ThriftThis article is dedicated to crafts! With the economy the way that it is (do I dare say “Recession”?) , we have had to get creative when the need arises for a present, or decorations within our homes. These are all ideas that either myself or my best friends have used in the past or recently. I was so impressed by these ideas that I wanted to share! If some of the needed materials are not common household items you can buy them inexpensively ( I would no steer you wrong).

Have a blank wall to decorate? How about post cards? You can frame them, or like one of my best friends did in her bedroom,stagger them all over the wall ( she had a lot of them). You can just tape them up or use push pins, whatever you prefer or are allowed to use. How about other collections? Do you have a large collection of anything you could hang? This could be any kind of picture. Some examples could be scenery, fairies, angels, sports. Take a look in your closet or basement. What about baskets or a beautiful, old quilt or blanket? Anything is fair game.

This is a great gift for just about anyone. You will a length of fishing line, maybe 10 inches or so, and a handful of beads. You can use any kind of bead you prefer, but make sure you have at least 2 that have small openings. Tie the beads you chose with the small openings about 2 inches in from each end, one on each end, so that they do not move. Add enough beads to fill each end of the fishing line and tie the line in a knot or around the ending beads. Now you have a creative and beautiful bookmark! My best friend has one, and it is very pretty. If you know someone who uses large book often ( like cookbooks) you could make them a few to mark their favorite recipe/pages.

A good universal gift idea is the “basket”. I use this often. You can use a basket you have on hand or that you got at the thrift store OR you could use a gift bag. In my area I can by them for $1.00. You can fill these with homemade baked goods (cookies, chocolate covered pretzels), small soaps ( I frequently get these as part of gifts and cannot use them myself so I save them), homemade body oils/lotions, homemade or inexpensive candles, a book. For men you could fill them with appropriate items that your man would like. I have done male fragranced cologns and facial products and other small, inexpensive gift ideas they liked. Check out your local dollar store for these.

I hope some of you try these ideas. Let me know what you think and please comment or email your ideas! I would love to post them!

Thanks to All!

The Domestic Goddess

Hello All!

Summer is approaching and with it comes the desire to get out and have some fun. However many people are staying home more for different reasons. One reason is lack of money. I won’t go on about that topic because we all know how the economy is today. However you can get out and have some fun and not have to spend much money. In some cases you do not have to spend money at all! Sounds nice, right! Here are some ideas that will help you get out of the house without having to spend a lot of  money.

- Visit a botanical garden. The one we visit, in Janesville, Wisconsin, is quite large, features a gorgeous pond with benches and decks,  a large koi pond, and to many varieties of flowers, trees, and shrubbery to name. I have been there many times and it is absolutely beautiful, as well as relaxing. Even my teenage son likes to go there. The cost is free. If you decide to visit a public garden bring a picnic lunch along, toss a ball or frisbee around with the family and make a day of it!

- If you decide you want to go to an amusement park this summer, many of the parks sell their admissions tickets through banks, credit unions, or local businesses for a discount. Investigate this option, it will save you alot of money. When you go bring along a picnic lunch, coolers of beverages and cold foods. When it is lunch or dinner time just go out to your vehicle. Bring along refillable water bottles to avoid the high beverage prices in the park, just refill your bottle for free.

- Check your local papers or city website for free or cheap entertainment. Our city has a water ski team that performs shows free to the public during  summer months. It is a lot of fun for the whole family.

- Living in southern Wisconsin we are surrounded by small towns. Many of these towns have parades, small festivals or carnivals during spring, summer and fall. This is an inexpensive way for the entire family to get out, mingle with people and have some fun. One family I know saves up soda cans all year and turns them in to the recycling center around mid-spring. They use this money for entertainment during the warmer months.

- Visit an apple orchard! Not only is the air fragrant with the smell of apples, it is also an educational experience for the kids, only they don’t know it! They can commune with nature, learn about the growing and processing to make apple cider and have fun doing it. It is free to get in and wander around and many of the orchards in this area have hay rides, gift shops and other entertainment. You can do a search for apple orchards in your area and see what they have to offer.

Please email your summer fun ideas and let everyone know how you and your family have fun and save money!

Thanks to All

The Domestic Goddess