Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Free Entrance to all National Parks

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Day with a visit to a National Park. All 398 national parks across the US will have free entrance today for  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

"In addition to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the National Park Service will also waive admission fees on 10 other days in 2013 – the weekdays of National Park Week (April 22 through 26), the National Park Service’s 97^thbirthday (August 25), National Public Lands Day (September 28), and Veterans Day weekend (November 9 through 11)."

Learn more about the National Park Serviat www.nps.gov. 

Holiday Tips From Our Forums!

Many readers don't realize that not only does FamilyCorner.com have an awesome blog and website, they also have an active forum community!

I've been involved with this wonderful community for the past 10 years. Today, I'm sharing some of their favorite tips and tricks for making it through the holidays!

Each of these women have earned an award for their tips. Click here to see what these fun awards are all about! 

Sweet Magnolia – Family Time Tip Award
“I used to make homemade hot chocolate while we were putting the tree up and decorating it. I always let the kids help decorate, no matter the size or age they were. It they piled too many up in one spot I simply moved them around on the tree after they went to sleep, they never noticed. We also read the story of the birth of the Christ child and The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve.”

Cooked – Home & Garden Tip Award
“One tip I find oh so helpful if you have pets or small children, put your unbreakable ornaments on the bottom part of the tree, they won't break when little hands or tails knock them off.”

RobertaD- Cooking Tip Award
“My neice just graduated college and started working so I'm going to print off my collection of crock pot meals for her.”

Ajrsmom – Frugal Tip Award
“Here's a tip for a stocking stuffer:  Throughout the year Target runs special deals where if you buy a certain number of specific items or just specific items mentioned, they give you a $5.00 gift card. I've recently earned 2 of the $5. cards so I'm going to stick them into my kids' stockings.”

Fish3711 – Craft Tip Award
“I recycle my Christmas Cards. I take the older cards and cut/paste them onto card stock and I make my own Christmas Cards for my family & friends. I also use ribbon and well pretty much anything I find that I think looks good and glue it on the card for decoration. I add a family photo for the finishing touch.”

Stellajean66 – Family Time Tip Award
“In the evenings, as a family, we like to put on some Christmas music, make some hot cocoa or eggnog and sit in front of the tree and enjoy each others Christmas memories.....our son gets to hear our Christmas pasts and he brings smiles to our face with his favorite memories with us.”

Ajrsmom – Frugal Tip Award
“If you have an old jar candle that isn’t pretty enough to set out any longer but you still love the scent, chisel the candle out of the jar and melt the pieces in a candle melt warmer. A jar candle chiseled into pieces will last a very long time in a candle warmer, saving lots of $$$ from not buying new candles.”

 RobertaD – Frugal Tip Award
“I pick up things all year that will make a good gift for someone individually or bundled together with other items.”

KathyMac – Frugal Tip Award
“I collect change and cash it in once or twice over the course of the year. I put this money aside in my "secret hiding place" and don't touch it until it's time to shop. For the first time this year, I am doing all of my shopping with cash. When the cash runs out, the shopping is done.”

Cau – FamilyTime Tip Award
“We have an Advent calendar in the shape of a tree with 25 pockets in it. I put some coins and a few candies but mainly fill it with slips of paper with things like worth 1 job done by mom, your favorite dinner, popcorn and Christmas movie night, no electronics tonight , decorate sweatshirts tonight , go see the Christmas lights tonight etc.”

Cau – Family Time Tip Award
“I make a movie of our Christmas pictures every year.”

Fish3711 – Family Time Tip Award
“We have a Christmas Tree Tradition in my family. It is one I created for my kids, it wasn't one I grew up with. We all go to pick out our tree. Once we've picked it out and brought it home we all choose a name for it and write it on a slip of paper. Then we draw one name out and that is the tree's name.”

Fish3711 – Family Time Tip Award
“When we decorate the tree, I make homemade cookies and hot chocolate & I insist on playing Christmas music. I used to tell my kids the Christmas music is what kept the tree alive thru the holidays!”

RobertaD – Family Time Tip Award
“We have carried on a tradition that DH's family did which is putting up the tree the first day in December that is snows. We have custard after the tree is up and turn all the lights off in the house and listen to Christmas music while watching the tree and eating our custard.”

Bensmom526 – Home & Garden Tip Award
“To save opened gift wrap for next year, unwrap from roll and insert into the card board tube. It won't tear or turn yellow and you can store it in a corner of your closet.”

Bensmom526 – Family Time Tip Award
“To keep the present opening frenzy under control, I wrap each family member's gifts in one pattern of gift wrap. Christmas morning I tell them who has which wrap and run out of the way before I get trampled!”

Stop by for a visit! You will find me under "ajrsmom". If you see any of the ladies, who are listed above, be sure to tell them that you read their tips on the FC Blog! 

Happy Holiday from all of Us at the FamilyCorner.com Forums! 

Tami 

St. Patrick's Day Crafts & Recipes

St. Patrick's Day doesn't get the attention that many other holidays do, but that doesn't stop the creation of cute crafts and tasty recipes you and your kids will love! We have a variety of printables, crafts and recipes available in our St. Patrick's Day section.

Some ideas include:

Felt Leprechaun Hats

Pot of Gold Treat Holders

Simple St. Patrick's Day Wreath

Rainbow and Shamrock Cookies

St. Patty's Chocolate Covered Pretzels

To see all of our fun St. Patrick's Day ideas, visit FamilyCorner.com!

12 Days of Holiday Organizing

It's that wonderful time of year again: the holidays are almost upon us. We know it arrives at the same time every year, and yet it continues to sneak up on us. Your holiday preparations can be less stressful if you create a holiday countdown to halt the holiday madness.

Day 12 - BE PREPARED
Create a budget for your gift purchases and stick with it. This will determine who is on your gift list, and how what you will purchase. Then make a detailed gift list and keep it with you in your purse, briefcase, or planner for quick reference. Write down a few ideas for presents, based on the preferences of those on the list and hints they have given you throughout the year.

Day 11 - SLOW DOWN
Utilize slow times to run your errands so that you won't burn out. Shop for groceries in early mornings or late evenings (not during lunch hour or after work), visit the malls during your lunchbreak while others are at work or in the classroom, and try to avoid standing in line if at all possible. Take bottled water and a snack for quick energy.

Day 10 - TAKE STOCK
Start stocking the freezer for quick meals. Just double a recipe every day this week and you'll have instant leftovers. You'll thank yourself in the busy days to come.


Day 9 - LIMIT INTERRUPTIONS
Learn how to screen incoming interruptions to eliminate stress at work and at home. Use voicemail, caller i.d., and email filters to avoid chaos creators.

Day 8 - HELPING HANDS
Hire a babysitter or mother's helper to watch the kids while you shop, wrap gifts, or visit your favorite day spa.

Day 7 - DELEGATE
Delegate simple decorating and gift-wrapping tasks to others. Small children love to help by adding bows or gift tags to presents, while visiting grandparents can polish silver or press linens.


Day 6 - MULTI-TASKING
Multi-task whenever possible so that you can play and work at the same time. Watch tv while polishing silver, or listen to classical music while ironing table linens. Try to avoid isolating yourself from the rest of the fun while you're working on your to do's.

Day 5 - GAME PLAN?
Create a game plan for your holiday meal. Cook rolls, stuffing, desserts, and meats in smaller portions for easy heat&serve dinners on the big day. Focus your efforts on family time not kitchen duty.

Day 4 - CHECK IT OUT
Take an inventory of the linen closet so that there are no surprises as you serve the turkey. Is your best tablecloth stained, or did Uncle Bert's cigar burn a hole in one of your damask napkins? Maybe it's time to assemble paper and plastic ware for the big day instead. (Sometimes it's better to lower your expectations of a perfect tablescape than to spend all your time washing dishes in the kitchen. I doubt anyone will call the Entertainment Police!)

Day 3 - OPEN HEART, OPEN HOME
Consider having an open house rather than trying to squeeze in several parties. Invite everyone to visit one home at staggered times for some good cheer. This can work on the "big day", too, especially if all the in-laws live in town. It sure beats driving around all day from house to house to see those you love!

Day 2 - SPEEDY DELIVERY
Order take-out or pull a prepared meal from the freezer for a stress-free meal today. Let the oven rest for tomorrow's big feast.

Day 1 - THE MAIN EVENT
Start the morning with easy preparations in the kitchen, leaving other items for the last minute. Chop vegetables, mix dips, then assemble snack trays for munching. Put the turkey in the oven, set the table, and bake pies. Leave candles, music, and last minute preparations for later. Leave the house to take a stroll around the block, enjoy a bubblebath, or listen to some relaxing music before your family or friends arrive. Enjoy yourself-- you've earned it!

And the day AFTER Christmas, make next year's "to do" so that you won't have to work so hard again! Shop yearround for gifts, decorations, and cards for those you love. Keep a running list of things you need, should not do again, and tips for making things easier on you and your household. Getting organized for the holidays is truly a process, not a product, but with some effective planning you can enjoy the journey. Happy Holidays!

Cut Your Future Holiday Bills in Half

Most of us have a certain number of holidays that we celebrate each and every year. That means quite a number of extra "gifts" will need to be purchased for family and friends.

Here's how you can get the best bargains on holiday merchandise, and how you can save quite a bit off your "gift" bills.


Here's What Happens

Every single year, about a month and a half prior to any "major" (popular) holiday, most retail and department stores offer holiday related merchandise. For example, you'll probably find:

Halloween Costumes - October
Santa related decorations - December
Autumn and turkey decor - November
Hearts/Candy assortments - February

As each holiday approaches, the majority of the general public rush to buy these high priced "holiday" gifts a few weeks or days before the celebration. Stores expect this. They love the holidays.

Why?

Simple. Hundreds and thousands of eager shoppers will come through their door and spend, spend, spend.

Read more on FamilyCorner.com