Christmas can be a good time of year to make a point about excessive consumerism, Hallmark holidays and the way that “traditions,” such as chopping down trees, are bad for the Earth.

Create your own holiday traditions

So, what alternatives are there for families who are looking to celebrate a bit differently?

Truth be told, considering that Americans spend over $400 billion a year on Christmas, with 60 percent going into credit card debt to afford presents and 78 percent admitting that they believe Christmas has become too materialistic, it is understandable that some people would like to create holiday traditions in their own families that aren't based on consumerism and unnecessary waste.

Below are five fun and creative ideas for your next non-traditional holiday season.

Don't spend money on buying everyone in your office presents that just get pitched into the re-gift bin anyway. Make fun holiday-themed crafts out of old clothes, out-of-date ornaments, or even broken Christmas lights.

Instead of buying the kids a bunch of toys they don't need and will forget about by the time Christmas Day is over, choose to make a special contribution to a charity this holiday season. Use the holidays to teach your kids about charity. Let the children help you pick the charity and if possible, choose one that has a related activity in which your family can participate. For example, make a donation to the local children's hospital and plan a visit to the playroom where your family can lead a craft with the in-patients. This is a great way to teach your children about the meaning of giving in a tangible way they can really understand.

Take the time to learn about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Las Posadas Navidenas. If you have a friend from a different religious or cultural background, ask if you can attend their holiday festivities this year. If not, look in your local city guide and see what cultural celebrations and festivals are open to the public.

Learn about Christmas traditions around the world>>

Pick a country and research their holiday traditions. You will be amazed at how different traditions are from place to place. For example, in Argentina, Christmas means barbecue, fireworks and a big party on Christmas Eve with everyone opening gifts at midnight, even the little children.

A new trend among the ecologically-minded, live Christmas trees have all the festivity of the cut ones, but none of the waste. In order to ensure the tree's survival, keep your tree outside as long as possible, only putting it on display inside for a few days. Decorate the tree with beautiful lightweight crafts and ornaments, but make sure not to use Christmas tree lights, or the tree could come out of its dormant state and will not survive the planting.

More holiday traditions

Christmas traditions around the world
The importance of Christmas traditions to kids
Christmas food traditions

by Amber Skipper
as told to Julie Weingarden Dubin

In the fall of 2010, I was playing on the floor with my kids while watching a Colts football game. Audrey was 3, and Hailey was 1. Hailey reared back and head-butted me in the neck. Little did I know at the time that was a blessing in disguise. My neck began to swell; I couldn't talk or eat. That next day I went to the doctor and he decided to order an ultrasound. Hours later I got the dreaded phone call that my doctor suspected cancer.

I remember those words like it happened yesterday. I broke out in a hard, sobbing cry for what felt like lasted no more than a minute, then I went straight into fighting mode. I decided right then that with God's help and strength I was going to do everything I could to beat this! I was going to see my precious babies walk down the aisle on their wedding day and I was going to grow old with Ryan.

Fighting cancer with kids

Approximately 15 days after I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, I was admitted in the hospital to undergo a seven-hour total thyroidectomy which left a scar from one side of my neck to the other. My surgeon found a couple of tumors and removed 113 lymph nodes of which 20 percent were cancerous. The surgery was extensive but I felt blessed to have a wonderful surgeon and surgical staff at the Indiana University Heath Simon Cancer Center.

Following four days in the hospital, I came home and was on bed rest for two weeks. I then went through radioactive iodine treatment and had to be in isolation in my room for seven days. During this time I couldn’t care for my children, but was blessed with family who took wonderful care of them. I Skyped with my girls a lot during my isolation, but it was incredibly difficult to see their smiling faces through my computer and not be able to hold them.

Trying to care for two little girls was especially difficult with a cancer diagnosis. All of a sudden our seemingly peaceful life became filled with doctor appointments, various medical tests, biopsies, and surgery plans. We tried to make our days as normal as possible for them, and Ryan and I tried not to let it show how terrified we were, but you could tell they were very confused. All they wanted was for Mom to play and wrap their arms around my neck, but the more tests I was put through the more sore and tired I became. It was increasingly difficult to be an active mom, so every chance I got I told my babies how much I love them and showered them with hugs and kisses.

Living cancer-free

Ever since the day I was told I had cancer, I dreamt of hearing that I was cancer-free. That day came after my radioactive iodine treatment. I had a whole body scan and it showed no cancer! I now have six month checkups with my endocrinologist to make sure the cancer doesn't return.

Hey, Moms: Do you know a mother with a great story? We’re looking for Mom Stories. Email Jrosewriter@gmail.com with your suggestions.

Living without a thyroid, which controls body temperature, energy and mood, can be very challenging. I’m constantly checking my thyroid levels to make sure I’m not in the hyperthyroid or hypothyroid state. I’ll rely on a thyroid hormone replacement pill every day for the rest of my life. But I’ll count my blessings that I’m still here to be a Mommy and watch my children grow.

I always thought I was thankful to God for my life, but now going through cancer I find myself even more grateful for each day with my family and knowing how short and precious life truly is. I kept a journal during my cancer treatment. It was a journal of hope and determination during a difficult time. My hope is when they’re older and they are going through a challenging situation that they can see how I handled my thyroid cancer and draw strength from it.

Being a mother is an amazing gift and has humbled me in many ways. It definitely brings out my faults as well as my strengths as a person and encourages me to be better. I take great responsibility in raising my little girls to be strong, loving, respectful and giving. I love every part of being a mom. I love the story times, the adventure, the smiles, the lessons, and the big neck hugs that my children can now give me.

Read more Mom Stories

I was pregnant with cancer
My big RV adventure
I’m Tornado Mom

Recently I was lucky enough to host a baby shower for my very dear friend who’s expecting two bundles of joy — a boy and a girl! I wanted a theme that would both celebrate each baby and reflect their mom’s modern style. The result? A dusty pink and light aqua Chevron Chic soiree!

While it’s tempting to go straight to shower-theme staples, like teddy bears or building blocks, don’t be afraid to skip pre-packaged themes and tie everything together with unifying prints or patterns instead. For this shower, I opted for pink, aqua and gray zigzag chevron prints that were displayed everywhere, from the invite to the stamped Mason-jar lids and chevron cupcake toppers I found on Etsy . The food and dessert spreads were also displayed with custom chevron-print labels, as were verses from children's books that we framed for nursery art, thanks to another Etsy favorite .

The cake table is the perfect stage to display your theme… and your creativity. While the chevron end of the theme was woven throughout, the cake table is where the chic part really came into play. The cake was actually baked with love by the grandma-to-be . We topped it with a sweet His and Hers custom cake banner. For the rest of the cake table spread, I enlisted help from Pop Culture Desserts, who helped me up the ante on the chic factor with sweet touches like bite-sized brownies topped with powdered sugar, skewered and tied with a gray bow; white fondant cake pops with gray and white striped straws to match the Mason jars; mini powdered doughnuts; chevron-iced shortbread cookies and rich mini flourless chocolate cupcakes sprinkled with sparkling white dusting sugar. The mostly-white dessert spread was rounded out with pink and aqua chocolate-covered candies and a chevron table runner. Over the cake table we hung white paper pom-poms from clear wire and round paper garland that had alternating hues of pink, aqua, gray and white.

Because she was expecting one of each sex and it had been a few years since her last baby, I knew the mom-to-be could use a hand stocking the babies’ closets. I asked each guest to bring a boy or girl outfit to hang on a clothesline with a personal note for the twins, handwritten on chevron stationery cards. The mom-to-be loved reading all the notes and the guests enjoyed seeing all the adorable little outfits that the other guests brought. Since I’d called in some reinforcements from Etsy on the chevron theme, I wanted to make sure I added some homemade touches, too. I created these simple DIY S’mores favors in brown paper party bags, tied with a dusty pink and aqua chevron-print tag that read, “Twins: S’more to Love!” and stuffed them with an assortment of flavored marshmallows, graham crackers and mini chocolates.

More on baby showers

How to plan the perfect baby shower
Top 10 baby shower gifts
Creative baby shower themes

Read more on celebrating the holidays

Christmas around the world
How to survive Christmas
Family-friendly Kwanzaa activities

So you’re due on or around Christmas and your doctor has offered to induce you a week or so before the big day.

Elective induction before Christmas

Do you take her up on it, or do you wait until you go into labor on your own?

Ask anyone — they’d probably prefer to not be in the hospital for Christmas. And a Christmas birthday? Most of us have heard the horror stories about kids getting ripped off in the gift department. But if you really had a choice, would you induce early just to avoid the possibility of a holiday birthday, or would you prefer to let nature take its course?

No way

Quite a few moms we talked with thought that choosing a baby’s birth date for what amounts to convenience was not the way to go. “I would never,” stated Lindsay, mom of two. “My child's health means more than a day on the calendar.” While many inductions go very well with no ill effects on the mother or child, sometimes it can lead to a cascade of medical interventions that sometimes lead to a C-section — or the induction may not work at all because Mom’s body wasn’t ready. Even worse, sometimes the baby isn’t ready for life outside the womb and serious complications can arise.

Not so bad

While being in the hospital on a major holiday has its drawbacks, it can also be kind of nice. “My baby was born on Christmas Eve, so we also spent Christmas in the hospital,” shared Amanda, mom of four. “It was very peaceful and really quite special to spend Christmas Day in the hospital with my new baby. The halls were quiet and visitors were few. It’s a good memory.” And Claire, mother of one, said, “In fact, if I had to be induced for medical reasons, and Christmas Day was one of the options, I would pick it!”

Probably avoid

Scheduled C-sections are often a different story — they are usually offered to prior C-section mothers who don’t wish for a vaginal birth after cesarean trial. “Any future births of mine will be planned C-sections, so yes I would avoid Christmas Day and the three days before,” explained Liz from Iowa.

Different scenarios

And there are other reasons moms have to avoid specific dates, whether they be Christmas or not. Rachael, who lost her daughter last year to SIDS at 5 months of age and now expecting her third child, told us, “If they told me we need to take this baby out a week early, which would be the day Scarlette died, I would request any day but that. A baby born on Christmas wouldn’t bother me, but a baby born on my baby’s death date would be really, really hard to swallow.”

Expectant mothers should carefully consider any reason for electively inducing labor — holidays or not — and work carefully with their care provider to understand what the risks may be. In many cases, inductions go well, but they don’t always, so you want to be prepared in either case.

More on labor and birth

Ask a labor nurse: 9 Things you need to know
How to manage labor pain naturally
Tips for the first stage of labor

Scared of Santa?

Does your child burst into a fit of tears every time you need to head to the mall for some Christmas shopping for fear that you'll pass by Santa's workshop?

Turn that frown upside down.

Introduce the concept of Santa

Long before heading to the mall and waiting in a long line to meet the man in red, introduce the idea of Santa to your little one. Watch age-appropriate Christmas cartoons, read books with vivid pictures of Kris Kringle and explain why it's OK to sit with Santa at holiday time.

Don’t force it for your sake

Why do you really want your baby to sit on Santa’s lap? To ensure she gets that coveted rattle that she wants or so you can get that perfect photo for your album and your Christmas cards. We’re thinking the latter. Yes, Baby with Santa pictures are darling. Even the ones with Baby sobbing or trying to tear out of Santa’s arms are kind of hilarious but don’t torture your child for the sake of a memory… for you.

Take it slow

Instead of just plopping your young child on the lap of an intimidating stranger in a red suit, visit Santa’s workshop during an off time when he’ll have some time to help your child feel comfortable or consider taking a group photo of your whole family with Santa. If your child starts digging in his heels before you even approach, try again another day.

Help your child write a letter to Santa>>

Give your child the benefit of the doubt

Accepting candy and sitting on the lap of a total stranger defies everything you have taught your child about stranger danger. So if he shows hesitation about approaching Jolly Old Saint Nick, be happy that your warnings about talking to strangers have sunk in. Rejoice!

How to break the news about the real Santa Claus>>

Skip the "real" Santa

Instead of trying to capture the ideal picture of your little ones with Santa, create a special photo op elsewhere.

Imagine the smile on your baby’s face as she touches snow for the first time. Or put an oversized Santa hat on Baby for a cute nod to Kris Kringle sans the tears. Take a picture of toddlers building a snowman or on Dad’s shoulders putting the star on the top of the Christmas tree.

How to capture the perfect Christmas card photo>>

Remember to celebrate the season in other ways besides visiting Santa. Enjoy driving around looking at Christmas lights, attending local holiday festivities or parades in your neighborhood or simply snuggling up by the fireplace with some good Christmas books.

More on Christmas traditions

The truth about Santa Claus: When should you tell the kids?
3 Fun holiday traditions to try this year
Christmas Eve family traditions we love

give your teens gifts, not cash

It’s the same story each year around the holidays and birthdays. Ask teens what they want for a gift and they almost always just say “cash.”

While it is easier on parents and siblings to give the gift of money, in reality it may not be the best way for them to learn lessons about money and saving.

How do your teens save up for large purchases? Teaching teens about saving is an important part of preparing them for the adult world. Many teens have part-time jobs to earn spending money, while some teens earn an allowance for doing chores around the house. Could your gift-giving strategy be sabotaging their financial plan?

Saving is important

Learning to save money toward a specific goal — maybe a ski weekend with friends or a new iPod — teaches teens the value of the money they earn. Our children are growing up in a culture of instant gratification, which makes the concept of savings even more difficult to teach. According to a study by ING Direct, a whopping 87 percent of teens admit they don’t know much about personal finance. “They do want to learn, but right now they don’t have the tools they need,” says Laura DiLello, ING Direct spokesperson. “They know that having a savings account is important.”

Giving cash to your teens for birthdays and holidays is always the easiest option, but this can quickly derail savings goals. Teens realize that they can just ask for money in lieu of gifts and may begin to include that “extra” amount in their spending plans. Your daughter may be tempted to blow $50 on salon highlights if she is expecting a wad of cash next month for her birthday. Jen, mother of a teen daughter, has seen this happen in her house. “There is always a big ticket item she is saving for,” she shares. “Rather than saving a set amount from babysitting jobs or allowance each month, now she just waits to see how much cash she gets for her birthday.”

The value of a dollar

You hated the lecture when your own parents delivered it, but the message still rings true — it’s important to learn the value of a dollar. According to the latest statistics, teen income accounts for over $91 billion in the U.S. alone each year. Whether your teen earns money babysitting, working at a fast food restaurant or doing chores at home, equating work with earnings is a crucial lesson. Fifty dollars may not seem like a lot of money when it’s a gift, but it takes a lot of hard work for a teen to earn that amount. Fast forward a few years in your teen’s life and he will be making career and higher education choices that impact his future earnings potential. Lessons about money now will shape the spending and savings habits of your child’s adult life.

Check out these wrong assumptions teens make when seeking work>>

Help them learn — and earn

Sometimes teens are saving for such a big ticket item — maybe a summer trip or a used car — that it seems they will never reach their goal. Help them set realistic expectations of how much they can save and how long it will take. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to reach an unattainable goal. If you are willing to help them, consider setting up a matching plan, much like your company’s retirement plan. You could offer to match one dollar for every five dollars she saves, or offer a “bonus” addition to her savings when she reaches certain milestones.

Why you should be talking careers with your younger children>>

Get creative

If you have a hard time with the concept of “no cash” for gifts, consider gift cards for favorite stores or restaurants so that your teen will actually be treating herself, not just pocketing cash. You can make your own gift certificates to present for activities — say a ski day or a day at the amusement park.

Take every opportunity you can to teach your teens smart saving and spending habits now, for a better future later.

More on parenting teens

Teaching your teens good money habits
Teaching teens to safely use money online
Responsibility and your teen's first job

Want to include your kids in the holiday planning and preparation? Why not set aside some time for baking holiday treats together?

Hands-on holiday baking

Kids love to help in the kitchen, and with a bit of planning this may start a new family tradition you can enjoy for years to come.

Baking with your kids can be a great bonding experience if you first try and put yourself in their little shoes. Kids can make quite a mess in the kitchen because they are learning. Measuring flour and sugar, pouring sprinkles and mixing frosting are just messy endeavors until you have mastered them. Ditch your dreams of beautifully decorated Martha Stewart-like confections and simply accept that the fun is in the process.

Plan ahead when baking with kids

If possible, try and plan your baking experience ahead of time. Kids can help decide on what types of treats they would like to bake, with a bit of your guidance. Make the grocery store list based on the recipes and make shopping for the ingredients part of the adventure! Even kids who aren't usually crazy about the grocery store will be excited to shop for cookie ingredients.

There is a lot of prep work you can do that will make things move more smoothly. For younger children, you can crack the eggs into a small bowl, soften butter, set out the ingredients and gather the measuring utensils. Older children will enjoy gathering the ingredients on their own — like a scavenger hunt. If you plan to make more than one type of treat, it may be easier to focus on one at a time.

Find a large enough work surface in your kitchen so that you can spread out a bit and give those little arms some room to move. If your counter space is at a premium, consider using a plastic tablecloth on the kitchen table. Stools help tiny bakers reach their workspace more easily. Make sure that everyone washes their hands to keep germs to a minimum.

Choose simple recipes

Don't try to replicate your great grandmother's perfectly baked shortbread cookies and expect them to be just like hers. Choose simple favorites like easy Christmas cookies, no-bake cookies, snickerdoodle muffins or brownies. If your kids are very young, don't even worry about whether their creations are edible. In all honesty, you probably won't want to eat that sugar cookie with two pounds of glitter sprinkles on it — but your child might.

Assign baking duties

If you have more than two kids participating — either siblings, cousins or neighbors — assign specific tasks to each person, so everyone has the chance to participate. Kids love to feel special and have an assignment that's just for them. There are jobs for every age group, if you use your imagination. Even the tiniest of kids can watch the kitchen timer or be in charge of choosing sprinkle colors.

If you plan to give any of the cookies away to neighbors, have the kids make cute tags out of old Christmas cards, wrapping paper scraps or construction paper in festive red and green.

Enjoy the moment

Throw on some fun holiday tunes, make some hot cocoa, break out the Kitchen Aid and let the fun begin! Help your older kids take turns measuring ingredients and have the young ones toss them in the mixer. Working together in the kitchen is a perfect time for silly discussions, singing and bonding. When the first batch of treats has cooled, have a tasting session. This is one time it doesn't matter if they spoil their dinner — you are making memories that will last a lifetime.

Read more about holiday baking

Healthy holiday cookie recipes
Secret ingredients for healthy holiday treats
Chocolate peppermint cookies

Families share how they approached the idea of including a personal note in their extra-special birth announcements after welcoming a child with special needs.

Beyond baby's
birth weight

Birth announcements. Those bundles of printed joy that trumpet, “Hey, world! Look what we created! Is this not the cutest, ever?!” A parent’s sense of pride and jubilation leap from the heavy card-stock alerts as recipients pull them eagerly from envelopes.

But, what if your child is born with an unexpected disability? If your beautiful child enters the world struggling to combat a health condition?

Providing an update

For some parents, birth announcements provide a way to update family, friends and anyone who would want to know about your greatest achievement and unexpected hurdles facing your newborn.

Linda says, “We sent out birth announcements when our daughter was about 5 months old. After she got out of the NICU and was allowed to leave the house for photos. We explained that she had Down syndrome and told a little about that. We also talked about our hopes and dreams for her. I still cry when I read that letter.”

After prenatal diagnosis

Then there’s another group, the one from which I hail. The one that has every opportunity thanks to a prenatal diagnosis to come to terms with Baby’s challenges and plan the perfect announcement months in advance, including a thoughtfully written, personal note.

Except, I didn’t. I had good intentions that folded into the shadows of the neonatal intensive care unit corridors when my son, Charlie arrived seven weeks early. During his month in the NICU, I cradled his head for hours on end and never gave one thought to birth announcements.

By the time Charlie was strong enough to come home with us, heart monitor and all, I was in the full throes of post-partum depression and barely able to engage in conversation without crying. Birth announcements that included a heartfelt testament to our love of Charlie regardless of any challenges meant nothing to me.

Looking back, I realize my regular emails to a lengthy list of family, friends and even some acquaintances was my way of casting a wide net into a dark and uncertain sea. I desperately hoped someone would grab the line and haul me to safety.

A source of healing

For other parents, sharing the news via the birth announcement provides a catharsis of sorts. Larina, whose daughter Camille has Down syndrome, describes their process: “The day after Camille was born, Brian and I wrote an email together , announcing her arrival and her diagnosis . It was very difficult to compose but we were trying to be brave.”

“I was in shock,” Larina confided, “So I didn't have many true feelings about anything at all, awful as that sounds.”

She continues, “Here's the neat part: A few weeks after we got home, I printed every response that we got to that email, and put them all in a binder, with the email message itself at the front of the binder. I have looked at it once in four years because it conjures up some tough emotions and memories... but I am so glad that we have it.”

Tackling topics head-on

Tim, who welcomed his first grandchild not long ago, grew up with a sibling who had Down syndrome. He says, “Because there are so many misunderstandings about kids with Down syndrome or other conditions, I think it is important to prepare people who don't understand and may innocently say something inappropriate or shy away because of their lack of knowledge. I like the idea of a frank birth announcement.”

Carrie shares on her blog, "Carrie with Children," that she included a short note with her daughter, Molly's birth announcement. The tone is best summarized by one line in particular: “Molly is a very healthy baby girl who eats, sleeps, cries, and dirties diapers just like every other baby, she’s just got an extra chromosome!”

Gabrielle shares her experience with flip-flopped emotions, from her single, non-parent perspective and later, as a married mom of twins who almost didn’t survive the pregnancy: “We got a birth announcement of a friend's baby who was a micro preemie. The announcement was for me, at the time, disturbing. A tiny little baby, very red, very small and so full of tubes. I could not see it as a celebration of life.

“That baby has since grown up to be a thriving teenager. Now, I cherish what is done to help babies get through that tough beginning to become that thriving teenager. I get it now, but I didn't before kids. I also think my experience while pregnant with the twins enlightened me to that.”

Not everyone sees the need for a birth announcement addendum. “I think I'd be surprised [to receive a birth announcement that includes an explanation of a disability],” says Michaela. “Not sure it's necessary because it doesn't define the child.”

“We never mentioned Sean having [Down syndrome] or a heart condition,” Jenn says. “Those that were close to us knew… We only wanted to celebrate what an adorable, precious baby he is.”

Paperless priorities

“We never sent birth announcements, but that was due to the fact that we were more focused on [our daughter] staying alive,” Dawn explains. “We didn't even get ‘newborn’ shots until she was almost 3 months old and home.”

Larissa gave birth to twins and learned her newborn son has Down syndrome. “We did not do newborn announcements or a newborn photo shoot,” she says. “It makes me sad now and I regret that we didn't do it, but at the time we were just so overwhelmed. Everything took a back seat to Cooper's health.”

As with most parenting decisions, the “right” decision typically depends on what feels right to you and your significant other.

Read more about special needs

The truth about my child with Down syndrome
Having a sibling with Down syndrome
How to talk to your child's peers about Down syndrome

More holiday gift ideas

Holiday gifts for tweens
6 Great toys for preschool boys
Classic toys that still make great Christmas gifts

Money for Mom, or money for Baby?

When you have some extra money, are you able to spend it on yourself?

With the holidays approaching, that question can be harder to answer than ever. We talk with moms about how they choose to part with their spending money.

When you’re expecting a baby, you may soon be over the moon about buying baby items — toys, clothes, baby gear. And many moms find that this doesn’t stop after your baby is born. Making your kids happy is a natural instinct of us parenting types; so often our wants go to the back burner as we put our children’s wants ahead of our wants, and sometimes even ahead of our needs. We caught up with real moms to see how they dealt with extra money — do you spend it on your kids, or use it for yourself?

Go without

Some of the moms we talked to would prefer to spend their extra funds on stuff for their kids instead of buying things they could really use, such as new clothes or shoes. “There are times I will buy the girls things because I know they'll like them, just to surprise them, when what I really need to do is buy a bra that fits,” shared Edy from Missouri.

Niki, mother of one, felt the same. “I always spend anything extra on Lucas, be it toys or clothes,” she said. “I haven't bought anything for myself in months!” And Heather, mom of three, mirrored Niki's comment. “I'm terrible about buying myself anything,” she shared. “I tend to overindulge them and never myself.”

Prefer buying for the kids

Angela, mom of one, prefers buying things for her son even though she doesn’t feel bad buying things for herself. “I find I much rather enjoy buying things for my son,” she explained. “If there is something I want or need and I have the extra money, I feel no guilt in treating myself, because, d**m it, being a mom is hard work. However, I get much more joy in seeing my son happy than the happiness buying material items gives me most of the time.”

Moms deserve it

Other moms felt no guilt buying things for themselves. “I got over it because I work hard and deserve the things I buy,” shared Kelly, mom of two. “I don't feel excessive, and we are still able to add to our retirement funds, other savings and pay our bills. I don't feel that I need to be deprived just because I have children.”

Heather from California has similar experiences. “I tend to go through phases where I completely forget about myself, and then one day snap out of it,” she told us. “I recently bought myself a whole new wardrobe and started ‘remembering’ to take my time putting on my makeup, and to wear jewelry and get my nails done. It feels so good to be a woman and a mom.”

So, while spending money on ourselves, as mothers, can be difficult , we should be able to splurge on ourselves, because we totally deserve it.

More on being Mom

Top 10 list: Why I love being a mom
Being a digital mom: 5 Ways to make money online
Mom's balancing act: How to take better care of yourself

Those who rush around decorating, buying presents and attending holiday gatherings might have a tendency to not only go a little crazy but might also forget the true meaning of Christmas.

4 Simple ways to make Christmas extra special

Don’t forget to celebrate in ways that reflect the true meaning of the holiday and cultivate family memories that will last a lifetime.

For some, the holidays are all about baking, for others it's about finding that perfect gift, but no matter what the holidays mean to you, it's easy to get stressed out and that is why it is so important to remember to slow down and savor the magic, especially for the sake of your kids!

Here are four simple ways to make your family's holidays brighter and calmer:

At the end of a busy day, bundle up and take a walk around your neighborhood to ooh and ahh over holiday decorations. Seeing a child's face light up over twinkle lights is truly a sight to behold. If you're lucky, you live in a city like Tucson, Arizona where Winterhaven is located and can delight in an entire neighborhood of nearly 300 homes that for 63 years have participated in the Festival of Lights! Check with your local community center or Travel & Tourism organization to see if a place like this exists near you.

Take some time out to snuggle up on the couch in your jammies with some hot chocolate amidst the glow of your Christmas tree and watch a holiday movie together. Some of our favorites include: The Polar Express, Elf, A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life.

We are inundated with holiday madness from basically the day after Halloween through Christmas so it's nice to escape it all and do something completely non-holiday related like visit a zoo, museum or library, play a favorite board game, build a fort in your living room or plan your family Spring Break getaway.

We know the holidays should never be about receiving — giving is fun too! And, now that you've baked nine dozen cookies, four fruit cakes and two pans of salted caramel mocha cupcakes, put together fun festive tins full of your sweet treats and personally deliver them to family and friends. They are sure to appreciate your kind gesture.

More about capturing holiday magic

Holiday stress: Help your kids through the holiday season
How to survive the holidays with your family
4 Ways to truly enjoy the holidays

HG isn't just for princesses

Severe morning sickness for kate

As the world was buzzing about Kate Middleton's hospitalization for hyperemesis gravidarum — severe morning sickness —  in the very early stages of her royal pregnancy, Holly Madison announced she, too, was suffering from it in her seventh month.

Is "severe" morning sickness real, or is it the new "exhaustion" for the rich and famous? Let's face it, many moms-to-be have HG — it's just not headline news. You don't have to be a princess or a Playboy model to suffer from this all-too-real — and pretty miserable — pregnancy condition.

If news of Kate Middleton's hospitalization for severe morning sickness had you running to kiss the toilet — if you even made it that far — you're not alone. Many moms suffer from morning sickness — nausea and sometimes vomiting during pregnancy .

When is Kate Middleton due? >>

Morning sickness 101

No one knows for sure what causes morning sickness, but there may be triggers. Miriam Erick, a registered dietician and author of the book, Managing Morning Sickness, says, "In my experience there are some background triggers which seem to make NVP worse — smells, motion, noise, hot humid climates, cold damp climates — have to close windows so smells stay in — bright lights, constipation, fatigue/sleep deprivation, altered electrolytes and hunger."

Any kind of morning sickness can be a drag, but if you have hyperemesis gravidarum it's much worse, and can pose risks to you and your baby.

HG — yes, it's real

And it's really miserable — not just the disease itself, but how people may just brush off severe morning sickness as being all in their head while telling her to eat a couple of crackers, drink some ginger ale and get on with the day.

More about hyperemesis gravidarum>>

Kimber MacGibbon, RN, director of education for the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation, explains, "Women are not exaggerating when they say they vomit endlessly until dehydrated, despite their best attempts to drink and eat. When women are this sick, they do not need to be pushed to eat, continue working full- or even part-time, or to try and tough it out or will it away. You know that is simply not possible. Fighting HG only worsens it. They need those around them to rally support and ensure proper medical care so the mother can rest and have the best chance at surviving HG with a healthy baby."

What to do if you think it's HG

Don't be embarrassed. Don't shrug it off. Call your doctor and midwife — it's not all in your head. If you're unable to keep any food or drink down, the nausea and vomiting won't stop, and you've lost more than 5 percent of your pre-pregnancy body weight, it's likely HG. Just like Kate, you may need to go to the hospital to receive IV fluids, and possibly be admitted for a few days or more. "There is no substitute for fluids," Erick says.

When HG is no longer in the news

Now that the Princess is out of the hospital — and hopefully not experiencing severe morning sickness as much anymore — people shouldn't forget about hyperemesis gravidarum. "We hope she will be open about her experience and care so that when the beautiful baby is born healthy, women will feel more confident requesting needed treatment from their health professionals, and health professionals will take the initiative to learn more for the benefit of their patients," says MacGibbon.

Image courtesy WENN.com

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Ice cream cone Christmas trees

Create pint-sized Christmas trees that are perfect for little hands. Turn sugar ice cream cones upside down, cover with green frosting and have your little elves decorate with candies and sprinkles to create an edible craft that is just as fun to eat as it is to make.

Candy cane reindeer

Turn simple candy canes into playful reindeer when you twist on pipe cleaner antlers and glue on wiggle eyes to yummy Christmas candy canes. The best part of this edible Christmas craft? Watching your kids get excited as they hand them out to friends and family!

Peanut butter play dough

Knead 3 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter with 4 cups of confectioners' sugar and you'll have a sweet, non-toxic Christmas craft that is ready to mold a child's imagination... and it makes a fun snack, too! If your kiddos aren't ready to gobble up their creations right away, whether baked and hardened or in its original remoldable form, seal in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week.

Rice Krispies creatures

Move over, Rice Krispies squares! The only limit to this sticky and sweet Christmas craft is your kids' imaginations. "The most fun that any child can have is making Rice Krispies Creatures!" shares Susanne Alexander-Heaton, CEO, Motivated by Nature Calgary, AB. "I made them with children I babysat 20 years ago, and they still talk about how much fun it was!" Simply cover hands with butter or butter-coated baggies and mold warm, but not hot, Rice Krispie mixture into any shape you wish.

Reindeer cookies

Sugar cookies come to life when you bake Christmas cookies that look just like Rudolph. Have your kids roll and press sugar cookie dough into oval shapes, add pretzel antlers and bake. Hot out of the oven, add candy eyes and a red M&M nose to create a reindeer cookie that is almost too cute to eat.

Marshmallow snowmen village

Marshmallows mimic the snowy season, so using them to please crafty kids is a guaranteed hit, shares Karen Hoxmeier, of MyBargainBuddy. "I was able to keep half a dozen kids busy for hours making a marshmallow snowman village! When they were done, I wrapped their portion in holiday cellophane and they gave them to their mommies for Christmas."

Chocolate dipped spoons

Red or green plastic spoons dipped in microwave-melted milk chocolate make easy Christmas crafts for young kids. Before placing on waxed paper and cooling in the fridge, roll in crushed candy canes or Christmas sprinkles for a festive touch. Cover cooled spoons in cellophane and a ribbon for hot chocolate or coffee stirrer giveaways.

More Christmas crafts for kids

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Christmas crafts for kids

Photo credits: Amy Vowles

It's time to deck the halls... but don't forget the homemade Christmas ornaments. Kid-made holiday decorations are a really special way to have quality time with your kids now and have something special to hang on the tree for years to come.

These homemade ornament crafts will have your kids super excited about your entire holiday decor.

Forever candy cane ornaments

Don't you hate how all the candy canes never seem to get eaten? Well, these fabulous homemade candy canes will never go to waste because you can hang them year after year. No, they aren't edible!

You need:

Directions:

1. Grab a handful of white or clear tri-beads and a handful of the see-through ones .
2. Thread the tri-beads onto the pipe cleaners in desired pattern, leaving about two inches at the end. Continue to desired length, leaving at least two inches at the top .
3. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaners to seal at the top and bottom, using scissors to cut off any excess wire. Be sure to tuck the ends in so they don't scratch anyone.
4. Fold over the top portion of the beaded pipe cleaner to form a candy cane shape. Hang as desired.

For another holiday craft idea, try these pinecone Christmas tree ornaments >>

Snowy hands

Save those little handprints! Kids grow so much each year and this is a fun way to remember how little they were.

You need:

Directions:

1. Trace one of your child's hands on the cardstock. Cut it out with scissors.
2. Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the edge of the palm area.
3. Set up an area with newspaper to protect the floor or table surface. Have your child glue the pom-poms all over the handprint, avoiding the hole punch.
4. Let dry, and then use ribbon to create a tree hanger.

Mini wreaths

These adorable wreaths are really cute and easy to make. Let your kids decide how to decorate theirs.

You need:

Directions:

1. Draw wreath shapes on the cardboard and cut them out. Use the hole punch to punch a hole in each.
2. Loop a ribbon through the hole and tie .
3. Allow your children to decorate the wreath using the pom-poms, glitter, etc. Allow them to choose which items they want to use for their wreath.
4. Allow the wreaths to dry and then hang on the tree.

Looking for more fun things to do with your kids? Check out our Kids' Activities Center! >>

Image credit: Amy Vowles

More Christmas craft ideas

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Many Hollywood celebrities and executives have been open and honest about having a special needs child or special needs relatives. No doubt, these power players have, to a certain degree, influenced how special needs are portrayed in multi-media. But, how can a regular “Joe-Schmoe” change the television landscape? The answer is easy when you follow this simple three–step checklist.

Step One: Birth or adopt a special needs child.

Step Two: Be asked to write a column on autism. See Step One.

Step Three: Have an overabundance of time, be slightly delusional, and be so egomaniacal and narcissistic that you actually think you can re-write existing television shows to suit your needs.

With tongue-firmly-in-cheek, hereto with is a line-up of several television shows that could be rewritten so as to be more relatable to parents of special needs individuals.

American Horror Story

This anthology horror series will shine a spotlight on autism, the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. The real American Horror Story is that today, 1 in 88 children/1 in 54 boys/1 in 252 girls will be diagnosed with autism. Today, more children will be diagnosed with autism than diagnosed with pediatric cancer, pediatric AIDS and juvenile diabetes… combined.

Happy Endings

This sitcom will now focus on the scientific achievements of six, good looking, brilliant Chicago friends who spend day and night in search of autism’s cause, treatment and cure. So as to not diverge completely from the original storyline, many scientific findings take place in the local bar, restaurant or bedroom.

Hoarders

The all-new Hoarders takes an investigative look at household products that mysteriously disappear — toothpaste tubes, shampoo, silverware, television clickers — only to be found days later in the far-reaches of attics or basements, and methodically and architecturally arranged by color and size order.

Last Resort and/or The Amazing Race and/or Raising Hope

A documentary-reality show that pits parents and caregivers with unmitigated passion against the clock — and local savings bank — as they travel from town to town, state to state, country to country, in search of hidden therapies, clues or nuggets of wisdom that give hope for viable treatment.

True Blood

This retooled Louisiana-based crowd-favorite saga will continue to detail the lives of vampires, werewolves, and shifters. The sleep-habits of Bill Compton and Eric Northman will remain, as we all relate to children who are wide awake when the sun goes down. The biggest change will be in the portrayal of the actual True Blood manufactured beverage; the liquid-gold in a bottle remains 100% pure-hematologic, but will segue into different varieties that are organic, peanut- and tree-nut free, gluten-free, DHA and Omega-3 fortified. The final episode of the new series will include a True Blood beverage with chicken nugget flavor and subtle French fry undertones.

Big Bang Theory

This wildly successful sitcom will now focus on the parents of Sheldon Cooper, one of two lead characters who has Asperger syndrome. Viewers will have an up-close and personal view of Sheldon’s actual conception, or as much conception that network television can provide. Unfortunately, as many married couples can attest, the full episode will clock in at less than fifteen minutes, so viewers must prepare for numerous commercial interruptions. Moving on…

The Walking Dead and/or Up All Night and/or Survivor and/or Last Man Standing

This dramatic show portrays the parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists for special needs children , in their quest to find the nearest bed, couch or floor so that they may take a well-deserved rest, regardless of how short that rest might actually be.

Say Anything

A self-explanatory talk show. Really... Just! Say! Anything!

Hey Hollywood, how ‘bout them apples to get your creative juices flowing? Want to hear more? Have your people call my people; let’s do lunch.

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Instead of choosing the predictable apple-themed gift, with a little extra thought, you can give a gift that shows that you’ve learned a bit about them and choose something that reflects that.

A thoughtful note

Yes, hand-chosen gifts are lovely, but as any teacher will tell you, nothing you can buy in a store can top a personal note from a student. Having your child share with his teacher the specific reasons for why he's grateful for her is a gift that will last for years to come.

More great gifts for the holidays

Holiday gift guide for the whole family
Stocking stuffers for kids
Choosing special gifts for children with special needs

For many families, the holidays are synonymous with good times, laughter and food. A festive holiday meal is the perfect backdrop for creating lasting memories that your family will cherish.

Homemade memories

Sometimes the chaos of the holiday season overshadows our efforts to create holiday traditions, but it doesn't have to. These simple tips will inspire you to use food to make memories this holiday season.

Why bother?

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it may seem easier to skip traditions altogether, but resisting the temptation to take the easy road will pay off dividends in the long run.

"Family traditions are important because they build bridges that span from generation to generation," says Lori Hogan, co-founder of Home Instead Senior Care and author of the upcoming book, Strength for the Moment: Inspiration for Caregivers. "Traditions create shared experiences that help younger generations understand their family history, faith and culture."

Find out how to create holiday traditions with your kids>>

Gather 'round the table

With all of the hoopla surrounding the holidays, it often seems overwhelming to establish traditions that can compete with all of the glitz. With food, busy moms can keep it simple while making sure our families remember this joyous time of year.

"Food is a great way to build family traditions," says Hogan. "Recipes are easy to hand down and food is also an important part of tradition because scents are closely related to memories. Is there anything better than entering a home during the holidays and smelling cookies or pies baking? It takes you back to memories of previous holidays."

Read about 5 ways to super-scent your holidays>>

Simple strategies

We all have to eat, so connecting food to holiday traditions can be a natural process. The key is to keep things simple. "Don't over-think things," says Hogan. "Start small. Come up with an easy-to-prepare comfort food and prepare it with your family — soup or chili are easy ways to begin. Baking bread is easy to do as well."

Don't fall into the trap of getting stuck in the kitchen alone. You can create memories and spark conversation when you include everyone in the process. Also, resist the urge to shoo potential helpers from the kitchen — even though it may take longer, and possibly be messier, it's worth it to keep family members there by your side. "The best food traditions involve interaction with my family — the grocery shopping, preparation, cooking and baking and sharing of the meal," Hogan says.

Find out how to keep the holidays simple with family>>

Find inspiration

If the idea of creating an elaborate holiday meal makes you cringe, inspiration is close at hand. Cooking or family lifestyle magazines and holiday cookbooks offer plenty of easy-to-follow advice. The Homemade Memories Cookbook, recently published by Home Instead, Inc., features heartwarming stories about cherished family recipes and holiday memories, as well as the recipes themselves. You can also quiz your older family members for their favorite recipes, and turn them into your own family memory.

Gather the family and whip up some clam cakes, an orange chocolate chip Bundt cake, blueberry pancakes or Irish stew while holiday music streams in the background. Soon the sounds and scents of the season will create precious traditions that are sure to make memories.

Read about a sucker for holiday music>>

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