I'm of Norwegian extraction, but the closest I've come to "The North" is Norway, Kansas, where my mom grew up. I dream of seeing the moss, fjords, and aurora borealis for myself, and I got a tiny bit closer two years ago, when I was given the gift of A Norwegian Christmas.. More

For better or for worse, if you've experienced any significant life changes recently, the holidays can amplify those shifts. While returning to traditions can be one of the most comforting parts of celebrating a holiday, adopting and adapting to new ones can be a positive way to adjust to fluctuations in our individual lives and family structure.

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Are you behind in your decorating this year? This is a definitive look at holiday mantels, in every style of decor possible, from organic to modern to rustic to simple to industrial. You get the idea. Hopefully it provides inspiration (and holiday cheer!) as you do your (late) holiday decorating.
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Usually, when making a holiday garland out of string and adding elements such as beads or popcorn, the focus is not on the string. This simple holiday DIY project turns the traditional garland on its head by placing the emphasis on the color of the string. The addition of simple wooden beads makes for a playful aesthetic juxtaposition. More

It's always a struggle trying to balance work and home life — but when the busiest time of the work year also happens to be the holidays — it can be nearly impossible. Not only do I still have shopping to finish, but I also don't have a single decoration up. Knowing I won't get any real free time to just a few days before Christmas, I've decided I'm going to keep it simple and inexpensive. Of all the creative christmas tree alternatives I've seen, the branch idea might be just what I'm looking for. More

Decorating for the holidays can take on a life of its own. These days, it seems completely rearranging and redecorating your home during the holiday season is standard practice. But come January, it's time for everything to go. Why not appoint your house in such a way that will carry you through the Winter? More

The Holidays provide us with an excellent opportunity to show those close to us just how important they are. Remember, a present shouldn't be about how much you spend, but is a well-thought representation of how much we know and the memories shared with one another. It's believed that technology has created a cold rift between ourselves and everyone around us but we believe that these six apps beg to differ. Smartphones can make purchasing gifts from the heart a seamless affair without detracting from the human element. More

Winter wreath season is in full swing, and while we've featured many DIY wreaths of all kinds on Apartment Therapy, sometimes less is more. More

When it comes to little kids asking for silly, impossible, and/or utterly confounding things for Christmas, I say, "Bring it on!," probably because my parents have always been down for attempting to fulfill off-the-wall gift requests. One year they even snuck downstairs early to cook the hamburger I'd asked Santa for… More

After unwrapping all the presents, when everything gets a little chaotic, it's reassuring to see our over-stimulated kids run outside to work out that anxious energy. When it's time to upgrade our winter outdoor toys, the Holidays are a great opportunity to bring in these new additions.

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