It’s that time of year: You’re hankering for summertime classics–juicy burgers, sizzling steaks, or tender ribs–but what you reallywant is to enjoy that smoky goodness from your own backyard. Ready to give it a try? Achieving outdoor-chef bliss at home is possible, if you have the right equipment. These hot tips can help you choose the gear you need to get those outdoor flavors at home.

First Question:

 Before we go any further, let’s clarify. While both grilling and smoking are great techniques, they are not the same thing. When you grill, food is cooked  quickly–at a high temperature–over a heat source, such as hot coals or gas-powered flames. Grilling proponents claim that rapid cooking creates a nice sear on the meat, which locks in flavor and keeps it juicy. It’s ideal for foods that benefit from the flames: steaks, burgers, chops, chicken, fish, shrimp and vegetables can all be deliciously grilled. In smoking, on the other hand, meat is cooked more slowly and at a lower temperature, by exposing it to smoky, heated air — “low and slow” in smoker parlance. Fans say smoked meat has a totally unique, rich flavor, and that slow-cooking breaks down toughness in larger cuts of meat, leaving it especially tender. This is ideal for cuts like brisket, ribs, and pork shoulder, but can also impart great flavor to other foods like turkey or lamb. Many foods can be cooked either way, depending on the desired end result. You can slow cook (but not necessarily smoke) on most grills, but you can’t grill on most smokers.

If You Want A Grill…

First, think about the type of grill you’d prefer:

• Charcoal grills are economical and easy to use, and they impart an unmistakable “char-broiled” flavor to your food. In a charcoal grill, briquettes are lighted by hand and smolder at a high temperature. It can take a bit of time to prepare the coals for cooking, however. (Some advanced models do have gas ignition systems to help speed up the process).
• Propane gas grills and natural gas grills start with the flip of a switch and heat up quickly. Some models even have controls that allow you to cook foods at more precise temperatures. Most operate with a canister of fuel that you purchase and refill, though some can be connected to home gas lines. Many models also feature side burners and rotisseries that allow you to prepare multiple items at once.
• Electric grills, which you plug into an outlet, also start up right away. They tend to come in small units that work well for tighter spaces, such as apartment patios and balconies. Some models feature ceramic briquettes, which add barbecue-style flavor.

Next, determine the size of grill you need. First, determine how much cooking area you need. Cooking area is the actual space you’ll have available for burgers, steaks, or whatever’s on your menu. Too large, and you’ll waste fuel and time heating surface you won’t need. Too little, and you’ll spend all day flipping little batches of burgers at the family picnic. The other thing to consider is the amount of space you have for storing your grill. Get one that will cook what you need, but that won’t take over your entire outdoor space.

If you want a smoker…

There are many types of smokers. There are small units appropriate for smoking small batches of food, drum-style units and large smoker rigs perfect for a block party. As their name suggests, bullet style units are shaped like a bullet, while cabinet-style smokers open like a small refrigerator. All smokers have interior racks where you set the meat, drip pans and a heat source.

• Electric smokers are fueled by–wait for it–electricity. That makes it easy to keep them at the low, consistent temperatures required for smoking. To get the smoke, you add wood chips to a heating chamber.

• Propane smokers also do a good job at keeping the correct temperature, though they’re fueled by propane that you’ll buy in tanks. These smokers are portable, so you can take them on camping trips. (But if you do, remember: Since smoking takes some time and running out of fuel is no fun, it’s best to have an extra propane tank on hand.)

• Pellet smokers have a system that automatically feeds wooden pellets into a burn pot that generates the required heat and smoke.

• Charcoal smokers rely on charcoal to create heat and smoke, and are the best at delivering an authentic smoky flavor to food. It can be difficult to maintain a consistent temperature with charcoal, however, and you often have to change the charcoal several times during the smoking process.

Experiment and have some fun, and you’ll be the neighborhood grillmaster (or smokemaster) in no time!

Tell us about your adventures in outdoor cooking–do you have a juicy grill or smoker story to share?

Julie Bawden-Davis

Do you know what you should do just as soon as you’ve shipped off that tax return?

You should shred all the paper that you no longer need. Okay, maybe it’s not as exciting as a celebratory glass of champagne, but it is a great way to protect your financial and personal data: Use a good shredder, and you can feel confident that your personal information won’t wind up in the wrong hands.

We can help you choose. Before you buy a shredder, make sure you know these five facts:

1. How you’ll store it

There are shredders to fit almost any space, from small, desktop models to larger, wastebasket-sized, shredders. If you’ll use it often, consider a freestanding model that you can leave out for easy access. Don’t worry that it will be an eyesore: Shredders come in various colors and styles, making it possible to choose one that fits your home’s décor. If you’ll use it rarely, it might be easier to get a model that you can store in a drawer or on a shelf.

2. Its cutting method

The  most important consideration when choosing a shredder is the machine’s cut-style, a.k.a, the exact way it shreds a piece of paper.

• Cross-cut shredders are the most common. These models slice the paper both vertically and horizontally creating small, rectangular pieces that are difficult to piece back together.
• Need extra security?  Choose a micro-cut shredder, which takes the idea of “little pieces” to a whole new level. A micro-cut shredder cuts an 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper into approximately 3,000 pieces.
• Strip-cut shredders (the ones that cut  paper into spaghetti-like strips)  are less common than they used to be, because they don’t provide the same level of security as a cross-cut or micro-cut — the strips they create are too easy for bad guys to paste back together.

3. Its capacity

Determining how much, and how often, you’ll have things to shred will help you decide how powerful a shredder you need.

A shredder’s product listing will indicate how both how many pages you can shred in a day, and how many pages you can shred at one time. In general, light usage in the average household is around 50 or fewer sheets a day. Shredders designed for this load can usually handle from 4 to 12 pages at one time. If you will be shredding more, look for a model that can handle a higher volume–because going over the recommended capacity can burn out the shredder’s motor.

Of course, you should consider what you are shredding as well: Make sure that the opening of any shredder you’re considering is large enough to accommodate the size of paper you’ll shred, and if you want to shred items like credit cards and CDs, double-check that the machine can handle those materials.

4. How jam-resistant it is

Paper jams interrupt shredding and can sometimes be difficult to untangle, so look for features that will help you avoid them: Some models sense when the paper is too thick, and will turn off before a jam occurs.

5. How easy it is to check its status

And while it’s hardly required, another great tool is an auto button. This will let you keep the machine on but not running, which  saves you from having to turn the shredder off and on as you ready paperwork for shredding.Waiting until the shredder is stuffed can lead to jams and overheating, and makes for messy emptying. To avoid overstuffing, look for shredders with a clear shredder compartment or a window into the machine — some even feature an indicator light to let you know when the compartment is reaching capacity.

Once you know what you need in a shredder, finding the right one for you is easy.

Julie Bawden-Davis

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”12 Tips for Making a Small Room Look Bigger”][vc_single_image image=”309″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While small rooms have their benefits, including coziness, when the square footage is limited it can feel like the walls are closing in. Decorating a small room so that you’re opening a small space up and making it look bigger is possible–if you keep a few design strategies in mind.

1. Go vertical

Raising the eye up to the ceiling gives the illusion of grandeur and depth. Give it a try: Hang a vining plant in the corner of the room, which will draw the view up. You could also hand long, vertical artwork starting near the ceiling or include some decorative pendant lighting.

2. Break up the space

Creating “rooms” within the room gives a sense of square footage. Create permeable “walls” by hanging sheer curtains or beading from the ceiling, using decorative room dividers and thin shelving units to mark out areas of the room.

3. Consider color

Lighter colors tend to open up a space, while darker hues give a closed-in look. Opt for mellow colors like yellow, beige, white, pale green, and pink on the walls and accent trim with darker colors. If such a color scheme isn’t appealing and you prefer more vibrant colors on the walls, alternate between light and dark.

4. Watch the ceiling

While lighter hues do make a room look larger, it’s not necessary to go with all white walls. Instead, focus on the color of the ceiling. By painting the fifth wall white or off-white you create the appearance of a raised ceiling no matter what color the walls are.

5. Avoid clutter

Excessive odds and ends make a space seem small and stuffy. Edit out knick knacks, sticking with a few treasured possessions and keep the center of the room open and free. Avoid furniture that attracts clutter like coffee tables. Put paperwork and items like remote controls in drawers.

6. Replace wall-to-wall carpeting

Carpeting has a way of closing in a space and making it seem claustrophobic. Opt for wood, large tiles, or stained concrete, instead, and add an area rug if you want to add color or soften things up.

7. Use low-lying furniture

Low, long pieces of furniture (like this one) keep wall space open, which gives an illusion of more space. Avoid tall, hulking items like large bookcases and cabinets, which can dwarf a room. If you choose to use a tall furniture item, opt for a piece that is thin depth-wise and paint it the same shade as the walls.

8. Capitalize on lighting

Let in as much natural light as possible during the day. At night, task lighting that illuminates a small portion of the room and washes the rest of the space into darkness adds depth to a room. Also equip overall general lighting, such as a ceiling-mounted fixtures, with dimming capability.

9. Think multi-functional

Use furniture pieces that do double-duty. Opt for beds with drawers underneath, ottomans that offer storage and seating for guests.

10. Install shelving

Rather than bulky bookcases or storage cabinets, hang wall shelving. Paint the shelves the same color as the walls and they’ll blend in and keep the space open.

11. Use mirrors

Reflecting various areas of the room gives the illusion of space multiplied. Place wall mirrors in a location where they will reflect an attractive view, such as the outdoors or a piece of art.

12. Go light on window treatments

Heavy drapes or bulky shutters make a room look smaller. Opt for sheer curtains or window shades and for a decorative flair, choose simple valances.

Now that you’re armed with these small space design tricks, you can make your room look like a palace.

What’s your favorite trick for making your room look bigger?

Julie Bawden-Davis[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

As a lifelong allergy sufferer, I’m well aware that windows, with their direct access to the outdoors, can have a significant impact on symptoms. Fortunately, it is possible to allergy proof your windows–if you keep a few tips in mind.

Open or Closed?

If you suffer from allergies, you don’t always have to have the windows closed … just most of the time, unfortunately.

• Close your windows during warm weather and use air-conditioning, especially when humidity is high. Also keep windows shut when conditions are damp: Moisture sends mold spores into the air, which causes symptoms for many allergy sufferers. Because grasses, trees and weeds tend to pollinate during the early morning hours, keep windows closed at this time until mid afternoon. Also, avoid sleeping with the windows open.

• Open your windows from the mid-afternoon until before you go to bed if the humidity is below 50 percent outdoors. As an extra precaution, you can install pollen-proof screens, which have especially small openings that prevent more than 90 percent of common plant allergens from getting inside your home.

Keep it Clean

Dirty, dusty windows are a breeding ground for allergy causing dust mites. Dust is particularly prone to building up on flat surfaces such as the windowsill. Keep the windows allergy-free by regularly damp-dusting with a 5-percent bleach solution. The will rid the area of mites and mold spores, and the damp cloth will prevent the dust from flying into the air and irritating you. For extra protection, wear a dust mask when cleaning windows.

Hang Allergy-Resistant Window Coverings

Dust-catching window coverings, such as heavy drapes and blinds with small slats that are hard to clean, are notorious breeding grounds for dust mites. Better choices include window shades and blinds or shutters with large slats that can be easily vacuumed. Clean blinds, shutters and shades weekly with a vacuum that features a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, and damp clean them once every three to six months.

A nearly allergen-free window covering option is privacy window film. Apply this directly to the window, which gives it a frosted look. It also reduces glare and UV rays.

If you must hang curtains, choose lightweight fabric that is washable. Washing the curtains in hot water every three months will keep them from building up dust mites.

It can be a lot of effort, but try these allergy fighting tactics with your windows, and with luck, you can prevent many allergens from getting inside and making your miserable. Avoiding the sneezing and sniffles is definitely worth the effort.

Julie Bawden-Davis

What household tricks have helped you with your allergies? Tell us below!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Press and Impress: How to Iron Clothes”][vc_single_image image=”629″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While you can get away with wearing un-pressed clothing sometimes, a crisply ironed wardrobe always looks best. Depending on the item and the occasion, whipping out the iron is sometimes mandatory. Knowing how to iron different garments makes it easy to get great results.

Consider these steps for wielding an iron with flattering results.

Have a Good Ironing Board

First thing’s first: To iron well, you must have a sturdy, smooth ironing surface. These days there are many to choose from, including stand-alone models, wall-mounted, hideaways … even a roll-up ironing board. If you’ve got a standard ironing board, make sure it has a smooth ironing board cover to go over it.

Fill the Water Reservoir

Top off the iron’s tank with distilled water. Avoid using tap water, which tends to be high in minerals that cause build-up on the iron’s metal bottom, which is known as the soleplate. Such mineral deposits can stain your clothing during ironing.

Determine the Proper Setting

Figuring out what type of material the clothing item is made of will help you determine the right setting to use. The correct setting is important, as an iron that is too hot will burn material and one that is too cool won’t press out wrinkles. Clothing tags generally tell you the material type, such as cotton, and you can then find a corresponding setting on the iron.

Preheat the Iron

The iron is ready when steam is released after you press the steam burst button. This is a button usually located on the handle of the iron that causes the release of steam when you press it. Use this feature to remove stubborn wrinkles when ironing.

How to Iron a Shirt

An easy way to remember how to iron shirts is to think “neck down.” Work from collar to shoulder to cuffs to the body of the shirt. Follow these steps.

1. Iron the underside of the collar with smooth, even strokes, working from the center out to each end. Flip the collar over and iron the topside in the same manner.
2. Slip a shoulder of the shirt into the thin end of the ironing board. Iron from the shoulder to the center of the back and repeat with the other arm.
3. Iron the underside and then outside of cuffs.
4. Place each sleeve cuff side up on the ironing board and iron until smooth, repeating on the other side.
5. Iron the body of the shirt, beginning with the front and ending with the back.

How to Iron Slacks

Most pants look best if ironed. Follow these steps:

1. Turn the pants inside out and iron all seams so they lay to one side.
2. Turn the pants right side out and iron any existing pockets flat.
3. Work on the upper portion of the pants by fitting the waist of the pants around the thin end of the ironing board. Rotate the waist around the board until you’ve ironed all sides. If there are pleats in the front of the pants, pinch them with your fingers while ironing.
4. Lay the pants flat with both legs on top of one another, lining up the inseams. Lift up the top pant leg and iron the inside of the bottom leg, then put down the top leg and iron it. Flip the pants over and repeat the procedure on the other side.

How to Iron Skirts

Place the skirt over the small end of the ironing board and starting from the bottom of the skirt, iron up to the waistline, rotating the skirt as you work.

Caring for Your Iron

Keep your iron free of debris and harmful mineral buildup by cleaning the machine after every fourth use, or when the iron no longer glides smoothly over clothing. Clean the iron’s soleplate with a cotton ball dipped in vinegar and use vinegar-soaked cotton swabs to clean out the steam vents — always when the iron is unplugged and completely cool, of course.

To rinse out the interior of the iron, fill the tank with a mixture of half vinegar and half water, heat the iron and flush the system over the sink by pushing the steam-burst button until the iron is drained.

Store your iron free of water in an upright position.

Now that you know the basics of ironing, start pressing and impressing.

Julie Bawden-Davis[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

As a writer (read: someone who works from home), I know as well as anyone: An organized home office with sufficient storage space leads to a productive and pleasurable work environment. Here’s a rundown of the tools to consider for optimal home office organization.

The Right Desk

As your central locus of work, your choice of desk is important to providing you with adequate storage and keeping you organized.

First, consider the outside: Besides choosing a desk that is aesthetically pleasing, look for a piece of furniture that is right for the way you work. For instance, if you need a lot of flat, work-surface area, get a desk with some depth. You might even consider one with a return (that’s an l-shaped desk), which will give you even more space. If you only need lots of space once in a while, consider a desk that has a movable work-space, such as a cabinet with wheels, that can be pushed under the desk or out of the way when you don’t need it.

Then, look inside at the storage space offered within the desk. If you need to store office supplies and other items, look at desks with a variety of drawers in different sizes and dimensions, such as a location for pens, pencils and scissors, and another size drawer where you can store files.

Good Organizers

Drawers and cabinets filled with a jumbled mess waste space and create chaos. You can choose from a huge range of  organizing tools, which come in a wide variety of sizes and dimensions. There are single-item organizers, as well as complete drawer models that allow you to segregate items and create a space for everything. Some are also expandable.

Cabinet organizers help to create additional space and organization in cabinets. Such systems are often also removable, which makes it handy when you want to transport items.

When space is at a premium in the home office, try space-saving storage items like bench storage units and ottomans with storage space built in.

Cord Control

Electronic equipment such as computers, scanners, printers and cell-phone chargers bring what can seem like an overabundance of cords and cables. A variety of cord control products on the market allow you to collect the cords and store them in an unobtrusive manner. Such systems also allow you to easily unplug items without having to sort through all of your cords and cables.

Sorting tools

The key to organization in the home office is to stay ahead of clutter–which can be a tall order. Start by planting a trash can next to your desk, so you can throw unwanted junk mail and paperwork out right away, instead of stacking into ever-growing piles for future disposal.

And speaking of disposing, you might consider a shredder to safely dispose of records, receipts and other documents that could put you at risk for identity theft.

Sorting tools such as letter trays, magazine racks, desktop mini filing systems and stackable storage bins also give you a place to put items as they come in for sorting later, rather than creating a pile that becomes unwieldy and difficult to organize.

Storage bins

If you have a lot of items and limited drawer or cabinet space, storage bins work well for organizing. There are storage bins in various shapes and sizes, making it possible to find the right size and shape for your situation. You can save space by opting for stackable storage bins and units. Keep these storage and organization tools close at hand, and you can enjoy a well-run home office that rivals any business.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Tell us: What’s your biggest home office organization issue?

We know, we know: Creamy is dreamy when it comes to comfort food. And sure, macaroni and cheese, pot pies, and ice cream are awesome. But they’re also hard on the waistline, which means these soothing dishes aren’t doing much to help you keep your healthy resolutions.

The good news: You can tweak your favorites with a variety of handy kitchen gadgets and low-fat substitutions to make them whole lot healthier. Try these tips and enjoy some of your classic favorites–without the guilt.

Ice Cream

Make a lower-fat version of ice cream using the Yonanas™ Ice Cream Treat Maker. This kitchen gizmo transforms frozen bananas and other fruit into a low-calorie, nutritious, and creamy treat that actually tastes like soft-serve ice cream. Since Yonanas uses only frozen fruit, the “ice cream” contains zero fat and cholesterol, plus it’s loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Macaroni and Cheese

There’s a formula for duplicating thick, rich mac n’ cheese with a low-fat alternative: Cut back on the cheese by 40 percent to 50 percent and replace it with creamy ingredients like low-fat cottage cheese. Make it  even healthier  by using using 1% milk and whole-wheat pasta. If you want more of that yummy, crispy crust on your M&C, try baking servings individually in small stoneware bakers.

Chicken Pot Pie

With its thick, flaky crust, chicken pot pie is traditionally high in fat and calories. You can cut the fat by adding extra veggies, including peas, carrots, and mushrooms and by using low-fat chicken breast combined with low-fat chicken broth. Top the filling off with a 6-layer topping of phyllo dough brushed with olive oil, which creates a luscious crispy coating during baking.

Fried Chicken

This typically deep-fried ultimate comfort food responds well to the low-fat cooking technique of baking. Create a low-calorie version of the well-loved crispy coating by combining breadcrumbs, black pepper and garlic salt mixed with a small amount of olive oil. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and bake the coated chicken pieces in a hot oven.

Pudding

With its rich, creamy texture, pudding tops the charts of classic comfort foods. Try making sugar-free instant pudding with non-fat milk, and give the low-calorie pudding a delectable velvety texture by mixing it in a blender at high speed.

Cheesecake

Rich, tempting cheesecake can be transformed into a low-fat version by replacing half of the whole eggs with egg whites, substituting low-fat cottage cheese for cream cheese and using a light graham cracker crust.

Chocolate Cake

Make a dense, moist chocolate cake or cupcakes using pumpkin! Replace the eggs and oil in the recipe on the cake mix box with a 15-ounce can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix!). It reduces the amount of fat and calories, and adds fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants. You won’t taste the pumpkin; just a moist, chocolatey cake.

Did we miss your favorite comfort food? Tell us about it below!

Julie Bawden-Davis

When it comes to bath time, parents and children have different agendas. Your first order of business might be getting your child squeaky clean, but the kids? Well, they just want to have fun. You can both get what you want–if you use these easy kids’ bath time tips for all ages and stages.

Infants

Establishing a pleasant bathing routine sets the stage for your little one’s bath time attitude. For newborns and infants, the goal is to create security and comfort — for both of you. One way to do that is to place your baby in a snugly wrap that envelops him or her during bathing (these come as either a removable part of the baby bath or as separate bath wraps). Another way to keep things comfy is by using an attachable sink hose-end sprayer that features a gentle setting. And make sure to wrap your baby in something soft when you’re done, like a terrycloth towel or towel apron that keep you dry and your baby warm and snuggly.

Toddlers

Toddlers are becoming more aware of their surroundings, and they’ll enjoy exploring and playing at bath time with your help. Many infant baths convert for toddlers, allowing your little one to sit up when he’s ready. When it’s time to move into the big bathtub, make sure he or she stays secure and happy by using a non-slip bathmat in the tub.

This is the time to introduce some fun in the bath. Look for floating, squirting rubber bath toys, from the classic duckies to hippos, boats, and cars to elicit squeals of sudsy laughter.

Preschoolers

Provide fun activities and bathing may become your preschooler’s number-one favorite pastime. Now that your child has more developed fine motor skills, you can introduce a wide variety of bath toys, including tub crayons, which allow him to do freely what you’ve told him never to do—write on the walls. Mini squirt guns are also fun—especially if you have more than one little one in the bath.

Easily gather, rinse and hang to dry all of your child’s toys once the bath is done with a bath storage basket.

Grade-schoolers

The grade-school years offer more opportunities for bath time fun, from scented, colored bath fizzies that effervesce in the water, to actual bathtub games like ring toss and paddle ball. You can add an educational twist to the experience with wet-and-stick foam letters and shapes that stick to the bathtub wall, encouraging your child to spell words and create imaginary scenes with animals, such as dinosaurs. Waterproof bath books allow your child to practice her reading skills. Your kid can also play “house” in the bathtub with items like bath-time dolls and tea sets.

Now that you know the secrets to bath-time fun for kids, fill up the tub and let the splashing begin.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Unless you’re St. Nick toting a bag full of presents, catching and holding the attention of kids at a Christmas party takes some creativity. Consider these ideas for keeping children happy and entertained:

Decorate Gingerbread Houses

Give the kids their very own gingerbread houses and let the creativity soar as they pipe on frosting and add candy trim. Good decorating choices include candy canes, gumdrops, licorice rope, mints, jellybeans, lollipops and cinnamon-flavored candies. Coconut flakes look like snow when piled around the base of the house, and marshmallows stacked on top of one another make great snowmen.

Set out extra candy so the “elves” have something to snack on while they do their work. And make sure to take photos of the kids with their completed creations.

Bake Christmas Cookies

Give partygoers an elf baking hat (that’s a fancy name for a Santa cap), red or green apron, and a big pile of cookie cutters, and let the kids cut out their own sugar cookies. Take photos as they make their creations, which can be decorated with sugar sprinkles or icing once they’ve cooled. As a take-home goodie bag, have the kids wrap the cookies they don’t eat in cellophane and tie it up with a bow.

Related: Tools for Decorating Cookies for the Holidays

Play Holiday Games

Help young guests ward off cabin fever by playing fun games like pin the tail on Rudolph, stocking races, Christmas bingo and Santa Says. Hand out holiday puzzles, set a timer and see which child puts a puzzle together the fastest.

Create a Christmas Storybook

Buy a large scrapbook and a variety of Christmas stickers and decorations. Have the kids gather ’round and encourage everyone to come up with a group Christmas story. If they’re at a loss for ideas, suggest they pattern the story after the Twelve Days of Christmas theme or Frosty the Snow Man’s story.

Using an archival pen, write the story as they dictate it to you. When they’re done, encourage them to illustrate each page with decorations and drawings. If there are just a few kids, let them decorate the book together, but if you have a large group, break them into smaller groups and have them take turns on the various pages.

Make Ornaments

Have the kids create a keepsake ornament for their tree at home. Hand out clear plastic ball ornaments and paints, glue and glitter, and let the kids decorate however they choose. Make the ornaments extra special by having the kids bring pictures of themselves to the party and glue the photos onto the ornaments.

Mixing a little preparation with a lot of ingenuity helps you throw a children’s Christmas party that Santa himself would want to attend.

Julie Bawden-Davis

A full house for Thanksgiving dinner makes for a festive occasion but creates some logistical challenges, such as where to put the kids. Sitting through a long meal with the adults can be challenging for many children. One solution that will make your youngest guests feel like VIPs:  Create a kids’ table for dinner.

Here are some great ways to make a special spot for kids this Thanksgiving.

Kid-proof table settings

Colorful, unbreakable dishes, cups, and utensils are handy items to include in a child’s Thanksgiving setting. Or use paper table settings featuring a Thanksgiving theme.

Protect the table with a vinyl tablecloth or keep the kids busy by covering the table with brown craft paper, setting out crayons and encouraging them to decorate the table with their own artistic creations. Add to the fun by cutting out placemats from the craft paper, labeling one for each child and inviting them to decorate their own placemat, which also gives them a keepsake to mark the occasion.

Festive holiday decor

Have fun decorating the kids’ table. Create holiday cheer by including items like a centerpiece featuring a pumpkin carved with a Thanksgiving theme and illuminated by a flameless candle, a trio of Mayflower dishes filled with condiments like gravy and cranberry sauce, paper napkins folded like turkeys, or scatter the table with multi-colored fall leaves.

Provide fun activities

Help ensure that the adults enjoy a leisurely meal and good conversation by packing the kids’ table with a variety of activities, such as Thanksgiving word searches and crossword puzzles, holiday-themed coloring books and games like pin the feathers on the turkey.

Serve kid-friendly holiday fare

Make it likely that the kids enjoy their meal byserving up tasty, kid-friendly foods like turkey nuggets, ham cubes, marshmallow-topped yams, carrot sticks and buttery rolls.

Top the meal off by serving fun, homemade desserts featuring a Thanksgiving theme, such as sugar cookies decorated like turkeys, “cornucopia” made from sugar ice cream cones filled with multi-colored candies and pumpkin cupcakes. Let the kids decorate their own cupcakes by setting out orange, brown and white frosting, cake decorating tools and tasty sprinkle toppings.

Keeping the kids busy and happy this Thanksgiving with their very own table leads to plenty of time for you to enjoy good food and lively conversation with your friends and family.

Julie Bawden-Davis