Monday, December 24, 2012
Share your family's traditions with us.
We all remember some holiday traditions from when we were kids. When I was a kid, one of my favorites was arguing with my brothers about who got to hang the beloved ornament on the tree. The "Mouse House," as we called it, was special because inside a mushroom was a family of mice, each doing their own thing. We would stick a lightbulb inside the house from a string of lights so you could see what was going on inside. I know, I know, that sounds pretty lame. But it's just one of those things that sticks with me. With all that's going on in the world right now, sometimes it's nice to take a break and think about memories that are simple and happy. We want to know: What are those traditions that just "stick with you?" Did your Grandma make…
Saturday, December 8, 2012
If you like bacon, roast suckling pig and underdogs, December is for you.
Christmas gets most of the press this time of year, but December is a month full of religious and secular festivals and holidays, along with some wild and wacky days as well. Here’s a reminder of the major holidays this month, along with a collection of the most bizarre holidays gleaned from the corners of the Internet. We can’t vouch for the authenticity of some of these lesser known observances, but if you need a moment to forget the stress that sometimes comes with the major holidays, there’s got to be a few here to make you smile. Forget the 12 Days of Christmas. Here’s a whole month of ways to celebrate. December is Human Rights Month. Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Get our newsletter | Blog for Patch
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Picking the perfect gift for grandparents can present unique challenges. Patch is here to help.
Picking the perfect gift for grandparents can present unique challenges. Many grandparents have downsized and don’t have space for extras. And today’s mobile society means Grandma’s house may be much further than over the river and through the woods. How do you overcome these obstacles and give them a truly unique and personal gift? Here are a few suggestions to please any grandparent on your list. Personalized photo gifts are a sure winner As grandchildren grow, they change every day, especially for grandparents who can’t be there every day. Photo gifts capture those moments to share with loved ones. Ideas include calendars that track family events over the past year, shopping bags printed with grandkids’ photos or artwork, or photo books…
As you look over the list of gifts you need this holiday season, an unsettling feeling starts. How will I pay for all these gifts? How about homemade gifts?
As you look over the list of gifts you need this holiday season, an unsettling feeling starts. How will I pay for all these gifts? Gift-giving is meant to be a time for sharing how much you appreciate others, but rising prices and tight budgets take the feel-good vibes right out of gift-giving traditions. This year, take the money stress out of the holidays by turning to homemade gifts. Homemade gifts are a great way to show you appreciate someone while also adding a personal touch. Gifts don’t need to be expensive to be special. Get the family involved in the fun and you will be creating memories while making unique gifts for those who mean the most in your life. Minnetonka Patch explores the homemade holidays in hopes that you will find …
Friday, November 23, 2012
Techies will love the almost unlimited options available this holiday season. With so much to chose, Patch is here to help.
Techies will love the almost unlimited options available this holiday season. From affordable tablets to the newest cell phones, there is sure to be winner on this year’s list of the hottest in all things techie. Small tablets are becoming a major selling point as consumers look for options packed in smaller packages. Apple has dominated the larger tablet industry with its iPad, and the iPad 4 will be released Nov. 2 with a starting price of $499. But competition is heating up in the smaller tablet market, with four worthy competitors vying for market share. Gaming systems are continually being updated and reconfigured. If there’s a gamer on your list, maybe a new system is high on their list. eReaders are turning paperback enthusiasts …
In this increasingly digitalized world, we can’t go anywhere without packing the chargers, the battery packs, the DVDs and the game systems. But what about gifts for folks who don't need any more digital toys? Patch is here to help.
In this increasingly digitalized world, we can’t go anywhere without packing the chargers, the battery packs, the DVDs and the game systems. But what happens when the power goes out? How do we escape from it all? Yes, there truly is life and entertainment outside of the electrically-charged world. Here are a few gift ideas to help friends and family unplug and recharge. Books Check out Barnes & Noble, Beyond Shinders or Target for the newest bestsellers or tried-and-true classics. Bookstores’ shelves are stocked with adventures waiting beyond the front cover. Have a traveler in your posse? Check out the travelogues. So your mother-in-law is hooked on reality TV shows? You’ll find plenty of drama in the fiction section. Nothing beats …
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Are you looking for an organization to help out this season?
As we gather together with family and friends this holiday season to give thanks, share memories and create priceless memories, it is also a great reminder of how much we have. And the perfect opportunity to give back. Whether you are looking to give back to an organization that has helped you or make a difference to someone who may have less than you, now is the time of the year to take a step back and reflect on the ways you can share your good fortune with others. Take a look around you at the organizations that are near and dear to your heart and help out. Give Blood According to the American Red Cross, the need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States need blood, and more than 44,000 blood donations are …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Don’t forget to follow the Boy Scout’s motto: Be Prepared.
During this time of the year, many of us are climbing in the car or hopping on a plane to visit family and friends. These trips, whether just a few hours or several days, can be a time to create long-remembered family memories, but as you head out on the road or board that plane, don’t forget to follow the Boy Scout’s motto: Be Prepared. Pre-plan Before leaving home, make sure items such as mail or newspapers will be picked up by a neighbor or friend. If that won’t work for you, consider having your mail held and newspaper delivery stopped while you are out of town. A house with mail and newspapers piling up is a beacon for burglars. A house sitter is another option to consider. And don’t forget about the four-legged members of your family…
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Make your guests feel special with these tips.
Thanksgiving is just a couple days away, and Christmas will be here before we know it. Families and friends will gather to share stories, memories, and an abundance of food. How can you fill these special occasions with personal touches? Whether you are planning and creating an extravagant holiday dinner or finding the best made-ahead deals or restaurants, below are a few tips to personalize your holiday table. Martha Stewart has a cornucopia of ideas that will dress your Thanksgiving table. How do you set those hot dishes down without ruining your dining room table? Corkboard leaf trivets save the day. Painted glass votives and fall foliage candleholders are also inexpensive and elegant ways to bring color to your table. Whole walnuts and…
Monday, November 19, 2012
Black Friday hype increases every year, and this year, retailers are upping their game by opening earlier than ever.
It’s the Super Bowl of shopping, the Oscars for retailers. It’s a time when below-the-radar soccer moms and soft-spoken grandpas take to the shopping cart raceways, weaving in and out of the throngs in search of the Holy Grail, that larger-than-life bargain. There’s a game plan, an emergency plan, and lots of coffee. It’s Black Friday! Black Friday hype increases every year, and this year, retailers are upping their game by opening earlier than ever. While Black Friday has traditionally begun the day after Thanksgiving, Wal-Mart was the first to announce they would be opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving to accommodate those shoppers looking for both great deals and a social experience. Now Target and Kmart have followed suit, opening Black …
Heyitsme
11:15 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
My dad, would have us girls (no brothers) get ready, teeth, hair and dressed (no PJs) and before we could come downstairs to open the gifts. Before we got off the steps, we stood on the steps in birth order (mom in front) and have the official picture taken before we could come down. more ›