Best Kids' Toys and for 2012 Christmas Presents

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is buying gifts for kids. I love choosing toys, but I'm very picky. I demand that toy gifts I buy have some intrinsic educational value. And there are a lot of junk toys on the market. How do you wade through the chaff to find the best gifts for kids? Here's a guide from a 25-year veteran teacher and 24-year mom of four.  read more

Best Holiday Gifts for Kids Missions

Looking for a great Christmas giving opportunity? Operation Christmas Child is a charitable giving outreach ministry of Samaritan's Purse. Each year around Thanksgiving, thousands of boxes are shipped to domestic and foreign missions. Here's a list of items to put in your Operation Christmas Child holiday gift box. If you missed this giving opportunity, don't worry. Many churches and groups fill boxes for needy kids. These tips apply to local or overseas missions. Use this list to purchase gifts for any toy or gift donation. Gift suggestions are standard to most charity protocol. Christian families, consider using toy donations part of your offeratory. Catholics, remember, Advent is a penitential season; we're required to practice prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Childrens' missions make perfect holiday almsgiving opportunities. Many Jewish families participate in Hanukkah giving. Muslim families, if you participate with toy drives, be sure to check if gift donations are zakat-eligible. I can't speak for all Islamic centers but many in Detroit partner with area missions or have their own giving opportunities for Muslim holiday observances. Read more Best Gifts to Fill Your Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child Box

Black Friday Sales Alternative--Cyber Monday Online Shopping

Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping event of the holiday season. It's probably the biggest online shopping event of the entire year. Save time, headaches and gas money. Skip the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday madness. You can enjoy the safer and more peaceful online shopping of Cyber Monday. Check out cellphone deal finder apps and browse in your jammies. Online shopping can be challenging, though. Every store and merchandiser is vying for your shopping dollar. They ply you with coupons, free shipping and "great deals." How do you navigate the ocean of internet commerce? Here's your shopper's guide to Cyber Monday deals.  read more

Best Holiday and Christmas Gifts for Dancers

Do you have a dancer in your family? Whether your dancer does ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, ballroom, square-dance, polka or street dance, there are some gifts he or she will really appreciate. Read on

Free Printable Hanukkah Crafts, Greeting Cards and Decorations

Free Printable Hanukkah Crafts Hanukkah, Chanukah, the 'festival of light' is celebrated on the 25th of Kislev in the Jewish calendar. On the western calendar Hanukkah falls near Christmas. Here are free printable Hanukkah crafts: dreidel, gelt, menorah, treats, decorations. Read More