Search Results for: blog the glitter box

Scientists Say Glitter is Bad For the Environment

Glitter is popular with many people. You can find glitter on fancy holiday cards, in some cosmetics, and on your preschooler’s latest artwork. One annoying thing about glitter is that it has a tendency to spread. Environmental scientists are calling for a ban on glitter because it is an ecological hazard. Dr. Trisia Farrelly is an environmental scientist. She said all glitter should be banned because it is a microplastic. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that microplastics are the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our ocean and Great Lakes. Microplastics come from larger plastic … Continue reading →

Homemade Wrapping Boxes

Before you throw out or recycle your food packaging, consider repurposing it into festive boxes and wraps for the holidays or containers for your wrapping things. You’ll save money and a couple of trees, too. Potato Chip Tube You know those tubes that potato chips come packaged in? They are just perfect for packing cookies. You can even mail them, too. Take a clean tube and cover it in scrapbook paper, wrapping paper or even comics or newspaper. Add a ribbon and a gift tag to complete the gift. Soup Cans Turn soup cans or coffee cans into planters. My … Continue reading →

The Glitter Box

I got into a funny conversation on a certain social networking site the other day. A few people were talking about sand boxes. Two years ago, I asked my father to make my preschooler a sand box for her birthday. At the time she was very fond of the beach and loved to pour sand and rocks. I thought that it would be a big hit. Unfortunately, the first couple of times she entered the sandbox she sat there playing happily and managed to stuff some sand down her pants. Sand down the pants is rather uncomfortable, and this sand … Continue reading →

Laila on CBS, Rachael on Ice, and Ellen on Glitter

Laila Ali sure knows how to milk her 15 minutes of fame. The former “Dancing with the Stars” finalist has yet another new job—–she’s joining CBS’s “The Early Show” as a contributing correspondent starting next week. The boxing champ turned ballroom dancer recently got a new gig co-hosting “American Gladiators” and now she’s going big time by traveling the country for CBS in search of human-interest stories. Basically, Ali is going to be doing for “The Early Show” what celeb chef and resident pregnant hottie Giada De Laurentiis is doing for NBC’s “Today” show. CBS execs say the reason they … Continue reading →

Basket Full of Fun

Easter is right around the corner and there is no shortage of egg, chick and bunny-shaped paraphernalia available to cram into your loved ones’ baskets.  But what if you don’t want to stick with the traditional basket or fillers this year? For those looking to hop down Bunny Trail with a few unique Easter or spring-themed treats, consider the following: Teacup:  Personalize plain, inexpensive teacups for your family members and friends and fill them with foil-covered chocolate Easter eggs.  Next, nestle a few artificial flowers inside, and then wrap the entire cup in organza or tulle. Bakery Boxes:  Plain, cardboard … Continue reading →

Love Between the Pages

… or sheets… or blankets… or flannel footie jammies. There’s no better excuse to snuggle up with your child than storytime.  And there’s no better type of book to curl up with as we countdown to Valentine’s Day than a love-themed read. As February 14th nears, consider cuddling up with your little sweetie and embracing these kid-friendly Love Day titles: Splat the Cat:  Funny Valentine The black furball with a heart of gold is at it again.  Splat wants to give his teacher a special Valentine’s gift and enlists the help of his friends to execute his plan, but will … Continue reading →

End the Year With Family Time

New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to take stock of your life and focus on how you can make the most of 2013.  A new year means a fresh start.  Out with bad habits and in with better ones. For busy parents, evaluating the year gone by is a chance to reprioritize; for many that means figuring out ways to spend more time with their children. Of course, there’s no time like the present to get a jumpstart on that resolution.  To illustrate your newfound commitment, consider spending the last days of 2012 bonding with your kids.  Remember, it’s … Continue reading →

Inexpensive Ways to Countdown to Christmas

My 8-year-old adores her Snoopy countdown to Christmas calendar… and her wooden Advent calendar… and her chocolate-filled Advent calendar… and well, you get the idea.  My kid is obsessed with counting down to December 25th. While I enjoy seeing her excitement as she tears open the doors to her various candy-filled chronicles, Advent calendars don’t come cheap.  Neither do secular versions featuring syndicated cartoon characters. Fortunately, there are ways you can celebrate the coming of Christmas without going broke.  For example: Paper Chains:  Kids can craft a countdown to Christmas chain to help them visualize how many days until Santa’s … Continue reading →

Upcycle Your Holidays

If your home is already crammed to the gills with “stuff,” the prospect of adding even more items during the holiday season can make your skin crawl. One way to alleviate this uncomfortable feeling and save money at the same time is to learn the fine art of upcycling.  Pinterest has made a fortune from the fad, so there’s no reason you can’t benefit as well. Before heading to the mall to drain your wallet on expensive Christmas-themed paraphernalia, gather your kids and take a tour of your home.  Look for items that can transformed into amazing holiday presents and … Continue reading →

Turn Tree Trimming Into a Learning Experience

Do you have your Christmas tree up? I know there are many people who set-up their trees on Black Friday, but I just can’t motivate myself to decorate a tree when I am still stuffing myself with Thanksgiving leftovers. A string of Christmas lights in one hand, a fork filled with pumpkin pie in the other.  I stink at being ambidextrous. That and I don’t think I would be able to keep a tree alive until Christmas if I were to put it up on November 23rd. Still, tree trimming is an exciting undertaking in our family.  My 8-year-old delights … Continue reading →