Holiday

Troubleshoot broken lights There is perhaps nothing more frustrating around the holidays than attempting to fix a string of broken lights. Luckily, there are a few quick steps to take before simply trashing the whole strand and buying them anew. There are two main types of holiday lights – incandescent and LED. While there are […]

Thanksgiving is about family, gratitude and, of course, food. The centerpiece of any truly authentic Thanksgiving meal is a succulent, flavorful turkey – but preparing the bird takes more than just a pan and an oven. Here is our simple guide to achieving the perfect Thanksgiving turkey in four easy steps. 1. Buy Before you […]

Every holiday has its iconic meals: Thanksgiving has turkey, Christmas has ham and Hanukkah has latkes. But just what are we to drink during these celebrations? Well, this year a nice hard cider just may be the perfect fit. Long a favorite in Europe, cider’s popularity in the U.S. has soared in recent years, aided […]

Rachael Ray Cucina 16-Piece Dinnerware Set and Cake Boss Cake Carrier and Anolon Nouvelle Copper 12-Inch Covered Wok; Rachael Ray 4-Piece Party Plate Set. Those names on your holiday gift list are more than just people – they’re personalities. This simple shift in perspective can go a long way to help narrow down gift selections. […]

The holiday season is typically one when everything is done bigger and better. Excess may run supreme, and for those who are concerned about how their actions impact the environment, such excess can clash with their ideals. Here are some effects the holidays can have on the environment and changes anyone can make to still […]

You can have a memorable Thanksgiving meal with delicious food, a beautiful table and appreciative guests, but with a fraction of the usual work. If you pare your to-do list to emphasize the season’s bounty and at the same time streamline food preparation, you’ll enjoy the celebration as much as your guests do. “For Thanksgiving […]

The Taylor House will serve as a jumping-off point for The Springfield Project/Neighborhood of Hope’s green spaces initiative. SKETCH BY MASSIE, MASSIE & ASSOCIATES It’s been a private residence, a home for fallen women and a technical school for African-American students. As recently as a few months ago, it was slated to become an empty […]

PHOTO BY TOM FRIEDEL VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG We lived in a frame house in Hickory Hollow during our younger years. We had many interesting experiences there, especially in the wintertime. Brother Jack and I woke up early on a dark and cold December morning. Mom usually called us twice. Once to wake us and once to […]

Disney infinity (above) Skylanders swap force (below); $74.99 each Innovation. Building skills. Out-of-the-box thinking. This year, toys trends are more about stretching the mind than providing temporary entertainment – or finding new ways to do both. “This is the year of toys powered by kids’ imaginations,” says Marianne Szymanski, the founder and president of Toy […]

Choosing a menu where most dishes can be prepared ahead of time, such as sliced meats and cheeses, crudites and baked goods. Along with the holidays come many parties, but unfortunately, parties don’t always go the way you hope they will. We asked Susan Spungen, founding food editor at Martha Stewart Living and author of […]

 There are only so many sweaters, necklaces and pocketknives a person can acquire before it gets to be a bit much. “At a certain age, we start to comprehend the sacrifices our parents have made for us,” says Shelley Hunter, the gift expert known as The Giftcard Girlfriend. “With this understanding, we feel compelled to […]

Whether your personal style is funky, classic, rustic or luxurious, sometimes you just want something different to show your guests for the holidays. Dress it up Create a beautiful glassware display with what you have on hand. Collins glasses can serve as candleholders and upside-down martini glasses can elevate a display. A cake pedestal can […]