For China, this is one of their most important holidays. It’s a celebration that lasts for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival. Each year is associated with one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. For 2012, it’s the Year of the Dragon.

Chinese New Year Fireworks

The Chinese New year is all about family. New Year’s Day children are given red envelopes filled with money. The money usually comes with a wish to be fast and clever. The money is used to buy their favorite things, which probably include fireworks for the big celebration. In the past, it has been said that fireworks were set off to ward off evil spirits. Today, fireworks are set off just for fun and celebration. Fireworks are set off all over the cities. Molten iron is also melted for a huge fireworks display. Homes are decorated with symbols and the color red to ward off evil spirits, and lanterns are made and placed in ponds after being lit one by one.

Chinese New Year Feast

For the New Year’s holiday, cooking is serious business.  A huge feast is prepared with the whole family taking part in the process. Dumplings are one of the most important foods eaten on this day. They can be filled with chives and minced pork. White radish, lotus root, pork, and cabbage are prepared to make a delicious stew. Fish, which stands for plenty, is also prepared.  The fish symbolizes that there will be plenty to eat throughout the upcoming year. The fish is dusted with flour and cut in a special way so as to hold loads of delicious sauce. Rice pudding is also prepared and can be topped with jelly which symbolizes wealth in the New Year. The New Year’s feast is the biggest of the year. It is their hope that they will have all of the things that the food represents.

This is one of the best time during the year to travel to China. This is considered the off-season, so one may be able to find lower prices for airfare  as well as tours given to celebratory events. There are tons of cultural events happening as well as Chinese-style carnivals and folk performances. You could find yourself enjoying a dragon dance while munching on some grilled, spicy squid or rice cakes.

 What holidays do you and your family enjoy celebrating together?

Photos courtesy of Tonya Staab and Getty.

Stephanie is the mom of 2 daughters and a South Carolina native. This southern girl is married to a wounded warrior who served in Iraq. She enjoys traveling and trying new foods. She is a teacher by day and consults with businesses to connect them to the military consumer. You can find her boasting of travel adventures at Military Travel Mama. You can also follow her on Twitter and Facebook!

But why wait until next Christmas to try them? Confetti Squares, not to be mistaken with the sweet treat variety, are a delicious, colorful appetizer sure to start off your New Year’s Eve party this week (or really any party) with a healthy bang.

How To Make Confetti Square Crescent Roll Appetizers

Feel free to get crazy with the ingredients. Add as much variety as you’d like in flavor and color.

Ingredients

• 2 pkg. crescent rolls (the kind you buy in the a package in the refrigerated section at the grocery store like these from Pillsbury.)
• 2 8 ounce pkg. cream cheese
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2-3 carrots (shredded)
• 3 celery stalks (diced)
• 1/2 yellow pepper (diced)
• 1 bunch radishes (shredded)
• 5-6 green onions (chopped)

Directions

1. Pat crescent dough onto a cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) and bake according to directions. Let cool completely.
2. Beat softened cream cheese and mayonnaise and spread mixture evenly on baked crescent dough (will be flat).
3. Sprinkle veggies evenly on top of the mixture.
4. Cut into small pieces before cooling.
5. Place in refrigerator and chill 3-4 hours before serving.

What is your favorite appetizer to serve during a New Year’s Even celebration?

But no dinner is complete without a drink to wash it down. And as long as we’re going gourmet, why not go all out for the drinks.

Growing up, my mom always got creative with punch. She had a huge punch bowl and lots of fancy glasses to go with it. She set it on a table all by itself, creating a punch station of sorts. If she set it out before the meal, we’d wouldn’t eat our meal. We would drink so much we’d feel full.

She started a legacy of fun dinner drinks, with the most fun of all being this slushy variety, which is also one of my favorites. Try it! Whether you put your punch in fancy glasses or mason jars, I promise it doesn’t disappoint.

Holiday Punch Recipe

Ingredients:

• 20 C (5 qts) water
• 3 C sugar
• 1 12 oz. frozen orange juice
• 1 12ox. frozen lemonade
• 2 Tablespoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons almond extract
• Sprite, Ginger Ale or 7 Up (1 gal of slush to 3 1/2 litres of soda)

Directions:

1. Mix together all of the ingredients in a large punch bowl.
2. Place the bowl in the freezer for a few hours until the mixture becomes frozen.
3. Remove the bowl from the freezer and allow 20 minutes to slightly thaw.
4. Add the Sprite, Ginger Ale, or 7 Up and stir to combine before serving.

What is your favorite holiday beverage?

Photo courtesy of How To: Simplify.

It is always held during the first week of December when there is a chill in the air that helps create that nastalgic, old world feeling. It is a long standing tradition that dates back to the 1950s, as do some of the original costumes, elaborate decorations, and props.

Each singer is outfitted to look like he or she is part of a royal court, with a king, queen, prince, and princess along with gesters and wenches. The dinner guests receive turkey legs and finger foods. It is an opportunity for these amazing young people to come out of their shells, work hard, and sing their way into the hearts of everyone who attends! The qym has a nice echoing tone that is reminiscent of an old castle. You truly feel like you have been transported into the past!

These students are also singing to raise money for their Spring trip that the choir takes every year. This year, to advertise the event and get donations, the kids dressed in their costumes and went all over Boise talking to business owners and “sang for their supper,” so to speak. They collected all sorts of items — from artwork to hotel stays, event tickets to a diamond! Finally, all the donations were laid out in festive baskets and displayed on side tables at the sold out Madrigal dinner. A silent auction was held during the evening. The response was incredible!

For some, this is a “must do” to start the holiday season. For others, it is a chance to come back to the school they love and relive the magic of Madrigal. The parents put in many, many hours of hard work, and most everything, including the food, is donated to create the evening. The school’s musical director takes care of every detail and goes far beyond the call of duty. But it is all worth it…every minute.

To see your child feel immense pride in a job well done, and knowing that they are creating life-long bonds with fellow singers is worth every minute of making baskets, decorating, setting up, and everything involved in this great evening. And afterwards, we get to hear singing all over our house — in the bedroom, in the shower, in the kitchen, during homework, and on the way to school. It is awesome!

At this time of uncertainty in our school systems where great art programs are being taken away and events like this may have to disappear, it is important for us as voters and mothers and friends and citizens to keep the performing arts alive and going strong! These are the events that these young people will remember and take with them into their adult years.

The arts enhance education and make us better, more well rounded individuals who know how to work together and thrive. So, keep this in mind the next time the opportunity arises for you to support the kids in your area. Make it a new tradition and soak it all in! You will never regret it! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

What are your favorite holiday songs? What songs instantly get you in the holiday spirit?

Susan lives in Boise, Idaho, and is a self-taught artist and a jack of many artsy trades. She is married to professional artist and has two great teenagers. She has her hand in a lot of pots. She in very involved in her community and church. She loves friends, family, movies, eating out, laughing, and  vacationing to warm destinations! She just started her own blog: visit  susansspinningplates@wordpress.com

Holiday Craft Project: Chex Mix Candy Gift

Chex Mix Candy Recipe

Ingredients

• 5 cups of Honey Nut Chex (this is gluten free!)
• 4 cups of mini pretzels
• 1 pkg. of vanilla candi quik
• 1 package of peanut m&m’s
• 1 cup of melted chocolate
• 2 crushed candy canes (optional)

Directions

Fill your boxes with the yummy Chex Mix and tie a cute bow with bakers twine or ribbon. I found these fun Chinese Boxes at Hobby Lobby, but I have seen them at several other craft stores. I also added a fun little accordion pinwheel to the front (you can find the whole tutorial here), but it would be cute with a fun gift tag as well. This is a super easy gift to put together, and your friends will LOVE it!

Warning: This Chex Mix is very addicting…but oh so yummy!

I wish everyone a very Happy Holiday!

Do you have a fun gift you like to give to neighbors and friends? What are some of your favorite snacks at Christmas?

 My name is Jamielyn Nye and I’m a hopeless chocolate addict. Sometimes known to eat chocolate chip cookie dough straight from the bowl. I’m a Mama to two chubbies and married to one sexy man. My days are full of chasing my 2 little monkeys, cleaning messes (it’s like shoveling in a snow storm), pinterest, snuggling, avoiding the ever-growing pile of laundry, e-mails, play-dough, crafting and wondering, “Is it nap time yet?!” Find me blogging at I Heart Nap Time. Chat with me on Facebook & Twitter.

There are always two very important parts of the family. Dad being the head of the home does not make him more important, he just has a different job; however, Mom’s job is the most important for she is the glue that keeps everyone coming back home. No matter where life takes the kids and the Grandkids, if Mom has done her job well, they all come back home.

With so many memories so dear to me around her kitchen or dining room table, it is hard to imagine, but in that same room, we said our last good-byes to her as she was carried away just before the holiday season. Unfortunately, the spindle and glue were gone and we all kind of went our own way. We still see each other, but really only once a year and even then, things are not the same. Everyone has their own way of coping and finds new relationships to fill their days.

A familiar song to me about Grandma says, “Now that Grandma’s gone, we all spend our Christmases at home. All the Aunts and Uncles have Grandkids of their own. Lord let our homes be filled with love and joy like Grandma knew and may she have a Merry Christmas celebrating there with You.”

Now we’re the Moms. We’re the center and the glue of our home. Hold the torch high, fill the home with lots of love, so when the kids go off into the world, even if they roam far, they’ll always come back home.

Alicia Ivey wants to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hopes that everyone gets to spend time with family and friends.  Alicia is a wonderful wife and mother.  She enjoys traveling, singing and freelance writing for mybabyclothes.com.  No matter what the occasion this holiday season make sure your little one looks their very best in the most fashionable baby clothes or the perfect tutu with a matching baby headband.

10 Ways to Save Money During the Holidays

Here are some ways I have saved this holiday season:

1. Use gift cards received throughout the year. I try and save gift cards I receive and then use them on gifts. I also cashed out points and got gift cards for gifts too.

2. Inventory wrapping paper, decorations, etc. I was low on wrapping paper so luckily the Hallmark $5.00 coupon deal had come along at the right time and I bought four rolls for $3.26. The coupons are good until Dec.24. Be sure to check the December issues of Real Simple, Oprah, and more for the coupons. I also ran low on gift tags and I had another coupon and got a nice assortment of tags for $3.00.

3. Calm it down on baking. I did participate in a cookie exchange and that was fun, but I stuck with a basic oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe. It turned out great! I put the cookies in white bakery boxes (skipped buying the expensive holiday tins) and they were a hit.

4. Stock up on pantry necessities. For example, Target has had Betty Crocker cookie mixes, Betty Crocker boxed potatoes, and more at really good prices lately. Match up with coupons for more savings.

5. Shop Amazon lightning deals. Amazon offers their lightning deals through mid-December, so it’s a good time to snag some deals!

6. Taking advantage of $10 off $10 coupons. I received coupons from Kohl’s and JCPenney a few weeks ago which were $10 off $10 any item. I found (2) really nice gifts at both stores and used the coupons.

7. Spend less on stocking stuffers. I had stocked up end of Christmas sale last year and am always on the lookout for small gifts.

8. Order holiday cards early. This year I ordered my cards in October. Though it felt weird to order holiday cards before Halloween, I received an awesome Shutterfly deal in my e-mail that I had to use. I received free cards and only paid shipping.

9. Regift…creatively. That’s all I’m going to say. My family might be reading this!

10. Use printable coupons. I always check online coupons and deals before heading out to the mall!

How do you save money when shopping during the holiday season? What are your money-saving tips and tricks?

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

For great deals, freebies and more, check out Savingsmania.com. As one of the original money-saving blogs, Savingsmania.com by Diane Schmidt has been blogging and saving you money since 2003- http://www.savingsmania.com/

Mom’s love to run the show. We make sure the tree is up, the lights are out of the attic, and the moving reindeer are in the yard. Doing the same thing every year provides comfort to many of us. But this year, why not try something different?

Go ahead, (if you dare) and ask your kids to create a new Christmas tradition. Find something that is unique to your own family. One mom I know grew up in a household with a fake tree. She kept this tradition and each year dragged out the artificial tree, marveling at the cleanliness of her living room. She never considered changing the tradition until her children begged to visit the tree farm!

I love the Thanksgiving tradition of a sit down meal. This year I decided to do something different and take the kids to feed the homeless. It wasn’t easy to give up the family meal and cozy table, because the tradition was one of the calming memories I recall from my childhood.

For the last eight years, I have cooked Thanksgiving dinner. This year I took the kids to serve the homeless instead. We sat around a dinner table with homeless men and women and prayed, ate a fabulous turkey, and talked just like a normal family would. It was a moment the kids will always remember. I let go of an old tradition and I believe we have started an entirely new one.

This year, I am letting the kids join in every aspect of the holidays. They are baking, (the kitchen turns into a disaster when a six year-old makes the pies), making christmas gifts, and decorating the house. My eight year-old put toy cars on the tree this year. My six year-old made cherry, pumpkin, and blueberry pies because he wanted to bake them.

When it came time to decorate the tree this year, I stepped away from tradition of orchestrating a moment with the family that resembled the movie It’s A Wonderful Life. My kids used their creativity because I encouraged them to discover it. The tree doesn’t look perfect, but it’s ours.

You don’t have to give up all your holiday traditions. I still haven’t caved in my “tradition” of all white lights for the multi-colored ones the kids wanted, but who knows. Maybe next year I will change my mind.

What new traditions can you create this year with your family this holiday season? Please feel free to share some of your ideas!

Photo courtesy of  Flickr.

Tammy Kling is a life coach, advocate for the homeless, and international author of 29 books including The Compass. Tammy is also the founder of Write it Out, an organization that helps gang members, the homeless, and those living on the street write out their hopes & dreams via writers workshops, free journals and various other resources.

In addition to writing and coaching, Tammy is a mom of two boys, an avid trail and mountain runner, blogger, and adventure travel writer.

Dunkin’ Donuts packaged coffee, available wherever you buy groceries, has partnered with entertaining expert, Jeanne Benedict, to provide useful and creative tips for ways to make the holiday season even more enjoyable.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 6 and join us as we talk about holiday entertaining.

Party Topic

Join Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee at Grocery and our panel of experts as we discuss holiday entertaining. The party will be held on Tuesday, December 6 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Tuesday, December 6 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8 CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #DDatHome)
• Topic: Holiday Entertaining
• Who: Brand Panelist: @JeanneBenedict, Community Panelists: @HuppieMama @7onashoestring @themommyfiles @HowToSimplify, Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Click here to enter the giveaway.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @MomItForward Join the #DDatHome #gno Twitter party 12/6 (9-11 ET) on holiday entertaining http://bit.ly/uMAAhX PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

Check out this happy holidays flash mob performed on Black Friday in a northern Utah mall and inspired by blogging friend Loralee Choate of Loralee’s Looney Tunes, and brought to you by gobs of people (learn more info on that here).

If you’d like to spread the holiday cheer, use this link to spread it on Facebook: http://lds-videos.org/facebook/ZAdDSsnWafY. The next best thing to being at a flash mob is watching one on YouTube!

Happy Holidays!