Father's Day on The Cheap

Hi Friends.
Yesterday I made up my Father's Day Plan.
Experience has taught me that the only way to save money on special occasions is to PLAN AHEAD. This prevents a flurry of second guessed guilt spending the day before said event. I have drawn up a meal plan with recipes, a schedule of events (including a wake up time for me, because if I don't get up early AIN'T any of it going to happen) and a gift list.
If you are trying to find ideas yourself, the internet is a very helpful place - but if you don't have the time to look, I will try to help you out a little.

Questino's To Ask Whilst Planning Fathers Day:
1) What does my man enjoy?
2) What are his favorite foods?
3) What is my budget?
4) How much effort can I put in?

For us, I have time but not much $$$ to invest.
My man enjoys the outdoors and quality time with those he loves.

SOoooo...
I am going to start the day with a very special family breakfast: I have written to the other side of the world and got his mum's much raved about pancake recipe. Once he's off to work, I will prep lunch and get the rest of us off to church. We'll have a family lunch, then nap - and then a family bike ride through some local nature trails. Then dinner with friends on a farm.
For his gift I am making these cute magnets (possibly as tacks) for his work office, and getting everyone from the family to draw him a picture or make him a note. These little love offerings will all be placed in a "King Of The Day" box. And I will make a card out of stuff I have laying around.

This plan is simple and will cost me a grand total of $2.50.
And THATS how you do it on the cheap!

Valentines Day - Frugal Family Edition

I was looking through the paper the other day and there was an ad for a valentines day package for $88. They were actually advertising this price as though it was a good deal. Now just so I don't sound like a V-Day Scrooge, I have nothing against going out and spending a lot of money on a special evening to celebrate. If you have the money and haven't made any plans, SHAME on you. Go and be extravagant and romantic, my friend. But if you are staying home simply because $88 is as far off as $888, then I thought I would give some FREE ideas. Last night I looked on the internet for good stay-at-home-v-day ideas and there were basically a list of CD's you can buy, home decorating projects that would take a week, instructions to eat oysters, an mildly rude inuendos. Here are simple, free ideas that ANYONE can do:

1) Dress up nice just as you would for a real date (this can include the whole family).
2) Dinner and a Movie - make a nice dinner after the kid(s) are in bed and "rent" a movie from the library.
3) Or celebrate love with your whole family at dinner, and later just have a special dessert for mum and dad - here's a link that I like: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/chocolate_fondue_fun.php
4) Write a love letter
5) Put on your most romantic music and slow dance in the living room.
6) Tell each other your love story, from your own perspective.
7) Talk about your dreams for the future with strict "no-reality-check" instructions.
8) Do a picnic style date - pack a meal in a basket, lay down a blanket and pick some fun music.
9) Tell your spouse what you love about them. Be extravagant in your praise and compliments.
10) Go to the Theater at home: Buckets of popcorn, pick an old flick you've had forever and make sure to hold hands (hee-hee).

Now, just because you can't afford to go out, don't make excuses and 'forget' to celebrate. Remember when you were single and you despaired of ever being in love with the right man. When you wondered if anyone would ever love you. When you cried yourself to sleep at night. Remember why your spouse is so important. Remember how they lit up your whole world when you first fell in love.
You can't afford NOT to celebrate. Love and romance need tending, just like plants. Do something small, if it's all you can. Do something simple. But make sure that you put in the effort to appreciate the rich gift you have in your spouse. Valentines Day is a perfect excuse to get started.