Birthday Crafts

Every group of friends celebrates birthdays differently, but in my group of NYC friends, we all celebrate the same.  We get together around 10 at someone's apartment, drink a little (okay, a lot), then go to a bar.  Because people who grew up on LI tend to move to NYC in their 20s, we wind up having a birthday about every weekend (especially celebrating one another's school and camp friends birthdays).

I love birthdays.  In fact I don't even have a birthday, I have a BirthMonth!  Every year I like to do something a little different.  Last year, I had my birthday with about 30 friends at Frames in Port Authority, a fabulous bowling alley where DS took me on our fourth date!  This year, I invited everyone over for a belated housewarming and quarter century birthday celebration.  I was trying to think of what to serve, especially because people would come over anytime between 9pm and 12am, and therefore could not serve hot food.

So on Friday, I went to my mother's house where we thought to make chocolate lollipops!

What you will need (that you may not have in the house)  
-Molds, I did presents and hearts!
-Chocolate candies
-Sticks
-Bags
-Ribbon
In the house?
-Bowl
-Spoon
-Wax paper

1. Take the chocolate and empty into a bowl.
2. Place the chocolate into the microwave for 30 seconds.
3. Mix the melted chocolate with a spoon.
4. Drop the chocolate with a spoon into the mold.
5. Place a stick in each mold, twisting the stick as you place it in.

6. Drop a little bit of melted chocolate on the back of each stick, to act as a glue.
7. Place the mold in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
8. Take the chocolate out of the mold, place in bag.

9. Tie with ribbon.
10. Ta-da!
(I usually do this over wax paper, its easier for clean up).

Pros:
-I made about 40 lollipops.  For all the supplies it was probably about $25.  The best part is that you usually have leftovers of everything, and it all stores well for the next time.  The molds, sticks, bags, and ribbon can be used again and again because they're sold in bulk.  I also had a ton of chocolate left which stores well also.  So I probably could have made 80-100 lollipops for the $25.
-This is great and easy to do with kids.
-The whole operation takes about an hour, with minimal cleanup.
-There happens to be a candy place by my mom's house.  But I searched a little and found much cheaper options on Etsy and Amazon.

What a SWEET birthday gift!

Do you have any great craft ideas to share?!


P.S. Yesterday we spoke about ways we are cutting back.  Another is through Kindle purchases.  Because I read about a book a week (because I am a fast reader and have my goal of reading 36 books in one year), it was costing us about $40 a month.  Now Im trying the old fashioned way of borrowing peoples books!  Through the Kindle, Dunkin Donuts, Weight Watchers and not eating out as much, we hope to save about $200 a month!  Keep the great ideas coming about ways to come back, we appreciate your help!