Being plus-sized and pregnant doesn't mean you need to wear miu-miu dresses and tops, hide in oversized tunics and t-shirts, and shy away from flaunting your figure. Plus-size moms-to-be can be just as stylish and trendy as their thinner counterparts because looking great has nothing to do with your weight!

Pregnancy is a great time to become more comfortable with your body and wear clothes that flatter you. In order to wear the latest styles and trends, you'll need to invest in some quality clothing that accommodate for your growing body. Here's what you need to know:

1. Stick with Lycra and knit tops. You need clothes that will stretch and conform to your changing body shape, not clothes that will constrict you or hug you too tight. Choose knit tops that are made with Lycra so you can enjoy the benefits of stretch fibers throughout your term.

2. Shop the maternity line, even in the plus-size section. It can be tempting to just go up a few sizes when shopping for maternity clothes, but you won't fit into these pieces of clothing properly. Shopping for maternity clothes in the plus-size section ensures that your clothes will fit you properly and accommodate your growing belly.

3. Get fitted for your pants and skirts. If you're unsure about the size you should wear for pants and skirts, get fitted by a tailor so you truly are wearing the right size. Once you know your size, you can purchase pants and skirts from the maternity department, because these are made with elastic waists and will accommodate baby bumps with ease.

4. Wear empire-waist tops and dresses for special occasions. Empire-waist tops and dresses are ideal for the pregnant woman because they emphasize your natural waistline and don't cinch or pinch around your baby bump. Look for these styles when shopping the special occasion section of the plus size department.

5. Wear larger prints and patterns to complement your figure. Wearing bold and large prints will complement your larger figure better than teeny-tiny flower prints and other delicate patterns. Look for these prints in either your top or your bottoms for a figure-flattering look.

Listing your home as for sale by owner means that you can save a lot of money. Of course, you should still have an open house to bring interested parties to the home. Listing an ad in your local paper promising free drinks and appetizers is another great way to bring more people to the open house. Unfortunately, paying for catering can be quite expensive. Thankfully, there are ways to save money in your kitchen while preparing for an open house.

The number one thing to remember when preparing food for an open house is to keep it simple. It takes time to get ready for an open house. You have to clean the house, put out the signs, and make sure the home looks its absolute best. If you try to prepare dishes that are time consuming, you'll have to invest even more time in cleaning.

A great way to save money and time is to prepare store bought cookie dough. Not only is it easy to make, the cleanup is easy as well, if you use aluminum foil. Also, fresh baked cookies give a home an inviting smell, which makes the home more appealing to buyers. You could also choose to bake cinnamon rolls or bread. Just make sure the aroma is one that homebuyers will find inviting.

When it comes to appetizers, the freezer aisle can be your best friend. There are a number of high quality appetizers to choose from and the prices are much more affordable than catering. Just make sure the appetizer is easy to eat and not messy.

Of course, if you want a homemade appetizer, you can't go wrong with this recipe:

Gorgonzola and Prochuto Pears with Warm Honey Dipping Sauce
20 pears, cut into six wedges each
1 pound of gorgonzola, cut into thin slices
1 pound of prochuto, cut into strips
2 cups of honey
2 tablespoons orange zest

1. Take a slice of pear and a slice of gorgonzola and wrap them in a piece of prochuto.
2. Combine the honey and orange zest and microwave for 1-2 minutes or until hot.
3. Place the dipping sauce in the middle of a large platter surrounded by the pears.

When you're on a budget, a birthday party can seem extremely expensive. This is especially true if the birthday party is hosted outside the home. Everything from a cake to the meal can cost a fortune when celebrating at a local restaurant. Instead of spending a fortune on birthday parties, why not save some money in the kitchen and make your own birthday cake and party foods?

A restaurant meal is a special way to celebrate a birthday. But, making someone their favorite meal from scratch means so much more. That's especially true if it's a meal you don't make very often because it's expensive or time consuming. This is the perfect way to celebrate when only a few people will be coming over.

If a lot of people will be attending the party, food plattersare a wonderful idea. As always, you will definitely save money by putting platters together yourself. You will also save more money the more you have to do. For example, instead of buying cheese cubes, buy large blocks of cheese and cut them yourself.

The most important part of any birthday party is of course the cake. Just because you'll be making the cake at home doesn't mean you have to go with a mix. In fact, making a cake from scratch is much more affordable. Not to mention that they taste a lot better. There are literally hundreds of recipes online.

Speaking of recipes, the following recipe is great for entertaining.

Buffalo Chicken and Onion Rollups
Serves 20

1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken, cooked and shredded
10 burrito sized tortillas
8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
½ package of ranch dressing mix
Buffalo wing sauce
1 cup of chopped green onions

1. Toss the shredded chicken with enough buffalo wing sauce to make it moist.
2. Mix the softened cream cheese with the ranch dressing mix and spread onto the tortillas.
3. Top with green onions and roll.
4. Cut each roll into five pieces and serve on a large platter.

For school-aged children, there may be nothing like a Mad Scientist Party, especially as school gets underway and kids are back in science class. It will be a fun party theme that holds their attention, and could even be educational. If your child is interested in the wacky side of science, seriously consider this theme!

Invitations:
Using large size test tubes with a rubber stopper, print all of the party details on a small piece of paper that can be rolled up and placed into the test tube. On the outside of the tube, write in permanent marker, “Inside contains the Mad Scientist Secret Formula for Party Fun!” These will have to be hand-delivered or mailed in cushioned envelopes.

Decorations:
• At the entrance to the party, make a sign welcoming them to Dr. X’s Mad Lab!
• In the party room, make it look like a high tech lab using the colors of silver and black.
• Using black construction paper, cut out question marks, mathematical formulas, etc. and place around the party room.
• Have green slime on the tables and around the room.
• Fill different sizes of jars with colored water. Inside, place plastic eyeballs, hands, noses, plastic animals, etc.
• At the tables where the Mad Scientist experiments will happen, place face masks, magnifying glasses, test tubes, etc. to make the area look authentic.
• When the kids arrive, provide them with white coats, and have them create a nametag. Don’t just have them use their own names, but make up a mad scientist name, i.e. “Dr. Insanity.”

Activities: You can either have the kids do the activities together, or rotate throughout the party room to different lab stations to complete the different mad science activities.

Make Green Ooze! 3/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup water. Mix together. Add green food coloring to look like Slime.

Static Electricity: (balloons, aluminum soda can) Blow up balloons and rub them in the kids’ hair to make it rise. Set soda can on a hard surface so it can roll. Use one of the rubbed balloons and move it closer to the can. Does it move the can? Will the rubbed balloon stick to a wall?

A Shocker: Need one per child: 1 penny, 1 lemon, 1 paper clip. Cut a slit 1/4 inch in to the lemon to fit the penny, then another for the paperclip, close to but not touching the penny. Let the kids touch their tongues to each of the metals.

Falling Coin: 1 glass, 1 index card, 1 coin. Place card over glass evenly. Place coin in center. Flick the card end with your finger to send it flying. What happens to the coin?

Suck an Egg into a Jar: 1 hard boiled egg, peeled and at room temperature,
1 narrow top jar (baby food jars work well), hot water. The egg will not fit into the jar on it’s own. Fill the jar with the hot water for 2-3 minutes. Pour this out and set the egg on the opening. The egg will end up inside the jar.

Osmotic Celery: Cut celery stalks and set them in glasses of tinted water. The stalks will absorb the color and then the kids can eat them!

OUTDOORS ACTIVITY:

Volcano Eruption: Make a volcano from a soda can, set on a tin pan, and form papier-mâché around it. Leave the hole in the top open. Dry and paint browns and greens. To make the volcano erupt, place baking soda in the can then pour in vinegar, tinted with food coloring.

Rocket launch: Fill a small plastic film canister with one teaspoon of water. Quickly add one Alka-Seltzer tablet, put the lid on, and place the canister on the floor with the lid side down. Wait about 10 seconds and then your rocket should fly into the air.

Games:

Atom Burst: Tie two balloons to each of the kids’ ankles. Have them run around trying to burst the atoms. The last kid with a “live atom” wins!

Mini-Molecules: Take very close-up pictures of everyday items around your home. During the party, have the kids use their magnifying glasses to figure out what they are.

Scientist Scramble: Muddle up the names of famous scientists, and have them work them out properly.

Menu:

Serve snacks in clear bowls and name them madly, i.e. electric chips, magnetic munchers, etc.
• Serve electric dogs, i.e. hot dogs.
• Serve green Kool-Aid. Place plastic critters and body parts into the punch for extra madness!

Goody Bags:
Send the kids home with a facemask, test tubes, green slime, goggles, magnifying glasses, magnets, etc. Alternatively, send them home with test tubes filled with candy like M&Ms.
Have a fab mad party!

Summer is winding down quicker than you may realize. Many children have already gone back to school and soon the dog days of summer will be coming to an end. Why not take advantage of these last few warm weekends? This weekend, get the family together and create a campground in the backyard.

Obviously, this family night activity requires a bit of planning. You'll need to grab some camping foods, such as hot dogs and marshmallows for roasting. You'll also need a tent and sleeping bags. If you don't have any, chances are your friends have some you can borrow for the weekend. Last, but not least, you'll need a bundle of wood to create a roaring fire and don't forget a cooler for the drinks and food.

Next, you'll need to think of some activities. Scary stories around the campfire are always a fun idea. Each person can make up their own story and tell their story before bedtime. Another activity that is fun for little kids is to take a hike around the backyard. Take time to look at things like you've never looked at them before. For example, look at the different plants and wildlife. You could even take pictures. A fun idea for older kids is to create a bit of competition through sports or even a campfire cook-off.

There are several advantages to camping out in your own backyard. First of all, there's easy access to clean bathrooms, which is always a plus. Second, you don't have to spend a dime on gas to get to your destination. Last, but not least, if your city doesn't allow fires in the city limits, you can cook everything on a grill. This truly is a family night activity that brings the family together, but doesn't require a lot of money. It's a great way to say goodbye to summer. Don't worry though because there will of course be many more family night activities for the cool months of fall.

When you're in your second or third trimester, finding comfortable clothes can be one of the biggest challenges of being pregnant. Your growing baby bump and a few additional pounds can make it hard to find flattering clothes, and if you need to dress in business-casual or business-professional clothing during your pregnancy days, your choices may seem limited. Still, there are several ways to pull off a polished and professional look during pregnancy. All you need to do is focus on finding comfortable basic pieces, and then accessorizing with some of the latest trends.

The first must have for any office-going mom-to-be is a versatile pair of black pants. Black maternity pants can be matched with almost any type of top and will exude that professional and chic touch you need for the office. Stick with the black pants or trousers with an expandable waist so you don't have to worry about having your clothing tailored every month.

Another essential for the office is a cardigan or vest that fits you properly. Make sure your cover-up is designed for the pregnant mom so there's plenty of room for your baby bump. Avoid materials that are too clingy or ¾ sleeve cuts, because these can make you look much larger than you are. Stick with loose-fitting cardigans and tops that tend to drape rather than cinch at the waist.

A great way to look more pulled-together with any outfit is to accessorize properly. You can draw attention to your neck and face by wearing attractive, eye-catching jewelry with a square-neckline top and your hair pulled up so that the baby bump isn't the center of attention. A bright-colored scarf tied around your neck can also have the same effect. Just make sure that you're complying with the company dress code.

Finally, the right pair of shoes will finish up your polished ensemble for the office. When you're pregnant, it's especially important to wear shoes that fit you properly and select a pair that is made with expandable, breathable materials. Look for super-soft leathers and stick with the kitten heel so you're not putting too much pressure on your calves and legs during the day. A kitten heel is great for the office and will help you create that chic and stylish look you need.

Soon the weather will be turning cool and foods that warm the body and soul will be on everyone's mind. Of course, one of the most popular cool weather foods is soup. When the weather turns cold, everyone seems to pop open a can of soup. Why? Not only are canned soups high in sodium, but they are also overcooked. Not to mention they are often overpriced as well. This week, let's get a jumpstart on the cool fall evenings and save some money by making homemade soups.

First of all, let's talk about equipment. You definitely need a large stock pot when making homemade soup. You also need a large butcher's knife and cutting board for chopping vegetables. Last, but not least, you should invest in some freezable containers to store excess soup. All of this may seem like a large investment, but it will pay for itself overtime. While a can of good quality soup may cost $3, a serving of homemade soup costs pennies to make. In other words, the investment is well worth it.

When making homemade soups you should also keep a few things in mind. First of all, use either fresh or frozen vegetables. Canned vegetables are loaded with sodium and cooked to mush. You should also use fresh herbs when possible, but high quality dried herbs and spices are perfectly fine when fresh herbs aren't available. Last, but not least, use lean meats. Not only are lean meats healthier, but there's less that gets wasted.

Without further ado, here's this week's recipe:

Beef Vegetable Soup
3 pound sirloin roast, slow cooked and pulled
8 cups of low sodium beef broth
1 small can of tomato paste
2 large onions, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

1. Add the beef broth, tomato paste, and vegetables to a large stock pot.
2. Cover and simmer over medium heat until the vegetables are cooked through, about 1 hour.
3. Add the shredded beef and serve.

Whether you're heading out for a special celebration or hosting a dinner party at home, there will be a time during pregnancy that requires you to dress elegantly for the occasion. Unfortunately, the days of pregnancy can make you feel less-than glamorous, and it might be hard to find the right dresses, skirts and other fancy pieces of clothing to pull off an elegant look. Need some help for that special event? Here's how to look elegant with very little effort during pregnancy:

1. Stick with the all-black ensemble. Monochrome outfits are every pregnant woman's best pick, especially on days when that bloated feeling just won't go away. A black dress, an all-black pantsuit or a black skirt with a black top can be plenty glamorous (and not funeral-worthy) when you accessorize with some bold and bright jewelry or a scarf. Look for maternity dresses and skirts in black to create an effortlessly elegant look.

2. Wear layers. You don't have to wear a sleeveless cocktail dress or a Hollywood-inspired jumpsuit for that special occasion when you're pregnant. One of the essential keys to looking elegant is wearing something that you feel comfortable in. For many women who are expecting, this means wearing layers. Layering maternity tank tops with a cardigan and fuller skirt is a great way to look pulled-together without compromising your comfort zone.

3. Try a wrap top or a wrap dress. Wrap tops and dresses are great for pregnant women because they accentuate your figure in all the right places, without being too figure-hugging and causing you discomfort. Wrap tops and dresses are also very elegant, so you won't be breaking the dress code for that special occasion. Consider wearing a wrap top with some wide-leg pants or a straight-cut skirt for a chic and stylish look. If you're wearing a wrap dress, complement the outfit with some patent leather Mary Janes and a stylish clutch.

Looking elegant during pregnancy is possible, but you need to focus on finding clothes that make you feel comfortable and flatter your figure. Try layering, wearing a wrap top and stick with neutral, one-color outfits so you can enjoy your evening in style!

Discovering a family's history should be an important part of everyone's lives. Not only does it enlighten you on what your family has been through, but it can be fun to learn about your ancestors as well. Believe it or not, this can be turned into a family activity. Whether you have young children in the house or even older children, this can be a fun experience. This week, let's bring the family closer by learning more about the family's history.

Obviously this activity will be different based on the age of your children. If you have young children, this can be a simple project that helps little ones get to know their family a little better. This is a great activity because it helps children learn about their relatives. This not only keeps them safe, but it can be fun for kids to learn little things about their relatives. You can simply use a large piece of poster board and photos of the immediate family to create a simple family tree. Under the photos, you can put the name and birth date of the relative along with something fun about them. For example, Grandma Sophia may love to bake cookies. This helps children remember their relatives. Once the family tree is complete, it can be hung in the child's room so that they can study their family tree and get to know their family even more.

Older kids will love learning more interesting facts about the family. This will take some time spent researching the internet. There are websites that can help you, but beware that many of these sites do charge a fee. The good thing is that these sites can give you a chance to connect with distant relatives who may have more information. While just learning about the family can be a fun family night activity, you can also create a more sophisticated family tree using one of the many software titles available.

Young or old, this is a great family night activity for your children. It can also be fun for parents as well. After all, who wouldn't want to learn more about their family history?

Toting around the right bag for your body type is an important fashion 'do', but what do you do when your natural silhouette now has a baby bump? The pregnancy bulge can't be hidden behind an oversized tote (nor should it be), so you need to find a bag that will complement your natural body shape and your outfit. Here are some tips for choosing the right type of tote when you're pregnant:

First, you need to steer clear of loud prints. Most women draw plenty of attention to the baby bump during the second and third trimester, so there's no need to add extra flair to your ensemble. If you need to sport an oversized tote for day-to-day travels, stick with simple lines and the single-color variety. A glossy patent leather tote or oversized bucket bag in your favorite color are great additions to the mom-to-be's wardrobe.

Second, make sure your bag has plenty of strap support. If you're carrying a laptop, heavy books and other accessories around all day, you need to make sure the straps on the bag will support your shoulders and upper back. Invest in a sturdy tote with thick handles and straps so that you are getting the support you need. When you're pregnant, aches and pains in the upper back and shoulders are more common, so you can take some preventive measures by toting around the right type of bag.

Finally, make sure the bag has plenty of compartments to keep you organized during your busy day. Pregnancy can make you more stressed out than usual, so the last thing you want to worry about is where all of your daily accessories and gadgets are. Find a durable, sturdy bag designed with extra compartments so that you can keep all of your daily essentials in order. You may need extra room for medication, relaxation tapes and a CD player, and your favorite book if you're heading out on an all-day trip.

There are dozens of fashionable and functional totes out there. Take the time to find a bag that suits your style and meets your everyday needs during pregnancy.

Looking for a few new classic games to play at your kids’ parties beyond Musical Chairs and Pin the Tail on the Donkey?

Why not try …

Pass the Parcel 
items needed: gift wrap, small present, music
This game is hugely popular in the UK and Australia! Wrap your prize in as many layers of gift wrap as you have kids attending. Have the children pass the parcel around to one another while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the parcel must unwrap one layer. The game continues until the last child unwraps the final layer and wins!

Candy Hunt 
items needed: candy, paper bags
Hide the candy around the party area and give each guest a paper bag. Give them five minutes to find as much candy as they can. The children can take these sweet bags home as the party favor.

Sock ‘Em 
items needed: socks, music, a prize
Make a huge pile of socks, perhaps ten times as many as the number of kids attending the party. Play music and have the guests try to put on as many socks as possible while it is on. When you turn the music off, whoever has the most socks on wins the prize!

Button, Button 
items needed: a button
Ask a birthday guest to leave the room, and hide a button in the party area. When the child returns, have him or her try to find the button. The other guests must direct the child by saying if he or she is hot or cold as compared to the location of the button. Once the button is found, another guest is chosen until all have had a turn.

Balloon Buds 
items needed: balloons, a prize
Pair up the kids into teams. Have the teams stand back to back with one another with a balloon wedged between them their backs. The kids must walk sideways with the balloon in place to a designated finish line. The team the crosses the finish line first wins! If a team drops the balloon they must begin again!

The kids have gone back to school and the parents finally have a bit of time for themselves. Unfortunately, the economy has made it hard to go out for an expensive night on the town. That's not a problem though. This weekend, send the kids to grandma's house and enjoy a romantic dinner at home while saving money in the kitchen.

Why spend close to $100 at an expensive restaurant when you could create a romantic dinner at home? The truth is that not only will you save money, but you can also create a romantic atmosphere at home. In fact, a dinner at home allows for much more romance than any restaurant ever could.

First of all, decorate the dining space for the special occasion. If you don't have a fancy tablecloth, use a white sheet tied at the corners with ribbon. Place candles on the table and break out the good china. You could also add fresh flowers.

Now that the mood of the room is set, it's time to think about the menu. You can't go wrong with steak, but another romantic option is Cornish game hens. They are perfect served with wild rice and roasted asparagus. Of course, what would dinner be without a romantic dessert?

Cheesecake Hearts
1 frozen plain cheesecake, thawed
6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
Whipped cream
Strawberries

1. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut the cheesecake into hearts.
2. Freeze the cheesecake.
3. Mix the chocolate chips and shortening together and melt in a double boiler.
4. Dip the frozen hearts into the melted chocolate.
5. Place the hearts in the refrigerator until firm or ready to serve.
6. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

A romantic dinner doesn't have to cost a fortune. In fact, this menu could be prepared for less than $40. And it truly is a great way to ring in the back to school season.

Whether you're looking for something fun or educational for kids to enjoy outdoors, visiting a dude ranch can be a great option. Many towns and cities have at least one ranch, but if yours doesn't, check the neighboring areas. Dude ranches can provide hours of education and fun. Plan to spend at least a few days at a dude ranch, or longer if you can. Many dude ranches are equipped with lodging to make for a fun family vacation and provide easy access to get the most out of your visit. There often is too much to see and do to fit into just one day.

Horseback riding is perhaps one of the most popular activities for kids when visiting a dude ranch. Call ahead to make sure the ranch you are interested in offers horseback riding at your child's skill level. Some even offer classes for beginners that can also include simple hands-on horse care.

Hayrides allow kids a unique adventure and educational opportunity. Campfire cooking can help prepare kids for future camping trips, as well as give them hands-on experience in outdoor survival skills. Fishing is another fun activity for kids that teaches survival skills and is available at many dude ranches.

Cattle roundups can be fun for kids to watch. During the roundup, a parent or guide might explain the purpose behind rounding up the cattle. Children's rodeos are another fun event that often can be found at dude ranches, so don't forget those cowboy boots. You and the kids will need them for many of these experiences. They'll also look great during dancing and other country and western fun that is bound to happen at a dude ranch.

Swimming, hiking, rock climbing and canoeing are other common dude ranch activities for kids. You might also find other activities such as sewing, churning butter, collecting eggs. Many dude ranches even offer hands-on educational and activity classes for kids. The great outdoor activities at a dude ranch can keep kids busy and also provide great exercise. Many lessons and family memories can be had by visiting a dude ranch with kids.

Who doesn't love barbecue? There's just something wonderful about the smoky flavor of baby back ribs straight from the smoker. It's enough to get families running to their local pig stands for a delicious plate of barbecue. Unfortunately, barbecue restaurants can be quite expensive, especially for families. This week, let's look at how your family can enjoy a delicious plate of barbecue and all the fixings without spending a fortune.

A family of four might spend the following on a night out at a local barbecue joint:

Appetizers $10
Drinks $8
4 plates of baby back ribs and sides $60
Desserts $12
Total: $90

That's quite an expense, especially when times are tough. It doesn't have to be this way though. A family of four can enjoy a huge barbecue feast for almost a third of what a night out would cost.

4 slabs of baby back ribs $20
Deli potato salad $5
Canned baked beans $2
Rolls $3
Bakery dessert $6
Total $36

The truth is you could save even more money. The key is to watch the sales papers. Many grocery stores often have baby back ribs on sale for $2.98 a pound, especially around the summer holidays. If you want to save even more money, you can always make your own side dishes.

Of course, when I want good barbecue, I slow cook a Boston butt. Boston butts are often on sale for $0.98 a pound. I place the roast in the slow cooker and cook for 10 to 12 hours on low. Once the meat is fall apart tender, I pull the meat apart, remove any fat, and toss the meat with my favorite barbecue sauce. It's a dish that everyone seems to love.

Stop spending a fortune on barbecue! Not only can you save money at home, but you'll have leftovers for the next day. And, if you simply love a certain restaurant's barbecue sauce, chances are they'll sell you a jar so you can enjoy the same flavor at home.

It is almost time for the new school year to start. This means brand new shoes, sharpened pencils, fresh school supplies and cool book covers. As a kid, I lived for this time of year. Call me crazy, but I was happier in school than with all of that summer time on my hands. So, for me, I think time to celebrate this new beginning. If you are thinking along the same lines and want to celebrate this time of year with your kids, check out a few of the ideas and resources below:

If you are going to have a proper party with some friends, hand-deliver a fresh apple with a little tag attached that gives the details of the gathering. You could also cut out red apples or pencil shapes and provide the details as well. Those could be easily mailed off.

For decorations, have a chalkboard or white board out. Place a desk in the party area filled with books, school supplies. Make the party room look like a mock classroom. If there are specific school colors, decorate with balloons, streamers, and a school banner with these colors as well. Apples on the party table would also be excellent.

For the activities, make it a combination of word and mind games and gym class. Play Bingo, Trivia Pursuit, 20 Questions, Word search, etc. Also, play Simon Says, Red Rover, Dodge ball, Kickball, and Twister. Hold some relay races. A particular themed race would be to have the kids get ready for school filling their back pack and lunch bag, and then racing to one end and back for the next kid to do the same in line.

If there are older kids around, you may want to pop in a video like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – fun and easy for this age group.

For crafts, have the kids make bookmarks and/or book covers.

Food ideas are easy: pack school lunches. Small sandwiches, string cheese, a pack of goldfish crackers, apple or banana, and a little candy bar.

If you are going to hand out goodies, send them back to school in style. Purchase paper gift bags, fill with tissue, and add lots of school supplies like pencils, notebooks, erasers, locker mirrors, sticky pads, and gel pens.