Budget-Friendly Craft and Party Ideas

Saving Memories -- and Money
"Can I have a plastic snow globe?" Grace asks, holding up yet another tacky souvenir in one of the shops along Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. "No honey," I reply and remind her that we can't take it on the plane (no liquids or gels through security). I go on to veto more purchases -- an "Alcatraz Triathlon" T-shirt, shot glasses, and an "earthquake in a can," until I finally give in and let her deplete her savings to buy a stuffed seal wearing an "I heart SF" T-shirt. Read more.

She's Such a Card
Filled with Mother's Day, twelve birthdays and three anniversaries, the month of May is celebration central for our family. But purchasing greeting cards for all these occasions is no party -- the grand total is a big bummer. Since when did thoughtful expression come with such a high price tag? Read more.

Spa Party for Pennies
My 12-year-old daughter burst into the house after returning from a friend's birthday party. "Look at how pretty my nails look," Brittany exclaimed, showing off sparkly pink toes and fingers."I had so much fun. I want my party there, too!" Her friend's birthday party was at a local spa, where each girl got a manicure and pedicure. Now, she wanted her party there, but at $20 per girl, I knew it was too expensive for me to host her 15 guests. Read more.

Cooking Up Some Silly Science
It was a rainy day, and the girls had exhausted their energy for drawing and were now fishing through the closet in search of Play-Doh. "Here it is!" Samantha said. But when we opened the container, the dough had dried up into lumpy little chunks. Giant sighs of disappointment made the sound of rain even louder. That's when I remembered the recipe for Flubber, a gooey concoction of slime that my budding scientists loved. Read more.