more about: holidays

The Anti-Stress Holiday Vow

A few years back I made, with my husband, perhaps my best new year’s resolution ever:  that I would no longer say “I’m so tired.”  Really, with three kids, constant Sisyphean house projects, a full-time job, and lots of self-generated internal anxiety (am I the only woman in the world who wakes up at 5:35 a.m. and cannot fall back […]

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Hanukkah Begins Tomorrow, So Make Jelly Doughnuts

Hanukkah—the Jewish festival of lights—begins on Saturday, December 8 after sunset, and I can’t wait. There’s nothing I love more than the simple ritual of lighting the Menorah and singing the Hanukkah blessings. Oh wait, there is one thing I love more: Eating Hanukkah jelly doughnuts—also known as sufganiyot! I usually buy my jelly doughnuts (both Tal Bagels and the […]

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The Perfect Apple Cider from HuffPo Taste

This past weekend I attended a one year-old birthday celebration where the hostess, and my dear friend, served hot apple cider (spiked for the adults). It was the perfect cocktail to celebrate such a special occassion, plus kick off the holiday season. Our friends at HuffPo Taste have an apple cider and spiced rum recipe that caught my attention. It requires early planning but promises a great outcome. See […]

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Tight Holiday Budget? Try Homemade Gifts

With news about going over the fiscal cliff dominating the headlines and e-mails proclaiming “Sale extended!” popping up in my inbox, I wasn’t too surprised to hear that the majority of consumers are cutting back on their holiday spending. A recent poll hosted by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling found that half of shoppers plan to spend less this year […]

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Creative DIY Place Cards

Looking for a way to spruce up your holiday table? Trade traditional, handwritten place cards for baby photos—the more embarrassing the better!

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An Ornament to Commemorate Your New Home

Yes, another DIY ornament for your tree this year. I think there’s something special about having ornaments to commemorate the major events in your life—new babies, new homes, first Christmases of all kinds. And I love this simple key print idea for making a first-Christmas-in-a-new-house ornament from In the Little Yellow House. It’s as easy as getting a clay you bake […]

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How to Ice a Holiday Cookie—Perfectly

Cookie decorating season is officially in gear (and thanks to the Real Simple food department, I have an arsenal of supplies—miniature Menorahs, blue and silver sprinkles, icing galore—waiting in my kitchen). To make your iced sugar cookies look like they came from a professional bakery—that is, smooth, even and fully covered—just follow this advice: First, outline the cookie using a bottle […]

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Adorable Picks for Kids from In Style

Our colleagues over at InStyle.com have come up with a great gift guide for those special kiddos in your life. This is my first holiday season with our baby and my husband and I go back-and-forth on gifts or no gifts since he’s still so young. But, the gift-giving new mom in me would  love to have a few presents […]

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It’s Time to Buy: Christmas Morning Pajamas

Did you know that November is the best time to buy new PJs and slippers? Well, it is. Because retailers know that pajamas and slippers make great holiday gifts, and thus use discounts on these items to lure shoppers with well-priced sets. So, if you have a tradition of getting new pajamas for Christmas Eve/Christmas morning, now is the time […]

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How to Fake the Scent of a Christmas Tree

An artificial tree not only keeps your home free from messy pine needles, but it’s also the ideal solution for allergy sufferers and people with pets. Unfortunately, artificial trees don’t provide the nostalgia from the yuletide aroma. And who doesn’t love the smell of Christmas?

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