Entertainment
"Entertainment is temporary happiness, but the real happiness is permanent entertainment."
BIRTHDAYS:
Frugally Fun 50th Birthday Party Ideas
How to Throw a Birthday Party on a Budget
37 Fun and Fresh Adult Birthday Party Ideas - The Bash
10+ Inexpensive & Easy Birthday Party Ideas - Fabulessly Frugal
25 Frugal and Cheap Birthday Party Theme Ideas
19 Hilarious and Simple Party Games for Adults - The Spruce
Frugally Fun Kids' Birthday Party Games
40+ Places to Get Free Food on Your Birthday
100 Places That Will Give You Free Stuff on Your Birthday
24 Birthday Party Games That Won't Cost You a Dime
7 Ways to Super-Size Your Kid's Birthday Party
10 Great Ways to Save Money on Your Child's Birthday Party
HOLIDAYS/PARTIES/GATHERINGS IN GENERAL:
13 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress
8 Ways Social Media Can Reduce Holiday Spending
10 CHEAP OR FREE HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Ways To Pay Down Those Holiday Bills Quickly
Planning Party Platters for Pennies
Frugal Family Reunion Food and Fun
12 Tips for Avoiding the Holiday Debt Trap
5 Ways To Stash Some Holiday Cash
Anniversary Party Ideas That Go Beyond Cake and Punch
Fun Retirement Party Ideas for the Office
Ways To Quickly Pay Down Those Holiday Bills
21 Healthy Holiday Snacks Everyone Will Enjoy
Hosting a Festively Frugal Holiday Open House
Planning Party Platters for Pennies
Holiday tipping guide 2022: How much to tip
Sure-Fire Ways To Stick to Your Holiday Budget
4 Ways To Pay Off Holiday Debts
Inexpensive Old World Holiday Traditions
8 Frugal Family Holiday Traditions
Apps That Can Help You Save on Holiday Shopping
Sure-Fire Ways To Stick to Your Holiday Budget
Holiday Shopping Tips: How to Get a Head Start and Maximize Your Budget
10 Bible Study Snacks to Serve a Crowd
4 Ways to Pay Off Holiday Debts
100 Holiday Gift Ideas That Won’t Cost You a Penny
5 Non-Material Holiday Gift Ideas - Earth911
21 Free Things to Do During the Holidays
25 Holiday Traditions to Start This Year
The Holiday Traditions Parents Treasure Most
Things You Should Do with Your Mom During the Holidays
Get the Most from Your Holidays Without Overspending
8 Ways Social Media Can Reduce Holiday Spending
Our Holiday Budget Planner Will Help You Play Santa Without Going Broke
50 Simple Ways to Keep Holiday Spending on Budget & on Point
23 Holiday Items You Should Buy at Dollar Stores
Inexpensive Old World Holiday Traditions
Sure-Fire Ways to Stick to Your Holiday Budget
Using Holiday Habits to Save Money Year Round
Boycott Holiday Gift-Giving (and Other Less Extreme Ways We’d Curb Overspending) | HerMoney
What should you do when you cannot afford the holidays?
Cheap alternatives to gift exchange ideas
25 Holiday Items You Should Buy at a Dollar Store
8 Easy Ways to Cut the Cost of Holiday Shopping | Money Talks News
15 Ways Your Family Can Save Money This Holiday Season
TDS Library: Holiday Entertaining
70 Recipes That Use Leftover Ham
People You Should Tip for the Holidays
QUOTES:
Controlling Holiday Expenses: My oldest sister recently shared how she controls expenses for the holidays since she buys for 12 grandkids. Each child gets a toy, pajamas, and a book. That's all. Thinking of the genius behind simplifying while controlling expenses, I'm adapting this to my immediate family. My kids are grown or almost grown, so they are a bit harder to buy for than little ones. My simplified list is something electronic, something to wear, and a online store gift card. I might do the same for my husband. Teresa in MO from Dollar Stretcher tips
Holiday Grocery Shopping: Short on money for holiday baking and cooking? Try this. Make December the time that you use up all the stuff you have in your pantry and freezer. Every meal that you make that way saves money that can be used to buy holiday ingredients. It's also a great way to clean out the pantry and freezer before things go out of date or get freezer burned. Sandy from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Holiday Chic Made Easy: After Christmas 5 or 6 years ago, I purchased black washable lined velvet pants on sale. Finding an inexpensive top to go with them each year is an easy task. Classy, shiny or even glitter have gotten me through the 3 or 4 parties and concerts my husband and I attend each year. I also decided that if this type of wardrobe does not fit the party, I likely do not need to be there! Karen
Save Now on Graduation Decorations: I have a tip for those with high school or college seniors. My son was a member of the class of 2020 and I knew I would need graduation party decorations. After New Years, I went to several stores and bought "2020" New Years items at clearance prices. I found napkins, cups, plates and banners in their school colors with "2020" on them and no reference to "Happy New Year." As you can imagine, I saved tons of money. When graduation rolled around, I bought a few items with diplomas and "Happy Graduation" on them, and I was all set! Jane from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Confessions of a Thrift Store Addict: I'm addicted to thrift stores, but I don't need any more stuff in my home. Now I only allow myself to buy things that I can use as Christmas and birthday gifts for my family. Often I can find great things for their hobbies or interests for just a few dollars. It allows me to shop without spending a lot on things I don't need. And, when the holidays come, I have most of my Christmas shopping already done! Susanna
FALL/THANKSGIVING/HALLOWEEN
1) FALL
54 Fall Desserts We've Been Looking Forward To
30 Classic Fall Dessert Recipes
15 Cheap Late Fall and Winter Dates
45 Free Family Activities for Fall | Happy Humble Home
39 Easy Fall Crafts Made with Leaves
Better Homes & Gardens Special Edition: 100 Best Apple Recipes
47 Irresistible Desserts Starring Pumpkin
33 WAYS TO USE YOUR SLOW COOKER THIS FALL
60+ Pumpkin Recipes to Delight Your Family All Fall Long (They’ll Want Seconds!)
36 Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes
45 Best Pumpkin Quotes and Puns to Give You a Good Laugh
42 Beautiful Centerpiece Ideas
5 Frugal Tips for Family Fun During the Fall Season
Comforting Recipes for Fall Potluck Season
42 Easy Fall Casseroles - Best Casserole Recipes for Fall
21 Prettiest Fall Front Doors Ever
30 Fall Cookie and Bar Recipes
50 Easy Fall Appetizer Recipes - Best Ideas for Autumn Appetizers
Bring Fall Flavors to Your Dinner Table
27 Fall Bread Recipes To Bake This Year
15 Perfectly-Spiced Pumpkin Breads
Our Best Fall Harvest Decorating Ideas for Your Home
These Understated Dried Flower Arrangements Are Perfect for Fall
5 Essential Fall Fruits That Aren't Apples
25 Apple and Cinnamon Recipes That Taste Like Fall
24 Things to Add to Your Fall Bucket List
Free Printable Fall Scavenger Hunt for Kids
53 Pumpkin Recipes for Every Day of Fall
2) HALLOWEEN
Tips for a Healthier Halloween
Eat a balanced meal beforehand. Before heading out for trick-or-treating, have a balanced meal to help curb cravings and make it easier to resist overeating candy.
Stay hydrated. Sip on water before, during, and after Halloween festivities to avoid excessive snacking.
Focus on fun, not just food. Instead of centering the holiday around treats, engage in other traditions, like carving pumpkins or going on a spooky hayride.
Halloween Tricks That Treat Your Wallet Right
3 Ways To Turn Halloween Into a Giving Holiday
18 Halloween Movies on Netflix to Get You in the Spooky Spirit
10 Unique Halloween Treats That Kids Love, But Rarely Get!
Halloween Tricks that Treat your Wallet Right
9 Halloween Traditions to Start with Your Family This Year
A Good Source of Last-minute Halloween Games
The Best Halloween Movies You Can Watch on Netflix
Classic Halloween Movies That Won't Keep You Up at Night
Our Favorite Family Halloween Movies Of All Time
25 Tips to Save Money on Halloween Decorations This Year
31 Halloween Crafts You Can Make in Under an Hour
14 Halloween Decorations You Can Make at Home
Halloween Crafts
26 Halloween Treats That Come Together Fast
These Easy Appetizers Will Be a Halloween Hit
29 Scary-Good Halloween Desserts
16 Easy Halloween Cookies That Are Better Than Candy
Halloween Decor to Set a Spooky Scene
Kid-Friendly Halloween Decorations & Crafts
31 Easy DIY Halloween Crafts You Can Make in Under an Hour
16 Halloween Cookies Better Than Candy
Wickedly Fun Halloween Cupcakes
18 Easy Halloween Treats Kids Can Help Make
35 DIY Indoor Halloween Decoration Ideas That Are Cheap & Easy
25 Tips to Save Money on Halloween Decorations This Year
35 DIY Outdoor Halloween Decoration Ideas That Are Cheap & Easy
60+ Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Still Have Time to Make
Cute Costume Alert! 98 DIY Halloween Dress-Up Ideas for Kids of All Ages
Things to Do on Halloween If You're Not Trick-or-Treating
36 Free Halloween Printables and Projects
21 Budget-Friendly Halloween Crafts
32 Best Pumpkin Faces Ideas — Carved and Painted Pumpkin Faces
40 Best Superhero Costumes - DIY Superhero Halloween Costume Ideas
32 SPOOKTASTIC HALLOWEEN APPETIZERS
60+ Dog Halloween Costumes (This $10 Mask and Bandana Set Is the Easiest Costume Ever!)
17 Tips to Save Money on Cheap Halloween Candy for Trick-or-Treating
60 Best Last Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Throw Together Quickly
Have a Happy Halloween Without Scaring Your Budget | DaveRamsey.com
45 Easy Halloween Appetizers — Best Halloween Party Appetizer Recipes
53 Best Halloween Movies to Watch All October Long
39 Best Superhero Costumes You Can DIY or Buy in a Flash for Halloween
25 Best Dog and Owner Costumes for a More Pup-Friendly Halloween
65 Easy Halloween Costumes for Women
23 DIY Book Character Costumes for Halloween
26 Best Tween Halloween Costumes You Can Make Together
45 DIY Teen Halloween Costumes to Rock This Fall
28 Ways to Save on Cheap Halloween Costumes for Kids & Adults
QUOTES:
A Spooktacular Halloween Make-Up Trick: Try this if you want that green skin color for your Halloween costume. Add a couple of drops of green food coloring to a light shade of base make-up and mix them together. Apply it to any exposed skin. You'll make a realistic witch, vampire, or alien! Aimee from Dollar Stretcher Tips
3) THANKSGIVING
QUOTE:
Thanksgiving Leftover Plan: With Thanksgiving around the corner, I thought I would share what we do with leftovers. When we have potatoes, turkey, stuffing and veggies left over, we simply buy piecrusts. Unfold one sheet. Using only half of the full circle of dough, put your combination of turkey and leftovers in the middle and along the sides. Take the other empty half and fold over. Pinch the edges and you have a crescent shaped turkey pot pie. We simply freeze them on cookie sheets, and when frozen, we place them in a resealable bag. We can have Thanksgiving throughout the year simply by opening a can of gravy and baking our little pot pie. Makes short work of any leftovers and it's marvelous! Betty in NJ from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Let's Talk Turkey: Choosing the Best Bird for Your Holiday Budget
Clark: Try Hard To Avoid Flying on These Days for Thanksgiving and Christmas
10 Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers Under 420 Calories
Being Thankful for Having Less
Tips for Keeping Leftovers Delicious and Safe
How Long Leftovers Are Good For | Keep Leftovers
Easy Thanksgiving Breakfast Recipes
20 Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes
Last-Minute Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
106 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That'll Steal the Show
8 Thanksgiving Traditions to Pick Up This Year
8 Thanksgiving Traditions to Make This Year Extra Special
7 Easy Ways to Teach Kids Gratitude This Thanksgiving
13 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes
60 Thanksgiving Table Settings - Thanksgiving Tablescapes & Decoration Ideas
Fun and Festive Thanksgiving Activities
41 Funny Thanksgiving Quotes to Keep the Family Laughing
Free printable resources for Thanksgiving.
15 Unique Thanksgiving Tradition Ideas Your Family Will Adore
33 Fun Thanksgiving Activities, Games & Craft Ideas for the Kids
18 Thanksgiving Movies To Watch This Fall
7 Fun Things to Do on Black Friday Instead of Shopping
CHRISTMAS
Here are some tips that can help you prepare for the upcoming shopping season, and avoid overspending:
Set a budget, either for total Christmas shopping or for each month, and stick to it
Avoid impulsive purchases. With products already launched in August, there will be plenty of time to give also a second look to a product before buying. If you’re not sure about a purchase, it’s best to keep looking
Do your research. Check different shops and websites to find the best deals and similar products before you buy
If you’re searching through sales or discount bins, check the year on the product. Some decorations, especially for New Year’s, might still say “2022”. With some clever craftsmanship, buying last year’s decorations or products could be a good way to save money.
Consider buying secondhand or pre-loved items as gifts. Consumers find these gifts to be meaningful and the market is expanding. Handmade gifts are also appreciated by loved ones.
Enjoy! Remember that shopping, if associated with buying presents for others, usually brings consumers joy and happiness.
1) RECIPES
Get Ahead of the Holidays: Freezing Cookies and Cookie Dough
32 Irresistible Holiday Cakes to Make Every Day of Your Season Sweet
The best recipes for Christmas on Pinterest
Christmas Recipes - Holiday Recipes | Taste of Home
Christmas Recipes : Food Network | Food Network
Christmas Recipes from allrecipes.com
NYT Cooking - Christmas Recipes
100 Christmas Recipes - Best Christmas Food Ideas - Country Living
2) SAVE MONEY
A list of tips and ways to save that can help you plan a fun and fulfilling holiday that doesn’t break the bank!
For many, the holidays are all about Family! Make SAVING a family affair with our list of 6 FUN ways to save as a family!
10 Reasons You Should Prep for Christmas Now
12 Ways to Plan Ahead for the Holidays
7 Ways to Plan Ahead for Christmas Now
7 Apps To Help Early Holiday Shoppers Save Significantly
Why You’re Still Paying for Last Christmas (and What To Do About It)
A Merry Christmas Without Cash
What We Can Learn From Scrooge's Christmas List
25 Tips to Save Money This Christmas
15 Ways Your Family Can Save Money This Holiday Season
Is It Beginning to Look Like a Cash-Strapped Christmas
7 Ways to Cut Down on Your Christmas Shopping List
3-6-9 Debt-Free Christmas Savings Plan with FREE Printable: How To Bank $900 Extra For Christmas
How to Save $1,000 for Christmas in Just 2 Months | DaveRamsey.com
BOOK: Hundred Dollar Holiday (the case for a more joyful Christmas) www.amazon.com/Hundred-Dollar-Holiday-Joyful-Christmas/dp/068485595X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X3C827EJO0LC&keywords=hundred+dollar+holiday&qid=1705339894&s=books&sprefix=hundred+dollar+holiday%2Cstripbooks%2C114&sr=1-1
3) FLYING/OR NOT
Clark: Try Hard To Avoid Flying on These Days for Thanksgiving and Christmas
A Merry Christmas From a Distance
4) GIFTS/GIVING
What to know about holiday gift returns
14 Free or Cheap Holiday Gift Ideas
15 DIY Christmas Gifts for Every Budget
Free or Cheap Ways To Repurpose Old Greeting Cards
The Cheapest Places To Print Photos Online
Secret Santa: How to Give Like No One Else
Christmas Gifts for Kids: How Much Is Too Much?
When Santa Can't Afford Your Child's Wish List (Frugal Tips & Ideas)
Helping the Less Fortunate at Christmas.
What We Can Learn from Scrooge's Christmas List
29 Festive Christmas Crafts You Can Make Right Now
20 DIY Christmas Gifts Anyone Would Be Excited to Open
44 DIY Christmas Gifts You'd Actually Want to Receive
32 Cute Craft Projects to Make as Thoughtful Christmas Gifts
25 Adorable Christmas Mason Jar Crafts
29 Crafts to Make for Christmas
A Guide To Giving Free Christmas Gifts | ChooseFI
75 DIY Christmas Ornaments - Best Homemade Christmas Tree Ornament
85 DIY Christmas Gifts That'll Mean so Much to Your Friends and Family
QUOTE:
A Year of Gifts: One year, after a year of terrible financial hardship, I couldn't afford to spend very much on Christmas for my two daughters. I overcame the problem by printing out the following year's calendar, and in the middle of each month, I printed a gift voucher. One month, it was for a clothing item. Another month, it was a trip to the movies (their choice of which movie). One month was for a new book. I repeated some vouchers for subsequent months but came up with 12 gift vouchers. The kids received a dozen presents, and we could spread the cost over a full year. It turned out to be an inexpensive Christmas that both my daughters enjoyed. Vic from Dollar Stretcher Tips
5) DECORATIONS/ORNAMENTS/CRAFTS
Free or Cheap Ways To Repurpose Old Greeting Cards
How To Run Outside Extension Cords Safely and Inexpensively
How To Avoid Overloaded Electric This Christmas
Best Artificial Christmas Trees
How To Run Outside Extension Cords Safely and Inexpensively
Get Your Money's Worth When Buying a Christmas Tree
Faux or Real Fir? Keeping Christmas Tree Costs in Check
6 Tips to Save on Buying a Christmas Tree
12 DIY Christmas Mailbox Decor Ideas - Add a Swag and Bow to Your Mailbox
15 of Our Best Holiday Wreaths
9 Reasons Why It's Never Too Early for Christmas Decorations
Spread Cheer with These Easy Homemade Christmas Decorations
29 Colorful Tabletop Tree Themes
Top Christmas Tree Decorating Trends
46 Stunning Ways to Trim Your Tree
Our Best-Kept Secrets for Trimming a Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree Themes for Any Style
18 Creative Ways to Decorate Your Tree
26 Most Creative Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
Our Best Christmas Tree Ideas for Small Spaces
15 Alternative Christmas Trees for Small Spaces
Putting Up Holiday Decorations Early Makes You Happier
7 Things to Know Before Buying Your Christmas Tree
How to Make Your Christmas Tree Last Longer
9 Reasons Why It’s Never Too Early for Christmas Decorations
100+ Best-Ever Christmas Decorating Ideas
How to Make a Wreath in Any Style
35 Christmas Living Room Ideas
20 Holiday Decorations You Can Make
in 20 Minutes
DIY Salt Dough Handprint Ornament
29 Festive Christmas Crafts You Can Make Right Now
26 Easy Christmas Ornament Crafts
10 of Our Best Snowflake Ornaments
53 Handmade Ornaments to Start Making Now
7 DIY Christmas Ornaments from Household Items
26 Christmas Ornament Crafts to Make This Summer
6) ACTIVITIES/TRADITIONS
93 Fun Things to Do on Christmas Day
Here are 5 things to avoid this year
10 Cheap or Free Fun Activities
A Merry Christmas Without Cash
3 Fun and Easy DIY “Ugly” Christmas Sweaters
The Fascinating History Behind Christmas in July Celebrations
Deck the Halls: 9 Festive Ways to Celebrate Christmas in July
10 Truly Free Christmas Activities
8 Frugal Family Holiday Traditions
Inexpensive Old World Holiday Traditions
Fun and Festive Ways to Toast to The Holiday Season
18 Sentimental Christmas Quotes
Free Printable Holiday Games for Kids
Merry Christmas! 10 Original Santa Jokes for You
25 Fun & Frugal Family Activities to Safely Celebrate Christmas With Kids
34 Funny Christmas Movies to Keep You Laughing All the Way!
10 Extremely Meaningful Christmas Traditions
Top 10 Christmas Carols of All Time
21 Holiday Traditions to Start with Your Family
40 Best Family Christmas Games - Activities & Games for Holiday Groups of Kids & Adults
How to Avoid a Transactional Christmas - Handful of Thoughts
30 Best Christmas Movies For Kids - Family Christmas Films for the Holidays
10 Truly Free Christmas Activities
12 days of Christmas family activities
QUOTES:
Even Santa Should Have a Budget: Instead of telling your children the real expensive gifts come from Santa, tell them they come from Mom and Dad. Many children will not get the most expensive or the hottest new toy and they shouldn't feel less loved by the Jolly Old Elf or that they weren't good enough. Let "Santa" give your child something really special, especially for them, but something simple, a stuffed animal with a big bow, a book, an item that looks like it could come from Santa's workshop. Better yet a letter from the big man himself telling them how proud he is and how he understands things have been difficult and point out one or two things you were especially proud of. This is something you can save for when they are adults. A heartfelt letter is always appropriate and will bring back great memories when your children have children. My dad did this a year before he passed away for my youngest sister, who was 6 at the time, and it is something she still cherishes to this day. He wrote it and mom embellished it with colorful curly ques and glitter, rolled it up, and put it in a cardboard tube she decoupaged with a bow. I wish he had thought to do one for each girl even though I was 21 at the time. Sandy from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Goodwill, Good Holiday Deals: Goodwill Industries, and similar thrift stores, have for years been the go-to place for frugal Halloween costumes and decor. But did you know they also have "pre-owned" and "pre-loved" winter holiday items?
XMAS TREES: This year, we're told Christmas trees will be in short supply. If you don't have an artificial tree in your attic, go thrifting for one. Artificial Christmas trees are sold by the dozens at our local Goodwill stores. Sometimes the built-in lights no longer work, but that problem is easily solved with a string of lights of your own. They also sell regular artificial trees. Don't have any tree lights? The store probably has clear and multicolored strings of lights along with ornaments, wreaths, tree skirts, holders for live Christmas trees and yard decorations, too. And if you really luck out, you might even find a rare but highly sought after vintage aluminum tree. If you're wanting those UGLY holiday sweaters, look no farther than your thrift stores! People (those probably lacking a sense of humor) receive them as gifts, can't stand 'em, and donate them faster than you can say "bah, humbug!". You can get the silly look for a bargain price! (My Jewish roommate even found an ugly Hanukkah sweater; she laughed and said "why should Christians have all the fun?") There are tons of candles, regular and holiday. Some have never been burned. Those that have could possibly be melted to make new candles. I've found ceramic, glass and metal containers that can hold the melted wax and thus be transformed into holiday candles. Holiday dishes, placemats and tablecloths are also featured. So if the supply chain foul-up has played Grinch in your holiday preparations, thrift stores may save the day! Lynn B.
A Unique Gift Exchange: Are you already dreading the office gift exchange where someone chooses a gift and unwraps it and then the next person can either take that first gift or choose another? Sometimes tempers get ruffled if a particularly choice item gets snatched away. And it can take forever. Some offices just draw names, which is fine but can be boring. Perhaps you are facing having to buy a lot of family gifts on a very tight budget. Again, you could just draw names, but you wish it didn't seem to emphasize just how strapped you are. Try this alternative. Draw names as usual, but the gift must match the recipient's initials. For instance, Dave Bridges gets Dark Beer, Dog Biscuits, or a Detective Book. Cheryl Pruitt gets Cheese Puffs, Cherry Pie, or a Cotton Pullover. You can see how there is "wiggle room" for any budget. Is that a six-pack of beer, a case, or just one bottle? Is that cotton pullover a funny t-shirt or a hand-knit sweater? To make things even more fun, the gifts should be wrapped but have no gift tags. Each person chooses a gift to unwrap and then everyone tries to guess the intended recipient. Some gifts aren't that easy to work out. My daughter-in-law's office uses this method, and we have happily transferred it to our family holiday gatherings to great merriment. I passed the idea on to my sister in another part of the country, where she has spread it to her women's social group. Everyone enjoys this type of gift exchange. No matter the cost limitation, your creativity can come up with something "letter-perfect." Carol P. from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Making New Holiday Traditions: We decided to change our Christmas tradition. We buy gifts for the children, but instead of exchanging gifts with the adults, each family contributes money to a fund that we then donate to a local charity. We vote on the charity each year and we love knowing we are helping our community and not adding to the glut of "things" that Christmas can bring. Renee from Dollar Stretcher Tips
My Two Cents: How We Can Contribute: When one is really low on cash and having a hard time making ends meet, particularly around the holiday season, it is hard to get into the holiday spirit or giving spirit when you have nothing to give. Giving makes us all feel good. For our family, we don't have the extra cash to do much giving this year to local charities, but we have found a way to do this anyway. Others have stuff they want to give away but have no outlet to do so. We found a group that's giving bikes to kids for the holidays. Our family can fix up the bikes and get them in good shape to donate. We advertised in local media that we will take bikes, fix them up, and then donate them to others for the holidays. We have received several bikes from others who didn't have an outlet to donate them. In short, people have stuff they want to donate but have no outlet to donate. You can be the middle man from the person who wants to get rid of the stuff and the people who need it the most. You can feel good about giving and helping and everyone wins in the end. Whitney from Dollar Stretcher Tips
A Different Kind of Savings Plan: Every payday, I buy a gift card from a grocery store. I just put them away, and when the holiday grocery shopping comes around, I use the gift cards to purchase the extra goodies and baking supplies, etc., that always hit my wallet hard. It hardly seems noticeable out of my grocery budget throughout the year, and I don't feel guilty if I want to buy extra eggnog, chocolates, etc! They have also come in handy a few times throughout the year when I needed to fund a birthday party. It's a good feeling knowing that I always have them for backup during lean paydays if need be. Teresa from Dollar Stretcher Tips
NEW YEAR'S
Host a Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Party
14 New Year's Eve Entertaining Essentials
33 Hostess Gifts Our Editors Love to Give—and Receive
20 New Year's Eve Cocktails Perfect for Celebrating
20 Movies to Watch on New Year's Eve Before the Clock Strikes Midnight
Host the Ultimate Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Party
41 Decadent New Year's Eve Desserts Worth Celebrating
33 NEW YEAR'S EVE FINGER FOODS
10 GOOD LUCK FOODS FOR THE NEW YEAR
11 Fun New Year's Eve Party Ideas for Food, Games & Decorations
10 Kid-Friendly New Year's Eve Ideas - Saving Dollars and Sense
20 Best New Year's Eve Party Ideas in 2020 - Fun New Year's Eve Party Themes
WINTER:
15 Cheap Late Fall and Winter Dates
8 Frugal Indoor Winter Entertainment Ideas
24 Must-Do Activities to Add to Your Winter Bucket List
Free Technology for Teachers: Fun Activities for Snowy Days
8 Frugal Indoor Winter Entertainment Ideas
36 Pretty Fall Front Entry Ideas to Get You Excited for the Season
HOW TO BUILD A BEAUTIFUL CHARCUTERIE BOARD
100 Fun Winter Activities For Your Family's Bucket List - Saving Dollars & Sense
How to entertain your kids during a winter storm
9 Frugal Winter Activities to Keep Kids Busy During Holiday Break
VALENTINE'S DAY:
45 Cheap Date Ideas You'll Actually Want to Go On
21 Romantic Dinner Ideas for Two to Make for Valentine's Day
47 DIY Valentine's Gifts for Every Person in Your Life
Cheap Valentine’s Day Gifts from Dollar Stores and More
Why We Celebrate Valentine's Day
13 Inexpensive Valentine's Ideas
7 Romantic Valentine's Day Dinners from Chef John
25 Best Things to Do on Valentine's Day With Your Special Someone
Listen to 164R | What are the 5 Love Languages on Apple Podcasts
30 Best Things to Do on Valentine's Day - Fun Valentine's Day Date Ideas
THE BEST VALENTINE’S DATE IDEAS ON A $25-$150 BUDGET
14 Ways to Save on Valentine’s Day - Clark Howard
40 Cheap Date Ideas You’ll Actually Want to Go On | DaveRamsey.com
70 Best Valentine's Day Crafts - DIY Valentine's Day Gifts to Craft
65 Best Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas - Easy, Romantic Dinner Recipes for Valentine's Day
12 Fun Valentine's Day Activities & Crafts Ideas for Kids (on a Budget)
7 Cheap Date Ideas Out On The Town (Because They Can't All Be At-Home Date Nights) ChooseFI
14 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day on a Budget – Len Penzo dot Com
18 Ways to Impress Your Valentine
7 Romantic Valentine's Day Dinners | Allrecipes
QUOTES:
Everyday "Love" Reminder: We have a great frugal idea for holidays like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. I got tired of my husband wasting so much money on overpriced flowers that die within a few days. So one year, I asked him to please buy me a rosebush instead. So, I receive a rosebush every Valentine's and Mother's Day. After five years, we have a lovely little rose garden that keeps giving beautiful blooms. They are much cheaper than an overpriced bouquet and last forever with the proper care.
Yvette from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Hubby and I are (finally!) able to start a monthly date-night again - kids are getting old enough to hang out for an hour or two and fend for themselves. I had seen these cool date night themed boxes around, but our budget is causing us to "think outside the box" a bit. I got an empty copy paper box with lid from work. Each month, $40 goes into the Date Crate, and we'll take turns using the funds to put together a date experience...I'm hoping the readers can help us with some themes that would please my better-half (imagine a younger version of Red Green). Ideas so far:
Cheesy 80's movie from Ebay plus snacks
Fancy dessert plus a list of married-folks questions to keep getting to know each other
S'mores kit and pre-selected music mix from YouTube
Cribbage board and deck of cards, plus a trip to a local coffee joint
Trip to nursery and planting something in the yard, together
Keep on Stretching those Dollars!
Andrea from Dollar Stretcher
SUPER BOWL:
The Big Game Savings Challenge! Are you watching the big game on Sunday night alongside 200 million other Americans (estimated) and need a quick, fun way to boost your savings account?
20 Recipes for the Super Bowl for Two People
Win with These Popular Recipes
50 Easy Snacks for the Super Bowl
80 Ultimate Super Bowl Recipes
20 Best Super Bowl Party Games - Fun Ideas for Football Party Games
🏈 Easy Bites & Appetizers for the Big Game 🏈
44 Football Food Recipes Made for Game Day
Our Best Tailgating Recipes to Enjoy on Game Day
24 Game-Day Appetizers for Your Watch Party
The Best Snacks to Serve on Game Day
Make-Ahead Game-Day Recipes for Serious Fans
ST PATRICK'S DAY:
The Sweetest St. Patrick's Day Desserts
Make Irish Soda Bread in Under an Hour
Amazon Has So Many Affordable St. Patrick's Day Decorations
How to Cook Corned Beef Four Ways
THE ULTIMATE CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE
15 Ways to Do Corned Beef Hash
17 Fun Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day This Year
How to Cook Corned Beef for a Classic Irish American Dinner
Who Was St. Patrick, and Why Do We Celebrate Him?
5 Exciting Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Home
10 Deliciously Simple Irish Recipes
Why Leprechauns Are Associated with
St. Patrick’s Day
Stay Safe with These St. Patrick's Day Masks
How to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Home This Year
St. Patrick's Day Crafts to Make with Kids
18 Green Drinks for St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day Quotes to Celebrate the Luck of the Irish
Try Chef John's Best St Patrick's Day Dishes | Allrecipes
CARNIVAL/MARDI GRAS:
25 FAT TUESDAY RECIPES FOR YOUR MARDI GRAS MENU
15 Decadent Desserts for Your Mardi Gras Celebration
The History of Mardi Gras and New Orleans
Fat Tuesday Recipes to Let the Good Times Roll
Traditional Mardi Gras Menu for Your Holiday Feast
Traditional King Cake for Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Recipes to Celebrate Carnival Season
What Is Mardi Gras and Why Do We Celebrate?
EASTER:
The Tradition Behind Eating Ham on Easter
The Real Meanings Behind Easter Colors
History Behind the Easter Tree Tradition
Easy Easter Breakfasts Everyone Will Love
27 Traditional Easter Dinner Recipes
24 Side Dishes That Go with Easter Ham
45 Easter Casseroles to Make in Your 13x9
56 Incredibly Easy Easter Appetizers
3 Fresh Easter Side Dishes Everyone Will Enjoy
The Best Make-Ahead Easter Brunch Menu
17 Easter Appetizer Recipes to Try This Year
24 EASTER BREAD & CAKE RECIPES
47 Easter Desserts for Your Spring Celebration
The Secret to Boiling Easter Eggs
18 Creative Easter Egg Decorating Ideas
6 Natural Dyes for a Homemade Easter
7 Steps to Pull Off an Epic Easter Egg Hunt
Festive Ways to Celebrate Easter at Home
8 Ways to Dye Eggs That Are Safe to Eat
11 Easter Games That Aren't Your Average Egg Hunt
7 Amusing Easter Egg Hunt Ideas for Adults
How to Dye Eggs with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Step-By-Step Guide for Making a Bunny Wreath
21 DIY Easter Baskets Any Bunny Will Love
Easter Basket Filler Ideas for Any Age
Fun Easter Treats And Easter Snacks For Kids
Easter Made Easy for Your Family
20 Delicious Spring And Easter Sweet Treats
15 Overnight Brunch Recipes for Easter
Lots more Ideas for celebrating Jesus and the Resurrection here.
PASSOVER:
EARTH DAY:
Earth Day Adventures: Six Family-Friendly Activities to Connect with Nature - Earth911
Unique Earth Day Traditions To Start as a Family
Family Movies for Earth Day and Every Day
Earth Day Network Wants to Reduce Your Foodprint
8 Interactive Ways to Teach Children About Earth Day
5 Simple Earth Day Crafts Your Kids Will Love
MEMORIAL DAY:
Red, White, and Blue Desserts for Memorial Day and July 4th
12 Ways to Enjoy Memorial Day with Your Family
Short Lessons About Memorial Day
How to Display the American Flag 🇺🇸
17 Things to Do at the Beach with Kids
12 Patriotic Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day
17 Camping Activities for Kids
Top Family Camping Destinations
65 Easy Memorial Day Recipes - Best Food Ideas for Your Memorial Day Party
40 Patriotic Quotes to Honor the USA on Memorial Day
20 Memorial Day Activities to Plan for Your Family
46 Memorial Day Desserts for a Sweet Addition to Your Holiday Weekend
30 Memorial Day Songs to Put on Your Patriotic Playlist
7 Patriotic Facts Every American Should Know
12 Ways to Enjoy Memorial Day with Your Family
Celebrate Memorial Day with a look at the best war movies and miniseries
From 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'The Hurt Locker' to 'Band of Brothers' and 'Platoon,' these are the best movies and miniseries about war: https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/celebrate-memorial-day-with-a-look-at-the-best-war-movies-and-miniseries/ss-AAKoP31?ocid=msedgdhp
MOTHER'S DAY:
21 Marvelously Inexpensive Mother's Day Gifts
21 Mother's Day Activities for Everyone
6 Ways to Make Mother's Day Special, Even from a Distance
42 Easy and Delicious Mother's Day Brunch Recipes
The Best Mother's Day Movies to Watch with Mom
Mother's Day Poems to Show Your Love and Appreciation
The Best Mother's Day Quotes on Instagram
29 Mother's Day Crafts Kids Can Make at Home
50 Easy Mother's Day Crafts to Make With Your Kids
40 Things to Do with Your Mom on Mother's Day (Even if You're Apart!)
86 DIY Mother's Day Gifts for a Thoughtful Present From the Heart
Mother's Day Breakfasts That Will Make You Mom's Favorite
85 DIY Mother's Day Crafts - Easy Homemade Gifts for Mother's Day
52 Easy Mother's Day Crafts for Kids - Preschool Mothers Day Craft Ideas
74 Best Breakfast in Bed Ideas and Recipes for Mother's Day - Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed Recipes
SPRING:
Spaghetti Trees and the History of April Fools' Day
Why Do We Celebrate April Fool's Day?
Activities for Your Spring Bucket List
18 Outdoor Activities for the Spring Season
The Ultimate Guide to Free Springtime Activities
7 Frugal ways to Save Money this Spring
7 Tips to Save Money on Easter
5 Easy Ways to Save Money in April
Have a free printable with a list of Spring Activities for the whole family. You can download it HERE.
QUOTES:
"The Walk About: We started taking walks this spring but found circling the block so boring. When we changed to "destination walking" we found a wonderful way of sharing our day and accomplishing an errand or two. We also found it fun to follow bike trails. Try taking a destination walk or try following a bike path! Dena from Dollar Stretcher Tips"
FATHER'S DAY:
20 Sweet Father's Day Quotes to Write in Your Dad's Card
11 Fathers Day Menu Ideas With Recipes
21 Easy Father’s Day Breakfast Ideas And Recipes
26 DIY Father's Day Gift Baskets - Homemade Ideas for Gift Baskets for Dad
65 DIY Father's Day Gifts for the Guy Who Has Everything
12 Fun and Free Father's Day Activities That'll Make His Day
20 Perfect Father's Day Quotes to Write in Dad's Card
39 Father-Son Quotes to Make Dad Smile on Father's Day
25 Easy-as-Pie Father's Day Crafts the Kids Can Make for Dad
35 Best Father's Day Songs to Listen to With Your Dad
40 Best Father's Day Breakfast Ideas to Cook Him a Delicious Feast
20 Best Father's Day Activities to Spend Some Quality Time Together
The 40 Best Movies About Dads to Watch on Father's Day
60 Best Dad Jokes Guaranteed to Make You Giggle
40 Father's Day Gift Ideas That Kids Can Make – DIY Arts & Crafts
Chef John's Best Father's Day Recipes | Allrecipes
30+ Best Father's Day Bible Verses — Best Bible Verses About Fathers
35 Best Father's Day Brunch Recipes - Menu Ideas for Father's Day Brunch
27 Father's Day Quotes for Kids to Share with Dad
20 Dad Things to Do on Father's Day
10 Children's Books to Read with Dad This Father's Day
4th of JULY:
33 BEST 4TH OF JULY APPETIZERS
27 PATRIOTIC PARTY PICKS: RED, WHITE & BLUE RECIPES
There Are Thousands of Last-Minute Fourth of July Party Supplies You Can Shop on Amazon
28 Easy Fourth of July Potluck Recipes Everyone Will Love
31 Fourth of July Quotes to Help You Celebrate Independence Day
16 Things Every American Should Know About the Fourth of July
17 Fourth of July Facts That Explain the History
Fourth of July Traditions to Start This Year
Fourth of July Coloring Pages for Kids
5 Crafts for the Fourth of July
Fourth of July Recipes for Your
All-American Cookout
55 Spectacular Side Dishes for the
Fourth of July
All-Time Favorite Fourth of July Snack Recipes
28 Easy Fourth of July Potluck Recipes Everyone Will Love
Top 10 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July
Financial Advice From America's Founding Fathers
Red, White, and Blue Desserts for Memorial Day and July 4th
Important Fireworks Safety Tips from a Fire Safety Expert
4th of July Trivia Facts Every American Should Know
6 Festive Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July
What You Should Know About the History of the Fourth of July
30 4th of July Party Ideas You Can DIY
22 Best 4th of July Wreaths - How to Make a Fourth of July Wreath
20 Quotes About Freedom - Truthful Sayings of Independence
80 Best 4th of July Captions for Every Patriotic Photo You Post on Instagram
38 4th of July Desserts to Show off Your Patriotic Pride
18 4th of July Activities to Keep the Family Entertained All Day
41 4th of July Crafts to Get in the Holiday Spirit
7 Five-Course 4th of July Menus to Please Every Palate at Your Cookout
25 4th of July Appetizers Fit to Feed a Crowd
90+ of Our Favorite Grilling Recipes for Backyard Barbecues and Beyond
70 BBQ Side Dishes for the Most Mouthwatering Additions to Your Backyard Menus
American Flag Etiquette: Here's How to Properly Display the American Flag
Best Side Dishes for Your 4th of July Cookout
25 4th of July Cake Recipes to Cap off Your Holiday Barbecue
39 4th of July Desserts to Show off Your Patriotic Pride
The Best 4th of July Songs for the Perfect Holiday Soundtrack
SUMMER:
100 Free Summer Activities for People of All Ages
100 Free Summer Activities for Kids, Adults and Everyone In Between
Recreation.gov: Need summer plans? You don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy this spring and summer season. There are hundreds of parks and lakes offering tours, camping, hiking, fishing, and so much more across the country. Recreation.gov makes it easy to find campsite tours, a park that fits your budget and hobbies and other activities. Learn about the activities available, date and time of operations, price, and if you need a permit to visit.
7 Marvelous Ways To Save Money on Summer Vacation
7 Ways To Have Summer Fun On A Budget
14 Free or Dirt-Cheap Summer Activities for Kids
24 Must-Do Activities to Put on Your Summer Bucket List
5 Tips for Hosting a Party in Your Backyard on a Budget
Budget-Friendly Summer Activities to Try
27 Outdoor Party Ideas That Look Expensive
Where to Find Free (or Cheap) Summer Activities
14 Family Traditions to Start This Summer
Host a Summer Party on a Budget
24 Summer Bucket List Ideas - Things To Do Before Summer Ends
HOW TO MAKE THE ULTIMATE FRUIT TRAY
Host Your Own Family Olympics With These Summer Lawn Games
Explore More 'Made by Me' Crafts, Including Fresh DIY Projects for Summer
200+ Ideas for Summertime (or Anytime) Fun
15 Backyard Picnic Recipes to Enjoy from the Comfort of Your Home
15 Recipes for Summer, No Grill Required
15 Summer Grilling Menus You'll Eat All Season Long
25 Easy Camping Breakfast Recipes - Best Campfire Breakfast Ideas
Where to Find Free (or Cheap) Summer Activities
5 Entertaining and Educational Summer Vacation Ideas Perfect for Kids
71 Ways to Save Money This Summer
Kids out of school? Here’s the easiest way to schedule their summer days
Best Ways To Save Money In The Summer
6 Brilliant Ideas to Create Your Own DIY Backyard Waterpark
6 Fun Summer Activities for Free-Range Kids
Back to Nature: A Summer Camp Experience for Children
CNN: Summer is not completely canceled. Here are 100 things we can do with or without kids.
QUOTES:
Water Party: Here's something that my husband and I are planning to do sometime this summer. We're inviting our extended family's children to a water party. We will be purchasing an inexpensive inflatable pool and will invite all the kids to bring their water guns, put on their swimsuits, and come prepared to have fun in the sun. Then we will have a fix-your-own-ice cream-sundae bar set up in the shade. When the kids get all sticky, they can just jump back in the pool or we can hose them down. The adults will enjoy this as well. Vivian G. from Dollar Stretcher
KIDS:
LOW COST OR NO COST ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS:
-25 free things to do with kids (Rachel came up with these favorite free ideas during coronavirus) https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/things-to-do-with-kids
Throw an Epic Backyard Party: 37 Fun and Creative Outdoor Games for Kids
We Buried Treasure in the Australian Outback 7 Years Ago
15 No-Bake Cookies to Make With Your Kids
Build your kids' money skills while they're home from school.
Complete List of Free Educational Resources for Kids Who are Home Due to School Closings
Family Date Night Challenge: 30 Days of Indoor Activities for Families
Cheap Indoor and Outdoor Party Games for Kids | ParentMap
Best or cheap things to do with your kids
Entertainment for kids: www.starfall.com for beginning readers, www.kidsdinos.com for kids that love dinosaurs, www.coloring.com for aspiring artists, www.kidsastronomy.com for future astronauts, www.sikids.com which is the kid’s version of sports illustrated online and www.askforkids.com for games for all ages
International Childrens Digital Library is an engine search created by librarians with hundreds of topics that can be searched alphabetically. Full of kid-friendly information useful for homework.
7 Affordable Alternatives to Expensive Kids' Extracurricular Activities
A bored jar for teenagers.... | The Diary of a Frugal Family
10 Affordable Father-Daughter Dates
15 Recommended Preschool and Kindergarten Resources | Money Saving Mom
Online activities for kids: 23 free & cheap ways to keep kids entertained - Clark Deals
131 Fun Things to do with Kids at Home - The Frugal Foot Doc
Free, fun educational app for young kids | Khan Academy Kids
YouTube Arts & Crafts Channels, Videos & Playlists for Kids
3 On-the-Go Activities for Your Science Lover
45 Easy Dinner Ideas For Kids - Quick Kid Friendly Dinner Recipes
15 Best Plants for Kids That Are Safe to Grow - Easy Flowers for Kids to Plant
Educational Documentaries | Netflix - YouTube
6 Tips for Gardening with Kids
Educating Children in the Spirit of Simple Living
The 13 Best Board Games That Teach Kids Financial Literacy (And Are Actually Fun)
HOBBIES/AFFORDABLE LUXURIES:
Look for free entertainment. The library is a great source of free entertainment. Libraries provide access to thousands of free books, DVDs and music. Additionally, you can find tons of entertainment online including free movies, free games, free music, free audiobooks and free e-books. Bookmark each of these links so that you’ll always have a list of free (and legal) resources to check out online during your downtime.
100 Deep Questions to Ask Your Friends
145 fun questions for couples to ask at any point to deepen their relationship
10 Frugal Fun Things To Do In Your Hometown
11 Frugal Hobbies for a Tight Budget
Volunteer Your Way to Some Free Fun
7 Tips for Buying a Musical Instrument for Less
Planning a Budget-Friendly Family Vacation
Try these tips to save money when buying a musical instrument.
Small Things That Can Make Your Life Brighter
Affordable Little Luxuries for the Tightest Budget
How to Find Free Events and Free Things to Do
How to Have an Affordable and Safe Staycation Even with the Pandemic
When You Can't Keep Up with Expensive Friends
7 Hobbies That Help You Live Longer
Use apps such as the Groupon app and The Entertainment Book to find free and cheap things to do in your area.
11 Frugal Hobbies for a Tight Budget
Affordable Treats to Counteract the Stress of Tough Times
103 Things to Do on a Money-Free Weekend - The Simple Dollar
7 Amazing Staycation Ideas for Any Budget - Clark Howard
Frugal Entertainment Options - The Frugal Engineers
59 Things To Do Instead of Watching TV So That You Can Take Your Life Back
6 Easy Tips for Entertaining on a Budget
These family-friendly games can make social isolation bearable and maybe even fun
19 immersive museum exhibits you can visit from your couch
25 Ideas to Keep Entertained at Home (Even If You're Quarantined)
Small Splurges That Won't Break Your Budget
39 Fun Things to Do at Home During a Quarantine - Frugal Rules
Small Splurges That Won't Break Your Budget
7 Totally Free Ways to Be Happier Today
10 Easy Hiking Snacks and Backpacking Food To Make
34 Easy Mug Cake Recipes - Mug Desserts to Make in the Microwave
10 Frugal Fun Things to Do In Your Hometown
100 fun-filled activities that don’t cost a dime.
Listen to How to Have a Low-Cost Adventure in the Midst of a Financial Depression from Radical Personal Finance on Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radical-personal-finance/id896153632?i=1000472225850
The best board games to play with your quarantined housemates
Tour Disneyland, Disney World and more for free with Google Street View.
Free living room pub quiz every Tuesday night at 7 pm (UK).
Play League of Legends free from your home.
Sign up for PBS KIDS free daily newsletter for free games, videos and projects for kids.
Free coloring pages, from American Gothic to van Gogh's The Bedroom from the Art Institute of Chicago.
Sign up for Scholastics free, learn from home projects fo kids.
Play Fortnite: Battle Royale for free.
Audible has a huge library of free children's books.
Watch performances free from The Met.
A list of free movies and shows from HBO to Roku is here
This site will let you drive through the world's biggest cities
Art & History Tours
Free behind the scenes tours of exhibits and classes with the American Museum of Natural History. More here.
Tour Google's Arts & Culture Collection for free.
Free, virtual tours of history's grandest castles, from Windsor to Catherine Palace in Russia.
Nature Tours
See Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tour.
Watch the San Diego Zoo's free, live webcams.
Up to 32 free, virtual national part tours, from Arches National Park to Denali and more.
Monterey Bay Aquarium is living streaming for free.
Explore the Taj Mahal for free.
QUOTES:
Free Music Lessons: I always wanted to learn to play the piano but didn't have the time or money for lessons. So I did an online search for sites that taught piano. I found a lot of sites and apps that have free tutorials and sheet music for you to practice. My favorite is HoffmanAcademy.com. They have both videos and lessons. I'm learning at my own pace and this old piano is finally making music again! Jarrett from Dollar Stretcher Tips
A Fun Way To Save on Puzzles: I created a puzzle club with a group of friends — we're all retired. I invited several friends over for dessert and coffee and asked everyone to bring one 500- to 1000-piece puzzle that they had at home. I had everyone write their name on their puzzle box and I made a list of everyone's name and puzzle. Then we stood in a circle and everyone passed their puzzle to the person to their left and I wrote down who had which puzzle. Then, everyone went home with a new puzzle to work on without spending any additional money. Every few weeks, we get together for coffee and dessert (with the puzzles) and pass them on to the next person. If someone isn't quite finished with one, I have extras that I throw into the rotation. When we take a finished puzzle apart, we put the edge pieces into a plastic bag so the next person doesn't have to sort them! We also leave notes in the boxes to one another about any missing pieces. Once we've all had a chance with each puzzle, we'll start the process over with new puzzles. Dot from Dollar Stretcher Tips