Winter

I wanted to share a fun and creative list of things to do with your kids and family before Christmas. Each year we try something new. Set some time aside for the last two weeks before Christmas and try out these 10 Christmas family time ideas. I am sure you will love these fun Christmas crafts, holiday ideas, and Christmas recipes for celebrating the season. You will score some big points with your kids in the process for being present with them as a parent during such a busy season.

Santa's sleigh just got a little sweeter. Spend time getting ready for the season by making these Sleigh Treats™. They are a fun snack that the kids can help make and that everyone can enjoy!

Does the thought of hosting a holiday party sound fun but a little exhausting? This year, instead of hosting the same old party, organize a progressive party. Team up with two or three other neighbors and host your holiday party together. Choose a date, combine guests lists, and plan the party menu. You’ll save money, make new friends, and have more fun.

I love giving cookies and other goodies at Christmas. The little boxes, jars and bags make my friends and family smile and it’s an inexpensive way for me to spread a bit of holiday cheer!

Here are five great ways to gift wrap your Christmas sweets.

Cold weather is almost here, and it's a time for snowflakes, mittens, sleds, hot cocoa and of course, snowmen! This simple Iced Snowman Cookie recipe is easy to make and will be the highlight of any party or a delightful project to make with your child for an afternoon snack.

The best present you can give this holiday season is spending time together with family, friends and all those you love. We've collected some of our favorite seasonal recipes here to help you celebrate together, plus 10 holiday tips to help make every get-together a time to remember.

We are seeing a lot of snowmen popping up this wintry season. While we love to create snowmen out of snow outside, here’s a yummy Rice Krispies Snowman Treat we’re making as we come inside from the cold.

When stores begin playing Christmas carols the day after Thanksgiving, I get as worked up as my children. I can’t help myself. I love the holiday season. I love to decorate our tree and fill our house with the smell of Douglas Fir. I love an excuse to gather with friends in festive clothes, drinking eggnog and singing Christmas carols. I even love the frenetic shopping, the angst of finding just the right present for each child. I love everything about the holiday season except the stress of cramming too many activities in such a short time.

I love the Holidays, but there is one word that comes to mind every time I think of the holidays and that is “excess”. It is okay to give in to the “excess”, since this time only comes around once a year. However, it is not okay to pay all year for your holiday spending.

Hosting a cookie swap does require a little of preparation, but is definitely worth the effort to create a memorable event that benefits everyone. I wanted to showcase a few frugal and creative ideas for making your Christmas cookie swap special this year!

During those long winter months when the wind is howling and the snow is blowing, I have a secret weapon in my fridge at all times to keep my family going. It's nothing covert or high tech. It's actually rather old school. My secret weapon is a big vat of roasted vegetable soup. There's nothing like a warm bowl of soup with nutrients and vitamins on a cold winter day.

My fondest holiday memories are gatherings at my grandparents’ house to impatiently wait all day for the roasting pig to finish cooking. The smells coming from my grandmother’s kitchen were heavenly: black beans, white rice, boiled yucca, and homemade flan! Yum!! But all those foods took so much time to cook, and even longer to prepare.