Giving gift baskets is such a fun way to add variety and a personal touch to your gift giving. Whether it be for Christmas, birthdays or even teacher gifts!
If you love couponing, chances are you already have plenty of items tucked away that you picked up for free or at a great price, making gift baskets even more budget-friendly. But even if you don’t coupon, creating themed gift baskets is an easy and affordable way to give thoughtful gifts without overspending. The best part? You can customize them to perfectly match the person receiving them, making the gift feel extra special. If you’re looking for creative ideas that won’t break the bank, here are 7 inexpensive gift basket ideas to inspire you!
Give the gift of a movie night! This basket simply requires microwave popcorn, some dollar store candy, a $5 movie from the cheap bin at Walmart and some cozy socks. If you're making this one for a teen or pre-teen, you could add a gift card for a movie ticket to the local theater.
Manicure Gift Basket
Some simple nail polish, a patterned file (can often be bought at Bath & Body Works or the dollar store for cheap!), a small bottle of hand lotion and some nice nail decals. This one is perfect for teens and tweens. You can also throw in a gift card to a beauty supply shop if desired.
Baker’s Delight Gift Basket
Do you know someone who loves to bake? Buy them some fun cupcake liners, cake mix, a new oven mitt and a spatulaand you have a great gift. You could even skip the basket and just place everything in the mitt and tie off with a ribbon.
Hot Cocoa Gift Basket
Hot cocoa can be made with just a few simple ingredients and packaged nicely in a mason jar. Add in a bag of marshmallows and some dollar store mugs for a finishing touch. This basket costs less than $10 to make.
Sporty Gift Basket
If you have a sports fan on your gift list, try this one! Place some snacks like sunflower seeds, jerky or popcorn in a basket. Add a small trinket of their favorite sport team such as a key chain, bottle opener or lanyard and finish it off with a set of tickets to watch a minor league team in your area.
Pasta Heaven Gift Basket
Got a pasta lover in your life? Place some fancy pasta (this can often be bought at a discount at outlet stores or a store like Winners), pasta sauce (homemade or bought), shelf stable Parmesan cheese, and a pasta server into the basket for a great fast dinner.
Bookworm Gift Basket
Everyone knows someone who loves to read. This gift basket will delight them! Get a $5 Amazon Gift card or a gift card to their favorite local bookstore (to buy a book or an e-book), a cheap fleece throw blanket, a coffee mug, some tea and a low cost clip-on reading light.
I hope these inexpensive gift basket ideas gave you plenty of inspiration for creating thoughtful and budget-friendly gifts! Do you have any fun themed gift basket ideas of your own? Share them in the comments, I’d love to hear them!
The holidays mean get-togethers, dinner parties, and all sorts of festive gatherings. If you are attending any one of these events, it is always a nice gesture to take the hostess a gift for all of their hard work. Hostess gifts use to be a common thing in the past, but many people just aren’t sure what to give these days.
No worries, as I have compiled a list of 11 inexpensive hostess gift ideas, perfect for your gift giving needs. Check out this list of hostess gifts and consider one of the suggestions next time you are invited to an event. Your hostess is sure to appreciate it!
1. A potted plant.
You can find small potted plants at most grocery stores for about $5. Take one of these plants and wrap the pot in some decorative paper. This is always a nice idea for an inexpensive hostess gift, and a potted plant will last longer than cut flowers will. Or fake plants will do too!
2. Some scented hand soap.
Try for some nice foaming hand soap found at stores like Bath and Body Works for just $4 a piece. Add some twine or ribbon to the bottle and a gift tag and you are all set. This Mrs. Meyer's Peppermint hand soap is a nice option to purchase online.
3. Scented candles.
It seems as though everyone loves candles. Give your hostess a scented candle in a soft and not overpowering scent. This set of four soy candles might be the perfect thing to separate and gift to four different recipients! They can use it that night for the event or save it for when they are ready to relax and wind down.
4. Decorative hand towels.
These are always cute for kitchen and bathrooms, and can be found for as little as $1 at your local dollar store. Snag some decorative towels on sale even and keep them on hand so when event invites arrive, you have them for your hostess. Or this dishcloth set on a Mango Wood Board would be a great option too!
5. A book.
Does the hostess love to read? Even Dollar Tree or Dollarama have a nice selection of hard cover novels and cookbooks. Book Outlet is another great place to get discounted books. Find one you think they will enjoy and include a heartfelt note with it. It is sure to be appreciated!
6. Tea or coffee.
Coffee and tea comes in so many flavors, so put a small sampling together for your hostess. If you wish, you can even include a cute mug from your local dollar store. Your hostess will no doubt think of you when she takes a sip.
7. Cozy socks.
Who doesn’t love cozy socks? After throwing a party, your hostess will enjoy having a nice pair to slip into. (These ones are so cozy looking!) Gift your hostess with some cozy socks found at most dollar and discount stores and they are sure to appreciate the gesture.
8. An inexpensive gift card.
A gift card to a local coffee house is a nice inexpensive hostess gift idea. You can place the card in a dollar store mug if you wish or just a heartfelt card. Everyone loves gift cards, and even a $5 - $10 one is a nice way to show your appreciation.
9. A notebook and pen
I would be so pleased to receive a nice notebook and pen! Grab a notebook from the dollar store and a nice pen or two. Tie them together and, Voila! Or purchase a notebook set like this and some of these highly rated pens. Divide them up and you've got several gifts to give.
10. Hand lotion
This set of 4 hand creams would be a great set to purchase and separate so you have multiple gifts that won't break the bank! Pair one with an inexpensive set of cozy gloves or a hand soap.
11. Cute Apron
If you know this hostess loves to be in the kitchen, perhaps a new apron would be a great token of appreciation! Get this set of three aprons to separate and gift to three different people!
12. Chocolate
I don't think you can go wrong gifting chocolate! Pretty much anything will go I think! But if you know specifically what your host loves, you could gift that.
As you can see, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to show your hostess you are grateful for their hard work. Consider these 10 inexpensive hostess gift ideas and see how easy they can be to give!
I'd love to know what some of your favourite inexpensive hostess gift ideas are. Let me know in the comments below!
As the chilly weather sets in, there's nothing better than wrapping yourself in a cozy sweater—especially one that doesn’t empty your wallet.
Whether you're after a classic cable-knit, a trendy oversized fit, or something soft and snug for lounging, affordable sweaters are a must-have for your fall and winter wardrobe.
To help you stay warm without overspending, I've rounded up a list of the best affordable sweaters that combine comfort, style, and coziness. Read on to find your next favorite sweater that won’t break the bank!
12 Affordable Sweaters You Will Love
Note: I have listed the sweaters at their regular price. But this price may change at any time with sales.
Stripes are so classic! I love this one that can be worn with leggings or slimmer jeans. There's a $10 coupon to apply currently.
With so many affordable and cozy sweaters to choose from, staying warm and stylish this season has never been easier. So, go ahead and update your wardrobe without the guilt because comfort and warmth shouldn't come with a big price tag!
With cold weather nearly upon us, it’s time to start thinking about how you are going to stay cozy and warm in your home. One way to combat the chill is to invest in a set of flannel sheets for all the beds in your home. Flannel sheets are made out of cotton but are heavier, warmer, and softer than your normal cotton bedding.
In this post today, I have rounded up the some of the best affordable flannel sheets to keep you sleeping peacefully until warmer weather arrives again. Because this is Simply Frugal, this list contains affordable, budget-friendly options that will keep your wallet happy too!
One fun thing about flannel is that there are a ton of fun patterns to choose from. Plaids, Christmas themes, winter themes, kid patterns, geometric designs and so many more. Here's a list of some really fun patterns I found on a budget:
Costco also has some great affordable flannel sheet sets, but I am unable to link to them as they are a seasonal item in-store only. Homesense is also worth a look for budget friendly sheets.
Because there are great solid colour flannel sheets too, I've rounded up my favourites below. Solid colours are great to dress up a patterned duvet or to simply add a pop of colour or coziness to any bed.
I hope you enjoyed this selection of cozy affordable flannel sheets! There are so many different designs and price ranges from the sources I found. I'm sure you'll find something that suits you well!
This Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub is a simple and delicious smelling DIY for yourself or a gift idea for the holidays!
My daughter and I had fun over the weekend whipping up some delicious smelling pumpkin pie sugar scrub! It was such a fun and easy activity to do together. Then of course, once we were finished, we had to try it out! Our skin was oh so soft afterwards.
Want to pamper yourself? Here's how you can quickly make a batch of Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub. Double up to gift a friend!
Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- 1 cup of white sugar - ¾ cup of coconut oil (cold pressed, virgin coconut oil is excellent) - 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice - 1 teaspoon of brown sugar - glass jar
DIRECTIONS: 1. In a bowl, mix the coconut oil and white sugar. Simply mash it together with a spoon until mixed. 2. Add in the pumpkin pie seasoning and continue to mash. 3. You can now add in the brown sugar. Mix well. If you feel like your scrub is too dry, you can add a small dab of coconut oil to add some moisture. 4. Spoon the pumpkin pie sugar scrub into a glass jar and sprinkle the top with additional brown sugar. This not only adds a little more “scrub” to the scrub but makes it sparkle. 5. Cover with an air tight lid and store in a cool place for up to one week. 6. To use your pumpkin pie sugar scrub, simply apply to wet skin in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and repeat if necessary.
This delicious homemade Slow Cooker Pumpkin butter is perfect for fall. Add to your toast, muffins, or use it in some fall recipes for added flavor. Delicious!
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter
I'm sure you've tried apple butter, but have you tried pumpkin butter? This homemade slow cooker version is delicious and so simple to put together. Not to mention it's much more cost effective than buying a jar from the store. I happen to think this pumpkin butter is also perfect for gift giving. I plan on giving few jars away as random fall gifts.
This Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter recipe is really simple. Just a few ingredients cooked in the slow cooker and you have wonderful homemade pumpkin butter. Your house will smell amazing too!
Fall is nearly here! One of my favorite seasons (besides Christmas time) is Fall! I love the comfort food, the way the light changes in the evening, the crisp fall air, and warm, cozy sweaters. Along with those things, Fall is a great time to do fun, frugal activities specific to the season.
Create the BEST Fall Bucket List with these ideas. These ideas are perfect for frugal people, who are looking for free or low cost activities to do this fall.
Here is a Fall Bucket List for Frugal People that you are going to love! There are plenty of ideas to fill up your fall calendar with frugal fun.
The Best Fall Bucket List:
Go to a Pumpkin Patch.
Have a pumpkin carving contest with friends/family.
Find fall festivals and harvest events happening in your area.
Go to a local apple orchard to pick delicious apples.
Go for a hike. The temperature will be much more bearable than in the summer time!
Try Halloween themed cookies. Like Oreos. You can only get them this time of year.
Creating a fall bucket list doesn't have to be expensive. Embrace the season by enjoying simple pleasures like exploring local parks, crafting with fallen leaves, or cozying up with a good book and a warm drink. These budget-friendly activities allow you to savor the beauty of autumn while making lasting memories without breaking the bank.
With Halloween quickly approaching, you might be wondering how to save some money on this year’s costumes.
Saving money on Halloween costumes can be easy, you just need to know a few simple tricks! Take a look at these 7 ways to save money on Halloween costumes and get the fun looks you love for less.
1. Visit a local thrift store.
Thrift stores are perfect for finding cheap dress up items when crafting your own costumes. Find scarves, hats, gloves, fabric, dress up jewelry and other items perfect for creating the look you want. And since it is a thrift store, you never know what you might find. Be sure to stop in especially on 50% off days, and stop in often as inventory is always changing.
2. Comb your own closets.
Take a look in your own closet for items you might be able to use. This includes many of the items listed above such as hats, scarves, dresses, old wedding and prom items, make up, and other accessories. You might be surprised at what you already have on hand that is usable. If you are looking for an accessory that you don’t have, ask family and friends to look in their closets before you go out and buy new. They just might have what you are looking for!
3. Swap with friends.
Ask your friends what costumes from years past they might have on hand. This is a great way to get a new to you costume for your child. You can even swap old costumes your children don’t wear anymore with friends for their old costumes. That way, you can get rid of items while getting some new to you items.
4. Shop Late
Halloween stores need to sell all of their merchandise before Halloween. Once Halloween is over these shops close their doors for the year. Try shopping one or two days before Halloween and you will probably see lots of costumes that have been discounted by 50% or more! This could mean some huge savings but the downside is the inventory is usually limited.
5. Shop Amazon
Amazonhas a great costume shop during Halloween. I highly suggest checking out their selection of costumes as they usually have really good prices on Halloween costumes.
6. Visit your local dollar store.
Your local dollar store will have all sorts of accessories that can lend a hand to homemade costumes. Look for princess crowns, magic wands, police badges, face paint, costume reflectors, glow sticks, candy bags, and other items perfect for making your costume a hit! For just a buck, the price on these accessories is right!
7. Make Your Own
Making your own Halloween costume is possible and can be done without touching a sewing machine. Look around your house and see what you already own and what you can turn into a costume. Have an old cheerleading outfit, football uniform, golf clubs or just a scary mask sitting around. Get creative and let your imagination run wild. Get your children used to making their own costumes and not dressing up in the same costume everyone else is wearing. You can also spend some time searching Pinterest for creative and fun costumes to make at home.
There you go! 7 ways to save money on Halloween costumes! See how easy it can be to create the perfect Halloween costume for less? With a little creativity, you're sure to come up with the perfect costumes for everyone.
What are your most favourite affordable Halloween costumes?
15-Minute Decluttering Tasks: Quick Fixes for a Tidy Space
In our fast-paced world, finding time for long decluttering sessions can be challenging. Luckily, you don’t need hours to make a significant change! With just 15 minutes, you can tackle small but meaningful decluttering tasks that will help keep your home organized. Here’s a guide to quick and effective 15 minute decluttering tasks that you can easily fit into your busy schedule.
1. Sort Through a Single Drawer
Pick one drawer in your home. Maybe the kitchen junk drawer, a desk drawer, or a bathroom drawer. Empty its contents, discard expired or unused items, and neatly organize the remaining essentials. These clear organizers are perfect for drawers! A tidy drawer can not only make a difference in how cluttered your space feels but also make daily tasks way more efficient.
2. Clear Out a Magazine or Book Pile
Books and magazines can quickly accumulate. Spend 15 minutes sorting through a stack, recycling old magazines, or donating books you no longer need. You’ll free up space and make your reading area look more organized.
3. Organize Your Purse or Backpack
Our bags often become catch-alls for random items. Take 15 minutes to empty your bag, discard old receipts or expired coupons, and sort through the remaining items. Use pouches or small organizers like these to keep things tidy.
4. Declutter Your Desk
Your desk can easily become cluttered with papers, pens, and random office supplies. It can feel overwhelming, but spend 15 minutes sorting through these items and you'll see it was not as bad as it seemed! File important documents, discard unnecessary ones, and organize your supplies into drawers or containers.
5. Clean Out the Fridge
The refrigerator is a prime spot for hidden clutter. In just 15 minutes, check for expired food, clean out spills, and reorganize shelves. This quick task not only declutters but also ensures your food stays fresh and your fridge remains sanitary. Try to make it a weekly habit so it takes no time at all!
6. Declutter a Closet Shelf
Choose one shelf in a closet and sort through its contents. Remove items you no longer use or need, and organize what remains. This quick decluttering task can greatly enhance the functionality of your closet.
7. Organize Your Entryway
The entryway is often the first impression of your home and can quickly become cluttered with shoes, coats, and mail. In 15 minutes, tidy up this area by putting away shoes, sorting mail, and hanging up coats. Adding a small basket for keys or other small items can also help keep things in order.
8. Sort Through a Set of Towels
In the bathroom or linen closet, towels can take up a lot of space. Use 15 minutes to sort through your towels, discarding any that are worn out or stained. Fold and organize the remaining towels neatly.
9. Clean Out Your Car
Your car can accumulate clutter just like your home. Spend 15 minutes removing trash, organizing the glove compartment, and clearing out any items you no longer need. If you have a little extra time, give the seats a quick vacuum to get rid of dirt and/or crumbs.
10. Organize Your Kitchen Utensils
Kitchen drawers can become a tangled mess of utensils. Take 15 minutes to sort through them, remove duplicates or items you rarely use, and organize the remaining utensils in a way that makes them easy to access.
11. Declutter Your Digital Space
Your digital life can be just as cluttered as your physical space. Spend 15 minutes cleaning up your desktop, deleting unnecessary files, or organizing your email inbox. This digital decluttering can improve your productivity and reduce stress. Whew!
12. Sort Through a Basket of Laundry
Laundry baskets can become catch-alls for various items. Spend 15 minutes sorting through the contents, returning items to their proper places, and dealing with any laundry that’s been piling up. Listen to an audiobook or podcast to turn it into a "fun" task!
13. Tidy Up Your Coffee Table
Coffee tables can quickly gather clutter such as magazines, remote controls, and random objects. Use 15 minutes to clear off the table, organizing or discarding items as needed. This will help create a more inviting and calm living space.
14. Organize Your Jewelry
Jewelry can easily become tangled and disorganized if you don't take care of it. In 15 minutes, untangle necklaces, sort earrings, and put your jewelry back in its proper place. Using small containers or organizers, helps keep your jewelry accessible and untangled.
15. Purge Old Greeting Cards and Paperwork
Greeting cards and paperwork can accumulate over time. Take 15 minutes to go through these items, keeping only the ones that are truly meaningful and recycling the rest. This task helps keep sentimental clutter to a minimum.
There you have it! What 15 minute decluttering tasks would you add to the list?
By decluttering in manageable 15-minute tasks, you can maintain an organized home without feeling overwhelmed. Consistent small efforts can lead to big improvements, making your living space more enjoyable and functional.
Find the best School Backpacks for less. This selection will take the stress out of shopping while saving money too.
The best school backpacks
Can you believe it? Back to school is just around the corner. Save money on back to school shopping by purchasing your school backpacks at a price that feels right.
It can be overwhelming in-store so shopping online is a great option.
Browse this list and save time while getting the best deals. No need to spend a ton of time or money when the deal hunting has been done for you!
This list truly has something for everyone to start the school year off right. There are even some backpacks listed that include lunch kits and more. Go ahead and start shopping today for the best selection.
From solid color options to school backpacks with patterns, the options are endless for the school year. This list has it all.
This Roots backpack is from Costco Canada. It looks great for high schoolers and has a lot of pockets!
7. Kids Recycled Backpack $39
I realize that this one is more than $50 when it's not on sale, however, it's from Gap Canada and they always seem to have some sales or coupon codes happening. So if this is the backpack you need, do not pay full price for it!
8. Super Mario Bros.™ Canvas Backpack for Kids $39.99
Perfect for the kid that loves Mario! This Old Navy backpack is sure to be a hit with early elementary aged kids.
9. Outbound Kids' Multi-Pocket Backpack $16.99
Great price for a great backpack! This simple backpack is perfect for younger kids.
10. Outbound Oak Kids' Recycled Backpack $19.93
This Outbound backpack is a smaller backpack perfect for daycare or preschool.
11. Skip Hop Zoo Big Kid Backpack $38
Oh man these are cute and perfect for younger kids! This is a bigger version of the classic Skip Hop backpack that I'm sure you have seen.
12. Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid Backpack $30
Here's the smaller classic version of the Skip Hop backpack. Perfect for daycare or preschool.
13. Patterned Backpacks from The Children's Place $49.95 or less
The Children's Place has a great selection of backpacks! You'll see Spiderman, Minecraft, princess, Paw Patrol, dinosaur, colorblock and more! They are currently on sale too!
14. High Sierra Swoop Sg Backpack $49.99
This High Sierra backpack has so many pockets! Perfect for the high schooler that likes to be organized!
15. SoYoung Neo Rainbows Backpack $48.98
This SoYoung backpack is a cheerful backpack in two different sizes. Like all backpacks I find, this one is machine washable.
16. Jansport Superbreak Backpack $30.20
This Jansport backpack is perfect for the kid that just wants a plain black, functional backpack.
17. Impact 3-Piece Backpack Set $19.98
You can't beat the price on this one! This is a backpack set that includes a lunch kit and a pencil case.
18. Dickies Varsity Backpack $24.97
This Dickies backpack is everything you need in a backpack. Has a front zipper pocket, side mesh water bottle pocket and interior padded laptop sleeve.
19. All Canadian Backpack $29.97
Another black backpack with lots of pockets, perfect for carrying everything that's needed at school!
20. Reebok Celeste Backpack $34.97
This Reebok backpack has storage for a laptop, sunglasses, water bottles and so much more!
21. Jetstream Marble Print Backpack $29.97
So much storage! This Jetstream backpack has pockets everywhere. Includes my favorite water bottle holders and more.
22. Dog Paw Prints Backpack $44.64
Perfect for the child who loves dogs! This Paw Prints backpack is another with lots of pockets.
23. Foldable Backpack $35.99
So this backpack is different than the others because it has a separate section on the bottom for shoes and a pocket on the front for holding wet items.
24. Lightweight Water Resistant Backpack $49.99
This one looks like a really durable backpack perfect for preschool or kindergarten. Lots of different patterns to choose from!
25. Casual Style Lightweight Bag $38.99
This backpack comes with a lunch kit and a pencil case! There are a ton of different designs to choose from too. Perfect for the high schooler.
26. Water Resistant Backpack $48.99
Sometimes, a solid colour backpack is just the thing that kids want. This water resistant backpack with high ratings is perfect for teens.
27. adidas Laptop Sleeve School Backpack $31.97
This adidas backpack is a sturdy, highly rated backpack that is perfect for higher elementary/middle school grades.
28. Solid Colour Backpack $36.99
This solid colour backpack is another option with lots of pockets. Comes in several different colours.
There you have it! A great selection of school backpacks found in Canada for under $50! Which ones do you think your kids will like the most?
