christmas

Here we are a week before Halloween (yes, HALLOWEEN!), and I'm already fielding requests from relatives: What should we get the kids for Christmas? Are you coming over on Thanksgiving? Can you tell me which Barbie is the right Barbie? What size turkey should we get? Are they too ...read more

Are you ready for some holiday cheer? Yep, we all need more happy endings. Today, Netflix is merry to announce and debut holiday series and film release dates, first look images, posters, trailers. It's time to tap into seasonal joy with these NEW Netflix holiday titles. Related: ...read more

Nothing says the season of joy is here like spending time in the kitchen with family. Last week I took on a Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie playdate. While the girls amused themselves with coloring, I whipped up my grandmother's sugar cookie recipe. It's the perfect way to ...read more

'Tis the season to be cooking and cleaning and wrapping and baking and coming and going and stressing. The holidays are hectic. And if your calendar looks anything like mine, you have school concerts and Cub Scouts caroling and cookie swaps and preschool playdates this week ...read more

The holidays are a time when lots of families reconnect and celebrate seasonal traditions. For families with a loved one in the hospital, however, it can be an especially difficult time, often compounded by extra responsibility, exhaustion, and isolation. If you know a family ...read more

I grew up with a fake Christmas tree. We'd lug it up from the basement--branch by  dilapidated branch--every year after Thanksgiving. It wasn't until my husband and I moved into our own house in the 'burbs that we decided to get ourselves a real, live tree.  Three years ago, we ...read more

A record-breaking 112.5 million people – more than a third of all Americans - are expected to travel this holiday season, including 102 million who will take their trips by car. Nothing ruins a long-awaited vacation faster than getting sick or being in medical distress. We ...read more

Tis the season to be spending. It can be hard to get a handle on finances when you're feeling festive and frivolous--take it from a reformed over-shopper. But it's so important to rein in your budget and make a plan to keep more money in your wallet (and the bank!). Here a few ...read more

Tis the season for toys and trinkets and gadgets and games galore. The kids have made their (lengthy!) wish lists, but they're not the only ones meticulously dotting their i's and crossing their t's. No, Santa is hard at work, too--so we're pitching in to help by sharing nine of ...read more

Grandparents are special people. They love and nurture and babysit and bake and lend and help in any and every way they can. We may be grown up, but we'll always be their babies--so they happy do for us and ask for little in return (well, you know, besides a crew of grandkids.) ...read more

All Mom wants this holiday season is a silent night--and maybe a big cup of cheer (read: coffee/wine). The merry month of December is almost upon us, and Mama's wants and whims often go on the back burner. There are little ones to shop for, parties to host, crafts to make, and ...read more

Tis the season to curl up and cuddle with your cuties and enjoy some seriously deserved down time. The holidays are hectic, and y'all deserve a quiet break, a sweet snuggle, and some holly-jolly magical family moments. This weekend will inevitably be stressful leading up to the ...read more

Tis the season to curl up on the couch with a holiday movie or two. Invite the girls  over (or gather your kiddos), pour some wine (or hot chocolate), and nibble on Santa's cookie stash. (We won't tell.) In the spirit of the season, we've rounded up our favorite chick flicks to ...read more

My little guy has an important Kindergarten assignment due next week. He has to sing a song, write a story, create a poster, or make a video (slash I need to edit a video) about his favorite holiday or winter tradition.  Of course, my jolly mini man didn't even have to think ...read more

Decorating a gingerbread house is one of my children's favorite holiday traditions. I, on the other hand, have never been a huge fan. First, there's all the sugar and candy and frosting and dye. Then there's the fact that the traditional kits are nearly impossible to complete. ...read more

Tis the season to be shopping and spending and stuffing and gifting…. Alas, Mama (AKA Mrs. Claus) doesn’t have the time to run here, there, and everywhere on a crazy Christmas quest to find all the perfect pint-size presents for her crew of impish elves. Indeed, this lady ...read more

The holiday entertaining season is officially in full swing. Parties, fundraisers, and shindigs abound!  I'm hosting an intimate holiday dinner at my home this weekend, and trying not to sweat the details. Good food, great wine, and fabulous company: that's the recipe for a ...read more

I love holiday cooking and crafting and baking and decorating... But one thing I absolutely abhor: holiday gift wrapping! It can be painstaking work making all those presents and packages look pretty and perfect. And, if I'm being totally honest, this mama is not naturally ...read more