holidays & celebrations

Giving back: four ways for children to be charitable this holiday season

by Jaimie on December 5, 2012
in character, holidays & celebrations · 2 Comments

The following is by contributor Jaimie.

Whew–the holiday season is well upon us and seems to have crept in out of nowhere. Or is it just that way for me? No matter what your belief system, it’s easy to get caught up in the gifts, treats, decorations, and family rituals and overlook those less fortunate. This holiday season, let’s work hard to give our children positive opportunities to be compassionate and focus on something other than sugar and flashy new toys.

Need some concrete ways for how to get your children thinking about giving? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

[Read more...]

10 Gifts for kids under $25

by Kara on December 3, 2012
in holidays & celebrations · 6 Comments

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

If you are like me, then you are not one of the lucky few who claim that they are already done with their holiday crafting and shopping. Yes, I’ve still got a few things to pick up for my nearest and dearest, with a careful eye on the family budget.

I’m not stressed though. There is still plenty of time and this season of year is really best celebrated when a few thoughtful choices are carefully made rather than an over-abundance of gifts that will be turn into this Summer’s “junk” in a matter of months. Quality over quantity.

While we’re making our lists, and checking them twice, here are a few great gift ideas for kids that are under $25. These gifts are all under $25 but with a lot of value for your dollar. You know I love toys that encourage creativity and the fewer batteries required, the better. And I don’t think kids’ toys should become obsolete, either. The classics are always in style, as they say.

Quite a few of these items you can find by shopping online from home, in the comfort of your pajamas. Now that’s a great holiday tradition!

[Read more...]

Giveaway: invite.L dual bag-in-bag

by Kara on November 30, 2012
in giveaways, holidays & celebrations · 405 Comments

Today is the last day of our annual Home for the Holidays week! I’m a little sad to wind down the week, but we’ve given you some great gift ideas and suggestions that you can take into your holiday celebrations this year.

The final gift I’m highlighting for your holidays is the dual bag-in-bag from inviteL

I have a dual bag-in-bag in apple green and I love it! It is one of those simple, yet genius ideas: a bag that you load up with the gear you use on a daily basis but that you can easily move back and forth between your larger totes, diaper bags, and carry-alls without having to do the whole item by item shuffle and re-sort routine.

Just pick the bag-in-bag up by the handles and take it from one tote to the next. Easy! This is perfect for a parent on the go, but you don’t have to be a parent to appreciate the convenience of only having to pack a bag once.

It is cushioned, soft, and features all kinds of convenient elements like mesh pockets, zippered pockets, and snaps that let you trim the design if you need to. I can see why this bag is one of invite.L ‘s international best sellers.

[Read more...]

20 Advent ideas: simple ways to count the days

by Kara on November 29, 2012
in holidays & celebrations · 11 Comments

Today for our Home for the Holidays celebration each Simple Living Media channel is featuring some of our favorite links to help you with this year’s holiday preparations. I’m talking about Advent and some simple ways to count the days before Christmas.

It doesn’t take too many days of using an Advent calendar for even young kids to start to understand the idea of a count-down. The simple, repeated act – be it opening a drawer on an heirloom calendar to reveal a surprise or tearing the next link on a paper chain every day – is a fun way for kids to mark the passage of time.

Are you looking for some ideas for observing Advent this year? I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite ideas for you to choose from.

[Read more...]