Tag: family

Low-Cost Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Is your budget a little tight this Valentine’s Day? Do not worry. Celebrating Valentine’s Day does not have to cost a lot of money. Using a little creativity, a Valentine’s Day celebration can cost almost nothing.

Low-Cost Ideas to Celebrate With the One You Love

Fancy dinners and roses are lovely for Valentine’s Day. But often the costs do not fit into your budget. Using a little creativity, your Valentine’s Day can be just as great without the expense.

  • Movie and Popcorn: Cuddle under a comfy blanket while eating popcorn and watching a good movie. Spending some quality time together is a great way to enjoy Valentine’s Day.
  • Have a Picnic: Pack a picnic basket and head outdoors. The trip does not have to be far. Go to your local park. If the weather is too cold for an outdoor picnic, set one up in your living room.
  • Make a Homemade Valentine: Grab some construction paper and start creating a one of a kind Valentine for the one you love.
  • Create a Photo Book: Print some of your favorite photos and create a photo album. Write notes on why the images are important to you. Tell the story behind each photo. Add quotes or poetry.
  • Make a Special Meal: Make your significant other’s favorite meal. Or cook a meal together to enjoy as a couple.
  • Eat Dessert: If you are not in the habit of making a dessert, find something special to prepare. For example, make brownies and use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut our Valentine’s Day treats.
  • Be a Tourist in Your Hometown: When was the last time you went to your local art gallery or museum? Being a hometown tourist is an exciting way to spend Valentine’s Day. Generally, the cost of admission is low. In many cases, local attractions will host Valentine’s Day events with special discounts.
  • Go Hiking: Unplug and hit the trails. Spend an afternoon hiking on your favorite trail or find a new one to explore. Do not forget your dog. Hiking is a great Valentine’s Day treat for your four-legged companion.
  • Go for a Walk: If hiking is too much for you, go for a walk. Stroll around your block. Grab your camera, head outdoors, and go for a nature walk. Enjoy your time together.
  • Make Valentine’s Day a Family Night: Valentine’s Day does not need to be just about couples. Host a family fun night. Play board games. Watch a favorite family movie.

Make Valentine’s Day special for you. Whether you go out as a couple or relax at home with your family, spend quality time together.

January: Sunday Supper Month

Did you know January is National Sunday Supper Month? Is spending more quality time part of your New Year’s resolutions? Combining the two is the perfect way to start off the new year.

Getting the Most Out of your Sunday Suppers

January 2020 has four Sundays. Each one is an excellent time to gather your family together. And, yes, National Sunday Suppers Month can be a group of friends enjoying each other’s company.

Plan Ahead, Make a Meal

Start by planning a meal. Remember, Sunday Suppers is a great way to try a new recipe or make a special dessert.

  • Make your favorite meal
  • Make the entire meal together as a family
  • Let your kids pick the meal
  • Gather friends for a pot-luck style meal

Order In

Didn’t have time to go to the supermarket? Do not worry.  Pull those menus out of the drawer and pick a meal for supper. Yes, pizza does count. Remember your trying to encourage family time.

Go Out to Eat

When was the last time your family went out to eat at a restaurant?

  • Go to your favorite restaurant
  • Be a tourist in your hometown and try a new cafe, eatery, or restaurant
  • Let the kids pick the place to eat

From a crockpot full of homemade bean soup to the restaurant of your choice, enjoy National Sunday Suppers Month. Spend quality time with your loved ones. Who knows, staring Sunday Suppers in January may result in a new tradition for the rest of 2020.

Family Night: New Year’s Eve

Are you staying home with your family on New Year’s Eve? Use the evening for quality time, host a family night. An impromptu family fun night will turn your New Year’s Eve into a lasting memory.

Ideas for Your New Year’s Eve Family Night

Not only does this New Year’s Eve ring in a new year, but it also brings a new decade. Celebrating with your family is a perfect way to usher in the new year.

Food

Party food is essential but does not need to be elaborate.

    • Pizza: Order pizza. Or make homemade pizzas to fit everyone’s exact tastes.
    • Finger Food: Make finger sandwiches. Even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into fours is an excellent treat for New Year’s Eve.
    • Sweets: Bake cookies or brownies.
    • Celebration Cake: Make a 2020 cake. The cake does not need to be fancy. A simple cake with white frosting and 2020 in writing does the trick.
    • Ice Cream: Create a sundae bar. A gallon of ice cream, different toppings, and whipped cream make a simple sundae bar for the entire family to enjoy.

Drinks

Serve different family drinks for the evening activities. Of course, water should always be on the menu. But consider sparkling cider or punch for a midnight toast. Homemade hot cocoa is another delicious idea to add to the celebration.

Activities

Plan different activities leading up to midnight.

  • Games: Play board or card games. Sitting together and talking is great for quality family time.
  • Do Crafts: Make paper crowns or hats for the New Year’s Eve celebration. Create themed decorations or art.
  • Movies: Binge-watch your favorite movie or series until midnight.
  • Scavenger Hunt: Hide clues throughout your home to lead to a final treasure.

Making Memories

The best part about spending New Year’s Eve at home is making lasting memories.

  • Photo Booth: Create a photo area. Use a blanket, sheet, shower curtain, or large piece of material for a backdrop. Place different props out. The accessories can be homemade. Make a point to take pictures every hour leading up to midnight.
  • Time Capsule: Create a time capsule. Ask your family or friends questions. For example, what do you want to do when you grow up? The question is simple. But when opening the time capsule, you may find the answer amusing or inspiring.
  • Make Memory Cards: Index cards work well for this type of activity. Ask each of your family members to write out favorite moments in 2019. You may need to help younger children. Encourage drawing. Each card is a perfect addition to a scrapbook or photo album.

Regardless of how you celebrate, enjoy the evening with your family. You only get to ring in 2020 once in your lifetime.

What Are Christmas Crackers?

A British tradition,  Christmas crackers are traceable back to Victorian times. Tom Smith, a confectioner, began adding romantic poems to his bonbons. He would twist the wrapping around the sugary treat with the poem inside. Generally, only men would buy the almond-flavored bonbons to give to women as a romantic gesture.

Sitting by a crackling fire one night, Tom Smith came up with the idea to add the snap sound to the bonbon treats. Eventually, the bonbon name was set aside for the Christmas cracker or Cosaques. The novelty of the Christmas cracker was successful.

The Christmas crackers are colorfully decorated tubes filled with small items. Typically the cracker contains a paper hat, a joke or motto, and a small gift. The jokes inside the crackers are usually ridiculous.

When pulling on the cracker, generally two people tug at each end, a little snap occurs. The fun novelty item is perfect for any holiday celebration.

Homemade Christmas Crackers

Yes, you can make your own Christmas crackers.

  • Use paper tubes.
  • Fill inside with goodies. (When you make your own, you can fill the tubes with age-appropriate items. For example, for adults, you could add one dollar lottery tickets or miniature bottles of alcohol. For teenagers, consider adding lip balms, USBs, or small usable items.)
  • Wrap with tissue paper, cloth, or wrapping paper.
  • Secure the ends with string
  • Decorate with individual names or other items

Did You Know?

In the U.K. on December 20, 2001, the children, staff, and parents at Ley Hill School and Pre-School, Chesham presented the world’s largest Christmas cracker. The cracker measured 207 feet long and 13 feet around. Now, that was a Christmas cracker with a loud bang.

Many design Christmas crackers to promote a business. Using company themed items, the Christmas crackers are given away with logos or other designs on the small trinkets inside.

Millionaire Christmas crackers contain expensive jewelry. The specially made bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are given at fancy parties as extravagant gifts.

Whether you make your own or buy Christmas crackers, add them to your holiday party list. Enjoy the party favors at your next gathering.

 

 

 

Reference: The History of Christmas Crackers. https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/crackers.shtml

 

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Start a New Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give thanks for everything in your life. Gathering friends and family for a bountiful meal is a long-standing holiday tradition. Are you looking for a new tradition to go beyond gathering around the dinner table? Consider the following ideas:

  • Donate one or two turkeys and all the fixings for a family in need
  • Volunteer at a homeless shelter or other community organization
  • Donate groceries or money to your local food bank
  • Invite your elderly neighbor over for Thanksgiving dinner
  • Unplug for social media. (Yes, wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, but then put your device on vibrate.)
  • Bake (or order) an extra pie for your neighbor, dog groomer, hairstylist, postal worker, child’s teacher, bus driver, etc.
  • Stay in your pajamas, eat a buffet-style breakfast, and watch the Thanksgiving parade together
  • Make homemade Thanksgiving decorations, placemats, and name tags
  • Set up a craft area to occupy children while you are preparing the meal.
  • Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving 
  • Binge-watch your favorite series
  • Host a Friendsgiving
  • If the weather allows, get aside as a family, go for a walk, go for a nature hike, or play touch football.
  • Play cards or board games
  • Participate in a Turkey Trot
  • Go on a trip
  • Take a group photo
  • Write your Thanksgiving blessings on leaf-shaped notecards and hang on a tree. Or collect them to save in your scrapbook

Spending time together is the best tradition. Enjoy each other’s company during the downtime of the busy holiday.

 

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Staycation Ideas for the Holiday Weekend

What is a staycation? The term refers to staying at home or close to home during vacation time. The Labor Day weekend generally provides three days off without school or work commitments. The time can be spent on the road heading toward a travel destination. Or you and your loved ones may participate in staycation activities. Spending a leisure weekend with your family may turn into a lasting memory.

25 Staycation Ideas for Labor Day Weekend

  1. Host a family BBQ
  2. Go hiking
  3. Visit a local landmark
  4. Attend a community event
  5. Go on a picnic
  6. Visit a dog park
  7. Volunteer
  8. Go swimming
  9. Read a book
  10. Eat ice cream
  11. Make banana splits
  12. Go for a walk
  13. Go stargazing
  14. Go miniature golfing
  15. Visit older family members
  16. Go to a farmer’s market
  17. Visit a petting zoo or farm
  18. Relax in a hammock
  19. Host a bonfire
  20. Visit an art gallery or museum
  21. Host a craft day
  22. Go for a bike ride
  23. Go on a local tour
  24. Visit mom and pop style restaurants or businesses
  25. Have a movie or game night

 

50 Summer Photo Ideas Checklist

School’s out, summer is in full swing, time to make some lasting memories. Go outdoors, enjoy the summer sun, explore, and discover the world around you. As you are heading out, grab your camera or use your phone to capture life’s simplest pleasures.

Take a moment to snap a picture of your family or friends. Set up poses and have fun. Silly photos make great scrapbook additions.

50 Photo Ideas for Memorable Summer 

Do you need some inspiration on when to take a photo? Consider the following checklist.

  1. Having a picnic
  2. Eating a Sno Cone
  3. On a nature trail
  4. Holding sparklers (safely)
  5. At a petting zoon
  6. In front of the library
  7. Laying in a hammock
  8. Standing in the water at the lake
  9. Eating ice cream
  10. In front of a flower garden
  11. Wearing silly sunglasses (check out your local dollar store)
  12. On a boat
  13. In a strawberry patch
  14. Building a sandcastle
  15. Playing in the sprinkler
  16. At a parade
  17. At a farmer’s market
  18. Laying in the sand
  19. Wearing red, white, and blue for the 4th of July (Do not hesitate to go overboard)
  20. In front of a historical landmark
  21. On swing sets
  22. At a splash park (pose under the falling water)
  23. Eating watermelon
  24. Sitting around a bonfire
  25. Eating S’mores
  26. On a slide at the park
  27. In a tent
  28. Posing on a park bench
  29. Wearing beach attire
  30. Holding hands at sunset
  31. Drinking summer slushies
  32. At an art museum
  33. On family movie night
  34. Relaxing under a big shade tree
  35. Listening to music at a local concert in the park
  36. Swimming a pool (use beach balls, floaties, or other pool-related items as props)
  37. Making/showing off summer bracelets
  38. Standing on rocks
  39. At an amusement park
  40. Floating on inner tubes
  41. Inside a blanket fort on a rainy day
  42. At a BBQ
  43. Painting and hiding rocks around town
  44. Lounging in lawn chairs
  45. Laying on matching or themed beach towels
  46. Drinking lemonade
  47. Playing beach volleyball
  48. In the middle of your sidewalk chalk art creation
  49. Putt putt golfing
  50. A group selfie (do this one multiple times throughout the summer months)

Just remember, when you are out having fun, follow all rules for public areas. Safety should always be your first priority.

Low Cost (or Free) Activities for Family Summer Fun

The school year is finally winding down. Warmer weather is the perfect time to engage in family activities. Do you need ideas for summer family fun for both sunny and rainy days? Check out the following list.

Rainy Day Activity Ideas

Rainy days do not need to be boring. Checking the weather ahead of time will help you plan for your rainy day fun.

  • Family Movie Night: Pick a movie, make pizza, or make popcorn.
  • Board Game Night: Video games are fun. But for a night, unplug from technology and host a board game night. Make snacks, make root beer floats, and enjoy each others’ conversation as you play games.
  • Go to Your Local Library: Check out the latest summer books, movies or other media. Most libraries host summer reading clubs or other events. Participating in a group is the perfect way to meet new friends while learning.
  • Craft Day: Check out Pinterest for summer craft ideas. Many craft supplies may be found at your local dollar store. Picking up a wide variety of craft items is a low-cost alternative for a rainy day.
  • Summer Journal: Summers go by fast. Set aside time to write. Even a local stop can easily turn into a page in your scrapbook. Jot down information about the place. Add pictures, stickers, and other memorabilia to your summer scrapbook. On a rainy day, relax and relieve the memory.
  • Summer Bucket List: Create a summer bucket list. Write down all the activities for you and family to enjoy over the warmer months.

Outdoor Activities 

Unplugging from your electrical devices may be necessary to recharge. Keep in mind; switching your mobile device is advisable. You may never know when an emergency may arise.

  • Nature Walk: Go for a nature walk. Look for summer birds, flowers blooming, and other wildlife. Take pictures. Just simply enjoy the sights and sounds of being outdoors.
  • Go Hiking: State and national parks have hiking trails available for the beginner to the expert hiker. Many trails are pet-friendly. Your dog will enjoy the change of scenery.
  • Go Geocaching: Geocaching is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors.
  • Host a BBQ: Invite friends or extended family members to a BBQ.
  • Bonfire Night: Sitting around a bonfire is a great way to spend a summer evening. Make s’mores. Look at the stars. Chase fireflies.
  • Go Dog Walking: Walking your dog is a perfect exercise for both of you. If you do not have a dog of your own, many local dog rescues or shelters need volunteers to walk adoptable dogs. Who knows maybe you will find your new best friend.
  • Local Tourist: Be a hometown tourist for a day. When was the last time, you visited your local museum, art gallery, or other tourist sites?
  • Go to the Splash Park:  Splash parks or splash pads are a great activity to beat the summer heat. Pack a lunch and enjoy an afternoon outdoors.
  • Attend a Free Outdoor Concert/Movie Night: Many communities host numerous community events in the summer. Make an outdoor concert or a movie in the park part of your weekend fun.

Summertime activities can easily turn into long-lasting memories for your family or friends. Enjoy your time together.

 

Journal Prompts for June

Are you keeping a journal? Or do you want to start writing in a journal on a daily basis? Journals are a great activity. Record your memories or daily events. Looking back on journal entries are a way to learn and understand yourself.

June Journal Prompts

  1. What are your summer plans?
  2. What are you grateful for on this day?
  3. What new activities would you like to try this summer? As a family or by yourself?
  4. Describe your family’s day? Or your day? Did the day go as planned?
  5. What can you do to help the environment?
  6. What are your personal goals for June?
  7. If you could do anything this summer, where would you go? Or what activity would you like to try?
  8. Interview your children or grandchildren?
  9. List 5 things to accomplish this upcoming week? List 5 things to accomplish this month. What steps do you need to take to finish your list?
  10. If you could interview anyone in the world, who would you pick? Why is this person so special to you?
  11. Write about your family’s history.
  12. What challenges did you overcome in the last six months? Last year?
  13. Married? Write about your first date with your partner. Single? Write about your ideal date.
  14. Flag Day in the U.S. What does the flag mean to you?
  15. What are your pet peeves?
  16. Father’s Day in the U.S. Write your favorite memory with your father or father figure.
  17. What is your favorite song? Why?
  18. How do you like to relax with your family or friends? When was the last time you participated in this activity?
  19. What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Why?
  20. What is your favorite book? Why?
  21. Summer official begins. What is your favorite childhood memory of summer? Why is this memory important to you?
  22. What is your favorite memory of the beach? Swimming pool? Why is this memory so important to you?
  23. Describe your life 5 years ago.
  24. Where would you like to be in the next year? Next five years? How can you make these goals a reality?
  25. Who is your current role model? Why?
  26. Describe in detail your dream home or summer vacation home.
  27. If you could spend an entire day alone, doing only what you want, what would you do? Why?
  28. What is your favorite summer movie? Why?
  29. What are your current feelings or mood?
  30. June marks the halfway point for the year. What are you looking forward to in the next six months? What activities would you like to accomplish?

Writing in a journal every day is a fulfilling personal activity. The journal does not need to be anything fancy. Pick up a spiral notebook or composition book to record your thoughts. Do not limit yourself to just words. Draw pictures, add memorabilia or photos, personalize your journal each day.