By Kathy Wilson

American flag background - shot and lit in studio

 

 

There was a day in our history when people actually spent time on Fourth of July decorations. They were homemade but sincere, and represented deep patriotism. I think that patriotism still exists today, and we can celebrate with Fourth of July decorations that are easy to put together and low cost. Here are some excellent ideas to get you started.

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  • Pick up some red, white and blue bandannas and wrap them around your existing throw pillows, then knot in the back. You can use this indoors, or on the porch or deck.
  • Use red, white and blue ribbon from the dollar shop to tie up your napkins, wrap around your door wreath or create streamers of ribbon from the back of each chair.
  • Print out American flags from the internet, and use them to cover the inside of a window. Be sure to face the flags to the outside, and fit them up edge to edge. The result is a patchwork of American flags shown from your front windows which is quite eye catching. One place to print out free flags online is http://www.printourflag.com/
  • Buy red, white and blue craft foam from the craft store. Cut them into star shapes of three different sizes. Layer the different sized shapes onto each other and glue together. Tie the stars from porch overhangs, trees and mailboxes to let your Fourth of July decorations spread patriotic cheer! The kids will love to help with this!
  • String white holiday lights through trees to create fireworks appeal! Drape them from porch rafters as well, or wrap around deck railing.
  • Cover coffee cans, boxes or other containers with patriotic paper, and use to hold utensils, napkins, or condiment bottles.

Use your imagination, and make your Fourth of July decorating the most memorable yet!

Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of free budget home decorating ideas visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com.

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Celebrate Dad this year with a gift from the heart.

Love Message left in a surfy beach

  1. Hobby Day – Does Dad have a hobby that he loves to do, but rarely has time for?  Plan a day for him to go golfing, fishing, or work in the garden.

  2. Detail the Car – Give Dad the gift of a clean car.  Do a super good job cleaning and polishing the car inside and out.

  3. Make him his favorite dinner or dessert – if the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then he will surely love you making him his favorite dishes.

  4. Scrapbook a mug – If Dad is a coffee drinker, put together a special mug filled with pictures of the family and special occasions.

  5. Do his chores – Mow the yard, weed the garden, wash the dog…whatever needs to be done.

  6. Get him books from the library – Does Dad love to read?  Go to the library and pick out books he will enjoy reading.  Give them to him in his favorite chair (or his hammock!) and promise him an uninterrupted day of reading. You can also include handmade bookmarks from the kids.

  7. Special Outing – Is there a car show he’d love to go to?  What about a sporting event?  Put aside your own desires and go do something just for him.

  8. Music – Find all his favorite songs and put together a playlist for him to enjoy.

  9. Coupon Book – This tried and true frugal idea is a great way to give gifts of the heart.  Give coupons for back rubs, car washes, romantic dinners…you get the idea!

  10. Pictures – get creative with pictures.  Frames can be bought at the dollar store, and prints can be printed locally very inexpensively.  You can also make a mini scrapbook for him to keep at work.

  11. Plan a day with a friend – Does Dad have a friend that he doesn’t get to spend much time with?  Talk with his friend’s family and plan a day for the guys to get together for a fun day.

  12. Make a garden stepping-stone with handprints just for Dad.

  13. Letters to Dad – Let each child write (or dictate to you) a special love letter telling him how much they love him.

  14. Dinner and a movie – Cook his favorite dinner, and rent his favorite movie for everyone to share together.

What fun and frugal things have you done for Father’s Day?

Party Balloons

When I think back to the birthday parties my kids have had over the years (and with 5 kids there have been plenty!), the part I’ve always enjoyed the most has been the games. There is no better way to fill your home with laughter and cheering than to get everyone involved in a game.

And since everyone loves free stuff (am I right?) I want to give you all a copy of an ebook I compiled several years ago called 72 Fun and Easy Birthday Party Games for Children. It is filled with classic, and frugal games you can play at your child’s next birthday party. I hope you enjoy it.

Oh and don’t forget to tell me in the comments what your favorite birthday party game is!

Click here to download 72 Fun and Easy Birthday Party Games for Children.

Looking for something fun and frugal to do this summer? Get out of the heat and take the kids to the movies. Movie theaters all over the country are offering free, and discounted movies all summer long. Here are some of the larger chains and what they are offering.

  • Regal Entertainment Group: Free Family Film Festival. REG theaters are showing free G and PG movies every Tuesday and Wednesday for 9 weeks during the summer. Visit their website to see what movie is playing at your local participating REG theater.
  • AMC Theaters: Summer Movie Camp. From June 17 – Aug. 5, AMC’s Summer Movie Camp is offering $1.00 movies every Wednesday morning at 10:00 am. Movie and Concession proceeds from the Summer Movie Camp are being donated to Variety – The Children’s Charity, and The Will Rogers Institute. Their concession is offering an AMC Kid’s Pack which consists of a kids’-sized drink, kids’-sized popcorn, and kids’-sized snack for $3.00.

  • Cinemark: Summer Movie Clubhouse. Cinemark is offering 10 weeks of movies during the summer months. The price for admission is $1.00, or you can purchase all 10 movies in advance for $5.00. Visit the Cinemark website for information on what’s playing at your local theater as well as show times.

  • Carmike: Carmike Stimulus Tuesday. Join Carmike Cinemas on Tuesdays and enjoy discounted concessions to help relieve the economic pressures while enjoying a movie night. They are offering Popcorn for $1.00 and drinks for $1.00
  • Clearview Cinemas: Kid’s Club. Beginning July 2, Clearview Cinemas is beginning an 8 week series of great family films. The free movies will be shown on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am, although times may vary at different theaters. Check their website for
    show times at your local theater.

  • National Amusements: Bookworm Wednesdays is every Wednesday at 10:00 am beginning July 8th for six weeks. A fun and rewarding summer reading program developed to encourage young children to read during the summer months.
    Bookworm Wednesdays entitles kids to free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas or Cinema de Lux box office. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report.

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