Have you ever had an idea that totally starts out small and vague but then blossoms into something really awesome? That is exactly what happened with these DIY glittery shamrock fairy dress up accessories. Once you get in that creative mindset it can truly take on a life of its own. Now, you can let your little one prance around to her heart’s content this holiday as an adorable shamrock fairy.

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[bctt tweet=”Let your little one do what she does best: play pretend. These #DIY glittery shamrock fairy #dressup accessories are so much fun and cost less than $5.00 to make!” username=”diyadulation”]

Originally, I only had a shamrock headband in the editorial calendar. I thought something fun and playful for little girls to wear would be a sweet idea. Then the idea started to grow. Every mom knows that kids love playing dress up. Mine come up with some of the most creative ensembles that have me in tears from laughter. Why not add some Saint Patrick’s Day fun to their dress up trunk. That’s exactly what these DIY glittery shamrock fairy dress up accessories do.

DIY Shamrock Fairy Dress Up Accessories Materials

Gold Plastic Headband (This needs to have openings, not a solid one)
Gold Wire
Glittery Foam Shamrocks
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Set of Green Fairy Wings
Gold Shamrock Coins
Ink Pen (or other comparable round stick)
Scissors

Step 1

Start but cutting 2 lengths of gold wire roughly 9 inches long each.

Step 2

Next, wrap one piece of wire around your ink pen to form a spring.

Step 3

Slide the spring off of the pen and repeat with your second piece of wire.

Step 4

Then wrap the ends of each spring around your headband.

Tip:

If you have to use a solid headband, add some hot glue to the wrapped wire to help hold it in place more securely.

Step 5

Now, bend the top coil on each spring so that is lies flat as pictured above.

Step 6

Add a dab of hot glue to the stem of a foam shamrock and press the flattened coil into it.

Step 7

Immediately cover with a second foam shamrock and press firmly together.

Step 8

Now secure the rest of the shamrock edges together with hot glue.

Step 9

Repeat steps 6 through 8 with the second spring on your headband.

Step 10

Set your headband to the side and pull out your fairy wings.

Step 11

Start by wrapping the center of your fairy wings in gold wire.

Step 12

Next, outline each of the wings with a single strand of gold wire, securing every few inches with hot glue.

Tips:

Do this on a non-stick surface otherwise you’ll end up gluing your wings to the table.

Wrap each part of the wing separately. For example: one length of gold wire for the top right wing and a second length of wire for the bottom right wing.

Step 13

Lastly, attach some gold coins to the wings as decoration. I attached one to each glittery swirl as well as a second coin to the bottom wings. This makes it easier to keep them symmetrical.

That’s it! Now your little one can do what she does best: play pretend. These DIY glittery shamrock fairy dress up accessories are so much fun, I totally want to make a second set for me to wear. We might add a rainbow wand, too. What do you think? Don’t worry about this craft breaking the bank either. Everything except the gold wire came from the Dollar Tree and even that you can get there if you don’t have any on hand. Don’t you love that store when it comes to the holidays? This awesome project only cost $4 to make ($5 if you need wire, too). Worth it!

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Don’t let mom guilt derail you in your goal to be debt free. Instead find out how to get kids on board paying off debt with these tips.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”Don’t let #money incidents with the kiddos derail you from your #debtfree goal. Find out how to get kids on board paying off debt with these easy tips.” username=”diyadulation”]

You’ve made the decision to finally be debt-free and dig out of this hole you have made. You are budgeting regularly and throwing every extra penny at that mountain.

Then you are leaving the art show at school and the kiddos start begging for fast food because they’re hungry. Or your oldest is begging you for money for the book fair even though he already has at least 5 books at home unread.

These incidents don’t have to derail you in your goal if you find out how to get kids on board paying off debt.

I admit, my kids are my weak spot. It is so much easier to tell myself no than it is to tell my kids no.

If you ask them I’m sure they would tell you I say no all of the time because that’s how tiny humans are. When they want a birthday party or money for something at school, however, I am overcome with guilt about telling them no.

Unfortunately, the grandparents are not always helpful on that front making that guilt triple sometimes. You think, “They [your kids] didn’t create this mess so it’s not right to punish them.”

Believe it or not, you are not punishing them. The fact is that in this stage of our life they need to be told no.

It won’t kill them to have a small dinner for their birthday or forego that super cool eraser set at the book fair.

Yes, it is not their fault that you’re in debt but this is not a punishment. It is a temporary stage of life so that you can live even better in a few short years.

That is why it is so important to get kids on board paying off debt. It makes your life easier but also teaches them the valuable lesson of working towards goals and taking ownership of your mistakes.

Be Straight With Them

First of all you have to tell them like it is. Teach your kids what debt is, how you get it, and why it’s bad. Let them know your total debt and your plan for paying it off.

I promise you that even being a thousand dollars in debt will seem like a lot to them because they cannot fathom that kind of money. Keep this conversation simple for young children giving them short specifics.

Warning:

Make this a positive conversation and let them know that you are choosing to pay off debt. Be very clear that this is not something they need to worry about and you aren’t losing your home or not having food. It is important that they know their basic needs will always continue to be met.

Make It Fun

Think paying off debt can’t be fun? Think again. It is easier than you think to make this fun for kiddos. This family even created a hashtag that they would say every time things come up that they aren’t spending money on.

Eventually their toddler even started shouting out the hashtag. This got the message across while still being fun for the kiddos. You can also have rewards for them every time you go to the store and they don’t ask for something.

These should be free things like extra game time on the XBox or 2 stories at bedtime instead of one. Create a list of ideas and share them with the kids before you leave the house to encourage the behavior.

Get Them Involved in the Goals

Remember when you set goals to help get you out of debt? Make these goals alongside your kids. Let them help pick the mini rewards that will keep your family focused for the long haul.

Later, when they ask for things you can remind them of the next reward coming for hitting your goals. That can be a fantastic incentive to keep them on track with you.

Use Play Money

This tip is especially good for young children. Grab some of their play money and every time they ask for something and you say no, write the cost of the item down.

When you get home, count out the cost of the item with them in play money and put it in a jar. As the money in the jar grows, they will have a visual representation of the money they’re helping you save when they don’t get those items.

The fuller the jar gets, the more excited they will be.

You can use one or all of these tips to get your kids on board with paying off debt. You definitely want to do step one and be clear with them about what you’re doing and why. Everything else simply makes the journey easier.

One last warning, keep an eye on little kids when using terms like “watch the money grow”. When our 5 year old got a bank for Christmas and we told her she could watch her money grow she asked how often she should water it.

It was adorable but also makes you a little nervous about finding water in the banks. Don’t forget, paying off debt is a family goal not only a financial one.

What ways do you get your kids involved in paying off debt? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!

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As promised, we are back today with tips for how to throw a Super Bowl party on a budget. Of course it starts with shopping at the right place. That’s why I always start at Oriental Trading. First, they have thousands of ready-to-go decorations and tableware. They follow that up with having the supplies I need to DIY party elements. Oriental Trading has everything you need to pull off this awesome party style you see below.

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Oriental Trading Company. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”Save money and celebrate the big game with these easy tips to throw a Super Bowl party on a budget. #ad” username=”diyadulation”]

Use Items in New Ways

This is huge when it comes to throwing a Super Bowl party on a budget. Get creative and use items in unexpected ways to save money and create a festive party setting. Here are 2 quick examples to get your creative juices flowing.

DIY Football Backdrop

Materials

Football Table Skirt

Tailgating Caution Tape

Scissors

Push Pins

Clear Tape

Step 1

First, cut your table skirt in half.

Step 2

Next, hang each half on the wall, slightly overlapping, using push pins.

Step 3

Lastly, layer caution tape in an angled pattern across the table skirt and secure the ends with tape.

Referee and Field Cutlery Organizers

Materials

Referee Treat Bags

Football Field Treat Bags

Yellow Napkins

Glass Cups (Your Own)

Step 1

First, open up your treat bags.

Step 2

Next, remove one treat bag and slip a cup into it.

Step 3

Then tuck the ends of the bag inside of the cup.

Step 4

Add 1 yellow napkin to the inside of your cup as pictured. This will keep the bag ends tucked in the cup as guests grab cutlery and napkins.

Step 5

Use the cups to organize cutlery and napkins.

Note:

I fanned out the yellow napkins in the cup for an added decorative touch.

Make Your Own Food

Food is the biggest expense when throwing a party. Save your money by making your own instead of buying pre-packaged. This is especially true of fruit and vegetable trays. Make your own to save some serious coin.

Football Stadium Veggie Tray

Materials

Football Stadium Cupcake Display

Football Chili Cups

Assorted Vegetables

Step 1

First, put your stadium together. Don’t worry. It’s super easy.

Step 2

Next, chop up your vegetables that need it. Veggies like baby carrots and mushrooms can be served as-is.

Step 3

Fill your chili cups with vegetables.

Step 4

Then stack your chili cups on the bleachers of your stadium.

Step 5

Lastly, add any dips or dressings to the main field.

Create Stations

Create stations that serve specific functions for guest convenience. Start with a drink station complete with a beverage dispenser (like this football one) and cups. Don’t forget an ice bucket if you need it.

Next, create the food stations. Keep like foods grouped together. For example, all of the desserts should be in the same area of the food table.

Lastly, place napkins, plates, and utensils in a section together. I always like to bookend the food with 2 separate utensil sections. This makes it easy if guests are only grabbing a napkin or trying to grab some dessert.

Don’t Forget Levels

Don’t forget to create levels when displaying food, drinks, and utensils. This allows you to fit more on the table and is also more aesthetically pleasing. For example, our beverage dispenser is elevated on a cake plate. I also used the extra chili cups to elevate cutlery and dessert trays. Remember tip one: Get Creative!

Now you can save money and celebrate the big game with these tips to throw a Super Bowl party on a budget. I cannot stress enough how much money you save when you get creative. Festive displays would have cost upwards of $50 in this instance. Instead, I had all that I needed, plus extra bags for guests to take home leftovers, for less than $10! Don’t forget to check out below for more awesome Super Bowl party ideas that are do-it-yourself. Your party will be fun and frugal effortlessly.

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