layer sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, salt, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.

Makes 1 quart or 12 serving hot cocoa.

Homemade Bath Salt

What You Need

2 cups Epsom salts
1 cup baking soda
Large bowl
Lavender-scented oil
2-x-4-inch scrap of white cotton fabric
Food coloring
Cookie sheet
Apothecary jar
Ribbon
Baby spoon

How to Make It

In a large bowl mix 2 cups Epsom salts and 1 cup baking soda. Dab a few drops of lavender-scented oil onto a 2-x-4-inch scrap of white cotton fabric and stir through mixture. Repeat with drops of food coloring. Continue mixing scented oil and food coloring until desired scent and color is achieved. If desired, make two colors of salts to layer in a purchased apothecary jar (available in thrift shops).
Spread salts mixture onto a cookie sheet for several hours, stirring several times. Wash and dry the jar. Spoon salts mixture into jar.
Tie a baby spoon onto jar with ribbon.
To use, dissolve several teaspoons of salts in bathwater.

Cookie mix in a jar

Cookie mix in a jar is a great gift for any occasion!!!

Here are the recipe I use for all of my cookie mix.

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chip; m&m etc
1/2 cup brown sugar

Another recipe I use

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions : Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separated bowl add 1 slightly beaten egg

1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Use the back of a large spoon to work it all together. You may even need to use your hands to get everything incorporated.

Then roll the cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, place on a parchment covered baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. I got about 26-28 cookies out of these.

To make your own. First layer ingredients and pack each level real thight or else it wont fit. If you decide to add pecans pack it last just in case they wont fit. I rather sacrifice nuts then chocolate.

To finish off decorate the lid with a piece of fabric and a ribbon.

You can change the color of the chocolate to give as a gift for Christmas, Halloween, Baby Shower, etc. Get them from your store when they are on sale right after the holiday.

DIY Hurricane Lamps

Make your own Hurricane Lamps that you can easily customize the decor based on the season.

On a quick trip to the Dollar Store you can gather all the items. You going to need.

Do you see where this is going?

First off remove all the labels and tags.

Glue the base of your candle holder looking down to make sure its centered.

Then its time to decorate.

I glued my ribbon so it wouldnt be coming off but the candles at the dollar store it so cheap that you can make a different one for each season.

Final touch decorate with rocks, glass pebbles or artificial flowers.

Its a great inexpensive gift!

5 ways to spend less on holidays!!!

Holidays and any other event in the year can be a budget breaker. I put together a list of 5 resourceful ways to spend less in the next Holiday.

Make a budget.

Be honest with yourself and write down everybody that is getting a gift and how much you have to spend. Figure out how much money you are able to spend for each person. If money is really tight, start crossing people off the list.

Buy your gift with cash.

Once again if you don't have the money to spend don't buy it. Most people get themselves in debt by trying to keep up with the Joneses. Once you run out of cash that it. No more spending. An evening gathering is not worth debtors calling!!!

Shop smart.

Search your favorite store website and check out if they have any deals before you head out there. Most store now days offer good selections at clearance prices with free shipping. Do your research on big items as well. Never settle for the first.

Be Creative

Off the list that you first created. How many of those can you make them a gift. Sometimes a homemade gift its better than an expensive store bought one. There are several gifts that you can make yourself. I always make gift baskets for my family such as: bath and body; popcorn and movie; pasta lover; etc as well gifts in a jar m&ms with the colors matching the specific holiday; kisses; cookie mix in a jar etc. Once I made my mom a calendar with picture of the family right out of my computer and she loved it. Gifts don't have to be expensive just thoughtful.

Create a Secret Santa and spend only on the kids.

My family we do it every year. We agree on a budget for our Secret Santa and splurge on the kids. In my household we are very strict about gift giving to the kids. They know they are only getting gifts 2 times a year. Christmas and Birthdays any other day of the year its only needs and not wants.