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9 Ideas for Celebrating a Pandemic Thanksgiving

9 Ideas for Celebrating Thanksgiving In 2020 đŸŚƒ

This year’s Thanksgiving is going to look a lot different than any previous year – no matter where you stand on safety, which state you’re in, what type of risk factors your family has, the level of shut down in your area, etc. For us, we’re doing Thanksgiving with just my household, cooking a turkey, watching movies, eating too much since there will be no guests and no reason to share, lol. For more great tips, check out this info from Sara Skirboll at RetailMeNot, a leader in holiday shopping tips.

Throw a Thanksgiving Picnic or Backyard Bash

Okay, so if you live in one of the Northern U.S. states, this might be a harder sell, but if the weather is good to us this Thanksgiving, why not celebrate outside? The CDC has said that being outdoors reduces the risk of exposure to COVID-19, and plus, fall foliage makes a wonderful backdrop to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Move what might have been an evening Thanksgiving dinner to brunch or lunch, and you’ll get more hours of natural light (and more time to celebrate, of course).

If you have yard or deck space, host a small gathering outside with tables, chairs, blankets, warm drinks (use that slow cooker or Instant Pot!) and maybe even an outdoor heater or fire pit. If you’re having a larger gathering, instead of one big table, break up seating into smaller parties based on households to make mealtime safer. A local park or special outdoor spot also makes a great setting!

Eddie Bauer Cabin Plaid Throw Pillow and Blanket Set at Bed Bath & Beyond

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Crock-Pot 4 qt. Cook & Carry Slow Cooker at Bed Bath & Beyond

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Single Servings

Many of our Thanksgiving meals revolve around buffet-style servings that everyone digs into. But more hands on serving ware means more germs. (PSA: Remember to frequently wash your hands!) Instead, pick a designated person or “head chef” to serve up turkey and sides onto individual plates instead of everyone passing around that green bean casserole.


Have a Taste of Home

Can’t make it home for Thanksgiving? Order a piece of home instead. Many iconic restaurants from across the country ship nationwide, offering you a slice of nostalgia or a taste of your favorite meal even if you can’t travel this year. Some of our favorites? Junior’s Cheesecake in New York, Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana and Blue Owl Bakery in Missouri. Dig in!


Set Up Outdoor Entertainment

If watching the game is part of your Thanksgiving tradition, set up a projector outside to screen football or a favorite family movie.

For those looking for other activities, setting up a competition or tournament outside with games like bocce ballcroquetbadminton or corn hole (personalize your family name!) can be a fun way to safely get together while social distancing.

GoSports 90mm Backyard Bocce Set at Amazon

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Personalized Bean Toss at L.L. Bean

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Decorate Your House in Festive Flair

If the gathering just isn’t happening this year, you can still get festive by decorating your house to the max with gourdous fall accents. From fall foliage garlandsdried flowers and colorful maize to knit and plaid home decor, there are a plethora of ways to bring Thanksgiving to life inside your home.


Order Thanksgiving To Go

Many local restaurants and chains have started offering family-size meals to-go, and Thanksgiving is no exception! You’ll be supporting your local restaurants and community while saving time and the stress of preparing a traditional turkey meal at home. Check back soon for a list of restaurants serving Thanksgiving meals!


Get Creative With Family-Friendly Crafts and Activities

It’s tough being stuck inside, especially with young kids and everyone being under the same roof more often than usual. But there are plenty of ways for the whole family to stay entertained and happy over the holidays. While the adults are preparing the meal, keep the kiddos entertained with crafts, like a paper bag turkeyDIY handprint turkey hat or Thanksgiving wreath. Or create your own Thanksgiving-themed advent calendar with leaves or construction paper where each family member expresses what they’re grateful for leading up to the big day.


Your Friendly Neighborhood Delivery

For families or individuals celebrating Thanksgiving with only those in their households or alone, a great way to show thanks this year is by preparing your favorite recipes for family and neighbors—especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19—and delivering them in a contact-free way. So even if you can’t spend Thanksgiving with the grandparents, they’ll still be able to indulge in your famous pumpkin pie.

 

Big thanks again to Sara Skirboll from RetailMeNot for these great tips!

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Amazon Pantry Prime Day Deals – All The Coupon Codes and Tips that You Need!!

You.Guys.

Amazon has a freaking ridiculous set of deals right now. For my order today, I loaded up my cart with Amazon Pantry stuff, and got almost HALF OFF off my order. The deals are so crazy, I’m putting together another order now. And it’s SO GOOD that I feel like I must share it with y’all, because friends don’t let friends pay full price, right?  These are early Prime Day deals.

Amazon Prime Pantry Coupon Codes

{FYI: These are my affiliate links, meaning I can earn a few $$ if you use them. If you don’t want to do that, you can just go right to Amazon and find all of these deals.}

So, this post isn’t super fancy or pretty, but I’m going to quickly break it down for ya, with all of the Amazon Prime Deals, Amazon Pantry Coupon Codes, etc. – it’s all early “Prime Days” specials, so you can only get this stuff if you have Amazon Prime.

 

Want to Get Free or Cheap Amazon Prime?

    • If you don’t have Amazon Prime yet, get a free 30-day trial.
    • If you have an EBT card or Medicaid, you can get reduced price Amazon Prime.
    • If you have babies, or baby on the way – Amazon Family Free Trial is the best bet for you. You get huge discounts, like 20% on diapers, coupons for things like wipes and other baby essentials. {Don’t forget to create an Amazon Baby Registry, if you’re expecting. That includes tons of perks too!}
    • If you are a student – or have a child who will BE a student in the upcoming year – check out Amazon Prime Student 6-Month Trial. It includes all of the regular Prime benefits like free 2-day shipping, access to free ebooks and movies, but also includes some perks and deals tailored to Student needs.
    • Also, not related to this specific deal – but you can get a free trial right now of Amazon Prime Video Channels. It’s really cool – you can add all of the channels you want, right to your Amazon account. You can add channels like add subscription services like HBO, Showtime, STARZ. It’s really simple to use, and so cool.

Now, to the Amazon Pantry Prime deals. 

  • First, go to Amazon Pantry, to the stock up page: https://amzn.to/2Jnt5Uc. For every 5 items you buy from that selection of stuff, you get $5 off. If you buy 10, $10 off, or 15 you get $15 off, like I did. And it’s a BIG selection, awesome prices on kid’s snacks, toilet paper, and household stuff. You don’t need a coupon code. It won’t show the $$ off in your cart, but you’ll see it on the checkout page.
  • If you spend over $40 in Prime Pantry, use code “PANTRY” at checkout, and get ANOTHER FREAKING FREE $10 off. Like I did.  So I got $15 off with the stock up deal, because I bought 15 items. And a lot of my items were low price items, like low sodium chicken broth that was $1.97, plus you can click the button to add a coupon for 22% off. A big variety pack deal on Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, 18 bars, that was only $3.73. And my favorite purchase today – Celestial Seasonings Herbal Tea, Mint Magic. It’s a nice evening tea, or a good nausea fixer {I live with chronic nausea, and peppermint tea helps.} – But the reason we loved this one is because there’s a freaking WIZARD AND HIS UNICORN PAL on the box. SOLD.
  • You can use the “PANTRY” coupon more than once, so break your order up into $40+ orders, to use the $10 again. {Ok, update to this. I posted this deal on my personal Facebook profile, because I was so excited about it. I was able to do two different orders, and use the PANTRY coupon on both, and did my orders hours apart. But a few people tonight are telling me that it’s not working for them? So, I’m not sure what’s going on there.}
  • THEN – there’s more. Tons of brand deals, like 25% off of Goldfish products: https://amzn.to/2Jnkf8L. And my fave: 40% off on a bunch of Kellogg’s brand goods: https://amzn.to/2LDd6To. You can get big boxes of PopTarts for less than $2!
 

I saved so much on my first order – everything was already really, really good prices because Prime Pantry is ALWAYS so great. But then to get almost HALF OFF of my Amazon order with the extra deal coupons?? That’s freaking sweet.

So I’m putting together another order now. You should too, 

FYI: As I put this together, I noticed that some of the stuff I bought this morning – the prices, the availability, etc – are already changed. So, fingers crossed these deals are all available when you check this out! If so, be sure to share on Facebook and Twitter – you can use the Tweet below to do it easy peasy. 

And then – “Prime Day is back July 15 & 16 for a two-day parade of epic deals.” — they keep releasing early deals. So keep your eyes open!

 

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HUGE Weekly List of Freebies and Samples!

Heeey guys. I’m going to try to start doing these posts once a week. With a roundup of all of the cool deals, free samples, free money, cool giveaways, etc that I find from around the web. Some of these include referral or affiliate links – meaning I get credit if you sign up – but not all of them. And I’d recommend all of these either way, :) You know how much I love free stuff, right? Enjoy, and be sure to share with friends who might appreciate this too!

How to Earn Free Cash

Here’s an absolute fave of mine at the moment – Ibotta. You get the app. After you shop, you scan your receipts. And it adds up free cash for you, that you can cash out as PayPal payments, or a ton of different gift cards. I use mine for Amazon credit. :) Like, you are going to buy groceries anyway. And gas. And book travel. And buy liquor…. yep, you can even get cash back for having cocktails! — so, why not get FREE cash back on those purchases? Seriously so easy, I’m always making people sign up, and no one has ever regretted it, for reals. Check it out here to get your bonus welcome freebie!

More Free Stuff:

  1. Sign up and tell them why you’re blessed – and they’ll send you a free “I’m Blessed” t-shirt!
  2. Free Sample of Ziploc sandwich bags in either Frozen or Star Wars design. Sign up as a new member at DigiTry if you’re not a member yet.
  3. Choose your favorite scent, and then request free samples from Jewelry in Candles.
  4. Get another fun scented freebie – request a sample from Pink Zebra.
  5. Apply to be a Toy Tester for Our Generation dolls – and possibly get your own doll and accessories! Just fill out the form, and they’ll be in touch via email.
  6. Check out this Crazy Coupon Lady post {her site is always filled with good stuff!} to learn how to get a totally free 3-pack of Clorox Cleaning and Disinfecting Wipes at Walmart.
  7. Get a free sample of Mocha Cafe Charcoal coffee.
  8. Join Ebates and get $10 cash free bonus – all you do is use it to shop online, and they’ll give you the best coupon codes available, PLUS give you free cash back on your purchase. This is one of my ALL TIME fave tools, and if you shop online without some type of cash back site, you are missing out on totally free money!!
  9. Free Chanel product samples on their Facebook page.
  10. Join the Budweiser Rewards program, to have chances to win big in their sweepstakes, earn free gear like t-shirts and stickers, and more!
  11. Set up an account for free at Influenster – then you have TONS of chances to sample free beauty products! They also do bunches of giveaways too. And they have really good stuff. If you search on Instagram you’ll see so many cool things that people get there.
  12. Get an Atkins Free Quick Start Kit and coupons.
  13. Get a FREE $10 credit to spend at ThreadUp – and be sure to request a bag, if you’re doing the Kon-Mari stuff, and send it all of your unwanted clothing to earn even MORE credit to spend!!
  14. Did you know that you can get a discounted rate on Amazon Prime if you are on Medicaid or are an EBT card holder? Check it out and sign up for the free trial, and then get Prime – which includes loads of movies, free shipping, exclusive discounts, and more! – for only $5.99 a month after the trial ends.
  15. Apply to test out a free personal safety device – you’ll have to create a profile if you’re not a member, which takes a few extra minutes.
  16. Free Avon ANEW Clinical Eye Lift Pro sample – just fill out a quick form.
  17. Join Blue Apron with this link, and it’ll give you a coupon to save $50 off your first two boxes!! Awesome deal on recipe delivery.
  18. Sign up at DailyGoodieBox.com, fill out a quick profile, and they may send you a big box of freebies! It took me awhile to get my first one, and I’ve only qualified for a few since then – but they’re totally awesome when you get them.
  19. Free admission to national parks for all 4th graders – learn more and sign up.
  20. Get a free 7-day trial to Brittanica Kids – great for helping with homework and research projects, homeschooling, and more.
  21. Request a free skincare sample from Te Mana Tahiti.
  22. Home Tester Club has some new freebies available, like toothpaste sets.
  23. Free $2 in credit when you sign up at Hollar! That doesn’t sound like a lot, until you see how amazingly CHEAP everything is there! Their shipping is super fast, not like a lot of the places where you can find really cheap stuff, but it takes eleventy hundred years to ship from overseas, lol. I’m so addicted to this site it’s not even funny.
  24. Get a free Kids Spring Crafts ebook with tons of simple, creative craft projects for kids.
  25. Get a free sample of Herbalife Lift Off product – an energy, wellness product.
  26. Free Folgers 1850 coffee sample, from PinchMe.
  27. Sign up at Pillsbury – General Mills – to get free samples. I get random stuff from them throughout the year by being on the mailing and email list – free calendar, free samples, free coupons, cool stuff.
  28. Enter to WIN a movie swag bag prize package from me – for A Dog’s Way Home film.
  29. If you regularly buy Disney movies, or go to see movies in the theater a lot – join the Disney Movie Rewards site. You enter those codes that are in all of your Disney DVD boxes, which add up to get you free stuff. There are also bonus points sometimes for seeing a movie in theater, or other activities. Also check out the Disney Premiere Pack, if you’re a big Disney lover.
  30. Join PinchMe for free sample boxes packed with cool stuff.
  31. Get $10 off your purchase at ULTA, by signing up at Top Cash Back, plus earn free cash back on all of your purchases.
  32. Get a totally free copy of your credit report, and other info, from Credit Sesame. I use this every year.
  33. Get a free one-month subscription to Rocksbox, a gorgeous accessory box you get monthly – with code SHOPROCKSXOXO.
  34. Sign up at Tryazon – Then apply to host a party and get a big box of free goodies to share with guests! Right now there’s a Frey Chocolate party available to apply for.
  35. Free Walmart Beauty Box – just pay $5 shipping. You sign up with your credit card info, and 4 times a year they’ll ship you out a box of beauty products for just $5. It is SO worth it. I’ve shared pics of mine on my Instagram in the past – always definitely have a value of way over $5 bucks, and have coupons inside too. Love these. Also – check out Boxycharm: An amazing deal on beauty products, if you have ever seen people post their boxes on Insta, you know how awesome of a value these are! Just $21 a month, get over $100 in product, all full size. SO cool.

Whew! That was a lot of good stuff. Hope you enjoy! Be sure to follow me on social for more tips and cool stuff:

Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Facebook 

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Love DIY? Join the BEHR Online Home Improvement Network!

This is a sponsored post about a new DIY community from BEHR. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Are you a DIY enthusiast? I know I am. We moved into a new house a couple of years ago – but just finally finalized the sale on it a few months ago. Which means I am SO excited to finally carve out some time to start on major DIY projects through every room in this place. We’ll be doing painting, trim, furniture makeovers, organizing projects, new furniture, fixtures, flooring – the works! Which is why I’m excited about this new online community from BEHR, and thought some of you would like to learn more too. Check it out…

BEHR - new online community for DIY types, share opinions, get rewards!

BEHR wants homeowners like you to help advise their brand!

Yep, BEHR wants to hear from you. Because who’s more important than their own customers, right? So – If you’ve completed a painting, staining or exterior floor coating project in the past year or plan to in the future, apply for BEHR’s new super cool exclusive online community where you can learn from others working on home improvement projects and provide your opinions and feedback directly to BEHR decision-makers.

As a member you’ll be part of an exclusive group that provides BEHR with feedback and perspective on their products and how they impact you in your own personal DIY projects. Personally, I truly enjoy sharing my thoughts with brands who want to hear them {part of why I got into online surveys and blogging and writing in the first place!} But to sweeten the deal a bit and make it worth your time, to thank you for your impact on the brand, you’ll receive a $5 Amazon gift code for joining and an additional $10 Amazon gift code each month just for participating.

Interested in joining? See if you qualify here: http://mayweask.com/behr2. 

A fun way to interact with an awesome brand we all love, some free Amazon shopping monthly – sounds good, right? :) If you get approved, leave me a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear about your experience. And be sure to share this with any friends you know who might be interested too….

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New Way to Save Big on Groceries – Without Using Coupons!

I shopped savvy using Walmart Saving Catcher, as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #SavingsCatcher. Sharing because I love this, and I know you will too!

I used to be a pretty serious couponer. I wasn’t ever one who could pull off the Extreme Coupon style trips, where you pay less than a buck for a cart of groceries {although I have friends who can do that!} But I regularly saved 40% or more on my shopping trip by matching sales and clipping coupons. But, as life has gotten more hectic {kids, my online business, expanding that business, etc} I have less time to devote to things. I still use coupons EVERY time I shop. I’m a big believer in using every avenue available to earn extra money – survey sites, freelance writing, cash back sites, and more. {See my most popular post of all time – Ways to Earn Money From Home – for more tips.} Which is all leading up to me telling you about THE coolest new idea for saving money/earning free money that I’ve found in a LONG time! Check it out…

How to Save Big On Groceries - without using coupons! Sweet trick.

“The way to wealth depends on just two words, industry and frugality.” – Benjamin Franklin

So, let me tell you about this cool new app and website. It’s from Walmart, and it’s called Savings Catcher. And here’s why it rocks – it guarantees that you get THE best prices on everything you buy, without having to price match the ads, or run to a million different stores. You simply enter the info from your receipt into your app, or log into the Savings Catcher website when you get home. It takes a couple of days to search all of your local stores – then refunds if any of the products you bought were cheaper at any of those stores! Super cool, right? See it in action here: [Read more…]

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Do You Know How to Earn Free Money Using Your Phone?

This is a sponsored giveaway with Mums the Word Network and Jingit. All opinions are my own, as always. I only share stuff I seriously love. 

Who loves free money? {Is everyone waving their hands in the air right now? I thought so :)} I know that I love finding cool new ways to earn extra free money from stuff I do anyway, or ways to earn money working from home. Sites like Ebates, MyPoints, and InBox Dollars give me awesome ways to earn money from what I do online – things like reading emails, surfing the web, or shopping. Because of those, sometimes I’ve wanted to avoid actually shopping in stores, because I’d be missing my awesome rewards and free cash back. But, I’ve recently fallen in love with an app that helps you earn free cash when you shop at your local stores too. So cool. Check it out….

How to earn free money using the Jingit App [Read more…]

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Are You Throwing Money Away When Shopping Online?

You know that I’m a frugal momma, right? That was one of the reasons that I started this site – to share some of the cool tips and tricks I had learned. Long story short – a month after becoming a new mom, I lost my job, including the other two months of paid maternity leave I was expecting. There was a glitch with unemployment, and it took months before they figured it out and accepted my claim. I was a full-time student, overwhelmed mom of an infant, in a really bad economy. First was panic – then I got resourceful! I started looking at all of the ways I could cut expenses, and took out things like restaurant meals, coffee shop drinks, and vacations. Little by little I learned to coupon, build a frugal pantry, and started to live by the phrase, “Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without.” But cutting expenses isn’t always enough, right?

How to get free cash back online

I also needed to find ways to earn more income, while staying at home with Abby. I shared a lot of my tips here: 10 Ways to Earn Money from Home, which is my most popular post on this site, of all time, ever. And since that post has been so popular, I’m guessing that there are a lot of moms out there like me, trying to bring in extra money to boost a slim budget. Even now that I’ve built my business well, I still follow all of my frugal habits – there’s no reason to throw money away! So, today is the first in a series, showing you some new ways to earn more money right from your own home too. [Read more…]

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