Holiday

Non-Edible Neighbor Christmas Gifts They’ll Love

November 13, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

Today I’m helping you to solve the yearly problem of what to get the neighbors for Christmas. Every year it’s a struggle, and it’s a fact that not everyone wants food or treats that they don’t need. So let’s look at some non-edible neighbor Christmas gifts your neighbors will love. These ideas are unique and easy, so you can get them done and get on with all the other things you need to do before Christmas comes!

Non-Edible Neighbor Christmas Gifts

Host a Craft Night

One of the more unique non-edible neighbor Christmas gift ideas I’ve seen is to kill two birds with one stone and host a craft night for your neighbors. Everyone gets together, shares some delicious treats, and then you make a craft together that everyone gets to take home. Best idea ever, right? You can also try making your own snow globes.

I love these adorable Christmas trees made with felt, buttons, wood skewers and embroidery floss. A hot glue gun puts it all together quickly and easily!

Handmade Ornaments

There are tons of handmade ornament ideas out there that only look complicated. I know people who choose a theme every year, make some ornaments to fit, and deliver them to their neighbors. It’s a unique way of remembering your neighbors–and they’ll probably begin to anticipate next year’s ornament!

A Roll of Gift Wrap

One of my favorite non-edible neighbor Christmas gifts is the roll of gift wrap and bag of bows my neighbor drops off a few days before Christmas. I’ll admit to you that roll of gift wrap has saved me late on Christmas Eve more than once! This is a gift that might really be a lifesaver.

A Bag of Christmas Scents

Present your neighbors with another favorite non-edible Christmas gift–homemade potpourri! In a bag place an orange, a lemon, some whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg or allspice. Include directions to slice the fruit, put everything in a saucepan and cover with water. All your neighbor needs to do is bring it to a simmer and enjoy hours of delicious scent as it permeates their home.

Progressive Friendsgiving Party Ideas With Neighbors

October 30, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

If you live in a great neighborhood with awesome people, November is the perfect time to celebrate with a progressive Friendsgiving party. And if there are a few new neighbors who you need to get to know better, a progressive Friendsgiving party is a wonderful way to do that. Here are some clever and easy ways to pull off your progressive Friendsgiving dinner with neighbors.

What Is A Progressive Friendsgiving Party?

A progressive Friendsgiving party is a blend of a progressive dinner and Friendsgiving. Progressive dinners are fun because it spreads the dinner party responsibilities around to several different hosts instead of just one. The dinner is divided up into parts, with each part being enjoyed at a different host’s home. Friendsgiving is a large meal that is eaten with friends on or around the Thanksgiving holiday. Turn your Friendsgiving into a progressive dinner party and it’s extra enjoyable!

Progressive Friendsgiving Party Ideas

The best thing about a progressive Friendsgiving party with your neighbors is the chance to share the company of friends, get to know others better, and enjoy good food in an evening of relaxed settings. The menu for Friendsgiving doesn’t have to include turkey and all the trimmings, but it certainly can. Here are some planning tips to help you and your neighbors plan the perfect progressive Friendsgiving dinner.

Before Halloween, talk to your neighbors and see who wants to be part of a neighborhood progressive Friendsgiving. You can make this as big or as small a gathering as you choose. If possible, it’s a good idea to include all the neighbors on your street, just so no one feels left out.
Once you decide who’s in, decide on a menu. If you opt to go with a traditional Thanksgiving feast, divide up the menu by how many homes are participating in the fun. For example, my street has 6 homes: one home for appetizers, the next for bread and salads, the third for traditional side dishes. Enjoy turkey, stuffing and potatoes at the fourth home. The fifth home is for hot cider and games {while everyone gets ready for pie!}, and dessert is enjoyed at the last stop. You get the idea!
Each home takes care of their own set up. This may mean sitting down at a table, or eating buffet style.
If the weather is nice enough where you live, set up your Friendsgiving outside on a deck or patio. String some Thanksgiving lights and set out some pumpkins, pine cones, and leaf garlands. The tablescape can be pretty simple, with everything from nature.
Consider enjoying dessert outside at the last stop. Enjoy the warmth of a fire pit as you sit, talk and bask in the glow of good friends!

Are you ready to bring these progressive Friendsgiving party ideas to life with your neighbors? Here are some healthy side dish recipes to help.

Trick Or Treat Tips: Be The Best House On The Street

September 17, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

Today’s post is for the Halloween fans out there! There’s nothing like seeing all those cute little people parading down the street in their costumes. But it’s also disappointing if you buy a ton of candy, only to have just a handful of kids come to the door. If you want to be known as the “best house on the street” for trick or treaters, you need today’s trick or treat tips. Here’s how your house can become legend on Halloween.

Trick Or Treat Tips: Be The Best House On The Street!

The first step to be the best house on the street is to create as much Halloween ambience as you can. But be careful about how creepy you make it! Some kids, especially preschoolers, will refuse to trick or treat at your house if it’s too scary. Try to strike the right balance of good, scary fun and you’ll appeal to the biggest number of children.

The house on my street that is literal Halloween legend has tons of Halloween ambience. But that isn’t all! Parents and kids alike know to expect an extra treat and a good chat with neighbors. That’s because there is always a cold cup of freshly brewed homemade root beer on warm evenings. And if it’s cold, there’s hot chocolate! The homeowners dress up and serve everyone in costume. No one can resist this house, because it is the best house on the street.

Additional Trick Or Treat Tips

You’re always going to have the best house on the street if you give out stuff kids actually like. Houses that offer full size candy bars, donuts or candy apples are always popular. When it’s a cool evening, go the extra mile and set up a fire pit in your driveway where the kids and their parents can warm up before hitting the next house. No one can resist a warm fire on Halloween night. And you’ll get the chance to meet more of your neighbors. That’s a good thing! Happy trick or treating!

This Is America: Trivia Game Categories For Your 4th Of July Party

July 3, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

Eggs-tra Fun Easter Activities That Don’t Include An Egg Hunt

April 10, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

For this year’s Easter activities, there’s no reason to feel like you have to put on an Easter egg hunt. Not everyone loves an Easter egg hunt, and honestly it seems as though there are way too many. Let’s talk about some fun Easter activities for the kids that don’t include an egg hunt. There are quite a few eggs-tra fun ideas to try!

Eggs-tra fun Easter activities

Chalk art

One of the best things about Easter is that it’s springtime, and the weather is usually perfect. You’ll have to check the forecast for rain, but if skies are clear you could have a chalk art festival in your yard, or even on your own block. If you live in a neighborhood with lots of kids, this is pretty easy to sponsor. You’ll find both regular sidewalk chalk and eggs-tra fun egg-shaped chalk at your local Dollar Tree. Think how festive your street will look once everyone is finished with their masterpiece!

Egg and face painting

While you decorate and paint eggs, why not paint the kids’ faces too? It takes an already anticipated and traditional activity and adds an extra element of fun. And the kids always love a little face painting!

Easter photo booth

Another fun Easter activity is to have a photo booth. Grab a bunch of fun props from Dollar Tree and have someone assigned to take the photos. Older kids with their own phones have the option to take Easter selfies.

Easter crafts

This is a fun idea for lots of applications–class parties, Sunday School activities, or a way to entertain the kids if Easter Sunday happens to be rainy. Just stock up on craft and construction paper, double-sided tape, white glue, scissors, markers and stickers. Set it all out on a table and let the kids go to town!

Each of these eggs-tra fun Easter activities can be done on their own or together, and if you are already having an egg hunt one or two of these additional activities will help to round out the day. Happy Easter!

Spring Break Destinations That Avoid College Students

March 6, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

So you’re thinking about spring break destinations, but you don’t want to share your relaxation time with a slew of college students. I can relate! A bunch of partying college students isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. If this is you, stick around for today’s post. I’ve got a list of wonderful spring break destinations that avoid college students. You’re gonna love it!

Campground spring break destinations

First off, by not going to a beach, you have a better chance at avoiding college students. If you’ve got kids who are going on spring break with you, camping might be just the perfect getaway for all of you to enjoy. Camping has a lot to offer during spring break. If you choose the right area, the weather will be nice without being hot. Depending on what’s nearby, you can engage in hiking and fishing activities as a family. And nothing compares to hanging out in the peacefulness of nature! Consider these campground spring break destinations:

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
Point Mugu State Park in California
Bahia Honda State Park in Florida
Gulf State Park in Alabama
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah

Warm spring break destinations to avoid

You might want a beach vacation for your spring break, and there are some where you are less likely to encounter college students. However, it’s probably easier to list the spring break destinations that you should definitely avoid. Some of these you may already be aware of, but these are spots that historically attract large numbers of college students. Avoid these destinations:

South Padre Island in Texas
Key West, Florida
Panama City, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada
New Orleans, Louisiana
Miami, Florida
Lake Havasu, Nevada
Places in Mexico, including Mazatlan, Cabo, and Cancun
Nassau, Bahamas

There are also numerous cruises that depart from some of the ports in these areas, and they also attract college students. Carnival tends to be a cruise line known for the young people who cruise during spring break. Your travel agent is a good resource to locate cruises that avoid college students.

Check out our helpful post with beach hacks for the best summer {or spring break} ever!