– Giving a great gift basket is like bestowing a buffet of gifts on your loved one, and when the well-put-together gift basket is opened, well, that’s a magical moment. Beneath the pretty decorations lie enchanting mysteries that emerge one-by-one to the delight of the recipient.
It’s that time of year again when homeowners brace themselves for low temperatures … and high heating bills. According to the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit group that promotes energy efficiency, the average U.S. household will spend nearly $1,000 on home heating this winter. If you’re concerned about the impact on your budget – not to mention the environment – then now is the time to take some simple, affordable steps to save energy.
Trips to visit family and friends, nighttime drives to midnight Mass or to look at Christmas lights, emergency runs to the grocery store – driving is as much a part of the holiday season as gift wrap and Christmas carols. No matter where you live in the country, driving during the holidays presents some unique challenges. It pays to make sure both you and your vehicle are prepared to stay safe on the road throughout the winter.
Temperatures are poised to plunge this winter and severe climate changes can negatively impact skin. Plus, harsh irritants, dyes and artificial perfumes can trigger sensitivities, making it even more difficult to effectively care for skin.
Hunting for deals and door buster sales this holiday? There are several little-known credit card perks to keep in mind before you reach into your wallet.
– The golden days of autumn are upon us, signaling a new direction in home decor and entertaining. What are your plans for updating your house? These easy tips will bring the feeling of fall into your home without a lot of money or extra effort.
You probably know tax deductions are an important part of your income tax return and that you want as many as possible. But do you understand how deductions actually save you money or how to determine which ones you can claim on your tax return?
– The long fall and holiday seasons are a time full of parties and gatherings where one wants to look their best. And as the temperatures drop, it’s also a great time to find the latest and greatest in new fashions, but the last thing you want to do is deal with the heavy crowds at the mall.
– Many homeowners expect their heating costs to rise as cold weather creeps around the corner. Contrary to popular belief, there are ways to keep your energy costs (and your thermostat) low during the winter.
– Every woman knows that hectic schedules can make it easy to forget to stop and enjoy the little things in life. But by finding creative ways to embrace some of life’s simple pleasures, you can make sure to stay happy and content.
This year, hosts across the country will look for simple ways to make this Thanksgiving an event their loved ones will enjoy. But, there’s a lot of work that comes with holiday entertaining – shopping on a budget, cleaning the house, cooking a feast, and caring for friends and family – and sometimes the fun that should fill the day can begin to slip away.
With calorie-packed foods and sugary drinks often at the center of holiday gatherings, the season can be more challenging than festive for many Americans living with type 2 diabetes. But American cooking star Paula Deen, who has type 2 diabetes, is letting people know that it’s still possible to enjoy all that the holidays have to offer while making smart decisions about healthy eating.
– Back-to-school season can be a stressful time for families. Homework requirements, packed schedules, extracurricular activities and even shorter hours of daylight are only a few things that make this time of year a transitional time for families. In fact, research shows that 85 percent of teens report their stress levels are affecting their school performance.
– Many recent college graduates continue to face a challenging job market, but do they know how to effectively locate and acquire a job?
– Not too long ago Susan Kladitis felt like quitting life.
– For homeowners looking to improve the value of their homes – and cope with the needs of multiple generations living under one roof – basement and garage renovations make sense. Both can enhance home value and add much-needed living space for less than one might spend on building an addition.
– If spring makes our thoughts turn to love, the cooler temperatures of fall make many of us think about nesting – and, often, how much more we would love our home if we improved it a little. A sense of security is one of the most comforting aspects of home, so this autumn, why not focus on home improvements that can make your home more secure?
– With the changing of the season right around the corner, most Americans are beginning to clean up the exterior of their homes by raking leaves and cleaning out the gutters, but what about the interior? Fall can be the perfect time to revisit that spring cleaning list that you never completed and give the interior of your home a deep clean in preparation for the holiday season.
– Whether you are an adult or a child, viruses, bacteria and disease can strike at any time and are not something which can always be dismissed with bed rest and soup. Terrible viruses, such as measles, have vaccines available, but have seen a continued rise in cases over recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Between the endless string of events and the chill in the air this time of year, it doesn’t take much to convince your friends and family to have a night in. No matter if you’re planning the party of the year or just inviting a few friends over, a great home bar is essential to make it a night to remember.
– Comfortable spaces don’t need to be constrained by four walls, and an outdoor entertaining area can quickly become the most important “room” of your home. You aren’t alone if your porch or patio looks outdated and drab. Weather conditions can be tough on outdoor areas, but with a few simple updates, you can create a perfect outdoor space in no time.
From sports to home makeovers, Americans seem to love the concept of going to extremes. So it’s no surprise that some people might think eating healthy and losing weight requires an all-or-nothing approach. But diet myths notwithstanding, nutritionists largely agree that a healthy lifestyle requires moderation and balance.
– Your home – it’s your castle, your sanctuary. But could the place you go to escape the rest of the world be bad for you? Formaldehyde, chloroform and even asbestos could be in your home and you may not even know it.
– Many parents agonize over making just the right choice for their baby’s first pair of shoes. In one important way, however, picking infant shoes is easier than choosing for an older child: babies have nothing to say about what style or brand you put on their feet. Teens, however, have strong opinions about fashion – opinions that extend all the way to their toes.
With Old Man Winter just around the corner, many of us are struggling to say goodbye to warm breezes and long, summer days. Consider these five tips to help improve the winter blues.
– Which vaccinations should adults get? If you answered, “I don’t know,” don’t worry – you’re not alone. A new national survey of adults in the United States reveals that more than two-thirds don’t know which vaccinations they need beyond just the flu shot. Adults need vaccinations not only to protect themselves from serious diseases but also to prevent spreading illnesses to their family, friends and other loved ones. Millions of Americans get sick from diseases that can be prevented by vaccines each year, causing them to miss work and leaving them unable to care for those who depend on them, including children and aging parents.
– While the crisp, cool weather may leave a healthy-looking rosy glow on cheeks, colder seasons can be tremendously harsh on skin. Extreme changes and inclement weather during the fall and winter months can leave skin dry, chapped and even cracked.