Last year, my sister told me she was going to give handmade gifts because she was tired of the commercialization of Christmas. I took her words to heart and did a combination of gifts handmade by me or someone else and bought at the store last year. The other thing I did last year that really helped my budget was I bought the kid's big ticket items early and shopped around for the best deals online. This year, I got their gifts in September, free shipping to my mom's in Montana where we are going. The gift I got Amilia was listed for $34.95. Yesterday I saw it at Walmart for $39.97.
My kids are getting very few things this year. Thankfully the baby doesn't have an opinion yet and I limited Austin's gift requests to less than 5 things. I also avoid the toy sections when we are in the stores this time of year and DO NOT WATCH LIVE TV with your kids between October 31-December 25!! The commercials are everywhere!
Another gift to consider for yourself or others is the gift of time or experiences. This year I asked Ryan for a gift that will keep on giving, a membership to houseseats.com that offers free tickets to a variety of local shows, concerts, and other events. Ryan bought the membership this month because of the 2 for 1 special. I got 2 years for the price of 1 and got the 4 ticket membership so we can take the kids or friends with us.
Here is my challenge to you! If you can, consider purchasing gifts from independent business owners or making some of your own handmade gifts. If you can't (you have a family member with a specific item request) shop around online for the best deals. Walmart is not always the low price leader!
Below I have compiled a list of my favorite handmade businesses and local independent consultants. Together, we can put more money in their pockets this season rather than corporate America. Click the underlined words to link to their websites.
Little Ragamuffin Boutique Tule dresses and skirts, bows, and other handmade clothing items.
Metal Stampin Mama Custom metal stamped jewelery and ornaments for a variety of occasions. I have ordered gifts from her several times and they are beautiful!
Handmade Crocheted Hats She makes hats, braids, and finger puppets!
Once Upon a Costume Beautiful custom costumes, princess dresses. She is also selling stick horses to raise money for her daughter's trip to Washington DC!
Patty's Perfectly Posh Bath and body products, Patty Munch
Patty's Jamberry Nails Nail art without a bottle of polish, Patty Munch
Mary Kay Barbara Peterson, independent beauty consultant in Las Vegas.
Scentsy Wickless candle warmers and home fragrances. Kathi Torres
Lia Sophia Beautiful jewelry, great specials! Kimberly Hirsch
Lula Roe Maxi skirts and more! Melissa Everett
Etsy Online market place for handmade, vintage and craft products.
Pampered Chef Stephanie Yenchek Yenchek@cox.net
Stampin' Up stamps, paper, craft products Terri Green rtkj@cox.net
Las Vegas Craft Show on November 23rd Click this link for the upcoming local craft show at Lummis ES.
Please submit a comment to add additional independent businesses!
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
November shopping deals and events!
November brings some great shopping deals! Now is the best time to stock up on baking supplies and of course, hams and turkeys!
I was happy at some great deals over at Winco today and will post some of the other grocery deals as the month goes on. Here are the Winco deals as of Monday, Nov 4!
Gala Apples 58 cents/lb, celery bunch 78 cents, 5 lb potatoes $1.78 (has been cheaper before), snack pack puddings 68 cents, brown sugar or powdered sugar 2 lb bag $1.28, baking chips (they had white choc and butterscotch) $1.88, Stove Top stuffing mix 2 packs $1.98, mini marshmallows 88 cents, Crisco veg oil $2.18, Winco mac and cheese 28 cents, evaporated milk 78 cents, Winco whip topping 78 cents.
November Events in Las Vegas
Lowe's Build and Grow Free Kids Clinic Saturday, Nov 9 10:00 am register online (lowesbuildandgrow.com)
Michael's Kids Crafts $2 per child 10:00-11:30 am every half hour: November 9th-snow globe, November 16th-reindeer craft, November 23rd-felt stocking
Artful Potter free painting nights with purchase of pottery piece, Mondays 5-8 pm, Fridays 6-10 pm. Rainbow/Smoke Ranch. This is a fun place to take the kids to make a gift for someone.
Centennial Hills Library Thanksgiving activity for school aged kids 6-11, Wednesday, November 27 4:30 pm. Passes given out 30 minutes prior at the children's desk.
Craig Ranch Regional Park-This park is now open! I have seen some great pics from friends who have been there so far and I can't wait to take my family. It is located on 628 W Craig Road (old Craig Ranch golf course).
Looking for some variety in your weekend activities?
Fall Bird Watching!
Henderson Bird Sanctuary, open 6 am - 2 pm daily in November more info here
Wetlands Preserve open dawn to dusk info here
Shoot for the Stars!
CSN Planetarium-Mystery of the Missing Seasons presentation, Fridays 6 pm, Saturdays 3:30/6 pm. $6 for adults, $4 for kids. 3200 E Cheyenne
I was happy at some great deals over at Winco today and will post some of the other grocery deals as the month goes on. Here are the Winco deals as of Monday, Nov 4!
Gala Apples 58 cents/lb, celery bunch 78 cents, 5 lb potatoes $1.78 (has been cheaper before), snack pack puddings 68 cents, brown sugar or powdered sugar 2 lb bag $1.28, baking chips (they had white choc and butterscotch) $1.88, Stove Top stuffing mix 2 packs $1.98, mini marshmallows 88 cents, Crisco veg oil $2.18, Winco mac and cheese 28 cents, evaporated milk 78 cents, Winco whip topping 78 cents.
November Events in Las Vegas
Lowe's Build and Grow Free Kids Clinic Saturday, Nov 9 10:00 am register online (lowesbuildandgrow.com)
Michael's Kids Crafts $2 per child 10:00-11:30 am every half hour: November 9th-snow globe, November 16th-reindeer craft, November 23rd-felt stocking
Artful Potter free painting nights with purchase of pottery piece, Mondays 5-8 pm, Fridays 6-10 pm. Rainbow/Smoke Ranch. This is a fun place to take the kids to make a gift for someone.
Centennial Hills Library Thanksgiving activity for school aged kids 6-11, Wednesday, November 27 4:30 pm. Passes given out 30 minutes prior at the children's desk.
Craig Ranch Regional Park-This park is now open! I have seen some great pics from friends who have been there so far and I can't wait to take my family. It is located on 628 W Craig Road (old Craig Ranch golf course).
Looking for some variety in your weekend activities?
Fall Bird Watching!
Henderson Bird Sanctuary, open 6 am - 2 pm daily in November more info here
Wetlands Preserve open dawn to dusk info here
Shoot for the Stars!
CSN Planetarium-Mystery of the Missing Seasons presentation, Fridays 6 pm, Saturdays 3:30/6 pm. $6 for adults, $4 for kids. 3200 E Cheyenne
Monday, September 30, 2013
October Family Fun!
It's October 1st in Washington DC, and even though the government has "shutdown", Viva Mom Vegas is still going strong bringing you all the awesome Vegas events for October!
I love October, the craziness of school has settled down, the air is cooler, and the excitement and joy of the holidays are near! The kids' Halloween costumes have already been purchased (thank you to my mother in law for her kind contribution) and I will have a cute Pirate Jake and Tinkerbell to show off soon enough!
Free Events:
Saturday, October 5th Home Depot Kid's Workshop (Fire Rescue plane project) 9 am- noon, register at www.homedepot.com/workshops
Saturday, October 12th Lowe's Build and Grow (Spooky Stacker project) 10 am, register at www.lowesbuildandgrow.com
Saturday, October 19th Free Kid's Day at Discovery Children's Museum! First 1000 kids 17 and under will be admitted free to the children's museum starting at 10 am. Adult fee is $12.00
Saturday, October 19th 10 am - 2pm Community Safety Saturday Spring Valley HS 3750 S Buffalo. Car seat inspections, safety demonstrations, free fingerprint kits for kids.
Saturday, Octboer 19th 10 am - 2 pm Ward 2 Trunk or Treat/Car Show, Veteran's Memorial Leisure Services Center 101 N Pavilion Center Drive (Summerlin), free fun activities for kids plus Trunk or Treating through the cars on display!
Saturday, October 26th 10 am - 2pm. Halloween Spooktacular free event for all ages at NW Career and Technical Academy 8200 W. Tropical. Trick or Treating, Costume Contest, crafts, and more.
Inexpensive Fall Fun:
October 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 5:00 pm-9:00 pm Springs Preserve Haunted Harvest, trick or treat stations, crafts, carnival games, entertainment, haunted house, etc. This is one of the best events in Las Vegas! We love going to this every year! Admission $8 for adults, $5 for kids, 5 under free. Members receive 1/2 off!
**If you go to this event, GO EARLY so you can get a better parking spot. I also recommend getting advanced tickets from their website www.springspreserve.org (they charge $1 fee for each online ticket).
If the Spring's lot is full, park at Meadow's Mall and walk across the street.
Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patch (various lots around LV, including Centennial Center and Flamingo/215), they have a few kiddie rides, bounce houses, and slides along with a petting zoo that is fun for kids to do. Buying a mini pumpkin here won't break the bank, plus it's cool to go to the "Pumpkin Patch" when you're little! Their website is www.seasonaladventures.com for more info. They also offer preschool field trips so mom groups can take their little ones for a small flat fee for (last year it was $6 per child). I'm guessing they will be open by this weekend (Oct 4).
Saturday, October 5th 1:00-3:00 pm, Michael's Great Pumpkin Event, purchase a 9" pumpkin for $5 and use their supplies to decorate it!
Saturdays in October, Michael's Kid's Club 10:00-11:30 pm (can sign up for a class every 30 min), $2 per child, register in-store. October 12-Bandana Masks, October 19-Duck Tape Costumes, October 26-Treat Bag/Face Painting/Parade.
**I was not able to find any info on a "Treat Street" or other safe trick or treating venue for October 31st, so please comment or email me if you know of anything going on so I can update this post! I know many churches also sponsor "Trunk or Treat" events, so please share so everyone can provide safe Halloween fun for their little monsters!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Deals and September events
Current Winco deals (prices good as of 8-31-2013, subject to change):
Stock up time for your lunch box staples like Snack Pack puddings 68 cents/4 pack and applesauce cups $1.48 per 6 pack. Maya's white and wheat tortillas 88 cents for a package of 12. I love these!
Celery bunch 78 cents, 2 lb carrots 98 cents, pears 98 cents/lb, peaches 68 cents/lb
September Events in NW Las Vegas
Sweet Tomatoes: Kids eat free every Monday in September (one free child per paying adult)
Saturday, Sept 7, 9 am-noon, Free Home Depot Kid's Workshop, Football Ring Toss, register at workshops.homedepot.com
Saturday, Sept 7, 8 am- noon, May Elementary School 6350 W Washburn, Back to School craft fair, free admission, vendors/food/crafts
Saturday, Sept 14, 10 am, Lowe's Build and Grow free kids clinic, Classic Fire Truck, register at lowesbuildandgrow.com
Friday, Sept 20, 7:30 pm Free Movie in the Park, "Rise of the Guardians", Centennial Hills park amphitheatre, bring blankets/folding chairs
Saturday, Sept 28, 10 am-5 pm, Asian Harvest Moon Festival at the Springs Preserve, general admission cost for locals $10 adults, $5 children, 5 and under free. Live music, performers, arts/crafts, lantern parade, and food vendors.
Saturday, Sept 28, 11 am-10 pmMix 94.1 Bite of Las Vegas food and music festival, Desert Breeze park, general admission online tickets $17 through Sept 27, $25 at the door, 6 and under free (biteoflasvegas.eventbrite.com)
Every Saturday, 10 am-11:30 (every 30 minutes), Michael's Arts and Crafts kids club activities, $2 per child, register with an associate. Sept 7 Fall Crafts, Sept 14 Stamptember, Sept 21 Owl Puppet, Sept 28 Silly Monsters
Every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30 pm, Centennial Hills Library story room, free kids activities (ages 6-11)
Sept 4 origami, Sept 11 Lego club, Sept 18 Pirate Day, Sept 25 Craft Fiesta
Centennial Hills library story time schedule:
Baby 0-12 months Thursdays 10:30/1:30
Toddler 1-3 yrs Tuesdays 10:30/11:30/1:30
Preschool 3-5 yrs Wednesdays 10:30/11:30/1:30
Birth-5 yrs Mondays 10:30
Family all ages Saturdays 3:00
School ages K-5th grade Thursdays 4:30
Passes are available at the children's desk 30 minutes prior to start time.
Stock up time for your lunch box staples like Snack Pack puddings 68 cents/4 pack and applesauce cups $1.48 per 6 pack. Maya's white and wheat tortillas 88 cents for a package of 12. I love these!
Celery bunch 78 cents, 2 lb carrots 98 cents, pears 98 cents/lb, peaches 68 cents/lb
September Events in NW Las Vegas
Sweet Tomatoes: Kids eat free every Monday in September (one free child per paying adult)
Saturday, Sept 7, 9 am-noon, Free Home Depot Kid's Workshop, Football Ring Toss, register at workshops.homedepot.com
Saturday, Sept 7, 8 am- noon, May Elementary School 6350 W Washburn, Back to School craft fair, free admission, vendors/food/crafts
Saturday, Sept 14, 10 am, Lowe's Build and Grow free kids clinic, Classic Fire Truck, register at lowesbuildandgrow.com
Friday, Sept 20, 7:30 pm Free Movie in the Park, "Rise of the Guardians", Centennial Hills park amphitheatre, bring blankets/folding chairs
Saturday, Sept 28, 10 am-5 pm, Asian Harvest Moon Festival at the Springs Preserve, general admission cost for locals $10 adults, $5 children, 5 and under free. Live music, performers, arts/crafts, lantern parade, and food vendors.
Saturday, Sept 28, 11 am-10 pmMix 94.1 Bite of Las Vegas food and music festival, Desert Breeze park, general admission online tickets $17 through Sept 27, $25 at the door, 6 and under free (biteoflasvegas.eventbrite.com)
Every Saturday, 10 am-11:30 (every 30 minutes), Michael's Arts and Crafts kids club activities, $2 per child, register with an associate. Sept 7 Fall Crafts, Sept 14 Stamptember, Sept 21 Owl Puppet, Sept 28 Silly Monsters
Every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30 pm, Centennial Hills Library story room, free kids activities (ages 6-11)
Sept 4 origami, Sept 11 Lego club, Sept 18 Pirate Day, Sept 25 Craft Fiesta
Centennial Hills library story time schedule:
Baby 0-12 months Thursdays 10:30/1:30
Toddler 1-3 yrs Tuesdays 10:30/11:30/1:30
Preschool 3-5 yrs Wednesdays 10:30/11:30/1:30
Birth-5 yrs Mondays 10:30
Family all ages Saturdays 3:00
School ages K-5th grade Thursdays 4:30
Passes are available at the children's desk 30 minutes prior to start time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)