http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog Sound off about the holidays. en-us spoole@ajc.com 2008-12-31T12:49:27-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Sound off about the holidays. http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/31/is_your_new_year_eves_party_fa.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9761503@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-31T12:49:27-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/29/planning_a_lowkey_new_years_ev.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9723203@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-29T14:27:16-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/29/what_are_your_resolutions_for.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9714003@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-29T07:51:17-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/26/worst_gift_you_got_this_year.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9691003@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ Christmas 2008-12-26T14:37:04-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/23/some_sorta_christmasy_movie_su.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9660503@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-23T17:09:33-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/19/are_you_a_regifter.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9589703@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-19T09:47:19-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/19/datings_gift_giving_rules.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9587103@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-19T08:24:22-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/18/how_to_talk_to_kids_about_a_sl.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9561903@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-18T09:34:42-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/18/moms_share_your_favorite_holid.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9559103@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-18T07:46:25-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/16/coping_with_the_loss_of_a_love.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9520003@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-16T15:18:04-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/15/remembrance_of_chanukahs_past.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9491903@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-15T15:22:45-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/15/saving_faith_in_santa.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9477303@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-15T07:27:44-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/12/best_place_to_see_christmas_li.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9442003@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-12T13:06:57-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/11/real_or_fake_christmas_tree.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9416703@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-11T14:10:02-05:00 http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/entries/2008/12/10/prevent_crime_during_the_holid.html?cxntfid=blogs_holiday_blog 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... 9390303@http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/shared-blogs/ajc/holidayblog/ 2008-12-10T14:27:51-05:00