Tuesday (Threefer) Tip – FamilyFun’s Birthday Budget, Moustache Tutorial, and Operation Shower

So I finally had the chance to sit down and read through my March FamilyFun magazine, and came across an amazing article called “The Birthday Budget” by Pauline Childs. She offers a great solution to curb a serious case of the birthday “gimmes”, especially when you are trying to compete with the elaborate store-bought cakes, ponys, and bouncy houses at friends’ parties.

With her daughter’s upcoming birthday, she decided to give her child a party budget and let her decide how to spend it. With a $100 budget, her daughter became a savvy shopper, and was able to make more compromises.

And of course, it keeps mama from looking like the bad guy when you can’t (won’t) spend an obnoxious amount of money on, let’s say a extreme Hannah Montana party pack for $279.99.

Speaking of saving some cha-ching, check out this super, super cute felt moustache tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets. Wouldn’t it be a perfect party favor for a Wild West or Magnum P.I. party?

And lastly, the creative diva that is Amy Stem from Stem Parties is on the Board as the Chief Event Planner for Operation Shower, a non-profit organization that recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating baby showers for pregnant and expecting military personnel and their families. If you are in the St. Louis area they would LOVE to have you attend their Spring Fundraiser.

As a military spouse, I’m so thrilled to see such an amazing endeavor. It’s hard to move to a new duty station and make new friends, or to have a deployed partner when you are expecting. Who is going to throw you a shower? I remember when I was pregnant with my first child and we were stationed in North Carolina, I didn’t know the women of my husband’s unit, yet they banded together and threw me an amazing shower. I wish I could be in the area to help, so kudos to Amy and Operation Shower!