Check out the emails below that I recently received from readers, Julie, Kerry and Donna…

I was just thinking how May and June can be such expensive months with wedding gifts and graduations to buy for people.  I was needing some hip ideas on gifts that look nice and expensive – but of course are purchased with coupons???

One of my kiddos is a senior in high school.  I wish I would have known in advance how very expensive senior year can be!  There’s senior pictures, yearbook, graduation announcements, graduation party, etc…  If I go through the company my son’s school has chosen to use for all the above, I’m looking at spending close to $1,000 buckaroos!!  I would greatly appreciate any suggestions to help reduce this cost; especially in reference to the senior announcements.

Does anyone have any suggestions for High School Graduation Gifts? Or has anyone’s kids received any neat gifts (besides $) for H.S. Graduation? In May I will need to give at least 7 gifts for Seniors graduating this year and I would like to make use of the many deals I have received or should look out for in the future.

So you guys know the drill, right?! If you have any helpful tips or suggestions, please share them in the comment section below. Thanks so much!

Can you believe that the 2010-2011 school year is nearing an end and summer break is right around the corner!?!  As you may already know, during the week of May 2-6 many schools will be honoring their teachers with Teacher Appreciation Week!  Every year at this time, I struggle to come up with a unique AND affordable gift to present to my kiddo’s teachers that my kids can also participate in creating…a “hip” gift that their teachers will enjoy and appreciate .  Over the past few weeks, I have received many emails from Hip2Save readers who are also trying to find ways to create a meaningful “Thank You” gift that won’t break the bank.

I was browsing around on the web in search of some cute Teacher Appreciation gift ideas and came across a few super cute and affordable ideas, courtesy of Tip Junkie.com!  Here are a few of my favorite ideas…

*Pencil flower vase (as pictured above)
*Dollar Store Flower pots with a packet of seeds
*A Gift to Enjoy Summer with beach towel, magazine subscription, tanning lotion, etc.
*Extra Special Gift bag stating “Thank you for an extra EXTRA Fun year!” including a pack of Extra gum (as pictured above)

I have some very creative Hip2Save readers , so once again, I am asking YOU to share your ideas for how to create affordable yet meaningful gifts for teachers in the comment section below!  Or if you’re drawing a blank, you may want to check out the comments section from the previous Teacher Appreciation posts here or here for even more tips and ideas. And, if you’re a teacher, what gifts do YOU personally enjoy receiving?

To all of you teachers out there….THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  You are so valued and appreciated!

(Thanks for the “Hip” tips, Tip Junkie!)

Since Easter is just days away, I thought it would be fun to highlight some of the adorable Easter-themed crafts and goodies that have been sent my way. In addition, if you have a creative idea for an Easter basket, Easter dish, or Easter anything for that matter, please feel free to share it below!

As a recent college grad who is unemployed, you truly help make my life a little easier and brighter. I wanted to share a little Easter basket I made using some of the great deals you have posted in the past couple of months. Using a basket I already had around the house, I made a cardboard backdrop for it using paper scraps to form eggs. Instead of Easter grass, I saved and reused the recycled squiggly packaging paper that had come in a Synovate Panel product I got to test a while back. The recycled paper was yellow and pink, so it worked out perfectly and I did not need to purchase any store bought Easter grass. The baby blanket is from the Totsy deal you posted back in early March and only came to $1.40. The Hershey bar I got for free with the CVS coupon you posted last week for a free candy or beverage up to $2.00, and the M&M Eggs I got for free a few weeks back at CVS as well using the $2/2 Mars candy coupon you posted about. So, basically with a little creativity, I was able to put together this adorable basket for a total of $1.40, all thanks to you.

Want a craft idea that is adorable and eco-friendly?! Then head on over to Happy Clippings to check out these Easter Bunny Bottles. All you’ll need is a water bottle, cupcake liner, Sharpie pen, googly eyes, printable bunny ears and hands, and glue (and a little candy to make them a sweet treat!).

Need a fun centerpiece for your Easter brunch? Consider making this flower arrangement as pictured in All You Magazine back in 2009. Simply gather 2 similarly shaped vases, one 3″ narrower than the other, Peeps, jelly beans and flowers. Insert the smaller vase inside the large; layer jelly beans in the space between the two; arrange Peeps on top of the jelly beans; and arrange your flowers!

OK, so now it is your turn! What are your creative and “hip” Easter ideas?

(Thanks, Stephanie and Happy Clippings!)

If you have been following Hip2Save for any length of time, you likely know how much I love April Fools. It is literally one of my most favorite days since it’s typically filled with lots of laughs, smiles and just pure fun… it makes me feel like a kid again! With that being said, check out the email that I received from reader, Lori….

My husband’s birthday is this Friday, April 1st.  We have been married for 10 years yet I still haven’t played a GREAT April Fools joke on him.  I would love to get some fun ideas from your GREAT readers!  Thanks!!!

So Lori needs your help! Please feel free to share any fun April Fool’s pranks, jokes or tips that you may have (as always, please keep them family friendly). Thanks so much!