Originals

Snap, crack(le?), pop! Nothing starts your holiday meal off on a brighter note than the help of the Christmas Cracker. Originally called cracker bonbons, these festive treats date back to the 1840s and are primarily found in the United Kingdom.

Nancy Bernstein is a mother at my son Lucas’ school. We have adored her daughter, Ruby, ever since she and Lucas first became kindergarten classmates. Early on, we had a great playdate to make these holiday cards for her fundraising effort, Call to Cure, to sell and raise funds for cancer research. The results make a

Once the holiday magic begins to fade and we are faced with the consequences of “blessings of indulgence,” we often turn to the mental safety of the New Year’s fitness resolution. As a fitness professional, this is the time of year when we see people naturally wanting to accomplish goals that are unrealistic for the time frame

Christmas is around the corner! Pat yourself on the back: The tree is trimmed with ornaments both old and new, the house is decorated, Christmas brunch and dinner are planned, and presents are on their way. But what happens on the big day once the eggnog French toast has been scarfed down and the gifts are unwrapped? Put that old wrapping paper and

At this point, the stage is totally set for your Christmas celebrations. Gifts have been wrapped and are under the tree, Christmas music is playing, appetizers are on the coffee table, and the kids are dressed in their holiday finery. But if you are suddenly invited to pop by a neighbor’s house for some holiday cheer and don’t want to arrive empty-handed, this mulling

It’s not the holidays until your great aunt’s unicorn-themed gift arrives on your doorstep. The problem is that you haven’t liked unicorns since the second grade, and she’s been sending these presents to you for the past 20 years. And thus begins the season of awkward gift giving. The holidays present a veritable minefield of

 I was thrilled to recently participate in creating an all-white, winter wonderland gingerbread house for Eleni’s Cookies, now being sold on Eleni’s website. 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to RxArt, a non-profit organization that transforms pediatric hospital facilities into comforting and engaging spaces through site-specific installations created by contemporary artists. When Eleni asked me to

Though it’s great to have a stash of those special, precious ornaments, inexpensive Christmas decorations are easy to make and add into your holiday décor. For example, the art that your child makes in school can be transformed into a meaningful DIY ornament with nothing more than a hole-punch and a bit of string. This year, we put some of our favorite quotes and poems

Baby, it’s cold outside! What better way to pass a bitterly chilly afternoon than by getting your holiday preparations underway with this idea for adorable DIY party decorations? Sweet to look at and even sweeter to eat, this “Marshmallow World in the Winter” is simple to put together. Once your guests have “oohed” and “aahed” over their

We’re guessing that the last thing you’ll be in the mood to do on Christmas morning is whip up a big breakfast for everyone. Chances are, however, you will be hungry. (Lugging the kids’ gifts up the basement stairs had you working up an appetite, and your kids, well, they’re always looking for something to eat.) Plus, it’s not