May 15, 2020 In the past, you might have held a barbecue, planned a weekend getaway, or gone out to dinner for Dad’s special day, but your plans will probably be a little different this year. The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our lives, so you may need to think outside the box. Don’t worry,…
October 26, 2018 Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to have gift giving without gifts? As much as I love the holidays, gift giving can be a challenge. There really isn’t anything that I want or need, so coming up with ideas for people to give me is tough sometimes. And, it’s not just…
December 24, 2015 If there’s one thing that people want most during the holidays, it’s time off from work. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out and some are forced to put in some hours while the rest of the world enjoys quality time at home. Rather than sink into despair, here are some tips for…
November 3, 2015 Every year as I walk around the neighborhood on Halloween night, I think to myself, and now it begins. From this point on, time and events seem to launch themselves at me from now until the end of the year. Not only do we feel the weight of all our plans, stores…
November 24, 2015 This week, it would be hard to miss SNL’s Thanksgiving spoof that includes good ol’ Aunt Kathy who pulls out every politically incorrect or rude comment you could imagine from a relative. In case you haven’t seen it, the youngest family member makes convenient and increasingly hilarious use of Adele’s newest hit….
December 19, 2015 If you’re anything at all like me, you still have a LOT of Christmas shopping left to do. I know. I was going to start in August and be finished by Thanksgiving, but I never got around to it and I just realized there are only a few more days until Christmas….
December 29, 2015 New Year’s Eve can be a really exciting time when you let loose and let go of the things that held you down over the past 12 months. It’s exciting to think of having a fresh start in the coming year, which seems to hold so much promise. The reality, however, is…
December 31, 2015 We’ve done it. Today brings 2015 to a close. And if you’re anything like me, you want to do something special to mark the occasion, but life has left you a bit behind in the planning department. Do not worry! I have tapped my sources to see what other moms do for…
December 16, 2011 Soon after Thanksgiving, many old favorites like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” begin to air on various TV channels. That’s one, of many, sure signs that the holidays are here. It’s great to be able to still see movies such as these…
March 16, 2012 Have you ever thought to yourself that you wish you knew the history behind St. Patrick’s Day? Or ever wondered if there is more to the day than wearing green? Well read up and enjoy sharing your St. Patty’s Day knowledge with friends and family – maybe even stumping a few along…
June 5, 2012 The big day for Moms has just passed, and now it’s time for us to honor the other half of the parental puzzle – Dads. Whether you want to give him an experience he won’t soon forget – or a keepsake to keep the family top of mind when he’s travelling for…
May 6, 2012 Spring is alive with holidays for the family, with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduation dates abound. Our friends at OnStar are offering an amazing new savings for their OnStar FMV (For My Vehicle) mirror – available at a special reduced price for a limited time. Now you can add the safety…
October 1, 2012 Most children look forward to Halloween with great anticipation. For the parents of children with food allergies and other conditions requiring dietary restriction (such as celiac disease or diabetes) Halloween can be a cause of some concern. But there’s no reason to be afraid on Halloween. Even with dietary restrictions, children can…
December 14, 2012 Every year millions of people start off the new year with at least one resolution, or commitment toward better change in their lives. It could be losing weight, quitting smoking, taking up a new hobby , going to the gym, starting a long-put-off project or doing a daily random act of kindness. Unfortunately,…
September 26, 2018 Being born in late October, Halloween was always my favorite holiday of the year. Halloween meant three things: I got to dress up as whatever I wanted, I got to eat an incessant amount of candy (this was the 90’s, before parents checked their kids’ candy), and my HALLOWEEN BIRTHDAY BASH. My…
November 6, 2015 Every year, as the holidays approach, I hear people asking for a good place to let their kids volunteer. Perhaps a local soup kitchen or church. Not everyone wants to publicly help though and it can be difficult to find a good location and time that works with your schedule. It’s also good…
November 26, 2018 Christmas is the favorite holiday for many people. For some it’s for religious reasons, for others it’s about cherishing family and festivities. For most, it’s a combination of both! Unfortunately, it can get very stressful for many people. It is overwhelming to budget for gifts, host out-of-town guests, plan and host holiday…
November 15, 2018 Much has been made in movies and pop culture about the downright craziness that can surround the holidays, particularly Thanksgiving. While it’s meant to be a day for showing love and gratitude, tempers can flare when extended family members—some of whom may be estranged—try to gather around the table for a meal….
December 5, 2018 Looking for the perfect gift for the crafty, artsy, creative girl or boy in your life aged 8-12? Here are our picks for high quality natural and imaginative toys that help bring out a child’s natural curiosity and creativity. Crayon Rocks Kids love creating beautifully textured drawings with the pebble-like-shaped Crayon Rocks….
March 13, 2019 If your best tablecloth still has stains from the last time the kids colored Easter eggs, I have a few ideas you’ll want to consider this year instead. Try as I might, I can never manage to dye Easter eggs without getting dye all over the tablecloth, my shirt, and the table….
April 4, 2019 Have you wondered how to add Easter to your front yard? During the Christmas holidays, we see all sorts of Christmas lights and decorated front yards. It really helps make the holiday season much more festive. While there may not be Christmas trees and Christmas lights during Easter, there are a few…
April 16, 2019 This year, Earth Day falls on April 22 and it’s a great time to pull together as a family and show love for our planet! There are so many ways you can show your appreciation for Mother Nature and set a good example for the next generation. Our world is in their…
April 14, 2020 It’s hard to believe, but Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Have you finished your shopping? While there are plenty of ways to show your love and appreciation without spending a single dime, sometimes a sweet gift can really mean so much. You’ll find many traditional ideas listed in gift guides…
September 10, 2020 It’s hard to know what Halloween will look like in 2020, but it’s reasonable to assume that many families will be skipping trick-or-treating this year. While it’s disappointing in many ways, it doesn’t mean that the celebration has to end. Here are some ways to celebrate Halloween at home and still have…
October 20, 2020 With the holidays only a few short weeks away, many people are adding pumpkins and fall gourds to their outdoor decorating plan. But, depending on where you live, they may not always last as long as you want them to. Here are some simple tips to make your outdoor pumpkin last longer…
December 8, 2020 What a year! As we roll into the final month of 2020, so many things look and feel different. It can be a bit depressing when we miss out on the activities we loved to do each year. It can be upsetting when traditions have to be left out or altered. It…
December 17, 2020 Are you wondering how to celebrate Christmas virtually? Whether you can’t visit relatives who are far away or you are choosing to socially distance, here are a few simple tips to help you enjoy the holidays at home this year. Host a Zoom Call Get everyone together for a few minutes before…
August 13, 2014 Labor Day is the last long weekend to enjoy summer. Kids are already headed back to school, the weather is getting cooler and that carefree feeling gradually takes a backseat to the rush leading up to the holiday season. For this reason, so many try people try to take advantage of this three-day…
September 17, 2019 As the leaves turn orange, gold, and red, it’s a signal that Halloween is on the horizon. It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by, but, I am already starting to see the Halloween merchandise displayed in the stores as I shop. While it can be tempting to pick up…
December 9, 2019 It’s the holiday season. Everywhere you look, there are snowflakes (real or decorative), red and green colors, and commercials of smiling children happily doing scenic activities. Let’s acknowledge the reality. Most parents are busy juggling a budget, end-of-the-year work, a schedule that includes more parties and school events than the rest of…
February 4, 2020 It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is certainly in the air as we continue to ease into this Roaring 20s of a decade … again! We have so much Valentine’s Day content on the site, I thought I’d make it easier on you by curating the best of the best. Gift Ideas…
December 6, 2013 Last December I glanced into my daughter’s dance teacher’s room and wondered what she would do with all those chocolate holiday goodies piled high from her students. The same thing with her classroom teacher and the endless boxed chocolates and platters of homemade cookies. While desserts and treats are nice, and definitely…
November 14, 2013 Over the last few years, people have become more interested in learning how to save money. Times have been tough and everyone seems to be reevaluating the importance of material things. Still, it’s understandable that most of us still want to be festive during the holiday season while simultaneously hoping we can…
February 12, 2014 Valentine’s Day rolls around every February and, with it, comes the pressure to produce a day filled with romance that your partner will remember and cherish forever. Of course, most people try and fail miserably but it’s the thought that counts, right? The holiday can be especially difficult for those who are…
April 10, 2014 It’s almost time for Passover, or Pesach, which is a beautiful Jewish holiday commemorating their freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The eight-day festival is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan – which falls on April 14th through…
April 15, 2014 It’s almost Easter (can you believe it!?) which means it’s time for a fun holiday filled with pastel colors, arts and crafts and a great opportunity for the family together and celebrate the special occasion. If you’re in need of tips for dyeing eggs or want a fun Easter game to pass…
May 9, 2014 Mother’s Day is this Sunday and, honestly, it feels like 2014 has been racing by. If this special occasion snuck up on you, you are not alone. Letting the day pass without any sort of commemoration will make everyone feel terrible, but what can you do when you have two days to come…
June 9, 2014 Within this nation and around the world, America is known for its Stars and Stripes. The flag is a huge part of our culture as it is used for so many things and can invoke a sense of identity, hope and community. It is fitting, therefore, that we have a day each…
July 2, 2014 The Fourth of July weekend is arguably one of the most fun occasions of the year. There are so many great specials to watch on television, tasty recipes to try, crafts to make and gatherings to attend during the festivities. While it’s wonderful to feel carefree and euphoric, it’s also important to…
July 23, 2014 I love cheesecake, it’s one of my favorite desserts. Whether it’s cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries, or a slice flavored with cookie bits and topped with chocolate curls, I could eat cheesecake every day! Apparently a lot of other people agree, as there is an unofficial holiday in celebration of cheesecake. July 30th is National Cheesecake…
September 26, 2019 Halloween will be here before you know if and most of us will have a pumpkin of some sort to help us celebrate the day. If you plan on having a real pumpkin rather than a plastic pumpkin, you might consider what to do with it once Halloween is over. The first…
August 18, 2014 You may not know this but, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared August 21st National Senior Citizens Day. This important occasion is, unfortunately, rarely recognized but we can do more to increase its visibility. We would not be here without our elders and they deserve to be celebrated, respected and remembered. A…
October 20, 2014 Halloween, the season of fright, is the perfect time for a well-timed prank. Creative people manage to pull off hysterical tricks involving their friends or unfortunate bystanders. Lucky for our funny bones, the reactions are sometime caught on tape! Here a compilation of fun pranks off the web. This guy got very…
November 3, 2014 This weekend saw the celebration of the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. We might recognize a few of the popular symbols or associate it with Halloween, But this festival developed from a history and a celebration very different from the Celtic origins of Halloween. Here are 10…
November 17, 2014 I’m sure you already have your turkey purchased and your recipes all planned for Thanksgiving next week. But before you take the kitchen by storm, why not learn a few (or 10) random facts about the holiday?!? 1. It wasn’t just the colonists who created this holiday. Both the Pilgrims and the…