Couponing Your Holiday Dinner

12/16/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Creating a holiday dinner can be a wonderful experience that brings a family together. Many happy memories can be made in the kitchen, surrounded by the people you care about. It can also drain your wallet just in time for the biggest shopping season of the year.

An affordable feast doesn’t have to be daunting. Instead, of cutting back on the crowd, try cutting back on the costs and being a savvy shopper. When you arm yourself with these tips, couponing tricks, and knowledge, a holiday dinner with all the trimmings won’t break your bank.

Couponing Your Holiday Dinner

[Read more…]

Keep on saving! :o)
--Barbara
**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Filed Under: Coupons, holidays

How to Save Big on Holiday Flights

12/01/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Now that we’re in the midst of the holiday season, you may have traveling plans. But you don’t have to let the high cost of air fair ruin your holiday plans – there are plenty of ways to save. (And don’t forget to see how you can save on your hotel stay, too.) So take heed of these tips for saving on your holiday flights, and then sit back and -ahem- enjoy the ride.

How to Save Big on Holiday Flights

Buy and fly on Tuesdays. Keep an eye on your calendar: buying and flying on Tuesdays (and sometimes Wednesdays) can save you $100 or more each way! Recently, I looked at a flight from Phoenix to St. Louis, and the price difference was $129 between a Tuesday and a Friday. Talk about huge savings! If you can be flexible on the days you fly, you can save quite a bit of cash.

Use an airline card. Are you a frequent flier? You can use your airline points to book flights for free. [Read more…]

Filed Under: holidays, travel

Tips to Control Your Holiday Spending

11/25/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

The holidays have snuck up on us. In a few weeks we will be exchanging gifts with friends and family. Luckily we have time to ponder the best gifts for the women in your life (including homemade gift ideas for her), the best gift ideas for your favorite men, and the latest and greatest in toys and technology for the kids.

When shopping this holiday season here are a few tips to be in control of your holiday spending

1) Make a list and check it twice. Write down everyone you need to purchase or make a gift for this holiday season. Include your family, friends, and coworkers. Remember, gift giving is a thoughtful process. Gift giving is not a chore that drains your bank account.

2) Set a limit. Creating a budget and sticking to it is the only way you will not overspend this year. The presents you give do not need to send you into a financial spiral. In my house we try to have a low key Christmas where the girls get 4 presents: want, need, wear, read. Yes, deals come up that I know would be huge hits in our house, but those extra purchases add up quickly and before I know it my whole budget is blown on small, insignificant things that don’t matter.

3) Talk to family about your gift spending limit. This can be an uncomfortable subject, but chances are afterwards you will feel much better. You may even discover that both parties involved are relieved to know there is a limit. Remember, a thoughtfully chosen present is much better than an expensive present.

4) Make your own gifts this year. Consider gifting cookies in a jar, hot chocolate in a mug, a crocheted scarf, homemade vanilla, or homemade bath salts. Check Pinterest for inspiration and YouTube for tutorials.

5) Account for everything. When you are creating your holiday budget remember all the categories you will spend money. In addition to the actual gifts themselves you may need to budget for:

Stocking stuffers
Holiday cards
Postage/Shipping
Wrapping Paper
Holiday Meals
Baking Supplies
Decorations/Tree
Entertaining
Clothing
Travel
Charitable Donations
Tips and service gifts

If money is really tight, consider delaying Christmas by a few weeks. It sounds craaaazy, but you are bound to find crazy good deals on all things Christmas or Hanukkah related after the big day has passed. Another option is to delay Christmas a year.

The holiday season is great at making us feel stressed and anxious. Create your lists this year and take control of the season!

About Leandrea Voskanian

Leandrea is the blogger behind Coupons Are Great. Leandrea loves to share crafts, deals, and frugal living. Her family is able to save money with coupons and spend that saved money on fun memories that they will cherish forever.

Filed Under: holidays

Fathers Day Gift Guide for the Sportsman

06/10/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Here’s our Father’s Day gift guide for the sportsman in your life. And if you’re a member of Amazon Prime, you can enjoy FREE 2-day shipping, so you’ve still got plenty of time for things to arrive!

Casio Men’s Pathfinder Moon Phase Hunting Timer Watch

This Casio moon phase hunting watch is the perfect outdoorsman timepiece, with a stylish design well suited for woods, lake or city wear. In addition to the automatic time, day, month and date displays, this convenient digital watch also indicates the best times to hunt based on the moon’s phase, latitude and longitude. The watch displays the moon’s age, phase and time, as well as sunrise and sunset information, for the current or designated day. A handy vibration alert can be used with the daily alarm, hourly time signal, or hunting timer so as not to disturb the quiet. The watch also offers a time memo, a 1/100 second stopwatch, and five daily alarm settings. An automatic electro-luminescent backlight with afterglow makes the display easy to read at any time, and the water-ready nylon band comes with a buckle clasp. The case is made from a durable polyurethane resin, and the watch is water resistant up to 330 feet (100 meters). This watch offers a battery life of approximately five years.

With the Casio PAS410B-5V Pathfinder Hunting Timer you can calculate the best times to hunt based on lunar movement, latitude and longitude. There’s even sunrise/sunset data and a vibration alarm to begin and end your day. Memory capacity – 40 records (each record contains month, day and time) 100M Water Resistant Auto EL Backlight with Afterglow 5 Daily Alarms 1/100 second digital stopwatch Measuring capacity – 23 – 59’59.99 Measuring modes – Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times Auto Calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2039) 12/24 Hour Formats Accuracy – +/-15 seconds per month Battery CR2025 Approx. battery life – 5 years

Outdoor Edge Butcher-Lite BL-1 Lightweight 8-Piece Butcher Kit with Belt Scabbard

The ideal light-weight, portable field butcher kit. The Butcher-lite includes every tool to skin quarter and debone big game in a nylon roll pack that converts to a belt scabbard to easily access each tool. Includes 3” caping knife, 4-1/4” gut hook skinner, 6” boning/fillet, wood-bone saw, Tungsten-Carbide sharpener, ribcage spreader and a set of game cleaning gloves. Each knife incorporates full-tang construction for superior strength and is taper ground to a razor’s edge from high carbon 420 stainless steel. Ergonomic Kraton handles are designed for comfort during long use and the rubberized grips enable a secure lock-on grip even when wet. The nylon roll-pack features snap-in plastic knife scabbards for easy removal and cleaning. Total weight: 2.4 pounds

Outers 25 – Piece Universal Wood Gun Cleaning Tool Chest (.22 Caliber and up)

Outers is excited to offer a full line of attractive, wooden specialty kits to perform cleanings quickly and effectively. Each kit is specifically created to work on all different calibers and gauges, as well as for all gun types, and boast an attractive full wood grain appearance for years of enjoyment. This handy chest serves as a two-in-one gun care product. Not only does it feature a full cleaning kit, but also a gun vise to help with cleaning and maintenance. This includes 2-in-1 wooden chest: storage box/gun vise, velour protective gun vise stows inside chest when not in use, 1 drawer with custom parts organizer, 3 solid brass rods (rifle, pistol and shotgun), 7 bronze brushes (.22/270-cal/7mm, .30/8mm, .38-357-cal/9mm, .40-45-cal/10mm, 20/28-ga, 10/12-ga), 50 cleaning patches, 7 mops (.22-25-cal/6-6.5mm, .270-30-cal/7-8mm, .338-35-cal, .38-357-cal/9mm, .40-45-cal/10mm, 20/28-ga, 10/12-ga), 2 spear pointed jags (.22/270 cal, 30-cal and larger rifles/pistols), 3 slotted patch loops (.22/270-cal, 30-cal and larger rifles/pistols, 10-28-ga shotguns), and shotgun accessory adaptor.

Bushnell 8MP Trophy Cam Standard Edition

Compact and efficient, the 3.5 by 5.5-inch 8-Megapixel Trophy Cam 119436C Trail Camera from Bushnell is your 24-hour eyes in the woods. Thanks to a 32-LED flash that is invisible to game and other hunters, the 119436C Trail Camera can capture images in total darkness with a range of 45 feet. The motion activated PIR sensor also has a day/night 45-foot range and automatically snaps pictures with a fast one-second trigger speed. Capable of taking widescreen, VGA, and QVGA videos of up to 60 seconds with audio recordings, 8-megapixel individual still images, and multi-frame images of up to three shots, the 119436C Trail Camera provides excellent coverage of game movement. Add in Field Scan Mode that uses time-lapse technology to take images automatically at preset time intervals, operating simultaneously with the motion activated camera functions, and you will dramatically increase your field coverage. Designed for long scouting stints, the 119436C Trail Camera offers up to one year of battery life and can store plenty of images thanks to 32GB SD card compatibility. The camera mounts on any stationary object of your choosing with an adjustable web belt and a 1/4-20 socket. The weatherproof camera is designed to stay out in the field in all weather conditions, so that you can maximize your time in the field.

Simmons Laser Rangefinder

The LRF 600 is hairsplitting accuracy made simple. An in-view LCD display provides the exact distance to your target from 10 to 600 yards with the tap of a single button, while 4x magnification and bright, crystal-clear optics bring you nose to nose with your next trophy. Its efficient, compact vertical design and weather-resistant housing provide an unparalleled advantage that’s easy to carry.

Rivers Edge Deer Crossing Tin Sign

The River’s Edge Square Tin Sign feature embossed boarders and ” Hoof ” mark features. Made of Durable Steel with colorful art and rolled edges that will work great indoors or outdoors.

Warrior Ghillie Suit

Warrior Ghillie Suits by Arcturus Camo introduces their newest ghillie suit. Appropriately named the Warrior Ghillie Suit, this is a great, affordable ghillie suit for under $100. Don’t let the price fool you. This is the ultimate 3D camouflage ghillie suit and it comes with everything you need to blend into any terrain. Made with lightweight synthetic threads sewn onto a breathable digital jacket and pants and weighting in at 3 lbs, this ghillie suit won’t weigh you down. This synthetic material is fire retardent, mildew and moisture resistant.

This ghillie suit is 4 pieces and comes with a button down front jacket, pants with draw cords, a boonie hat which covers the entire face, and a rifle cover. The entire suit comes in a stretchable carrying bag.

Under Armour Men’s UA Camo ColdGear® Liner Gloves

In and out of the woods, UA Men’s camouflage liner gloves ensure extreme breathability and warmth. Form fit allows for increased dexterity. Moisture management technology wicks away sweat. Silicone outer palm improves your grip. Extra-long gauntlet (cuff) gives added protection to forearm. Brushed polyester interior for comfortable wear. Sold in pairs. Imported.

Under Armour Men’s ColdGear® Scent Control Hood

Exclusive UA Scent Control technology lasts longer and works better, keeping you undetected. Dual-layer fabric gives you a soft, ultra-warm interior and a slick, fast-drying exterior. 4-way stretch fabrication allows greater mobility and maintains shape. Signature Moisture Transport System wicks sweat away from the body. Anti-odor technology prevents the growth of odor causing microbes. Smooth, chafe-free flatlock seam construction. UA Hunt antler logo. Polyester/Elastane. Imported.

ACE SE Hunting Knife with Fire Starter

This versatile military style field knife has a durable green nylon belt sheath with Velcro strap, leg tie eyelets, and lanyard. Features a para-cord wrapped handle for a secure, comfortable grip and comes with a magnesium alloy fire starter. Great for survivalist practice, and training purposes.

Also, make sure you check out my Father’s Day gift guide for the car guy in your life:

Filed Under: holidays

Fathers’ Day Gifts for Car Guys

06/02/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Now that June is upon us, it’s time to start thinking about dear ol’ Daddy – Father’s Day is *just* around the corner, y’all! Got a gadgety car guy on your list this Father’s Day? Or even just a wanna-be car guy? (hee hee) Check out these great Fathers’ Day gifts for car guys in your life. Yep, Father’s Day will be here before we know it, so get going!

Fathers Day Gifts for Car Guys

Omega 91452 Black Low Profile Z-Creeper – 450 lbs. Capacity

Omega Lift Equipment brings you the latest offering from their innovative creeper and seat line, the 3-IN-1 Low Profile Z-Creeper. Riding the success of their patented original Z-Creeper, Omega brings you a version that is 2″ lower than ever before. This new creeper also adds an additional high back low profile seat function. Starting from seat position just pull an attached pin and adjust to an L-shaped Low-Profile Seat. Pull the next pin and your now an inch off the ground in the creeper position ready to roll underneath! Same heavy duty 450lb capacity, same 3″ high quality non-marking casters, same easy quick pin transformation, same professional grade upholstery…all now low enough to get underneath any job that comes it’s way! [Read more…]

Filed Under: holidays

Mother’s Day Gifts for the Gardening Mom

05/09/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Mother’s Day Gifts for the Gardening Mom

I think I’ve made it clear that I didn’t inherit my wonderful grandmother’s green thumbs. However, I know plenty of moms who are quite adept at all things gardening. For them, I offer this gift guide.

Also check out my Mothers Day gift ideas for under $50, as well as Mothers Day deals and freebies around town this weekend.

Trowel and Error: Over 700 Tips, Remedies and Shortcuts for the Gardener $10.71

The Gourmet Gardener Gift Basket of Useful Garden Tools and Treats $102.98

Seed Keeper: Organize, Record, and Store Journal $15.27

Picnic Time Gardener Folding Chair with Tools $51.99

Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy Lotion $15.00

12 Heirloom Varieties of Vegetable Seeds $15.95

Ergonomic 3-piece Garden Tool Set $27.99

CobraCo Two Tiered Garden Cart $25.84

Celestial Glow in The Dark Step Stone $10.90

Slumbering Gnome Garden Statue $18.81

If you’re feeling up to it, find out how you can create a flower garden for under $30, no gardening skills required!

Filed Under: holidays, Mother's Day

Mother’s Day Gifts for Under $50

05/09/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Mother’s Day Gifts Under $50

Mother’s Day is but a few days away, and I know there’s still plenty of y’all out there scrambling to find the perfect gift, right? Here’s a list of Mother’s Day gifts that certainly won’t break the bank, aren’t a vacuum, and will show your mom (or wife/mother-of-your-children!) how much you love her. And if you’ve got a mom with a green thumb in your life, check out this Mother’s Day gift guide for the Gardening Mom.

Also, make sure you check out all the great Mother’s Day deals and freebies happening this weekend.

Good Day – Bad Day – Don’t Even Ask Wine Glass $13.95 – I”m not a wine drinker, personally, but I know quite a few of y’all are, and could likely get plenty of use out of this one, right?

2-pack Chevron Infinity Scarves $7.99 – How. Cute. Are. These?! And did’ja check out the price?!? Seriously, you can’t lose with these scarves!

Anne Klein Perfect Medium Tote $47.19 – Again super-cute. Do I need to say much more about this?!?

Sterling Silver Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace $49.00 – A beautiful keepsake pendant is a fantastic way to show a mother how much you love her, especially if part two of her mother’s day gift is a nice dining experience!

ViewSonic 8-Inch Digital Photo Frame $42.00 – If you’re like me, you absolutely STINK at printing pictures these days. Seriously, I think I have about a dozen printed pictures of my two year old son, in spite of snapping probably a hundred a week. That’s why a digital picture frame is a perfect gift: it lessens the guilt of not printing, while still allowing you to display your beautiful babes.

Coffee Lovers Care Package Snacks and Treats Gift Box Set with Mug $45.25 – What mother couldn’t use coffee and treats?!?

Estee Lauder 7 Pieces Gift Set + Cosmetic Bag $35.55 – This. Deal. Rocks. I can only speak for myself, but I’m wretchedly awful about using make-up, let alone purchasing it. It’s definitely one of those things I’ll use if it’s given as a gift, but I won’t likely buy for myself. (Did I mention I still have blush from college?! Probably need to toss it, huh?)

Travelrest Travel Blanket $29.95 – For the mom on the go (or at home!), how comfy does this look?! If you’ve ever tried to get comfortable on a long flight with those skimpy airline blankets, then you’ll truly appreciate this.

Sterling Silver Turquoise Multi-Stone Ring $40 – Stunning. Just stunning.

Craft Mates Lockables Ultrasuede Organizer Case $27.71 – For the OCD mom, who likes compartments and organization (ME!), this organizer case has it all!

Filed Under: holidays, Mother's Day, parenting

Christmas in July – 10 ways to start planning now and avoid holiday debt

07/05/2013 by Tiffany

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Being extremely active on social media, I’ve seen tons of updates about how Christmas is just around the corner. As much as I don’t want to start planning right now (procastinator!) it’s important so that I’m not breaking the bank in December. So many families don’t plan for the holidays early enough, and end up putting a lot of their holiday gifts on credit cards. Proper planning and smart shopping starting now can help you save in the long run, and avoid massive credit card bills when the new year rolls around. Check out these 10 tips for making your Christmas as financially un-stressful as possible!

10 tips for planning Christmas on a budget

10. Start making a list of what your kids want – As you hear them ask for specific things, or notice something that they could use, add it to a list. You can easily make a list on your smartphone with an app like Evernote, and access it from anywhere. This will really come in handy once you start actually purchasing gifts.

9. Put aside money each pay period – Set aside a little bit each time you get paid. Cut out stopping for coffee in the morning a few days a week, or maybe pack your lunch for work instead of going out. Use that money for your Christmas fund instead. There are about 25 weeks from the beginning of July until Christmas, so just saving $20 a week means you’ll have $500 to spend on gifts! Be sure that money goes into a separate account so you don’t accidentally spend it!

8. Subscribe to Amazon deals – Did you know that Amazon has Gold Box lightening deals available for a short period each day? Subscribe to get those deals in your inbox and never miss out again! Many of the deals are well over 50% off!

7. Start cleaning out toys – Go ahead and start going through your kids’ toys now, and get rid of items that are broken, missing pieces, or that they have outgrown. Once you pare them down and see what they have left, you’ll have a better idea of what they need. You may realize they already have tons of stuff they still play with, or that they could use more Barbie clothes or Legos for their collection. It’s easier to figure out what to buy when you have an accurate list of what they already own.

6. Talk to your family about what to buy – If you have family members that always give your children gifts, talk to them about what they plan to purchase. If there are specific items that you know your child wants, let everyone know. If you plan to buy something that has accessories or add-on kits, that’s a great thing to clue family in on. Another great way to share your child’s holiday wish list is through a site like GiftBirdy, which lets the kids make their own list online and then share it with others.

5. Shop Craigslist, Ebay, and consignment sales – You can find great deals on gently used (and often new) items by searching Craigslist and Ebay. I’ve also found great gifts by shopping yard sales and consignment sales in during the fall. Your kids are going to open the boxes and use their gifts anyway, so why not buy something that’s out of the box but still in excellent condition? This is a great way to pick up things like toddler toys, video games, outdoor toys and more, for often less than 50% of the regular retail price. (Just be sure to exercise caution when purchasing items from Craigslist. Meet sellers in a very public place, and if a deal sounds way too good to be true, it probably is.)

4. Utilize layaway plans – If you have your eye on a big ticket item that you don’t currently have the money for, see if one of your local stores offers layaway. You can pay a portion of the money up front, and then make payments over several weeks. If the item goes on sale while it’s on layaway, most stores will honor that price and adjust it if you just bring it to their attention. Toys R Us, KMart, and Sears are just a few of the stores that currently offer layaway programs for their customers.

3. Shop daily deal sites – Sites like Zulily and One Kings Lane offer short term deals on popular items. Sign up to get their updates via email, and you’ll know about the big deals as soon as they are available. Last year I got the super popular Pillow Pets for my kids for $1o from 1SaleADay.com for just $10, when they were retailing for at least $25 at other stores! Be sure to share deals your friends would like as well, because most of those sites reward you with credit when your friends place an order.

2. Check out the clearance section – Big name stores like Walmart and Target always have items on clearance, so when you are doing your regular shopping each week, take a second to check out the clearance aisle. I have picked up several gifts at a huge discount that way. I also like to look for clearance deals at local drug stores, and even grocery stores have good deals sometimes!

1. Saving pocket change – Instead of using that change in the bottom of your purse, set it aside for your holiday fund. Just a few coins here and there can really add up! Do the same thing with found money, and you’ll have a nice little stash of cash to add to your holiday budget by the end of the year. Every penny really does count, trust me!

Using these tips and a few others, I managed to spend just $250 on holiday gifts for my six children last year. Christmas on a budget is totally possible, as long as you plan ahead! Need some ideas for budget friendly gifts? Check out the post I wrote with over 100 gifts you can get on Amazon for $2.00 or less, including shipping!

Filed Under: holidays Tagged With: Budget, Christmas, Gifts, Holidays, Presents

Red, White and Blue Party Food Roundup

06/30/2013 by Tiffany

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Fourth of July is just around the corner, and if you’re a regular reader of my blog you know that I have been sharing all sorts of fun red, white, and blue recipes over the last few weeks. Today’s post is a roundup of fun patriotic recipes that are perfect for your holiday get together!

Red, White and Blue Patriotic Party Foods

1. Pigs in a blanket – These are pretty simple. Just make them like usual, then brush with a little bit of food coloring before baking. We used blue, but you could do red as well.

2. Two step cupcakes – Cute and tasty, these cupcakes can be made by little ones in just a matter of minutes!

3. Dipped strawberries – Another really easy treat, these strawberries are just dipped in white chocolate and blue sprinkles.

4. American flag pizza – Sometimes it’s nice to have something more filling than finger foods, and this pizza makes a great centerpiece for your holiday party table too!

5. Fruit salad – Blueberries, raspberries, and star shaped cheese make a cute salad that’s good for you too!

6. Patriotic pinwheels – Yummy and adorable, these pinwheels are made with cream cheese, provolone, peppers and tortillas.

7. Layered party punch – A science experiment and refreshing drink, your kids are sure to love this tri-colored beverage.

8. Caprese salad – Mozzarella pearls, grape tomatoes, basil and olive oil make a simple, beautiful salad that is super delicious.

9. Twizzlers – No preparation needed here! Red and blue twizzlers make a sweet addition to your party foods.

10. Parent punch – Grown up cocktails with a patriotic twist, the same 3 ingredients make two tasty drinks for Mom and Dad!

Did you know that June 27th is National Bomb Pop Day? Bomb Pops are one of my all time favorite childhood treats, and we still buy them on a regular basis today. So you can probably imagine how tickled I was when they asked me to share some pops with my kids along with some other neat holiday party food ideas! The folks over at Bomb Pop and Publix sent us a whole party pack to celebrate with, along with 2 boxes of popsicles, and that’s where the inspiration for all of my recipes came from! Check out all of our fun party pictures below!

Filed Under: holidays, recipes Tagged With: Recipes

Red white and blue martini – Parent party punch recipe

06/30/2013 by Tiffany

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Last week I shared a recipe for a cute red, white, and blue layered party punch for kids, and it was so popular that today I’m sharing another drink that’s just for grown ups! It fits right in with the patriotic party theme for the upcoming 4th of July holiday, and I’ve got two versions for you: one for a casual cookout and another for a more formal get together. They both have the same exact ingredients, they are just prepared a little differently. Check out the recipe below!

Red, White and Blue Parent Party Punch and Martinis

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka

6 oz mandarin orange sparkling water (I used Clear American)

1 Tbsp grenadine

Ice

Fresh blueberries on a skewer for garnish

Parent Party Punch Directions:

1. Mix vodka, sparkling water, and grenadine in a 16 oz glass.

2. Fill with ice to the top.

3. Garnish with blueberry skewer and a cute straw (if desired)

Red, White and Blue Martini Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.

2. Pour in vodka and sparkling water, shake well to mix.

3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

4. Slowly pour grenadine down the side of the glass so it settles in the bottom.

5. Garnish with blueberry skewer.

***Tip – If you pour the grenadine into the martini glass too quickly, it will just mix with the vodka. You MUST pour it slowly down the side of the glass for it to layer properly.

This drink is just as delicious with rum or a silver tequila, I’m just a vodka kind of gal. 😉 You could also you a different flavor of sparkling water if you like, but trust me, the mandarin orange is really tasty!

Having lots of people over? Make a whole pitcher! You can premix all of it without ice for the punch, or just premix the vodka and sparkling water to prep for the martinis. Blueberry skewers can be made in advance as well. Just remember to keep it out of the reach of kiddos, it’s colorful and fun, and they’ll be tempted to take a sip!