100+ cheap Christmas stocking stufferrs, non-candy Trick-or-Treat prizes

Halloween and Christmas are top-grossing holidays and that's largely down to indulgent parents. But overindulgence doesn't lead to happy kids--if you give too lavishly, expect greedy, demanding children. If you load those children up on holiday candy, you have sugar-crazed, spoiled brats.  How about some practical inexpensive gift-giving ideas for Christmas stocking stuffers or Halloween giveaways that are sugarfree. Keep the holidays simpler and more special with these cheap, non-candy gifts and prizes.  Halloween alternatives: 100+ non-food, non-candy Trick-or-Treat prizes, giveways

Toddler birthday party do's and don'ts: Preschool party activities for toddlers

A toddler birthday party-or any party for kids--can go either way -- great fun for all or completer disasters. Many a toddler birthday party fails because it doesn't provide age-appropriate preschool party activities for toddlers. That toddler birthday party will end in crabby out-of-control children and stressed, grouchy parents. Here are do's and don'ts on preschool party activities for kids. Do's and don'ts for toddler birthday party cover party planning, age-appropriate party activities for toddlers, crafts, games and child-friendly food ideas.   Toddler birthday party do's and don'ts: Preschool party activities for toddlers | Examiner.com

Fathers Day gifts for dads under $50: Budget gifts for men, guys gifts under $50

Back in the day, Fathers Day gifts for dads were ties, after shave or an ashtray you made in art class. Well, times have changed and so, mercifully, has the understanding of appropriate gifts for dads. It's important too, that as costs rise, folks demand better value for their gift-giving dollar. Here are budget gifts for men under $50.   Fathers Day gifts for dads under $50: Budget gifts for men, guys gifts under $50

Mothers Day gifts for mom: Best presents come in acts of love, not boxes

 Mother's Day gifts for mom are a no-brainer right? Just get flowers (but she's allergic and they die in a few days), candy (but she's on a diet) and a card (which costs $5 and gets tossed). How about some better Mothers Day gifts for mom? These gift ideas range in price--some cost nothing and all reflect lots of love.



Start by remembering that your mom starts your Christmas shopping in July, gets in fights at the mall to procure the shoes you wanted in just the right color, and went to 15 different stores to find the video game you had to have. So give some thought and energy to Mothers Day gift ideas for this very special lady, huh?  Mothers Day gifts for mom: Best presents come in acts of love, not boxes | Examiner.com

Bridal shower mimosa bar: Budget DIY mimosa champagne cocktail bar for parties

Looking to host a bridal shower with class? Why not serve a bridal shower mimosa bar. The mimosa is a traditional beach-themed champagne cocktail. The mimosa brunch is popular in New Orleans. Here's a guide for budget, DIY mimosa brunch bar for wedding showers. Bridal shower mimosa bar: Budget DIY mimosa champagne cocktail bar for parties | Examiner.com

Free printable all occasion greeting cards, party invitations, birthday cards

Making and sending greeting cards has been a time-honored tradition in my classroom and homeschool. We made Get Well Soon, birthday cards and holiday cards. We made our own party invitations, too. Holidays, birthdays, new baby, wedding, anniversary, sympathy, illness, congratulations, whatever the event, out came the construction paper, scissors and markers. We shunned pricey impersonal party invitations and made our own. Here are free printable all occasion greeting cards for kids to print and make. Whatever the occasion, greeting cards make people smile.  Free printable all occasion greeting cards, party invitations, birthday cards | Examiner.com

Homemade Easter baskets for girls: Budget, candy-free Easter basket fillers

I'm the original minimalist mama, always looking to do natural, sustainable, frugal, recycled. But I also love to party, especially with kids! You don't have to spend a lot to have a fun with children. You can make homemade gifts that are just as nice as store-bought. Here's are candy-free homemade Easter baskets for girls. Give these Easter basket fillers minus Easter candy and delight your daughters! Because holidays don't have to center around candy to be fun!  Homemade Easter baskets for girls: Budget, candy-free Easter basket fillers

Childhood obesity: Diet, nutrition helps kids lose weight without drugs, surgery

Childhood obesity: those are terrifying words. Most people are used to seeing obese adults. But overweight kids are more worrisome: for parents, healthcare professionals, and the nation at large. Because more children are getting fatter--not just baby fat fatter--the weight they are gaining won't come off in puberty. These overweight kids are tomorrow's morbidly obese adults. And more obesity means more healthcare costs (weight related problems account for the largest piece of insurance and health care spending). But childhood obesity is treatable with diet. Good nutrition helps kids lose weight without drugs or surgery. Did that stop you in your tracks--anti-obesity drugs and bariatric surgery for children? It should shock but consider this, drugs and surgery are the logical outcome if those overweight children can't or won't lose weight and carry that fat into adulthood.  Childhood obesity: Diet, nutrition helps kids lose weight without drugs, surgery | Examiner.com

Best Valentines Day gifts: Personal blender for power shakes, breakfast smoothie

You want to know what the best Valentine's Day gift for him or her are? Well, I can tell you what they're not and that's candy or sweets. This Valentine holiday, give a practical gift of health. Give a Magic Bullet or similar brand personal blender system. Why a personal blender? Several reasons. It helps maintain the weight I've lost--about 100 pounds. It helps me manage diet goals.   Best Valentines Day gifts: Personal blender for power shakes, breakfast smoothie | Examiner.com

Free printable romantic cards, love poems, love letters: Romance Awareness Month | Examiner.com

 Why wait till Valentine's Day to celebrate romance? August is Romance Awareness Month (it's also Read a Romance Book Month). So if your love life is a budding or in full bloom here are free printable romantic cards for your loved one. Or maybe romance has gone to seed for you. Maybe its time to plant a new relationship. Use these cards to spark the fire. These websites offer intimate, sensual cards to sent to spouses, sweethearts and lovers and are sensual or romantic. None are obscene or pornographic.  Free printable romantic cards, love poems, love letters: Romance Awareness Month | Examiner.com

Lenten almsgiving service project with social studies, math lessons

I homeschooled our children, our Catholic Lenten lesson plans centered on prayer, fasting and almsgiving, in solidarity with the poor and imitation of our Lord Jesus. A favorite Lenten service project was to help with church missions for our twin parish in Haiti. Here's a Lenten almsgiving service project. Make personal care kits and school supplies kits for those in need. Fill gallon size zippered plastic bags with hygiene products. Discuss needs. Read on  Lenten almsgiving service project with social studies, math lessons | Examiner.com

Take down the Christmas Tree Day: Give Christmas trees to birds or elephants! | Examiner.com

The 12 Days of Christmas have past. Epiphany came and went on Jan. 6, and with it should have gone your old Christmas tree. Because Jan. 5 is Twelfth Night, the final hurrah of the Christmas season. So yes, Virginia, there is a real Take Down the Christmas Tree Day (reported WBUR NPR on Jan. 5). Alas, great weeping and Bah humbugs were heard in Whoville (and across the world) as mourners bemoaned the last rites of the yule season. But now comes another dilemma--what to do with your old dead Christmas trees? Some communities collect them and dump them in the local landfill. But, as nearly half of a landfill is composed (decomposed?) of yard waste, perhaps that's not such a green idea.  Take down the Christmas Tree Day: Give Christmas trees to birds or elephants! | Examiner.com