May we suggest a little outdoor living? Every springtime, Americans earmark themselves a small bonus for being good citizens. Depending on how large your refund, we have three ideas how you might invest reliably in a long-term delight strategy.

With $500...a Corner-of-the-yard Lighting Package

Pick the prettiest corner of your garden that disappears in the dark and start nightscaping: wash the tallest tree in soft, summery light, polka-dot the groundcover here and there with a collection of well lights, then watch the entire neighborhood behave just like moths. Wires bury underground safely and out of sight, while the LEDs are green as all get out.

LED Multifunction Light $59.99
6 LED Well Lights $39.99 each
LED 100-Watt Transformer $209.99
http://shop.trex.com/products/outdoor-lighting/landscape-lighting

With $1,000...A Girlfriend Nook

For the perfect, moms-only zone, tuck two of our folding Adirondack Chairs on either side of our Market Umbrella. Add best friend. Load up the wide armrests with gossip mags and unbreakable stemware. Stretch legs over the just-right slope of a splinter-free ottoman. Repeat every weekend for 20 years (which is as long as our warranty). All told, that $1,000 nook? Less than $1 a sit-down.

9' tilt Market Umbrella and base $399
Cape Cod 3-piece Folding Adirondack Set $695
http://www.trex.com/products/decor-and-furniture

With $5,000...A DIY Deck for 8

With room for both a dining zone and a chill zone, building a simple rectangular DIY deck just off the kitchen lets you splurge on our best-grade Transcend tropical hardwood-style boards and chic Trex® Signature™ aluminum deck railing. Inviting a couple of couples over to break it all in makes it a party.

A DIY 12x16 Transcend composite deck with Trex® Signature™ railing $4,195.92

Download the entire Rectangle Deck Design materials list at http://www.trex.com/build-your-deck/planyourdeck/deck-designs/rectangle.
Price out other deck materials and sizes with the Trex Cost Calculator