Category: Family Fun

Surviving the Holidays with Your Family (Without Losing Your Mind!)

The holidays: a time for joy, togetherness, and… utter chaos? Let’s be honest, navigating the festive season with a multi-generational family can feel like herding cats wearing reindeer antlers. But fear not! This guide is your survival kit, packed with tips and tricks to keep everyone connected, coordinated, and (relatively) sane.

Organize Like a Holiday Pro

First things first: organizing schedules is key. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 28% of Americans find the holidays stressful. A shared family calendar is your secret weapon. Use cloud software like Familycrossings.com to schedule calendar for holiday activities. Categorize each family member’s events and send reminders, from Grandma’s bridge game to little Timmy’s school play. This way, everyone knows who’s doing what, when, and where.

Sharing is Caring (Privately!)

Want to share photos of your disastrous attempt at baking gingerbread cookies without the whole world seeing? Private family sharing platforms are your answer. Familycrossings.com lets you create a family journal, sharing those precious (and hilarious) moments with only the people who matter. Remember to establish privacy norms. Avoid sharing sensitive information in photos and understand the platform’s privacy settings.

Family News Flash!

Keep everyone in the loop with a family newsletter! Whether it’s a digital email update or by logging in to a family portal like Familycrossings.com, sharing news and updates helps bridge the distance.

Recipe for Success

Don’t let Aunt Betty’s famous lasagna recipe disappear into the culinary abyss! Use Familycrossings. com to collect and share family recipes. Create a digital family cookbook, complete with stories and memories attached to each dish. This way, you’re not just sharing food; you’re preserving edible family history.

Reunions & Vacations

Planning a family reunion or vacation? Start early! Survey family members about availability and preferences. Create a planning committee and delegate tasks. Use Familycrossings.com to track RSVPs and keep everyone informed.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Never miss a birthday or anniversary again! A shared family calendar can include these important dates, ensuring no one feels forgotten. Familycrossings even includes a gift list registry.

Family Chat for the Win

Create a family chat group using Familycrossings.com. Studies show that families who participate in instant messaging groups report significantly higher family functioning and well-being scores.

Family should be forever, and with a little planning and the right tools, you can make this holiday season one to remember. Now go forth and conquer those reindeer antlers anf those turkey carcasses!

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🔒 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.


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💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

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.

Christmas Gift Idea

**The Ultimate Family Christmas Gift: A Website That Celebrates Your Legacy**

Tired of the same old Christmas gift ideas? Socks? Nope. A scented candle? Again? This year, why not think outside the gift-wrapped box and create something meaningful, lasting, and fun—a family website!

Whether your family spans generations, continents, or just a few city blocks, a family website is the ultimate way to bring everyone together. Let’s unwrap why this gift is a game-changer and how it can preserve your family’s legacy for years to come.

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### **1. A Place for Stories That Last Forever**
Every family has that *one* story. You know the one—about Grandma’s daring escape from a pie-eating contest or Uncle Joe’s accidental debut in local theater. Why let those golden tales get lost in the shuffle of time?

With a family website, you can create a digital treasure chest for everyone to contribute their memories. Add written stories, voice recordings, or even video interviews with your family storytellers. One click, and future generations can relive the laughter and love.

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### **2. Photos Worth a Thousand Smiles**
Gone are the days of passing around grainy photo albums. Your family website can be a sleek, digital scrapbook where every snapshot—from the great-grandparents’ black-and-white wedding photo to last summer’s chaotic beach day—has its moment to shine.

Imagine scrolling through decades of family moments, neatly organized and accessible to all. Bonus: You don’t have to fight over who gets to keep the family album anymore!

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### **3. A Connection for All Generations**
Got tech-savvy teens and tech-terrified elders? A family website bridges the gap! Set up a simple, user-friendly platform where everyone—from your Insta-obsessed cousin to Grandpa who’s just mastered email—can participate.

Pro tip: Include fun features like a birthday calendar or a virtual guestbook where family members can leave quick messages.

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### **4. A Legacy That Grows With Time**
Think of your family website as the gift that keeps on giving. Over the years, it will evolve into a living history, capturing the big moments (weddings, graduations, new babies) and the small joys (that amazing casserole recipe everyone loves).

This Christmas, you’re not just giving a gift—you’re creating a legacy.

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5. How to Get Started with Family Crossings
Setting up a family website might sound complicated, but with Family Crossings, it’s as easy as pie (and we all know Grandma’s pie is very easy to love).

Family Crossings is designed with families in mind—no tech degree required! You’ll get a beautifully organized space to upload photos, share stories, and keep everyone connected. Plus, our simple pricing means no surprises under the tree:

Affordable Plans: Pay just a small monthly fee to unlock all the tools your family needs.
No Hidden Costs: Everything you need to create and maintain your family website is included.
Peace of Mind: Your memories are securely stored, and everyone can access them whenever they want.

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### **A Gift That Feels Like Home**
This Christmas, skip the shopping mall chaos and give your family the ultimate gift: a place to celebrate your shared journey. A family website isn’t just a present—it’s a present wrapped in love, history, and connection.

Ready to get started? Go on, be the family hero. And don’t forget to save us a slice of pie—we’ve earned it for this brilliant idea.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter

 

  1. Easter Chick Cupcakes

These little chick cupcakes are almost too adorable to eat – but they’re also delicious so eat away! You just make regular cupcakes and then dip in yellow sanding sugar. Then add chocolate chips for eyes and pipe on the rest of the face and wings. They’re really easy and will instantly become a family favorite. They’re also great for Easter parties at school.

Source/Tutorial: birdonacake

  1. Confetti Eggs

Confetti eggs are fun for the entire family. You use real eggs, which you empty – and this is a delicate but really easy step. Then dye your eggs and fill them with confetti. Finally, you cover the whole with a piece of tissue paper and let it dry. Only you will know that these aren’t really hard boiled and decorated Easter eggs and it will be so much fun watching people crack and open them with the confetti falling out.

Source/Tutorial: apumpkinandaprincess

  1. Magical Jelly Bean Garden

Little ones are going to be so excited to plant their magical jelly beans and see what grows. This is a wonderful tradition for families and all you have to do is “plant” jelly beans in your garden or yard. Come back a while later to see which ones have bloomed – in the meantime, you’re going to stick a treat in the ground and let the kids know that these grew from their magical jelly beans.

Source/Tutorial: myfrugaladventures

  1. Easter Tree Tradition

You can buy Easter trees and decorations at the Dollar Store for just a few dollars, or make one yourself. Just find a branch, paint it white – or pink if you prefer – and then add decorations. You can even DIY your decorations, and kids are going to love helping to decorate the tree.

Source/Tutorial: rhythmsofplay

  1. Easter Bingo

This is a really fun Easter game that kids of all ages are sure to love playing. Print off the game board and then use jelly beans or robin eggs to play. It’s so much fun and a wonderful way for little ones to wear themselves out the night before Easter so they’ll go to bed early.

Source/Tutorial: crazylittleprojects

A Balancing Act

Protecting Your Dog’s Immune System

(Family Features) – Allie stopped eating when she was 16. Her owner, Dr. Elizabette Cohen says she went crazy trying to find a healthy diet for her beloved pet.

“Her problem is that she has a very sensitive digestive system and would suffer from upsets pretty often,” said Cohen, a New York veterinarian and popular radio show host. With a majority of a dog’s immune system residing in the gut, it was critical to address Allie’s digestive health.

Understanding Bacteria

Like humans, dogs and cats have short digestive tracts and a complex gastrointestinal (GI) ecosystem. Bacterial cells in their digestive tracts outnumber animal cells. In fact, they account for approximately 95 percent of the cells in the GI tract. As many as 500 different species of bacterial cells may be represented.

Some of these bacteria are beneficial, and some have the potential to be pathogenic. It’s the balance between the two types of bacteria that determines whether the digestive system is healthy and functioning optimally. When the bacterial balance is disrupted, the result is often digestive upsets and loose stools.

Continue reading “A Balancing Act”

Ensure a Fun and Safe Howl-O-Ween for Your Pet

(Family Features) Halloween isn’t just for kids. Pets are joining the festivities too by dressing up in fabulous costumes. But in addition to picking out a costume, pet parents should keep their pet’s safety in mind as well. Here are some safety tips and costume ideas to help ensure you and your pet have a safe and fun holiday.

Keep them happy. “Before having pets join in the Halloween fun, it’s important to assess whether your pet will be comfortable participating, or if the festivities will cause undue stress,” says Dr. Simon Starkey, Pet Care Expert at PetSmart. “If you have a young or senior pet, or one that is shy around others, it’s better to give them a quiet space away from all the activity where they’ll feel more comfortable.”

Make sure treats are pet friendly. With so many Halloween treats about the home, you want to make sure your dog doesn’t accidentally consume something that could be harmful. Chocolate is particularly tempting for pets, but it can also make them seriously ill. Instead, choose a pet friendly treat to celebrate, such as GREENIES Dental Chews, which also keep pets’ teeth clean and their breath scare-free.

Keep them safe. If you plan to take your dog around the neighborhood in the evening, make sure they’re properly outfitted. Reflective leashes, collars and ID tags with flashing lights are essential accessories for any pet Halloween costume.

Halloween Pet Fun
“Choosing a costume for your pet is like choosing a costume for yourself – you want something that reflects your or your pet’s personality,” says author and entertainment expert Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. Here are a few favorites exclusively available at PetSmart:

Make your pet a star. If you fancy your pet a rock star, consider dressing them for the part. Check out the Bret Michaels Pets Rock wig. With blonde tresses and a bandana to top it off, your pet will be ready to rock and roll.

Classic costumes are spooktacular. For a fantastic costume that also offers safety features, check out the glow-in-the-dark Martha Stewart Pets Black Halloween Skeleton costume. Or, if you love retro, outfit your pet in the Top Paw Plush Sock Monkey costume, which is sure to evoke some “oohs” and “aahs” from witches, goblins, zombies and monsters of all ages.

Halloween Pets Shine
No matter what costume you choose, your pet is sure to look their best. Pet parents can show off their frighteningly adorable pets in costume at PetSmart’s annual Howl-O-Ween pet parade on October 20 at your local store or online via the Monster Cute Photo Contest Powered by GREENIES. Submit your pet’s Monster Cute photo at www.facebook.com/PetSmart between September 10 and October 21 for a chance to win the grand prize, which is valued at more than $10,000.

For more tips on pet safety as well as Halloween costumes and events, visit your local PetSmart or www.PetSmart.com.

Back From the Grave Cake

Ingredients

  • 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cups sweetened applesauce
  • 1-1/4 cups diced Granny Smith apple (about 1 medium apple)
  • 1 can (16 ounces) White Decorator Icing

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare 3D Skeleton Casket pan with vegetable pan spray.
  2. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla; mix well. Alternately add flour mixture and applesauce to butter mixture. Spread about 1/2 of cake batter so that it reaches the first horizontal line inside the pan. Sprinkle diced apples evenly over batter. Top with remaining batter, smoothing out the top.
  3. Bake 58 to 62 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on cooling grid.
  4. Decorate cooled cake with tip 5 and decorator icing.

Serves
Makes about 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.

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.

The Importance of Senior Fitness

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), exercise and physical activity are some of the best things older adults can do to stay healthy. Even moderate exercise can improve the health of those who are frail or who have age-related diseases.

Some seniors are concerned that physical activity or exercise may be too strenuous or may do them more harm than good. In fact, it’s an inactive lifestyle that proves to do more harm than exercise does.

Without physical activity, older people tend to grow weaker in four areas important for staying healthy and independent: strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. The NIH maintains that:

  • Increasing strength and endurance make it easier to climb stairs and carry groceries.
  • Improving balance helps prevent falls.
  • Being more flexible may speed recovery from injuries.

Exercising regularly can also have a positive impact on the immune system, blood pressure, cardiovascular system and it can decrease the risk of heart disease and help with depression or anxiety.

The American Senior Fitness Association has some recommendations for those wanting to start a fitness program.

  • Get medical clearance to exercise.
  • Don’t exercise if you are injured, sick, or running a temperature.
  • Always warm up and always cool down.
  • Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.
  • Avoid heavy meals for about two hours before energetic exercise.
  • If fatigue and/or discomfort last longer than one or two hours after exercising, cut back the next day but don’t stop completely. Comfort ranges can change daily, so don’t get discouraged if you can’t do the same amount of exercise as you did the day before.
  • Concentrate on exercises that improve and maintain your range of motion, lubricate the joints and keep muscles flexible. Everyday activities will be easier to carry out and you’ll have less pain, too.

Stop exercise and consult your physician immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • chest pain or tightness in the chest, neck or throat
  • considerable difficulty breathing
  • abnormal heart rhythm; nausea’ dizziness, light headedness, or visual  interruption
  • excessive cold sweat
  • extreme or lasting weakness or fatigue

For a good, overall exercise program, consider tai chi. Tai chi is a self-paced system of gentle physical exercise. It involves standing and performing a series of movements in a slow, graceful way. Each movement smoothly flows into the next. Studies suggest that tai chi may improve balance and knee joint stability, both of which help balance.

Staying active does the body and the mind a world of good. Find exercise and activities that you enjoy and you’ll be able to stick with it and improve your quality of life.