When Others Remember – Grief At The Holidays

It is no secret the holidays are harder after the loss of a loved one, especially a child. The hole left by their absence gapes wide open. Traditions can feel heavy. A holiday that once brought excitement and joy, feels like a chore to trudge through. This is a special time of year for family and friends to draw close. … Read More

Get A Personalized Video or Call From Santa!

Every year our kids receive a personalized Santa video. This has been a long time Christmas tradition for us. Kind of a way to bring a little more Santa magic into the house. The Portable North Pole offers a variety of videos, scripts, and options to personalize your Santa interaction. This is especially important if you have more than one child. … Read More

Holiday Preparation Made Easy + Homemade Caramels & Sweet Spicy Nuts Recipes

The holidays are fast approaching. It’s that time of year when we are pulled in a million different directions. The calendar is packed full of celebrations, dinners, and other festivities. Stress runs high. There is just so much to do before we can relax and enjoy the season. Each year we find ourselves searching for last minute hostess gifts, items … Read More

Enough Is Enough – When Christmas Becomes too Much

This morning I realized there were only 5 shopping days left until Christmas! Not sure how it sneaks up, but every  year seems to be the same routine. Maybe I just need to give in and change my middle name to Procrastinate. Regardless, I got a free afternoon out! Since those rarely happen, I was excited. That is until I started shopping. … Read More

How To Get in the Christmas Spirit

Today my focus was 100% on Christmas. I’ve been feeling so Bah Humbug lately. That is just not allowed this time of year. So today we worked hard to turn it around! My big kids are eagerly counting down the days to Christmas on their advent calendars. We are halfway through our 12-days of Christmas. We were so wrapped up … Read More

Bah Humbug

I’ve been feeling very bah humbug lately. It’s so unlike me. By now I’m usually driving my husband crazy. Family Christmas movie nights. Baking cookies. Gingerbread houses. Elf antics. Decorations. I’m just struggling to get there this year! We’ve had so much going on the last few weeks. I feel like a need a vacation from life. Over Thanksgiving break, … Read More

4 Things I Hate About My Christmas Birthday

You guessed it! I have a Christmas birthday. Born December 25th. What I’ve learned through the years is that it’s not that unusual. I’ve met quite a few people that share that day with me. My guess is most of us are pretty indifferent about it. It’s really all we’ve ever known. Yet for some reason, the world is fascinated … Read More

3 Kids Christmas Movies that Prove Santa is an Asshole

Why is it that so many kids Christmas movies portray Santa in a bad light? It’s like they want parents fielding questions that may lead to ruining the magic of Santa. I shouldn’t have to pre-watch every Santa movie out there before my kids are allowed to see it. When my oldest son was around 2 years old, we began … Read More

Snowman Advent Calendar – Counting Down To Christmas

I must admit, I’m a huge fan of the dollar bins at Target! Every trip I make begins with a stroll down those aisles. It’s really no wonder my final spend is always twice what I anticipate. On one of my last trips, I found the cutest snowman advent calendar. The countdown is done by gluing a cotton ball onto … Read More

12 Days of Christmas – Gift Idea

When I was a kid, my Mom started the tradition of doing the 12 days of Christmas. She would set aside 12 small gifts (inexpensive). Then for each of the last 12 days leading up to Christmas, we could choose one to open. I always remembered the excitement we felt when those days arrived. A gift to open early! It … Read More