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December 2008
Is your New Year Eve’s party family friendly?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Our family has been invited to a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party. The invitation said no need to get a babysitter. All ages are welcome. They are planning dancing and singing in one room, a poker room for the dads in another area and a game room for the kids. They’re asking families to BYOB and to bring an appetizer to share. I think they’re planning to go pretty late, but I’m thinking I’m bringing my kiddies home around 10 p.m. But I do think it’s nice to have some place to celebrate with other families.
The story talks about family parties at aquariums, water parks, winter lodges and indoor carnivals, among many other locations.
Is your New Year’s Eve an adult-only holiday or can kids join the celebration? What are your plans with your kids? How late will you stay out with them? How old should they be to stay up until midnight? Do you worry about drunks on the road when you’re driving home?
And, if you want to share your New Year fun, send us photos!
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Planning a low-key New Year’s Eve?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ready to party like it’s 2009?
I don’t know about you, but I’m not hearing about a bunch of huge bashes planned for this New Year’s Eve.
Instead, I’m seeing lots of invitations with a more low-key feel. Whereas folks might have planned lavish buffets for their parties last year, it seems we’re hearing about “dessert” receptions, with a champagne toast, this year.
I’m also hearing about folks planning to meet up with friends at bars or restaurants, with everyone paying his or her own way.
There are plenty of events going on around town for those of you looking for a party this Wednesday night.
Budget-conscious party people may want to check out events surrounding the 20th annual Peach Drop. The entertainment lineup features Dancing With The Stars champion Julianne Hough and is free.
Is the economy affecting your New Year’s Eve party plans? Are you scaling back this year?
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What are your resolutions for the new year?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What better time than the start of a new year to set fresh personal and professional goals?
Do you make and keep your new year resolutions? Some resolutions don’t stand a chance. I always resolve to lose weight, but end up with a net gain every year.
Perhaps this year I can hedge my bets by picking some vague resolution about becoming a better person. That gives me a whole year to do at least one thing right. How can I go wrong?
There are a number of websites that can help you find a resolution that fits.
The resolution challenged can check out About.com: Pittsburgh, which lists the top 10 resolutions. Included in the list: Spend more time with friends and family; quit smoking; and exercise more.
Writer Gretchen Rubin offers several tips to help you keep those resolutions.
So, what are your new year resolutions? Do you set specific goals? Do you write them down or share them with others?
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Worst gift you got this year? And the best?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Admit it. Every Christmas, there’s at least one gift that forces one of those “Thanks-a-lot” faces that would win you an Oscar.
We’re not talking socks and underwear here. Nope, think ceramic cats, ties wider than Aunt Edna and The Clapper, version 4.6.
So ‘fess up. Which present did you unwrap Thursday that’s sure to be a shoo-in for the all-time Christmas gift hall of shame? (We promise not to spill the beans to Aunt Edna.)
And, in a seasonal spirit of fairness, what was the best gift you got this year?
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Some sorta Christmassy movie suggestions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tired of George Bailey and “It’s a Wonderful Life”? Of Bing in “White Christmas,” Kris Kringle in “Miracle on 34th Street,” even — say it ain’t so! — Ralphie and The Old Man in “A Christmas Story”? It’s OK. Like many of us this time of year, you are suffering from CCMF: Classic Christmas Movie Fatigue. It’s not life-threatening, but it can be annoying.
What to do? Trade in excessively Christmasy films for a few where the holiday is a mere supporting player instead of camera-hogging star.
Below are a few suggestions. Have one of your own? Post its title and your minireview below. Happy (sort of) holiday viewing!
Rocky IV (1985): While Sylvester Stallone beats you nearly senseless with Easterlike themes of death and resurrection (and bad Russian accents), the big showdown between Rocky and Soviet superfighter Drago takes place on, yes, Christmas Day.
Diner (1982): A compelling young Mickey Rourke. Steve Guttenberg’s pre-wedding Baltimore Colts quiz. Daniel Stern’s compulsively organized record collection. The partridge in the pear tree? Kevin Bacon putting no degrees of separation between himself and Baby Jesus, lying in a nativity scene manger.
Die Hard (1988): Twenty Christmases have not dimmed the glow from the endless fiery explosions, shattering glass, crashing helicopters and sweaty, shoeless Bruce Willis that make the Nakatomi office Christmas party an evening few will ever forget.
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Are you a regifter?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Money is tight and you still have that glass candy jar that Uncle Joe gave you two Christmases ago.
Do you push it further back in the closet or pass it along?
In the past, regifting was generally viewed as cheap and careless, according to an article on the Wall Street Journal Digital Network.
Perhaps no longer. “”…Regifting may be poised as the thoughtful gift of this season as consumers look for ways to be mindful of their personal economy, while still enjoying the spirit of the season,” said Cate Williams, vice president of financial literacy for Money Management International in the piece.
Who gets those hand-me down gifts? A survey by MMI, a non-profit credit and debt counseling firm, found that 4 in 10 regifters target coworkers as the recipients of their regifts.
And there are even rules for regifting. MSN Columnist MP Dunleavey offers a few tips for regifting including:
Update the wraping. Says Dunleavey: “The next most common regifting faux pas, after leaving the previous gift card attached, is to regift in the original, now crinkled and possibly torn (hello!?) wrapping paper or box.”
Don’t give partially used gift cards. I mean, really. Do people actually do that?
Keep track of who gave you the given initially. Imagine the awkward moment when Aunt Katie opens the very gift she gave you a year ago. There are more embarrassing things that can happen, but I can’t think of many.
Are you a regifter? Do you have rules about regifting? Any embarrassing moments? Ever considered a regifting party, where people are exchange their unwanted gifts?
And, in related gift-giving dos and don’ts. Is it ever acceptable to give promotional items as gifts. I mean like the free tote that comes with the purchase of makeup or perfume?
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Dating’s gift giving rules
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The holiday season can make a significant impact on a new relationship. It can either push you to the next stage, knock you back a step, or bring out the oh so lovely confusion stage. Sometimes this is brought about because of the gift giving process.
One gift (good or bad) can totally change the game. If you are in a new relationship, one of you (ok, the woman!) may look at the gift to decipher some deep meaning. This is when the gift can
In the first year of a relationship, I don’t think it’s important to go all out or spend a lot of money. This is the ideal time to put some thought into something they would cherish. What are gift ideas for relationships that are less than 1 month old? 3 months? 1 year?
This hilarious commercial shows how one bad gift can put a guy in the doghouse. Guys have you ever given a gift that upset your girlfriend or wife? What was it? Ladies, did you ever give something to your man that didn’t go over so well?
Is it a good idea to impose a spending limit on Christmas presents? What’s an acceptable amount to spend on your first Christmas together? What are some gifts that you have given or received when you just started dating someone?
What if you just met someone that you are really into. Do you play it safe and just squeeze in some QT with them? Do you wait for them to bring up the gift exchange?
Guys, you are so tough to buy for, what are some items you secretly wish the women in your life would get for you?
Ladies, do you have a grown up Christmas wish list? What do you hope to see under the tree?
Happy Friday!
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How to talk to kids about a slim Christmas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There is a lot less cheer in holiday giving this year, thanks to an economy in the tubes.
But how do you explain to your children that Santa may have to tighten his belt this Christmas?
A recent American Psychological Association survey found half of parents with children at home are stressed about not having enough money to buy gifts. The survey found that women are much more likely than men to worry about having enough money to buy gifts. Additionally, households with children are more likely to report anticipating stress this holiday season than those without.
AJC staff writer Helena Oliviero talked to parents about this issue and found a silver lining among the dark financial clouds. “For some, the slumping economy has shifted the focus away from the commercial to priceless family moments — such as singing Christmas carols, decorating gingerbread houses and visiting Nativity scenes — rekindling the true spirit of Christmas.”
Have you had to explain that there will be fewer or no gifts under the tree this Christmas? Are there other ways you can make this Christmas merry?
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Moms, share your favorite holiday recipes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ve had bunches of requests for a day to share recipes, so here it is!
However, before we get started I need to tell you that the AJC is super picky about the recipes they generally run. They have to be tested, and they have to include all their nutrition information. So I might get into trouble since these are clearly rogue recipes. I cannot vouch for them in anyway. The AJC is not responsible for how well they turn out. Please use common sense when evaluating these recipes!
So without further ado, here are two recipes to get us started.
New Mom posted her triple chocolate cake recipe a few days ago and JJ has already adjusted it slightly and reposted. In case you missed it, here is JJ’s version of New Mom’s recipe:
1 box devils food cake mix
1 small box chocolate instant pudding
1 12 oz bag chocolate chips
1-3/4 C milk
2 eggs
Mix all ingredients together. Add the chocolate chips last, easier to stir (I stirred by hand).
Pour the mixture into a Bundt cake pan, bake at 350-degrees.
I ended up baking it 65 minutes. New Mom said to cook for 55minutes to an hour, but I ended up putting it back in for 10 minutes.
Also, her recipe did not add any vegetable oil. I ALWAYS thought you had to have oil in ALL cake recipes. I added about 1 tablespoon after it was all mixed up and in the pan. That may be why it took longer to cook.
If you serve it warm, the choc chips will be mushy. I prefer mine in the fridge for a couple of hours for the chips to harden up.
I have a super easy one to throw out too. MOMania’s fill-in host Keith told me this one yesterday on the phone. It came from her mom-friend Andi. It’s a great recipe for school parties, cookie swaps or last-minute presents.
1 bag of square pretzels
2 bags of red and white peppermint-flavored Hershey’s Kisses (I can’t find these on the Hershey’s site but Keith witnessed them with her own eyes so I guess they are being sold. But I think any small piece of chocolate would do.)
1 bag of red and green M&M’s
Cover the bottom of a brownie-type baking pan with a single layer of pretzels. Put one Kiss on top of each pretzel. Heat in a 250-degree oven until the Kiss gets mushy. You don’t want it to melt through the pretzel. You just want it to get soft. Pull them out of the oven and press one M&M on top of each Kiss. The Kiss should press down flat onto the pretzel. Let cool and it will all harden together. Keith said they were very tasty!
So, here’s your chance. Tell us your favorite, your fastest, your easiest, your get-you-out-of-a-pinch, your best recipes!
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Coping with the loss of a loved one this holiday season?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While usually the holidays are reserved for happy times spent with family and friends, for those that have experienced the loss of a loved one recently, it can be difficult and painful. I experienced a death in the family this summer and as the holidays approached, surviving family members and myself felt a sense of dread. We opted out of a traditional Thanksgiving feast, and managed to get through the day, but of course Christmas has a much longer life-span in society. It’s difficult to escape the Christmas music and decorations in every store and co-workers cheerfully chattering about their holiday plans. We don’t want to dampen other’s holiday spirit, so we simply try to play along while avoiding overt celebrations like holiday parties. We skipped putting up a tree and decorating the house. It’s definitely a very surreal experience, and at times, lonely.
Of course, other families dealing with death might choose to immerse themselves in the holidays as a way to boost their spirits and celebrate the life of their loved one. Others might choose to give back to others by volunteering. There’s no right or wrong way to mourn.
For Christmas, we rented a cabin in the North Georgia mountains, which will be a neutral site to have a muted celebration. I’m sure as the years pass we can return to more normal, spirited holiday gatherings, but the first year is certainly a rough time emotionally. While relatives can get on each other’s nerves very quickly during the stress of holiday get-togethers, it’s not until they are gone that you realize most of those flare-ups were petty compared to their overall positive presence. Life can be much too short sometimes, so love them, warts and all, while you still can.
Have you experience the loss of a loved one this year? How are you coping with the holidays?
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Your Hanukkah traditions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Growing up, Chanukah was a big deal for me .
My family had a well-practiced routing for lighting the candles nightly. My dad would dip into a drawer where we kept a few spare yarmulkes. We only used those yarmulkes to say the Chanukah blessings.
Every other holiday they remained put away or we borrowed ones when we went to Temple. Then my dad would pull out an old paper that had the blessings in Hebrew and their English translations. We’d recite the blessing in Hebrew and than in English as the candles were lit. I’d get a present on a few night. For my family, eight nights of presents was a myth.
One night, my family would host a Chanukah party where all my relatives would come over. Of course latkes were a staple. A few years my mom even made a Chanukah house (colored mostly blue and white) using molds and melted chocolate.
Yes, it tasted much better than gingerbread. We didn’t play much dreidel because we all knew it was a boring game. The Chanukah party was definitely a night I looked forward to.
What are your Chanukah traditions?
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Saving faith in Santa
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS COLUMN IS NOT FOR KIDS! IT REVEALS SOME IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS DETAILS YOU MAY NOT WANT YOUR KIDS TO KNOW!
It takes a lot of commitment from parents to maintain the illusion that a fat man in a red suit circles the globe with a team of flying reindeer to deliver presents to children all over the world in just one night.
It’s not an easy story to sell, especially as your kids get older. But is it worth going the extra mile to keep your children believing just a little longer?
My mother sure thought so. She was hard-core about keeping Santa alive for us. She did the normal stuff like eat all the cookies and drink the milk, take us to see Santa and talk about him coming a lot.
But her finest, most committed move, came when my brother was about 8 and starting to doubt. She stamped big work boots in the soot in the fireplace and tracked ash footprints all over her family room carpet to prove that Santa Claus had come.
It worked, and my brother believed until the fifth grade when a very mean nun told him outright in Sunday School that there was NO Santa Claus.
My mom remembers he came home sat in her lap and just cried his eyes out.
He asked her “If there’s not a Santa Claus does that mean there’s not an Easter Bunny and not a Tooth Fairy.” His whole little world just crashed in that one day.
My brother’s daughter is 7 and has been questioning this flying reindeer and fat man story for the last few years. My brother and sister-in-law are crafty about convincing her to believe.
When my niece was doubting the flying reindeer my sister-in-law looked up stories and evidence of them online and showed her. This seemed to reassure her.
Last year my sister-in-law “found” a jingle bell left behind by Santa’s sleigh as further evidence that he exists. My niece has the bell by the mantle ready for Santa to “pick up.”
However, my niece has put her foot down about that Elf on the Shelf story. She said she’ll believe in Santa Claus, but she’s not buying that the elf comes to life and reports back to Santa. My sister-in-law had to give in on that one. She said OK, you’re right but please don’t tell your brother. He’s going to bed so nicely.
The NORAD site that tracks Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve has helped in our both our houses. My 7-year-old daughter was having some doubts last year but showing her that radar site cinched the deal for a little bit longer.
And just this week, I received an e-mail from a company called Santa Speaking. The company provides live calls from Santa Claus. They pitch it as a way to avoid going to the mall Santa who probably doesn’t know if your child has been naughty or nice. (You provide “safe” amounts of info to the company beforehand so the call is personalized.) But I think parents might want to use this more when their kids are starting to doubt.
Despite many parents’ best efforts to preserve their child’s innocent belief in Santa, there is always at least one big mouth in a class trying to blow the lid off the cover-up.
My husband was just that kid in a kindergarten class in Augusta in 1975.
Michael says his mother told him when he was 4 there was no Santa Claus. They were in a store and he pointed to something he liked. She said it was too much and he said that was OK because it wasn’t like birthdays where parents had to pay. Santa Claus would buy it for him. He claims his mother looked him in the eye and told him right there at 4 years old there was NO Santa Claus.
From that point out he saw it as his duty to shed light on this terrible scam. He says in kindergarten he was a muckraker working to expose this racket that made poor kids feel bad about themselves.
He would tell children: “Do you think Santa Claus didn’t like the poor kids as much as the rich and that’s why they got fewer presents? No, your parents just couldn’t afford to buy as much.”
As a first-grade teacher, my sister in law deals with kids like my husband all the time. She has the greatest reply to children who ask her if parents are actually Santa Claus.
She tells them “When children do not believe, Santa Claus does not come. Parents have to give presents to those who don’t believe. But if children do believe, then Santa Claus comes.”
For parents who are wondering if preserving their children’s faith in Santa is worth the effort, I offer this comparison.
My brother, who didn’t find out until the fifth grade, absolutely adores Christmas and is joyful from Halloween until after New Year. He loves the holiday and makes it extremely special for his children.
My husband on the other hand who found out at age 4 pretty much hates Christmas and is Grinch-like the entire season. His mom ruined it for him so he’s still trying to ruin it for others.
How much effort do you make to preserve your child’s faith in Santa Claus? When did you find out and how? How and when did your kids find out? Do you think a belief in Santa Claus adds to the Christmas spirit?
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Best place to see Christmas lights?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Are Christmas lights shining bright around your neighborhood?
AJC staffers recently hit several spots known for having great holiday light displays. They invited area children to go along with them to give their take on what’s to like and dislike about the various displays.
For instance, the Christmas Village at Calloway Gardens was a big hit. The village is a 22,000-square-foot tent full of holiday decorations. “The kids loved the sights of holiday trimmings (all for sale) and activities such as making their own stuffed animals.”
Where do you go to see Christmas displays? Do you go to places like Lake Lanier Islands and Life University or do you prefer to pack the kids in the car and travel around metro neighborhoods?
What’s your personal style? Has the recession put a crimp on your decorating fun?
You can also submit photos of your Christmas decorations inside and outside the house. Also, visit our holiday lights database and tell us where to check out wonderful displays - even if they’re yours!
For more holiday tips check out our Holiday Guide
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Real or fake Christmas tree?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Which is better, real or fake? I’m talking about Christmas trees.
On the one hand, real ones have a natural shape that may be slightly irregular but ultimately look as nature intended. No two are exactly alike. They are pleasant to touch. They’re not fresh forever, but they didn’t come from a factory and will ultimately biodegrade once they’ve served their purpose.
Fake ones, on the other hand, don’t always look quite right. They have that too-perfect symmetry, that sometimes hard plastic feel, and don’t ever sway. They may last for years but usually have to be replaced with newer models at some point. And they’re not cheap.
These days I seem to see more fake than real ones, although it’s increasingly harder to tell and it depends on where you live. I’ve visited places where fake ones were everywhere. The fake ones tend to be large, whereas the real ones are more varied in size. The “bigger is always better” trend seems to hold steady, but I think they all look just fine. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Besides, you can dress them up much the same. They all look wonderful with velvet bows or glittering garlands draped over them. They attract a lot of attention and have become cultural icons in their own right. You can compare them to each other but still conclude that what you have is all you need. Regardless of which you prefer, remember that it’s polite to only look and not touch when examining other people’s. And never, ever, brag about your own.
I’m talking about Christmas trees. Real or fake? It doesn’t matter. Without them, Christmas would be a bust.
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Prevent crime during the holidays
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Christmas time means robberies are up and thefts from cars are up.
Right now we have a trio of bad guys doing street-level robberies mostly in the southern area. Victims are usually caught off guard getting in or out of a car and it’s normally at night.
Some of the robberies were for money and one was a carjacking. At night, be very careful and look around before getting out of the car. These are quick hits and if you get caught in the worst-case scenario and are approached for money, don’t fight. Give up the money and get a good description of the perps.
Other things:
You know those “Secret Shopper” offers? Be aware, some are phony. Check them out. Most legit Secret Shopper deals don’t involve you putting money up front. Look into these offers closely and ask questions.
Thefts from gym lockers are expected to rise slightly. The most common scenario is a popped locker and either a credit card removed from a wallet or, if the wallet isn’t in the locker, thieves will sometimes take the keys, walk outside and hit the buttons until they find the car. Most of the time they ransack the car then leave.
Thefts from cars are up a bit. Just quit leaving all that stuff in them.
I’ve gotten some e-mails telling of stories of people who slash the victim’s tires then approach them offering to fix them, then robbing them. I hear about it but haven’t seen any of it here.
Apartment burglaries are quick. Kick the door, grab what they can from the front room and scoot. Most common item taken: PS3 and Xbox game systems. Aside from the door kickers, the second most common entry point is the sliding door. You can’t do much about the front door frame unless your apartment complex is very accommodating but you can buy or even make a door stop for the sliding door. You can buy a wooden dowel at the hardware store. Cap the ends with rubber stoppers and place it on the sliding door thus restricting it from opening. Most crooks won’t take the chance of shattering the big sliding door.
It’s a good idea to write down serial and model numbers of your valuables, especially electronics. Make the rounds with your digital camera and create a visual inventory of your items.
Believe me, it will pay off if you are a victim of a burglary.
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Plan to get the boss a gift?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you’re making a list and checking it twice, one person might be missing - your boss.
In tough economic times, giving your boss a Christmas gift can create an awkward situation for both parties.
Avoid potential office landmines. Don’t, for example, buy your boss a gift that is too personal. Items of clothing and alcohol are no-nos. Consider a small token she can put on her desk - a calendar or an organizer.
The website eHow makes these suggestions:
Ask about your company’s gift-giving policy.
Set your spending limit… keep the gift thoughtful, but less than $20.
Do you plan to buy your boss a gift and if so, how much will you spend? Which gifts work best? If you’re the boss, have you ever gotten a gift that made you feel uncomfortable?
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Your Worst/Favorite Christmas CDs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s starting sound a lot like Christmas.
I remember my grandmother started playing her Christmas albums about a month before the holiday. Our house would be filled with the wonderful sounds of Nat King Cole and Aretha Franklin.
My sister kept up the tradition and loves to play Christmas music. But I’m the problem holiday child. I only have a handful of holiday CDs. Well, one really - “Star Bright” by Vanessa Williams. I would love to have Alexander O’Neal’s “My Gift to You” but there’s only one listed on Amazon for $59.99, so it’s not likely to wind up in my sparse collection.
Do you play a lot of Christmas music during the holidays? If you do, what are your favs?
Not every Christmas album is silver and gold though. Lou Carlozo, McClatchy Newspapers put together a list of the worst Christmas albums? Agree or disagree?
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What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s that time of year, when we cozy up near the fireplace to watch our favorite holiday movies. I’ve realized over the years, that my favorite Christmas movies are as about memories and traditions as about the movie themselves. So it’s no surprise then that my top five list has not changed much in the past 15 years except for one movie that came out in 2004.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This is a movie that I watch every year. In fact, for years, I didn’t get in the Christmas spirit until I’d seen that little doggie trying to pull that humongous sled of stolen toys up the mountain. But watching the Grinch’s heart grow three times bigger just before he returns the items to Whoville is what Christmas is all about.
The Year Without Santa Claus. “I’m Mr. Heat Miser, I’m Mr. Sun. I’m Mr. Green Christmas. I’m Mr. Heat Blister. I’m Mr. Hundred and One. They call me Heat Miser. Whatever I touch starts to melt in my clutch. I’m too much.” Okay, I watch just to hear the Snow Miser Heat Miser song….
It’s A Wonderful Life. This is a movie that’s on most people’s list, and how can it not be? An angel comes to earth to save a suicidal man on Christmas Eve. In the end, a husband and father who thought he’d be better off dead realizes just how important the small things he did during his life were to others.
The Polar Express. Several children board a magical steam locomotive for a trip to the North Pole on the night before Christmas. Along the way, they learn about friendship, trusting others and the true spirit of Christmas. My daughter was 6 years old when this movie was released in 2004. For years, the story of the bell helped me to explain why some kids believed in Santa, while others didn’t. “At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell,” says the lead character in the movie. “Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”
The Sound of Music. Okay, this 1965 movie musical about the Von Trapp family really has nothing to do with Christmas except that it seemed to come on television every year during the holidays. In my mind, it was always a Christmas movie for that reason and it’s now a movie that I watch with my family every Christmas. Its theme of love, family and helping others sounds Christmasy to me…
That’s my favorite list, what’s yours? Do you like the classics such as “Christmas Carol” and Miracle on 34th or prefer the comical ones such as “Bad Santa” and “Home Alone” or horror flicks like “Gremlins” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas?”
For more holiday news and tips. Also take our holiday movie poll
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Do you prefer paper or virtual Christmas cards?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Each Christmas I receive a lovely greeting and photos from Gwynne, one of my college buddies.
I love the cards because they include wonderful, year-end updates of what’s been going on with her family: husband, Mark, three children and - at last count - just as many dogs.
The more her household grows, the longer the updates become. I’m not sure I would like them as much if I had to read them on a computer screen.
I remember my grandmother taking all the Christmas and New Year’s cards and stringing them around the doorways at home. Cheap, but nice, decorating.
Today, the possibilities are endless. You can get environmentally-friendly cards, musical cards and talking ones. There are even recession-inspired cards, though I can’t imagine they would bring much cheer.
Do you like newsy cards? Do you send homemade, store bought or e-cards?
Does it matter which you receive?
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What should you wear to a holiday office party?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some people love them, some people hate them, but it’s time for the holiday office party. The AJC has a photo gallery of the 18-hour holiday outfit, designed to take you from your work day through the after-hours office party. Do you prefer business dress or a more casual style for these kind of social events with your office mates?
If your office holiday party involves a gift exchange, this ajcjobs cover story offers good ideas for useful gifts for co-workers, designed to release stress and make one more productive.
And while we’re at it, we have to ask - has any of your co-workers (or yourself if you are willing to admit it) ever committed a fashion crime at an office holiday party? Did their fashion faux pas impact them back in the office?
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Have you found good cyber deals?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you are similar to about half of the American workforce, you are buying things online, while logged on at work.
Today is what has become known as Cyber Monday — the day consumers pound the keyboard - not the pavement - in search of good deals online.
Retailers from Amazon.com to Home Depot are offering big Web specials, and hoping more of you shop today to help overall lagging sales this year.
So, are you buying anything? If so, what are you buying? If not, why not? Also, are you buying from work? From home? Are you impressed with the deals? If so, which ones?
Rachel Tobin Ramos, a staff reporter who covers retail, may contact you for an article about Cyber Monday or you can email her at rtramos@ajc.com.
If you’ve found good deals or are looking for a hard-to-find item or suggestions, check out the AJC Twitter feed
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What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As a kid, I remember the fun we used to have whenever time came to open our Christmas gifts from Cousin Louise.
We never knew what surprise the box might hold - a sweater with poodles stitched on the sleeves or a scarf that still smelled of mothballs.
Cousin Louise, you might say, was shopping challenged. She never figured out that what might work for a 60-year-old woman wouldn’t necessarily work for a 13-year-old kid.
I’m sure somewhere in the Christmas gift graveyard there are tons of singing fish, ugly ties and candy dishes. I know, it’s the thought that counts and we do miss Cousin Louise dearly.
But what’s the worst gift you’ve ever received? What did you do with it? Did you save it or pass it on to some unsuspecting person the following year?
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