By Aili Arnell and Celina Wu
<[email protected]> and <[email protected]>

The Best Deals on…Flowers

Meijer
• Tulips – Eight per bouquet; on sale for $12 for two bouquets; assorted colors including yellow, pink, orange or purple • Mixed flowers – Already arranged bouquets consisting of a variety of flowers ranging from $6.99 to $9.99

McNamara
• Carnations – $8 a stem with greenery such as baby’s breath included
• Tulips – Variety of sizes and colors for prices ranging from $2.50 to $5 a stem • Roses – Long stems, which can be up to three feet tall with a large bud, go for $10.95 a stem; sweetheart roses, which are shorter and have smaller buds, are priced at $5.95 a stem

Kroger
• Multiple variations of already arranged colorful bouquets costing $7.99, $9.99, $10 or $11.99
• Carnations – Assorted colors of orange, yellow, purple or pink for $1 per stem
• Roses – Single red roses for $2.99 a stem

The Best Deals on…Chocolates and Treats

Easy: Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Ingredients: Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie dough (makes 24)
• Tools: Tray and non-stick spray
• Price: $2.39
• Time: 8 to 12 minutes

Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the desired amount of cookie dough on tray. Spread them apart 1 to 2 inches.
3. Place the tray in the oven for 8 to 12 minutes.
4. Take out when cookies turn golden brown.
Tips: Watch the cookies carefully for the change of color. No one likes burnt cookies!

Medium: Puppy Chow
• Ingredients: 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup butter, 1 cup chocolate chips, 9 cups Crispix cereal (any flavor), 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• Tools: Large bowl, spoon, measuring cup
• Price: $10
• Time: About 15 minutes

Instructions:
1. Combine peanut butter, butter and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Microwave for one minute then stir to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Stir well.
3. Place the 9 cups of Crispix cereal in a very large bowl.
4. Pour the peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the cereal and toss evenly, making sure all the cereal gets a good covering.
5. Coat with powdered sugar, sprinkling evenly over the cereal and tossing as you sprinkle to cover each piece well.
Tips: Use a spoon not a whisk. The ingredients will get stuck inside the whisk.

Difficult: Betty Crocker Cupcakes
• Ingredients: Betty Crocker cake mix and icing, 1-1/2 cups water, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 3 eggs
• Tools: Whisk or blender, large mixing bowl, cupcake tray, non-stick spray
• Price: Betty Crocker mix- $1.29, Betty Croker icing- $1.09
• Time: About 45 minutes

Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the water, vegetable oil, and eggs together.
3. Pour cake mix in.
4. Whisk or blend the mix thoroughly.
5. Spray pan, and then pour mix into pan.
6. Place in the oven.
7. Remove when cupcake turn golden brown.
8. Ice and decorate the cupcakes as desired when they are cooled.
Tips: Wait until cupcakes are fully cooled before icing. Or else the icing will melt and not stick.