Life has changed over the last few months, hasn’t it? From not being able to socialise or have family or friends around to having to tighten the purse strings because who knows what’s happening to the economy at the moment! On the plus side, thinking about these worries means we’ve done some new things in our household and finally, I’ve embraced pack lunches! Yes! It might not seem like a big deal but to me it is. I’ve never been a packed lunch person. Don’t get me wrong, I love a picnic, but I’m someone that would go to the supermarket and buy a load of yummy snacks, instead of making my own. It’s always been an option I guess! But when options are taken away from you, you start to think differently.
In the past few months, we’ve spent a day in another city, been to a farm, the seaside, funfairs and a family sports day in the country park. All of which would usually mean we eat out. We’d take a couple of snacks, but would always just pop to a drive-through or find a local restaurant or food hall to stop for food. It’s just what we’ve always done. But not any more. I’ve actually been making packed lunch for the family! I’m talking sandwiches, mini cheese and crackers, chopped fruit and even some jerk chicken for the husband. Plus, what’s been amazing, is that I’ve really enjoyed it! It’s quite exciting, sitting down, opening the lunch I’ve made and watching everyone tuck in. It also gives us so much flexibility. We can bring out lunch whenever the boys are hungry or whenever we find a suitable spot. We can have a bit now and then another bit in an hour. Plus the amount of money we’ve saved is ridiculous! Seriously!
I couldn’t have done it without some new lunch boxes though, because no one likes a soggy sandwich, do they? We were gifted these amazing lunch boxes and bottles by SMASH and they have just done amazingly well. Not only do they keep everything nice and tidy and in one piece, but all insulated SMASH lunch boxes have blue IQ antibacterial lining which I love! It can be simply wiped clean and no worries about minging germs building up. We’ve also had a 5 piece lunch box which includes a bottle and a little tub for the boy’s grapes or raisins which is so handy. The lunch boxes look good but are incredibly practical. They’ve done so well at creating fashionable, functional and affordable products which are BPA-free, non-toxic and food-safe. Winning!
Of course, these are all great for when your little one is at school, but I really wanted to highlight how great they are now life has changed so much. We can’t see family as much as we did before, not at home anyway, so we’re having more picnics (no matter the weather) and more days out. We’re trying to enjoy as much as we can and appreciate our local farms and outdoors areas, but of course, this can cost money. Taking a packed lunch can really help you save those pennies. We went to a soft play the other day and a kids meal was £5.95. So it would have cost £12 for my little ones to have lunch. The lunch I had ready in their lunch bags probably cost me a couple of pound for both of them!
The kids haven’t missed eating out, they get quite excited by finding out whats wrapped up in their bags so I don’t feel like they’re missing out. Getting more used to packed lunches generally, has given me some serious mum points and I’m totally here for more of those. Long live the homemade packed lunch!
