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throw a Chinese New Year party on a budget

[ 0 ] January 23, 2012

Kung Hei Fat Choy! Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) is an annual celebration to usher in the new cycle of the lunar-solar Chinese calendar. It’s a time of renewal, well-wishing and best of all, a feast with your family.

Those who are, shall we say, less than familiar with the tradition of Chinese New Year might imagine the parties to be garish and full of people in dragon costumes. But the point isn’t to be extravagant, it’s to reunite family, enjoy a good meal and set the tone for the year to come.

So what can you do to save money while hosting a Chinese New Year Party? Read on for our tips…

Food

One word: potluck. My family does this every year, not to mention for other holidays like birthdays and Christmas. It’s so much less stress on the host, not to mention your pocketbook. For desserts or something to nibble on after tea, buy Chinese almond or fortune cookies from bulk suppliers to get the cheapest price (the earlier the better).

If you’re stuck on what to make, frozen dumplings (or jiaozi) are cheap to buy and super easy to prepare. Not to mention they’re always popular around the dinner table.

Decorations

Remember the color scheme for Chinese New Year: red for happiness and gold/orange for wealth and fortune. Thankfully, all you really need for a decent decoration setup can be found at your grocery or dollar store. Consider…

  • A fruit bowl of oranges, tangerines or persimmons
  • Flowers in empty tea tins of water
  • String lights
  • Paper lanterns
  • Red & gold banners

Ambiance & Games

Lively conversation at dinner should always be accompanied by great music, and a Chinese New Year party is no different. Ask the elders in your family what type of music they’d enjoy. Don’t own the CD? That’s why we’ve been blessed with YouTube and Grooveshark.

I speak from personal experience, the Nintendo Wii is a life saver. It saves your younger relatives from getting bored and makes you look like the cool aunt, uncle or cousin (which you totally are). If you don’t have one, ask around your family. Considering that Nintendo’s sold 89 million units worldwide, at least someone you’re related to will own it!

No matter how your home looks, your family and their happiness are the most important things on this holiday. Even if you don’t have the budget for a lavish Lunar party, you can still celebrate with style.

Have a happy and healthy Year of the Dragon! What are your wishes for 2012?

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top pet gifts from Petco

[ 0 ] December 19, 2011

For many loving pet owners, pets are part of the family. Which means during the holidays, there’s usually a stocking hung for them by the chimney and a gift under the tree.

Read on for adorable and affordable pet gift ideas for the holidays. And, remember to use our 10% off  PETCO coupon for extra savings!

Click to get the coupon code. 

Planet Petco Natural Wood Dog Crate

Original price: $112.49 | Price with coupon: $101.24 (savings = $11.25!)

Your pooch will be sleeping in style in this all-natural wood dog crate. Made with beautiful Hevea wood, a sustainable substitute for natural forest wood, this gorgeous crate doubles as a fine piece of furniture. It’s a gift both you and your furry friend will enjoy!

 

Cat Napper Window Perch

Original price: $20.99 | Price with coupon: $18.89 (savings = $2.10!)

I don’t know about your cat, but mine certainly loves looking out the window. And, I’m sure this comfy perch would satisfy her lounging needs. This hammock and perch in one can be adjusted to fit almost any sill and can easily be moved from window to window. Plus there’s no worries if your cat is on the…rounder side. This sturdy perch will hold up to 35 lbs!

 

Boneheads Waterproof Raincoat for Dogs

Original price: $22.49 | Price with coupon: $20.24 (savings = $2.25!)

There’s still a whole lotta winter to go. Which means snow, sleet, rain and just plain wetness! So, get your pup this stylin’ rain jacket to keep him dry and warm!

This jacket is made from waterproof nylon and fastens to the dog’s underbelly and neck with Velcro. The hood is fully functional. And for added comfort and warmth, the raincoat is lined in a soft brown cotton fabric.

biOrb Life 30S Aquariums

Original price: $295.00 | Price with coupon: $265.50 (savings = $29.50!)

Get your fish out of that old fish bowl and put ‘em into something new. This easy to clean, low voltage, acrylic aquarium is perfect for the home and the office.

This low-maintenance tank includes a slimline intelligent LED light that provides an automatic 24 hour lighting cycle (including a natural gradual sunrise, sunset and blue moonlight). It also comes with essentials such as an air pump, transformer, water conditioner and much more to make your fishies life as comfortable as possible!

Insight ActiviToys Birdie Bowling Bird Toy

Original price: $2.50 | Price with coupon: $2.25 (savings = .25!)

First of all, isn’t this the cutest toy ever!? OK. Now that that’s out of the way we can talk about this toy which actually promotes health and well-being.

Birds are smart cookies and they need to exercise their keen minds. ActiviToys bird toys like this bowling set are designed to stimulate your bird’s mind as well as its motor skills.

 

Are you giving your pet a gift this Christmas?

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easy holiday dinner recipes for the rookie

[ 0 ] December 12, 2011

You’re all moved into your new house. Finally – a house. Gone are the days of that cramped 1 bedroom apartment in the 3-storey walk-up. You have an actual kitchen and a table and an oven that fits regular-sized cookie sheets. Life is good. Then the phone rings. And it’s Mom. Or Dad. Or Grandma. Or the siblings.

Guess who’s coming to Christmas dinner?

Before you panic too heavily and ultimately regret your moves altogether, remember that all those people also had their first big family dinner, too. Anyone can come up with delicious and easy holiday dinner ideas – even you. The important thing is to know your limits. Now is not the time to think big. Now is the time for humble pie. Or a simple pumpkin pie with store-bought crust.

the turkey

Frightening? Are you kidding? Other than the unbelievably long roasting time, cooking a Christmas turkey is the easiest part of prep. Let’s go with an average weight of the bird as 15 pounds.

  1. Preheat the oven to 475.
  2. Rinse the turkey with cold water and take out the gross bits. Inside the turkey, there should be a bag with things like the giblets and neck. We’ll just throw those out.
  3. Separate the skin from the breast a little. Pour in some melted butter. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also put thyme or rosemary in there.
  4. Brush the top with more melted butter and turn down the oven to 325.
  5. Cover with foil loosely and throw it in the oven. For perfect cooking, use about 20 minutes per pound as a rule. Baste about once an hour or so. Once you take it out of the oven, let it sit for about 20 minutes to let the juices seep in.

mashed potatoes

It’s time to put away the instant potato flakes and graduate to the real thing. One of the best things about mashed potatoes is the price. They are CHEAP and easy! All you need is butter (see a trend?), milk, maybe some sour cream if you want, and lots of potatoes.

  1. Peel potatoes and put them in boiling water for about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Drain the water and mash them, slowly adding a pinch of salt, a 1/2 cup of milk, a little butter, and sour cream if you want extra zip. If you want to go really crazy, try a bit of garlic salt or cheese.

cranberries

This is the real stuff, not canned. But if you’re worried about going too crazy on your first try, canned is perfectly acceptable. Just make sure you squish them up so the lines of the can aren’t visible anymore.

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1 cup of sugar. Add cranberries.
  2. Simmer for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries start breaking. Done!
  3. For some extra zest, add grated orange peel, pecans or nutmeg.

pumpkin pie

I’m not going to lie – I bake a bit and my first pie crust was a complete failure. So, unless you’re confident in your baking skills (and your oven), there’s no shame in buying the crust. It’ll still be delicious, and you can always try the crust when you’ve mastered the rest of the recipe.

 

  1. Beat eggs, 1 can of pumpkin, 1 1/2 cups of half & half, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice and 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
  2. Pour mixture in pie crust.
  3. Bake for 45 minutes at 350.

And there you have it! Not only is it easy to make Holiday favorites, but it’s actually relatively inexpensive – running only about $40 bucks for the whole thing. And that’s without coupons.

 

Have you ever cooked a big holiday dinner? What tips can you share with us?

 

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housewarming gifts for newbie home owners

[ 0 ] December 5, 2011

Buying gifts for a new home owner is tricky.

Trust me, I should know. My brother just bought his very first home and I’ve been wracking my brain for perfect housewarming gift ideas.

The trick is figuring out what he doesn’t already have without being obvious about it. So, I’ve been researching unique and practical gift ideas that will work for my brother and any new homeowner.

Below are my top picks for fabulous first-time housewarming gifts:

1) Tassimo

Single-serve coffee never looked so sleek.

If the new home-owner you’re buying for is a coffee-lover, like my brother, they’ll be sure to love this gift.

The person you’re buying for may already have a coffee maker, but this machine brings a little extra to the counter-top. The Tassimo prepares one-cup servings of everything from your standard black coffee or tea to lattes, cappuccino, espresso and much more. 

2) Hickory Farms Wine Set

There’s many wine sets to choose from on Wine.com, but this is easily my number 1 choice for gifting.

It’s got Signature Beef Summer Sausage, cheese, crackers and a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from Lucinda & Millie – it’s sure to please any wine lover.

Savings tip:  Can’t settle on just one? Get 10% off $99+ gift baskets at Wine.com with coupon code GIFTS99.

3) 10 Piece Stainless Steel Bar Set 

This gift is really nice for a housewarming occasion.

It’s stainless steel, so it’ll match almost any style. It comes with pretty much everything your gift recipient may need for the bar in their home (if they have one), and as an added bonus,  it’s one handsome set.

Savings tip: Get 20% off & free shipping on $25+ order at Pfaltzgraff with coupon code DECPASS (expiry = 12/5 @8:59pm EST).

 

What’s the best housewarming gift you’ve ever received? Share with us in a comment below!

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thanksgiving recipes for guests with dietary restrictions

[ 0 ] November 21, 2011

If the phrase “hosting a Thanksgiving dinner” sends chills down your spine, we don’t blame you. Holiday dinners can really crank your stress meter up to 11, especially if you have guests with certain dietary needs or restrictions you’re not used to.

Not pictured: your frayed nerves.

But there’s no need to panic, because creating a Thanksgiving meal for vegetarians, vegans or any other special group of foodies can be fun and easy. We’ve got a few ideas for yummy main courses, sides, desserts and drinks to get you inspired. Consider it an opportunity to show off your undoubtedly awesome culinary skills in a whole new way:

Vegetarians

Main: Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup

For the skeptics who don’t think of soup as a main course, you’ve obviously never had a creamy pumpkin soup like this one. Serve with bread, garnish with a few toasted pumpkin seeds and you have yourself quite a filling Fall meal.

Side: Vegetarian Stuffing

Luckily, traditional stuffing is easy to adapt. Most stuffing recipes don’t even call for any meat products! In terms of simple, delicious vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes, it doesn’t get easier than this. Just remember a couple of crucial things: use vegetable stock, not chicken stock and do not stuff it in a turkey!

Vegans

Main: Black Bean and Zucchini Tortilla Casserole

You might find vegans a little daunting to cook for, but they’re not nearly as picky as you might think. And it’d be hard to find anything wrong with this super delicious and healthy casserole recipe. For the corn tortillas, you can either grab them from your nearest health food store or make your own.

Side: High Protein Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Much like vegetarian stuffing, adapting garlic mashed potatoes for vegans is as effortless as a couple of ingredient swaps. Be sure to substitute dairy products for their vegan alternatives, such as unsweetened rice or almond milk instead of cow or goat milk.

Gluten Intolerance

Main: Mom’s Gluten-Free Roast Turkey

Ready for the big one? Roasting a succulent turkey isn’t quite as easy as whipping up a batch of mashed potatoes, but preparing a bird for those with gluten intolerance is a piece of cake. It’s just a simple matter of leaving out ingredients that contain the gluten protein. This delicious recipe replaces breadcrumb stuffing (which is heavy with gluten) with simple vegetables, salt and pepper.

Dessert: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cupcakes

It’s not Thanksgiving without some sort of pumpkin treat, right? For a little twist, try this drool-worthy gluten-free cupcake recipe. Just remember when you’re in the grocery store to buy pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Puree is nothing but pumpkin, while the pie filling has all sorts of unnecessary additives.

Non-Drinkers

Not everyone partakes in a holiday nip, so be mindful of your guests’ drink preferences. Sparkling fruit juices, non-alcoholic egg nog and club soda are all must-haves for your kitchen. Here are some fun non-alcoholic drink and cocktail ideas:

  • Sparkling apple cider with ginger syrup
  • Pomegranate juice & non-alcoholic champagne
  • Cranberry juice & club soda
  • Apple juice, ginger ale & juice from a pumpkin (great for Harry Potter fans)
  • Hot apple cider garnished with a cinnamon stick

See? Cooking outside your comfort zone on Thanksgiving might seem difficult, but it’s only a matter of being resourceful and creative. Have fun!

Do you have any special holiday or Thanksgiving recipes for people with dietary restrictions? Share with us!

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An Interview with Shannon Schulte from Sweepstakes Mama

[ 0 ] June 30, 2011

When most of us use social media, we do it for fun. Twitter, Facebook and blogs are platforms to get information, socialize and even get our daily dosages of humor.

But, Shannon Schulte, the full-time sweeper behind the blog Sweepstakes Mama, has taken the social media boom, twisted it and made it into a career.

Though her methods may be controversial to some, you can’t deny the payoff. Shannon has won some impressive swag. So, we decided to ask her a few questions to better understand the Sweepstakes phenomenon and learn the benefits of sweeping. 

What is sweeping and what first drew you to it?

Sweeping or “Sweepstaking” is a hobby that is tons of fun and has become part of my daily life. What started as a passion for finding deals, coupons, and freebies and finding a sweepstakes to win a new truck started a new part of my life. I was drawn to sweeping by trying to find a way to help our family financially, without sacrificing being at home for my kids and husband. When I started winning, I was enjoying bringing fun things home for free! Restaurant gift cards, movie tickets, toys, and even cash made us able to enjoy things we could not otherwise afford.

How long have you been entering sweepstakes?

I’ve been sweeping for almost two years now. I started from entering just a few giveaways and sweepstakes a day to about 400-600 sweepstakes a day. I’ve taken it from a hobby to a career. I love sharing sweeps with my readers!

Approximately how much time in a day do you devote to sweeping?

I spend about 7 hours a day on sweeps. Normally I get up very early, and do some sweeps before my sons wake up. I take a break and get them ready for the day. I normally start some chores, play with the boys for a while, then start them a quiet time activity so I can get to work. My daily sweepstakes routine normally starts about 6:30 am, earlier if I can, and I often don’t log off until about 8-9pm, sometimes later if there’s a Twitter party. This often means waking up as early as 5 am to get my family ready for the day.  I start off as early as possible to complete my IWGs (Instant Win Games) and my first run of tweets for twitter contests. If I have other obligations or I’m running late sometimes I finish them at the end of the day. Next, I do my dailies which is somewhere between 200-400. This will take about 2-3 hours to finish, when I’m not disrupted. (That’s rarely the case as I’m a Navy wife, Mommy to a 6 and 2 year old boys, I have an eBay business, and I’m a busy blogger.) I continue on the evenings after dinner with Facebook and Twitter Sweeps and research of new sweeps for my readers at http://www.sweepstakesmama.com and maybe even a Twitter Party or two.

Does the time you put in usually pay off in the end?

The time has consistently paid off in the end. Usually at least 6 days a week I have a win, whether it be big or small. My family relies on my wins to be able to afford to do fun things and have things we could not afford otherwise. Most days, my husband comes home and first thing he asks is “What did you win today?”

What’s the best prize you’ve ever won?

My favorite prize by far has been our trip to South Africa! It was fabulous! Here’s some other prizes I’ve won.

  • Many Gift Cards ranging in value from $5-$1000
  • Big Screen HD 3d TV
  • Days at the Spa
  • Gaming Systems like a Wii and a PS3 Move
  • $1000 entertainment prize pack from Family Dollar
  • Several Trips including a luxury safari in South Africa and to an all inclusive resort in Jamaica. I recently won a trip for our family to the Mall of America to visit Nickelodeon’s new theme park.
  • Over $4500 in Groceries and Free Food Coupons
  • Home Appliances
  • Celebrity Meet and Greets including hanging with Sarah McLachlan at Lilith Fair, chatting with Paula Deen and Michael, and jamming with Stone Temple Pilots and video taping their performance on stage. My boys loved getting to play basketball with the Harlem Globetrotters.
  • Season Passes to Six Flags
  • Designer Shoes, Purses, and Jewelry (you should see my closet I love shoes!)
  • 8 Flip Cams
  • iPod Touch
  • iPads
  • JVC Camcorder
  • Several Cash Prizes
  • Gift Baskets
  • Toys and Board Games for my boys
  • Tickets to many fun concerts and shows and family passes to the zoo
  • LOTS of other miscellaneous prizes

What are your favorite contests to enter?

I love to enter Twitter sweeps and one-time entries. One-time entries are great because you can enter and hope that luck’s on your side. Daily sweepstakes can become very time consuming.

How has sweeping benefited your life?

Last year (2010) was the first year we did not have to buy Christmas for any family members. I am definitely making more winning sweepstakes than I did on a teacher’s income, and I don’t have to pay for daycare. Winning sweepstakes helps those on a middle class income afford to do things they never could imagine doing. Some jokingly say we can do things when they “win the lottery.” I don’t know about winning the lottery (I have won some scratch off tickets), but it’s more than that. Once in a lifetime experiences, taking luxurious trips, and indulging in things we could only dream of is possible by winning sweepstakes. Our grocery bill has gone down about 25-30% since I’ve been sweeping due to food coupon wins, and I love that I can cover most of our date nights out with my husband.

If you’d like to get started sweeping, visit Shannon’s blog Sweepstakes Mama to find instant win games, daily sweeps, and more. She offers one-on-one sessions for those that are ready to get serious about winning as well. Send her an email for more information.

What are your thoughts on sweeping? Do you do it, or have you done it in the past? Share in a comment below!

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A Q&A with Leah Ingram Author of Toss, Keep, Sell: The Suddenly Frugal Guide to Cleaning Out the Clutter and Cashing In

[ 0 ] February 22, 2011

Leah Ingram is a frugal living expert, founder of the blog Suddenly Frugal and author of more than a dozen books, including her latest Toss, Keep, Sell! The Suddenly Frugal Guide to Cleaning Out the Clutter and Cashing In (Adams Media, 2010).

Get Leah’s book for less with our Amazon.com coupons!

Q: Why did you write your newest book?

A: I wanted this new book to serve a dual purpose: to help people get their homes organized, and discover ways that they could get cash for their clutter. This book grew out of my earlier book Suddenly Frugal: How to Live Happier and Healthier for Less, which grew out of my blog Suddenly Frugal . That book was written for recovering spendthrifts–people who used to spend, shop, and dine out freely, and then when the economy tanked, suddenly needed to live frugally. This was the plan my husband and I needed to follow in 2007 and how I ended up starting my blog Suddenly Frugal. I know from being one of those recovering spendthrifts that, thanks to my “shopper-tainment” days, when I went shopping when I was bored, I had more stuff than I needed so plenty of clutter to clear out.

Q: If you’ve already written a book on frugal living, why write another one?

A: The secret to living frugally is to continually reevaluate your spending and saving, and find ways that you can cut back on daily or regular expenses. But here’s what most people don’t realize: after a while, there’s nothing left to cut. And when there’s nothing left to cut, you’ve got to find ways to bring in more money. I’m lucky, in that I’m a self-employed writer and I can always take on additional assignments to bring in more income. But most people don’t have that luxury or don’t have the time to get a second job. Hopefully, Toss, Keep, Sell! will help them figure out ways to put more cash back in their wallets.

Q: Where did the idea of getting cash for your clutter come from?

A: I realized that most of the posts I’d done on my blog that talked about getting cash for my clutter or cash for my trash were the best received. Also, I’d done a survey on Suddenly Frugal that revealed this: 92% of my blog readers had sold their clutter for cash and would do so again in the future.

Many of the people who took this survey have used more than one selling method to sell various household items. When they sold stuff, they most often held a yard sale (74%) or sold stuff on Craigslist (51%). Of those items they were selling and making money from, furniture (43%) and clothing (19%) sold the best. One reader added a comment to the survey that she’d made nearly $3,000 from selling her old furniture.

Q: If your readers are already selling their trash for cash, what new information will the book provide?

A: While I include some tried-and-true methods for selling your stuff and making money from it, I also offer options readers may not have considered but which definitely have the potential to bring in big money. For example, did you know that you don’t have to live on an estate to have an estate sale? One person I profile in the book held one in her suburban tract home and took in $4,000 over two days.

Q: Besides cash for clutter, what other benefits will people get from reading Toss, Keep, Sell!?

A: I want this book to help people clear out their excess stuff and love living in their home again. I’ve been there, and I know how it feels to have someone drop by unexpectedly, only to end up running around and closing off the rooms in a disaster state before you answer the front door. Because clutter usually isn’t limited to a single spot in the house, I’ve organized this book so that the chapters go room to room. I’ve suggested tasks you can do to slowly—but surely—to get your house, life and “stuff” in control over time.

Have you ever gotten cash for your clutter? Let us know in a comment below!

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5 Best Workout Videos for Home Fitness

[ 2 ] January 18, 2011

Gyms are extra packed with people trying to shed post-holiday inches. I can appreciate the gym, but I don’t like going. I enjoy sweating and stretching into awkward positions in the privacy of my own home.

If you enjoy working out at home with gym workout videos to follow along, then read on! I’ve listed the 5 workout exercise videos that everyone in the office voted for. Choose the ones you love and trim the bill by applying our free Amazon.com coupons.

P90X

What You Need: Yoga blocks, mat, dumbbells, pull-up handles, gloves & a chair

When you’re looking to lose massive body fat and turn it into hard muscle this is the choice for you. P90X focuses on “muscle confusion.” This means a variety of exercises are used throughout the workout so that your muscles don’t get used to the movements.

The 90 in the title stands for 90 days. Follow the video 6 times a week for 90 days and you’ll see some crazy results. It’s not easy though, so be ready for an insane workout!

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred

What You Need: 3.5 to 5lbs dumbbells

What’s Jillian known for? Pushing you to the limit and motivating you along the way. Just when you’re reaching your breaking point, you’ll hear her saying: “You want a 20 minute workout that delivers? You’re gonna have to earn it!”

Her workouts consist of 3 levels. Do each one for about 10 days before you move on to the next. If you’re struggling, don’t feel bad – just continue with the same level for a few days before you move on.

Turbo Jam

What You Need: A towel!

If you’re bored of regular workout routines or need to have tons of fun to be motivated, this is a great video. These workouts have upbeat music and combine cardio with kickboxing at a steady rhythm. You’ll sweat in places you never thought you could and feel the burn as your body is being sculpted.

Slim in 6

What You Need: For 2nd- and 3rd-level videos you’ll need a workout band and dumbbells.

Slim in 6 combines aerobics and weight training to help boost metabolism and tone muscles. Because you’ll be building muscle tissue, I suggest staying off the scale and measuring inches lost instead. Muscle weighs a lot so your weight might not change dramatically, but your body will!

These home gym workout videos have 3 levels: Start It Up, Ramp It Up and Burn It Up. Do each level for two weeks, 6 times per week for results that blow you away.

Mari Winsor Pilates

What You Need: You’ll need a mat for sure. And for later DVDs, you’ll also need a workout band for balancing and resistance training.

Winsor Pilates videos sculpt your body for a leaner look. Throughout the workout Mari reminds you to “connect to your core.” Your core is your tummy area. She stresses that you should be using your stomach muscles to aid the entire workout. By doing this, breathing becomes steadier and your belly muscles are shaped in record time!

So, what workout exercise videos do you recommend? Already have one of the videos listed here? What do you think?

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Make Your Own Cool Gift Baskets

[ 1 ] December 21, 2010

You may have left gift shopping to the last minute, but you don’t have to resort to an impersonal gift to meet your deadline. Making your own cool gift baskets is easier than you’d think, and they can be customized for each recipient.

You’ll have to purchase a few empty baskets, shredded paper (or shred your own), cellophane and ribbon, but the real fun comes in buying the gift basket contents.

Cost Plus has a ton of great gourmet coffees, chocolates, spreads, etc. that make really good gift basket filling, but you can also tune your DIY basket to more specific interests.

Here are a few ideas for cool (sometimes custom) gift baskets:

For Movie Lovers

  • A couple of new releases (with a gift receipt), movie rental cards and/or movie passes
  • Traditional and fancy-flavored popcorn packets
  • Classic theater candy
  • Beverages if desired

For Coffee/Tea Lovers

  • A cute mug (and/or teapot for tea lovers)
  • An assortment of gourmet coffees/teas
  • Biscotti or other treats, like scone mix

Stress Relief Basket

  • Small cozy towel
  • Candles in relaxing scents, like lavender & bergamot
  • Eye mask
  • Relaxation CD
  • Bubble bath or bath bombs
  • Scented lotions

Mani/Pedi Lovers

  • Spa gift certificate
  • Quality nail file
  • Buffer or exfoliant
  • Scented hand lotion & peppermint foot lotion
  • A couple of cute nail polishes

For Book Lovers

  • A couple of recent best sellers (with a gift receipt) or books you love & recommend
  • Bookstore membership card or bookstore gift card
  • A nice bookmark
  • A yummy snack, like cookies

The list really does go on. You can make gift baskets for dog lovers, beer lovers, car lovers, sports fans, cheese lovers, etc. All they take is a little imagination!

Can you think of another gift basket idea? Let us know what you’d include.

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New: Nutrisystem for Families! Does a Family Weight Loss Program = More Success?

[ 0 ] December 14, 2010

Well, this is interesting.

Nutrisystem just came out with a new family weight loss program that actually sounds pretty darn good.

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know how difficult it can be when your family isn’t supportive of your goals. Frankly, they might even be jerks about it, groaning over how delicious their full-fat penne alfredo is.

Eating healthy is just like going to the gym in that it’s easier when you do it with other people. After a while, you’ll probably be fine doing it on your own, but having friends along for the ride really boosts motivation.

So along comes Nutrisystem for Families, a plan that encourages you and your partner to support, motivate and celebrate each other.

Here’s the Nutrisystem Family Plan coupon goodness:

How it works is pretty simple:

  1. Place a 28-Day Auto-Delivery Nutrisystem program order for yourself.
  2. Look for the Family Plan promotion presented after you place your order.
  3. Order another 28-Day Auto-Delivery program for someone in your household, and they’ll save $100 on that order & get 3 weeks of food.

I know you’re in full-fledged holiday mode, when eating appetizers before every meal becomes the norm. But, let’s face it: that new year’s resolution to eat smarter isn’t far off, and this coupon’s only available for a limited time.

Have a different weight loss plan in mind? Check out our other Nutrisystem coupons for deals.

So, what do you think of the idea of a family weight loss plan? Do you think you’d lose more weight with your partner on board? Have any of you tried Nutrisystem before?

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