Newsletters

Holidays

Explore:
8 TED Talks That Will Help You Get Through the Holidays
Are you prepared for the holidays? For traffic jams, holiday travel, potlucks, screaming kids, wrapping gifts, nosy family members? Take some to watch a handful of these TED talks on subjects like listening, happiness, mindfulness and more…they just might help you keep things in perspective, save your sanity and perhaps even survive the holidays this year.
Adrienne Breaux
Nov 23, 2015
Things to Do on Thanksgiving Instead of Having a Big Dinner
When it comes to Thanksgiving, the meal is the main event. It sometimes seems as though the entire point of the holiday is to eat a massive, rich dinner before retiring to the sofa for a nap. But what if you don’t have the room to host a big dinner, don’t want to bother with all that cooking, or it just plain doesn’t jive with your schedule? Here are a few ideas for Thanksgiving Day that don’t involve a turkey. 1.
Eleanor Büsing
Nov 2, 2015
How To Be the Best Trick-or-Treating House on the Block
Do you love Halloween? There’s the slight chill in the air, candy, fall treats and fun decor. But perhaps the best part of Halloween is getting to see all the creative costumes! If you plan on staying close to home this Halloween holiday and want to be the best trick-or-treating house on the block, considering doing these five things.
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 25, 2015
8 Things You Need for a Successful Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party
The Halloween holiday inches ever more closely, and you might be looking for a way to supercharge the season with a classic activity that’s fun for all ages. Here are eight things you’ll want to have on hand to throw a great and successful Halloween pumpkin carving party. Carve pumpkins too early (and don’t do any tricks to make them last longer), and you’ll have rotted, deflated pumpkins by the time the big trick-or-treating night comes around.
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 19, 2015
Low-Temperature Luxuries: Winter Survival Gift Ideas
Here in the land of the Polar Vortex, the hot gift on everyone’s list is a remote car starter. Is there anything more luxurious than getting into a pre-warmed car? Here are some luxuries large and small that will get you through the winter: If you know someone who’s shivering away the winter, warm their heart with one of these gifts— things they probably would never buy for themselves. And if someone asks what you’d like this holiday, just point a chilly finger this way.
Tess Wilson
Dec 4, 2014
9 Holiday Hosting Mistakes You Might Not Even Know You’re Making
So you’re having a holiday party, and you want it to be perfect. Take a look at this list — and make sure to avoid these nine mistakes that even the most well-intentioned hosts and hostesses make. Don’t expect that your guests will know to help themselves to the beer in the fridge, or that they’ll be able to find those cookies tucked away in the back of the kitchen.
Nancy Mitchell
Dec 2, 2014
How Often Should You Replace Your Christmas Lights?
Nothing lasts forever. While it’s pretty easy to determine the shelf life of, say, Thanksgiving leftovers, it’s tougher to know when your seasonal decor has gone bad. Holiday lights, like a lot of things in your home, require maintenance and regular replacement. Do you know the life span of your lights? Incandescent bulbs should be replaced every 4-6 years. LED lights last a bit longer, for 7-10 years. Of course, these numbers are just a guideline.
Taryn Williford
Dec 1, 2014
Put This In Your Holiday Hosting Arsenal: An Emergency Cleanup Kit
It’s hosting season and you know what that means: your home will soon be getting a workout. Be it parties or houseguests, lots of traffic means lots of messes. Since you know spills are inevitable, do yourself a favor this year and put together an emergency cleaning kit so you’ll be prepared to act fast when someone slips up. Having this quick kit on hand has two benefits.
Jennifer Hunter
Nov 12, 2014
10 Totally Unique, Stylish & Steal-Worthy Halloween Decorating Ideas
Blogger and DIY crafter Jennifer Perkins is no stranger to styling her home with a collection of unique tchotchkes and vintage finds; her first house tour showed off her love of mid-century modern kitsch and DIY style. She’s back with a new house, this time showing off a home full of fun Halloween decor ideas.
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 14, 2014
Easy & Cheap St. Patrick’s Day Crafts You Can Make Before the Weekend
Whether you’re throwing an impromptu party or just trying to avoid getting pinched, it’s not too late to get a little green. Try out one of these easy crafts that celebrates St. Patrick’s day and decorate your table, mantel, patio, or yourself with some Irish spirit. TOP ROW: 1. Tunnel Fringe Garland | Julep from Minted 2. Clay Pot Planters | The Merrythought 3. Crepe Paper Shamrock Streamers | Studio DIY 4. St. Patrick’s Day Confetti Poppers | Haute Chocolate 5.
Taryn Williford
Mar 12, 2014
Weigh In: When Do You Take Down the Christmas Tree?
I’ve never been exactly clear on when one is supposed to take down a Christmas tree. There’s a fine line between keeping the festivity going as long as possible, and trying to sell the Christmas tree as a Valentine’s Day decoration. Some of my friends take their trees down on December 26 exactly, but that’s way too early for me. Christmas isn’t over until one has finished buying all the other presents one wanted and did not receive.
Elizabeth Licata
Jan 16, 2014
30 Homemade Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas
Go homemade! Not only can you get exactly the look you want, but it makes gift giving more personal. Here are thirty fabulous homemade holiday gift wrap ideas to make the people on your holiday list feel extra special without breaking the bank. 1. Foil Baking Gift Wrap: Hey Look 2. Raid Your Craft Stash Gift Wrap: A Lovely Lark 3. Polka Dot & Yarn Gift Wrap: Cotton & Flax 4. Neon Bow Gift Wrap: How About Orange 5. Pom Pom Gift Wrap: Katie’s Pencil Box 6.
Lauren Hufnagl
Dec 10, 2013
Enjoy the Holidays at Home: 9 Things to Do Around the House Just for Fun
‘Tis the season of good cheer, twinkling lights, family and friends. ‘Tis also the season of packed shopping centres, endless parties, and, strangely but almost invariably, a million professional deadlines. Look, I like December as much as the next person– it’s fun and festive and all that, but no one ever said it was easy.
Eleanor Büsing
Dec 10, 2013
Holiday Inspiration: Book Christmas Trees
The talented ladies at my local public library created a few charming book trees out of a seldom-used set of reference books, a string of lights, and an old, unreadable book. Perhaps you have similar supplies around the house? Your collection of Babysitters’ Club book would make a perky, pastel tree, while the complete works of James Patterson would create a huge and darkly dramatic tree, full of ominous titles such as 1st To Die and Cross Fire.
Tess Wilson
Dec 10, 2013
Countdown to Christmas: 15 Advent Calendars for Every Budget
One year I want to make an advent calendar that my family can use for years to come. This is not that year. But using an advent calendar is a tradition I loved as a child and want to share with my children. Here are 15 of my favorites for sale this year: advent calendars in a variety of sizes, styles, and budgets to suit any home. Each day remove a piece of the vignette from the numbered presents and add it to the fireplace scene.
Carrie McBride
Nov 15, 2013
The One Thing Your Holiday Houseguests Won’t Tell You
I’ve been a houseguest before, and there are plenty of things I have wanted to ask of my host that went unspoken in the spirit of gratefulness and generally trying not to be a pain in the chateau. I do want to get invited back, after all. But I’ve also been on the other side of the coin, and I know that any generous host wants their visitors to be happy and comfortable. Here’s the most important thing your guests won’t tell you. Your home is too cold, or maybe too hot.
Taryn Williford
Nov 11, 2013
Easter Egg Hunt: Finding DIY Plastic Egg Alternatives
We love having an Easter Egg hunt. It’s a tradition my mom kept alive well into my college years. No matter what the weather – even with snow on the ground – my brother, myself, and our parents went outside with our baskets and color-coded eggs. I still remember the year my mom hung a colorful bra – it was Easter-like, apparently – from a tree branch just for me!Continuing that tradition (okay, not the bra, probably) with my daughter is important.
Mari Richards
Mar 13, 2013
The Perfect Cocktail Party Playlist
Getting ready for a holiday cocktail party and thinking of putting the ole iPod on shuffle? The convenience may seem tempting, but take an hour and make a playlist instead. Cocktail parties are the time to break out the red lipstick, the fanciest drinks, the funniest stories, and the bounciest music. If you can make a playlist that will have your guests shimmying, singing, and flirting, then you’ve set the stage for a swinging night.
Julia Brenner
Dec 5, 2012
Strategies for (Very) Big Holiday Gatherings In a Small (ish) Home
One of the biggest challenges of small space living is entertaining. For a family of five, our 1700 sq ft house is more than enough on a daily basis, but add in twenty dinner guests, and we’re bursting at the seams. After a few years of failed attempts, this year I’ve discovered a happy style recipe for low-stress, large gathering entertaining.
Leah Moss
Nov 26, 2012
Vinegar Prevents Squirrels from Eating Jack-O-Lanterns
This is coming a day late, but we’ll be filing this away for next year: When we prepped our stoop for trick-or-treaters last night, we swept the stairs, turned on the lights, then went to light a candle in the jack-o-lantern. That’s when we noticed his face had been gnawed away – eyes, nose, and mouth – into one gigantic hole:Squirrels are relentless at this time of year as they prepare for the long, cold, and fruitless winter.
Regina Yunghans
Nov 1, 2011