My kids start counting down to Christmas the day after Halloween. I know they’re not alone. Many of us have an eye on the calendar this time of year (some with glee and some with a nervous glance at the to-do list). A Christmas countdown calendar is a great way to give you and your…
I’m not stressing about the holidays this year. We’re planning to exchange some gifts, go for a hike, and eat a delicious dinner, but mostly we’re aiming for a relaxing day. Around now, I’m always thinking about where I want to put my attention in the new year, and this year I am zeroing in…
We were inspired by Tricia at Little Eco Footprints to make our own version of her “calm and creative” natural advent calendar, so last week we gathered leaves from around our neighborhood, numbered them, and strung them on a piece of twine. Tricia shares all sorts of wonderful “quick and simple activities” to do in…
The holiday season is here! Honestly, I’m excited. Having a four-year-old helps make this time of the year fun and wonder-filled. We used to buy and ship a lot of stuff around the country, and it was incredibly expensive and stressful. So for the past few years, we’ve been on a mission to make our…
Do the holidays bring you more anxiety than joy? Do verging political views, differing lifestyle choices, or rivalries make your family holiday gatherings feel like a bed of dry tinder ready to spark? You’re not alone. Last year 90 percent of participants in a nation-wide “Holiday Stress Index” survey said the holidays cause them stress…
“Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money.” ~Author Unknown By now, we’ve all probably seen and heard news stories like this: Holiday Season Gets Off to a Good Start It’s Going to Be a Merry Christmas for Retail Holiday Shopping Spree Good News for…