6 Ways to Less Stress During the Holidays

Written by Starla, Contributing Writer The holiday season often brings along with it unwanted stress.  Christmas parties, holiday shopping, cooking, cleaning, entertaining, children Christmas play practices, extended time with family, limited funds and everything else wrapped around the holidays may cause unwanted stress. However, following the tips below may help us manage this stress and keep our holidays joyful. 6 Ways to Less Stress During the Holidays: #1 Plan ahead Do … [Read more...]

Sticky Christmas Trees :: An Easy Preschool Holiday Craft

Written by Lisa, Contributing Writer  I'm not the kind of mom who does elaborate crafts with her kids. Projects that require preparation a day or two in advance are rare for me. (This has more to do with my personality type than the worth of elaborate crafts!)  That's not to say that I don't love doing creative projects with my kids, though. We sew together, paint together, and just generally create together. But our art times are more spur-of-the-moment ideas. So, I … [Read more...]

Christmas Wreath Card Display

Written by Kari, Contributing Writer I know there are hundreds of ways to display those beautiful Christmas cards we get each year. I’ve done most of them over the course of my beautiful life. Everything form hanging them from decorative ribbon to placing them in a crystal bowl. A couple years ago I was reading Living Magazine and found a quick and inexpensive way to display cards. I needed a change and this was perfect. A simple wooden wreath. Well, more like an embroidery hoop with … [Read more...]

Thankfully Giving

Written by KT @ One Organic Mama, Contributing Writer Each year, our home fills with the kind gifts that those who love my children.  I am so grateful for all of the wonderful and loving people in my life who surround them with fun stuff!  Instagramed pictures of giant piles of gifts fill my phone and long lists to santa fill my facebook page.  However, as the world becomes smaller with the internet, I find it harder and harder to create a list of things my kids or I "need" … [Read more...]

2015 Year in Review {Free Printable}

When it comes to Christmas traditions, one of my favorites is the annual Christmas letter. I know some people dread these, but I LOVE them!   I've done several different things, including a Madlib, top 10 things of the year, and more but my favorites these past few years are "Year in Review" letters.  Last year I created this one:  This year I followed the same type of template but added a few things.      I keep our letters in a special … [Read more...]

DIY Crocheted Wreath Ornament/Gift Tag

Written by Karen @To Work With My Hands, Contributing Writer When I was pregnant with our second son, I had a lot of time on my hands. Our oldest son was in public school at the time, my husband was at work, and I was home alone all day. When the Christmas season arrived that year, I was in the midst of the second trimester - past the yucky first, and not yet into the bulky last. I finally felt better and was eager to get my hands into something. It was during those few weeks between … [Read more...]

Five Gift Christmas {Plus a Free Printable}

This is a new tradition we are starting this year. Over the years we have spent too much money and too much time late at night, the night before Christmas Eve or Christmas wrapping numerous gifts. It's not like all of them were toys; items often included lots of things like clothes, socks, underwear or others but I feel like it was getting in the way of what the season is really all about. Plus the regular ole items (undies, socks, etc.) our children need anyhow could just … [Read more...]

Coming Soon… 12 Days of Christmas 2015

Guess what?? It’s almost that time of year again for the annual 12 Days of Christmas! This year is quite busy as we are expecting baby #4 at the end of this year or beginning of next year. I hope your gearing up for all the Christmas music, festivities AND I can’t wait for you to learn about some awesome businesses & products in this year's12 Days of Christmas and get a chance to WIN the products. Woot! This year I have some wonderful businesses participating with products … [Read more...]

Tips For Eating Healthy During The Holidays

Written by Kari @ Kari Newsom Contributing Writer  It’s that time of year again. As a Health and Nutrition Coach, I always have people ask me for some tips on how to successfully celebrate special occasions without completely going off the deep end when it comes time to eat. The first and most important thing I always tell people is this: ENJOY THE CELEBRATION!!! All to often we try so hard to do ‘the right thing’ about the whole ‘eating during the holiday’ issue, that we actually … [Read more...]

Spiced Pumpkin Pie with Flaky Pastry Crust

Written by Kari @ KariNewsom.com, Contributing Writer Autumn is officially here! At least in Colorado! We are having beautiful and warm days (high 70's to low 80's), but the nights are cool and crisp! Leaves are turning bright yellow, orange and red - and the morning has brought a slight haze these past few days. Typically I am more of a warm-weather person. I'm all about the sun, flip flops and being outside. That being said, I'm still a Colorado girl at heart. I like to get bundled up in … [Read more...]