Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas to Take Money, Stress Out of Christmas

As you look over the list of gifts you need this holiday season, an unsettling feeling starts. How will I pay for all these gifts? How about homemade gifts?

Gift-giving is meant to be a time for sharing how much you appreciate others, but rising prices and tight budgets take the feel-good vibes right out of gift-giving traditions. This year, take the money stress out of the holidays by turning to homemade gifts. Homemade gifts are a great way to show you appreciate someone while also adding a personal touch. Gifts don’t need to be expensive to be special. Get the family involved in the fun and you will be creating memories while making unique gifts for those who mean the most in your life. Patch explores the homemade holidays in hopes that you will find something to inspire you to enjoy the season more. Healthy options: Pack energy in a jar with healthy snacks like energy bars, dark chocolate…

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GW

11:32 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

Fun!   more ›

Helicopter Santa a Bloomingdale Tradition, Resident Says

Resident says helicopter ride at holiday event is worth the cost.

The following was submitted as a Letter to the Editor. If you'd like to submit a Letter to the Editor, send it to ariana.cohn-sheehan@patch.com  Dear Editor, I am a 75-year-old proud grandfather who, on Dec. 18, will have lived 40 years in Bloomingdale. When I opened my email from Tri-Boro Patch just a few minutes ago, my immediate attention was drawn to the article “Helicopter Santa to Fly Into Bloomingdale.” My first thought was will my 8-year-old grandson Alex going to be excited at his age in seeing Santa in a helicopter again; and second, will his father take him to this event since it is his father’s visitation weekend. I then read the nice article written and I reminisced about the fun that I had with Alex when we waited and saw …

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Tree Lighting, Santa Coming to Kinnelon This Year

Borough hosting holiday celebration for the first time in years.

The Borough of Kinnelon will be hosting a holiday celebration for the first time in several years next month. The event, which will be held on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Kinnelon Municipal Building, on Kinnelon Road, will feature a guest appearance by Santa Claus. Families are encouraged to bring their own cameras to take photographs with the "man in red." Hot chocolate and mini-munchkins will be served to children and attendees will hear a special performance from the Kinnelon High School choir. Additionally, the borough will light its Christmas tree during the event. Kinnelon Mayor Robert Collins said "it's been a long time" since the borough hosted a holiday gathering, but the event will not only be a celebration of the holidays, but of …

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Fun Facts and Trivia for Thanksgiving

Canadian Turkeys, carving the lobster and a turkey the size of a dog.

No need to worry about conversation topics around the Thanksgiving dinner table. Let your guests fill up on this Thanksgiving fun facts. 

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Holidays in the Boroughs

Butler Home Represents Tri-Boro in Patch Contest

Karen Becker shows holiday pride with lights and decorations.

Butler resident Karen Becker showed her holiday pride and represented the tri-boro as the only local contestant in the Patch Deck the House contest. While Becker did not become a finalist for her entry, she was rewarded with some Patch schwag.

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Poll & Pics: So, What Did You Get?

If you got a gizmo or gadget, don't forget to Patch-ify it!

Patch wishes all of its readers celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and other joyous occasions happy holidays (and hopes those who aren't celebrating are at least getting to enjoy an extended weekend). We want to know: What did you get? Tell is in the comments below, and hit the "Upload Photos and Videos" button above to show us! If you happened to get a new tablet or phone, don't forget, you can take Patch wherever you go. Visit www.Patch.com/mobile for a quick link to our Android and iPhone/iPad apps.

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Cooking With Cheri: Recipes From a Bloomingdale Kitchen

Recipe: Rosh Hashanah Dinner

Try something traditional, even if it's not your tradition.

I am kind of ashamed to say that I don’t know much about the Jewish culture despite the fact that I worked for a Jewish family for a long time and had a close friend that was Jewish. Also, I have been to a few weddings where they stomped on a glass wrapped in a napkin and yelled “Mazel Tov!” and lifted the newlyweds on chairs. I have even danced the Hora! But one thing I have never done is cook a traditional Jewish dish. Of course I am familiar with some things, like Matzo Ball Soup and Gifelte fish, Potato Latkes and Brisket. But there is one dish I have never tried or even heard of. That is Sweet Noodle Pudding, sometimes called Noodle Kugel. Had I known about this delightful dish when I was younger, I probably would’ve converted. One my…

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Ariana Cohn-Sheehan

3:13 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011

Hi Debbie, feel free to shoot me over an email at ariana.cohn@patch.com   more ›

How to Beat the Blues? Experts Say Take Charge of Your Thinking

We have a choice in how we deal with each situation, they say.

It may not be easy. But it sounds that way. "It may sound simple, but we are all presented with a choice–we can look at the donut, rather than the hole," said Alex Pattakos, Ph.D., former resident of Morristown, founder of the TheOpaWay.com and author of the book "Prisoners of our Thoughts. " That's the key, Pattakos said, to addressing the despair and grief that often come with winter.  "The holidays and the feelings that arise offer us an opportunity to look at our life," Pattakos said. Editor's Note: This is the second in a two-part series on dealing with wintertime depression. In the first part, we explored how expectations for the holdiay season can add stress and anxiety. Pattakos said he believes we change the nature of our …

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It's Not all Norman Rockwell, And That's OK

Experts say our expectations of the holidays can lead to depression. Part one of a two-part series.

You're supposed to be joyous and festive this time of year. You're supposed to see everything as a celebration. You're supposed to have good will in your heart and think anything's possible in the new year ahead. You're supposed to. But it's not always that easy. Psychologists and change gurus say our expectations often are at the heart of the holiday blues. We know what we want to happen, or what we're supposed to want to happen, and when life falls short, it can prompt mild or even deep depression. Editor's Note: This story is the first in a two-part series. In today's installment, we explore the causes of holiday-time grief. Tomorrow, we'll discuss expert suggestions for beating the holiday blues. "There are many who expect their …

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Haven't Planned for New Year's? It's Not Too Late

Several area venues are still taking reservations; First Night Morris is the biggest party of the group.

Maybe you really do want to just curl up in your flannel pajamas, grab some sushi and a small bottle of champagne, and watch When Harry Met Sally for the 50th time this New Year's Eve. Maybe you and your loved ones really do just want to camp out in the living room with some comfort food and enjoy the festivities from a distance. Maybe. Or maybe the holiday shuffle has gotten the better of you, and you just haven't had time to think about New Year's. Don't worry: We've done some thinking for you. And here's what we've come up with First Night Morris County: The biggest bang for your buck. In its 19th year, First Night Morris County in Morristown promises to be a spectacular way to ride in 2011. As long as you're dressed in layers and wear …

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