It’s that time of year again, when sparkling displays and nostalgic jingles light up every corner, but for many Americans, me included, these celebrated customs can bring on a sense of uneasiness. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the feel-good vibes of the season. I love gift-giving to others, and you probably won’t find a more extroverted introvert on the planet … [Read more...] about Create a Peaceful Holiday Home
Holidays
Green Halloween Tricks and Treats
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. It is so much fun to see the little ones dressed as their favorite characters. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love candy? Growing up, I was never allowed to have too much candy. Now that I’m a mom, I understand why my parents were so strict with candy. In fact, I am also pretty strict with candy, but thankfully there are so many better … [Read more...] about Green Halloween Tricks and Treats
The Halloween Candy Battle
How Parents Can Turn the Holiday Haul into a Teachable, Healthy Moment Consumers will spend about $2.6 billion in Halloween candy this fall says a recent National Retail Federation survey—but $2.6 billion in Halloween candy will not be eaten. That’s because parents play their annual game of keep-away with children, trying to temper holiday excitement with health concerns a … [Read more...] about The Halloween Candy Battle
Halloween Face Paint
Here are some quick and easy ideas for non-toxic face painting if face paint is part of your family's Halloween costumes, or if you just want to play. Ideas are from Corey Colwell-Lipson. Corey Colwell-Lipson is the founder of Green Halloween, and National Costume Swap Day, and the co-author of Celebrate Green: Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the … [Read more...] about Halloween Face Paint
Homemade Holiday Wreaths
Homemade holiday wreaths are beautiful and inexpensive to make. They're a great excuse to get outside with the family and everyone can help in their creation. Here are some step-by-step directions on how you can make your own homemade holiday wreaths. WHAT YOU WILL NEED A wreath frame (available at most craft stores) Floral wire Pruning shears Scissors Wire … [Read more...] about Homemade Holiday Wreaths
Halloween Candy Dilemma
The costumes are ready, and the children’s energy is rising! It’s almost time for trick-or-treating! It’s a time to be imaginative and to let go and have fun. Does the thought of managing your children’s candy make you feel uncomfortable? You may be a parent who takes care to feed your children nutritious food, so Halloween may seem like an undoing of all your good intenti … [Read more...] about Halloween Candy Dilemma
Dance Around Your Maypole
Called Beltane in the Celtic tradition, May 1st is celebrated in many cultures as the beginning of Summer. One of the most endearing May Day traditions is the making of a Maypole. A Maypole can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make it. It can be anything from cutting down a dead tree to dance around to just climbing an existing tree and decorating it with ribbon. One … [Read more...] about Dance Around Your Maypole
Halloween Hangover
Every Halloween, you marvel at the kaleidoscope of colorful candies your children collect when they go trick-or-treating. While you might assume these sweets are harmless, the scary truth is that a nasty surprise lurks inside that candy rainbow. In fact, the bright colors are the result of petroleum-based food dyes, most of which are produced in Chinese petrochemical … [Read more...] about Halloween Hangover
An April Fool Silliness
April Fool’s Day is celebrated in many different countries, but there is no definitive agreement as to its origins. Celebrations have been held throughout history and in all countries during the first month of spring, and in fact, for centuries people followed a lunar calendar and spring was celebrated as the beginning of the new year. With the introduction of solar ca … [Read more...] about An April Fool Silliness
Make Your Own Valentine Boxes
In grammar school every year we would each make Valentine Boxes for Valentine's Day. We made them out of shoe boxes, wrapping paper, and stickers. Then we brought them to school and put them on our desks and in them our friends would put candy—especially those little hearts with messages on them—and other treats. I resurrected this tradition at the Mothering offices back in t … [Read more...] about Make Your Own Valentine Boxes