Wants and wish lists can often overtake the true meaning of the holidays - giving back. While adults may realize it’s better to give than to receive, teaching kids this mantra can be tricky. The best way to impart this wisdom on your children is to show them, not tell them. Here’s a few ideas on how you can do just that this December: Gifted. With all the consumerism and festive frenzy, it’s easy for kids’ toy chests to overflow after all the presents are opened. This year, before ... Continue Reading
Teach Kids the Art of Giving

Help your kids see that the holidays are more about giving than getting this year.
Valentine’s Day: Last Minute Gifts Semi-Handmade With Love

End your Valentine gift woes by saving time and money with semi-handmade gifts. And best of all, they’re perfect for last-minute exchanges.
Every year on Valentine's Day I seem to struggle with gift giving. Do I only gift to my spouse? Am I supposed to let my children exchange gifts with friends and relatives outside of the classroom? The price we pay for love every year adds up rather quickly, and while I want to show others how much I care, sometimes it becomes overwhelming and straining on my wallet. This year I am going to end my Valentine woes by saving time and money and gifting semi-handmade. And best of all, these are ... Continue Reading
Three Easy Steps to Stress Free Holiday Gatherings

Follow these tips to keep your holiday season full of cheer and stress free.
The Holidays are here. (I hope you already knew that.) With the "most wonderful time of the year" comes a lot of headaches. However, making powerful plays to keep things simple can really create a fantastic holiday. Follow these tips to keep your season full of cheer and devoid of stress. Delegate You are not Santa Claus. No matter what level superman/woman you are, the holidays cannot hinge on one person. It is the season of giving, but that doesn't mean you should give everything you have ... Continue Reading
Take the Stress out of Holiday Gift-Giving

How to make holiday gift-giving more affordable and less stressful.
Holidays are quickly approaching. Are you dreaming of decorations and a holiday dinner around the family table, or are you feeling anxious as you try to figure out where you'll find funds for all of the holiday activities, potlucks and gift-giving? Whether you're worried "Santa" is not bringing enough gifts for your children, or maybe how you can afford to give gifts to everyone from Fido to Great-Aunt Suzi, gift-giving can turn from something pleasant to something you dread during the ... Continue Reading
Pinktober and Beyond – Shopping with Purpose

Shop for products for Pinktober and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I come from a long line of community activists, so it's no surprise I jumped at the chance to talk about shopping with purpose for Breast Cancer Awareness month. In addition to being hard-working and instilling within me strong work ethics, my parents, my grandparents and my great-grandparents taught me to not just leave things better than I found them, but make a difference by improving them. Volunteerism and being an Activist were lessons learned at a very early age. My grandmother was a ... Continue Reading
