Geri and I recently wanted to send a fruit basket to a friend as a thank-you for her generosity. Since we’re both on a budget and love doing projects ourselves anyway, we did what any two respectable Strive-to-Simplify girls could do. We made our own!

We have a wonderful string of stores close to home. On the left there’s a new, clean Goodwill store, followed by a Dollar Tree, and then a Sunflower Market with fresh, locally grown, natural produce. One stop shopping!

We started at the Dollar Tree, picking up a lovely card for 50¢ and a cellophane gift bag (for a $1, what else?) like the kind you use for Easter baskets. It even came with a bow that we can use for another project.

Next, off to Goodwill for a basket. We found some nice ones, but then I saw a beautiful plate originally from World Market…it even had the World Market stamp on the bottom. With my (“shush”) senior discount, the plate came to $3.39.

Finally, we go to Sunflower for some fresh fruits. We brought the plate in with us so we didn’t under or over buy on fruit. I wanted to put a small potted plant in the middles and Geri picked out the perfect one. It had lovely purple lilies between strong green leaves; just beautiful! We had fun shopping for a variety of colorful, fresh looking fruits. We really took our time to get just the perfect ones, something I’m sure not all florists would do.

We chose navel oranges, lemons, peaches, bananas, limes, red pears, Fuji apples, granny smith apples, and grapes. And for fun, we bought a small amount of colorful salt water taffy in assorted reds, lime greens, purples, and yellows to complement the fruit colors. The whole bill for the plant, fruit, and candies came to $22.77.

Geri has a large supply of cloth ribbon, so off to her house we went. After washing the plate and rinsing the fruit, the fun began. We first laid the plate in the cellophane bag. Then in went the plant in the middle, surrounded by the fruit. Finally, the candies topped it off. Geri picked out some beautiful complimentary ribbon, and we fashioned a bow in no time to tie around the bag.

What the florist charges. Way too expensive!

See if you agree that we made a large beautiful fruit basket that any florist would be jealous of, and for a fourth of the price that they’d charge. Try this project yourself with any variety of fruits that you like, impress the recipient, and save a lot of money.

Our cost:
$1.50 Dollar Tree
$3.39 Goodwill
$22.77 Sunflower
$27.66 TOTAL COST

Related posts:

1. Do-it-Yourself Caulking: Save Money, Save Energy
2. Trapping Fruit Flies
3. Tips for Saving Money During the Holidays

I can hardly believe that we have been in our home now for 20 years.  My husband and I have raised our two sons and a puppy in this home.  The day we moved in everything was spanking new.  I spent the next 20 years trying to keep it that way–in particular the carpet.  Not a small feat when dealing with muddy shoes and paws.  I vacuumed daily and was diligent when dealing with messy accidents trying to avert the inevitable, but after twenty years I could do no more.

After months of shopping for carpet, and dealing with sticker shock, we invested in carpet that hopefully will last us another 20 years with one very important new house rule–No Shoes! Oh, the looks I got from my husband and sons.  My Lord, you would think I asked them to strip butt naked at the front door.

After our new carpet was installed, I replaced the old welcome mat with a new one and added a throw rug as you enter our home.  That should catch most of the “dirt”. I then placed a beautiful large round basket by the front door which holds a pair of house slippers for each of us.  So the idea is to remove our shoes at the door and put our house slippers on.  I can do this—I CAN teach an old dog a new trick (three old dogs)!

I am in the process of convincing my husband and sons that by removing our shoes at the front door we are actually keeping our home free of contaminates and allergens.  Have you ever considered what you might find on the soles of your shoes?  Where you walk leaves you at the mercy of whatever was left behind by either man or beast.  Use your imagination.  Do you really want to then track the unknown into your home and onto your carpet, new or old?  We are careful to wash our hands when we visit a public restroom, but never think about what we carry out on the soles of our shoes!  My old dogs are listening to me now.

Don’t worry about offending guests that come into your home.  I find that they are more than willing and very understanding.  Keep a few clean socks or inexpensive slippers in that basket by the front door for your guests.  If you are planning a party, let your guests know ahead of time so that they have the option of bringing their own slippers or socks.  My brother-in-law’s home is a “no shoe” zone, so I always bring a pair of socks with me when I visit.  You also have the option of posting a small sign on the front door or onto a welcome mat indicating your wishes.  Here are a few suggestions:

• No Shoes Zone
• Thank You for Removing Your Shoes
• Welcome—No Shoes Please
• Please Remove Your Shoes before Entering
• Please Take Off Your Shoes and Stay Awhile

Well, I have to go vacuum now!

Related posts:

1. Take Your Shoes Off At the Door—The Advantages
2. A Place For Everything – Organizing Your Home and Your Life Series
3. A Front Door Wreath Made Simple

My memories of Easter as a child are that of church and celebrating Christ risen, a big Sunday dinner with family, a beautiful Easter dress sewn by my Mother, coloring Easter eggs, the Easter egg hunt and let’s not forget the basket full of goodies. Those same traditions I have passed down to my sons.

I still love the process of preparing the Easter baskets, even though my sons are 23 and 20. The younger they were, the easier it was to find fun little items to put into the baskets. Small toys and candy were the big items. Now they are older and one won’t eat sugar, while the other doesn’t need it with all the diabetes in our family.

Here are some alternative ideas that I have used:

• dried apricots (our favorite)
• beef jerky
• fruits & nuts
• deck of cards or small games
• movie DVD
• music CD
• books
• gift card for a favorite fast food restaurant
• money (they like this one)
• start a stamp or coin collection to add to each year

I always shop the day after Easter for the next year. You will find everything is marked down to 50% and usually much more. I have found some beautiful baskets for little to nothing. Don’t forget the little plastic eggs and grass. Remember that you have the entire year to pick up items for the baskets. Take advantage of sales and clearance items. Don’t forget to check out the dollar stores. I have had to buy very little during the years because I recycle and reuse. I reuse the baskets, grass and the plastic eggs every year–just remember to store the grass in baggies, I found little critters living in the grass one year!

Once you have everything in the basket, you can either wrap it with colored cellophane or better yet, I love to use the coarse netting that you can buy at any fabric store. I buy mine at Wal-Mart for 67 cents a yard. It makes a beautiful presentation. You may prefer not to wrap the basket at all. Either way, add a beautiful hand-made bow or some curly ribbon to finish it off. Use what you have.

A few years ago, I had prepared my boy’s Easter baskets the night before. In the baskets, I had placed plastic eggs filled with jelly beans. There was a small package of peeps in each basket and I sprinkled both baskets with the bite sized wrapped chocolates. Oh, and of course, the chocolate bunny. I completed the baskets and carefully placed them on the chairs in the dining room. That night our beloved golden retriever (Goldi) feasted on everything in both baskets. She even managed to pop open the eggs to finish off what was inside. She ate the chocolates, wrappers and all! She pooped candy wrappers for days. So remember to put the Easter baskets up out of your pet’s reach.

Wishing you a Blessed Easter.

Related posts:

1. Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt Using Clues and Riddles
2. How to Dye Easter Eggs, the Old-Fashioned, Low-Cost Way
3. Natural Easter Egg Dyes

Needing a fun, frugal and creative gift for a wedding shower? Print this adorable tribute accompanied with individually wrapped and numbered household gifts to be opened as the bride reads the tribute out loud. Wrap them all together in a beautiful laundry basket, and use some pretty cleaning tools incorporated in the bow.

If you’d like the whole bridal shower guest list to be in on the fun, wrap all the items and number the packages. Before the bride opens her gifts, hand out each one to random people and tell them not to open it until the bride calls her number. After all the other gifts are opened, hand the bride-to-be a special envelope and asked her to read it out loud. When she gets to #1, the person with the package marked #1 opens it so she can fill in the blank. Let her continue writing the words down and then read it again with all the blanks filled in.

I guarantee this will be the hit of the shower! With a little imagination, this can be adapted to a baby shower, graduation, retirement or birthday. Use your grocery coupons to buy the cleaning products for even more savings.

Match the Gifts to the Poem

“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Next month you will (gift 1=PLEDGE) your love to the man of your dreams. Your wedding day will be the (gift 2=DAWN) of your lives together, not as two people but as one. You marriage will be filled with (gift #3=JOY) and your devotion, but remember, not everything will be (gift 4=FANTASTIK). (Insert groom’s name) may not always be (gift 5=MR. CLEAN), and in a marriage no one can afford to be a (gift 6=HOT SHOT). Remember when you want to (gift 7=SHOUT), don’t! Take a deep breath and make sure you (gift 8=RESOLVE) any fight before the sun goes down. Always (gift 9=SNUGGLE) before you go to bed, and above all, make sure to give your spouse your (gift 10=ALL).

Wedding Poem Basket

Here’s are 2 other versions using different cleaning supplies. The products to buy are in CAPS. If you can’t find these products, use your imagination to substitute.

Dear (Bride’s Name),

We gather together with you to celebrate the DAWN of a new ERA. Marriage is a journey. Some days it will be pure JOY but let’s take a moment and talk about the others. There may come a time when you realize your big BRAWNY guy isn’t
necessarily MR. CLEAN. When this and other little glitches occur, don’t SHOUT or send up an SOS. Go EASY ON him. Hopefully the TIDE will change quickly, tensions will VANISH, and things will BOUNCE back to normal.

We think you and (Groom’s name) are a FANTASTIK couple with a ZEST for life and a sincere appreciation for each other. We fully support you as you and (Groom’s name) PLEDGE to spend your lives as one.

We wish you all the best… Including love, happiness and lots of time to SNUGGLE.

Love,
The Bridal Party

Cleaning Poem
By: Roberta L. of Columbia City
I used it for my sister’s shower this past weekend and it was a hit.

_________ (Bride to be), we’re going to let you in on a little SECRET. Soon you will be marrying _____, a SUAVE and CHARMIN kinda guy and also FANTASTIK in bed. *so we hear*

But as you enter the new ERA there will come some RUFF days when you find out _____ is not MR-CLEAN and he will expect you to perform MAGIC in the kitchen and he thinks all woman should WORK. You’re going to want to scream and SHOUT. But _____ will always bring you CHEER and you will find him to be your WHITE DOVE.

When you are together you will find JOY so remember your PLEDGE and give him your ALL. Because at night _____ will wake you up at DAWN to SNUGGLE up close, and if you ever need _____or _____ send us an SOS or just DIAL and we will be there.

But you won’t need us because it will all work out with a FEBREEZE. _____ and _____ The best of luck and good fortune in the years to come. And may _____ always be your angel.

(I just added the Works magic eraser, Ruff “garbage bags”, Snuggle fabric softener, Febreeze, and Angel soft toilet paper, and Shout stain remover.)

Some other household items and poem ideas that may work nicely are:

1. He’ll expect her to be a DYNAMO in the kitchen and he thinks all women should MOP & GLOW.
2. And may (Groom) always be your HONEY.
3. There will come a THYME in your marriage when you find (Groom’s name) is not always MR CLEAN or BRAWNY.
4. Our wish for you is that your home be filled with JOY and you remain as happy as ever in the FUTURE.
5. Always end the night with lots of HUGS AND KISSES. (Fill a little bag with hugs and kisses.)
6. CLING to each other in the hard times (Lysol TB cleaner)

Here’s one for a baby shower:

Congratulations on becoming a mom. Soon you will experience a new LIFE. JOY will fill your heart when you meet your sweet baby. Your FUTURE will be filled with lots of HUGS and KISSES. There will be times when you’ll want to SHOUT and send up an S.O.S., but those trying times will soon VANISH. Those babies are SMALL AND MIGHTY too! And they take a lot of LUV and GENTLE CARE (wipes). There will be lots of diapers to change, WET ONES at that! Remember to not let the little one RATTLE you. Take time to PAMPER yourself and WIPE out any frustrations. Don’t BOTTLE things up inside. Once you learn to PACIFY your little one, you will have found the perfect FORMULA to a successful bonding relationship. Make sure you SNUGGLE each night before you DREFT off to sleep. Enjoy this FANTASTIK new adventure.

For the Over 50 Birthday!

SURE, until now, you’ve led a relatively CAREFREE life. But it’s no SECRET, you’re not as HOT AND LEAN (Use either Hot/Lean JennieO turkey, or Hot Pockets/Lean Pockets) as you used to be. None of us can AGE to PERFECTION (L’Oreal cosmetics), but CHEER up, since HONEST TEA is the best policy, at least you have a BOUNTY of friends to share your JOY with and you’re not flying SOLO. We’ll ALWAYS be friends, for INFINITY!

Related posts:

1. Thank You Note Etiquette for Wedding or Bridal Shower Gifts
2. Bridal or Baby Shower Clothes Pin Game
3. The Bridal Shower Game That Keeps on Giving