Re-use Old Greeting Cards to Make New Gift Tags

After celebrating my daughter’s birthday, I am always left with dozens of beautiful greeting cards.  I hate to throw them out, but I also hate to stuff them into an already overflowing drawer.  So, I’ve decided to re-use the cards to make homemade birthday gift tags.

Here’s how it’s done:

Using a scissors with a decorative edge, cut out the pictures on the front of the cards.  Cut various shapes like ovals, squares, diamonds, hearts and more.  Or if you have stencils you can create more specific shapes like cakes, teddy bears, flowers, etc.

Punch a hole at the top of the homemade birthday gift tag and write to and from on the blank side.  Adhere the tag to your gift box or bag.

You can also add a matching piece of solid colored card stock paper to create a layered look and to make the tag sturdier.

Re-use your old cards to make these charming homemade birthday gift tags and save money all year long!

Easy Crabmeat Appetizer on a Budget

For your next event, forget all about those typical party appetizers like chicken wings, mini hot dogs and chips and dip!  Why not class things up a bit with a savory hot crabmeat appetizer that’s both easy and economical to prepare?  Here’s the recipe:

For easy hot crabmeat appetizers:

First of all purchase 1 loaf of white bread, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, one can of crabmeat and an onion.

Toast approximately 10 slices of bread and then trim off all of the crusts.  Cut each slice into fourths.

In a bowl, mix ¾ of a cup of mayo, 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 small onion grated, 1 teaspoon of salt and the can of crabmeat.

Spread about one spoonful of the crabmeat mixture onto each piece of toast ant then bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until they appear hot and bubbly.

This excellent hot crabmeat appetizer is perfect for brunches, showers, dinner parties and even Superbowl Sunday!

Girl's Birthday Party Themes: A Cake Decorating Party

If your little girl wants an Easy Bake Oven for her birthday this year, why not go one step further and throw her a cake decorating birthday party? 

Here’s a plan your daughter and her friends will surely love:

Have the guests at your cake decorating birthday party take turns preparing several boxed brownie mixes.  I use brownies instead of cake because they are easier to work with in this situation.  Set up 2 to 3 stations, depending on the number of your guests, and direct the girls to properly blend the brownie batter.

Next, pour the batter into several 9 by 13 pans and bake according to the directions given on the box.  While your brownies are baking, serve a light lunch to your guests!

Then, remove your brownie pans from the oven and let them cool.  When they are completely cool, cut the brownies into large square pieces and distribute them to your cake decorating party guests. 

Let your guests decorate their “cakes” with chocolate and vanilla frosting, sprinkles, colored icing, chocolate chips and M&Ms.  Serve the cakes as dessert!

For party favors at your cake decorating party consider giving each girl a boxed brownie mix, some sprinkles and a tube of colored icing!

Click here for a fun boy's birthday bash on a budget:
http://mybudgetland.blogspot.com/2011/08/sports-themed-boys-birthday-party.html