Sparkling Grape Juice Gift Idea

Welch's sells "limited edition" bottles of sparkling grape juice every year.  I packaged up red plastic champagne glasses and Ghirardelli chocolates and gave them as gifts with a bottle of Red or White Grape Juice.

2010 "Celebration Themed" Bottles:

• Gingerbread Man/Red Grape Juice
• Snowman/White Grape Juice

Click here to see what they look like (and print a coupon):  Welch's link


I will tell you that my kids weren't crazy about the taste, but the website also has delicious sounding punch recipes that you could attach, too.

These were cute, easy and inexpensive!

(I found them at Target.)

What did the grape do when it got stepped on?

It let out a little wine!

Kitchen Utensil Gift Idea

Remember Mad magazine?  It's also a TV show and they had a sketch that helped me cook up this idea.  This gift would be fun for anyone who is a fan of The Bachelor.

*********************************************************************

A Kitchen Utensil Christmas presents...

THE "SPATULAR"

After a sizzling season, it had all come down to the Spatular's final bacon ceremony.

The long, lean Spatular looked at the curvy mixing spoon and said, "You really stir things up, but you're a lot to handle and I was kind of hoping for silicone..."

He turned to the other utensil and said, "Eliza, you're great and all, but I'm not sure you'll be able to take the heat!"

The Spatular looked at one and then the other, "I know I keep flipping back and forth, but I want to make the right decision.  I don't want to leave here with egg on my face!"

He finally made his choice when he turned to Eliza, "It's gonna get hot, but My Fair Ladle, will you please accept this bacon?"

The answer poured right out of her, "Yes, oh yes!"

The Spatular and His Fair Ladle lived happily ever after...

all tangled up in the kitchen drawer.

The End

From our kitchen to yours...

We "whisk" you a Merry Christmas!

(Give one or all of the mentioned kitchen utensils!  Note:  I used stick-on google eyes and tape.  This way the decorations peel right off and after they've been washed, everything is completely usable.)


17 Unique Kitchen Decorating Ideas: Get Inspired With These Great Looks!
You can check it out here: http://topreveal.com/kitchen-decor-ideas

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Quiz

Happy Thanksgiving!

Can you answer these trivia questions about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade?

1)  What year did the very first Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade occur?

      a)  1920

      b)  1924

      c)  1927

      d)  1930

2)  What year did balloons replace the animals from Central Park Zoo?

      a)  1924

      b)  1927

      c)  1930

      d)  1934

3)  Who was the first cartoon character to be made into a balloon?

      a)  Mickey Mouse

      b)  Popeye

      c)  Felix the Cat

      d)  Uncle Sam

4)  What was the only balloon made into the likeness of a living person?

      a)  Marilyn Monroe

      b)  Charlie Chaplin

      c)  John Wayne

      d)  Eddie Cantor

5)  What balloon has appeared in the most Macy's parades?

      a)  Snoopy

      b)  Superman

      c)  Ronald McDonald

      d)  Mr. Potato Head

6)  What year was the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade first televised in New York?

      a)  1945

      b)  1947

      c)  1950

      d)  1952

7)  Two brand new balloons were introduced in 2010.  One was from "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", what movie is the other character from?

      a)  Toy Story

      b)  The Muppets

      c)  Kung Fu Panda

      d)  Pokemon

8)  What current balloon has made the most consecutive appearances?

      a)  Kermit the Frog

      b)  Bugs Bunny  

      c)  Barney 

      d)  Garfield

9)  What was the first female balloon character in parade history?

      a)  Minnie Mouse

      b)  Betty Boop

      c)  Olive Oyl

      d)  Dora the Explorer

10)  Who was the first video game character to be turned into a balloon?

      a)  Super Mario

      b)  Sonic the Hedgehog

      c)  Mega Man

      d)  Lara Croft

Scroll down for the answers:

  1)  1924 (originally the Macy's Christmas Parade)

  2)  Balloons were introduced in 1927.

  3)  Felix the Cat (first cartoon character balloon)

  4)  Eddie Cantor (search images for this one!)

  5)  Snoopy (most appearances)

  6)  1945 (nationally televised in 1947)

  7)  Kung Fu Panda (Po)

  8)  Garfield (most consecutive appearances)

  9)  Olive Oyl (first female balloon character)

10)  Sonic the Hedgehog (first video game character balloon)

Enjoy the parade!

     

     

Pilgrim Hat Favors/Table Decorations

These are easy and cute!

The "pilgrim hats" can be used as table decorations and/or guest favors.

Simply take a small clay pot and wrap black electrical tape around the rim.  Use a hot glue gun to attach a washer and you're done!

Fill your pilgrim hats with foliage or nuts/candy and send one home with each guest!

Famous TV Quotes Game

What TV show are these famous quotes from?

(1950's - 1980's)

1)  "I see nothing.  I know nothing."

2)  "Who loves ya, baby?"

3)  "It's the big one, Elizabeth.  I'm coming to join you!"

4)  "Up your nose with a rubber hose!"

5)  "Missed it by THAT much!"

6)  "One of these day, POW, right in the kisser!"

7)  "Just the facts, Ma'am."

8)  "Oh, there's just one more thing..."

9)  "This tape will self-destruct in five seconds."

10)  "Let's be careful out there."

11)  "I pity the fool..."

12)  "God will get you for that, Walter!"

How did you do?  Scroll down for the answers...

1)  "I see nothing.  I know nothing."  (Hogan's Heroes)

2)  "Who loves ya, baby?"  (Kojak)

3)  "It's the big one, Elizabeth.  I'm coming to join you!"  (Sanford & Son)

4)  "Up your nose with a rubber hose!"  (Welcome Back, Kotter)

5)  "Missed it by THAT much!"  (Get Smart!)

6)  "One of these day, POW, right in the kisser!"  (The Honeymooners)

7)  "Just the facts, Ma'am."  (Dragnet)

8)  "Oh, there's just one more thing..."  (Columbo)

9)  "This tape will self-destruct in five seconds."  (Mission Impossible)

10)  "Let's be careful out there."  (Hill Street Blues)

11)  "I pity the fool..."  (The A-Team)

12)  "God will get you for that, Walter!"  (Maude)

Did you have a "can't miss it" show that you watched when you were young?

I was a Friday night fan of The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family and when I could get away with it...the racy Love American Style!

Borax "Crystal" Ornaments

Making "crystal" ornaments from Borax is fun for all ages!

Note:  This is inexpensive, too.  The box shown was $2.99 at Target and is found in the laundry section.

Bend white pipe cleaners into shapes.  We used dental floss to hang them (but you can use any type of string or thread).

In a large bowl, add three tablespoons of Borax for every one cup of boiling water.  Stir until dissolved.  You will need enough water to completely submerge your ornament, so make sure you keep your 3:1 Borax to water ratio as you add more.  Hang the ornaments from a pencil or ruler and submerge them in the solution.  It is best if they don't touch the sides/bottom of the bowl.  It doesn't take long for the crystals to start forming, but we generally leave them overnight.

Try other shapes, too...

This is fun!

Layered Bath Salt Gift Idea

Another fun and easy gift idea: 

 Layered Bath Salts!

I've attempted bath salts before and wasn't pleased with the color.  Now I know that there are liquid colorants for this purpose in the soap making aisle at Michaels, etc.  For the best results, use these instead of food coloring!

I made peppermint scented, candy cane inspired bath salts.  My son experimented with every color combination that can be made from blue, red and yellow!

The basic bath salt recipe makes one cup...

    For the tinted portion, combine:

• 1/2 cup of Epsom Salts
• 2+ drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
• 2+ drops of liquid colorant
• 2+ drops of Glycerin (found in the drug store section of Walmart, etc.)

    For the untinted portion, combine:

• 1/2 cup of Epsom Salts
• 2+ drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
• 2+ drops of Glycerin

Mix the ingredients in separate bowls until everything is evenly distributed.  Layer alternating colors until the jar is completely filled (we used approximately two tablespoons per stripe in our Kerr 8-ounce jelly jars).  Note:  You could use any clean jar with a lid and adjust the recipe accordingly.

This was a fun and easy project (and a nice gift idea)...

Happy Soaking!

We "Swish" You a Merry Christmas Gift Idea!

I used to work in a dentist's office (they are not kidding about flossing by the way), so one year I gave all of the guys mouthwash with a note saying,

We "Swish" You a Merry Christmas!

There is even a Christmas tree shaped mouthwash out there this year!

(Dorky?  Yes.  Useful?  YES!  It is mistletoe season, right?)

Note:  For younger kids/teens/nieces/nephews, you could give them a fun toothbrush/toothpaste combo...there are musical toothbrushes that play different tunes (which my kids really liked).  We recently found a light up/flashing toothbrush that looked fun, too.  Look in the toothbrush/toothpaste aisle sometime, you'll be surprised at the options! 

I have teeth on my mind, because son #2 got his braces off today...after three long years!

(Note:  This was quite a process for him because as the orthodontist put it, "His upper and lower jaws don't match.  He is like Frankenstein's monster, where his upper jaw came from one cadaver and his lower jaw came from a different cadaver."  Ewww!)

I've been to the dentist several times...so I know the drill!

You'd like my dentist, she is very in touch with her fillings!

Anyway, I do "SWISH" you an early 
Merry Christmas!

 

Santa's List Girlfriend Gift Idea

Here is another inexpensive girlfriend gift idea...

Buy a small notepad with a nice pen,

"He's making a list and checking it twice..."

I bought red gift bags at the dollar store, and used my scrapbook supplies to create Santa's belt.


What do reindeer say before they tell Santa a joke?
        This will sleigh you!

How do Santa and Mrs. Claus get around?
        On an icicle built for two!

Are your Christmas decorations up yet?

Mine are!

Merry Chris-Moose Girlfriend Gift Idea

Christmas is approaching, so I'm going to share one of my past "girlfriend" gift ideas.  We keep these presents in the $5 - $10 range.

(In general, I try to give things that can be eaten up or used up.)

One year, I decided on a "moose" theme.  I bought Harry & David Moose Munch and Olay Body Mousse (it is like lotion).  I wrapped it using a brown grocery bag (use clear packaging tape to seal it).  Then I cut out antlers and circles/ovals for the eyes/nose (or you could simply draw the face on).

It turned out to be kind of 'homely cute'
if you know what I mean...

Do you remember the Rocky and Bullwinkle?

Rocky:  Wow, Bullwinkle, you must weigh 1200 pounds!

Bullwinkle:  Yup, and it's all mooscle!

Do you have any inexpensive, but cute gift ideas to share?

Easy Cryptogram Treasure Hunt

This is a very simple treasure hunt to create.  There are many cryptogram generators on the web, but this is one that I like:

http://kidzone.ws/puzzles/cryptogram

• Type in the hiding place of your treasure under "Build your own cryptogram".
• Click "Create"
• Click "Solution included in code table but blanks are not filled in" (this option is the easist to solve)
• Click "Build Cryptogram"

Here is an example of one that I created...

CRYPTOGRAM

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z
2	11	22	8	10	13	19	7	6	3	12	4	5	26	15	24	20	14	9	1	18	25	21	17	16	23

__	__	__	__		__	__		__	__	__		__	__	__	__	__	__	__
4	15	15	12		6	26		1	7	10		5	2	6	4	11	15	17

Answer:  "Look in the mailbox"
(The prize was hidden there.)



This one is sooooooo easy, that you can use it for things that you'd be giving them anyway.

For example, the "treasure" could simply be a note that says:

"We're going to McDonalds!"

(or DisneyWorld) :-)

(Note:  At Easter, I cut up my phrase and placed the puzzle pieces inside plastic eggs.  First they had to find the eggs, then work together to solve the puzzle.)

This is an easy way to make something ordinary a little more fun...try it and let me know what you think!

Games | Treasure Hunt