It’s time again for Cheap Thrills, where we round up some of the most affordable items from some of Birmingham’s best businesses. As we continue to social distance and spend time at home, it’s easy to get bored, so we have scoured the town for fun and creative at-home activities, all found locally. Get ready to have a blast from the comfort of your own home!
HOME DECOR
DIY wood sign
Move over, Chip and Joanna, there are new DIY experts in the house! Vestavia’s own DIY wood sign workshop, Board & Brush, has created at-home kits of all sizes to keep us busy. They have plenty of options to choose from, including seasonal pieces just in time for the holidays. Order your DIY wood sign kit for $25 from Board & Brush.
DIY wood sign, $25, from Board & Brush | Image: Board & Brush
Start an indoor garden
Bring some greenery into your home by creating your own indoor garden. Stop by Hanna’s Garden Shop, and the knowledgeable team can help you get started with everything you need. Starting at $1.99, find the perfect indoor houseplants at Hanna’s Garden Shop.
Indoor houseplants, starting at $1.99, at Hanna’s Garden Shop | Image: Hanna’s Garden Shop
RELATED: Your Guide to Hoover’s Stadium Trace Village
KEEP BUSY
Alabama puzzle
Puzzles are one the easiest pastimes that get the whole family involved. Discover the great state of Alabama as you piece together this beautifully illustrated map of the Heart of Dixie. Once you’re finished, frame your new work of art and proudly display it for all to see. Find this jigsaw puzzle for $24 at Wrapsody.
State of Alabama puzzle, $24, at Wrapsody | Image: Wrapsody
Adult coloring book
Get down with the ‘Ham and pass the time as you color some of Birmingham’s most iconic places. Color the Ham, created by the creative team at Down in the Ham, includes 40 beautiful illustrations of local spots like Railroad Park and Pepper Place. This book also makes a great gift for the Magic City lover in your life. Order yours for $14.99 from Down in the Ham.
Color the Ham coloring book, $14.99, by Down In The Ham | Image: Down In The Ham
Digital letting kit
Have you always wanted to learn how to properly letter? There’s no better time than now. Support a Birmingham entrepreneur while fine-tuning a new skill. That’s a win-win. Download your practice worksheet from Hannah Mae Letter Co. for $2.99.
Lettering practice sheets, $2.99, from Hannah Mae Letter Co. | Image: Hannah Mae Letter Co.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Simple embroidery kit
Find your newest hobby, thanks to Smallwoods Studios. This Magic City art studio released a DIY embroidery kit so you can learn at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. In your kit, find three small hoops, three black and white floral fabric squares, six colors of embroidery floss and an embroidery needle. You’ll also receive instructions on how to create your first embroidery piece. Order yours for $25 at Smallwoods Studios.
DIY embroidery kit, $25, at Smallwoods Studios | Image: Smallwoods Studios
DIY crafters boxes
Do-It-Yourself Crafts keeps your creativity alive with subscription-based crafting boxes. Each month, you can look forward to fun crafts with full instructions delivered right to your door. All projects are meant to be completed in under two hours! Starting at $34 per month for adults and $29 per month for children, these boxes keep you and the family entertained for hours.
DIY crafters boxes, starting at $29 per month, from Do-It-Yourself Crafts | Image: Do-It-Yourself Crafts
To-go paint kit
Bring Sips n Strokes to your home this fall with to-go paint kits. Each kit is $27 and includes everything you need to create your own masterpiece, including a canvas, paintbrushes, several different paint colors, and instructions. Need some more direction? Host a virtual party with family and friends and let a professional guide you step-by-step through the painting via video chat. Have your kit mailed to you by emailing [email protected].
To-go paint kit, $27, from Sips n Strokes | Image: Sips n Strokes
IN THE KITCHEN
Create a cookbook
Take the time to sit down and write out step-by-step instructions for all your famous recipes. By creating your own cookbook, you can share your favorite meals, cocktails and desserts with your family and friends. Local invitation and paper boutique, Sweet Tea And A Cactus created these gorgeous downloadable files that make for incredible keepsakes. Download your recipe card for $3 from Sweet Tea And A Cactus.
Downloadable recipe card, $3, from Sweet Tea And A Cactus | Image: Sweet Tea And A Cactus
Cookie decorating kit
Craving a sweet treat and a fun activity? Birmingham’s beloved Savage’s Bakery has come to the rescue with the launch of their cookie decorating kit. Included in the kit, you’ll find pre-cut cookies, frosting and sprinkles. This kit comes with everything you need for a fun date night in or to keep the kiddos occupied on a rainy day. Order yours for $12.95 from Savage’s Bakery.
Cookie decorating kit, $12.95, from Savage’s Bakery | Image: Savage’s Bakery
RELATED: This New Dining Experience Invites Locals to the TBL
Perfect your favorite cocktail
Looking to expand your cocktail knowledge? The Coupe cocktail book helps you do just that. Enjoy delicious recipes created by expert mixologists from around the country. You may even see some familiar faces from Birmingham’s own Bottega and Highland Bar & Grill. Pick up your copy for $19.95 at Alabama Goods.
The Coupe, $19.95, at Alabama Goods | Image: Alabama Goods
Learn to make sushi
Birmingham’s team of sushi aficionados at Sushi.AF brings its sushi-making experience right to your kitchen. This online class makes for a fun at-home date night. After you purchase the class, you’ll receive a shopping list, a link to the video and a “cheat sheet” to help you through the process. Sign up to watch the online beginner’s sushi class for $25.
Online sushi class, $25, at Sushi.AF
FITNESS
Fitness class
Looking to stay healthy while you spend more time at home? True40, a cardio-centered workout studio in downtown Birmingham, launched online classes earlier this year and has now archived them so they can be watched anytime and anywhere. Take any or all of their 25 pre-loaded online classes for free; however, donations are accepted.
Free at-home Pilates classes from True40 | Image: True40
Kick your feet up and enjoy extra time — and savings — at home this fall. Don’t forget to shop and support local, Birmingham!
**********
Want more great local FINDS? Follow us on Instagram!
