Easter Egg Hunt for Any Budget

Easter Egg Hunt for Any Budget by Corina Volegna

Times are tough sometimes but we should not let that spoil our holidays. With Easter just around the corner, we should make sure we have everything we need without compromising our budget or feeling restricted. Although as adults we might be able to take a few cuts, kids cannot grasp the concept of "tough times" and should be protected against struggles.

This is why we put together this great Easter Egg Hunt that is not only full of fun, but also practical. It will keep the kids cheerful and it will keep you, and your wallets, happy. We will show how easy it is to create and how fun it is to play. This might be the only time when putting all your eggs in one basket could be a good idea!

Easter Basket Carrot-Egg Hunt

The main idea behind this hunt is that the kids will collect plastic eggs and paper carrots that contain clues. Then, they will come together with all the clues they found and try to figure out where the treasure basket is. You can either set a time limit, and see how many clues they can find, or let the kids know the exact number of "clues" there are hidden. Before we start the hunt, we need to create the Easter basket. This is the treasure the kids are seeking, and your wallet's little secret.

Creating the Basket

Rather than spending so much one all those items that kids collect in their own basket, be more practical this year! Create one basket by filling it up with lots of Easter paraphernalia. You can add anything from chocolate eggs to stuffed bunnies, plush chicks or other stuffed animals. If you want to ensure kids won't get too hyped on all the sugar that day include more Easter figurines and stuffed animals. This might be even more beneficial in the long run, as the toys last long after the candy is gone. So, decorate your basket by creatively placing some plush chicks surrounded by some fun Easter eggs all around, and maybe add a cute Easter Bunny in the middle, it is the tradition nevertheless! You can embellish it by adding some Easter candy or by adding extra toys and little stuffed animals, depending of your preference.

The decoration for the basket also depends on this next step: do you want to raffle off the Easter basket contents, or do you want equal amounts of everything for each child. If you raffle them, then you can play with the toys and stuffed animals, since a toy for each child and some candy would not kill your budget. However three or four stuffed animals per child might be a lot. So, if you do want that each child to have an equal share of the basket, you might want to stuff it with some Easter candy and maybe a cute little stuffed chick figurine or plush baby duck per child. This way at the end of the hunt, everybody has a good time and some nice Easter gifts.

The Clues

After you created your basket, hide it somewhere you know the kids will not be able to find it. If your place is small, you can hide it on top of a cabinet and cover it with something. Just make sure is high enough for them not even to spot it, or else, their curiosity might draw them to climb to some dangerous places.

Now for the clues. You can create two types of clues. If the kids are big enough to read, use words to tell them where they should look. If not, use drawings or signs.

There are also two ways you can mask these clues. You can put them on a piece of paper inside plastic colorful eggs, or you can write them on your very own paper carrots. To create the carrots all you need is orange and green construction paper. Cut long triangles from the orange paper, and cut a thick triangle from the green paper. Glue on the top of the green triangle to the bottom of the orange triangle. Cut the base of the green triangle, in long thing parts, as if it were shredded and leave the green shreds on. There you go! You just made yourself an easy paper carrot. Now all you have to do is write the clue on it and you are all set.

The Hunt

Hide the eggs and the carrots in easy to reach places, such as under the couch pillows, under the covers of your bed, behind lamps and so on.

Give the kids either the number of clues or a time limit and watch them scoop around for the clues. When the time is out, or they found all the clues, get all of them together and help them figure out where the basket is located. After the Easter basket is found distribute or raffle of the content to each kid.

And there you have it. This Easter hunt is a guaranteed success. It is so much fun that the kids will talk about it all year round and it is easy on your budget. Have a happy hunt and a happy Easter!

Are you ready for this extra-fun Easter basket hunt? Find great looking stuffed chicks, baby plush ducks, stuffed bunnies and other stuffed animals, just like the ones in the article at KCPlush.com and have yourself an amazing hunt!

Article Source: Easter Egg Hunt for Any Budget

How to Use Citrus Fruit Peels in the Home and Garden

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit


Citrus peels can be used in myriad ways instead of simply tossing them out or composting them. In a household that consumes many oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangelo, and other citrus, making use of the peels can save you money and produce some wonderful results. This article presents a few suggestions to get you started.

Steps

1. Know your peel. There are many types of citrus, including orange, mandarin, kumquat, grapefruit, lemon, lime, Australian lime cultivars, pummelo, citron (citrus apple), tangerines, etc.
   
   • Always wash the peel extremely well before use. If possible, prefer organic sources rather than those which have been sprayed, especially for any food or internal use. If you can't get organic fruit, use a very good fruit and vegetable scrub to remove chemical traces.
   • See "Warnings" below for the possibility of dermatitis and allergic reactions to citrus peel.
2. Use kumquat peel.
   
   • Use the peel of a kumquat to make marmalade. Just cook the chopped peel with sugar-water until it's like a syrup — use your favorite marmalade recipe.
3. Use lemon peel. There are so many potential lemon peel uses that entire chapters in books have been devoted to it! Here are some great ideas to get you started:
   
   • Peel a lemon and use it to bathe yourself in the shower. It leaves your body and hair smelling fresh and clean.
   • Infuse lemon peel in your tea to add a delicious lemony taste.
   • Prepare fresh lemon peel
   • Make candied lemon peel
   • Make lemon brandy
   • Citrus peels such as peel of lemon work well for roasting chicken. Put peel into the chicken and roast. You will find a great smelling and good tasting chicken.
   • Lemon is often used as a cocktail garnish.
4. Use orange peel. Orange peel also has many possible uses. Here are a few:
   
   • Use the peel to keep your brown sugar soft by putting it in the packaging with the brown sugar.
   • Make candied orange peel.
   • Make preserved orange peel.
   • Use as a garnish on fruit juice drinks, cocktails, and salads.
5. Use grapefruit peel.Grapefruit peel can be used as you would lemon or orange peel, and it also has great uses of its own:
   
   • Use grapefruit peels to cut into shapes to brighten up your salad. All you have to do is sprinkle them over the salad. It will make the salad smell great too.
   • Make grapefruit marmalade or candy it as with other peels.
   • Use the oil distilled from the peel for perfume.[1]
6. Use citrus peels for culinary endeavors or in the kitchen generally.There are lots of possibilities no matter the type of citrus peel:
   
   • Use to flavor water. Add any citrus peels to a pitcher of water and put in the refrigerator. Now you can enjoy the taste of water even more.
   • Use any type of citrus peel and candy it. It is very sweet and a great snack for the kids.
   • Make marmalade, chutney, jam, and savory sauces using citrus peel.[2]
   • Add a slice of citrus peel to brown sugar to stop the sugar from going hard.
   • Use citrus peels of any kind to freshen up that smelly garbage disposal. All you have to do is cut up the peel and put it in the disposal.
7. Use citrus peels in the house.
   
   • Use as kindling. Any type of citrus peel makes a great kindling for your fireplace in the winter.[3]
   • Use dried citrus peels to freshen up that smelly sock or underwear drawer. It is best to place the peels inside a sachet first.
   • Use citrus peels for your bath. It will create a beautiful scent.
8. Use citrus peel in the garden.
   
   • Compost your peels.[4] Citrus peel is a great addition to the compost pile. Just be sure to chop them a little to help them to degrade faster. You can use any of the peels to add to a compost pile. It will make the compost pile smell fresh and clean too. Just be aware that some people claim that the anti-bacterial nature of orange oil slows down decomposition,[5] while others don't find it has any impact at all and call this an "urban myth".[6][7] Be your own judge of whether or not there is an issue by observing!
   • Use any of the citrus peels to keep cats from digging or using your garden as a litter box. Just peel the citrus and place around the garden to keep Fluffy away from your petunias.
9. Deodorize with citrus peel.
   
   • Chew the peel. You can use preferably orange or lemon peels to make your breath smell great. Chew the peel for a little bit; you'll find it's a good substitute for mints and gum.
   • Place any citrus peels in a pan of low simmering water to freshen up the house.
10. Scare off the bugs and pesky pets with citrus peel.
    
    • Orange peel applied to your skin at night will ward off the insects. Simply rub the peel over your exposed skin and repeat whenever the insects start bothering you again.[8]
    • Place orange or other citrus peel from 2-3 oranges/citrus into a blender with a cup of warm water. Blend into a mixture that can be poured into an anthill that is causing you problems.[9]
    • Rub citrus peel over the leaves of plants monthly to keep cats away from the leaves.[10]
    • Place dried citron peel into closets and wardrobes to ward off the moths.[11]
11. Turn citrus peel into a scent source.
    
    • Use citrus peel as a fixative for potpourri. Dry the peel until it turns crisp. Once dried, grind it coarsely and add to potpourri as needed.[12] It should be stored in a glass jar until needed. This can also be added to sachets to keep away moths and to sweeten your clothes.[13] Read How to make citrus potpourri for specific details.
    • The ground powder can be added to the bath for a scented treat.[14]
    • Extract the oil from citrus peels for use in homemade perfume.
    • Make citrus perfume.
    • Make summer citrus soap.
12. Use orange peels to remove tar from shoes

Tips

• • These aren't the only uses for a citrus peel. You might discover something new for citrus peel uses as you're trialing these methods.
• Get a lemon and cut it in half and sprinkle with sugar. Lemons and sugar put together make a great exfoliator for your skin.
• Use a lemon half to sanitize cutting boards by killing those nasty germs.
• Citron is used principally for its peel. It is used on a commercial level in a process that involves salting, de-salting, and boiling.[15] Citron peel is commonly used in confectionery, cakes, desserts and in Indonesia it is eaten raw with rice.[16] It is excellent for making marmalade with.
• We take used lemons as a cleaning aid on our porcelain sink. Rub it, leave it rinse it.

Warnings

• Be aware! Some people can develop contact dermatitis from citrus peel. This condition can happen when peeling many oranges or having peel next to the mouth, and symptoms include a dermatitis rash and blisters, or irritation around the mouth, and even respiratory reactions.[17] If this is the case, you could handle the peel wearing gloves but if you know you are going to have respiratory reactions, then don't attempt the use the peels at all. If you notice any problems while cutting or using peel, seek advice from your doctor.
• Just be aware that grapefruit can impact some medications. If you're taking medications, talk to your doctor before using the peel or its flesh.[18]
• It takes 1200 lemons to make 0.5kg of oil, so don't get your hopes up too much![19]
• The oil from lime can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.[20]
• If the peel has mold on it then throw it away. It's not worth getting you sick!

Things You'll Need

• Citrus peel
• Peeler or knife
• Vegetable and fruit washing liquid or give non-organic citrus a thorough scrub with water

To find out more Click Here!

Related wikiHows

• How to Grow Citrus Fruits
• How to Make Hairspray Using Citrus Fruits
• How to Make Preserved Citrus Peel
• How to Store Citrus Fruit
• How to Exfoliate Sensitive Skin Using Citrus and Rosewater

Sources and Citations

1. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 130, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5
2. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 127, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5
3. ↑ http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10-unique-uses-for-orange-peel/
4. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55726985.tip.html
5. ↑ http://www.users.on.net/~arachne/peels.html
6. ↑ http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/soil/msg051129095367.html
7. ↑ http://tylerstorey.blogspot.com/2009/03/composting-citrus-and-citrus-peels.html
8. ↑ http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10-unique-uses-for-orange-peel/
9. ↑ http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10-unique-uses-for-orange-peel/
10. ↑ http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10-unique-uses-for-orange-peel/
11. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 139, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5
12. ↑ http://www.users.on.net/~arachne/peels.html
13. ↑ http://www.users.on.net/~arachne/peels.html
14. ↑ http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10-unique-uses-for-orange-peel/
15. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 139, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5
16. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 139, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5
17. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 142, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5
18. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 130, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5
19. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 134, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5
20. ↑ Susanna Lyle, Discovering Fruit & Nuts, p. 136, (2006), ISBN 1-86953-621-5

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Use Citrus Fruit Peels in the Home and Garden. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.