Search Results for: blog the christmas shopping challenge

Wednesday’s Weekly Challenge-Budget Shopping

I think this is the perfect challenge to finish up the year, and the month of December. After all, Christmas is over and we are probably all a little broke right? But, that doesn’t mean we have to stop scrapping! So this week, let’s think of ways that we can spend as little money as possible on a layout. But, the fun of this week’s challenge is that you still get to go shopping. Maybe you can score some great deals on those after Christmas sales!! The goal is to buy supplies, yet do it in a way that you … Continue reading →

Taking the Stress out of Christmas

Following on from ways to reduce stress on your marriage and family at Christmas, here are some more ideas. If you are planning on visiting parents, in-laws or siblings and have to travel a long way, leave yourself plenty of time. Don’t try and rush from one place to the other. This only leads to stress and accidents. Try and amuse the children on long road trips. Sing songs, talk – children often open up a lot while someone is driving, play I spy, read a book together and talk about it, let them play games or listen to music. … Continue reading →

Ways to Reduce Stress on Your Marriage at Christmas

Yesterday I looked at some of the pressure on couples during the Christmas season and a couple of suggestions for easing the tension. Here are some other suggestions you might want to consider implementing. Don’t go overboard with gifts. Some people are generous by nature and love to give gifts. I admit I’m a person who loves to buy presents for those I love, so this is something I have to watch. But it can backfire and have a negative effect. The problem with going overboard is twofold. Firstly, it is not helpful if you spend more than you can … Continue reading →

The Christmas Shopping Challenge

My husband isn’t the type of person who likes stuff. He has books and he has some classical music CDs, but his wants are few, and this makes shopping for him very tricky. I love him and would enjoy piling presents under the tree for him, but what do you give someone who doesn’t want anything? When asked, he’ll say things like, “I have you. What more could I want?” While that’s really terribly romantic, and he gets major husband points for that, it doesn’t help when it comes to celebrating the holidays. If you’ve got a person like this … Continue reading →

Three Days ‘til Christmas

Yay! It’s almost time to open presents! I can’t wait to see my kids’ faces when they open their stuff. Until then, there are a few other things I could be doing. I hope things are clicking right along at your house. So far, so good here, but I do still have some stuff to take care of. Today is a good day to finish shopping for fresh foods for your holiday feast. As noted before Thanksgiving, food won’t be any fresher on the store shelves than it will be at your house so if you still need some things, … Continue reading →

Two Weeks until Christmas!

My youngest grabbed the eraser and the chalk and adjusted our little Santa chalkboard that indicates the number of days left until Christmas. “Only fourteen more days!” she shouted, adding a happy dance. “Yep, only fourteen days,” I agreed, smiling but at the same time thinking I can’t believe Christmas is only two weeks away! I’m not quite ready yet. Are you? My husband and I did a little shopping Saturday and we finally put the tree up Sunday. Schedules have been hectic and trying to get everybody together for any length of time has been a challenge lately. My … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk Pregnancy Blog Top Ten – Ways to Break the News

I distinctly remember the ancient Full House episode in which Aunt Becky attempts to announce her pregnancy to Uncle Jesse during a family game of Pictionary. First she drew a wheel of cheese, then I think she mocked cutting it in half, then came a bottle of ink, and of course a picture of a baby. Cheese. Half. Ink. A baby? Sheeeeshalvingababy? She’s having a baby! And the Tanner family erupted with congratulatory whelping. There’s more than one way to break the news of your pregnancy to family, friends and significant others, so why not make it really fun – … Continue reading →

2006 in Review: Homeschooling Blog at a Glance

As a new homeschooling blogger at Families.com, I wanted to know everything that has been discussed to date. In response to my own curiosity, and in an effort to make perusing our articles easier for you, our readers, I have compiled all of the blogs for the year 2006. Deciding to Homeschool Why homeschool Am I qualified for this? Reasons that Homeschooling Works! My Most Important Advice for Homeschoolers. The Cost of Homeschooling Instead of standing up for their own kids, why not stand up for all kids? Disclaimer: I am hardly an expert in education. Did You Know? ‘Empirical … Continue reading →

A Christmas Challenge

I want to challenge everyone in this wonderful community that we have here at Families.com. It’s a seasonal thing, based on Christmas, but I hope it will change the way each of us thinks not only about the holiday, but also about giving. While our friends from other countries are certainly generous and not to be discounted, Americans are some of the most generous people in the world. We give billions annually to charity and relief efforts. I think it’s a beautiful reflection of the American spirit. Unfortunately, despite so-called social programs and our generous spirit, there are still people … Continue reading →

Fitness Challenge: Is Your Dog Fat?

I bet that title got your interest and it’s an honest question. Is your dog fat? Because if your dog is fat, chances are you are not getting enough exercise in your life. This is a great barometer for whether you are getting out for a daily walk with the dog or running with the dog or just letting the tail wag the dog for you. Regular Exercise Regular exercise is a vital component to your health. We’ve talked about all the different things exercise can do for you from helping you lose weight to reducing stress to improving your … Continue reading →