It’s that time of year again. Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas. Wait. Isn’t it ALWAYS that time of year on the Hallmark channel? I mean, aren’t they always showing Christmas movies and counting down to Christmas starting in, oh, January? No matter. I actually enjoy the sugary sweetness of their holiday movies. But they fill me [Read More]
How to Savor the Holiday Season at Home
This year the holiday season may look different. Masks and social distancing have put a damper on the usual gatherings at schools and in our communities. My own kids are sad that holiday concerts and our town’s parade have been canceled. But there’s no need to be filled with despair. After all, it is still [Read More]
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The Christmas Breaking Point
“Do you think he’ll like it? I’m really worried he won’t’ like it,” my twelve-year-old daughter asked me from the doorway. I jumped from where I was sitting in front of our family computer. I closed down a window where I had been tracking a gift for her. It was shipped late, and wouldn’t make [Read More]
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Give Your Teen the Gift of an Experience This Holiday Season
Did you watch Gilligan’s Island growing up like I did? Then you’ll remember Thurston Howell the Third and his wife, Lovey. I was channeling my inner Thurston and Lovey last year when I wrote this holiday post below for Your Teen for Parents. That’s because the site wanted a list of experiences that you can [Read More]
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A Wedding, Two Birthdays, and the Holidays
Whew! That was a busy month. I know that for most of us, December can be both a joy and a giant hassle (sorry, not sorry, Christmas). Our family chucks in 2 out of 4 birthdays in December, too. Which has made me really good at throwing birthday parties during the holidays. It has also [Read More]
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Christmas Movies That Aren’t Really Christmas Movies
It’s time to talk about my favorite Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas movies. What do I mean by that? Well, there are movies like Home Alone and A Christmas Story that are unabashedly about Christmas. Just like every movie on the Hallmark Channel from, oh, July to December 31. And then there are movies [Read More]
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What to Give Teens for the Holidays
“What does he want for Christmas?” my mother asked. “All he wants is money,” I replied about my son, 15. Grandma would not be deterred, however. Surely I could give her gift ideas besides cold, hard cash? Our conversation motivated me to think up the suggestions below. Many of you may look at it hoping [Read More]
