Let’s face it; the card is a kid’s least favorite part of their birthday presents. Furthermore, unless their parents save them for them they just end up recycled or thrown away at some point. This past weekend, my son had a birthday party to attend for one of his classmates. I always make the cards we give out for any occasion and this one was to be no different. A DIY birthday card frame is a fun new twist on the tradition.

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I had been shopping for picture frames for another project earlier in the day and totally forgot to measure which size I needed before venturing out (of course!). So instead of going all the way back home and measuring it, then traveling back to the store, I just bought 2 different size frames. The one that wasn’t the right size was just sitting on my desk begging me to use it. It also happened that during grocery shopping that week, I came across clearance Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle duct tape on clearance for $1.50! The fates were working in my favor because the birthday girl loves Ninja Turtles. I decided to make a birthday card frame instead of a regular card. That’s way more fun than some boring piece of cardboard that doesn’t even have any money in it.

It turned out awesome and I’m super stoked to share it with you!

DIY Birthday card Frame Materials

Wide Frame for a 4X6 photo (I got mine at the dollar store)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Duct Tape
Scissors

Step 1

Prepare your frame by taking out the glass and all the padding/inserts. You don’t want to risk breaking it while you’re working on your frame.

Step 2

Start on the left side of your frame and cut a strip of tape long enough that it overlaps the outside edges. Then press down the tape to the frame being sure that the inside tape edge lines up with the inside edge of the frame.

Step 3

Cut off the excess tape. If your frame has a lip like mine did, simple run your fingernail along the edge of the lip making an indentation. Then open your scissors and run one blade down the groove you made. Once you’ve done that it should left away cleanly and leave you with a nice straight edge.

Step 4

Repeat step three until your frame is completely covered. I lined up the photos on most of mine but it will still be awesome if you don’t want to be that OCD about.

Step 5

Replace the glass and cardboard/padding to your frame.

Ta-Da! You’re done with the frame and you can add whatever you want to it: a note, a photo, a simple Happy Birthday message… it is up to you.

Want to see how to make the awesome card insert pictured?

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You see a lot of articles about dealing with guilt whether it be from parenting, past mistakes, or addiction. These are important things that need to be addressed and I’m glad that so many people step up and give their unique viewpoint on handling it. I feel that dealing with embarrassment is a topic that often gets overlooked, though, but it is also an important emotion that really should be addressed. If you are struggling with embarrassment, these tips can help.

Dealing with embarrassment is a topic that gets overlooked but it is an important emotion. If you are struggling, these steps will help.

I truly struggle with embarrassment and don’t hide it well. When I begin feeling embarrassed and my body is suddenly pumping out 200 degrees of heat my face looks like an angry mood ring. My coupons don’t scan at the register and the line starts backing up? Yep, I’m going to start sweating. I lose my temper with my kids and make a probably already tear-filled situation worse? Here comes the blushing cheeks, or in my case the totally red face, neck, and ears.

[bctt tweet=”Dealing with embarrassment is a topic that gets overlooked. If you are struggling, these steps will help.” username=”diyadulation”]

This is not limited to publicly. I recently had a blogging faux pas of posting a link not allowed on a group page. I received an automated response about it. No one knew about this mistake but I had to sit in front of a fan to cool down while the embarrassment passed. Crazy, right?

You have to have clear and defined steps for dealing with this. Eventually you get to a place where you are no longer embarrassed as easily. If you struggle with this like I do, these steps will help you in dealing with embarrassment, too.

1. Take Ownership of the Feeling

(A psychologist gave me this tip.) Tell yourself, or whoever you are interacting with, that you are embarrassed. You move past it much more quickly by owning up to how embarrassed you instead of pretending that you’re not embarrassed.

2. Take Preemptive Measures

If there are situations that happen frequently (or inevitably) that embarrass you, take the time to write them out and put a different spin on them.

I know that I will have temperamental coupons again, I will lose my cool with the kiddos, and eventually make another (possibly more public) digital faux pas. I am deciding ahead of time of alternative ways to think about the situation.

Coupons: There are so many variables with scanning coupons. The coupon printed funny. The scanner is malfunctioning. The cashier is brand new or a myriad of other things. It is not my own personal failing when this happens. I am trying to save my family money. If the people in line with me become impatient actually say something cruel to me it says a lot about their character.
Kids: I am not perfect, as is no one, and my kids need to learn that as well. If I acknowledge that losing my cool was not the best response, they are learning valuable lessons that I hope they carry with them into adulthood.
Digital Faux Pas: There are a lot of guidelines and regulations for posts on your blog, in groups you belong to, and social media and sometimes, I am going to make mistakes. I am not the only one. (An example of this is Facebook posts with the disclaimer.) When it is truly a mistake and not a blatant disregard for rules and etiquette, it is okay.

3. Write It Down and Destroy It

If you’re having trouble letting something go (you still become embarrassed thinking about it) write it down on paper. Allow yourself to feel embarrassed one more time and then destroy the piece of paper. Tear it up, throw it in the composter, or burn it with your firewood but actively destroy it. This journal is great for getting out embarrassment and frustration. Remember that you have the greatest grace of all and if God has forgiven you, who are you to not forgive yourself?

What is your worst embarrassment trigger and how do you handle it? Let me know in the comments!

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How often are you so busy during the week with practices, meetings, and school events that you just swing through the drive-thru on the way home because you are exhausted, it’s late, and you simply don’t have the time left to prepare a mean? I hate, hate, hate taking my kids for fast food. This is partly because it is so unhealthy but also because I’m cheap… er, I mean frugal. Luckily, there are ways that you can save money on food on the go easily (plus cut out all of the unhealthy calories that come with eating out).

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”Use these tips to save money on food on the go easily #savemoney #healthyliving”]

Have Snacks Available

This is super simple. Always have snacks (like these cucumber chips) readily available. Right now, we keep snacks in the diaper bag since we always have to make sure we have it, but as kids get older a small lunch box or bag will work. Keep it full of non-perishable snacks like homemade granola bars, cracker sandwiches, or crunchy chickpeas. Check your snack supply on Friday to make sure you’re stocked up for all of the activities you have on the weekends. Make sure there are enough for the adults as well. Hungry parents are just a likely to make poor food and financial choices.

Plan Ahead

Another way to save money on food on the go is simply planning ahead. Invest in some plastic food containers (like these adorable divided lunch containers I bought at Michaels on sale for $1.50 each (recently they were even cheaper) or these ones on Amazon). This takes a little more forethought but it is so worth it.

If you know you are going to be gone a significant period of time, pack meals for your family. This works out perfectly for us when we have to go to a school function and then straight to Bible study on Wednesdays. The kids eat their meals in the car on our way between locations. Again, perfect! I have actually been doing this so long that one night when I offered to take them through a drive-thru as a treat they chose the meals I had packed for them instead. I was blown away! It was proof, though, that this is a great alternative to eating out.

Weekly Meal Prep

If you pack lunches for your kids, spouse, or self each week, take the time to packs a few extra meals. Then all you have to do is grab them when you know you aren’t going to make it home in time for dinner. The extra meals won’t add that much additional time to your weekly prep and the money it saves you will be well worth it.

Also don’t forget about utilizing freezer meals and/or your slow cooker! These chicken nuggets can be frozen for a quick meal later or you can put a roast in the slow cooker that cooks while you’re away so you don’t have to wait once you get home. This is just as quick as waiting in line at a fast food restaurant but it will save you a ton of money and be healthier for your family!

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DIY Birthday Card Frame

^{Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.}

DIY Birthday card Frame Materials

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Dealing with Embarrassment

1. Take Ownership of the Feeling

2. Take Preemptive Measures

3. Write It Down and Destroy It

3 Tips to Save Money on Food on the Go

Have Snacks Available

Plan Ahead

Weekly Meal Prep

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