Works For Me: Birthday Tips

I have birthdays on the brain this week--we're celebrating Joseph's 6th birthday at a rockin' Spiderman shin-dig on Sunday afternoon.  One very simple little trick has helped me streamline the kid birthday party business over the years:

A laundry basket.

Yep, a laundry basket.  In the days leading up to the party, I get my biggest, sturdiest laundry basket and begin loading it with every imaginable accessory I'll need for the party: candles, a lighter, plates, cups, party favors.  And include lots of incidentals, like paper, a pen, and bandaids (because we all know that wherever two or more little boys are gathered, there also shall be the letting of blood).

When party day arrives, we tote the full basket to the party.  Most of the items are used up and emptied out at the party, so we use the empty basket to bring home all the gifts and empty gift sacks which, yes ma'am, I'm maniacally stingy cleverly frugal enough to save.

It's very simple, but it's very helpful.  Works for me!

Have a tip you'd like to share with all of Bloggityville? Please, share the links to your tips below.  (WFMW guidelines can be found here.) 

Oh, and while you're out strolling around the Blogosphere today, please remember the important business going on at BooMama's place today.  Go spread a little love.

1. OW (10 Ways to Make Brushing Fun) 2. Amberly 3. Smockity Frocks (Leftover Roast) 4. Owlhaven(Chocolate Fix) 5. The Pumkin Patch 6. Beth F. Look! Everyone is cleaning! 7. The Building Brows (Easy Stuff and House Management) 8. Jessica (TV via Internet) 9. lizzykristine (paperbacks longevity!) 10. Jen ( $ saving tip) 11. Tammy\'s Recipes (de-cluttering) 12. Jane Reading Fluency Tip 13. Cherish The Home (Spring Cleaning Products & Tips) 14. Joyful Days (prayer) 15. Lindsey (Fussy Babies) 16. Laura - grocery game 17. Mandy (indoor pets) 18. Michelle at Scribbit (organization software) 19. Liza\'s Eyeview (Best Lip Balm) 20. LammyAnn (NIGHT SCHOOLING) 21. The Preacher\'s Wife (The Best Jewelry Organizer) 22. nsremom 23. Emma (the freezer) 24. nsremom (pictures of art) 25. An Ordinary Mom (flexible cutting boards) 26. Kara (trash tip) 27. Song of the Sagebrush (Garden Freebie) 28. Robin (packing lists) 29. Rae (Moment of Silence) 30. Military Mommy (kids loving laundry) 31. Robin (limiting TV) 32. Queen of Dirty Laundry (Nap Routine) 33. My Twenty Cents Keeps Moving(baby/wedding shower idea) 34. MrsLady (Fun Spring Ideas) 35. NspiredByFaith (Free 411 on your cell) 36. Pastormac\'s Ann (stretching those dollars) 37. Chrystal (Teaching ABCs) 38. Michelle (Making great popcorn) 39. Jennie C. (fresh coffee) 40. KD (gift idea) 41. In Light of the Truth 42. Whymommy 43. Whymommy (Toy Storage) 44. Elizabeth (baking by weight) 45. In Light of the Truth (umm, tampons) 46. DivaP (gifts for the hard to buy for) 47. Aubrey (better salads) 48. Girl Gone Wild (Okie Butter) 49. Mom in Action (why write a will) 50. The Family CEO (Spaghetti Pie) 51. Kel (Teaching Kids Responsibility) 52. sugar ave (linkadoos to the rescue) 53. Trixie @ Farm Home Life (soup) 54. Cyndi (car snacks) 55. Kathy (bathtime struggles) 56. Viriatha (Easy Soup) 57. Barbara H. (Organizing quotes, poems, etc.) 58. Beth @ Working it Out (Craig\'s List) 59. Sarah (Stinky Dog Fix) 60. Eva (Packing Clothes for Kids) 61. jen (Veggies on the Grill) 62. The Cheerio Queen (Baby Oil) 63. Mama Squirrel (Typing with an accent) 64. The Not Quite Crunchy Parent (Avoiding Lousy Local Conditions) 65. ThoughtfulMom 66. kelli in the mirror (listening to your baby)

67. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (ebay misspell tool) 68. Mama Duck (homemade cleaner) 69. Lady Why (stain removal recipe) 70. Elena - Aldi and the Aldi Queen 71. Viscountess(naturally caffeine free, organic alternative to iced tea) 72. Catherine (Instant Carpet Spot Remover) 73. Jenn (baby hair ribbons) 74. Darcy (Treasure Boxes = Clean Rooms) 75. OneCoolMama 76. OneCoolMama (water bottles) 77. My Quotidian Mysteries (scan important documents) 78. Catherine (Law of Attraction) 79. The Ramblings of T. (Thrifty Paper Shreds) 80. Malissa (cute laundry stuff storage) 81. So Many Joys -- reusable grocery bags 82. Jordan @ MamaBlogga (Teething tips) 83. Frugal Momma (Prepping for Garage Sales) 84. KimC(memorize a list) 85. Rebecca Mielke (Where to buy shoes) 86. Neighbor Jane (pizza) 87. Catherine (Clean Paws) 88. Marcia (using TV time) 89. Seasons of the Heart 90. Jill (gifts from kids) 91. Maggie (Donation box) 92. lifeasamama (piecrust tip) 93. Tami (baking powder) 94. Mrs Pear (Sick family and house) 95. SeaBird (Delicious Sweet Breads!) 96. J. Fergie (Neat Sheet) 97. GiBee (Dinner in 10) 98. Sincerely Anna (Digital Camera) 99. GP (buiding fences in Montana) 100. Ashley (tea and cookies) 101. Q&Q 102. Amy (Awesome Spelling Game) 103. Toni (Navigating WFMW) 104. Rugrats and Dirty Rugs (Barking Puppy) 105. Susan (6 purse tips) 106. Carrie J (Keeping in Touch with extended family) 107. Cindee (Breakfast Menu) 108. Easy, Cheap Milkshakes 109. Rachel (Trash Bag Holdup) 110. Ann Kroeker (castile soap for everything) 111. Amy W (Exema relief) 112. Stacy (Sharing Cooking) 113. MommaBlogger (Organize Toys) 114. Heather (homemade bread crumbs) 115. His Girl (Bringing Order to Your Week) 116. Kendra 117. Kathy 118. Shayna 119. Kathleen Marie 120. Carla (shoe container) 121. Kristen Munson 122. Emily (call your mom) 123. Gayle 124. Lisa @Everyday Adventures(Papa John\'s online) 125. tigiabra-credit card rewards 126. Kim - Toddler Bath & Pedicure in One 127. Multitasking Mama (Desktop Clutter Control) 128. The Moira (Getting Out Bad Ink Stains) 129. ThoughtfulMom (Just stay home) 130. Jennifer (Mall Safety Tip for Kids) 131. Mary W.

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