Throw this Seinfeld-inspired, shame-free Regifting Party
We’ve talked about what to do with gifts you don’t want on Offbeat Home & Life before. One of the suggestions is to regift — that wonderfully taboo idea many of us are familiar with thanks to Seinfeld. Thanks to my extended family’s incredible generosity but general cluelessness about what I want or need for Christmas, every year I find myself with a bunch of gifts that are very nice, but not quite what I want. After some conversations with friends in the same boat, I decided that regifting shouldn’t be a dirty word. It should be an excuse for a party!
What holiday traditions have you kept or created as your lives have changed?
Currently my husband and I live in my childhood home with my father. Every Christmas here we do what my dad has always done. As my husband and I dream and prepare to be out of my childhood home, we talk about starting our own Christmas and holiday traditions.
Homies for the holidays: A festive peek inside your decorated pads
I was searching around for something to replace a Doctor Who angel Christmas tree topper (I waited too long and they’re sold out now, boo) it occurred to me that I’d LOVE to see what other Offbeat Homies have for their holiday decor.
How do you celebrate birthdays that fall on, or close to, holidays?
We welcomed our sweet baby boy in to the world last year on Christmas Eve. My husband’s birthday is the 28th, so he’s not a stranger to being forgotten at Christmas time. But in this Pinterest-crazed day and age, I feel kind of put-out that we won’t be able to have big birthday celebrations, as almost everyone will be busy with Christmas festivities. Any suggestions?
Stocking stuffers: Or small gifts that’ll make a big impact
Do you have stockings to stuff? Do you have eight days of Hannukah presents to buy? Do you have a big family to shop for? I’ve rounded up some of my favorite small gift items, and most of them are under $15! Get your holiday shopping fingers ready to snag these small gifts that will make a big impact.
Non-religious, non-Santa Christmas books for kids
I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations for non-religious, non-Santa Christmas books for kids. We’re atheists, and we aren’t doing Santa either. I just found Little Blue Truck’s Christmas. In it, the truck delivers Christmas trees to friends. It’s perfect for my two-year old. Anyone have other non-religious, non-Santa Christmas books that might be good for toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids too?
The no-kill Christmas tree
My mom does not like cutting down trees, so she refuses to do traditional Christmas trees. She also hates plasticky stuff, so no fake trees. She’s since developed a perfect no-kill Christmas tree. It’s conical! It’s solid! It smells delicious! Here’s how she does it.
De-stressing the holidays: Ditching traffic, fake smiles, and our parents
I love the holidays. I love the food, the family, and the general festive atmosphere. I hate the stress though. Add to this that my career choice primarily involves dealing with difficult people and that the holiday season is THE busiest time of year for those kinds of jobs (read: retail and waiting tables), the stress of the holidays is almost more than I can handle. Then I started thinking about what the holidays meant when I was growing up…