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One simply doesn’t go to the country club without dressing the part. Preppy fashion is all about looking classic, chic, and conservative.

Although it started in the 1800s, this style is still alive and well.

If you’re interested in leveling up your wardrobe, the preppy trendy is the way to go. Not only does it look professional, but it uses more durable and high-quality fabrics. These are designs that will last a lifetime.

Not sure where to start shopping first? Here are the top 11 best preppy brands for men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion.

1. Coach

Starting with a bang, the top luxury preppy brand is Coach. Known for its signature monogrammed handbags, this brand has much more to offer.

Its runway couture sometimes strays from the crisp, clean preppy staples. But, by using collars, buttons, and high-neck lines, it nods to this historic fashion trend.

Notable items: The Kitt Messenger Bag in Jacquared Signature or the Soft Trifold Wallet in Black.

2. Vineyard Vines

When you want classic basics on a budget, head to Vineyard Vines. You can find every pastel and printed polo under the sun in this yacht-club approved brand.

This preppy store has captured the collared hearts of Americans everywhere. They sell casual day clothes and nightwear, as well as accessories and kids’ apparel.

Notable items: The Men’s 8-inch Performance Breaker Shorts in Lobster Reef or the 17-inch Scallop Skort in Deep Bay.

3. Ralph Lauren

What started as a men’s tie fashion line in 1967 grew into a design empire. Ralph Lauren is a staple name in preppy fashion and mid-luxury range home goods.

The first full collection created was in honor of Lauren’s love of sports. He named it “Polo” which also coined the name of the infamous preppy collared casual tops.

Notable items: the Men’s Fair Isle Wool Sweater or the Women’s Glen Plaid Tweed Dress.

4. Kate Spade New York

Any woman who’s ever desired a designer handbag has heard of Kate Spade New York. This quirky yet sophisticated preppy brand is known for its classic handbags and garments.

If there’s a woman in your life with a birthday coming up, wow her with a Kate Spade gift. The jewelry is to die for, as are the matching blazer-cord sets. They even do customization and monogramming!

Notable items: the Taylor Large Diaper Bag in black or the Francois French Bulldog Earrings.

5. J. Crew

This store had its beginnings on the streets of Manhattan in the 1980s. Describing their garments as “classic with a twist”, J. Crew cornered the market of affordable, yet chic apparel.

Today, J. Crew is especially popular with college-aged consumers looking to stay sharp on campus. It’s also a popular brand for business wear and casual weekend clothes.

Notable items: the Girls’ Maxi Dress in Rugby Stripe or the Men’s 250 Skinny-fit Pant in Stretch Chino.

6. Lacoste

Few brands have such a memorable logo as Lacoste. Wear one of their polos with the green alligator and you get an immediate status boost.

That clout was hard-earned; it began in 1933 with tennis shirts designed by Rene Lacoste. The French designer wanted to make sportswear more fashionable. He basically created “athleisure”.

Notable items: the Men’s SPORT Print Breathable Stretch Jersey Golf Polo or the Men’s SPORT Mesh Panel Cotton Hat in red.

7. Tommy Hilfiger

Although this designer has been part of many controversies over the years, nothing can diminish the value of his classic garments. Tommy Hilfiger is an American-prep staple.

His signature red, blue, and white pieces became popular in the 1970s among the rich. Today, you can find TH garments in every department store and as well as many vintage consignment stores.

Notable items: the Women’s Flag LOGO V-Neck Sweater in sky captain blue or the Kids Reversible Hooded Jacket in black iris.

8. Brooks Brothers

This preppy brand is the oldest men’s clothier in the United States. Brooks Brothers is was a family-owned business founded in 1818.

While they design both men’s and women’s clothing today, they’re known for creating preppy staples for men. Customers rave about the dress shirts and classic tuxedos.

Notable items: the Regent Fit One-Button Navy Tuxedo or the Non-Iron Milano Fit Heathered Stripe Sport Shirt in ivy green.

9. Kent & Curwen

This British brand has taken the American fashion market by storm. Kent & Curwen, owned in part by David Beckham, brings English schoolboy prep to American ivy league kids.

One of their top sellers is their men’s messenger bags. Preppy students don’t need a tacky backpack when there are timeless bags from Kent & Curwen.

Notable items: the Canvas and Leather Messenger Bag in navy/black or the Cashmere Crewneck Sweater in red.

10. Country Club Prep

This brand is for anyone who values high-quality, well-made garments that never go out of style. Whether you’re hopping on the family yacht or heading to the derby, Country Club Prep has the perfect outfit for you.

These products range from derby dresses to men’s golf attire to home wear. You can get sophisticated handbags, dresses, and flasks all in the same place.

Notable items: the Piazza Jersey Corset Dress by Gretchen Scott Designs or the Cocktail Party Needlepoint Flask in Dark Navy by Smathers & Bronson.

11. L.L. Bean

The final preppy fashion brand on this list is an American classic. L.L. Bean was started in 1912 and only sold quality duck hunting boots. It grew to sell timeless outdoor attire for both genders.

Whether you’re going to the cottage in the Hamptons or on a hunting expedition, L.L. Bean has durable and affordable clothing for you.

Notable items: the Scotch Plaid Flannel Shirt in Lindsay or the women’s Sweater Fleece Full-Zip Jacket in evening blue.

Interested in Learning More About the Best Preppy Brands in America?

The preppy fashion trend is about wearing garments that can last forever. They’re durable and high-quality while never going out of style.

This style is perfect for the whole family. It especially makes your kiddos look clean and put-together. Start building your wardrobe by shopping at the best preppy brands in America.

To learn how to style different garments and tips for saving money on clothes, check out our shopping section!

Being a parent can feel like you’re hopscotching from one worry to the next. Everywhere you look, you see all the ways your child could be hurt. How do you ever feel secure?

The more measures you take to keep your child safe, the more peace of mind you have. Those safety measures may never be more important than they are on the road.

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As summer draws to a close it’s time to start thinking about the best holiday of the year–Halloween! When you have kids, Halloween is both a ton of fun and a major headache. Getting your kid to settle on a costume that you can both agree on is definitely one of those headaches.

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Short on cash? Even when working the 9 to 5 grind, saving money is difficult. With bills and a calendar full of plans, the monthly income is spent so quickly!

Luckily, today there are various side gigs to boost your income — many of them being as flexible as you’d like. You can set your schedule based on how much time you want to spend on your side job and can appreciate the extra cash.

Want to discover some of the best? Here are seven ways to make money on the side with a full-time job.

1. Rideshare Driver

Do you own a reliable vehicle? Know your way around town? If so, then being a part-time rideshare driver for a company like Lyft may be one of the best side jobs for you.

You’re able to work around your schedule and can use your car to earn extra cash. Turn something you do every day into a part-time job! The best part about it is that you can decide when to work and how many hours you put in.

While one week you may only have time to work a couple of hours, another you may have a free week where you can earn a fair bit of extra cash. It’s all up to you!

Here’s a top tip: Drive passengers around premium hour rates, such as nights, weekends, and during major events like concerts or football games to earn a higher amount of cash.

If you’re interested in becoming a rideshare driver, check out the Lyft driver requirements here.

2. Pet Sitter

Prefer pets to people? We don’t blame you.

One of the fun side jobs out there, pet sitting is the purr-fect way to make extra cash.

Not only do you get to play and look after cute animals, but you also get paid for it. It’s a win-win situation!

You could work at a doggy daycare or boarding facility, or for more flexibility, you can go self-employed. If you opt for the latter, one way to get started is to ask friends, family, and neighbors if their pets need looking after. It’s also a great way to gain pet sitting referrals.

Likewise, websites and apps like Wag make it easy to market your pet sitting services. Whether you’re thinking about dog-walking, grooming, or simply watching pets while their owners are away, you’re sure to have a ball with this side gig.

3. Freelancer

If you’ve got a set of skills, then putting them to use as a freelancer is one of the best side jobs that pay well.

Freelance jobs are varied, so whatever skills you have, it’s likely that there’s a market for them. And the best part about freelancing is that you can work around your schedule, putting in as much or as little effort as you’d like. Just make sure you stick to those deadlines!

Whether you possess top-notch writing skills or you’re a whizz at graphic design, there’s a saturated marketplace for freelancers. If your work is online, just make sure you have a kick-ass portfolio so you can display your work to gain clients.

Who knows, maybe you’ll even consider making freelancing a full-time job!

4. Rent Your Space

If you own property, the easiest way to earn extra cash is to rent it out through websites such as Airbnb.

Whether you have a spare room, garage, or storage space, someone out there will be happy to part with their cash in exchange for renting it out. If you’re heading on holiday, you can even rent out your whole place, which is likely to pay well.

It’s up to you on how much you’ll charge and how long you’ll rent your space for — meaning you can earn a little cash or a lot. And the best part is that apart from a bit of light cleaning and changing of bed sheets, you don’t need to do much at all.

5. Sell Your Stuff

Are you a hoarder? If you have a storage space full of unused furniture and a closet full of unworn clothes, shoes, and bags, it may be time to consider selling some of them. Not only can you earn cash, but you’ll also de-clutter your home and free up some space.

Use eBay to sell those items you’ve never used, and you’ll be surprised how much money you can earn from your cast-offs. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

6. Work at a Festival or Event

During the summer months especially, many one-off festivals or events hire casual staff. This can be on the bars, or stewarding, for example.

If you’re available weekends and weekday evenings, this is one of the best part-time jobs for you.

Many companies supply staff for a variety of different events, meaning you can sign up to several events depending on your schedule. As staff turnover is so high, most of these companies don’t mind if you’re select with the events and festivals you’d like to work.

Not only will you earn extra cash, but you’ll gain free entry to the event and may have some free time to explore and enjoy yourself.

7. Participate in Research Studies

Depending on where you live, you might be able to participate in paid research studies or focus groups. If you live near a hospital or university, your chances of finding such work are higher.

To find opportunities in your area, search Google for ‘research studies near me,’ or simply ask around in local hospitals or universities.

Ways to Make Money on the Side with a Full-Time Job

Whether it’s adding a part-time job, a weekend job, or a second job to your schedule, these seven ways to make money on the side with a full-time job will help you earn extra money. Before you know it, the extra cash will come rolling in!

Did you enjoy this article? For more ways to earn extra cash, feel free to browse our blog!

There are a variety of reasons why someone might fall behind on their bills. But it happens. People who find themselves in this situation need to seek out a solution. So, here are some tips on what to do if you can’t pay your bills.

Set Your Priorities

When you’re swimming in debt and can’t pay your bills, you need to really set your priorities. Of course, you should cut back on luxury and recreational items whenever possible. But there’s more to this than just eating out less and avoiding the purchase of fancy clothes.

Think about what things you absolutely need in order to live and work. Pay those things first so your home, transportation, and basic livelihood stay intact. Just about all other things can be put on the back burner for the time being.

Mentally Prepare Yourself

Being unable to pay your bills doesn’t feel good. This is something that drains your mental and emotional energy. Not knowing if you’re going to be able to make things work can really take a toll.

But you also need to prepare yourself for a potential barrage of calls from collectors. When your bills go to collections, you’ll no longer be dealing with your creditor directly, but whoever they sold the debt to for less than its original value. These people will employ all kinds of tactics to try to wear you down. It’s important you know your rights so you can protect yourself from harassment and undue stress.

Try to Get More Time to Pay

When you can’t pay your bills, it’s possible you can find ways to get more time on your side. There are a few ways to go about this. One option is to simply contact the companies where you owe money. This might be a utility, credit card provider, or your mortgage lender. Simply explaining your situation and coming up with a different plan can sometimes buy you time. However, lenders aren’t always going to go for that.

You can also try to perform a balance transfer in order to reduce the amount you owe on some of your credit card balances. This works by taking what you owe on high-interest cards and moving that balance to a different card with a low introductory rate. This can give you some leeway to pay down the debt without accumulating interest. It’s important to note that you’ll usually be charged a balance transfer fee when you do this.

Seek Out Help

It’s never a bad idea to look for help when you’re struggling to pay your bills. You can begin by talking to relatives or friends. It’s possible they can help you out in some way. Just make sure you don’t do anything that will strain your relationship when you take this route.

You should also consider debt relief to see if this option makes sense in your situation. There are lots of programs out there; the challenge is finding a legitimate one with a strong track record of helping consumers.

Some people find debt consolidation to be helpful in simplifying repayment. This involves taking out a loan to pay off all your outstanding balances. Then you’re only responsible for one payment a month rather than a handful or more.

Some debt relief agencies, like Freedom Debt Relief, offer qualified consumers the opportunity to combine settlement and consolidation. Enrollees are able to take out a consolidation loan through the Consolidation Plus program, then use it to fast-track the settlement process—in which negotiators contact creditors, trying to reach a lower settlement. After settlements have been reached, consumers are then responsible for paying back that loan in installments.

Make More Money or Sell Items

Generating more money is one of the best ways to improve your quality of life when you’re struggling to pay your bills. It’s a good idea to start at your current job to see if you can get a raise or take on more responsibilities. If that doesn’t end up being an option, you can generate more income to pay bills by taking on another side job.

Some people will also benefit from downsizing or selling some of their possessions. This can produce some immediate cash flow useful for paying bills.

No one wants to be in a situation where they can’t pay their bills. But this is something that can really happen to anyone. Implementing these ideas can help you get by in this tough situation.

Our world is in crisis. With Google making us stupid and the childhood obesity crisis slowly leading our kids down a path of early deaths, we have the growing responsibility to keep our kids busy.

Plus, when you find things to do with kids, you build relationships. So as the novelty of school-less summer days wears off, consider these kid-friendly activities that won’t break your summer budget.

Things to Do With Kids

Do things with your kids to make some memories. All you typically need is a little planning time.

1. Take Them to the Movies

You do not have fork over cash to take your kids to the movies. Look for free outdoor movie options in your community.

Many communities offer such options, projecting older films on big screens in a park. You’ll need to bring your seating like a blanket. Pop a big bag of popcorn and pack a thermos of lemonade, and you’ll have al the makings of a great night of fun.

There’s nothing quite like seeing a movie outside and munching on your popcorn. You get to enjoy the firefly show as you watch a movie outdoors with your kids. Everyone gets fresh air, and you’ll avoid the recycled air and sticky floors of the theater.

2. Hike and Explore With a Purpose

Head over to your local state park or even your back yard and create a scavenger hunt. Think of the things that you see naturally in your community. Consider mushrooms on tree stumps, specific types of birds or woodland animals, and even bigger animals like deer.

If you go to the right nature preserve, you can discover a whole new world.

If you don’t know where to go, you can always go to your state’s Game, Fish, and Park website or the National Recreation Trail Database where you can find a trail near you in the United States.

3. Go On a Playground Tour

Make a plan to visit every park in your community if you have multiple parks. Then rank them. Set criteria ahead of time with your kids that helps establish what makes a great park and then keep a running list of the best parks in your area.

Pack a picnic lunch of sandwiches and fruit to make the outings even more memorable.

4. Look for Free Classes in Your Community

Go to your Chamber’s website to see if you can locate any free classes in the community for kids. Check out places like the local extension office or community center.

Find your local library to see if they have a reading program or classes for kids. A good library will have a wealth of opportunities for your kids in the summer like summer reading programs with prizes that encourage either your kids to read or you to read to your toddlers.

Often children’s librarians will have programs once a week in the summer where your kids can come and learn new skills or explore activities.

Things Kids Can Do Solo

When your kids proclaim they’re bored, but you need to make dinner or do your work, you can make some suggestions that will give them things to do alone. Remember, too, you can always have them help you with household chores.

5. Hide and Seek

Encourage your kids to get creative with their surroundings and play an old-fashioned game of hide-and-seek. For younger children, you may need to make some creative but safe suggestions, like behind the drapes or an open door.

6. Watch Learn-to-Draw Videos

Set your computer up so you have bookmarked youtube videos that teach kids how to draw. Even the least artistic child will feel accomplished after following one of these simple learn-to-draw videos.

7. Write a Story with Animation

Once your kids have learned how to draw something, you can encourage them to write a story about that drawing. Set them up with pencil and paper. If they cannot write yet, have them create a storyboard of a comic strip with images and pictures that tell the story.

8. Put on a Fashion Show

Encourage your kids to put together outfits either from your closet, from a dress-up bin you have, or from their clothes. Then have them put on a fashion show for you. Take pictures like the paparazzi during the show and set it to music.

Put together some tasty finger foods when you’re done so you can have a fun and fancy party or consider inviting neighborhood kids over to the show and the final party.

Things Kids Can Create

Nothing makes kids prouder than when they can create something amazing on their own. Again, you don’t need much of any money to stimulate kids’ imaginations, and often the fewer materials and examples you have, the greater the imaginative creations.

9. Sidewalk Chalk

Drawing stimulates a child’s mind, teaching him fine motor skills, creativity, and decision making. Encourage your child to draw this summer.

A jumbo pack of sidewalk chalk costs little money but can lead to a whole new world on your driveway. You can create special sidewalk chalk drawings that include kids and then take pictures. You can also draw a ginormous sidewalk chalk hopscotch that will keep your kids busy for hours.

Once you’ve demonstrated some of the drawings with the kids, set them loose with the chalk to let their imaginations go crazy.

10. Build a Fort

If rain is hampering your outdoor summer fun, build a fort in the living room with your kids. Breakdown your furniture and use the couch cushions and extra blankets to make an amazing ford. Then let your kids eat a picnic lunch in their fort.

11. Build Marshmallow and Toothpick Houses

Kids can learn about structures while creatively using toothpicks and marshmallows to create houses and people. You may end up having the beginnings of an architect in your family after this activity.

12. Legos

Legos do more than just keep your kids busy. They stimulate your kids’ minds, giving them fundamental engineering skills.

If you do not have legos in your house, visit thrift stores or even eBay to find buckets of miscellaneous legos. Just make sure they are Lego brand building blocks so they fit well together.

Then give your kids a lego challenge and have them build a village with homes, community buildings like stores and a hospital, and then appropriate vehicles.

Stay Calm, and Play On

When the “I’m bored” and “There’s nothing to do” whines begin to assault your ears, do not lose your temper. Just stay calm and think like a kid.

You can find all kinds of things to do with kids with little to no money. For more ways to save money while raising smart and creative kids, keep reading the articles on our blog.

Busy days, sleepless nights, sweet little eyes watching your every move, sweet little brain absorbing everything around them. These are the hallmark aspects of a brand new baby.

Are you expecting? Congratulations! Whether you’re growing it inside you or adopting, becoming a new parent or adding another to your brood is a big lifestyle shift.

Your life and your finances are about to change drastically. Are you worried about spending and saving appropriately and effectively? Read on to learn the six best budget tips for your upcoming bundle of joy.

1. 50/30/20

Ever heard of the 50/30/20 rule? If you’re totally new to budgeting, maybe you haven’t. This isn’t necessarily just a “new baby” budgeting rule, it’s a general life budgeting rule.

With this rule, you split your income as follows: 50% to financial needs like groceries and mortgage or rent, 30% to financial wants like a new kitchen table or eating out, and 20% to savings (and payment on bad debt like credit card debt).

This rule doesn’t change once you add a baby to your family! The baby’s needs and wants fit into the same categories. For example, diapers and formula are financial needs. That adorable little summer dress and hat ensemble is a financial want.

Don’t think that everything has to change once you have your baby. Basic budgeting rules still apply.

2. Smart, Effective Nursery

If you’re expecting a baby, you’ve definitely been looking at nursery pictures on Pinterest. It’s okay, everyone does it.

But be wary not to get sucked into the “beautiful nursery” lie! Just because a room is decorated beautifully (and then named “the nursery”) doesn’t mean it’s effective and practical as a nursery.

One important way you can save money while expecting is to not go overboard with the nursery. Read other parents’ experiences with what you truly do and don’t need, you might be surprised!

If you do need it, don’t be afraid to budget for it. If you don’t need it, you can gladly budget that money for something else. Your experience with the nursery doesn’t have to be all trial and error if you’re willing to heed other people’s experience.

Don’t hesitate to seek out tips and ideas for your nursery design. It can be smart, effective, practical, and beautiful. Be inspired by other people’s ideas and experience.

3. Take a Renewed Look At Your Finances

If it’s been just you or just you and your partner, you’ve most likely been making some unconscious exceptions in your finances. Maybe you have three cars but only need two, but you haven’t bothered getting rid of the third because you’ve been able to afford it.

Now is the time to consolidate those three cars into two. Just because you could squeak by affording it before, doesn’t mean you can now. That expense can make a huge difference once you have the baby.

Been holding out for that raise? Now is the time to finally ask for it! You’re going to need it more than ever.

Thought about refinancing but never gotten around to it? Now is definitely the time to pull that trigger. Refinancing your mortgage and insurance can greatly impact your finances month-to-month.

4. Remember Your New Expenses Will Rapidly Change

Babies grow quickly, so their needs change quickly. That means your expenses also rapidly change. Anticipate that fact and don’t invest too much in any one stage.

If you spend too much on newborn clothes, you won’t have enough money just three short months later when the baby needs bigger clothes. Buy secondhand, inherit clothes from older babies of friends and family, and don’t be afraid to let your baby repeat outfits.

They don’t need a celebrity baby’s wardrobe, babies look cute in just a white onesie! Take advantage of that!

This rule applies to everything baby-related, not just clothes. If you’re only planning on having one child, try a crib that converts into a toddler bed (if you’ll have more kids then you can save money by reusing a normal crib).

5. Buy Necessities Before Birth

There are plenty of things you can buy for the baby now, before he or she is even here. This will alleviate some financial strain after the baby comes, when you’re also paying hospital bills.

Keep an eye out for sales and buy things slowly, as you can! A pack or two of wipes here, bottles there, especially all sizes of diapers. Some things you won’t know you need until after the baby comes, but many things you know now (like wipes, bottles, and diapers).

You have nine months to prepare, so take advantage of it! Your budget for post-baby will be freed up because you have some supplies you’ve collected over previous months.

6. Practice Your New Budget Beforehand

Figure out your 50/30/20, including your baby-related finances. Fully commit to it with yourself or with your partner. Then practice it for a month or two before the baby comes.

This experiment will show you where your budget is weak and where it’s strong. You’ll learn what you need to change and improve, all before you actually have the baby, so there’s nothing to lose!

The practice time also gives you a few weeks to get used to your new budget. This will help you feel more acclimated and less stressed when you have your baby: lots of things may be brand new, but at least you’ve been living this budget for a little while.

In order for your new budget (and practicing it beforehand) to be successful, you and your partner have to be fully on board. This practice time will also show you in what ways you two still need to get on the same page.

New Baby = New Budget

So you’re about to welcome a new baby. What a wonderful time in your life! Don’t let the fear of change or the unknown take away from your newfound happiness.

These six tips will help you keep your finances in order, even with your adorable new addition. A baby doesn’t have to break the bank, all it takes is preparation and discipline. Check out our other articles about babies and parenting!

Did you know the global tea market could reach 49,456.52 million by 2024? People all over the world love to celebrate with a hot cup of tea.

Are you looking to host a tea party birthday for your daughter but not sure where to begin? Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll go over some tea party ideas for kids.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out.

Tea Party Birthday: A Guide

A tea party is a wonderful option for your daughter’s upcoming birthday. Your guests can play games, eat snacks, and drink from teacups. Check out these tips for more ideas.

Decide on a Date

Consider the theme of your tea party. You could have a princess tea party and feature fairies and princesses.

Once you know your theme, select a date, and order invitations that match your theme. Most tea parties tend to start at around 3 pm. If you want a luncheon tea party, have it start at 11 am.

Pick Icebreaker Activities

When the guests arrive, you want to warm them up a bit with fun activities. Prepare these ahead of time.

For example, kids love to make their own jewelry. Pick up some bracelet or necklace activity sets. The guests can wear their pieces or take them home.

Set up a table with tea party coloring pages along with crayons and markers. For those who arrive early, they can have fun coloring the pages until everyone shows up.

Let the guests make their own fancy fans. You’ll need stickers, tape, glitter, markers, and colored paper.

The kids can draw pictures on both sides of the paper. Have them fold the paper like an accordion and fasten an end with tape to create the handle.

For a unique and fun activity, bake a rectangle cake, and cut it into squares. Allow each guest to decorate their square with colorful icing and edible decorations. Place all the squares back together to make a cake quilt.

Decide on Your Menu and Tea

Tea party menus consist of scones with jam, dainty sandwiches, and a selection of pastries. For children, you might want to select something simpler.

You could make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or cream cheese with strawberries. For fun, cut your sandwiches with cookie cutters.

Make a bowl of fresh fruit salad. Make your daughter’s favorite cookies or pick up mini cupcakes from the local bakery.

If your guests are too young for tea, why not serve them apple juice, milk, or lemonade? They will have fun drinking from the teacups. If they are a little older, check out the World Tea Directory to find the perfect blend of tea.

Decorate the Tea Table

Cover your table with a bright tablecloth and add flowers as centerpieces. Pick up some colorful paper napkins. Now to the most important part: teacups.

If you don’t have a selection at home, not to worry. You can find floral or decorative tea cups at your local thrift store.

For every guest, set aside a bread plate, teacup, and saucer. Leave room on the table for the teapot.

Consider placing one in the center. If you have a lot of guests, set a couple of them on the table. Add lace doilies or mini framed place cards.

Decorating the Room

To create a classy atmosphere, pick up some extra items from your local craft store or party shop. Twist together colorful streamers and drape them from the ceiling or outline windows.

Pick up some pastel colored balloons. Fill them with helium and create bunches of bouquets to display around the room.

For fun, you could fill an extra teapot with flowers and use it as a focal point. Chalkboard signs are fun and an excellent way to announce your daughter’s birthday.

Plan Games

There are lots of fun party games to play at a tea party. If you choose a princess-themed tea party, your guests can create their own tiaras. Have a table set up with rhinestones, stickers, glitter, glue, and ribbons.

If you want to choose a fairy themed tea party, your guests can create their own fairy wand with a wooden dowel.

You could have a dress-up station with a mirror and a trunk of clothes. Make sure you have a box of fun hats and costume jewelry for your guests to try.

Consider making paper teacups for a treasure hunt. This game of treasure hunt will get the party guests up and moving around. Hide the paper tea cups all around the house or the yard if the weather is fine.

Another fun game is the tea bag toss. If you have some cheaper tea on hand and old teapots, you’re set. Give a point value for the teapots, based on the size of the opening.

If it has a smaller opening, make the point value higher. Place a line for the kids to stand behind. Have the guests toss the tea bags, aiming for the pots. For this game, pick up some old china teapots at your local thrift store.

Party Favors

At any party, you’ll want to hand out favors. For your daughter’s tea party, think about the theme of the party and go from there. Let your guests take home their homemade wand or princess tiara.

If you have lots of teacups, let your guests take their cups as a reminder of the fun celebration.

Want to Learn More?

We hope you found this article on hosting a tea party birthday helpful. Take time to choose your theme and have fun.

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Clothing swaps are becoming a big trend right now and it really is one great way to modify your closet and save money. If you are unclear of how one works, a group gathers together and brings clothes and accessories they are looking to get rid of. They literally swap clothes and anything that is not claimed can either go home with the original owners or be donated to a local thrift store (this is the most popular option). While some circles focus on clothing swaps for children, we are seeing more people do it for adult clothing as well. Here are some ways you can start a clothing swap and part ways with clothes you just aren’t wearing.

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