Then I realized there’s still time left. Whether you’re like me and want to squeeze in a last-minute memory, or you’ve had an epic summer and want to close it out in a special way, these 10 end-of-summer activities will help your whole family savor the season’s final hurrahs.

1. Feast on quintessential summer foods.

End summer on a delicious note! Plan and prepare a meal that embodies the flavors of the season. Think seafood boil or burgers on the grill, juicy watermelon salad, and ice cream sundaes. Assign everyone to a course, and let them pick foods that scream “summer.”

2. Splash around.

It’s impossible not to smile when you’re playing at a water park (or when you’re watching kids at one!). Take the family to the nearest one and pack plenty of popsicles to keep everyone cool. No water park nearby? Crank up the sprinklers and let the kids leap in the grass. Think your kids are too big for this one? They might surprise you once the water is flowing.

3. Have a Yes Day (with boundaries).

Declare a Yes Day (or a No Rules Night) with a few ground rules—no expensive purchases and nothing dangerous, of course. Let your kids take the lead, choosing activities and meals for the day. This is a chance for them to feel empowered and create some unforgettable, last-minute summer fun.

4. Take in a sunset.

There’s something magical about watching the sun dip below the horizon. Grab a blanket and some snacks, and head to the nearest beach, park, or even your own back yard. Reflect on the summer’s highlights, share your favorite memories, and express your gratitude for your kids and the time you spent together.

5. Walk the runway in a first-day fashion show.

Pick out a tune with a beat and have your kids model the outfit they plan to wear on the first day of school. Are they still debating? Have them show off three different looks. Keep the fun going by modeling outfits they’d never wear to school. Do your kids wear uniforms? Make that look number one, and then challenge them to give it some flair! (This is a sneaky way to make sure everything fits.)

6. Make freeze-ahead lunches.

Some kids might run from this idea, but if you have a kid who loves to cook, this is a great way to bond in the kitchen and get some meal prep done. Brainstorm some lunches that can be frozen and enjoyed throughout the first few weeks of school. Bonus points for creative names like “Beach Bum Bento Box” or “Cool Calzones.”

7. Make a fall bucket list.

Some kids thrive on looking forward to what’s next. Get the family excited for the upcoming season by talking about your must-do activities: apple picking, pumpkin carving, nature walks to see the changing leaves, or cozy nights sipping hot chocolate by a bonfire. Need some ideas? Download our free Fall Family Bucket List printable.

8. Have a family sleepover.

Sure, your family sleeps in the same house every night, but have you had a sleepover? Pull out the sleeping bags or lay out blankets on the living room floor. Ditch the TV and electronics in favor of board games, storytelling, and late-night laughs.

9. Make a top 10 list.

Scroll back through your phone and look at photos from the past two months. What was everyone’s favorite memory? What do you want to be sure to do again next summer? Use a printing service to create a book that you can look back on for years to come.

10. Do nothing.

Sometimes, the best end-of-summer activities are no activities at all. Declare a “do-nothing day” so everyone can relax and recharge before the school year begins. Read books, nap in a hammock, or cuddle up for a movie marathon.

What are some end-of-summer activities that make you feel like the season is complete?

The post 10 Things to Do On the Last Days of Summer Break appeared first on iMOM.

Back-to-school shopping is a necessity, but it can be a real budget-buster. Last year, the National Retail Federation estimated families with children in elementary through high school would spend, on average, $890 per household. Oof. Want your total to come in waaaay lower than that? Here’s how to save on back-to-school shopping with 10 of my favorite ideas.

1. Shop at home first.

Check junk drawers and random boxes in your home office space. Chances are you have leftover supplies from last year or a used folder or notebook that has another year left in it.

2. Reuse last year’s backpack or lunchbox.

This might not be an opinion if your child’s backpack is threadbare and his lunchbox has a tinge of “What’s that smell?” But a washing machine cycle might bring new life into these pricey line items. Try stretching last year’s bags to January to lessen the blow of back-to-school spending. I mean, what kid doesn’t want to get a new backpack for Christmas?

3. Use DIY locker decorations.

If your child has locker privileges, don’t buy a pre-made locker kit. Hit the dollar store for colorful paper, magnets, and stickers. Let your child unleash her creativity and personalize her locker space for a fraction of the cost.

4. Shop secondhand for electronics.

If your child needs a calculator or other electronic device, consider buying a gently used one from online marketplaces. You can find solid deals on perfectly functional electronics. Just be sure to check the condition carefully before buying.

5. Agree with your child on one splurge item.

My son and I both held pencil cases in our hands. Mine was solid green canvas. His was covered in Pop-Its. I said, “That one is four dollars more. Do you really want it?” Surprise! He really wanted it. Shopping with kids who love school supplies can be a lot of fun, but agree before you go that they get one and only one “splurge” item. This can help teach a valuable lesson in self-control and prioritizing.

6. Team up to buy in bulk.

My mom texted from Costco, “Great price on a 150 pack of pencils!” While my kids do lose pencils as if there are holes in their backpacks, I don’t need quite that many. But you can reap the cost benefits of buying in bulk by shopping with other families. Ask the moms of your child’s classmates if anyone wants to go in on supplies. You can research price breaks through online retailers, purchase for the group, and divvy up the cost.

7. Take advantage of discounts through digital resources.

Follow your favorite brands and retailers on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to their email and text alerts. You’ll get word of flash sales, and most retailers offer a discount for joining their loyalty program.

And practice patience. Sign in when you add stuff to your shopping cart, then wait a couple of days before purchasing. Many retailers will automatically send you an extra discount to get you to purchase!

How to Save on Back-to-School Shopping for the Closet

8. Host a hand-me-down party.

Say your daughter’s unicorn backpack is in mint condition, but her love of unicorns has tarnished. You could donate it, or you could bring it and a stack of outgrown clothes to a hand-me-down party. Gather friends, neighbors, and school families with kids of a variety of ages. Everyone brings gently used clothes (or backpacks) and swaps for treasures. It’s recycling, reusing, and saving money, all wrapped up in a fun afternoon.

9. Try consignment before shopping for new clothes.

Consignment should be your next stop if you come up short at the hand-me-down party. Thanks to cost and sustainability concerns, the resale industry is growing, so your town probably has a store or two, or you can shop at an online resale store like thredUP.

10. Make a deal with your kids.

“Mom, what was the Stanley of your day?” my son asked. I responded bluntly, “There were cool shoes or scrunchies we all wanted, but we didn’t consume as much as everyone does now.” It’s true. Kids are always asking for the latest water bottle, jeans, or moisturizer. So, make a deal with them. Agree on the dollar amount you’ll put toward an item. Anything over that, they cover.

What’s your favorite school supply from when you were a kid?

The post Back to School on a Budget: 10 Ideas for Smart Shopping appeared first on iMOM.

Thankfully, we’ve all gotten better at this family travel thing. And our now-teenagers look forward to the games (mostly), even on 14-hour road trips. When you’re on the road again, plan on playing these 15 car games for kids to keep everyone entertained. 

5 Car Games for Kids Under 5

1. Puppetpoolza Party – Anything can be turned into a puppet. Using what you have on hand (See what I did there?), hold a silly conversation with your child. The first time I played this game, I used my child’s Lambie. Lambie talked with a heavy Southern accent and called everyone Pancake and Waffle. She asked my daughter all sorts of silly questions, messed up the song lyrics, and tried her hand at yodeling. That puppet calmed our toddler and made the trip fun for us all.  

2. I Spy – Yep. It’s a classic game for a reason. And while it’s not a new game for you, it is for your child.

3. Hello, Yellow – See how many yellow trucks your child can spot. Give out a small prize when he finds 10. And, yes, snacks count as prizes! Then, move on to another color and another prize, like coloring pages, stickers, or a familiar stuffed animal who “snuck into the car.”

4. Cars of Many Colors – See how many different colored cars you can spot together. Red, white, black, blue, yes! Purple? Maybe. Hot pink? Almost as rare as a Hawaiian license plate.

5. And the Letter Is? – List three words starting with the same letter. Really enunciate the words. Ask your child to guess the letter. For example, you say: Book, Bear, Banana. 

5 Games for Elementary

6. Name That Tune – Create a playlist. Include songs your kids love and your go-to songs. Shuffle the playlist and take turns naming the song. Increase the difficulty by requiring title and artist.

7. The Trifecta of Road Trip Games Printables – License plate game printable, check. Road Trip Bingo, check check. I Spy Alphabet Version, triple check!

8. Spot It – Pick five random things, such as a horse, a school bus, a church with a steeple, a construction sign, and a child asleep in a car. When someone in your car spots an item, she says, “Spot it!” and then picks a new thing for the list.

9. Minute to Win It (Car Version) – How many football teams, colors, Disney movies, instruments, pizza toppings can your child name in a minute? Add to the fun by asking your child to say how many he can name before attempting it.

10. Fortunately, Unfortunately – Make up a story together. Each person takes turns adding one sentence to the story. The first sentence starts with “Fortunately.” The next sentence begins with “Unfortunately.” Then back to “Fortunately.” For example: “Fortunately, we left the house early enough to miss most of the traffic. Unfortunately, we left the bathtub water running. Fortunately, our neighbor has a key to the house. Unfortunately, his dog ate it. Fortunately, you hid a spare key.” Unfortunately, this is one of those car games for kids you need to play yourself to find out what happens next.

5 Car Games for Tweens and Teens

11. Cows on My Side – This game works best with four people in the car. Split the car into two teams, the left side team and the right side team. Teams get a point if they see cows on their side of the road. Teams receive two points if they spot a cow doing something other than grazing. And a team earns three points for seeing an unusual farm animal on their side (llamas, yaks, etc). But, if a team spots a cemetery on their opponent’s side and says, “graveyard,” the opposing team loses all their points. The side with the most points at the end of the trip wins the game.

12. Hey, Mr. DJ – This one isn’t really a car game, but letting your tween or teen take over the music is an easy way to get to know your child a little better. Ask her about her favorite song of the moment. Why does she like that artist? How does she find new music?

13. Mental Dominoes – Start the game by saying a word. The next person picks a word somehow connected to the first one. Whoever goes next picks a word related to the previous word. For example, you say DOG. The next person says BONE. Then someone says DINOSAUR.

14. Team Trivia – Load up your phone with popular trivia apps like this one and this one, and let the fun and games begin. Split into teams or not. The only real rule is no Googling! And, hey, let the winner pick where you stop for lunch.

15. Movie Mania – Start by naming an actor. The next person needs to name a movie the actor starred in. The next person names another actor in that movie. Then, the next person recalls a different movie starring the new actor. If someone gets stumped, she’s out. Play continues until only the winner is left.

What are your favorite car games for kids?

The post 15 Family Car Games to Beat the Boredom Bug appeared first on iMOM.

The lunchbox note is a powerful thing. You have your kids’ undivided attention for the six seconds it takes them to read what you’ve written. So what’s a mom to say? I think there are 9 types of lunchbox notes that match different parenting styles. Which one sounds like the one you’d write?

1. The “Here’s My Chance to Remind You” Note

If you find yourself writing “Don’t forget to bring home your jacket!” on a lunchbox note, you’re the mom who faces the challenge of managing her little people head-on. You also know the occasional reminder works wonders. Never lose hope. Today might finally be the day he remembers his jacket, his lunchbox, and his notebook…

2. The Apology Note

“Can we put this morning’s fight behind us?” If you’ve ever included an apology or waved a white flag via a lunchbox note, give yourself a hug. You’re setting a great example for your kids that no grudge is worth holding when you love someone.

3. The “Make ‘Em Laugh” Note

“What’s brown and sticky?” The mom who slides jokes or riddles into her kids’ lunches knows that a good chuckle might be all they need to make it ’til the bell rings. Never give up on making your kids smile. Our kids need to see our silly sides. It’s a stick, by the way.

4. The Frazzled Note

“Ask your teacher for another copy of the permission slip! And tell her I’m sorry!” This mom might have to use a lunchbox note written on a napkin to get the job done, but she gets it done! This category also includes the mom who’s sent a grocery list with her kid and took the lunchbox note to the store.

5. The Plans Note

“4 p.m. practice, 6 p.m. dinner (burgers). Want to go for a walk at 7?” If you’ve ever put a schedule in a lunchbox note, you probably love a solid plan. Your parenting style is predictable and reliable, and that makes your kids feel safe.

6. The “Focus on Food” Note

“Eat your apple first!” The mom who uses a lunchbox note to talk to her kids about lunch is practical. She reminds her kids to focus on what’s in front of them and not worry about what’s to come. Carpe diem, kids! And carpe your apple because Mom’s tired of spending money on food that’s not getting eaten.

7. The Encouragement Note

“You’ve got this, kiddo! Show that math test who’s boss!” This is one of my favorite types of lunchbox notes. If you could include a little pom pom in your child’s lunchbox you probably would. Kids need to know someone believes in them, so keep cheering.

8. The Artsy Note

For an entire school year, I didn’t send a written note. Instead, I drew stick figure pictures on my kids’ brown snack bags. In hindsight, I think I may have been going through something… Anyway… The mom who chooses drawings over writing leaves her message open to interpretation. She has a go-with-the-flow type of parenting style. She lets her kids express their emotions, and she probably gives warm hugs.

9. The K.I.S.S. Note

If your typical note just says “i love u” or “muah!” you like to Keep It Simple, Sweetie. You have no agenda except love and affection. Or you’re just exhausted and have no words left. The good news is, a mom’s message of love is usually exactly what her kids need to hear.

Then there’s the non-existent note.

Many days, I think, “I should’ve written a note today. It would’ve taken 10 seconds.” Then I feel crummy. If this sounds familiar, and you beat yourself up for not being a “better mom,” stop right there.

You probably hugged your kids, fed them breakfast, checked to see that they were wearing mostly clean clothes, and made sure they got to school on time. You showed more love than you can fit on a piece of paper, so this self-criticism—cut it out. But also, literally cut it out. Our pre-written printable lunchbox notes are free. We have some for tweens and teens, boys, girls, holidays, end of the year, and even husbands!

What’s your typical lunchbox note message, and does it fit your parenting style?

The post Which Lunchbox Note Fits Your Parenting Style? appeared first on iMOM.

That year, something that had never meant much meant everything. A lonely Valentine’s Day felt like a preview of a lonely life. It sounds overdramatic, but that’s how it can feel when you look around and see other people in love. But there are things worse than being alone on Valentine’s Day, so instead of lamenting about your singleness, remind yourself of these 3 things to celebrate.

1. You have love in your life.

Romantic love is initially based on attraction and often status. And unfortunately, it can be conditional. That’s why I wore makeup on my first date with my now husband, and he may or may not have done a set of pushups before ringing my doorbell. 

Meanwhile, the love that’s in our lives through our children is unconditional. It’s sewn into the fabric of our relationships. Even if we yell or they’ve rolled their eyes for the fifteenth time today, the love between mothers and children is solid. I remember looking at my son in his newborn days and realizing I didn’t have to do anything to earn his love. I needed a shower, a toothbrush, and a fresh shirt. He didn’t care. Pure love. 

The love in your life today might not be romantic love, but don’t ignore its significance if you’re alone on Valentine’s Day.

2. You’re rebuilding.

Whatever led to you being alone on Valentine’s Day—divorce, the death of your husband, abandonment—you’ve been through a period of loss or stripping away. But now, I hope you’re in a time of rebuilding. You get to create a healthier you, a heart that’s open to loving again, or a more stable environment for your kids. 

Give yourself a V-Day gift. Write down three things you want to be able to say next year at this time. (“I have a date” can’t be one of them.) Some ideas are: I found a job I enjoy more, I’ve forgiven people I needed to forgive for my own well-being, and I’ve gotten better at prioritizing my physical and mental health. Under each statement, write one step you can take to get there and give that step a due date.

3. You’re not in a relationship with someone just to fill a void.

There are some women who have Valentines, but they’re men who disrespect them, use them, disregard their children… You get my drift. You could have a date tonight if you lowered your standards or were just looking for a warm body. You could probably also have a date with someone who’s not the one for you but would buy you dinner. Neither of those options honors you or your children.

It’s tempting to write the story of this Valentine’s Day and place yourself as the teary main character. But what if you shifted the narrative and made yourself the empowered heroine who chooses to settle for nothing less than the right guy at the right time? That transforms a dateless Valentine’s Day from a flaw into a flex.

What’s another positive way to look at being single?

The post Single on Valentine’s Day? 3 Things to Love appeared first on iMOM.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of people experience some form of post-holiday blues, typically in the form of depression or anxiety, because of stress, memories, or unmet expectations. If you struggle a little through the end of December and into January, I’m right there with you. Here are 7 ideas we can use to beat the blues and feel more joy in the new year.

1. Keep the festivities going.

No need to pull the plug on Christmas right away. If you love the sounds, sights, and smells, leave the decorations up a little longer. In my house, we don’t take the tree down until after January 6th. We celebrate the Epiphany, when the wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus. Fun fact: The 12 days between Christmas and January 6th are the OG 12 days of Christmas (before that partridge in a pear tree got so popular).

2. Call a friend or relative you didn’t get to see.

For some people, the post-holiday blues well up because they love the feeling of connection with family and friends and will miss it. Fill that bucket by FaceTiming with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while or reaching out to your favorite cousin across the country.

3. Rest.

You’ve been go-go-going since November 20th. Even if you love baking, caroling, decorating, and wrapping, you’re probably exhausted. Find something that allows your mind and body to rest. I always do a jigsaw puzzle the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Knowing I’ll have puzzle time to decompress gives me peace.

4. Feel your sadness.

Our culture doesn’t like feelings of unhappiness or discontent. Sadness gets written off as a problem you occasionally have to deal with. The reality is sadness can be helpful. Feeling sad can reveal what’s really important to you and help you grow in appreciation for what you have. When you feel the blues, ask what good things happened that you’re going to miss and consider how you can recreate them throughout the year. Maybe you start a monthly dinner with family that lives close by or bake cookies with the kids more often.

5. Tackle something that brings stress during the year.

You might feel crummy because you anticipate returning to work and school. Think of one stressor that work or school brings and what you can do to try to get ahead of it. Do you dread packing lunches? Search with the kids for a couple of meal prep ideas so you can make lunch just once each week. Are you dreading sitting in rush hour traffic every day? Make a plan to listen to a book a week during your drive, or find a podcast that will help you grow in your faith.

6. Set a monthly challenge or goal.

Are your post-holiday blues triggered by a lack of something to look forward to? I love having something other than the holidays that mark each month. Try brainstorming ways to challenge or set goals for yourself or your family throughout the year.

One month could be “explore our city,” another could be “learn how to crochet,” and another could be “read a devotional nightly before bed.” Having something new and challenging to look forward to each month can keep things fresh. And the brainstorming session could be a fun annual activity to wrap up the year together as a family.

7. Think ahead to next year.

Give “future you” a gift by writing yourself a letter. You can even address it: “To me. Open on November 1.” Stash it with your holiday decorations so you know you’ll see it. In this letter, write what brought you the most joy this season and what you wish you’d avoided. Tell yourself how you feel about the money you spent (maybe you give yourself an “attagirl” because you followed a budget) or how you wish you’d drank a little less alcohol or gotten just a bit more sleep.

Processing the season that’s passed will help you name what’s making you sad now and hopefully set you up for a healthier holiday next year.

If the post-holiday blues really get to you, listen to this episode of the iMOM Podcast, “Beating the Post-Christmas Blues.” Subscribe to the podcast to get new episodes every Monday.

What helps you get over the post-holiday blues?

The post 7 Ways Moms Can Beat the Post-Holiday Blues appeared first on iMOM.

Kids get excited about what they’ll get. But, for the next four weeks, I want my kids to think about what they can give. Part of why I love giving gifts is because I enjoy the look on others’ faces. I want my children to experience that joy too. Here are 25 ways kids can count down to December 25 by delivering Christmas cheer to others each day.

Kids can spread Christmas cheer by making a little extra effort each day.

1. Make a countdown-to-Christmas sign for your yard (markers on paper taped to a stool works). Or, in warm-weather climates, write the countdown in chalk on the driveway.
2. Create handmade signs for the front windows that say “Merry Christmas!”
3. Sign up with a charity organization to deliver food baskets to homebound seniors.
4. Make Christmas cards for the people who deliver your mail and packages.
5. Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog.
6. Ask you teacher if she needs any help after school.
7. Facetime a grandparent or relative who doesn’t live nearby. Tell him or her about your day.

When kids spread Christmas cheer, they bring joy to others.

8. Write a cheery Post-It and stick in on a friend’s locker or desk to find in the morning.
9. Tell a coach or club advisor you appreciate him or her today.
10. Pick up a neighbor’s newspaper on the driveway and place it on his or her doorstep.
11. Have Christmas music playing when your mom or dad gets home from work. Let your parents know you appreciate all their hard work for the family.
12. Cut snowflakes out of white paper and decorate a sibling’s bedroom windows.
13. Help your mom stuff Christmas cards in envelopes and put stamps in the corners.
14. Go to a dollar store and fill a stocking with gifts to surprise a younger child you know.
15. Make a Christmas card for your teacher.
16. Bake Christmas cookies and deliver them to an elderly person on your street.

Spreading Christmas cheer means thinking about other people.

17. Pray for sick children who will be in the hospital on Christmas. Print out iMOM’s free Christmas Prayers printable to guide you.
18. Donate blankets to an animal shelter in your town.
19. Find out if there are kids in your community who could use your outgrown clothing or toys.
20. Decide on a charity as a family that you want to support and contribute some of your own money.
21. Write and deliver Christmas cards to a senior living facility or to your neighbors. Spreading Christmas cheer will make others feel good, but it’ll make you feel really good inside too.

22. Do a simple yard chore for an elderly neighbor or one with a new baby—pick up sticks from a windstorm, drag in the garbage bins, shovel the sidewalk.
23. Leave a candy cane on your teacher’s desk with a note: Merry Christmas! From, ___.
24. Be your sibling’s Secret Santa and leave a surprise on his or her pillow. It could be a drawing, a note, or a piece of candy.
25. To deliver Christmas cheer, greet everyone you see today with “Merry Christmas!”

What does delivering Christmas cheer mean to you?

The post 25 Ways for Kids to Spread Cheer This Christmas appeared first on iMOM.

A lot of research has been done around material gifts versus experiences, and researchers have found, for kids and adults, experiences are the way to go. They might not be as fun to unwrap on Christmas morning, but these 15 experience gift ideas for Christmas will lead to great memories for the whole family.

Experience Gift Ideas for Kids

1. A Subscription Box

There are subscription boxes for just about any interest. Cooking, STEM, travel, even detective work. Most have a three-month option, in case you’ve got a kiddo whose interests change with the wind.

2. An Imagination Station

Make a dress-up rack with princess dresses or magicians’ capes and give the gift of imagination.

3. Outdoorsy Adventure

One year our family went kayaking as a group Christmas gift and loved it. Do your kids beg to go skiing? Christmas is a great time to gift a family trip.

4. A Library Card

OK, a card isn’t an experience, but every trip to the library is! A library card is a great gift for elementary-aged kids. It feels grown up to have their own card, and watching them carefully write their wobbly signature is priceless.

5. Event Tickets

This is smart shopping. One year my husband and I were already planning on buying tickets to the “Dinosaur World, LIVE” show coming in February. We made it a Christmas gift and had something to look forward to.

6. Mystery Picnic

I’m dying to try this with my family. You use your phone to follow clues to locations where you collect delicious picnic ingredients. You see the local sites, enjoy local eats, and spend time with your people.

Experience Gift Ideas for Couples

7. Dinner Made by a Personal Chef

Love being home but hate dishes or food prep? Many personal chefs will bring all the materials and make a gourmet meal in your kitchen. (This is also a great Christmas gift to go in on with a few couples.)

8. Dream Car Rental

Turo is like AirBNB, but instead of homes, it’s car sharing. Rent a classic sports car to drive to dinner at a swanky restaurant, and watch your husband’s face as he tosses the keys to the valet.

9. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Can you say “bucket list?”

10. Dance Lessons

If your husband would go for it, dance lessons might be the most fun idea on this list. Even if you have two left feet, you’ll leave each lesson smiling and more in step.

11. Season Tickets

To the theater, the local team, the local concert venue… Season tickets give fans a chance to dive deep into sports or the arts.

12. Cooking Class

This is another one you can do with the family, but my parents still talk about the Chinese cooking class they took in their first year of marriage. Make good food and great memories at the same time.

Experience Gift Ideas for the Family to Give YOU

(Just subtly drop hints!)

13. A Subscription to Masterclass

What do you want to learn? Interior design? How to perfectly style your hair? How to think like an FBI profiler? Ukulele? If you love to learn, Masterclass is a goldmine.

14. Mom’s Day to Play

Let your kids and husband book all the things you love, like a massage, lunch with your friends, and a cleaning service to make the house spit spot for when you return home. (Yes, the kids could clean it, but you know the pros will do a better job.)

15. Bookstore Getaway

If you love to escape to a bookstore and get lost in the aisles, drop this hint to your family. They can wrap an old book and tuck a gift card between the pages. But that’s not the experience! You get an afternoon to yourself to sit with a coffee, a pastry and a brand-new book, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Ways to Make Opening Experience Gifts More Exciting

Let’s be real. Most experiences come on a piece of paper—certificates, vouchers, tickets. Not only is that a snoozer to open, it’s a pain in the neck to wrap. So you’ve got to get creative.

Most experience gifts can be paired with an inexpensive trinket or accessory for a more exciting presentation. We’ve wrapped a set of spatulas to go with a subscription to a kids’ cooking club, and those tickets to see “Dinosaur World, LIVE” were in the mouth of a T-Rex hiding in the Christmas tree.

This is also prime time to break out one of iMOM’s printable scavenger hunts. The hunt for the final clue and big reveal will be a Christmas memory your kids will cherish.x

What’s an experience gift your kids have loved?

The post 15 Experience Gift Ideas for Christmas appeared first on iMOM.

So when I got older and got a job, I went a little crazy on Christmas, draining my bank account to buy everyone what they wanted. Giving Christmas presents can be a lot of fun, but it can backfire if we’re careless like I was back then. It’s about finding a better balance between need and greed. We need to buy the right gifts for the right reasons, and we can do that with intentional gift-giving. Get better at intentional gift-giving with these 4 questions to ask yourself.

1. Am I using gifts to compensate for something?

It’s an easy trap to fall into thinking we can make up for not being engaged in the lives of our kids by buying them the things they want. I’ve done it. We can buy our kids every gadget on Amazon, but it won’t make up for the time they want to spend with us.

Pro-tip: Instead of buying each kid a toy, buy an experience you and your kids can have together.

2. Will the gifts my kids want move them toward or away from our family values?

As we are inundated with ads leading up to Christmas, many of which skillfully manipulate us on a subconscious level, it’s easy to find ourselves putting items in our carts that actually contradict the kind of family we want to be.

Pro-tip: Smart devices almost always lead to isolation. Consider a Christmas gift that the family can enjoy together.

3. What is a gift you can give that will help your kids step into their gifting?

Christmas isn’t the time to try to force our hobbies onto our kids. You may love fishing, but that doesn’t mean your kids are going to. Besides, if we give our kids a gift they’re interested in, it’s more likely to get used in the year to come instead of getting shoved into the back of their closet until we donate it to the Salvation Army.

Pro-tip: Spend strategic time with your kids to ask what they’re really into lately.

4. Can I afford these gifts/are they reasonable?

Have you ever felt pressure to get certain gifts just to make it look like you can afford them? I didn’t go into debt that first Christmas, but the gifts weren’t reasonable, and I spent way more than should have. Sometimes in the frenzy of the holidays, we lose sight of our budgets and just buy, buy, buy. If you realize this is the year you have to get control, you might have to have a hard conversation with your kids about what to expect on Christmas. Being responsible with money is a lesson that will set them up for better financial health.

Pro-tip: Set up an automatic debit of $20 per pay period to go to a specific Christmas account.

Are you a good gift-giver? How can we be better at intentional gift-giving?

The post 4 Questions to Ask Before Buying Gifts for Your Kids appeared first on iMOM.

To help Thanksgiving move up on the favorite holidays list, I thought about what we could do differently. If your family struggles with enjoying this holiday too, maybe you can give Thanksgiving an overhaul this year by incorporating one of these 8 ways to turn it into a holiday you love.

1. Start a new tradition.

As a teen, I worked the holidays at a movie theater and on those days, my boss let my family see shows for free. I’d serve up the popcorn, make some money, and my parents and sister got a treat. We all liked the arrangement, and it lasted for a handful of years. What can your family do that’s different and will make this holiday one you love? Thanksgiving traditions don’t have to be the stuff of your childhood. Make new ones with the family you have now.

2. Have a parade party.

Parades have this old-timey feel to them, don’t they? If you’re lucky enough to live near a city with a Thanksgiving parade, why not attend in person this year? If you can’t find a parade in town, tune in to one on TV. Make it special by having breakfast on the couch and watching as a family. You might be surprised how fun this can be for kids.

3. Bake a pie—or a different sweet treat—with the kids.

My kids and I have baked an apple pie together for most of the last several Thanksgivings. Maybe your family would prefer to bake a cake on Thanksgiving? Or something fancy like scones or donuts? Do what makes your family happy and create a new, sweet Thanksgiving tradition together.

4. Decide on good enough dinner prep.

My husband makes Thanksgiving dinner and is the type of guy who enjoys the challenge of a new stuffing recipe each year. As for me, I’m just happy I don’t have to cook. Talk with your husband about what you both envision for the holiday. Be realistic. What people remember most from Thanksgiving is the company and whether their bellies are full. So, just make sure there’s enough, but don’t stress over whether it’s Michelin quality.

5. Combine travel with a tourist activity.

Does the Thanksgiving tradition of traveling on the holiday make your stomach hurt? Me too. Growing up, I hated sitting in someone else’s living room for hours while the adults talked. And as an adult, I find it just about as hard. So I’ve proposed to my husband that we combine our next trip with some sort of fun, touristy activity. I know there’s not a lot open on the actual holiday, but if you plan something for the day after, it might give you and the kids something else to look forward to.

6. Invite people you don’t know well.

Some of my most memorable Thanksgivings included untraditional guests—the elderly lady on our block, my son’s friend and his family, and my husband’s single coworker who got stranded in town last minute without dinner plans. Because we didn’t normally have holiday dinners together, these occasions became exciting very quickly. Think about who you can invite this year. New topics of conversation make things interesting!

7. Choose a friends-giving or self-giving activity.

I went to a “friends-giving” party a couple years ago, which was kind of like a potluck with various dishes—some Thanksgiving themed, but some dishes from the hostess’s Filipino background. I loved trying her plantains! If this is your kind of thing, host on the weekend before Thanksgiving so you’re free to do something else on the actual day. If you prefer something quieter, carve out time for some “self-giving” and whatever that means to you. It could be eating the leftover stuffing in front of your favorite TV show the next day. Or, it could mean taking yourself to a coffee shop for some quiet time to read. Either way, it’s a special treat. That way, when Thanksgiving looms on the calendar, you have something to look forward to.

8. Break with tradition.

I grew up with the white noise of football games on TV during Thanksgiving. These days, our family keeps the TV off. Why not break the tradition that bothers you and start fresh with your family? A friend of mine doesn’t even make a turkey (her family eats lasagna). If your idea of family fun isn’t board games or backyard touch football, pick something you like. Go on a bike ride. Decorate for Christmas. Do what makes your family light up when you say, “Thanksgiving’s almost here!”

For some fun ideas to try with your family, print out our Fall Family Bucket List.

Which Thanksgiving traditions do you love, and which ones would you rather give up?

The post 8 Ways to Make Thanksgiving a Holiday You Love appeared first on iMOM.