Holidays
20 Meaningful Christmas Gifts That Don’t Break The Bank
As your focus turns towards the upcoming holiday season, commit to giving with more intentionality, gifts that truly do celebrate the person receiving the gifts. It is the thought that counts. Put thought into your gift-giving and you will win every time! Time. Yes, that’s right- the gift of time. Set up a coffee date,…
Read MoreNon-Candy Trick-or-Treat Options
As we approach Halloween this topic is coming up more and more. Many parents are looking for alternatives; some for the Teal Pumpkin Project (offering alternatives, for children who have food allergies), and some are just tired of the unhealthy excess of refined sweeteners and food dyes. As an environmentalist, I am bothered by the amount of plastic…
Read MoreReclaim Your Life: How To Redirect Excess Gifting
This year has definitely been an eye opening year for me. I discovered that most parents are overwhelmed with the amount of toys children have and receive for gifts. And many long for extended family members to understand and adjust their giving. In our culture, there is this idea that in order to show children…
Read MoreA Clutter-Free Easter Celebration
We don’t do Easter Baskets. I know that some people may be bothered by that, but guess who isn’t: Our children. That’s right! So, if you are reading this as a young parent and you don’t have massive gift-giving traditions in place, take some advice: don’t start them. The easiest thing as a new parent…
Read More10 Family Fun Ideas For Valentine's Day
I love Valentine’s day! In my mind Valentine’s Day isn’t about gifts, though I do love getting flowers and chocolates, for me, Valentine’s has always been about specialness. I don’t want to do “typical” things on Valentine’s Day, fighting the crowds, making reservations weeks (or months!) in advance, so we try to get creative with how we…
Read MoreA Minimalist’s Approach to Christmas Dinner
Growing up with a Swedish heritage, we had a smorgasbord on Christmas Eve with my mom’s side of the family. If you don’t know what a smorgasbord looks like, it’s basically finger foods- cold meat, sausages, cheese, canned sardines, oysters, clams, vegetable trays and it would always end with the traditional lutefisk and rice pudding. I love…
Read MoreGift Giving Isn't About the Giver
In our culture there is this idea that in order to show children our love, we must give toys in abundance. But why? Why do we feel that it is necessary to give so much? Or even that it is our right to spoil? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for giving gifts. I, myself, LOVE…
Read MoreHow to Have a Special Christmas Day Without Gifts
A reader asks: Thinking about Christmas this year and I’m trying to minimize as much as possible. Growing up, christmas was spent in a pile of presents. Since my kids won’t necessarily have that, do you have suggestions of traditions and activities for Christmas Day that will make memories and help us to not miss…
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