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Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Military Discounts for Your Child’s Birthday Party

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Have you started planning your child’s birthday party? Hosting a birthday party can be expensive, as I’m sure you’ve already discovered. Military discounts are so helpful when buying party supplies or booking a birthday party location.

Here is a list of military discounts to help you make your child’s next birthday party not only memorable, but also affordable.

Party Supply Stores

If you plan on decorating for the birthday party, you’ll want to stock up on supplies. There are many retailers to consider purchasing your supplies from. Try a local party supply store to help out a small business if you can. Ask them if they offer a military discount. Many small businesses like to give back to the military community.

If that isn’t an option, try a national chain such as Party City. They offer a 10% military discount on all items bought in store. If you see something on their website but it isn’t available in store, they can order it for you and have it sent to your house without paying for shipping.

If you are shopping for birthday party supplies online, try Shindigz. They have a 20% discount for military families. They also offer free shipping for purchases over $49.

Whole Sale Party Supplies has a 10% military discount and they provide free shipping with purchases of $39 or more.

Craft Stores

Perhaps you are a “Pinterest parent” and are planning on making the birthday party decorations. That can add up quickly, not only with your time but also with your budget.

I attempted to be a Pinterest mom for my son’s birthday last year just 2 weeks after having our daughter. It was probably a crazy idea to do so much at that point but I’m glad I did. I’m also glad that so many of the craft stores offer military discounts to make it more affordable to be creative.

Michaels has a 15% military discount that you can combine with their coupons. There is almost always a 40% off one regular priced item coupon and if not, they accept competitors’ coupons.

AC Moore also has a military discount. Their discount is also 15%. I shop here often as their prices tend to be lower and you can combine the military discount with other coupons and also gain points toward rewards certificates. You will find plenty of birthday party supplies and craft items at AC Moore.

Jo-Ann is another place you can try if you don’t find what you’re looking for at the other two places. They tend to have higher prices and offer a 10% military discount but if you want fabric, Jo-Ann is the place to go.

Birthday Party Locations

Making birthday party decorations or even buying them to host a party might not be your idea of a fun birthday party. In that case, try having your child’s birthday party at a fun location.

Chuck E. Cheese is always a popular option. They have military discount packages such as the Alpha package and Beta package. These include pizza, drinks and tokens. The best part of having your child’s birthday party here is that you don’t have to entertain kids and you don’t have to clean up.

Other locations that you might want to consider include: the zoo or aquarium, a gym or sports complex, a bounce house or trampoline world or perhaps a fun zone or sky zone. All of these in the D.C. area that I contacted offer military discounts so some in your city may offer a discount for your child’s birthday party as well.

Theme Parks

A popular birthday party idea is to take a few close friends to a theme park. Pretty much all of them offer a military discount. Great Wolf Lodge for example offers up to a 30% discount and is an extremely popular place for young children to have fun.

Busch Gardens, which is also connected to Sea World and Water Country USA, offers free entry and discounted packages to military families. By going on your free pass day, paying for birthday party guests will be more affordable.

Check with your ITT office for discounted tickets to other theme parks such as Six Flags. If you want to think a little outside the box, Medieval Times is something completely different. They have special packages that are available at MWR/ITT offices as well.

There are so many great places that offer military discounts that you can use for your child’s next birthday party. All you have to do is ask.

What are your favorite military discounts for your child’s birthday party? Tell us in the comments section.

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

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′Tis the season of holiday parties and office gatherings. Along with the shrimp cocktails and plates of holiday cookies, now is the time of year when a special holiday cocktail can make those celebrations with friends and family something memorable.

Inspired by the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” here are 12 drink recipes to try this holiday season.

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Ahhh, pears. They are often forgotten about when it comes to holiday entertaining, but they offer a nice alternative to apples and pumpkin. Together with ginger and bourbon, pears are the featured flavor in this holiday beverage that is just sweet enough to be something special. Here’s the recipe for a Ginger & Pear Bourbon Cocktail.

Two Turtle Doves

I’m not really sure what a turtle dove is, but I when I hear the word turtle, I automatically think chocolate and caramel. This drink has it all, complete with a pecan glass rimmer and topped with whipped cream! Let me introduce you to the Turtle Caketini.

Three French Hens

Even hens are fancier in France, so is it any wonder that a French cocktail could be just what you need to give your holiday party some pizazz? Here’s a whole list of French cocktails, but my favorite is French 75. You can’t go wrong when champagne is involved.

Four Calling Birds

Whether you are flocking together with family or friends, a drink inspired by calling birds is sure to please even the sourest humbug. Here’s the recipe for The Jungle Bird Cocktail.

Five Golden Rings

Be it 24 karat or 100 proof, gold for the holidays is always in style.

This one takes a little work, but oh, it’s so worth it. Take the bright, sweet flavor of pineapple and marry it with traditional holiday spices like cinnamon and clove. Served hot, this drink will warm you inside and out!

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

Now is the time of year when a special holiday drink can make those celebrations with friends and family something memorable.

Six Geese A Laying

What do you get when you’ve got six geese a laying? A whole lot of eggs. And while this drink recipe doesn’t actually contain any eggs, a spiked egg cream will bring back memories of yesteryear while helping you create new memories in the present.

Seven Swans A Swimming

Graceful and beautiful, but have you ever wondered what a swan who took a dive on the dark side would look like?

If you ask this mixologist, that bird would be purple, and both sweet and tart. Try a Seductive Swan for an afternoon get-together or your holiday book club.

Eight Maids A Milking

Where there is milk, there’s cream. And nothing says holiday cheer like the creamy, dreamy flavor of a peppermint patty. Here’s how to make this favorite seasonal drink three different ways.

Nine Ladies Dancing

If you’re not exactly a twinkle-toed ballerina, consider substituting killer dance moves with this killer drink. The Nine Ladies Dancing Cocktail is aptly named and just as impressive as any chorus line.

Ten Lords A Leaping

On this side of the pond you’re not likely to run into too many lords, but I imagine if you saw ten of them leaping, you’d probably take notice.

Inspired by Lord Stanley of the famous Stanley Cup this holiday punch packs a…well, a punch! Plus it makes enough to serve the entire hockey team!

Eleven Pipers Piping

Piping…piping…piping hot! With the cold winter weather, libations served warm are a must. And Hot Buttered Rum is a long-standing favorite.

This recipe makes it super easy to have Hot Buttered Rum pretty much on demand. Click the link for the batter recipe, then prepare your rum to be buttered.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Stop and think for a moment what twelve drummers drumming would sound like. This final drink will help you celebrate the season with the kind of bang those drummers would be proud of.

Got a favorite recipe? Enter your holiday drink recipe in the MilitaryShoppers recipe contest. One winner every month. Click here to enter your recipe today!

Feed Hungry Football Fans with These Super Bowl Party Favorites

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Super Bowl Sunday is about a week away!

For Patriots and Seahawks fans, it’s a very exciting time to represent their teams and for the general public, the Super Bowl can be a way to celebrate this all-American sport and watch the two best teams of the football season play one another. If you’re not big on the Big Game, it’s still a great opportunity to get together and watch the commercials, but my absolute favorite part of Super Bowl Sunday is the tasty array of food that usually accompanies a party.

A delicious spread of finger foods and snacks are typically on the menu. Is it your turn to host the Super Bowl party in your neighborhood?

Feed Hungry Football Fans with These Super Bowl Party Favorites

The commissary has some amazing deals going on in January, so don’t forget to stock up on dipable staples like Tostitos Tortilla Chips, Lay’s and Ruffles Potato Chips. Need something quick to use as a flavorful dip? You can grab some Tostitos Queso Dip and PACE Chunky Salsa or Picante Sauce.

Want to make your own queso and salsa? Check out this easy queso recipe that only requires two ingredients! And here’s a yummy salsa recipe that I’ve been serving in my house.

  • 4 (14.4 ounce) cans of diced petite tomatoes
  • 2 jalapeno, diced (keep some seeds if you like it spicy, otherwise deseed it)
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • ½ bunch cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

Mix all the ingredients and let it sit for at least an hour. I like to make it the night before and let it marinade in the fridge. If you like your salsa smooth, you can use a blender or food processor and slowly pulsate to your desired consistency.

Recipes for Super Bowl Party Food

My husband loves Buffalo Chicken Dip. It’s great to eat with any kind of chips, breads or even by itself! Instead of dip, you can make Buffalo Chicken Wings. This recipe will have you licking the sauce right off your fingers.

  • 2 pounds chicken wings, cut-off wing tips and separate
  • 3 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare a baking sheet that is at least 1 inch deep by lining the bottom with foil. Spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix hot sauce, oil, ketchup, vinegar and honey. Coat chicken and place on baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes and turn the wings at least once.

Not interested in spicy wings? Give this Coca-Cola Chicken Wings recipe a try. Another great finger food that’s not as messy is Pigs in a Blanket.

Can’t end a party without something sweet! Here are some delicious bite-sized desserts that are easy to put together: Strawberry Yogurt Bites, Frozen Fantastic Banana Bites or Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes.

What finger food do you serve for Super Bowl Sunday? Share your favorite party recipes with MilitaryShoppers.