Merry Christmas Cool Moms!

Now get off the computer.

[card via alternate greetings]

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Continue reading → And to all a good night

No matter how early I start my Christmas shopping, I’m always left with
a couple of gifts to buy at the last minute. This year, instead of
braving the crowds at the malls (shudder), I’m going to let…

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Continue reading → John & Kira’s ladybug chocolates are ready to fly

If there’s one thing I love about the holiday season, it’s that delightful little perk of being able to tell the kids they have to behave or Santa won’t bring them anything. (Holiday blackmail: Just…

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Continue reading → Dear Santa, Call me back!

With the last shopping weekend before Christmas and Hanukkah, we’re down to the wire. To save you from the dreaded rush shipping costs,we’ve asked our editors, contributors and some of our favorite…



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• Linens Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Garlands Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Our favorite shops around the country - Making the last-minute holiday rush easy

My extremely generous in-laws keep bugging me about what they can get me for Christmas, and quite frankly, unless it’s some magic bubble that I can place over my children so that they will healthy…

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Continue reading → Redefining Christmas: The gift that really keeps on giving

Ten days to go until Christmas and I’m already tired of the same six holiday tunes that seem to be in rotation in every store, taxi, and coffee shop in NY. If you’re looking for a slightly more…

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Continue reading → Oi! Christmas!

Shameless holiday card procrastinator #87146B here, hanging head low and admitting that I have not yet picked out our family’s holiday cards. Most likely we’ll do what I generally do, which is send…

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• Lights Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Lights Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Ornaments Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Attention procrastinators, there’s still time to make Christmas cards

We’re at the moment in the holiday season when I realize I need gifts
for all those other deserving people in our lives: teachers,
dance instructors, party hosts, house cleaners, the personal chef…

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• Tree Stands, Skirts Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Candles, Candle Holders Christmas Vintage Pre-1946 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Tree Toppers Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → O Christmas Tree (candle), O Christmas Tree (candle)

I know there are some of you out there still looking for one special Christmas gift for some lucky little girl–and only because I count myself among you. Well fear not, because at etsy shop Little…

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• Reindeer Figures Christmas Vintage Pre-1946 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Reindeer Figures Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Reindeer Figures Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → An appealing alternative to the singing reindeer doll

Sometimes the gift of nothing is the best gift of all. I flipped when I saw these Blank Board Books at Romp, because they give kids a blank canvas in which to make their very own literary…

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Continue reading → Drawing a blank

If you’re like me, your baby will be sitting up quite nicely by the time the birth announcements go out. In fact, you might think to yourself, I have to do holiday cards anyway, why not just wait?…

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• Cards Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Valentines Day Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Something for those poor new babies who will always get the combined birthday/holiday gift the rest of their lives.

Not a whole lot in this world is prettier than the holiday cookies from Brooklyn’s Gumdrop Cookie Shop, but then sometimes pretty is in the eye of the beholder.

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• Candies, Cookies Ornaments Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Making Christmas cookies the new-fashioned way

When I saw Jones’ Soda’s new Chanukah 4-Pack, my first thought was, “what the heck does Latke flavor soda taste like?” This doesn’t mean that I was brave enough to actually take a sip, but I do…

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Continue reading → Jones Soda makes bubbly for your bubeleh

I may buy great gifts, but I’m severely gift-wrap challenged; my presents usually get hidden toward the back of the pile so that you can’t see my incompetence. But, this year, these bold little…

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Continue reading → Little labels that make a big impression

Because I’m spending less on gifts this year than in years past, I’m putting a little more into the presentation - nicer wrapping, nicer ribbons, and hopefully less dog hair underneath the Scotch…

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Continue reading → Gift tags from Pretty Bitter: Self-adhesive and self-deprecating all at once.

Trust me, finding cute Hanukkah clothes is as difficult as finding the correct way to spell Hanukkah. (Or is it Hannukah? Chanukah? Channuukkah?) So check out the super cute infant and toddler tees…

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Continue reading → Hanukkah clothes that are actually cool? Who knew?

Sometimes you want a little glitz in your greetings, and sometimes you just want something cool, simple and smart. Thanks to Hoote + Annie’s new online shop, you can grab the holiday card of your…

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Continue reading → Seasons greetings, tied up with a bow

Comedian Louis Black said that he gave up on Hanukkah when he realized the only thing Jews had to compete with Christmas was spinning a wooden top. Well Louis, Good news! You can come back to the…

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Continue reading → Could celebrity dreidel tournaments be far behind?

I am so excited that Lesser Evil, the cool little indie snack food company that is rocking my carb-craving world lately, has come out with a crate of Christmas Coal. And by coal I mean chunks of…

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• Food Restaurant Advertising Collectibles

Continue reading → Lesser Evil makes getting coal in your stocking a thing of pure unadulterated awesomeness

There are definitely some folks on my holiday list who deserve better than the lopsided bells and gingerbread amputees that pass for holiday cookies around my kitchen. In other words, everyone but…

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Continue reading → Holiday cookies way better than the ones you’ll make. Trust me on that one.

I’m always the one in the drug store on December 5th shopping for an advent calendar–and wondering why the selection stinks. This year, I vowed to start earlier (albeit by just a
few days) and…

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Continue reading → The Coolest Advent Calendars

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Continue reading → Custom Christmas ornaments, delivered on doves’ wings

Since I’ve got a house full of kids, it’s a safe bet that my holiday cards are going to feature photos of those kids.  But I still want those cards to reflect my taste–which means no cards with…

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• Cards Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Cards Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Cards Christmas Vintage Pre-1946 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → fin + roe: For parents who still get to pick out the Christmas cards

Even though my mother-in-law insisted on photos of my then 6-month old daughter in this ridiculous lace and velvet number, when it came down to holiday parties and Christmas day, we stuck her in a…

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• Ornaments Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Cards Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Pins Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Because a screaming baby in velvet doesn’t say “holiday cheer”

Out of consideration for my post-baby figure, I rarely bake any more. It’s just one of the sacrifices I make in the name of vanity. But at holiday time, my no-bake resolution goes out the window (and…

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Continue reading → The sweetest announcements. Literally.

I totally dare you to get this New Year’s Card by Robyn Miller Design, customize it with your own message, sign it with a beautiful heartfelt note — and upload a photo of your crying, screaming,…

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Continue reading → Peace on earth. I mean it. Now.

It’s always nice cracking open some children’s books to get your kids into the spirit of the holidays, but not every parent is looking to do it through biblical tales or the Santa story. A cool…

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Continue reading → A Fairy for all Seasons

Maybe you have time to sit down and write a newsy, personal note in every holiday card you send out, but personally, I consider it a good day if I can make the time to get fully dressed. And don’t…

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Continue reading → So much better than a holiday letter. (Oh so much better.)

These days  you can spread “good will on earth” while being kind to it as well. But let’s be honest, not all eco-friendly cards are created equal.

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Continue reading → Berry beautiful holiday cards

I’m one of those goofy, sentimental types where it comes to personal correspondence.  If you send me a card, you can be sure it will occupy a place of honor on my refrigerator.

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Continue reading → Not since the mimeograph have we been more excited to sniff paper

Talk about getting a bang for your nursery decor buck: The whimsical set of mini hand-painted artwork are not just wall art, they’re ornaments. Personally, I’d hang them in the baby’s room, but sneak…

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Continue reading → Deck your halls all year long

With certain types of decor, your standard glittery, tinsel-y holiday trimmings just don’t fit. They’re festive, sure, but sometimes you just need something simple, something sophisticated. Something…

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Continue reading → Deck the walls with pretty things

 I have a confession to make: Generally I am terrible when it comes to sending out holiday cards. I always intend on ordering the photo ones, but there have been years when I just don’t get…

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Continue reading → Soy to the World: Greener greetings from My Good Greetings

Every year for Christmas (yes, we’re thinking Christmas already) Santa tries very hard to bring my kids an ornament that is somehow representative of the past year. “Baby’s First Christmas” is a…

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• Wooden Ornaments Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Dogs Animals Ornaments Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Cartoon, TV Characters Ornaments Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Ornaments designed by you, cast by experts

With just a week to go, it’s time to admit that your grand plans for making your kid’s Halloween costume are simply an overambitious fantasy. Really, points for good intentions and all, but it’s time…

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• Bats Contemporary 1960-Now Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Spiders, Cobwebs Contemporary 1960-Now Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Postcards Vintage Pre-1960 Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Halloween costumes that do some good

I’m happy to say that these

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Continue reading → Ghost Clusters!

If you’re looking for something more eco than a plastic trick or treat bag this year, of course you could paint a pillow case like we like did in the good old days (my parents were green and didn’t…

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• Black Cats Contemporary 1960-Now Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Halloween bags: Black, orange, and now, green

I love Halloween, but prefer it when all the decor falls into to the realm of tasteful instead of “ohmigosh, did you see that crazy thing?”
That’s one reason I want Details soft felt Halloween hair…

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Continue reading → Halloween hair clips that do all the talking, if not the candy collecting

When I first received the package of beautifully-decorated Halloween cookies from Fancypants Bakery, I thought they were just too cute to eat. Five minutes later, with mouth full of shortbread, I…

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• Cookies, Crackers, Pretzels Bakery, Baking Food Restaurant Advertising Collectibles
• Halloween Holidays Postcards Collectibles
• Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Just try to keep your costumed little hands off these cookies

We go the whole nine yard on Halloween, which this year has me running around town for a child-sized red wig and face paint. But considering my daughter’s extremely sensitive skin, I’m reluctant to…

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• Avon Face Powder Makeup Store
• Mary Kay Face Powder Makeup Store
• Laura Geller Face Powder Makeup Store

Continue reading → Natural face paints. As in, natural. Totally.

You know what comes with a week’s worth of Halloween parties, right? Candy. Way too darn much candy. So instead of doing goody bags for my daughter and her preschool classmates, I’m snagging some of…

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• Monsters Contemporary 1960-Now Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Decorations Vintage Pre-1960 Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Masks Vintage Pre-1960 Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Halloween goodies, guaranteed sugar-free

We make plenty of jokes around here about the “Martha Moms,” mainly because in our heart of hearts, we wish we could count ourselves among those crafty mamas who hand appliqué their children’s sippy…

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• Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Halloween Holidays Postcards Collectibles

Continue reading → Martha Stewart’s Halloween favor bags. Because sometimes you just can’t out-Martha Martha.

When I first got the email that the three Charlie Brown holiday movies were coming out in a deluxe DVD set, I nearly deleted it, because well, everyone knows about Charlie Brown, right? But then I…

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Continue reading → It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown - Now at an hour when kids can actually watch

The very same week I got a note from our preschool teachers begging the parents to keep the dreaded Crocs off of children’s feet I’ve discovered that it’s still okay to send them to synagogue with…

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Continue reading → To all those parents for whom Crocs are sacred

My kids love to admire the aisles of Halloween-themed kids’ clothing almost as much as I love to admire the aisles of Halloween-themed candy. But I can’t bring myself to buy any those jack-o-lantern…

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• Pumpkins, Jack-O-Lanterns Contemporary 1960-Now Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → To me, every day is Halloween

If I had any bit of sewing ability, you’d bet I’d whip up something for both my kids and forgo the annual trip to that big mouse store (ahem) to spend waaaay too much on a Halloween costume. Darn…

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Continue reading → Halloween Already? Absolutely!

I have some friends who do this insane July 4 party every year as if heads of state were showing up. The food is awesome, the drinks plentiful, and the local parade passes right by their home,…

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Continue reading → If You Were Turning 232 You’d Want Someone to Make a Big Deal About it Too

For those of you who have searched high and low to find a finger puppet in the shape of a piece of matzoh, you are in luck.

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Continue reading → Why Is This Finger Puppet Different From All Other Finger Puppets?

For those of you who have searched high and low to find a finger puppet in the shape of a piece of matzoh, you are in luck.

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Continue reading → Why Is This Finger Puppet Different From All Other Finger Puppets?