Cheap Thrills: At-Home Edition

While we all spend more time at home, it’s easy to get bored with the day-to-day norm. To help break up your everyday routine, we have some fun activities to spice up a Friday night or pass the time during the day. The best part? All of these Cheap Thrills are $40 or less! From at-home pizza kits to making your own candle, we’ve got it all below.

ALL THINGS CULINARY

Tequila Mockingbird

For those who love a good read, Tequila Mockingbird is a cocktail book with a literary twist. The book features 65 drink recipes paired with commentary on some of the most popular novels. Be sure to also check out the bar bites, whimsical illustrations and drinking games. You can find it for $15 at City & State.

Tequila Mockingbird, $15, at City & State | Image: City & State

Pizza kit

Make dinner with the help of family members. Although Hog & Hominy is under construction, you can still purchase a $20 pizza kit Tuesday through Saturday after 3 p.m. Place an order by calling the East Memphis or downtown locations, and pick up your kit after 5:30 p.m.

Pizza kits, $20 each, at Hog & Hominy | Image: Hog & Hominy

S’mores roasting set

Now that the weather is starting to turn cooler, we’re all itching to be outside by a bonfire. What better way to enjoy an after-dinner treat than with a s’mores set? Find this $24 set, which comes with four roasting sticks, at Pickering Boxwood.

S’mores roasting set, $24, at Pickering Boxwood | Image: Pickering Boxwood

Mad Hungry: Game Day Food

It’s football time in Tennessee! Mad Hungry: Game Day Food has everything you’ve ever needed to please a crowd with all the sides, snacks and mains. With recipes for guacamole, spinach feta pocket pies, spiked lemonade and more, everyone will be asking where your recipes came from. Find this book for $12.95 at Oxbeau.

Mad Hungry: Game Day Food, $12.95, at Oxbeau | Image: Mad Hungry

TO STAY BUSY

Memphis coloring book

Celebrate the 901 with this $5 digital coloring book at Signet Sealed that is sent as a PDF immediately after purchase. All pages are perfect for a home printer, and the book includes 25 illustrations of Memphis’ favorite spots.

Memphis Cheap Thrills: Coloring Book at Signet Sealed Store

Digital Memphis coloring book, $5, at Signet Sealed | Image: Signet Sealed

Ginkgo leaf letter writing set

If this year has taught us anything, it’s that relationships are crucial to our overall happiness. And what better way to nurture a relationship than receiving a handwritten note? This stationery set has 20 writing sheets, 20 lined envelopes and a sheet of stickers. Find the set for $24 at Cooper-Young Gallery + Gift Shop.

Stationery set at Cooper-Young Gallery + Gift Shop

Stationery set, $24, at Cooper-Young Gallery + Gift Shop | Image: Cooper-Young Gallery + Gift Shop

Tennessee state map puzzle

This 500-piece puzzle is great for a Friday night of family fun. Showcasing the work of local artisans, this puzzle spotlights some of the greatest places in Tennessee. You can frame it after you’re done or take it apart and put it together again. This puzzle can be found for $25 at Dazzle.

Memphis Cheap Thrills: Tennessee jigsaw puzzle at Dazzle

Tennessee jigsaw puzzle, $25, at Dazzle | Image: Made in TN

IF YOU’RE FEELING CRAFTY

DIY soy wax candle kit

This $40 DIY soy wax candle kit comes with everything you need to make two 8-ounce soy wax candles. All you need is a microwave or stove. Each candle comes with a 50-hour burn time, and you can choose from two fragrances. Falling Into Place also has an instructional video for these candles on its IGTV.

DIY soy wax candle kit, $40, at Falling Into Place | Image: Falling Into Place

DIY magazine

If you’re in the mood to makeover some of your furniture and don’t know where to start, this DIY magazine has all the answers you’re looking for, including inspiration and steps on how to achieve the look you’re going for. Furniture makeover projects include prepping, painting and finishing as well as staining and waxing. Find this magazine for $4.99 at Southern Farmhouse.

DIY magazine, $4.99, at Southern Farmhouse | Image: Southern Farmhouse

DIY wood sign

Ah, so happy to be home! If you’re looking for your next home project, this is it. Order a DIY craft kit for $25 from Board and Brush, and you can create your own work of art. Choose from dark walnut or light brown, and then unleash your creativity.

DIY wood sign, $25, at Board & Brush | Image: Board & Brush

StencilLetter sign making kit

This super easy StencilLetter making kit offers hours of fun. The kit includes four die-cut stencils and a workbook with instructions as well as five “Artsy Fartsy” pencils and a 10-pack of brush markers. Find it at Five in One Social Club for $40

Memphis Cheap Thrills: StencilLetter making kit at Five in One Social Club

StencilLetter making kit, $40, at Five in One Social Club | Image: Five in One Social Club

STAYING IN TUNE WITH THE MUSIC

Virtual concert series

Every Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook Live, you can re-live Levitt Shell shows from the past decade via the virtual concert series. Performances are free to watch, but Levitt Shell asks that you consider making a donation so they can continue providing music to the community.

Virtual concerts by Levitt Shell on Facebook Live

Virtual concerts by Levitt Shell, free, on Facebook Live | Image: Levitt Shell

Elvis Presley playing cards

Thank you, thank you very much! Channel your inner Elvis Presley with these playing cards the next time you host a game night. You can find this set of black leather playing cards for $6.99 at the Graceland Official Store.