Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
@scarymommy
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
- Insane Works of Sandwich Art - May 19, 2013
- The Disney Reveal - May 14, 2013
- Met My Match At Disney… - May 13, 2013
Since last year, every birthday boy or girl we’ve celebrated with received either an Arts & Crafts Bucket or Bath Time Bucket. I love making them, but they’ve now made the party circuit and I wanted to come up with a new staple gift that’s economical, unique and fun…
I present you with my Little Chef Bucket. I still had left over buckets, but when I run out I’ll use a bright mixing bowl instead. I filled them with a mini rolling pin, measuring cups and spoons, a box of sprinkles ($1.99-2.99 from Michael’s) and dollar store cookie cutters (10 for a dollar.)
I also made up a few recipe cards with kid-friendly recipes and a label that can easily be personalized. {If anyone wants to snag this idea, you can find them here, here, here and here.} I printed them on card stock and trimmed and mounted them to be more durable. Then I wrapped it up with shrink wrap, a bow and another cookie cutter.
I really wanted to include a cotton chef’s hat, but was trying to keep it around $15. When I want to spend a little bit more, I’ll put a kid’s apron at the bottom. Ikea has some great kids cooking stuff too, so next time I’m there I’ll stock up. I’m dying to make this into a gingerbread version for the holidays. You think May too early to start those?
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
My girls love their bucket!! What a great gift! Thanks!
You SHOULD sell these online! OMG -great idea! A mini version of this would also be great to use as ‘loot bags’ for kids! LOVE THIS IDEA, you rock!
Loukia’s last blog post..Kindergarten anxiety
I LOVE this! Cooking is a fantastic way to spend QT with your kids, plus it’s a fun way to learn (math, fine motor, reading, following directions, chemistry – the list goes on!). Can I invite you to Monsoon’s birthday party in August? ;)
Ryan Ashley Scott’s last blog post..What’s she so crabby about?
LOVE this idea! You are so creative!
Robin’s last blog post..Musical Monday: A Memorial Play
This is a great idea. Baby Girl is looking with me and she wants to know if she can have one. LOL
Jennifer’s last blog post..Flashback Friday: Cooking With Ice
ok, now this would sell! open up that store already
dawn’s last blog post..chocolate-coconut covered Cheez Its
Love this idea…it’s perfect!
Lynn’s last blog post..Go Daddy Go
You are brilliance in a bucket. LOVE it.
I usually slip the birthday kid’s mom a flask, that’s ok, right?!
Rhea’s last blog post..I bet you didn’t know swings could turn into a contact sport
This is a FABULOUS idea! I had no idea you were so crafty! And I’m totally going to steal your idea and let people think I thought it up all on my own when we give these as gifts in the future!
Tiffany @ Paging Doctor Mommy’s last blog post..My New Fashion Trend
Love this idea! I think you posted it last year and I have been copying it ever since! The chef idea is great. Another thing for me to copy!!
Hopy you had a great weekend!!
this is a fabulous idea! I am so going to try it sometime. I think that even my non-crafty self may be able to do this.
Jen, buried with children’s last blog post..Life is Full of Lessons
Excellent idea – I need to find someplace around here that has cute little buckets. I’ve been making some aprons so I could easily make one and put it in.
Thanks for sharing the idea!
T Rex Mom’s last blog post..After Bath Time Entertainment
What a great idea!
Suzi’s last blog post..An Apron and a Thank You!
that’s some awesome ideas!!! I might just have to be a copy cat and take that idea for my own. [grin] If asked, I just have to be honest and say a blogging buddy gave me the idea. Now, I just need to know a little person who has a birthday soon!
Jamie’s last blog post..Decisions Decision…..which one to wear?
I agree, you SHOULD sell this online!! LOVE the idea. Thanks!!
WidneyWoman’s last blog post..Golden Boy
I LOVE this idea! Definitely trying it out soon.
Lady Mama’s last blog post..How to stay calm when your toddler does things that make you want to rip your hair out
Best. Mother. EVER.
I don’t know how you do it!
LiLu’s last blog post..The Shiz My Boyfriend Says, Volume VIII
What great ideas. It makes me wish my kids were still young enough to be on the birthday party circuit.
I did a quick search and found children’s fabric chef hats for $2.49 at http://www.kidsaprons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=CH
They also sell paper hats, as does Oriental Trading Company.
My birthday is in October. Hint, hint.
This is a fabulous idea – my kids always get a bunch of the same stuff – they would love this bucket!
Brindi’s last blog post..Strawberry Cake without a Picture
Wait!? Did I miss something? Do you have a side business. Start an Esty store and advertise on your blog. Stat! You have so many followers – you have an instant client pool.
Not all of us are crafty- yo. While it’s nice to provide instructions…many of us would rather just pay you to do it for us.
(sorry about the “yo” – I started happy hour a little early today..)
Kate Coveny Hood’s last blog post..The Big Reveal: Womily Cuff Links
I am a long time watcher. I love reading your blog and I just had to comment on these. It is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. I cannot wait to see your Christmas creation!!
Kelly’s last blog post..Our New (ghetto) Pool
Lise- Oh, my gosh- you are amazing!!! I’d only found cheap paper ones, but these are perfect. THANK YOU!!!!!
And, much as I love doing these, I just don’t have the time or desire to sell them. I can’t imagine being able to make any profit on them. Plus I hate HAVING to do something– one that’s the case it stops being fun, you know?
These are way cuter and more creative than blowing $15 or $20 on some cheap, plastic toy that the birthday boy/girl already has or breaks after 5 minutes of playing with it!
Shannon’s last blog post..So… you wanna go out again?
That is SUCH a cute idea!!! I usually give a gift card because I am a lame-o.
Jenni Jiggety’s last blog post..MEME-orial Day – The Name Game
You are extremely creative! And you do personalized labels too?? I LOVE them!!
Kelly Deneen’s last blog post..Summer project #5032 and #5033
Super cute and lots of fun!
Starnes Fam’s last blog post..Caroline’s Arrival And Our First Zoo Trip
You are so creative!! What a great idea…
Rebecca’s last blog post..Money Mommy Monday
This is a great idea for our little chef. He’s 7 years old and love to cook. He’s fascinated with how food is made and how to make it unique. He keeps telling us that he’s going to own a restaurant one day and we are trying to fan that flame. Thanks for the great idea!
Wow! how cute & creative. You could go so many directions with these – sleepy time , day at the beach, educational, baby showers. I agree you should start an Etsy shop. Then do your own giveaway to promote. Go girl :)
jamaise’s last blog post..YES TO CARROTS!! Hair Care Review & GIVEAWAY!!
such a cool idea. i gave up giving (lolly filled) loots bags YEARS AGO! yay you
scrappysue’s last blog post..our weekend: the abridged version
Wow! What a fantastic idea – they look just gorgeous and practical too. I love stuff like this that gets kids into the kitchen.
Rachel’s last blog post..Orange and poppy seed cupcakes with passion fruit butter cream
I do the same thing, this year’s theme was beach bucket, bathing suit, beach toys, and then a I personalized the bucket with each child’s name with paint pens. I will blog about it soon. It’s such a great idea and so personal and unique. I LOVE your buckets, I will have to switch up themes next year. Thanks for the share!! Love your blog.
Jodi’s last blog post..Adventures in Veggie Gardening: The Dirt
So cute!! I love the idea!
Jaden’s last blog post..Friday Fill-Ins #20
This is a great idea and they look so lovely!
Futureblackmail’s last blog post..HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Given your penchant for planning Jill, I would think that MAY would be LATE to start getting your gingerbread holiday buckets in order… :)
This is such a cute new gift!!!!
Such a cute idea. Thanks for sharing!
Teri’s last blog post..Here’s The Dirt
That is such a cute idea! I am definitely going to steal that!
Jessica’s last blog post..Sweet Surrender
This morning my little chef insisted I have my turkey, egg and cheese biskit the “right” way. This had something to do with how it was microwaved twice. Once for one minute and then it had to be turned over. Then it would go for another minute. His attention to detail is cute and a sign of a strong future for him.
I hope he starts that restaurant and that he’ll let his daddy eat for free!
Seriously cool idea!
Tami’s last blog post..Of Biking and Cheerios
I saw you left a comment about my wife being short…(vanilla sugar). She isn’t short..LOL she’s as tall as me and I”m 6ft :-)
These buckets are so cute! Great idea!
Lynn from For Love or Funny’s last blog post..Nobody’s home
OHMYGOSH… you are funny and you CRAFT too? I’m so not living up to the Mom image… that is such a cute idea… I am going to steal it!
Shelle-BlokThoughts’s last blog post..Port-a-Potty’s… I picked door number 3!
What a great gift idea! I love it!
those are adorable!! you should start a business and sell those for us lazy and very uncreative people (like me) who hate thinking up goody bags!!
melissa’s last blog post..Dear Sir, Please Take Your Alarm Clock And Stick It Where The Sun Don’t Shine
And why do ye call yourself a Scary Mommy? You are simply delightful and imaginative (lol). xx
Thank you so much for the idea!!! I can’t wait to try it out. I have been a maker of gift baskets for a long time, but I never thought of this thoughtful gift idea for kids. Awesome!!!
YOU are awesome. That’s so cute and fun and creative. Totally stealing that chef idea.
Live.Love.Eat’s last blog post..Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
I love this Jill! They are beautiful! And such a wonderful idea! Kaish has a party on Saturday and I am going to take one of these! Thank you!
Life with Kaishon’s last blog post..Bikini Bodies!
What a great idea! I’ll have to keep this in mind when the next kid birthday comes along!
Fabulously adorable and easy birthday idea!!!!