Sharpen the pencils and dust off those books - it’s back -o-school time! It’s a pretty hectic time of year for everyone; with the kids heading back to the classroom and Thanksgiving and Halloween coming up, everybody has a lot on their plate. Keep it all in check by making the most out of it, having fun and staying on budget.
Here are some great budget-friendly family fun tips to help you get started:
Preserving party: Savor the season’s fresh fruits and vegetables by throwing a preserving party! Believe it or not, much of the best produce is abundant (and inexpensive) right now, so it is the perfect time to stock up and save for the upcoming winter months. Get a group of friends together and have each person provide half a dozen jars and some fruits or vegetables for canning. The more people there are, the quicker you can work and the larger variety of ingredients that can be preserved. Check out www.bernardin.ca for a guide to home canning, as well as a great assortment of recipes.
Harvest sale: Take the family out for a day at Heritage Park Historical Village on September 8 to 9 and attend the annual Harvest Sale! Regular admission costs apply, but the sale promises to have the best deals on fruits and vegetables in the city - and money raised will go to local charities. So bring along some grocery totes and a wagon for all of your fresh finds, and you’ll have delicious, nutritious food at your fingertips for weeks on end.
Pack it up: Good backpacks can be tough to find for the school year; sure, you can pick up an inexpensive one just about anywhere, but will it last? With certain items, cheaper isn’t always better. Balance out price and quality by heading to a sport or outdoor goods store and get an end-of-season deal on a small daypack (or kids backpack) meant for hiking.
Thanksgiving potluck: This is the ideal holiday to spend with your friends and family; after all, it’s all about quality time with the people you love. If you’ve got a big crowd coming over, however, it can also be a pricey holiday. Have each guest, couple or family bring one dish for dinner; potlucks aren’t just great for saving money, but they also save the host a ton of time. Keep track of what each person is bringing along so you don’t get duplicates, and be thankful for good friends and good food!
Thankful tablecloth: Entertaining for Thanksgiving? Gussy up the kids table with a paper tablecloth (butcher paper, available at Office Depot, or banner paper, available at Staples, works perfectly) and a basket in the centre of the table full of crayons or felt tip markers. Have each child draw or write what they are thankful for (along with their name). After dinner, cut out each child’s portion and put it on the wall, in a picture frame or even on the fridge - having it displayed will be a constant reminder of what they’re thankful for.
Seasonal centrepiece: Get your kids involved in decorating for Thanksgiving dinner by creating a beautiful centrepiece inspired by nature. First, grab a basket and head to a park; have the whole family collect an assortment of leaves, pine cones and twigs. Afterward, at home, lay out a big sheet of paper or a garbage bag and place a layer of wax paper over top. Dip the goodies half-way in gold craft paint and lay them on the wax paper to dry. Lastly, display the finished items around the table (on napkins, plates, etc.), or place them in a decorative bowl or basket on the centre of the table.
DIY Halloween party: Save time and money by hosting a Halloween party the week before the actual day. Invite other parents and their children over, and have each parent bring some supplies (fabric, glue, a sewing machine, glitter, feathers, etc.). Print out some costume ideas (check out the Michaels website or the Martha Stewart annual Halloween magazine for inspiration) and work together to create some cool, inexpensive outfits for your children.
End-of-season picnic: September and October often boast some of the most beautiful weather; the crisp, cool air, warm sunshine and incredible autumn scent just can’t be missed. Pack up a picnic, bring some sweaters and cozy blanket, and head to your favorite park for an impromptu al fresco meal. If you want to make a fun afternoon or evening out of it, bring along some marshmallows and hot dogs and curl up next to a camp fire with the whole family.
Stephanie is a freelance writer specializing in travel and food writing. For more information, visit www.stephaniearsenault.ca.
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