Category: Family Events & Holidays

Easy Ways to Better Your Community


Easy Ways to Better Your Community

Small town, big city, the suburbs or the country – no matter where you live, you’re part of a local community. Without realizing it, you can have a big impact on your community by the everyday choices that you make. And a thriving local community is good for everyone who lives there.

Why You Should Go Local

Local First, a Grand Rapids, Michigan based organization that encourages sustainable, locally-based economies, states that when you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Local First estimates that for every $100 you spend with local businesses, $73 remains in the community. Only $57 remains in the local economy when you buy from a national chain store.

Most new jobs are provided by local businesses as well, and local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners. This means that your support of local businesses has a farther-reaching effect than you might realize. You’re helping people find and keep jobs, and you’re helping make it possible for charitable organizations to continue doing much-needed work.

How You Can Go Local

Start Subscribing. Get a subscription to your community newspapers and local magazines. Not only will they keep you informed about what’s happening in your community, but you’ll help support local business.

Shop Locally. There are plenty of locally owned businesses and service providers in your neighborhood. One easy way to find them is through MerchantCircle.com, a social network of about 1 million local businesses. By signing up for a free account, you can easily search out and follow nearby businesses and service providers such as jewelers, plumbers, grocers, and accountants,  to get coupons and find out about special events and offers. MerchantCircle’s “Answers” lets you get expert advice from local businesses in your area and across the country on virtually any topic for free. Car mechanics, veterinarians and professionals in every industry will quickly respond, saving you time and often money.

Get Involved. Many communities have volunteer advisory councils for local governments – everything from city planning committees to arts councils. Check out your town’s web site to find out how you can impact the development and character of your community.

Visit Local Attractions. Parks, arboretums, museums, parades, festivals, theatres – there plenty of ways to have a good time without leaving town. A staycation or weekend getaway at home is less expensive for you than heading out of town, and you get to enjoy local treasures.

Volunteer. Local schools, community centers, libraries, museums and charities often need people like you. Check the local paper, community bulletin boards and web sites such as VolunteerMatch.org to find out what you can do to make your community stronger.

Don’t Let Winter Drafts Get You Down

(Family Features) – Are you shivering and bundling up inside your house? If your thermostat is set at the desired temperature, your furnace runs continuously, your utility bills are ridiculously high, but you are still cold, it is probably because energy is escaping your house.

As it gets colder outside, here are some clues that will indicate if your home has air leaks:

  • You feel drafts or air moving even when all of your windows and doors are closed.
  • The floor directly in front of the sink feels colder than the rest of the floor.
  • There is a drastic temperature difference between levels in your house.
  • You find bugs in the same room over and over again.

Outside air typically enters the home where building materials meet and where wires and pipes penetrate through the walls.

The EPA estimates that homeowners can typically save up to 20 percent of heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists. Sealing and insulating these areas add up to an average of $200 worth of savings a year on energy costs. 

There are several easy and cost-effective ways to eliminate drafts.

  • Replace weather-stripping around doors, including the garage door.
  • Add extra insulation in your attic.
  • Insulate perimeter walls in your basement.
  • Insure that the chimney flue is closed.

Filling gaps and cracks with an insulating foam sealant is an easy, fast solution that anyone can undertake. Sealants such as Great Stuff form an airtight, water-resistant seal that cures rigid. The foam is sandable, paintable, and can be trimmed with a utility knife afterwards.

Some common and effective places to seal include the holes where the HVAC ductwork enters the living space from the basement and attic, the attic hatch frame, plumbing stacks and shafts, and pipe, wire and conduit penetrations.

For a full list of places to use foam sealant, visit http://greatstuff.dow.com/pdfs/checklist.pdf.

SOURCE:
Great Stuff

Helpful Holiday Hosting How-Tos

(Family Features) – With the holiday season in full swing, party planners everywhere look to answer the same festive question with their annual gatherings – how do you spread the holiday spirit among guests? While décor and music play a role, nothing raises spirits more than a memorable hors d’oeuvres and drink spread that satisfies appetites and makes guests jolly.

Here are a few tips from King’s Hawaiian for creating a sumptuous first-course spread and festive setting that will keep guests entertained:

  • Deck The Halls! Create an enticing aroma and beautiful display with candles. Set them atop holders accented with ribbon and seasonal trimmings from pine and noble firs (widely available this time of year).
  • Punch it up! Create festive punches with a variety of toppings so guests may garnish however they want. Use red maraschino cherries, mint sprigs or cranberries. Consider pre-mixing drinks, so that you can enjoy the company of your guests. Also, offer beverages with and without alcohol for varying guest preferences.
  • Ho Ho Hors D’oeuvres Made Simple! To minimize your time in the kitchen, incorporate tried-and-true, ready-made dishes that can be created well in advance and served at room temperature. Veggie dips, cheese trays and fruit platters all work well. Professional caterers recommend having 10 to 12 appetizers total per person.
  • That’s Hot! As a complement to cold dishes, serve warm recipes that can be created almost to completion well in advance of the party. Just pop them in the oven right before guests arrive so they will be served warm, with minimal fuss.
  • Festive Finger Foods. Add flair to dishes with themed-toothpicks, colored sauces or decorative dips. Present them on attractive serving dishes which display seasonal colors. 

Here is an easy and elegant hors d’oeuvre recipe. Make the mixture and pour into muffin tins a day in advance of your gathering and, shortly before guests arrive, pop them in the oven to bake these simple and savory soufflé bites.

For more festive recipes, visit www.kingshawaiian.com

Mini Cheese Soufflé Bites

Ingredients

  • 1/2 16-ounce King’s Hawaiian Original Bread, cut into 1/2-inch thick vertical slices
  • 1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives

Preparation

  1. Trim crusts from bread slices and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
  2. Beat eggs in large mixing bowl. Add milk, cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Mix together, then stir in bread.
  3. Let stand for 15 minutes.
  4. Put 1/3 cup soufflé mixture into buttered muffin cups.
  5. Place the muffin tin into a jelly roll pan filled with 1/2-inch of water.
  6. Bake in a 375°F oven until set, about 25-30 minutes. Remove when they have puffed up and are slightly brown on top.
  7. Sprinkle chives on each soufflé, for garnish.

Serves
Makes 10-12 servings

Craft Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

(Family Features) – Handmade holiday items bring a unique and personal touch to the season, making the giver and receiver feel special. This year, millions of families will be spending more time together creating low or no-cost crafts such as gifts, cards and decorations. In fact, the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) estimates that in almost 43 million U.S. households will create handcrafted holiday gifts and decorations this year.

“Crafting provides an opportunity to spend time with friends and family while creating unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that don’t need to cost a lot of money,” said CHA President and CEO Steve Berger.

To inspire you, here’s an idea to get you crafting this holiday season.

Swirl Place Setting

Courtesy of www.ilovetocreate.com

Materials:
Aleene’s Fabric Fusion
Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Tulip 3D Fashion Paint
65088 Gold Glitter
65408 Gold Metallics
Red placemats and napkins
Gold fabric – 1/4 yard
Cardstock paper
Buttons – gold (4)
Bulky yarn – red
Eyelash yarn – red
1-inch low tack masking tape
Scissors
Scratch paper
Paper towels
Pencil
Ruler

Placemats

  1. Use tape to mask off around edge of placemats and across one corner of napkin. Start the flow of the Gold Metallic paint on a paper towel using an even pressure on the bottle. Squeeze thin lines of gold in assorted sizes of swirls on placemat. Immediately and carefully place scratch paper over paint then lightly rub over paper. Remove paper and tape. Let dry. Continue with remainder of placemats and napkins.
  2. Add a Gold Metallic line around edge of pattern and across the diagonal on the napkin. Let dry.
  3. Squeeze a thin line of Gold Glitter to all swirls and let dry.
  4. Squeeze a thin line of Fabric Fusion next to edge on the top of placemat. Press bulky yarn into glue. When dry, flip placemats over, apply a bead of glue to edge then press in eyelash yarn, twisting yarn so fibers show around edge. Let dry.

Napkin Rings

  1. Measure and cut a strip of cardstock 2 x 7 inches. Apply Fast Grab to one end of strip, overlap and hold with tape until dry. Continue with desired amount of napkin rings.
  2. Cut strips of gold fabric 4 x 7 1/2 inches. Apply a thin even coating of Fast Grab to the ring; press on fabric then smooth with fingers. Apply glue to the fabric edges then fold to the inside and press to secure. Let dry.
  3. Cut a 12-inch piece of both yarns then wrap together. Tie around napkin ring and knot on top. Add a dot of glue to the back of the knot to hold in place. Trim ends.
  4. Cut the shank from the back of button; add glue and press in place over the knot.

For votive and place card instructions, visit www.ilovetocreate.com. 

Family Holiday Wreath

Courtesy of www.terriocraftprojects.com

Materials:

Wreath
Words of inspiration (K&Co.)
Rub-ons (K&Co.)
Favorite photos or seasonal stock photographs from www.iStockphoto.com
Heavy cardboard
Metal saying
Wire
Wire cutter
Glue gun

  1. Attach metal saying with wire to center of wreath.
  2. Print or download photos. The ones in this craft were printed in sepia.
  3. Adhere photos to heavy cardboard to fit the size of photo.
  4. Add rub-ons to photos.
  5. Glue words to wreath.

Safe Winter Driving

Winter weather poses unique challenges for drivers. Before heading out onto snowy or icy streets, take a few minutes to refresh your memory on how to drive safely in wintery conditions.

Before Leaving

  • Make sure the gas tank is at least half full and the windshield washer fluid reservoir is full.
  • Clear as much snow off of the car as you can, including the roof, headlamps and taillights. Scrape ice off of windows and side mirrors for maximum visibility.
  • Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
  • If you are going to drive a long distance, find out what kind of weather to expect. Visit the National Weather Service website at weather.gov to check the forecast.

On the Road

  • Slow down. Tires lose their grip in slippery conditions, so accelerating, stopping and turning all take longer on snow-covered roads. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
  • AAA recommends that the normal following distance of three to four seconds be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
  • Accelerating slowly reduces wheel spin. If you’re starting from a standstill on ice or slick snow, start in second gear if you have a manual transmission. Some automatic transmissions have a winter mode that automatically starts in a higher gear.
  • Don’t lock the wheels when braking. This can make the vehicle slide or skid. If your vehicle has an antilock braking system (ABS), depress the brake pedal firmly and hold it down. Do not pump the brakes. ABS usually send a vibration through the brake pedal – if you feel this, don’t let up, it’s normal.
  • Do one thing at a time. Consumer Reports says that asking a vehicle to do two things at once – such as braking and turning, or accelerating and turning – can reduce your control. When taking a turn, slowly apply brakes while the vehicle is going straight. When it’s at the right speed to take the turn, let up on the brakes and smoothly turn the steering wheel. After you’re through the turn, slowly depress the accelerator to regain speed.
  • Correct for a slide. If the rear of the vehicle begins to slide during a turn, gently let up on the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide to straighten out. If the front end begins to slide, let up on the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go.
  • Pay extra attention to other drivers – they may not be driving as cautiously as you.

For more safe winter driving tips, visit consumerreports.org, aaa.exchange.com or the Federal Citizen Information Center at pueblo.gsa.gov.

Tips to Find Great Deals Online at Holiday Time

(Family Features) – Bar·gain [bahr-guhn] – noun: an advantageous purchase, a great deal, especially one acquired at less than the usual cost.

These days, people are getting more creative with how they spend. When it comes to shopping, many are turning to the Internet for great deals on seasonal items, trendy fashions and the latest in tech gear.

One popular shopping resource is eBay. With over 88 million worldwide users each month, it has long been known as a place to find deals on new and used items.

Three eBay insiders – Constance White, style director, Cat Schwartz, gadget and toy director and Karen Bard, pop culture expert – have some tips to help deal hunters in their quest for the hottest items and the best bargains this year.

“The key is in the keyword search,” says White. “To find the best deals, be specific with your search terms. Instead of searching for shoes in general, try searching by designer, style, trend or even intentionally misspell the brand name to unearth hidden gems.”

Schwartz advises, “Consider searching pre-owned, re-furbished or used products, as well. Buying these goods eliminates waste going to landfills and scores you a great deal on a unique find.”
 
Bidding and buying strategies also play a key role in how much you’ll pay and how soon you’ll get the item. The basic strategies are:

  • Daily Deals. Follow eBay’s Daily Deals, hot items at steep discounts. Visit http://deals.ebay.com to sign up for the Daily Deals e-mail, and information about the freshest deals will be delivered directly to your inbox every day.
  • Buy It Now. Buy the item at a fixed price, and forgo the auction process.  “Buy It Now is an easy way to make a quick purchase without bidding,” said Schwartz. “Use this option to purchase the item at a guaranteed low price.” 
  • Bid Early. In auction-style listings, bidding early with the absolute highest price you are willing to pay (a true maximum bid) allows eBay’s Automatic Bidding to do the work for you.
  • Watch, Wait, Bid Late. “Another approach to auction-style listings is to watch the listing,” says Bard, “most bidding takes place at the end of the auction. Bide your time; you’ll get alerts when items you are watching are ending soon so you don’t miss out.”

Whether you’re an eco-conscious fashionista or are trying to keep up with the latest tech trends, being a savvy shopper can get you what you want without breaking the bank.

For more information and to find great deals on must-have items, visit ebay.com.

Your Family Can Help Change The World While On Vacation

OK, we realize you’re going to want to take a vacation for more than 15 minutes (even with that pesky recession on!). But making the decision to take the family on a trip that involves helping others or respecting the environment instead of lounging at the beach can be made relatively quickly. There are a number of Eco tours and activist travel or work exchange programs that might even cost you less than that trip to Disneyworld and leave you or your family feeling more fulfilled upon your return home.

ResponsibleTravel.com – Listing thousands of options for a more sustainable vacation respecting the environments and local inhabitants, Responsible Travel is searchable by budget level, region, country, and even type of holiday and activities you’d like to do. Travelers are encouraged to review the tours they take, so you can also see others’ feedback on the trips you might be interested in.

Ecotour Directory – This site currently lists 95 different eco holiday and responsible travel options, searchable by continent.

TrekAmerica – TrekAmerica hosts tour programs focusing on appreciating and respecting the natural environment throughout North America. You get the opportunity to experience some unique environments while simultaneously having a positive impact on the land.

Volunteer Vacations – Instead of taking ad nauseum “I was here” photos in front of tourist traps on your next vacation, you could use your next trip to volunteer abroad. This site offers a number of 1-4 week vacation options from helping at children’s clinics to preserving wilderness trails to teaching math to kids in developing countries.

Global Volunteers – A clearinghouse of volunteer international service programs, Global Volunteers typically requires you front your own travel costs. They do however offer assistance qualifying for discounts or fundraising the cost of your service program fee.

Do you have other great world-changing ideas that don’t necessarily require an enormous time commitment? Let us know in the comments!

🔒 Looking for a Private Alternative to Facebook?

Your family’s private moments shouldn’t be shared with advertisers or viewed by public strangers. Join thousands of families who share photos, coordinate calendars, and exchange news safely on FamilyCrossings.com.

  • 100% Secure & Ad-Free: Absolute privacy, zero data tracking, zero tracking pixels.
  • Better Group Tools: Structured galleries, shared calendars, custom recipes, and family address books.
  • Toll-Free Phone Support: Excellent, accessible phone support to help grandparents get online easily.


Start Your Private Family Site Free

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How does FamilyCrossings compare to social media for sharing private family website?

A: Unlike mainstream platforms, FamilyCrossings has zero public elements, zero tracking algorithms, and absolutely no advertisements. Only the immediate family members you specifically invite have access to your site.

Q: Is there a free trial to test these features with my family?

A: Yes! FamilyCrossings is free to try for 30 days. No credit card is required to sign up. Additionally, once a site is set up, all invited family members join and participate 100% free.

Q: Can older family members easily navigate the site?

A: We designed our website with seniors and grandparents in mind. The layout is simple, with large buttons and clean menus. We also offer toll-free customer support to assist family members at any step.

Gadget Gift Guide 2009

(Family Features) – Not sure what to get the gadget-lover in your life? This quick gadget guide will give you the scoop on what to look for so you can spread some holiday cheer.

E-book Reader

What it is: A small, portable device that lets you download entire books, newspapers and magazines in digital format. Made to mimic ink and paper publications, you can read with ease any time, anywhere. You’ll find a range of prices and services with Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, Cool-er, iRex iLiad and Bookeen Cybook.

What to look for: Long battery life and an easy to read screen. The reader should be easy to carry and must be readable even in bright sunlight. Note that some e-readers must download materials by being connected to a computer, while others can do it wirelessly. Think about loading a few of the recipient’s must-read books onto the reader as an added surprise.

Who to buy it for: Travelers, gadget-lovers, busy book lovers.

Cell Phone Signal Booster

What it is: A small electronic device that reduces dropped calls and improves cell phone signal by capturing the stronger signal from the outside and amplifying the signal indoors. According to the zBoost “State of the Cell Signal” survey, 70 percent of cell phone owners experience problems with cell phone service, including dropped calls, poor signal reception or dead zones in their homes. A signal booster, like zBoost, can make those problems a thing of the past, as well as increase signal and speed of aircards, EDGE and 3G technology.

What to look for: Make sure the signal booster meets the needs of the intended user. Think about:

  • How much mobility will they need – will they be working at their desk or within a larger area?
  • How many phones or devices need signal boosting, one or several?
  • Where does the reception need to be improved, indoors or in a vehicle? The zBoost-ONE PCS, for example, is a the industry’s first one piece cell phone signal booster. It works with PCS carriers like Sprint or Metro PCS. Place the unit in the window, plug it in and enjoy all of the voice and data functionality on a PCS phone up to 1200 square feet.
  • For more cell phone signal booster options, visit www.wi-ex.com.

Who to buy it for: Road warriors, home office workers, rural or urban dwellers.

Bluetooth Headset

What it is: A wireless headset that lets you talk on the phone hands-free. You can find headsets from $20 and up.

What to look for:

  • Make sure the headset runs the same version of Bluetooth that the user’s phone does.
  • If they wear glasses, look at in-ear headsets rather than those that go over the ears – glasses and a headset can get cumbersome.
  • For extra clarity, consider a headset with a boom microphone – one that extends from the headset toward the mouth.
  • Headsets with good noise cancellation can make conversing in busy, noisy areas a lot easier. 

Who to buy it for: Phone fanatics, road warriors.

Pocket Camcorder

What it is: A pocket-sized digital video recorder that can go anywhere, making it easy to record events and special moments. Video is usually very easy to download to computers and the Web. Camcorders such as Flip from Pure Digital, Kodak’s Zx1 and Creative’s Vado are affordable options.

What to look for:

  • Resolution – Digital camcorders come in standard definition and high definition (HD). Standard definition offers video quality fine for viewing on a computer or a non-HD TV, and will usually cost less than HD. High definition produces wide-screen video suitable for viewing on an HD TV.
  • Think about how the recipient will be using it and then consider options such as image stabilization, audio recording and photo features, which let it be used like a digital camera.

Who to buy it for: Proud parents, college students, travelers.

Something for Everyone on Your List

Mobile Mom

Upgrade mom’s cell phone to a smart phone to help her manage family life with ease. If a smart phone isn’t in the budget, but she still needs a way to connect while on the move, look into a personal mobile email device, such as a Peek Pronto, that lets her text and send emails from anywhere.

Digital Dad

Forget socks and ties. Get him something that will help him stay in touch while at work, on the road, at the ball field or at home – a zBoost cell phone signal booster will let him get calls, texts, emails and pictures no matter where he is.

Road Warrior

Know someone who’s on the road all the time? Make their drive easier with a GPS, more pleasant with a satellite radio subscription or safer with hands-free phone accessories.

Gadget Chick

According to the recent “Women & Digital Life” study conducted by the Solutions Research Group, when women were asked if technology was a “guy thing” – an overwhelming 77 percent replied that it was not! Get your gadget girl a netbook, pocket camcorder or an e-book reader to keep her geared up and on the go.

SOURCE:
zBoost

Say ‘I Don’t’ To Wedding Stress

A stress free wedding? It is possible!

(Family Crossings) – Stomach aches, headaches, sleep problems, poor concentration, moodiness, irritability, racing thoughts…Getting married is supposed to be a happy time, right? So why are so many brides-to-be completely stressed out?

Having to take care of endless details, manage vendors, handle family demands and meet the emotional needs of the groom – and fitting it all into an already busy schedule – can turn any sweet-natured woman into either a blubbering mess or the dreaded bridezilla.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. Wedding consultants and planning experts agree that there are some ways to manage the stress and make the planning process more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Expect stress. If you accept the fact that this is a stressful time, you can let go of guilt about it and take some precautionary measures to deal with it. Talk with your fiancé and a close friend about helping you chill out when things get too tense. Come up with a non-judgmental code word they can say to let you know it’s time for a break. When you hear the code word, stop, take a deep breath and then set the planning aside for a while and do something non-wedding related.

Be realistic. A lot of brides set their expectations so high that they drive themselves (and everyone around them) crazy trying to meet them. But unless you have unlimited access to money, you’re going to have to adjust some of your plans. There are a lot of resources (Web sites, books, magazines, friends) that can help you pull off a lovely wedding on whatever budget you have.

Don’t try to please everyone. It’s just not possible. Nor is it reasonable to try. The wedding is about the bride and groom. You two need to decide what is meaningful to you and what will express who you are. If his mother wants Cousin Jennie to play her bagpipe as you march down the aisle and you don’t care for the idea, it’s ok to say no. Come up with a polite response such as, “Thanks for your suggestion, but we’re going in a different direction with the plans.” Feelings may get bruised, but ultimately it’s your day and it only has to please you and your fiancé.

Delegate, delegate, delegate. No matter how capable you are, no matter how nifty your organizer is, you can’t do everything by yourself. Nor should you, so stop feeling guilty. It’s ok to ask friends, family and the groom for help – as long as you do it nicely. Some churches or reception halls have a wedding coordinator available to help with details. They’ve done this hundreds of times – you haven’t. Use them!

Take care of yourself. It’s always important to eat right, get enough sleep and exercise, but it’s especially important during times of stress. You’ll feel more energized, you’ll be able to think more clearly and make better decisions. Besides, who wants to see a bride with dark circles under her eyes drag herself down the aisle?

Keep things in perspective. The most important thing to remember is that the wedding is only a one-day event. It’s just a party to celebrate the beginning of a life together. Too many brides feel enormous pressure to make the wedding perfect and they forget about building a solid marriage. Don’t lose yourself in the details of this one day. You have a lifetime of new memories to create, this is only one of them.

Brides on a Budget

How to Have a Fabulous Wedding for Less(Family Crossings) – The average wedding in America costs around $29,000, according to The Wedding Report, Inc., a wedding industry research company. Not surprisingly, couples are looking for ways to save money on their special day.

Here are some ideas to help you have a wonderful wedding on a budget.

The Date. Having a wedding on off-peak months and days can be a bargain. November through April are slower months for weddings, so many halls, caterers and other service providers give discounts because they have fewer bookings. Some will also have discounts for weddings held on any day other than Saturday.

Continue reading “Brides on a Budget”