Welcome to Spring, Frecklebox Fans

Think clipboards are just for boring grown-up tasks like paying bills and taking notes during meetings? Think again! Frecklebox personalized clipboards are bright, bold and full of possibilities. They are 9" x 12.5", the perfect size to hold homework, sports schedules or sketches, but they also have a secret identity as dry erase boards that are ideal for doodling and games on the go. Here are a few fun ways to use our vibrant spring-themed clipboards with your children:

• Go on a nature walk or hike. Write down all the signs of spring you see along the way-new flowers and plants starting to bloom, bugs and other critters on the ground, birds and butterflies in flight.
  
  
• Turn your nature walk into an art project. Draw a picture of the animals or plants you observe, and look up their names in a local nature guide or an encyclopedia from the library.

• Write a spring poem or short story. Give your kids a list of related words to incorporate to get them started, or let their imaginations run wild. (If you are stuck trying to find the perfect rhyme, try the handy rhyming dictionary. 

• Go on a scavenger hunt. Write down a list of spring sounds (frogs singing, music from an ice cream truck) or sights (people on a picnic, newborn animals) and go on a mission to find all of them. Take a look at more ideas for scavenger hunt clues. 

• Take your clipboard on spring break for long plane or car trips. Bring dry erase markers and play games or draw directly on the clipboard for hours of entertainment.
  

How else do you use your Frecklebox clipboards? Add your suggestions to the comments section.  

For many of us, Easter baskets are synonymous with a sugar high (and the inevitable candy crash that follows). The Easter Bunny is famous for piling his baskets high with cream-filled chocolate eggs, sugar-coated marshmallow animals, jelly beans and other treats that would make our dentists cringe. Candy isn't the only item Easter baskets can contain, however. This year, go for a different approach and fill baskets with creativity-inspiring treats. Try these sugar-free basket stuffers, and let the games begin! 

• Personalized spring stickers. Your kids will go crazy for stickers featuring their names and sunny new spring designs. Try decorating hard-boiled eggs with stickers for a creative alternative to dyeing them. 

• Sidewalk chalk in bright colors. After the annual Easter egg hunt, continue the fun with a sidewalk decorating party, creating colorful murals that wash away easily. You can even make your own sidewalk chalk with just a few materials from the craft store. 

• Coloring books. Choose an exciting theme that suits your child's interests and include a box of crayons. 

• Classic games or toys such as jacks, pick-up sticks, jump ropes or playing cards. They're small, affordable and will provide fun for years to come. 

• A small flower pot and a packet of seeds. You can plant the seeds together and wait for the beautiful flowers to bloom. 

• Personalized puzzles. Your child can piece together a vibrant 20-piece puzzle and reveal his or her name written in a unique setting, from under the sea to up in the clouds. 

What are your bright ideas for Easter basket fillers? Let us know in the comments section below.
  

Don't despair if your plans to spend the day playing in the sunshine at the park are foiled by spring showers. You can still have a blast on a rainy day by getting creative with indoor games and crafts. These activities will keep both parents and children so entertained that you'll forget all about the park. 

• Cozy up with a book and a cup of hot chocolate. Take turns reading aloud and making up silly voices for each of the characters. Soon you'll be going on adventures without leaving your warm home. 

• Build a fort in the living room. Use a sofa, chairs, tables, pillows, old blankets and sheets to create a secret lair for playing make-believe. Pretend it's a pirate ship, a castle or a faraway planet. 

• Use stickers as story starters. Place a sticker in the middle of a page, and write a story or poem around it. 

• Get moving with a game of freeze dance. To play, everyone dances like crazy while the music is playing, then freezes when the music suddenly stops. If you are playing with a group, the last person to stop for each round is "out" until one winning dancer remains. You can also play for fun with one or two children. 

• Break out the coloring books and get artistic with crayons, markers or colored pencils. 

• Mix up a batch of homemade clay or play dough. Use one of the recipes here and sculpt your favorite wild animals or spring flowers. 

• In a journal, write a short play or skit. Adapt a favorite fairy tale, book or movie or let your imagination run wild and create a show from scratch (here are some ideas to get started). Then gather family and friends to watch the final performance. 

You know you have to budget this holiday but you also wantto give some money to charity. It just makes you feel good. Frecklebox, too,believes in giving generously to a worthy cause. That's why we launched acampaign to donate 10 percent of any Frecklebox purchase to Make-A-Wish, one of the most well-known charities and the largest wish-granting organizations in the nation. Between now and December 25th, your online purchase can help support the granting ofeven more magical wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

 Some other ideas for giving gifts that give back:

 - For the relative or friend who likes bath and beauty products, a gift from The Body Shop can help defend human rights, including those of children affected by trafficking and violence.

- Don't just buy any scarf set. Check out the offerings at Click to Give at the breastcancersite.com and help a woman get a mammogram. Just clicking at the site prompts sponsors to donate.

- If your favorite store or national charity doesn't have charitable gift options, ask at your local house of worship, school or community center. Chances are they sell gift items to raise money for a cause close to home.

Do you know of any charitable gift-giving ideas?

We’ve all watched our children open and play with new presents for a few days, then quickly toss them aside like old shoes. To avoid that scene this holiday season, think multi-purpose and shop for the kind of items that can have more than one use. That way, you extend the life of any present and maybe save a few bucks as well.

For instance, a personalized lunch box, with your child’s name prominently displayed on it, can be converted into a collector’s box for storing everything from dolls to baseball cards. If little Jeremy or Jill outgrows one theme box and moves on to a different one, the old box can hold snacks on car trips. 

A personalized school folder can also double as an art folder to hold your child’s sketches, paintings and doodles. 

Take a personalized puzzle and frame it to decorate the walls of your child’s room or family playroom. 

A placemat can be converted into a sign on the door of your child’s room. 

Use personalized holiday stickers to label gifts or stocking stuffers.

What ideas do have for multi-purpose gifts or for stretching the value of a present?

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® is a cause near and dear to Frecklebox co-founder Scott's heart. First introduced to the charity by a family member over 20 years ago, he has donated time to fundraising planning, wish granting and working events. Now, he has found a way to share his enthusiasm for this charity by spreading the word to our Frecklehead following.

You can help Frecklebox grant magical wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses by placing your order between November 17th and December 25th. We'll donate 10% of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish and we'll also discount your entire order 10% for helping us contribute to this worthy cause.

To learn more about Make-A-Wish, please visit their site: www.wish.org.

Let's spread some holiday happiness to those in need of some cheer! Thank you.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and you’re probably pulling out old turkey recipes or clipping new ones from magazines. But instead of going through the holiday-planning motions, why not do something a little different this year? Here are a few ideas from all of us here at Frecklebox:

* Talk turkey. Consider either adding a new and different protein to your Thanksgiving spread, or replacing the bird altogether. Lamb, duck or even roast beast can be just as mouth-watering and make you look forward to leftovers.

* Go ethnic. Don’t want to give up turkey? Try a theme meal that still includes it but with a twist. Stuff the turkey with sticky rice, for example, or fry up that bird instead of roasting it. Neighborhood restaurants or take-out menus are great sources of ideas. 

* Eat out. Maybe you’ve been avoiding eating out for months to save money. For Thanksgiving, splurge (a little) and save yourself the time and stress of planning and cleaning up after a meal. See what local restaurants offer and make reservations early.

* Get crafty with your kids. Have your child help decorate the dining room with homemade crafts, such as a turkey-themed wreath, coasters, place cards, napkin holders and placemats. 

* Take time to teach. If your child is in school, she’s likely to spend some class time talking about Thanksgiving, but don’t miss this opportunity to read books about the holiday and American history.

* Give back. Remember that there are a lot of families out there who will not be able to enjoy a warm meal at home, or at all, this year. Find out what local food banks, churches and other charities are doing on Thanksgiving and spend some time either donating canned goods, serving food, or simply talking to families in need. 

Looking for ideas for inexpensive holiday gifts but don’t want to disappoint your child? We’ve come up with a few suggestions to keep you out of debt—and out of the doghouse (you know, that one reserved for parents).

• Ever notice the kid section of your local drugstore or grocery store? The items there are just as cool, and often cheaper, than the same items in more expensive child-themed stores. Possible finds include toy cars, bouncing balls, coloring books, disposable cameras, toy phones, trading cards, and art supplies. To save even more, see if the store’s website offers online-only gifts and coupons. 

• In the weeks before the holidays hit, browse local fairs and farmer’s markets. Sure, some items can be pricey but you might just stumble upon a gem made by a local artist or store owner. You could, for example, turn a favorite food item – like a jar of boysenberry jam or honey – into a gift by simply tying it with a bow and putting your child’s name on it. 

• Drop by your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or consignment store. At the ShopGoodwill site, you can browse a huge selection including dolls, plush toys, sports equipment, board games – and much of it for under $10.

• Don’t forget neighborhood garage sales. If you host your own in the run-up to the holidays and save the cash for holiday shopping, you may just break even. 

• If your child has his heart set on a specific gift, resist the temptation to rush out and buy it. Scour the Internet for deals and used versions. The site mysimon.com allows you to enter an item and compare prices on Amazon, eBay and other sources. Then wrap it up in the funny pages. 

If you’re like us, you’re already overwhelmed with gift catalogs in the mail and holiday ads on TV. Instead of opting for those typical, highly commercial presents for your kids, nieces and nephews, take a moment to consider more meaningful items. What makes a gift truly special? You guessed it—the thought and effort put into it are as important as the price tag.

Some ideas:

1. If you can sew, drill a hole, or handle a scissor and glue, you’ve got the skill to create a homemade item for your child. For example, check out these easy instructions for making a kids’ kaleidoscope.

2. Fill a gift basket. Your kid love to draw? Offer a basket full of brand new pads, pencils, crayons, markers. Wrap it up in plastic and tie it with a bow. 

3. Put his or her name on it. Give your budding writer a personalized journal with your child’s name and favorite design on it.

4. Skip the gifts.  If you’re trying to save a little money this year, consider giving your family an experience instead, such as a special day trip or holiday dinner out. Start saving and planning for it now. 

5.  Shop unconventional stores, like museum or art supply stores, for unusual items. 

Share your ideas for unique and meaningful gifts for children.