Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living, Author at Frugal Coupon Living

FREE National Park Day in November 2018 – Hundreds of Parks for FREE

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October 20, 2018 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Entertainment, Free

Photo of Avalanche Lake on nps.gov

FREE National Park Day November 11

The FREE National Park Days are back this coming weekend! Get FREE Park Admission in hundreds of National Parks in November for Veteran’s Day.

Sunday, November 11
Veterans Day

Find more details on the National Parks Service Website.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Instant Pot Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs

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August 7, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media

An easy dinner recipe made in 10 minutes – Instant Pot Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs. Serve with veggies, riced cauliflower, white rice or noodles.

Instant Pot Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs

Looking for a twist on the traditional meatball? A recipe that doesn’t incorporate cheese and red pasta sauce? Try these Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs made in the Instant Pot! These meatballs cook in only 10 minutes – that is pretty impressive and one reason I love the Instant Pot…. I mean, it is Instant. Serve over white rice, veggies, riced cauliflower or noodles.

New to the Instant Pot? Could you use a sheet of Instant Pot Tips? You will want this Instant Pot Cheat Sheet (and Baking Tips and Air Fryer Cheat Sheet too!)

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey
1/4 C. green onions, sliced + more for serving
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 egg
2 tbsp. oil
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 C. soy sauce
2 tsp. minced garlic
3 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch

Directions:

Combine the ground turkey, sliced green onions, garlic powder, salt & pepper and egg. Use your hands to mix and roll into 2″ meatballs.
In a separate bowl whisk together the soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar and cornstarch.
Add the oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot and turn on the saute function. Add the meatballs to the Instant Pot and brown the meatballs on each side.
Once the meatballs have browned, turn off the saute function.
Pour the teriyaki sauce over the meatballs.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal it shut.
Press the manual button and set to 10 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to vent naturally.
Once the Instant Pot is done venting, remove the lid and stir the meatballs.
Remove from the Instant Pot and serve with riced cauliflower or vegetables.

Instant Pot Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs

Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground turkey
1/4 C. green onions, sliced + more for serving
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 egg
2 tbsp. oil
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 C. soy sauce
2 tsp. minced garlic
3 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Combine the ground turkey, sliced green onions, garlic powder, salt & pepper and egg. Use your hands to mix and roll into 2″ meatballs.
In a separate bowl whisk together the soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar and cornstarch.
Add the oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot and turn on the saute function. Add the meatballs to the Instant Pot and brown the meatballs on each side.
Once the meatballs have browned, turn off the saute function.
Pour the teriyaki sauce over the meatballs.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal it shut.
Press the manual button and set to 10 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to vent naturally.
Once the Instant Pot is done venting, remove the lid and stir the meatballs.
Remove from the Instant Pot and serve with riced cauliflower or vegetables.

Recipe Card powered by

New to the Instant Pot? Take a look at this set of Instant Pot Cheat Sheets! Guess what, it is magnetic! See more ideas in our Baking Tips and Hacks.

Take a look at these Instant Pot Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out our Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Recipe. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

The Best Harry Potter Birthday Party Ideas

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September 21, 2022 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Birthday, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Enjoy these creative Harry Potter Birthday Party Ideas to pull off the best wizard celebration. Fun Harry Potter Party ideas including homemade magic wands, tasty butterbeer recipes, DIY Quidditch snitches, Harry Potter Themed games and more!

“Wingardium leviosa” My spell has either enticed you to read further or has you levitating from your chair. Either way, I hope you area as captivated as I am with these Harry Potter Birthday Party Ideas. We found some of the best wizard recipes (care to eat Butterbeer cake from a mug?) and most creative crafts (deliver owl mail) to pull off the ultimate, memorable wizard party.

You will want a brick wall backdrop to enter platform 9 3/4 and some Ferrero Rocher Chocolates to make the cutest Quidditch snitch. I promise the kids will talk about this party for years to come!

What are some great low-cost Harry Potter Party Ideas?

There are many reason to throw a Harry Potter Themed Party. Turn your home into a Hogwarts house for a Halloween party or birthday party. From party decorations to tasty dessert, these Harry Potter Party ideas are low-cost but totally fitting of the party theme.

With a little wizardly-inspiration from the movies, enjoy these ideas for a harry potter party!

Harry Potter Games for Kids

The first place to keep a party low budget is to save on the entertainment. It’s incredibly easy to bring party activities to your special event without hiring entertainment. Before you get started, make sure to enjoy these Wizarding Games at Home. These Harry Potter party games can be downloaded and uses as your party planner resource.

They include 17 Wizard themed games directions as well as a supply list using common items found at home. Includes Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt, Harry Potter Charades, Harry Potter Birthday Party Games with directions & supply list.

Wizarding Themed Party Games for Kids

Party Favor Printables

Use these free Harry Potter printables to create quick and easy Pillow Party Favor Boxes. Perfect for holding your favorite Harry Potter themed treats like ertie Bott’s Jelly Beans! Careful, these candy flavor beans might not be the flavor you like! All you need to pay for are the beans which you can possibly buy in bulk. | Bugaboo City

Butter Beer

Forget the cake! Let’s toast and give cheers. You really cannot do anything HP themed without this recipe. This homemade Butterbeer recipe isn’t a drink. Its a Microwave Cake in a Mug! A perfect dessert for a Harry Potter birthday party and your wizard can have fun making their own mug. Just add ice cream and viola! | Living Locurto

DIY Golden Snitches

The Easy Golden Snitches are so simple you might find yourself making them for more than a Harry Potter Party! They would be fun to tie to a balloon. Light enough too to float around your event. Let everyone take home the balloons at the end of the party. | My Poppet

Popcorn Treats

Are you watching the Harry Potter Movies? If so you are going to need some popcorn for your movie-thon. Forget a simple popcorn recipe, have fun making your own Harry Potter party themed recipe. Fill your belly with this Marshmallow Butterbeer Popcorn! | Sisters, What!

Floating Décor

Doesn’t it seem like everything levitates in the great school? Are you inspired by the great hall ceiling? Bubble wands make the most perfect floating keys for your DIY Harry Potter Decor! Add some floating candles, floating letters and floating golden snitches and you are all set. Clear fishing line would be great for these decorations. | Tikkido

Wizard Missing Poster

Grab this free printable, Have You Seen this Wizard? You will print and then place together. It makes a fun photo prop for your party photos| No longer available, get a similar item here. After the party, use the wizard prop as room décor for your harry potter fan.

Pencil Wands

One low cost party activity is to make your own homemade wands. Fill their party favor bag with something useful – A Harry Potter Pencil Wand. A hot glue gun is the trick! Use the pencils for other party activities like writing wizard letter and sending them by owl. | Sisters What

Dry Ice Potion

How about blending in a potion class to your party activities? Dry ice inside the cauldron helped to create fog and create a very exciting party effect! This also is a fun party activity for young wizards. | Spaceships and Laser Beams

DIY Party Favor Bags

Another unique party favor bag are these Quidditch Treat Bags. Make them before the big event or allow party guest to use a candy table, fill and make their own Harry Potter party favor bags. | The Preppy Planner

Chocolate Frogs Holder

These Harry Potter inspired chocolate frogs with boxes to match are so easy to make and add a fantastic touch to any Harry Potter party. You will need a frog mold with your recipe. Then create these origami shaped frog holder before gifting to your party guests. | A Modern Homestead

House Sorting Hat

You’re going to want a real talking sorting hat! Who wouldn’t have fun finding out which house they are assigned?… . please not Slytherin!

Moaning Myrtle Poster

Use your printer to put Moaning Myrtle where she is definitely not wanted – like the bathroom! This is such a simple touch to our bathroom décor but it totally sets the harry potter castle theme… just don’t’ flood the bathroom floor with her tears. | Profmcgonagall101213

Owl Letters

These super easy Harry Potter Owl Letter Holders would be great for inviting friends to your birthday party! They make cute homemade Harry Potter invitations that set the party theme immediately. | My Very Educated Mother

Harry Potter Invitations

If you do not feel like crafting your own invitations, these Harry Potter Invites are precious! | ZarleeLuxCreations (Currently unavailable but find similar Wizard Invitations on Etsy.)

Fat Lady Password Door

Speaking of invites, don’t leave off the password. Blow up a picture of the Fat Lady to stick on the door. Password please! | Wattlebird (link no longer available)

Floating Letters

Don’t you love when the mail comes in the great hall? It’s raining mail – an acceptance letters! Write your party guests names on the envelope and insert Hogwarts acceptance letters inside. | Craftsterchic (link not longer available)

House Ties Craft

What house will the sorting hat place you in? Make sure to have these Harry Potter DIY Felt Ties ready to assign to your party goers! Include Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin (if you have to!) | One Sweet Appetite

Spider Party Decor

Follow the trail of spiders! Learn how to make magnetic spiders for a metal door or use double sided tape to hang. | Delia Creates

Owl Cupcakes

Wizarding is hard and you will need to fill your bellies. Of course you need Harry Potter party food. No need for a birthday cake. These owl cupcakes add the perfect touch and a tasty dessert! | Sweetest Kitchen

Homemade Wizard Wands

The DIY Harry Potter Wands are so simple and made with hot glue and bamboo cooking chopsticks. You can make them ahead or at the party for a budget-friendly party activity. | Boxy Colonial

DIY Quidditch Goal

Fall is a great time for some ball. Grab your brooms and enjoy the great outdoors with a few backyard games. Make your own DIY Quidditch Hoops for display or for a Harry Potter game! These would be perfect for our Wizard Party games. | Housewife Eclectic

Potion Craft

Another low-cost party favor and very cute party craft are these tiny jars. Just a few simple ingredients to make this Harry Potter Potion Necklace. | The Scrap Shoppe Blog

Free Printable Banner

How about free Harry Potter Birthday Party Décor? This free banner printable is perfect for your party! | Paper Trail Design

Toilet Signs

We found this Wizard Bathroom sign on Birds Party and had to find it’s origin. You can purchase it here. Be sure to have a moaning Myrtle inside the toilet area.

Photo Backdrop

There’s only one way to get to the Hogwarts express. The brick wall. Slowly scroll through this blog post for the ultimate list of Harry Pottery Birthday Ideas like Platform 9 3/4 Photo Wall! | My Poppet

Ready to party? Keep the kids entertained. Take a look at these 50+ Kids’ Party Games – indoor, outdoor, night, birthday.

Have a Star Wars Fan? The force will be with you when you take a look at these Star Wars Birthday Party Ideas! Pin to Pinterest.

Gotta catch ’em all! Anther wonderful collection are these Pokemon Birthday Party Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

You survived another year. Look at these Camouflage Camo Birthday Party Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Thankful for You Gift Tag and Thanksgiving Gift Idea

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July 5, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media, Thanksgiving

Download your free printable thankful for you gift tag. Gift idea for a teacher, co-worker, neighbor or host this fall or Thanksgiving season.

Thankful for You Gift Tag

As a former teacher, I am always looking for creative ideas for teachers. I don’t have too much wiggled room in the wallet as I have five kids and more than five teachers, but I do want them to feel appreciated. In an effort to not give them something they will shove in the back of an empty desk drawer, I try to do little homemade things that will be used. The school day can be long, especially during the holidays, so I know food is often used (and appreciated!) I made this teacher gift tag for my kids but also wanted to share it with you. Use your Thankful for You Gift Tag for a teacher, a neighbor or bring to a celebration for a host. Enjoy!

Supplies:

Homemade (or store bought) bread or muffins – We used Pillsbury Pumpkin Bread Mix
Fall Ribbon
Twine
Burlap
Parchment Paper
Cardstock
Printer ink

I like to order my prints at Staples. It saves on ink and is only a few short miles from my home. I pick-up at the store, but of course you can upload them online and then have them shipped to your home.

To Order Your Printables at Staples for Under $1*:

Download and save your image from this post. (Please note these images are for personal use only and cannot be sold or used for commercial use.)
Sign in or create a Staples account on their print service page.
Return to Staples print service page.
Go to Start Project.
Go to Documents Printing.
Select the Buy Now Button under color.
On the left column, select your file.
Select upload.
Select done.
Give your job a name.
Make sure your project is single sided. The orientation should be portrait (smaller tags) or horizontal (larger tags).
I changed my media to 8.5×10 and the media to 67 lb coverstock (I prefer a cardstock feel over printer paper feel.)
Select add to cart.
Proceed to checkout. My total was $0.17 for one print. You can choose to ship to your home or to pick up at your local store. Pay online and show your invoice when you pick up (I just show the order number on my phone at pick-up.) The order invoice will arrive in your email inbox.
Enjoy!

*Note: these Staple print service steps were added in Fall 2018. The directions may change as the website changes. They should give you a general outline of how to upload and order a print on Staples.com.

Get this Thanksgiving gift tag printable and all of Frugal Coupon Living’s Free Printables. Enter your name and email address and we will send you a link and password for access to your free downloads.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share the printables below. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

Download your free printable thankful for you gift tag. Gift idea for a teacher, neighbor or host this fall or Thanksgiving season. #Thanksgiving

You are going to also love this Thanksgiving Gift Ideas for Teachers with Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Looking for more printables this fall? Enjoy these Free Printables for Thanksgiving. Pin to Pinterest.

Creative Upcycled Altoids Tin Ideas

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July 22, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

If you have some extra mint cases around your home, you will want to take a look at these Upcycled Altoids Tin Ideas. Creative hacks, tips and uses for travel, play, and display.

Creative Upcycled Altoids Tin Ideas

We eat a lot of mints. It might be the best way I get my kids to pass the breath smell test. (Before we talk hygiene, yes, I do make the brush multiple times a day!) Anyways, mints seem to be our solution over gum. Each time we visit a container I truly hate tossing these mint cases away. There are so many creative uses for them and there is no reason they should end up in a landfill… thus this post!

We found some very creative Upcycled Altoids Tin Ideas. From adorable little mouse and mermaid homes, to LEGOs on the go, useful first aid and sewing kits to ornaments for your tree. These upcycled craft ideas take something old and turn it into something new, useful, and environmental friendly!

Make this adorable monster activity for your kids using an empty Altoid Tin and free printable from Fun Loving Families. Fun travel game for kids!

Upcycle and old Altoids tin to make these cute LEGO kits from The Decorated Cookie! Great toys for kids for travel or party favors. (Don’t forget ourLEGO Travel Case too!)

Enjoy our very own Upcycled Tic Tac Toe Travel Game Altoids Box.

Sadie Seasongoods teaches you how to use Altoids tins to create these adorable vintage-style suitcase Christmas ornaments with fabric, ribbon, and miniature travel labels.

Here’s one for you moms. You can turn an Altoids tin into an all-purpose carrying case for your credit/business cards, ID, cash, lipstick, gum and more! Thanks Creme de la Craft!

This is a great gift for dad. Turn an Altoids Box into a Mini Pool Table. Excellent tutorial from Consumer Crafts.

Get inspired by this Altoids First Aid kit from Craftster. It makes a thoughtful gift when seeing a friend off or can be nice resource for international travel.

Make a little person inyour life her very own fairy tale in a tin! This Princess and the Pea PDF pattern will show you how to craft a tiny poseable princess doll with a lofty bed and her own fancy closet, all scaled to fit inside two recycled Altoids tins.

On the go? If you are a modern day Mary Poppins, make sure to Altoids Tin Sewing Kit with tutorial from Makezine.

Have a ballerina? This dance tip is great! Upcycle an old tin case to make a bun on the go kit!

The Instructables has an adorable tutorial with upcycling your Altoids Case into a Watercolor Box.

Hold your stamps in this adorable little stamp case.

Using any of your mini dolls and their accessories, make something like this Little Mermaid Travel Tin from Little World Big Adventures.

Follow this Mouse House PDF Pattern for your Altoids Box. This is an adorable sewing activity and travel toy. Sweet Dreams Tiny Mouse!

If sewing just doesn’t happen in your home, purchase your Upcycled Altoids Box like Mermaid Felt Doll Bed.

Organize small things with this Mint Tin Home Organization Idea – perfect for small things!

If you have extra mint cases around your home, take a look at these Upcycled Altoids Tin Ideas. Creative hacks, tips and uses for travel, play, and display. #FrugalCouponLiving #Altoids #UpcycledCrafts

“In this box I will lay, the little tooth I lost today. Please dear Tooth Fairy, while I sleep, leave me a coin, my tooth you can keep!” Tooth Fairy Mint Tin Box Idea is great for young children who are loosing their first teeth.

With this case, I hold this ring – adorable Mint Tin Ring Holder from Leonie Sinclair.

Turn your Mint Tin Case into a Prayer Box with this tutorial from Travelers Dream.

Ready for Christmas Traditions? Turn your Mint Tin Boxes into a DIY Advent Calendar with this idea from Hand Krafted by Stephanie. Don’t forget our full list of Homemade Advent Calendars.

Make a house of buggles with this upcycled altoids tin craft from Making Life Blissful.

Looking for craft upcyles that require little investment. These Paint Strip Craft Ideas are the best for an afternoon of crafting! Pin to Pinterest.

Also shop your local yard stales. You won’t believe the many things you can do with Upcycled Step2 and Little Tikes Toys. Pin to Pinterest.

Thankful for the Hands that Teach Me | Fall Teacher Gift Tag

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

February 8, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media, Thanksgiving

Thankful for the Hands that Teach Me printable. Pair this Fall Teacher Gift Tag with a bottle of soap for the Thanksgiving Season.

Shop Thankful for the Hands that Teach Me Gift Tag

Thankful for the Hands that Teach Me

We have a sweet and thoughtful gift idea for you this fall season. As a former teacher, I am always looking for ideas and ways to show appreciation to my children’s teachers. I have five kids, so grabbing expensive gifts is not always the solution. I have sent in $5 Starbucks gift cards (with printable), candy bars (that I picked up in the checkout lane of the grocery store), Redbox codes (also a printable) or even a small batch of the larger batch of cookies we made the evening before. Whatever the gift, small or big, it shows that I appreciate my child’s teacher and also represents a lot to the younger eyes that are watching.

This season we wanted to give you a fall gift tag you can use for your child and their teacher. Print your gift tag and attach it to a seasonal soap dispenser. Today we used some of method’s limited edition soaps because they added the perfect color to the season. Enjoy!

You can save these and print from your own computer or we give you step by step directions to save and print at Staples Copy Center.

Supplies:

Method hand soap or a soap of your choice (often Bath and Body Works has seasonal sales)
Ribbon, twine, or other decor
Cardstock
Printer ink

To Order Your Printables at Staples for Under $1*:

Download and save your image from this post. (Please note these images are for personal use only and cannot be sold or used for commercial use.)
Sign in or create a Staples account on their print service page.
Return to Staples print service page.
Go to Start Project.
Go to Documents Printing.
Select the Buy Now Button under color.
On the left column, select your file.
Select upload.
Select done.
Give your job a name.
Make sure your project is single sided. The orientation should be portrait.
I changed my media to 8.5×10 and the media to 67 lb coverstock (I prefer a cardstock feel over printer paper feel.)
Select add to cart.
Proceed to checkout. My total was $0.17 for one print. You can choose to ship to your home or to pick up at your local store. Pay online and show your invoice when you pick up (I just show the order number on my phone at pick-up.) The order invoice will arrive in your email inbox.
Enjoy!

Get these Thanksgiving gift tags printables.

Shop Thankful for the Hands that Teach Me Gift Tag

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share the printables below. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

Teacher Appreciation Gift Tags

Before you go on, take a look at this! Solve an entire year of gifts with this Teacher Appreciation Gift Tags set. Included in this set are 12 months of gift tags. Each gift tag can be paired with a small low-cost gift just to show an appreciation of thanks.

This thankful for the hands that teach me gift tag is included in this set. From hand soap to chocolate bars, these Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas can be used the entire school year!

Thankful for the Hands that Teach Me printable. Pair this Fall Teacher Gift Tag with a bottle of soap for the Thanksgiving Season.

You are going to also love this Thanksgiving Gift Ideas for Teachers with Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Looking for more printables this fall? Enjoy these Free Printables for Thanksgiving. Pin to Pinterest.

When decorating this fall, enjoy these Farmhouse Fall Decor Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Nanny Appreciation Week and Babysitter Gift Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

November 13, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Baby, Facebook, Frugal Living, Instagram, Kids, Pinterest, Social Media

Nanny appreciation week is the last week of September. Take a look at these creative ways to recognize your nannie as well as babysitter gift ideas to make your caregiver feel loved!

Nanny Appreciation Week

So I am new to the nanny circuit. When we had Elijah, our third, in 2016, I was able to juggle him and work from home. Work often was based on his nap schedule and because he was such a good baby, he would play while I quickly got up a post, worked on social media content, or managed the day to day tasks of owning a small business. When Eli was around 7 months old, we learned we were pregnant. At our 9 week check-up, we learned it was twins. Initially, considering a nanny wasn’t even on our radar. Our income came in and quickly went out to a list of designated spots – mortgage, groceries, retirement, activities, etc. You name it! I understood living paycheck to paycheck, I still do. After accepting the fact, twins were on the way and we would have 3 children under 14 months of age, I was either going to quit the blog, or we were going to have to shift some financial matters… we chose the later.

How to Find a Nanny

My husband I researched the benefit of preschools and nannies. The benefits of having a nanny far outweighed sending the kids to preschool, especially at such young ages. This kept the kids in a familiar environment, allowed me to still work flexibly (and help), and also gave us help with the day to day happenings in the home. The twins were born premature and weighted only four and a half pounds. I knew they would need me their first few months and being able to work and having them in the next room was so important to me. We found our nanny on Care.com. Care did background checks for us and allowed us to interview and learn about a number of nannies. I can’t tell you how many commercials I saw over the years and thought “I would never hire a care taker on that site” …God laughs! We are so blessed to have picked the nanny direction and I swear God placed the right nanny in our life! She is fun, she is engaging, she sticks to the schedule I proved her (I am a Babywise mama!), and most importantly, she loves on our kids (and visa versa)!

National Nanny Recognition Week

Since 1998, Nanny Appreciation Week aka National Nanny Recognition Week has been observed the last week of September to recognize and celebrate nannies. I had no idea about this before our current nanny, but as a “Pinterest Mom” I was sure going to rock it! The pressure was on!

Nanny or Baby Sitter Candy Bar Letter

The first thing we did was a Candy Bar Letter. I have seen many candy bar letters in my lifetime (Father’s Day, coaches, teachers, etc) but I have never done one for a caregiver. Making the adjustment wasn’t too hard, our letter read…

To Our Hot Tamale aka Super Nanny, You are Mounds of fun, bring us many Snickers and Joy (add Almond Joy and cross off the almond, we forgot it), and you rarely Take 5 for yourself. We were going to give you a million bucks on Payday, but the money slipped through our Butterfinger (add a s). After paying a sad Symphony, we decide to Orbit the Milky Way to tell you that we love you to Pieces. We are Extra lucky as you were Ment (take off os) for us. Love, your little Peeps.

Since Nanny Appreciation is a week long, we did something fun and surprising for each day – sorta like a treasure hunt for our nanny. The first thing we acknowledge was all the “crap” she took – after all, she is changing diapers for three boys daily which easily equates to over a dozen diapers a day, many filled with… crap.

Gift Ideas for Babysitter or Nanny

Day 1 – Starbucks Gift Card

The first place we hid our treasure hunt was in the diaper changing station, in the diapers. I purchased a Starbucks Gift Card and I tucked one in the first diaper she would grab.

The note read…

You take a lot of crap, have a drink on us!

Day 2 – Grocery Gift Card

Some of the benefits of having our nanny is she keeps us fed. I am in hideout mode in my room getting work done and can’t get dinner prepped without the kids immediately needing me. She is such a wonderful cook and does our grocery shopping and preps our dinners. This has been one of the biggest blessings by far. Our second hidden gift card was for our grocery store and was was hidden in the refrigerator.

The note read…

Thanks for keeping us well fed! Here are some groceries for you too. Nom Nom.

Day 3 – Dunkin’ Gift Card

Another benefit of a nanny is bathing. This is something a caregiver could not do in a day care. Our nanny bathes the boys before naps. Not only does this give them a good afternoon rest, it also allows us to enjoy the evenings with the boys without trying to accomplish the checklist of baths! In the bath tub, we hid a Dunkin’ Gift Card.

The note read…

We knew we would find you here. Thanks for keeping us clean. Donut you know we would stink without you? (Also consider, donut know what we would do without you!)

Day 4 – Shell Gas Gift Card

Another benefit of a nanny is driving the kids two and from school and filling up the gas tank. Not only does she fill up our tank with gas, she fills up our tank in general (pun intended!) There was a lot of pun in this Shell Gas Gift Card.

The note read…

We are surprised to find you here. What a relief. Thanks for the gas you put in our tank.

Day 5 – Amazon Gift Card

Being a nanny is exhausting… I know, I am a mom! Our little crew take 5 naps a day. That means she is putting in a crib or taking them, ten times a day, I am sure there are times she wishes that she could jump in there too! For this, we got her an Amazon Gift Card so she could shop in her PJs in her own bed!

The note read…

Hey, Super Nanny, Don’t you wish you could give in that bed too? Here’s to only shopping in your PJs. Night, Night.

Babysitter Gift Ideas

We have also written our Nanny the Tale of a Super Nanny and her five cubs. For this Nanny Appreciation week idea, we hung gift cards in the kitchen with a sweet little story written by the kids.

Of course, most of these ideas – who are we kidding – all of these ideas included gift cards. While some say gift cards are not personalized, I find them personalized because I listen to the person. Babysitter gift ideas can be personal even when they are gift cards. When our babysitter was headed on a tropical vacation, I bought her a gift card to a swimsuit store. When our sitter began a new gym, I bought her a gift card to a trendy workout clothing store. I find with these cards, she is able to get what she wants and/or needs.

It’s important to recognize your nanny beyond Nanny Appreciation Week. If a week is to much for you, consider doing some of these things through out the year to tell you babysitter, nanny, or caregiver you appreciate them!

Nanny appreciation week is the last week of every September. Creative ways to recognize your nannie as well as babysitter gift ideas! NannyAppreciationWeek #NationalNannyRecognitionWeek #FrugalCouponLiving

Have a new baby? Take a look at these Newborn Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Terrible twos? You are going to need it, also study these Toddler Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Top 5 Pinterest Pins for September 2018

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March 21, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Witness the top pins on Pinterest for the month of September 2018. Make sure you are following Frugal Coupon Living on Pinterest!

Top 5 Pinterest Pins for September 2018

You guys, I can’t believe we are in the first few days of October. Last year at this time, I was in my second trimester of pregnancy with the twins and assigned bed rest shortly before Halloween. In fact, I am writing this post on my bed and when I sat down to write, I had terrible PTSD. Nothing major but I immediately had déjà vu of my eight weeks of bed rest trying to keep those boys are the inside. The fall light must have been just right and triggered my “been here” moment! Speaking of repeating things, Pinterest also seems to know we are close to Elf on the Shelf Season where I list ideas every day in November and December. Every time I open the Pinterest home page, it shows me all these Elf on the Shelf Ideas… don’t you freight. I am already photographing. So many cute ideas to come. If you want to receive Elf on the Shelf ideas every day these coming months, be sure to sign up for our FREE Elf on the Shelf Twister Printable below. Just enter your email address!

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Take a look at some of our top pins for September 2018. I encourage you to pin them for later to your favorite Pinterest boards and make sure you are following Frugal Coupon Living on Pinterest!

Dollar Store Crafts and Hacks. Get the full list of crafts Here. We live in one of the most expensive areas of the country. I can’t save on my mortgage, but I save every where else I can. This includes home decor, creative crafts, and projects using inexpensive, upcycled materials from the Dollar Store. In an effort to find the best crafts for myself, I put together the best Dollar Store Crafts and Hacks for you! Pin this Idea to Pinterest

Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Ideas. Get the full list of recipes Here. How is your favorite football team doing this season. We are a house divided. I am a former Garnet and Gold girl and FSU graduate and my husband is a die hard, multi generation Auburn fan. While is team is holding in there, my team can’t hang on to the ball this season. These list of recipes can’t make your team win, but they will at least make your bellies happy! Pin this Idea to Pinterest.

31+ Kid’s Halloween Food Crafts. Get the full list of recipe Here. Does anyone else’s kids come home starving. It doesn’t matter how much lunch and snack I place in their backpack, at the end of the day my kids are famished. This post was written to come up with creative after school snacks for my kids. In my search efforts, you won too because the internet loves this post every Halloween. Maybe it isn’t an after school snack for your kids but rather ideas for your home Halloween party or for an October Halloween Classroom Party. Enjoy! Pin this Idea to Pinterest.

Boo-tiful Porch Halloween Ideas and Patio Inspiration. Get the list of porch ideas Here. So this post was written because i long for a porch. Like I said above, I live in one of the most expensive areas of the country and land is ridiculous. That being said, I have the smallest 4×4 foot porch before you enter our front door. I dream of the day I can decorate a front porch for Halloween. This post was for all of you, because it definitely wasn’t written for me… yet! Also take a look at our other trending posts for Halloween Decor – Fall Farmhouse Halloween Decor and Halloween Mantles and Tablescapes. Pin this Idea to Pinterest.

Pillsbury Crescent Roll Recipes. Get the full list of recipes Here. Not sure why this post was resurrected from the internet grave but I can only assume it is because the temperatures are fooling off… expect for you Florida and Texas! There are some creative recipes made with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. If you are baking for the holiday season, look at a few of our favorite crescent roll recipes on Frugal Coupon Living – Halloween Jalapeno Popper Mummies, Campfire Hot Dog Recipeand Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Roll Ring. Pin this Idea to Pinterest.