It’s that time of year when you put up the tree, decorate it in a fun way, and place small gifts under it. As my children huddle around the fireplace on Christmas morning, I can’t help but feel the warmth of their smiles and the joy that fills the room. However, before the big day, there is a tradition in our house where we give our children cool advent calendars. Whether you have a tween girl or big kids, advent calendars are a fantastic way to start the countdown from December 1st to Christmas Eve. You can purchase a refillable advent calendar from a nearby store or make one at home. My children aren’t big fans of the sweet treats found in store-bought advent calendars, so every year, I like to make my fun calendar at home with little boxes filled with daily surprises.  Making an advent calendar at home…

If you have a toddler, you know that there are way too many things out there to consider getting as a gift around Christmas time!  While your child tells Santa at the mall what toy they want, you might be wondering what extra special thing is out there that you could surprise them with that they wouldn’t have even considered asking for.  Here are a few suggestions that could change everything in your search! Check out this delightful Xmas Gift Guide for Toddlers and surprise your favorite little one in a big way! 3D Lighted DIY Felt Tree Toy Set A felt Christmas tree for toddlers?  Yes, please!  This little Xmas tree is the perfect size for toddlers to decorate so they won’t be tempted to touch the adult Christmas tree.  It is lightweight so it is both easy to move around and safe for your toddler to be…

So you want to shop for gifts for your friend who recently became a new dad and Christmas is right around the corner.  A gift card seems too basic, but you don’t feel like knitting a pair of Mandalorian socks all by yourself.  It can’t just be a generic box of chocolates, because where’s the holiday magic in that?  You want this gift to be special, useful, or perhaps even funny.  You are looking for a gift that will stand out from the rest of the wrapping paper tossed across the living room floor.  What do you get for someone during such a unique milestone of their life, especially when it is the most wonderful time of the year?  Below are some generally well-rounded gift ideas put into this handy Christmas Gift Guide for New Dads so you can approach this shopping dilemma from a variety of angles.  If you’re…

Are you looking for some of the cutest Halloween cookies for this year’s upcoming Halloween festivities? These must-try Halloween cookies are fun, cute, and will be gobbled up in no time. Halloween is such a fun time for both adults and kids. It is fun to dress up, go trick-or-treating, and participate in all of the spooky activities offered. A fun Halloween activity would be getting everyone in the family to make their favorite spooky cookies! If you are looking to serve up some of the cutest Halloween cookies, these fun and not so frightful cookies will make the perfect addition to any party! Halloween Mummy Oreo Pops Super cute, these fun Halloween-themed Oreo pops are decorated to look like cute mummies. Halloween Peanut Butter Cookie Cups These cute cookie cups start with homemade cookie dough and are topped with your favorite candy to look like Halloween spiders, mummies, or…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..when the kids are going to get a million and one toys from friends and family and the parents are going to have to figure out where to put them!  So what are you to do for all of those nieces and nephews who are eagerly awaiting their gifts?  The answer is simple….get them something they will enjoy but is not a toy!  While you might be wondering what in the world that would involve, there’s no need to wonder!  We have several suggestions for gifts that will thrill the kids and give their parents a sigh of relief! Blank Comic Book For Kids Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book Collection Many kids enjoy reading some enjoy writing and others enjoy both!  If there is one thing every kid has, it is imagination.  Encourage this by gifting books on their reading level.  Obviously, you…

When it comes to purchasing gifts, especially around the holidays, it helps to know what the person’s interests and likes are.  What happens when you are trying to purchase a gift for a baby?  They cannot yet express themselves, and sometimes finding that perfect gift may seem a little difficult.  However, this is actually what makes babies quite easy to please in the gift department!  They are easily amused and fascinated by so many things. Everything in the world appears new and entertaining to them.  Most toys in department stores and, even online, have a suggested age range level.  Knowing the age of the baby you are trying to purchase is a good place to start.  Here are a few age-appropriate suggestions for the wee littles on your Christmas shopping list! Christmas Shopping for Infants Ages 0 to 3 Months When shopping for babies, one thing to keep in mind…

Independence Day is coming up soon. That special occasion when we gather with family and friends to celebrate America’s independence and freedom while filling our faces with watermelons and juicy burgers off the grill. You don’t want to wait until crunch time to be planning your 4th of July cookout now do you? Who doesn’t love a cookout anyway? That is unless you have little ones. It’s always a challenge to find a good way to keep younger kids entertained at a cookout. That’s why we’ve got a few ideas for you that will make this 4th of July a bit more enjoyable for you and your little ones. Plan Ahead for Any Kind of Weather Your family is gathered, the adults are catching up while the cousins run and play and you’re ready to fire up the grill!  Having an adult or a couple of teenagers designated to watch…