Graduation season is almost upon us, and as you’re getting ready to close out one chapter with your grad and begin a new one, it’s a good time to start thinking about a gift to congratulate them on their incredible accomplishments. Whether you know a student finishing high school or college, these gift ideas will carry them from one journey to the next. See our graduation gift guide below.
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1. Noise-cancelling headphones will help block out loud roommates, chatty coworkers, or anything else that distracts them from getting *ish* done.
2. A wireless charging station for all of their techy gadgets will be the gift they use time and time again. Why does everything always need to be charged?!
3. Jewelry is a sentimental way to celebrate the grad. This compass necklace or bracelet will serve as a reminder to follow their own path.
4. A book of lessons, wise words, and funny anecdotes will inspire, instill joy, and provide a little motivation.
5. This inspirational makeup bag, filled with all her favorites and maybe a gift card or two, would make a great gift!
6. A weighted blanket will keep them warm, help reduce anxiety, and replicate a warm hug from mom when she’s miles away.
7. The tassel was worth the hassle! These funny socks would make the perfect addition to a DIY graduation gift basket.
8. And if they’re a coffee lover, this mug is another basket filler that will get tons of use.
9. A tool kit is a must!! This is one of those gifts that they don’t know they want but will be grateful they have when they’re in a pinch.
10. This phone wallet is super convenient. Pop it on the back of your phone, tuck your cards and cash in, and boom…out the door you go.
11. This themed gift box comes with an “adult merit badge” coffee mug, 400 different fun facts, and a motivational book—a little bit of everything!
12. A 3-piece luggage set will get a bunch of mileage. While they make think it will be for all of their exotic adventures, their broke selves will really be using it for all their trips back home so they can do laundry for free.
13. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat?? This tin of delicious cookies will be gone in the blink of an eye, but the sugar high will keep them going for hours.
Shop Graduation Gifts
Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend and everyone has a favorite part of this big day. Whether you love the actual game, the commercials and halftime show, the snacks (guilty), or just the general camaraderie, having some yummy food is definitely an essential part of the celebration. Get ready for the big game day with these quick & easy Super Bowl snack recipes!
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Paprika Pita Chips
This spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips is *chef’s kiss* – even the picky eaters will love!
Ingredients:
*double the recipe if you’re feeding a big crowd
- (1) 10oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and well drained)
- 6 pieces of bacon (crumbled once cooked)
- 2 tsp of minced garlic
- (1) 14oz can of artichoke hearts
- 16oz container of light dairy sour cream
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 Bag of pita bread
- Paprika (or smoked paprika)
Directions:
- Preheat oven at 350° – cut pita bread into triangles and set on foil lined baking tray – spray with pam spray and season with paprika. Cook for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cook bacon (I used 6 slices) and set aside to cool (reserve 1 tbsp of bacon grease) add garlic and sauté until browned, add spinach, artichokes to pan until warm. Then add sour cream, Mayo, and pepper until warm throughout. Crumble bacon into small pieces and fold into spinach mix.
- Serve with baked pita chips and enjoy!!
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This buffalo chicken dip is our absolute favorite!! It’s creamy and delicious and hits the spot every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 package chicken breasts
- Chicken broth
- Shredded cheese
- Ranch dressing
- Cream cheese
- Mild wing sauce
Directions:
- Cook chicken in slow cooker with chicken broth (I use about a cup and a half or until chicken is covered) until fully cooked – shredding chicken as it cooks.
- Once chicken is cooked – pour a bottle of wing sauce over chicken and let it marinate overnight.
- Preheat oven at 350° (take chicken and cream cheese out of fridge and let sit to room temperature)
- Evenly spread cream cheese on bottom of oven safe casserole dish, top with buffalo chicken, then full package of shredded cheese (we love cheese), and full bottle of ranch dressing.
- Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Enjoy with your favorite chips or veggies!
Slow Cook Taco Pasta
This slow cook taco pasta is an easy, hearty meal for the whole family (or party)!
Ingredients:
- 1 box pasta shells
- 13oz tomato sauce
- Ground beef
- Shredded cheese of choice
- Taco Seasoning
- Cream Cheese
Directions:
- Cook ground beef thoroughly
- Add ground beef, (1) 13oz can of tomato sauce, one packet of taco seasoning and 1 cup of water to slow cooker and stir
- Cook on high for 1 hour
- Cook shell noodles until al dente (about 8 minutes)
- Add noodles, 1 cup of shredded cheese, 1/4 cup of water, 1/2 block of cream cheese (cut into cubes) to slow cooker and stir
- Cook on low for another hour
- Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream and enjoy!
Honey BBQ Meatballs
These little meatballs are a little sweet, a little tangy, and a whole lotta yummy!
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen meatballs
- Honey BBQ sauce
Directions:
- Bake meatballs at 350° for about 20 minutes or microwave for 2 minutes (about 12 meatballs)
- Cover meatballs with BBQ sauce and serve
*For a heartier snack, add meatballs to rolls topped with provolone cheese!!
Loaded Fries
Load ’em up! These loaded fries will be the talk of the town, long after the game ends.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen crinkle cut fries
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon bits
- Sour cream
Directions:
- Bake fries at 425° for 15 minutes
- Top with cheese and bacon pieces
- Bake at 425° for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted
- Serve with sour cream and enjoy!!
Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend and everyone has a favorite part of this big day. Whether you love the actual game, the commercials and halftime show, the snacks (guilty), or just the general camaraderie, having some yummy food is definitely an essential part of the celebration. Get ready for the big game day with these quick & easy Super Bowl snack recipes!
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Paprika Pita Chips
This spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips is *chef’s kiss* – even the picky eaters will love!
Ingredients:
*double the recipe if you’re feeding a big crowd
- (1) 10oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and well drained)
- 6 pieces of bacon (crumbled once cooked)
- 2 tsp of minced garlic
- (1) 14oz can of artichoke hearts
- 16oz container of light dairy sour cream
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 Bag of pita bread
- Paprika (or smoked paprika)
Directions:
- Preheat oven at 350° – cut pita bread into triangles and set on foil lined baking tray – spray with pam spray and season with paprika. Cook for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cook bacon (I used 6 slices) and set aside to cool (reserve 1 tbsp of bacon grease) add garlic and sauté until browned, add spinach, artichokes to pan until warm. Then add sour cream, Mayo, and pepper until warm throughout. Crumble bacon into small pieces and fold into spinach mix.
- Serve with baked pita chips and enjoy!!
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This buffalo chicken dip is our absolute favorite!! It’s creamy and delicious and hits the spot every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 package chicken breasts
- Chicken broth
- Shredded cheese
- Ranch dressing
- Cream cheese
- Mild wing sauce
Directions:
- Cook chicken in slow cooker with chicken broth (I use about a cup and a half or until chicken is covered) until fully cooked – shredding chicken as it cooks.
- Once chicken is cooked – pour a bottle of wing sauce over chicken and let it marinate overnight.
- Preheat oven at 350° (take chicken and cream cheese out of fridge and let sit to room temperature)
- Evenly spread cream cheese on bottom of oven safe casserole dish, top with buffalo chicken, then full package of shredded cheese (we love cheese), and full bottle of ranch dressing.
- Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Enjoy with your favorite chips or veggies!
Slow Cook Taco Pasta
This slow cook taco pasta is an easy, hearty meal for the whole family (or party)!
Ingredients:
- 1 box pasta shells
- 13oz tomato sauce
- Ground beef
- Shredded cheese of choice
- Taco Seasoning
- Cream Cheese
Directions:
- Cook ground beef thoroughly
- Add ground beef, (1) 13oz can of tomato sauce, one packet of taco seasoning and 1 cup of water to slow cooker and stir
- Cook on high for 1 hour
- Cook shell noodles until al dente (about 8 minutes)
- Add noodles, 1 cup of shredded cheese, 1/4 cup of water, 1/2 block of cream cheese (cut into cubes) to slow cooker and stir
- Cook on low for another hour
- Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream and enjoy!
Honey BBQ Meatballs
These little meatballs are a little sweet, a little tangy, and a whole lotta yummy!
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen meatballs
- Honey BBQ sauce
Directions:
- Bake meatballs at 350° for about 20 minutes or microwave for 2 minutes (about 12 meatballs)
- Cover meatballs with BBQ sauce and serve
*For a heartier snack, add meatballs to rolls topped with provolone cheese!!
Loaded Fries
Load ’em up! These loaded fries will be the talk of the town, long after the game ends.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen crinkle cut fries
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon bits
- Sour cream
Directions:
- Bake fries at 425° for 15 minutes
- Top with cheese and bacon pieces
- Bake at 425° for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted
- Serve with sour cream and enjoy!!
Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend and everyone has a favorite part of this big day. Whether you love the actual game, the commercials and halftime show, the snacks (guilty), or just the general camaraderie, having some yummy food is definitely an essential part of the celebration. Get ready for the big game day with these quick & easy Super Bowl snack recipes!
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Paprika Pita Chips
This spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips is *chef’s kiss* – even the picky eaters will love!
Ingredients:
*double the recipe if you’re feeding a big crowd
- (1) 10oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and well drained)
- 6 pieces of bacon (crumbled once cooked)
- 2 tsp of minced garlic
- (1) 14oz can of artichoke hearts
- 16oz container of light dairy sour cream
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 Bag of pita bread
- Paprika (or smoked paprika)
Directions:
- Preheat oven at 350° – cut pita bread into triangles and set on foil lined baking tray – spray with pam spray and season with paprika. Cook for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cook bacon (I used 6 slices) and set aside to cool (reserve 1 tbsp of bacon grease) add garlic and sauté until browned, add spinach, artichokes to pan until warm. Then add sour cream, Mayo, and pepper until warm throughout. Crumble bacon into small pieces and fold into spinach mix.
- Serve with baked pita chips and enjoy!!
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This buffalo chicken dip is our absolute favorite!! It’s creamy and delicious and hits the spot every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 package chicken breasts
- Chicken broth
- Shredded cheese
- Ranch dressing
- Cream cheese
- Mild wing sauce
Directions:
- Cook chicken in slow cooker with chicken broth (I use about a cup and a half or until chicken is covered) until fully cooked – shredding chicken as it cooks.
- Once chicken is cooked – pour a bottle of wing sauce over chicken and let it marinate overnight.
- Preheat oven at 350° (take chicken and cream cheese out of fridge and let sit to room temperature)
- Evenly spread cream cheese on bottom of oven safe casserole dish, top with buffalo chicken, then full package of shredded cheese (we love cheese), and full bottle of ranch dressing.
- Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Enjoy with your favorite chips or veggies!
Slow Cook Taco Pasta
This slow cook taco pasta is an easy, hearty meal for the whole family (or party)!
Ingredients:
- 1 box pasta shells
- 13oz tomato sauce
- Ground beef
- Shredded cheese of choice
- Taco Seasoning
- Cream Cheese
Directions:
- Cook ground beef thoroughly
- Add ground beef, (1) 13oz can of tomato sauce, one packet of taco seasoning and 1 cup of water to slow cooker and stir
- Cook on high for 1 hour
- Cook shell noodles until al dente (about 8 minutes)
- Add noodles, 1 cup of shredded cheese, 1/4 cup of water, 1/2 block of cream cheese (cut into cubes) to slow cooker and stir
- Cook on low for another hour
- Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream and enjoy!
Honey BBQ Meatballs
These little meatballs are a little sweet, a little tangy, and a whole lotta yummy!
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen meatballs
- Honey BBQ sauce
Directions:
- Bake meatballs at 350° for about 20 minutes or microwave for 2 minutes (about 12 meatballs)
- Cover meatballs with BBQ sauce and serve
*For a heartier snack, add meatballs to rolls topped with provolone cheese!!
Loaded Fries
Load ’em up! These loaded fries will be the talk of the town, long after the game ends.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen crinkle cut fries
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon bits
- Sour cream
Directions:
- Bake fries at 425° for 15 minutes
- Top with cheese and bacon pieces
- Bake at 425° for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted
- Serve with sour cream and enjoy!!
Super Bowl Sunday: one of the year’s most highly anticipated events of athleticism and entertainment and the second biggest eating day of the year in the U.S. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl celebration this year, give your guests an evening to remember with fun football decorations to set the mood and delicious snacks to enjoy while watching the game (and halftime show, of course). Throw on some cute football digs and get ready to party it up as the game clock counts down. See our Super Bowl game day fun ideas below.
Decorations
Turn your living room into the Super Bowl stadium with these fun football decorations. Ballons and paper lanterns, sports games and activities, and plenty of football-themed paper products will have your guests getting in on the game-day action.
Shop Super Bowl Decorations
Apparel
Gear up for the game in a football-themed tee, sweatshirt, or festive pair of socks. If you’re not ready to commit to one of the competing teams (I’m only rooting for whoever is winning, obviously), stick to neutral apparel that still shows excellent spirit and sportsmanship.
Shop Super Bowl Apparel
Snacks
Pizza Bites
INGREDIENTS:
- Pillsbury biscuits
- Pizza sauce
- Favorite pizza toppings (veggies, meat, cheese)
- Seasonings of choice (oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper)
DIRECTIONS:
- Set air fryer oven to 400°
- Lay out halved biscuits and top with sauce and pizza toppings
- Place tray in oven and cook for 8 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown
- Remove from oven and let cool. Add seasonings and enjoy!
Taco Wontons
INGREDIENTS:
- Wraps of choice
- Lean ground chicken
- One packet Mrs. Dash no salt taco seasoning
- Shredded cheese of choice
- Taco toppings of choice (olives, shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.)
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Trim wraps into squares and place in muffin tray
- Cook lean ground chicken until done
- Mix in half a packet of Mrs. Dash No Salt Taco Seasoning and add a little water
- Mix in a handful of reduced fat shredded cheese
- Add chicken mixture to muffin cups
- Bake for 10 minutes
- Garnish with favorite taco toppings!
Buffalo Wings
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ cup water
- 2 pounds frozen chicken wings (drums and flats separated)
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons Buffalo sauce
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
DIRECTIONS:
- Pour water into pot of Ninja Foodi pressure cooker (can also bake wings). Place wings into the Cook & Crisp™ Basket and place basket in pot. Assemble the pressure lid, making sure the pressure release valve is in the SEAL position.
- 2 Select PRESSURE and set HIGH. Set time to 5 minutes. Select START/STOP to begin.
- When pressure cooking is complete, quick release the pressure by turning the pressure release valve to the VENT position. Carefully remove lid when unit has finished releasing pressure.
- Pat wings dry with paper towels and toss with 2 tablespoons oil in the basket.
- Close crisping lid. Select AIR CRISP, set temperature to 390°F, and set time to 15 minutes. Select START/STOP to begin.
- After 7 minutes, open lid, then lift basket and shake wings or toss them with silicone-tipped tongs. Lower basket back into pot and close lid to resume cooking.
- While the wings are cooking, stir together Buffalo sauce and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- When cooking is complete, transfer wings to the bowl with Buffalo sauce and toss to coat.
Broccoli Tots
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 broccoli head (florets only)
- 1 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp pepper
DIRECTIONS:
- Mix all ingredients in food processor until well-combined
- Form mixture into small tots and place in air fryer (be sure to spray the bottom first with non-stick cooking spray) on 350° and cook for 10 minutes
- Serve with your choice of sauce (honey mustard, ketchup, ranch dressing, etc.)
Thanks for reading!! How are you celebrating the big game? Let us know xo.
Super Bowl Sunday: one of the year’s most highly anticipated events of athleticism and entertainment and the second biggest eating day of the year in the U.S. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl celebration this year, give your guests an evening to remember with fun football decorations to set the mood and delicious snacks to enjoy while watching the game (and halftime show, of course). Throw on some cute football digs and get ready to party it up as the game clock counts down. See our Super Bowl game day fun ideas below.
Decorations
Turn your living room into the Super Bowl stadium with these fun football decorations. Ballons and paper lanterns, sports games and activities, and plenty of football-themed paper products will have your guests getting in on the game-day action.
Shop Super Bowl Decorations
Apparel
Gear up for the game in a football-themed tee, sweatshirt, or festive pair of socks. If you’re not ready to commit to one of the competing teams (I’m only rooting for whoever is winning, obviously), stick to neutral apparel that still shows excellent spirit and sportsmanship.
Shop Super Bowl Apparel
Snacks
Pizza Bites
INGREDIENTS:
- Pillsbury biscuits
- Pizza sauce
- Favorite pizza toppings (veggies, meat, cheese)
- Seasonings of choice (oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper)
DIRECTIONS:
- Set air fryer oven to 400°
- Lay out halved biscuits and top with sauce and pizza toppings
- Place tray in oven and cook for 8 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown
- Remove from oven and let cool. Add seasonings and enjoy!
Taco Wontons
INGREDIENTS:
- Wraps of choice
- Lean ground chicken
- One packet Mrs. Dash no salt taco seasoning
- Shredded cheese of choice
- Taco toppings of choice (olives, shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.)
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Trim wraps into squares and place in muffin tray
- Cook lean ground chicken until done
- Mix in half a packet of Mrs. Dash No Salt Taco Seasoning and add a little water
- Mix in a handful of reduced fat shredded cheese
- Add chicken mixture to muffin cups
- Bake for 10 minutes
- Garnish with favorite taco toppings!
Buffalo Wings
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ cup water
- 2 pounds frozen chicken wings (drums and flats separated)
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons Buffalo sauce
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
DIRECTIONS:
- Pour water into pot of Ninja Foodi pressure cooker (can also bake wings). Place wings into the Cook & Crisp™ Basket and place basket in pot. Assemble the pressure lid, making sure the pressure release valve is in the SEAL position.
- 2 Select PRESSURE and set HIGH. Set time to 5 minutes. Select START/STOP to begin.
- When pressure cooking is complete, quick release the pressure by turning the pressure release valve to the VENT position. Carefully remove lid when unit has finished releasing pressure.
- Pat wings dry with paper towels and toss with 2 tablespoons oil in the basket.
- Close crisping lid. Select AIR CRISP, set temperature to 390°F, and set time to 15 minutes. Select START/STOP to begin.
- After 7 minutes, open lid, then lift basket and shake wings or toss them with silicone-tipped tongs. Lower basket back into pot and close lid to resume cooking.
- While the wings are cooking, stir together Buffalo sauce and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- When cooking is complete, transfer wings to the bowl with Buffalo sauce and toss to coat.
Broccoli Tots
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 broccoli head (florets only)
- 1 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp pepper
DIRECTIONS:
- Mix all ingredients in food processor until well-combined
- Form mixture into small tots and place in air fryer (be sure to spray the bottom first with non-stick cooking spray) on 350° and cook for 10 minutes
- Serve with your choice of sauce (honey mustard, ketchup, ranch dressing, etc.)
Thanks for reading!! How are you celebrating the big game? Let us know xo.
frugal and thriving LLC