White Knuckle Parenting: Xmas Gifting—Learn From My Mistakes

How many of these Christmas gift mistakes did you make this year?

Christmas is my favorite holiday of all the holidays. I love the lights and the family time and the cookies. I love getting cards with photos of happy families and I love decorating Christmas trees by reliving the history behind each ornament. If I'm being honest here, I have to admit that I love the presents too. It used to be that I loved getting presents—and don't get me wrong, I still enjoy unwrapping thoughtful gifts—but now that I'm a parent, most of my excitement about presents involves sitting back and watching my kids' joy on Christmas morning. I've worked hard to teach my kids about gratitude and looking at gifts as an expression of love from the giver. I've also worked to help my kids understand how to give gifts themselves by …

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Jean Winegardner

9:51 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2012

VERY clever. The problem is when Santa brings one of their friends an iPhone. Then you'll have to tell them that Santa must love those other kids more. :)   more ›

SPEAK OUT: Do You Plan to Spend More Money this Holiday Season?

How will your finances affect your holiday spending?

Two-thirds of respondents to a recent poll by the NPD Group said they “plan to spend about the same” as last year, while 10 percent planned to “spend more.” With the economy and job situation still in flux for many families, we want to know what families in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County plan to do for Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa gifts in 2012. Will you be more creative with your gifting? Use sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc? Brave Black Friday sales? Cook or bake for familty and friends?

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Jenni Pompi

2:33 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012

We are budgeting for slightly more than last year, but not much.   more ›

Go Wild With Your Holiday Shopping at the National Zoo

Support animal care, science and research with these great gift options.

  Do some good for yourself, your family and friends and the animal kingdom by doing your holiday shopping at the National Zoo this year. For the kids: Bring home plush versions of Crystal or Cody, the zoo’s gray wolves with these realistic 16” renditions of the popular canines for just $20. Colorful owl or butterfly-themed purses are always in style and sure to be a hit with the girls in your life. Each version features working zippers, an inside pocket and a 10” strap for $22. For the animals: Show your favorite zoo animal how much you care by purchasing one of these great enrichment toys. You can either purchase items on the zoo’s online store, or visit the Enrichment Giving Tree to find out what’s on their wish list and you can drop it…

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Farm Fresh

Spoil Mom for Mother's Day at the Olney Farmers and Artists Market

The Olney Farmers and Artists Market opens on May 8 and has many activities that Mom may enjoy.

Want to spoil your mom for Mother’s Day? Perhaps she could use a massage, a nice piece of jewelry, some good food or relaxing music.  If so, Mom can get all that and more at the upcoming Olney Farmers and Artists Market, which opens Sunday, Mother's Day, May 8 for its fifth season. “We have a lot of special things going on on Mother’s Day,” said market president Janet Terry.  Olney’s offerings are impressive.  “We have a former White House chef, Charlie Redden,” Terry explained,  “He’s going to be doing a special chef demo with a surprise recipe.” The "Be Fit, Be Well" tent will offer free massages for moms.  Live music will be performing at the bandstand. “We expect to have a winery,” said Terry, adding, “We’ll have our live music, so we’…

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Farm Fresh

Top Ten Unexpected Surprises at Your Local Farmers Markets

Local Farmers Markets Offer More Than Just Fruits and Vegetables.

I’ve eaten the best apples and produce in my life since I started covering local farm stands and farmers’ markets.  While I expected to find fresh fruits and produce, I also found some unexpected and wonderful surprises that I’d like to share: 1. Locally Produced Honey – I bought my first jar of locally produced honey at Heyser Farms in Colesville and became an immediate fan.  I have since learned that there are quite a number of beekeepers in Montgomery County and the Montgomery Beekeepers Association boasts about 100 members.  I hope to do a story about local beekeeping in the future. 2. Popping Corn - At Gorman Farm in Laurel I bought really unique organic popping corn.  The corn kernels were dried on the ear and I had to knock them off…

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Farm Fresh

Local Beekeeper Offers Unique Holiday Gifts

Laytonsville beekeeper will join vendors at the Olney Farmers' and Artists' Holiday Market on Sunday to sell raw Maryland honey and unique holiday gifts.

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday heralded the holiday shopping season, you may have found yourself ripping through the malls or scouring the Internet in search of that perfect gift.  If you are stressed about finding a gift for your politically correct, environmentally conscious niece or still can't think of what to buy for Dad, local beekeepers at BannerBee Company LLC have an assortment of socially responsible, environmentally friendly gifts that may help.  They will be one of the vendors at the Olney Farmers and Artists Holiday Market on Sunday, December 5th. Chet Langworthy, who has approximately 50 hives in Frederick, Howard and Montgomery counties, learned the trade from his father who kept bees as a hobby.  What began as a family …

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Holiday Gifts: Fabulous Finds

Cat Napper, Luna Ball, Tea Set

This week's gift ideas are for kids and pets.

Here are this week's gift ideas available in the downtown Silver Spring area:  1. Paint & Pretend Tea Set: Lots of little girls love to play dress up and have make-believe tea parties. Step up the fun with a tea set that the little lady and her friends can paint before playing. It's a fun arts and craft activity that your little princess or niece will love to unwrap this Christmas. (Plaza Art Supplies, $18.00) 2. Black & White Journal: Do you know someone who's always drawing or doodling? Or perhaps you have a child who loves to write songs, poetry or keep a journal/diary. This is a small gift that the avid artist can take anywhere. (Plaza Art Supplies, $8.99) 3. Deluxe Pottery Wheel Set: A fun and exciting gift to give this year – …

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