Holiday

I've lived in Baton Rouge my entire life and have somehow managed not to make it to Celebration in the Oaks until this year. While I am positive I would have enjoyed it in years past because I love Christmas, it really was something special with little ones. Here's why you should make the trip to NOLA for this event: It's fun for the whole family.  I can say this with confidence after going this past weekend and seeing people of all ages laughing and having a good time. Grandmas and Grandpas tagged along with the kiddos, and I even saw several teenagers there for a date night. If you aren't familiar with the area, this is set up in New Orleans City Park, near...

The Christmas season is finally upon us! The tree is decorated, the stockings are hung, and the online forums debating pro-Santa vs. anti-Santa are raging. Wait, what? Nothing gets my coals burning more than the age-old debate of Papa Noel. But it's not for the reason you may think. I believe this debate can be the quickest way to distract us from the true significance of this season and diminish the Christmas spirit. Why do you have to choose? Can’t they all get along? When I think of Santa and the little Elf on the shelf, I don’t treat them like they are taking away the meaning of Christmas or something else I have to remember to do. I use them as...

Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by Paris Parker. Stress-free holiday gifting for all the ladies in your life at Paris Parker Holiday shopping expectations: you finish your list in mid-November, with creative and thoughtful gifts for everyone, avoid all the lines, and spend December drinking spiked eggnog and watching holiday movies. Holiday shopping reality: it’s mid-December and you’ve barely started your list, the thought of sitting in holiday traffic makes you want to scream, you feel like you missed all the good deals, and you’re considering gifting everyone a scarf and calling it a year (spiked eggnog still in the plan). That’s where Paris Parker comes in. Take a deep breath. We’ve got your back with special offers, products and experiences that...

Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Give Back During the Holidays I love giving to others during the holiday season. Whether it’s the perfect gift for a friend or an item to someone in need, giving to others completes my family’s holiday traditions. Children have a tendency to get so wrapped up in getting gifts at Christmas time. When my daughter was a toddler, I set out in a mission to involve her (and now my son) in easy ways they can help us give to those in need during this jolly season. We don’t have a large sum of money to give or a tremendous about of time to donate to a cause, but my family is blessed to have...

I have a new love for Christmas this year. This is the first year for us to celebrate Christmas in our new house! I can't wait to decorate all the rooms for the first time and for us to start making new memories in our house together. I am a traditions girl and I love to decorate, bake Christmas cookies, and drive through the Christmas lights. Last Christmas, we were living in apartment while we looked for a house, but this year we are settled. The mantle and the fireplace in our home are just right for hanging stockings. This year, Christmas is new in a joyful way, and I love it. This has gotten me thinking about other Christmases...