Special occasions with a thrifty twist

 

Thrifty venue decor & wedding planning hacks
Easy DIY party decor projects
Party ideas & yummy cakes
Theme ideas & DIY decoration projects
Fun day trips on a budget
Fun with your friends – decor, drinks & games
Romantic date night ideas & homemade gifts
Money-saving tips for stay-at-home parties
Low-cost present ideas handmade with love
Spring projects & Easter bakes
Festive fun for Xmas + New Years
Spooky decorations & ghostly gatherings

Need inspiration for a fun yet thrifty party? Want to add a crafty DIY touch to your special event? Are you planning your wedding day but don’t want to blow the budget? Have a look though these categories above or blog posts below to find frugal inspiration for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, hen nights, parties, festive celebrations and all kinds of special occasions!

PARTIES, DIYs, WEDDINGS & MORE…

4 Grown up things to do with your teens during the Easter holidays

We're right in the middle of the school Easter holidays so, if you're running out of ideas for keeping your teens entertained, here are four activity ideas that'll make them feel grown-up ...
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7 Affordable gift ideas for your favourite fella on Father’s Day

Straight off the back of Mother's Day, let's chat about Father's Day! Let’s face it, when it comes to buying your dad a gift, you probably need to think a bit more out of the box than a traditional tie ...
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Last minute DIY Mother’s Day gifts you can make yourself

It's Mother's Day this coming weekend so don't forget to treat mum to something special. I've already shared some gift ideas that you can buy online or order from Etsy sellers, but there might not be enough time to get ...
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8 Handmade and personalised Mother’s Day gifts from Etsy makers

I know you want to get something special for your mum this Mother's Day, and what could be better than a handmade gift that you've sourced or commissioned yourself? That's where Etsy comes in! Personalised ceramics from Hannah Berridge's Etsy ...
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Meaningful gifts that mum will enjoy way beyond Mother’s Day…

Mother's Day is coming up on 31st March so I thought I'd blog some gift ideas in advance to give you time to head to the shops or put in your orders online. There's something for all tastes and budgets ...
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Show mum some love this Mother’s Day while sticking to your March budget

If you usually set a monthly budget, special occasions may cause a dent in your finances. I always allocate extra contingency cash in my budget for unexpected days out, meals and gifts but it can be tempting to overspend when ...
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How to stick to a budget when planning children’s birthday parties

This blog post is written in association with Party Bags and Supplies When it’s time for a little one to celebrate their birthday, parents often worry about hosting a party. After all, they want to ensure their kid has an ...
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6 Simple yet effective ways to save big on the cost of your wedding

Weddings are rarely budget-friendly and more often than not, both the bride and groom end up spending a fortune on their big day. However, if you plan in advance, every wedding is filled with a multitude of cost saving opportunities ...
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3 Essential things to consider when planning a vintage-themed wedding

As I’m sure you’re aware, I live for all things vintage and that extends from my lifestyle to my wardrobe to my taste in décor! One of the vintage concepts that people tend to overlook though, is the idea of ...
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Welcoming in the New Year – I’ve got a good feeling about 2019!

Just a quick post today to wish you all a happy new year! I hope your festive celebrations have been fun and that you're planning to welcome in the new year with a suitably joyful evening. I'll be raising a ...
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How to style a retro cocktail cabinet for your New Year’s Eve party

If you're planning a party for New Year's Eve, why not make it a retro one? Step back in time to the 70s and recreate the cocktail cabinet that all mid-century housewives wished they had. I've styled up this G ...
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How to decorate your home for Christmas like Buddy the Elf

Ever wanted your home to look like Buddy the Elf has decorated it for Santa's arrival? Here's 14 low-cost and easy DIY projects to help you spread Christmas cheer throughout your rooms (using things you already have) in time for ...
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Snowy white Christmas bedroom decor + my DIY neon snowflake light

Fancy making your own neon snowflake light to decorate your home for Christmas? I've shared the full DIY project along with photos of my own minimalist snowy white festive bedroom ...
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How to make a funny stalk of sprouts Christmas decoration

Christmas trees? Nah! Santa? Who? We all know that the real star of Christmas is the sprout. Whether you love them or loathe them, they're the most hotly anticipated visitors on the 25th December and I think they deserve to ...
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How to DIY a space-saving Christmas tree with copper pipe & pallet wood

If you haven’t got a Christmas tree or simply can’t fit one into your home, this DIY copper-pipe tree is a great slimline option. You can make it yourself using offcuts from your plumbing project, a broom handle and a ...
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How to DIY a custom-made Christmas snowflake light with neon EL wire

Here’s another DIY festive décor project for you – a glittery light-up neon snowflake. You can hang it on the wall to create a fabulously festive feature or use it as a lamp on your bedside table ...
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Top secret! Personalised and retro gift ideas for your husband…

Shhh, don't tell my husband about this blog post! I wanted to share these personalised goodies with you in case you thought they'd be a good gift idea for your other half too, but I'm risking spoiling the surprise by ...
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Unique Christmas card ideas to help you spread festive joy this December

Christmas is about so much more than materialism but it’s also nice to buy or create something that lets people know you are thinking about them at this time of year and that you enjoy having them in your friendship ...
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Shop handmade, local & independent this Christmas with Etsy

If you’re looking for a truly unique gift this Christmas, you’ve got to go handmade. Etsy is a great marketplace to find items that have been crafted by artisans and creatives so that’s where I’ve been shopping this year. Here ...
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Planning a Christmas engagement? Things to consider when choosing a ring

Christmas is a popular time for proposals and I can't think of anything more romantic than a snowy backdrop when you're popping the question. An engagement ring is a Christmas gift she'll never forget and I've come up with some ...
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DIY Inspiration for decorating your dining table this Christmas

With the festive month finally upon us, you might have already hung your decorations, ordered the turkey and be ticking off this year’s gift list for friends and family. Have you given any thought to your table setting? Whether you're ...
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How to use heat-transfer vinyl to DIY your own Christmas jumper

I've made my own Christmas jumpers this year! What do you think? After a quick rummage in my local charity shop I found three different types of jumpers just calling out to be upcycled, so I thought I'd share this ...
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My ‘accidental’ rose-gold & red Christmas tree + a few new decorations

Christmas has landed! I decorated my tree on Sunday so I thought I'd share some snaps of it with you today ...
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Low-cost art & craft ideas to create personalised Christmas decor

December is here and if you haven’t already jumped at the chance to put up your tree and make your home look as festive as possible, you might be looking for some more affordable and creative ways to decorate your ...
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Planning a holiday at Christmas? 4 ideas for your festive getaway

If you're thinking of taking a break over the festive season, I've come up with some ideas for a Christmas getaway that you'll never forget ...
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How to DIY a retro cocktail cabinet for your festive parties

If you're planning to entertain over Christmas and New Year, it's a great idea to have a cocktail cabinet ass a place to serve delicious drinks to your guests. Here's how to make your own DIY retro bar from an ...
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How to spot genuine vintage baubles – my festive article in Reclaim magazine

I'm feeling super-festive right now and it's because the Christmas issue of Reclaim magazine is out now! And my Design Icon article this month is vintage baubles, including how to spot the genuine article ...
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4 Sustainable (& fun!) reasons why you should buy a local Christmas tree

If you're planning to have a real Christmas tree in your home this year, why not choose the eco-friendly and sustainable option of buying local? I took a tour of a Suffolk tree plantation at the weekend so here's why ...
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How to light up your home for Christmas (without going OTT festive)

If you're not a big fan of fairy lights but still want to illuminate your rooms for Christmas, here are some slightly more subtle ways to get a touch of twinkling light into the space without going over the top ...
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Eco-friendly Christmas gift guide – Sustainable presents for all

If you want to stick to your environmentally friendly ideals as Christmas approaches, I'm here to help. I've compiled a selection of my favourite gifts for 2018, all of which have great eco-friendly credentials. I hope this gift guide makes ...
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2 thoughts on “Special occasions with a thrifty twist”

  2. YOU AND YOUR BLOG ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL,TYSVM FOR GIVING ME LAUGHTER,INSPIRATION AND A PLACE I CAN COME TO AND CALL “HOME” WHEN I NEED TO FIND ANYTHING I LOVE! GOD BLESS YOU!

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