Sending thank you notes is usually a kid’s least favorite part of Christmas, but it’s a necessary one. The folks who bestowed these new treasures upon your children spent a lot of time and effort on choosing the right gifts and deserve a little note of appreciation. It lets them know that your child really enjoyed their gift, while teaching your children to always be thankful for the things that others do for them.

There are several ways you can go about holiday thank yous, depending on your child’s age and ability to write. Here are some of my favorite thank you note ideas.

The basic thank you card. These are nice if your child can read and write well. The simple printed cards are blank inside for your child to write a quick note including the gift giver’s name, a short message of thanks for the specific gift and a signature.

Homemade thank you card: If you and your children enjoy craft projects and don’t have an overwhelming number of cards to send, grab some card stock and scrap book supplies and make the cards yourselves. These cards are extra special and are a little gift back to the original gift giver.

Pictures are worth a thousand thank yous: Often times, once a gift has been given, the giver never gets to see the child enjoying it. Take a picture of your child wearing the new hat and scarf or building a castle with her new blocks. Then slip it into a basic thank you card with a short message. Trust me, you’ll impress grandma and Uncle Sal and they’ll really enjoy the gesture.

Video e-cards: If you’re a digital family, shooting a short video of your child enjoying the gift and saying thank you. This, too, is a thank you gift in itself and will be treasured by the recipient forever.

Puzzle card: At many craft stores, you can find small rectangles of blank, pre-cut puzzle stock. Have your child write or draw a thank you with crayon or marker and break it up. Then the person receiving the puzzle can have the added joy of putting together this personalized thank you treasure.

Thank yous are an important part of any gift giving event. They mean so much to the person who spent the time and money to make a holiday wish come true, and if you get creative, can be a gift and keepsake in themselves.

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If  you’re hosting any holiday parties, dinners or are having overnight guests, there’s a lot of work involved in all that holiday cheer: Cleaning. Cooking. Baking. And that’s just in regards to the adults. When your guests bring their kids, it adds a whole new layer of careful planning, especially if you don’t have any children yourself, or your guests’ kids are in a different age range from your own.

Hosting children takes a little extra consideration in order for things to run smoothly. If children are bored or feel like they’re the odd men out, havoc could overtake your soiree. I’ve seen it happen. Heck, I’ve been that child.

The first step in preparing to host children for the holidays is finding out how many and what ages you’re expecting. If your own children are young, but you’ll be adding two or three tweens and teens to the mix, they can feel really out of place. They’ll be left with the decision to either brood in a corner listening to emo on their iPods, play beneath their age levels or join the adults. None of these options will make them feel like they’re very special, which just isn’t very holiday. The same situation works in reverse. If you have older children, but your sister is bringing young ones, they’ll be left out or more inclined to get into things they really shouldn’t be in.

If you’re hosting younger children for the holidays:

• Do a quick childproofing before they arrive. Put up and store breakable nick-knacks, knives and scissors and make sure that outlets are covered.
• Put together some toys and activities in a safe room. Fill a couple of baskets with coloring goodies, small toys, puzzles and books. You can get this stuff at a dollar store for next to nothing.
• Pick out some holiday movies and have them ready to rip by the DVD player.
• Make sure there are some age-appropriate finger foods available. Kids are picky and, for really young ones, the typical holiday fare might not be safe. Talk to the children’s parents for any helpful hints of foods that will be a hit.

If you’re hosting older children:

• Check with their parents on foods and movies that they consider appropriate for their kids.
• Make a space where they can “chill” with some movies and music.
• If you have some cool board games, a karaoke machine or video games (that their parents say are okay), set them up and show the kids how they work upon arrival.
• If you’ll be toasting your company or serving wine at dinner, grab a couple bottles of sparkling grape juice or cider so they can join in.

Hosting kids for the holidays doesn’t have to be a big, hairy deal. Planning ahead and thinking about a few special touches that will make them feel appreciated and welcome in your home will make your shindig a holiday hit for everyone!

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Dads find the simpler things to be more luxurious and very few have their fingers crossed for a day at the spa. Showing the dad in your life just how much you and your kids appreciate him doesn’t require six weeks of planning or hunting down some eye-popping bling at the jewelry store. Thankfully, they like to keep things low-key.

All dads have their unique interests and tastes, but when you boil it down to the basics, every dad operates on the same wavelength. They have five basic criteria for a perfect Father’s Day. All you have to do is fine-tune these elements to match them to your special dad’s particular likes.

Rest

Most dads love to get the chance to sleep in and laze around in the morning, but there are some who are *gulp* morning people. For those fabulous few, give them time in the afternoon or evening to put their feet up and just relax without any pressure.

Good Eats

Whether dad enjoys a juicy filet mignon, a turkey with all the trimmings or a spicy vegetarian dish, you know what his favorite meal is. Making a point of preparing a meal that is tailored to his taste buds will show him that you know him well and want to do something truly special for him.

Toys

It’s a simple fact, all men love toys. Some dads enjoy golf or video games while others like power tools or geeky electronics. If your husband hasn’t outwardly told you what his flavor of the season is, you still have a general idea of what kind of pastime he’d really love your support with. Gift cards ALWAYS fit, so go to one of his favorite dude hangouts and pick him up a ticket to paradise.

Kid Stuff

Sure, dads aren’t as gushy about homemade cards and crafts as moms are, but if you could take a peek into their minds, you’d see these personalized gifts touch them just as deeply. Have your kids make him cards, write poems or draw pictures showing what he means to them. Trust me, he’ll cherish it.

Cuddle Time

At the end of the day, after the kids are in bed, there is one last thing dads can’t get enough of, chill time with moms. Light a candle, cuddle up on the couch and hand him the remote control.

Perfect Father’s Day achieved.

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Before you begin to pick out fillers, you have to consider the size of the basket. Nowadays, they come in all shapes, sizes and styles. You can go for a more traditional woven basket or choose a smaller bucket or character-themed one. You can find a wide selection at any big box store.

Once you’ve determined the size of the basket, it’s time to fill it up. Start with a fluffy filler like plastic Easter grass or decorative shredded paper (you’ll find it in the Easter or craft aisle). This significantly cuts down the space you need to fill while looking festive.

Now you have to stock up the basket with interesting and fun goodies that will thrill your kids without giving them a sugar rush. There are a lot of budget-friendly options you can choose from.

• Stuffed animals — Stores have lots of cute little stuffed animals available for Easter, from the traditional bunny to chicks, ducks and other barnyard friends.
• Bubbles — What kid doesn’t like bubbles? And the extra good news is that they’re super inexpensive.
• Sidewalk chalk — Sidewalk chalk is fun, sparks creativity, gets your kids outside and comes in all shapes and sizes. Many Easter aisles will have holiday-themed chalk available, too.
• Outdoor toys — Depending on the size of your child’s Easter basket, you can choose from any number of options, from baseballs to jump rope.
• Goofy toys — Slinkies, LEGOs, Mr. Potato Head, plastic bugs, punch balloons… the toy aisle boasts a ton of entertaining choices.
• Clothes — A cute T-shirt or funky socks are great fillers. They take up space and can be used for a long time.
• Coloring books — Coloring and activity books with some new crayons or markers go a long way.
• Books — Board books work well for young children, and chapter books are best for older children. Plus, these are gifts that keep on giving.

Once you have the bulk of the basket filled with items that are fun and exciting, then drop in a few candies to finish it off. There’s no reason why candy has to be the focal point of your child’s Easter basket. Filling the basket with a few larger toys and activities will make for a special surprise on Easter morning, without the worry about them climbing the walls in the afternoon.

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I don’t want the same fate for my little guy, so I told him that he always had to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. He, of course, being a typical 5-year-old, asked me, “Why?” We were short on time, and he wanted me to explain further than the short, “It’s just tradition,” that I blurted out, so I was left with no choice but to make something up on the spur of the moment.

“If you don’t wear green,” I said, “leprechauns will bite your tushie.” Okay, so I’m not proud of my fib, but it just plopped out of my mouth. I figured it was better than planting the seed that if he saw a classmate who wasn’t wearing green, he could pinch the kid.

But, then, he comes back with, “Leprechauns live far away with the rainbows and gold. They can’t bite my tushie.” If I was a smart woman, then I would have left it at that. But noooo, I had to keep going. “On St. Patrick’s Day, leprechauns can go wherever they want, because everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.”

First, he looked at me like I had two heads. Then, he asked, “How do you know if they’re around?”

“Because, food turns green.” The funny thing is, that was a good enough answer for him. It seemed feasible. So, he said, “I better just wear green.”

So, that’s how I rewrote Irish folklore during a two-minute conversation with my son while I helped him get dressed. My apologies to any leprechauns who may be shocked and disappointed by the rumors I may have just have started at my son’s elementary school today. It was nothing personal.

Is your family wearing green today? What other traditions might you be following for St. Patrick’s Day?

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Regardless of the fact that the calendar has decided to flash by at warp speed, I’m still excited. I love Valentine’s Day. Before the hubz and I had children, it was about flowers and romance, but now that the munchkins are here, it’s even more special. Fancy jewelry and candlelit dinners never had the impact on my emotions that a handmade card from my sons does. Corny and cliched, but very, very true.

During the Valentine’s season, the airwaves are excessively polluted with floral and jewelry commercials, so I hardly ever pay attention. Yesterday, however, I caught one that really touched me. The tagline they were using was “Valentine’s Day isn’t about saying ‘I love you.’ It’s about saying, ‘I love us.’” That really touched me, not only as a wife, but as a mother. That was a the perfect sentiment for a family Valentine’s Day celebration. I do love us. My family was a gift, and sharing a special day together, like Valentine’s Day, is something I treasure, so I really try to make the most of the holiday with my children.

The house is currently decorated with cutout hearts and paper snowflakes from previous projects, so it already looks festive. I pick up a few extra things, like red and a pink disposable tablecloth. A couple years ago, I found a set of reusable clear red plastic goblets and dessert dishes after Christmas (suuuper cheap). I pull those out, too. My kids feel really special to be using such classy dinnerware, and I don’t have to worry about anything getting broken. Plus, the table really does look fun and elegant.

Throughout the day, I use heart-shaped cookie cutters on anything I can. Pancakes, toast, sandwiches and even casseroles. I also like to serve a lot of red foods and drinks. For activities, we make each other cards, and I keep one small Christmas tree up through Valentine’s Day that we decorate with heart ornaments, red lights and silver and red bulbs. The kids each make a new ornament for the tree. After dinner, we always have a family movie night and watch a couple cute movies together. With the emphasis being on together. Then, they take bubble baths with red bath fizzers (that tint the water pink).

As a mom, Valentine’s Day is extra special. I don’t look forward to the holiday because of its romantic traditions; I look forward to it because it’s a wonderful chance to tell my family, “I love us.”

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Instead of setting individual goals this year, try making plans as a family. Setting and accomplishing goals as a family unit is a very powerful bonding experience and builds character. Knowing that you’ve done something together makes any accomplishment more special and will leave you all thirsty for more.

There are limitless options for things you can do or work on together. Sit down as a family and discuss different things that are important and interest you all. You might just be amazed at the ideas your kids contribute. The most important things to keep in mind are that the goal or goals should be attainable and should appeal to everyone enough to stay motivated.

If you’re thinking, “I don’t even know where to begin,” I’ll get you started:

Fun Stuff — Have you always wished you could go on a vacation, short or long, with your family? It doesn’t have to be Disney World, it just has to be a getaway you’re all excited about working towards. Or maybe you want institute a weekly or monthly family fun night, like watching a movie, playing board games or going to a local sports game? Everyone benefits from this family time, so it’s a great goal, especially if your kids are relatively young.

Healthy Living — Would you like to start exercising together more? Or make it a point to eat three balanced meals every day? There are lots of great ways to work together towards healthier living. Even just adding a glass of water to every meal can save money and help you all feel healthier.

Giving Back — Contributing to a common cause can be a ton of fun. Whether you’re making regular donations of clothing or service to a local charity, cleaning up the neighborhood park or sponsoring a child in need and writing letters together each month, you’re all making a difference…together.

Happy Home — Do you want a new pool for the backyard or to redecorate everyone’s bedrooms over the course of the year? Maybe your family already recycles cans, but would like to start collecting paper and plastic, too? Have the kids been wanting to welcome a new puppy into the house? Try setting dates for each step towards adopting a pooch, like reading books about responsibilities, cutting back on the budget to allow for veterinary expenses and buying necessities like food bowls and pet beds.

No matter what your family goals are for 2011, they will be perfect for drawing you together and making something happen in a really great way.

Happy New Year!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/littlelovemonster/2155938506

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Check out Santa’s different aliases from around the world:

America and Canada: Santa Claus

Russia: Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost)

Holland: Sinter Klaas

Morocco: Black Peter

Greece: Hagios Nikolaos

Japan: Santa Claus or Santa No Ojisan (Uncle Santa)

Italy: Babbo Natale

Finland: Joulupukki

Sweden: Jultomten

China: Shengdan Laoren

England: Father Christmas

Spain: Papa Noel is the Santa figure, but they also get gifts from baby Jesus.

In Germany and Latin American countries, instead of Santa, kids get gifts from the baby Jesus.

No matter what name St. Nick goes by, his generosity and kind soul holds true.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from all the elves at Smarter.com.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/hammer51012/3115791714

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On Christmas Eve, we arrive early at my parents’ house and unwrap gifts. This may not seem like a time-consuming event, but when you factor in the 45-minute drive and the fact that everyone takes turns unwrapping presents one by one, hours go by quickly.

Then, after we’re done at my mom’s, we all hop into our cars and caravan the hour’s drive to my grandma’s house to celebrate with the extended family. We spend a few hours there, swapping stories, eating massive amounts of delectable treats and opening gifts, before making the long trek home.

By the time we get back to our house, it’s already around 7 o’clock. Just enough time for baths and unwinding before the kids are off to dream of sugarplums and Christmas wishes coming true.

On Christmas day, we take the three-hour drive to the in-laws’ house. We eat my mother-in-law’s delicious spiral ham with all the trimmings, open more gifts, share the latest family news and then drive the three hours home.

While we truly and lovingly enjoy honoring all our families’ traditions, we feel like we need and deserve to have our own. We work hard to provide our children with a festively decorated house and mounds of amazing gifts, so we should be able to enjoy the holiday with our own intimate celebration.

It was important to us that we work our traditions in and around our other plans, because they’re important to us, so we slightly modified our ideal holiday celebration.

On Christmas Eve morning, the kids wake up to a package on their beds. Attached is a little note from Santa, saying that he’s coming tonight and hopes they like their new Christmas jammies. Inside the gift are a brand-new set of holiday-themed pajamas and an individual package of cocoa.

While we’re getting the kids ready, I wash everyone’s new PJs and get them ready for the evening. Then we head to my mom’s for our traditional day of visiting.

When we get home, the hubz gives them all bubble baths while I pop up a giant bowl of popcorn and make their “Santa cocoa.” Trust me, the combination is awesome.

After they’re squeaky clean, we all don our Christmas jammies, curl up on the couch and enjoy our popcorn and cocoa while we watch a holiday movie. Once the movie is over, it’s bedtime for the little elves. When they’re snuggled up and sleeping, we play “Santa” and settle in for a well-deserved long winter’s nap.

On Christmas morning, we wake the kiddies up early with festive music and a pancake breakfast. Once all Cooper tummies are full, we dig into the presents and take lots of pictures. This is why the Christmas jammies are so cool. Everyone looks nice, and we can use the photos for the upcoming year’s holiday cards.

As soon as the gifts are unwrapped, we hop into the car and head over to my in-laws’ house for the day. By the time we get home in the evening, all the children are exhausted from the nonstop festivities, so they always head straight to bed. It’s a Christmas miracle!

The hubz and I consider the early bedtime their gift to us and enjoy the rest of the night together. It’s a peaceful, romantic ending to a hectic, yet wonderful, Christmas holiday.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/makelessnoise/3139574571

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This year, I’m going to take a different approach. Rather than buying a kit or trying my hand at baking slabs of gingerbread cookies, we’re going to use graham cracker walls, and I’ll hand pick sweets that won’t make me quite so anxious.

Some friends and I made a village with graham cracker buildings years ago, and I think it’s a great and much less expensive alternative for a medium-sized family. Each of my children can make his own cottage, and the hubz and I can collaborate on a bigger house. Everyone will have a chance to be creative and show off personality.

If you’d like to make a village with your family, then the main ingredients are pretty basic.

• Graham crackers
• Frosting (your preference)
• Decorative edibles (candy, pretzels, marshmallows, grated coconut)
• Sheet of cardboard (covered in aluminum foil)

Building your graham cracker cottage is much like making a house of cards, but with yummy frosting mortar. The aluminum-covered cardboard will serve as your cottage’s yard. To build the house, spread some icing where you’d like your cottage to stand, and start building.

Start your first corner by putting making an L with two crackers. Paste them together with a good helping of icing. The easiest and tidiest way to add mortar is by piping it on with a frosting bag, but you can use your fingers, too. You’ll want to frost all edges of the cracker, because every side will be connected to another wall, the roof or the yard. Continue to mortar on crackers until you have a square (or rectangle). Then gently attach your graham cracker roof. Let your building stand to set for at least an hour, so that your frosting support hardens.

Then the fun part begins.

Pour different sweets into small bowls so that they’re easy for your children to reach. The more variety, the better. You can have a lot of fun with M&Ms, pretzel sticks, gumdrops, Junior Mints, hard candies, Red Hots, licorice and sprinkles. There are so many different snack favorites out there, so the possibilities are endless.

Show your kids how to put a dab of icing on the back of each piece of candy like paste and how to carefully put it on their cottages. Let them go nuts. They may not make their way into an architecture magazine or the front cover of Good Housekeeping, but they’ll be precious.

After the house is decorated, you can decorate the yard with sugar cone pine trees, gumdrop shrubs and pretzel rod fences if you’d like. Finish the look off with a light dusting of coconut snow.

As your kids get older, their graham cracker cottages will become more detailed, ornate and original. Take a snapshot of each kid with his creation and start an album. You’ll make a lifetime of memories, one sweet treat abode at a time.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/benimoto/997606749

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