Next time you're invited to a baby shower, this list of inexpensive but unique baby gifts may just be what you need to get inspired.
The ideas are fun, practical and most importantly, fit into nearly any budget.
With the low-cost ideas listed here, you can gift a unique baby gift to your friends or family members to help welcome their new addition that they will appreciate.
A diaper cake.
A diaper cake is a great way to gift useful items and stay in budget. Even a small box or bag of diapers can be rolled and tied together using inexpensive ribbon to create a cute gift.
Following along with another more practical gift idea, a stroller fan might be a wonderful gift idea for the parent that likes to be out and about.
As a practical person at heart, useful but unique baby gifts would have made me the happiest. Lol.
A coupon to come do chores for the new parents.
A new mom and dad are definitely going to need a bit of help in the early days. This could include an offer to clean their home before or after the baby arrives. It may be offering up some freezer meals, or even babysitting older children so they can sleep.
Find out what needs they have and offer a coupon to the new parents to use when they need it most.
Gift cards for restaurants that deliver to their home.
This may not seem like one of the most unique baby gifts, but it is a great choice that will be appreciated.
Sometimes the very idea of cooking at home is overwhelming, not to mention trying to load an infant into a car and drive to buy dinner.
Gift cards for take out that will deliver are an excellent way to help a new parent. A gift card for Skip the Dishes or Uber eats would also be excellent.
They are especially great for those moms who are facing a c-section at birth and may be stuck at home longer than most due to healing.
Alternatively, you could gift a pre-made meal. Perhaps a homemade soup mix or two full of beans, lentils and spices that the new parents can just add water to.
A sound machine.
This gift is invaluable in early days to help a baby fall asleep easier. While more expensive than others on this list, I highly recommend a white noise machine as one of the best unique baby gifts.
While there are many options out there,I love the Dreamegg white noise machine. One of the ones that we had has a dim light, so it was perfect for middle of the night visits. They are also small enough to be great for travelling.
Custom name sign.
If the baby has already arrived and you know the name of the baby, a custom name sign would be a wonderful gift idea.
Etsy has so many different handmade options. You could choose something with just the name, or something with the name and birth statistics. The options are endless really.
Try to match the nursery colors, if you know what they are, for a great option to gift to the new parents.
A Cuddle + Kind Handmade Doll
My daughters each have a Cuddle+Kind doll and they are truly beautiful and unique. I especially love that with the purchase of 1 doll, 10 meals are provided to children in need around the world.
A hooded towel
My daughters are still using the ones they were gifted when they were babies! They think the animal on the hood is just the most fun.
This Michley brand has many different animal options that I think would be fun paired with a corresponding book.
Bath toys
Bath toys are perfect to have on hand for when the little one gets older.
My daughters always liked the foam letters, little animals that squirt water, and stack and pour cups.
Their all time favourite though was this Yookidoo bath toy. They used it for the longest time!
A diaper bag backpack
A diaper bag backpack is the perfect gift for any mom, but especially those with multiple kids! They are so much better than a traditional diaper bag because you can carry it and be hands-free to wrangle the kids.
They are much more comfortable to lug around and are so practical with all the pockets they have.
A few books
You can never go wrong with gifting books! The new parents will be doing plenty of reading over the years that new books will be so appreciated!
These are some great inexpensive but unique baby gift ideas that are easy to fit into any budget. Gender neutral and easy to accomplish, these ideas are sure to make it easy for you to give a gift for any new baby announcement you receive.
What are you favourite unique baby gifts to give for new babies?
Menu planning and I have had some ups and downs over the years, due to various life seasons, but I always come back to menu planning because it has SO MANY benefits.
I started menu planning when my husband and I got married way back in the fall of 2007. I was hoping it would make life simpler.
Nearly 15 years later, with mostly consistent planning, I'm finding that it does and I absolutely love it!
If menu planning seems like another chore that you don't want, today, I'd love to tell you the 5 things that I love about menu planning!
I only shop once a week.
When I was living on my own, if I wanted to make something specific, I would go to the store that day to purchase any ingredients I needed.
If you're anything like me, a trip to the grocery store for only a couple of things, turns into purchasing many unexpected things. Doing this a few times each week, I was obviously spending more than I needed to by going more than once a week.
With a menu plan in place, I can limit my grocery shopping to once a week because I've accounted for all the ingredients and staples I need based on what I already have and what's on sale.
Less temptation to eat out.
In other words, we save money AND eat healthier by having a menu plan. But because we enjoy eating out once a week or so, I actually factor our meal out into my menu planning so I don't buy any wasted ingredients.
I have more motivation.
Cooking isn't my favourite thing to do these days. However, when I have a plan in place, I've eliminated a big part of the battle.
I don't struggle for meal ideas or have any missing ingredients. I can just jump right into meal creation almost thoughtlessly. I almost get excited about making dinner, because I already know what I will be making!
Before I menu plan, I take a quick look through the pantry, fridge and freezer to see which ingredients I have on hand. I can usually think of one or two simple meals using what I already have.
My next step is take a look in my local grocery flyers to see what is on sale. I plan some more meals based on what's on sale.
With both of those strategies in play, I am less tempted to impulse buy because I know I won't need that item.
I also like to make plenty of dinner so that there is enough leftover for lunches the next day. This helps eliminate the need to eat out for lunch!
It's a good use of my time.
It takes me less time to plan a weekly menu plan then it does to think up a meal each and every day at meal time. I'm a big fan of using my time efficiently. 😉
There you have it, 5 reasons why I love menu planning! Do you menu plan? If so, why do YOU menu plan?
I've had quite a few people mention that they struggle with knowing how too afford healthful, whole foods. I'm here to give you some useful tips today that should have you knowing how to save money on whole foods in no time!
When you're looking to feed your family a healthy diet, the cost of fresh, whole foods can be a bit scary and perhaps a big turn off. Despite what some people tell you, real food is NOT cheaper than junk food. That puts a huge strain on families trying to survive on a budget.
Here are some tips you can put to use right away to help you save money on whole foods:
Visit the Farmer's Market.
Take a visit to your local farmer's market for amazing produce deals. Visiting closer to closing time will get you extra discounts as vendors work to clear out stock so they don't have to pack it up. The local Farmers Market will be packed with locally grown, in season produce.
Start a garden.
Even if you live in the city you can grow some vegetables in pots! If you're lucky you can grow an entire garden to cut the costs of feeding your family whole foods.
Eat foods that are in season to save money all the while eating whole foods on a budget. Foods that are in season tend to be a great deal cheaper. Preserve foods as they are in season so you can enjoy them all year round.
Look for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or co-op in your local area for great deals on produce, eggs, and even pasture fed meats. A quick google search or asking around with friends should reveal a few options. Most require you to sign up in the winter for the following season.
U-Pick
Do a google search for u-pick farms near you. By picking produce yourself you get a workout, quality family time, and a steep discount on amazing produce to feed your family. Bring the whole family and pick enough to store away for the rest of the year.
Shop in bulk.
Shop the bulk bins at the grocery store for things like grains, nuts, and seeds at a discount compared to buying prepackaged goods. These bins often have sales as well so you can stock up a bit more if the budget allows. In this case, air-tight containers are your friend for storage.
Manager Specials.
Keep an eye out for manager specials on produce, meats, and dairy. These usually need to be frozen or used right away but with the price, but it's worth the work. When putting your groceries away place all of your clearance finds in one spot and deal with them that night so you won't forget about them.
Learn the art of food preservation.
You can take advantage of deals on whole foods by learning how to store them long term. You have several options and doing a combination of them will yield the best results. Great options include freezing, canning, and dehydrating fresh foods for later use.
By implementing these tips, you should start seeing significant savings when you're eating whole foods. I'd love to know your tips on how to save money on whole foods in the comments below!
If you love to go camping, or even if you have never been camping before, here are 12 camping hacks that are definitely worth a try!
These camping hacks can make your camping experience an easier one, and even help you to be a little more comfortable while you are out enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
Take a look at these 12 camping hacks for every camper and see if they will be helpful on your next camp out!
1. Pack the big plastic baggies.
Take a package of big plastic baggies on your next camping trip to see how helpful they can be. You can mix ingredients in them while cooking, you can use them to keep toilet paper dry, and you can even store wet bathing suits and other damp items in them.
2. Make your own fire starters.
One of the easiest fire starters to make is to use empty toilet paper rolls filled with dryer lint. Then all you need to do is set them on top of some kindling and light them. Your fire will take off in no time. When waiting to use your fire starters just store them in a plastic baggie as mentioned above.
3. Try some lavender.
Lavender oil when dabbed in the skin can repel bugs. You can even burn fresh lavender on your fire to keep bugs at bay. Add a drop or two to your skin lotion for all over protection that smells great.
4. Make tin foil meals.
Place some chopped carrots, potatoes, and raw hamburger on a piece of tin foil. Add a little butter and salt and pepper. Wrap the foil up around the food tightly and grill for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. When you open it up you will have a ready to eat feast.
5. Get creative with dessert.
Try the same concept above but instead add sweets to the inside of a waffle cone. Try chocolate chips, peanuts, marshmallows, and other sweet treats. Wrap the cone in tin foil and bake on the flames for just a few minutes. When you unwrap it you will have a tasty mess!
6. Try pool inflatables.
Your basic pool inflatables can make sleeping a little more cozy. Kids especially will enjoy sleeping on pool mat as opposed to the hard floor. This is also a more budget friendly option as opposed to buying a blow up mattress.
7. Pre-make French toast at home
Make up a loaf of French toast and place it in freezer bags in the freezer. When you're ready to leave for your camping trip, pop them into your cooler. All you have to do to enjoy a delicious breakfast is heat the French toast on a stove or campfire!
8. Freeze gallon jugs or water bottles and place them in your cooler
They will keep your food cold, and you will have plenty of water to drink for later!
9. Mason jar matchbox
Keep your matches dry and ready to use at a moments notice by creating a simple DIY mason jar matchbox!
10. Store scrambled eggs in a bottle
Try this if you are only making scrambled eggs on your camping trip! Avoid the mess of cracked eggs by prepping the eggs at home and storing the egg mixture in a lidded plastic bottle. Use a permanent marker to label the bottle to show the number of eggs in hash marks.
11. Make face cloth soap holders
How smart is this idea? Make face cloth soap holders for each member of your family to make washing up a breeze! All you need is a bar of soap, a face cloth and basic sewing skills!
12. Don’t forget the microfiber cloths.
Microfiber cloths are awesome for cleaning up picnic tables, drying hair after a swim, and even for washing dishes. They can literally do any job and wear well, even in the rugged outdoors.
Are you ready to give these camping hacks a try? Keep these hacks in mind for your next camping trip and see how much easier they can make things for your entire family.
Do you have any tried & true camping hacks? Please share in the comments!
Ah, the great outdoors! For nature-lovers, there’s something refreshing, even rejuvenating about spending time out in it. Does breathing in the cool night air around the crackling of a campfire, while surrounded by family or friends sound like a good time to you? Perhaps gazing up at a starry night sky is something that would leave you mesmerized? If so, this may be a good indication that you are long overdue for a camping trip!
Ready to go camping?
Whether it’s your first time camping, or you’ve been going for many years now, it’s always helpful to have a list to make sure that you don’t forget something. It's not the best feeling when you discover you've forgotten something! To better assist you, here is a list of camping gear that you need on your next amazing camping trip.
Shelter
Your number one concern for your camping trip should be shelter. It's so important to have adequate shelter that’s able to hold up through windy and rainy conditions. (It often rains when our family goes camping...) These are the basic shelter supplies that will help protect you and your fellow campers from the elements:
Be sure that you bring plenty of bedding along with you so that everyone is able to stay warm and comfortable at night. This will also ensure that no one is left lying awake, feeling completely miserable, and wishing that they were at home. (The worst!)
Probably one of the best perks about camping is all the tasty food that you don’t normally get to eat. At least, that's how I feel. Food just tastes better outside! But to make all that possible, you do need to have some cooking tools and supplies on-hand. These are just a few to consider:
Paper plates (not Styrofoam because you can't burn those in the campfire.)
Lighting
Don’t be caught out in the woods during the middle of the night without something to light your path. It can be an uncomfortable feeling if you have to relieve yourself in the dark while you’re hearing all kinds of noises that surround you. (or you have to investigate a rustling sound outside the tent!)
The following are camping tools that will make your camping life a lot easier. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re regretting leaving one of them behind.
Each camper should consider packing the following items, especially if you’re planning on hiking or doing some other outdoor activity. As the Boy Scouts always say, “be prepared.”
The following camping gear items may have ended up in the miscellaneous category, but they’re still important ones to bring with you! Each of them provides campers with something different, whether it be comfort, sanitation, or a way to keep your food and drinks cold.
The following items are just a few of the most basic things that you use in order to stay clean and fresh. And whatever you do, don’t forget to pack the last one!
Shampoo/conditioner
Body wash/soap
Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Deodorant
Optional Personal Gear
These last items on this list are items that you may or may not need to bring with you. It’s really up to you depending on your situation and what makes sense to you.
Toilet paper
Hairbrush
Small mirror
Medications
Feminine products
Special needs products
This is an in-depth look at all the camping gear you will need for your next camping trip. Can you think of any other camping supplies that you may need that didn’t make the list?
I just bought a giant tub of coconut oil from Costco so I thought I’d better add a list of 10 uses for coconut oil! To go along with the 10 uses for vinegar and baking soda, of course.
While I purchased mine at Costco, it’s also available at grocery stores and Amazon too.
I’ve used coconut oil in the past for cooking and baking, however, I’m really excited to delve into all that the product offers. There are so many unique ways to use it!
Here are 10 Uses for Coconut Oil:
#1 – Shaving Cream: Coconut oil can serve as a pretty fine substitute for shaving cream when you’re getting ready to go to work in the morning. Also, if you rubbed the electric razor a little too hard on your skin, coconut oil can also serve as a great after shave lotion.
#2 – Leather Cleaner and Protector: You have a leather coat or couch and want to condition the material. Maybe you have heard that coconut oil is a good use for leather and faux leather conditioning. You wonder if it will take out the cracks and help the leather look smooth for a long time.
Well, the good news is that coconut oil is an excellent conditioner for leather and faux leather material. Use a clean, dry cloth to buff the oil onto the leather or faux leather surface.
#3 – Oil For Wood Bowls and Boards: If one doesn’t maintain their woodware properly, the consequences can be rather irritating. Some pretty serious stains can settle in, and smells can linger for a long time.
Coconut oil can serve as a great way to get those tough stains and smells out of your favorite wood bowl and off your favorite cutting board. Just use it as you would any other wood treating oil; a fine, thorough rub into the wood and your woodware is fresh once again.
#4 – Makeup Remover: Coconut oil is pretty much great for anything, so of course it makes a good makeup remover! Simply warm about a teaspoon of coconut oil between your fingers, then massage onto your face to dissolve makeup. Just be sure to be gentle while you’re trying to remove that mascara.
#5 – Impromptu Neosporin: Little accidents happen a lot around the house in this day and age.
Thankfully, coconut oil can keep those minor scrapes from developing into worse things, like infections. Just dab a little of it over any cut, scrape, or scratch and put a Band-Aid on top of the injury. An added bonus is that it smells a lot better than anything you could pick up at the drugstore.
#6 – Mouthwash: Lets face it, Listerine doesn’t really taste all that great. But, what if you had something that generally doesn’t taste terrible, what if you had something that might actually taste pretty GOOD while your swishing it around in your mouth, getting all the gunk and goo cleaned out?
Coconut oil my friend; just toss it around in your mouth for a good 10-15 minutes in the morning to clean your mouth up a bit. When all is said and done, just rinse the leftovers out with water and spit. (This method is also called oil pulling.)
#7 – Deodorant: Now, here’s something really unique you’d never expect out of coconut oil; it can also be used as deodorant! Who would’ve thought, huh?!
In all seriousness, though, coconut oil is an extremely effective tool that can keep your kid’s armpits sweet-smelling, and if used in conjunction with baking soda, it can be even more effective. Just massage it in and things will smell a lot less like a gym locker room on a bad Tuesday.
#8 – Moisturizer: Some of us don’t want to pay the high prices for the expensive moisturizers. And, luckily, most people like the smell of coconut, the mere scent of which invokes images of Hawaiian beaches and Caribbean shores.
Thankfully for you, coconut oil is a nice, natural moisturizer that you can use on anything from dry elbows to chapped lips!
#9 – Energy Supplement: Energy drinks lift us up, but they eventually bring us down even lower than when we started. Sometimes a real pick me up is needed to get us through our busy lives.
This is where our coconut oil friend comes into play. Coconut oil has been proven to give men and women alike nice bursts of energy when things are feeling pretty darn tiring. So, when that heart-attack inducing (It’s been proven by science, can’t argue with that) energy drink starts eyeing you from across the desk, remember to try and slip yourself a small bit of coconut oil and see how that works out.
#10 – Athlete’s Foot Combatant: Coconut oil also works well at keeping Athlete’s Foot away. A quick massage of the stuff on your foot and you’ll be good for a while.
What do you think of those uses for Coconut Oil? How do you like to use Coconut oil?
