We are in full prep mode for my daughter’s 10th birthday party. Being in January, it is almost ALWAYS postponed, due to snowy weather! This year is no exception, but it looks like it will actually happen on the second try this year!

I always like to look for creative ways to do party favor bags, affectionately referred to as “goody bags” by the kids. At 10 years old, HipChick is growing out of those plastic character ones. (I try not to use those anyway) So here is a cute, inexpensive party favor bag idea! These bright colors and ribbons are perfect for the preteen crowd.

To put together these bags, simply buy a pack of solid colored paper gift bags. I’ve seen these from $1.50 to $2.50 for a pack of 15. Also get some thin ribbon.  Mine was $1.00, from Michaels.

How to Tie Pretty Ribbon on the Top of Your Gift Bag

Step 1: Cut the ribbon in lengths of about 5 inches. Trim the ends to form a pretty “forked” edge.  Fold the ribbon in half, lengthwise, and cut at a diagonal.  The side with the edges should be longer than the fold.

Step 2: Punch two holes through the top of each bag, about 1/2 inch apart.  Thread the ribbon through both holes on one side of the bag.

Step 3: Turn the bag around, And thread the ribbon ends back through the holes, on the outside of the other ribbon. (uh… does that make sense? Just look at the picture…)

Step 4: Even out the ribbon ends in the front of the bag, so they are even and pretty!

And there you have it! I like to choose two bright colors, then mix and match the plates and napkins.  This year, brights are really in!

I purchased all the supplies for the bags at Michaels Craft Store!  And Maven of Savin’ just happens to have some great Michaels coupons! Click here to get the scoop on 40% off one item, this week only.

“Wait,” you say. “You don’t have a front loading washer!”

Why yes, you are correct! But one of my best friends Amber does!  And she doesn’t have a blog, so I will be her surrogate blogger for the day! I was hanging out at her house the other day, doing laundry.  Well, she was doing laundry, while we both cooked dinner and the kids were playing. The guys were watching football, if you must know. It’s nice to have a friend that you can do laundry and cook dinner with, and have fun at the same time.

But I digress…

Anyway, as she was unloading the washer, I asked her if she had problems with smelliness or mold, since I had heard lots of stories about this particular problem.  She said, “Nope.”  I’m not sure if that’s exactly what she said, but you get the gist.

Anyway, she gave me a couple of easy tricks to keep the mold growth down, should I ever be able to afford get front loading washer/dryer:

Leave the door to the washer open after you are done washing your loads. If you leave it open, the seal area can dry out, discouraging mold growth and odor.

Save your bleach load as your last load. When you dry the bleached clothes, some of the bleach will sort of clean out any bacteria in the machine. Amber washes her towels with a little bleach and saves that for the last load.

Wipe underneath the seal after if ever you’re done with the laundry. Amber says she doesn’t even need to do this, as the previous two tips keep her washer nice and clean and good-smelling.

Do you have a front loading washer? Do you wish you did? (raises hand) Have you had mold or odor problems? Got any tips?

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PS. This is not my laundry room.  Hint: You can see the floor

photo credit: unfoldedorigami