Momaha Magazine - December 2013

momaha.com

volume 4 · issue 12

December 2013

SPREAD JOY make somebody smile this holiday season with toys, food, songs – and just being you.

Sassy Housewife Give a hint to the mom who doesn’t have a clue.

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Personalize your packages with adorable DIY tags.

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momaha

FROM our MOMAHA. COM editor

where moms connect

VOLUME 4 . ISSUE 12 . DECEMBER 2013 editorial director CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

assistant editor AMy LaMAR

content coordinator, designer HEIDI H O FFMAN hhoffman@owh.com 402-444-1351

momaha.com editor J O S I E LOZ A josie.loza@owh.com 402-444-1075

production coordinator PAT R I C I A “ M U R PH y ” B E N O I T

on the cover PH OTO: HEIDI H O FFMAN

content contributors AMy GR ACE, DANIELLE HER ZO G, AMy TOkOS, k AREN BL ANC, H E AT H E R W I N k E L , k U R T A . k E E L E R , FA M I Ly F E AT U R E S , A N N A B A C k H A U S , k R I S TA L E I G H H U R S T, J E F F R E y B E B E E , DANIEL J O HNSO N

to advertise, contact kRISTINE BUHMAN kristine.buhman@owh.com 402-444-1442 MARCIA OSTRANSk y marcia.ostransky@owh.com 402-444-1489

S

‘Tis the season to get your fah la la la la on

orry, I couldn’t resist. The holidays always put me in a great mood. All of the baking and cooking reminds me of growing up in a large family (I’m the secondoldest of six children). There is something so relaxing about making pumpkin bars, homemade apple pie and lots of Christmas cookies.

I hold a baking marathon in the fall and again a couple of weeks before Christmas.

It’s a tradition that I’ve introduced my children to, and they love it. They enjoy sifting flour, measuring sugar and mixing all the ingredients for the sweet treats that warm up our kitchen.

Our favorite parts of our baking marathons are wrapping the treats, writing silly messages on the gift tags and delivering them to our friends and family members. We feel all warm and fuzzy inside after the deliveries.

Giving back is a great way to show people you care. We’ve come up with a dozen fun ways for your family to give back over the holidays. These range from hosting a pajama party, to making cards for hospitalized kids, to donating toys to Toys for Tots.

Speaking of gifts, check out the cutest D.I.Y. gift tags that any family has ever received on page 12.

We hope this magazine gives you a great start to the holiday season.

Cheers!

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2013 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

Chat with Josie each Friday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on momaha.com Facebook.com/josie.loza @LozaFina Pinterest.com/momahaowh

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Get Organized

Give it a home Help your kids maintain their stuff.

TexT by Amy Tokos PhoTo by heiDi hoffmAn

T

he holidays are here, and our homes are just a little fuller than usual. We have more food on-hand, friends and family stopping by, events on the schedule and decorations filling the house.

So if our kids leave their things in the way at this time of year, it can send us over the edge. Here are a few easy solutions to help keep peace in the family.

Put it away: Minimize the toys that are out, and it makes it easier to maintain order. Now is a good time to pack some toys away. You can rotate them back in after the holidays.

Another option is to put a donate date on the box, and then pack the items away until that date. This gives you a buffer in case the kids change their minds about certain items. In most cases, after the influx of holiday toys and other gifts, the ones in the box are forgotten and can be donated.

Designate a “home”: Sometimes the items don’t have a permanent place to “reside.” Giving them a home will help kids know where to find the items and also where to put them away. The location needs to be easy to access, and it also needs to make sense.

Let’s take, for example, the kids’ shoes. This is a challenge for almost every household. Your kids take off their shoes when they walk into the house. Where do they belong? To make it easy on the kids – and you – put the shoes near the

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door that they enter. If it is anywhere else, they will most likely only be in their home when directed by you.

Lost-and-found basket: This is a cure-all for the little stuff that kids leave around the house. You will no longer be in charge of directing pick-up or delivering items to bedrooms.

All you have to do is put the items in the lost-and-found basket.

You treat the lost-and-found basket just like a school treats its lost-and-found bin. If a child is looking for something, have him or her check the basket (without your commentary). Once the basket is full, announce that the items need to be claimed before a set day, or they will be donated.

Let that day arrive with no nagging or reminders. Donate anything left in the basket, and then repeat the cycle. You may donate (or throw away) quite a bit the first and second times. But after that, the kids will learn.

Now, of course there will be items in the basket that you don’t want to replace, such as your child’s headphones. Hide these items and let them be missed. You can then regift them for a special occasion. It is always fun to say to your child after he opens the gift: “Yes, I found that at Goodwill for you.

I know you have missed it.”

Amy Tokos is a professional organizer.

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Check Relaxation off your list Sneak a wine party into your holiday plans.

CompilEd by dAN mAtuszEk & Amy lamAR photos by hEidi hoffmAN

A

dd a wine party to your list of holiday activities this season. It’s the perfect way to spoil yourself and your girlfriends before, during or after the shopping frenzy begins. Get the conversation going by choosing Nebraska-made wines for your party. With names like Women Gone Wine and Five O’Clock Magic, you can’t go wrong. And your guests have probably visited a few of these wineries or vineyards before. If not, make it a road trip next time, or pick some up for a quiet evening at home. We make it easy with these wine and food pairings.

James Arthur Vineyards, Raymond, Neb. Edelweiss: $16.99 This is a sweet white wine made from 100 percent Edelweiss grapes (a grape variety that grows well in the Nebraska climate).

It’s well-balanced with a sensation of sweetness in the front of the palate, and a burst of tartness as it dances across the tongue and heads toward the finish. Full of green apple flavor, this wine is perfect on its own as a sweet sipper. It is also great with fresh fruit or as a dessert wine for your holiday table.

Serve chilled.

superior Estates Winery, superior, Neb. five o’Clock magic: $16.99 This delicious dry blend of red grapes exhibits mixed-berry flavors with a soft finish. Meant to be served at a cool room temperature, it pairs nicely with pork-based dishes or any tomato-based sauce.

Grab a glass – it’s time for a little magic this holiday season!

Source: Dan Matuszek, president & CEO of Brix – A Wine and Spirits Experience

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schilling bridge Winery, pawnee City, Neb. Women Gone Wine: $14.99 Can’t decide between red and white? Try this sassy rosé – it’s fruit-forward and crafted with today’s playful woman in mind.

Its berry flavors ripple with sweet seduction, yet vibrantly invite savvy women to unite for an evening of high-spiritedness and fun.

This is the ideal wine for a girl’s night in, yet it pairs nicely with a holiday charcuterie platter or shrimp cocktail.

Serve chilled.

deer springs Winery, lincoln firefly White: $14.99 This is a sweeter-styled wine with aromas of orchard fruits such as peach, apricot and nectarine. This is the perfect “house wine” to have on-hand for casual entertaining or holiday get-togethers.

It pairs nicely with spicier foods – the cool sweetness of the wine helps tame the heat of a spicy appetizer or entrée.

Serve chilled.

FOOD

SPICY SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP

Spoil your guests with these easy recipes!

This popular dip has a spicy twist, and it pairs well with Deer Springs Winery’s Firefly White.

courtesy of family features

WHAT YOU NEED 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup) 2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained 1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 1 8-ounce package cream cheese 1 8-ounce carton sour cream 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 2 tablespoons hot sauce Salt to taste Toasted pita bread wedges 1 medium tomato, chopped (1 cup), for garnish

SLOW COOKER HAWAIIAN-STYLE RIBS This Asian-infused, citrus-filled recipe is easy to make in your slow cooker. It pairs well with Superior Estates Winery’s Five O’Clock Magic.

courtesy of family features

WHAT YOU NEED 2 racks pork back ribs (2 ½ to 3 pounds each), cut into 3- or 4-rib sections 2 cups hoisin sauce 1 cup pineapple juice 3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger 3 tablespoons sesame oil 3 scallions, thinly sliced (optional) 1 ½ teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted (optional)

WHAT YOU DO 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Melt butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, 3/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, hot sauce and salt.

Stir until well-blended and heated through. 4. Pour mixture into a one-and-a-half-quart casserole dish, and top with remaining 1/4 cup Monterey Jack and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheeses. 5. Bake in oven until cheese starts to brown, about 10 minutes.

6. Serve with pita bread wedges and garnish with tomatoes. Makes 4 cups.

WHAT YOU DO 1. In medium bowl, combine hoisin sauce, pineapple juice, ginger and sesame oil. 2. Arrange ribs in a slow cooker, and pour half of the sauce mixture over ribs. 3. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 ½ to 4 hours, or until ribs are very tender. Set remaining sauce aside in refrigerator. 4. About a half-hour before ribs are done, remove sauce from refrigerator to bring it to room temperature. 5. Arrange ribs on plates or a platter, and brush both sides with some of the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds, if using. Serve remaining sauce at the table.

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courtesy of family features

FOOD

VANILLA-ORANGE CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY SWIRL AND GINGERSNAP CRUST End the evening with this delicious dessert, which pairs well with James Arthur Vineyards’ Edelweiss.

The gingersnap crust and cranberry swirl add a festive touch.

WHAT YOU NEED 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup water 24-32 purchased gingersnap cookies (to make 1 cup crumbs) 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs 4 tablespoons butter, melted 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/4 cup sour cream 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon orange juice

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WHAT YOU DO 1. Simmer cranberries, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat until the berries burst and begin to break down, about 10 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then purée in a blender or food processor until smooth. Set sauce aside.

2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees with the rack in the center of the oven. Coat a 9-inch Springform pan with nonstick spray. 3. Process gingersnaps in a food processor until fine; add graham cracker crumbs.

With machine running, drizzle in melted butter.

4. Press crumb mixture firmly into bottom of prepared Springform pan and about 1 inch up sides. Set aside.

5. Blend cream cheese and 1 cup sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.

6. Scrape sides of bowl, then add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla and 1 tablespoon orange juice. Then pour into prepared pan. 7. Drizzle top of cheesecake with 1/4 cup prepared cranberry sauce, then drag skewer, toothpick or knife tip through sauce to create marbled swirl pattern on top. 8. Place cheesecake on a baking sheet, and bake until the edges are set and puffed but the center is slightly jiggly – about 45 minutes. Do not overbake. 9. Turn oven off, crack door open slightly and allow cheesecake to cool inside the oven for 1 hour.

10. Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature, then cover cheesecake with a tea towel and refrigerate overnight. 11. Run knife around sides of cheesecake, then release and remove sides of pan. To cut, dip blade of thin, sharp knife into hot water (do not wipe dry) and slice into wedges, cleaning blade between each cut to prevent smearing. Serve with remaining cranberry sauce.

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Mom won’t spoil herself, so do it for her!

These gifts are a good start.

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Cover STory

We picked up this metal tag ($3) from Callie LaScala’s Countryline Studio at Junkstock Omaha – Harvest Edition. We also snagged a heart magnet ($2), but it didn’t feel “wintry” enough, so we improvised by gluing a felt heart snowflake to another magnet. Darling (if we do say so ourselves).

TAG - You’re it!

D.I.Y. gift tags keep your gifts original and personal.

TexT by CHris CHrisTen sTyled by Karen blanC PHoTos by Heidi Hoffman

We love this! Photos as gift tags.

Even those too young to know how to read will know which gift is theirs.

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B

e the hit of your holiday gift exchange with cheery packages adorned with creative tags. Scrapbook aisles at craft stores are chock-full of specialty papers and embellishments. Pick a theme that relates to your gift – playful, romantic, sentimental or sporty, for example. Then coordinate your paper and stock up on your trimmings. Good to have on-hand: Scissors; glue gun; 3-D paints; and fine-tip and medium-tip Sharpies. We’re year-round fans of brown craft paper.

You can dress it up or dress it down, and it’s appropriate for everybody on your gift-giving list.

Cover STory

Walk through your yard and see what you can find. Acorns, pinecones, evergreen sprigs, berries, feathers and twigs are natural accents that don’t cost a cent. Be sure to knock off the dust and bugs; an old toothbrush works well. Metallic spray paint and glittler glue provide a festive touch.

Ribbons in different colors, textures and styles add instant interest. You’ll get lots of mileage out of a rubber stamp, too. For this example, we tied on a sweet silver locket. You don’t have to stick with a holiday stamp. You might pick a design that gives the recipient a clue about the giver. “Mother Rabbit” is an example.

Nothing says homespun holidays more than peppermint-striped string.

We bought a package of felt snowflakes, but kids surely would have fun making a batch for you.

A felt mitten on a mini clothespin holds a tag made on a home computer. The tag is printed on card stock and trimmed with pinking shears.

A decorating trick is to work in groups of three.

In this example, two balls and a gift tag are balanced to the eye. The velvet ribbon, however, appears underwhelming on its own. Add a layer of sheer ribbon and – presto!

– you have a perfectly balanced display.

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Custom cups make for a super sweet treat.

TexT By HeaTHer Winkel PHoTos By krisTa leigH HursT

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Chalkboard To-Go Cups WHAT YOU NEED Plain to-go cups Pencil Chalkboard paint Sponge brush Chalk WHAT YOU DO Grab a cup and draw a design outline in pencil (hearts are great for a sweet date!).

2. Fill in the design with chalkboard paint using a sponge brush.

3. Let dry completely before adding your message in chalk.

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Homespiration

HOliday Decorating done in a snap Take advantage of what you already have.

TexT By amy lamar PhoTos By Jeffrey BeBee & Daniel Johnson

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ou don’t have to spend a lot of money – or time – on holiday decorating.

A few extra touches can transform your home into a beautiful wintry scene.

Go ahead, try it. You may surprise yourself once your creative juices start flowing.

Don’t worry about packing anything away for the season. Instead, work with what’s there.

Add seasonal accents to shelves. Drape a mirror or headboard with garland. Dress up a banister with stockings.

Trim a magazine rack with handmade mittens for the grandkids, and fill the rack with your favorite Christmas books.

Include the bedrooms in the fun, too. A simple bedding switch-out can bring the room – and your family’s festive mood – to life, lasting throughout the season.

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Expires: Janurary 31, 2014

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D.I.Y. Project

Bookworms W

Unite!

A festive use of the written word.

TexT By amy lamar PhoTo By kurT a. keeler

AND A ND P PRINCE RIN NC CE Children’s Boutique

Clothing & Gifts for All Ages!

ant to decorate your home with something different this year? We made this cute tabletop Christmas tree in no time at all using items we had around the home.

You can gather just about any type and age of book, including children’s books, cookbooks, encyclopedias or religious books. Pick a theme, or have your kids get in on the fun by stacking their favorite books this way and that. Who knows? Maybe they will come up with a shape of their own!

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D.I.Y. Project

book Christmas tree WHAT YOU NEED Various-sized books (We used 56 books for our tabletop tree) Glass balls or ornaments Tape (optional) Ribbon Fresh or silk greenery WHAT YOU DO 1. Stack books, starting with the largest at the bottom and ending with the smallest at the top.

2. Carefully place glass balls or ornaments throughout the stacked books, using tape to hold them in place if necessary.

3. Put a festive ornament on top, if desired, and tie it with ribbon.

4. Place greenery throughout the stacked books, taping it in place if needed.

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Donate on line at oneworldomaha.org

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MOMAHA. COM Blogger

Neighbors in need A little help goes a long way.

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e have several elderly neighbors on our block. My husband and I, and many of the other younger couples in the neighborhood, do our best to look after them and help out whenever we can.

While many of these neighbors are very self-sufficient, we all know that there are definitely tasks that get more difficult as we get older.

Having small and demanding children, I’m not always good about remembering what my older neighbors might need.

So I have compiled a short list of ways to make life a lot easier for someone else. I am hoping that this list will remind me and my family to stop and consider who might need a little extra help this holiday season.

The first AMY GrACe thing that comes to mind is snow removal. Who are we kidding?

Snow removal at any age is a drag, but when you’re living with a bad back, hips and knees, it’s almost impossible.

In my neighborhood, many of the homes have detached garages in the back and long driveways up one side of

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the house. That can add up to a lot of snow that needs to be removed. If you are out shoveling your own driveway, why not take a little extra time to clear the neighbor’s driveway, front porch or sidewalks? Or if you’ve hired a snow removal service, send the employees your neighbor’s way after a particularly big snowfall.

The holidays offer the perfect time to do something nice for friends and family.

Do the same for neighbors who can’t get out of the house easily. Spend time talking with them or doing some light housework.

You can also bring baked goods over.

While older neighbors may not need a house full of goodies for themselves, it might be nice to have something good to nosh on when they do have visitors.

Include a card with a thoughtful message or a picture of your family.

A friend who lives nearby once sent out an email requesting meals for another neighbor who had some health problems and couldn’t easily get around for an extended period of time. It was a very thoughtful gesture, and I’m sorry that I didn’t think of it first.

Another way to help elderly neighbors or neighbors in need is to offer to do their grocery shopping – or maybe even their Christmas shopping. Since many of

us are out and about doing our own shopping, it may only take a few extra minutes to knock out some of his or her list, too. You may want to offer to take the neighbor with you if she is physically able.

During the holidays, I love my own home to sparkle and shine with lights, trees and ornaments. It would break my heart if the holidays came and went without so much as hanging a single stocking. Why not spend time with your own family helping a senior put up his tree or decorating his home?

There are many other ways to help a senior or neighbor this season.

Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to bring meals or gifts to people who otherwise would be spending the time alone. Many charitable organizations have programs specifically in place to make a senior’s holiday season a little merrier.

It takes so little time and energy to really make an impact on someone else.

And it’s a great way to teach your children that giving can truly be better than receiving.

Amy Grace writes on Fridays at momaha.com.

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aimforthestars.unomaha.edu ONLINE REGISTRATION Opens January 6, 2014 at 8 a.m.

Happy 2014!

Camps Offered Weekly June 2- August 8

Say cheers to the New Year with a party in a box.

TexT and PhoTos by heaTher Winkel

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hat’s more fun than a party in a box? Give it as a gift or keep it for yourself for a party like no other.

WhaT yoU need Large Kraft Gable Box (find it at www.thinkgarnish.com) Mini bottle of sparkling wine Noisemakers Small mirrored ball Confetti or pom-poms (less mess!)

Printable label

1.

WhaT yoU do Gather supplies, print label and adhere label to box.

2. Fill box with contents.

3. Celebrate!

20% OFF

HOLIDAY PARTY CATERING One coupon per customer per visit. Can’t be used in conjunction with any other coupon or special offer. Coupon must be presented at time of purchases.

Cannot be applied to previous orders. Offer expires 1/31/14.

2101 N. 120th Street • Omaha, NE 68164 402.933.5506 • www.MixedGoGreen.com www.facebook.com/MixedOmaha 21

Say Happy Holidays with Mockingbird Cupcakes! p

occkkiin ngb bi d cupcakes k is f t h Mockingbird M gb i a from scratch kery featuring over 40 cupcake bakery bak flavors, homemade pies, and cinnamon rolls!

It’s owned and operated by twin sisters, Sarah Alsup and Rachael Henderson, who love baking sweet memories for you and your family.

Call and order your goodies for school events, birthdays, weddings, corporate events, showers or even rainy days!

12 ways to show you Care

Make this holiday season a little brighter for others.

By AnnA BAckhAus MoMAhA.coM intern

“BAKING “BAK AK KING ING SW IN S SWEET WEE EET T ME MEMO MEMORIES” M RI MO R ES” 17306 Lakeside Hills Plaza 402.850.8548 www.mockingbird-cupcakes.com

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Catt Su Suite Suites uite itte es only only ny $ $2 $20 i ht ht! a night!

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HOST A HOLIDAY PAJAMA PARTY Ask each guest to bring a new pair of pajamas to donate to a local homeless shelter. Serve hot cocoa, watch old movies and get in a pillow fight.

ay $25 AlllcaD e r Day

Complete pet care service Complete pet grooming service Unique indoor pool facility & outside t id play l area

16912 Audrey St 402-516-8888 ThePawSpaPetResort.com 22

It’s great to give back year-round, but the holidays tend to bring out the charitable side of people.

Besides, it’s more fun to figure out unique ways to bless someone with a gift than it is to think about what you are going to receive. Giving to others is a huge motivator, and it helps put life into perspective.

Try some of these ideas with your family, and make a difference this holiday season.

MAKE CARDS FOR HOSPITALIZED KIDS This act of kindness takes almost no time at all, and it will instantly brighten a child’s day. Get together with your friends, and personalize greeting cards with watercolors, glitter, stickers and stamps.

And then write a sweet message inside. cardsforhospitalizedkids.com

REGIFT PLASTIC TOYS Regift gently used plastic toys for the Second Chance Toys’ holiday drive. The nonprofit cleans and redistributes the toys to underprivileged children in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York and New Jersey. Ask your children to help you pick out the toys, and teach them a lesson on giving. secondchancetoys.org

DONATE YOUR CLOSET CLUTTER It’s really easy, and your family can get in on the action.

Make sure that you’re giving away items that you would want to receive. goodwill.org

Give a gift to a CHILD IN a DEVELOPING COUNTRy Pick from a list of goodies that Samaritan’s Purse will ship. Last year, 8 million children in developing countries received holiday gift boxes. samaritanspurse.org

DONATE TO GOODFELLOWS Goodfellows provides holiday meals, clothing and emergency assistance to those less fortunate year-round.

Last year, Goodfellows assisted more than 6,000 local families. The organization provided more than $550,000 in emergency aid and 1,500 grocery vouchers to needy families.

Call 402-444-1388.

This Holiday Season...

Give the Gift of Beauty!

FROM THE CREATORS OF PROACTIVE REVERSE›› For brown spots, dullness, and sun damage.

UNBLEMISH›› For acne and post-acne marks.

ADOPT A FAMILY The Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program matches an impoverished family with a group of people who provide an entire Christmas for their adopted family.

You can sign up with your family or a group of friends to shop for presents on the adopted family’s Christmas list and deliver them on Christmas morning. givesalvationarmy.org

TOYS FOR TOTS Donate new, unwrapped gifts to Toys for Tots, a United States Marine Corps charity. Find a collection spot near you. toysfortots.org

SOOTHE›› For sensitive, irritated skin, and facial redness.

ANTI-AGE›› For the appearance of wrinkles, pores and loss of firmness

SKIN CARE CLINIC

Monday, Dec. 9th & 16 • 6:30pm Panera Bread • 132nd & Maple Street, Omaha Joetta (Jodie) Raike • 402-676-6093 jodiejraike@gmail.com • joetta.myrand.biz

GIVE A NEEDY CHILD A DOLL Give a Hearts for Hearts Girls international doll to a child.

Each doll represents a girl from one of six developing countries. Two dollars from your $30 purchase will go to the nonprofit World Vision, which educates girls in your doll’s country. hearts4heartsgirls.com

MAKE GREAT

DONATE A CHRISTMAS TREE Christmas Spirit Foundation does just that. The organization allows Americans to donate Christmas trees to U.S. troops that are overseas during the holidays. The process is pretty simple: Just go to a participating tree lot and purchase a tree. The organization will place it in a FedEx truck that’s already on the lot. You will literally see your tree being shipped off to American soldiers. christmasspiritfoundation.org

DONATE TO SOLDIERS Soldiers’ Secret Santa anonymously mails Toys“R”Us gift cards to families of deployed soldiers. The nonprofit has helped hundreds of military families who can’t afford gifts for their kids. soldierssecretsanta.org

SERVE AT A SOUP KITCHEN OR PANTRY Volunteering at a local soup kitchen or pantry during the holidays is a great way to have a hands-on experience with community service.

DoSomething.org

So do leotards, dance shoes, gifts and many other items in our store! Stop in to our great location, where our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you choose the best gifts for the dancers in your life.

402.334.1225 bobbysdancewear.com 13459 W. Center Rd. Omaha, NE 68144 (SW corner of 132nd & Center)

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FLIP

Advice

P M CA Learn And Practice

Peer pressure works Do what is necessary to avoid getting sick.

Dear Sassy Housewife, My 3-year-old daughter and I go to a weekly Mommy and Me music class. It’s a wonderful time to get together with other mothers and for our children to socialize.

The problem isn’t the class, but with one of the moms. She keeps bringing her daughter to class when she is sick. She has said things like, “It’s only a little fever” or, “We can’t figure out what this rash is.”

It makes me and some of the other moms uncomfortable because we want to prevent our own children from getting sick. What do we do?

Flip Camp Dates December:

23, 24, 26, 27, 30 & 31 Hours: 10:00-12:00 Ages 6 -18

$15 per Session Punch Cards Available

Call to reserve a spot! Register online under FLIP CAMP

OMAHA’S

TUMBLING SPECIALIST

402.932.9202 11235 John Galt Blvd.

Omaha

airborneomaha.com

24

Signed, Germ-free at Mommy and Me Dear Germy, I think it would really drive the point home to her if you and the other moms show up to the next music class wearing surgical masks. I’m guessing she would quickly figure out the problem when she’s the only one not wearing a mask.

OK, OK, so that’s probably not the right approach. But how awesome would that be? However, in the polite world of parenting, your best approach is actually no approach at all. I wouldn’t talk to her about it or even address it. I would simply try to sit on the other side of the room and keep your distance.

If she does sit next to you and her child is sick, it’s OK to pull out the hand sanitizer and to make a joke about how you can’t deal with staying home with a sick child.

I’m a big believer in putting the focus on yourself to get someone’s attention. If she sees you being concerned about your child getting sick, she might feel pressure to do

the same for her child.

That’s the beauty of parenthood – we are all suckers for peer pressure. If we see one mom using hand sanitizer, chances are we will think about using some on our own kids. We might not actually do it, but it will cross our minds and we will eventually get the hint.

Take the time when my 2-year-old was racing play cars up the glass door while waiting in the lobby of the doctor’s office. Another little boy came over and started doing the same thing, and his mother said, “No, dear, that could scratch the glass. We don’t do that.”

I quickly stopped my son and acted as if I hadn’t seen what he was doing. Of course I had, but because of her comment I realized that I probably should stop him.

See, peer pressure doesn’t end after the teenage years. It is even worse in the parenting world!

Of course, if all else fails, perhaps you can ask the teacher of the music class to remind parents about the rules of attendance. I’m sure the rules include something about if the child has a fever or is ill, he or she shouldn’t come. And if they do anyway, maybe they should be required to bring their own surgical masks …

Sassy Housewife Danielle Herzog is a married mother of two.

She is a former middle and high school teacher, and she served as a student counseling advisor in the Washington, D.C., area prior to moving to Omaha. She currently is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling.

THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

Gunnar, age 9 Lincoln, NE Crohn’s Disease

Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child. For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.

SATURDAY WITH SANTA A MOMAHA PLAY DATE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 1-3 P.M. The whole family is invited to join us for a play date with the jolly old elf himself! The kids can also enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus, decorate sugar cookies and make a holiday craft.

Special Visits with Santa Bring the little ones for visits and photos with Santa at his holiday workshop, a few doors down from Wheatfields.

Nov. 30-Dec. 1, DAILY 12-6 p.m.

Dec. 6-8, DAILY 12-6 p.m.

Dec. 11-15, DAILY 12-6 p.m.

Dec. 16-20, DAILY 12-7 p.m.

Dec. 21-23, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Dec. 24, Christmas Eve 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 12 10:30 AM Enjoy a free hour of holiday fun with Santa OLD NAVY

JUSTICE • RUE 21 • CHARMING CHARLIE • DICK’S SPORTING GOODS • BED BATH & BEYOND TJ MAXX • BEST BUY • MAURICES • FINISH LINE • GORDMANS • JCPENNEY • RED ROBIN FAMOUS FOOTWEAR • FREDDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD • THE CHILDREN’S PLACE • OLD NAVY

More than 70 stores, services and restaurants Highway 370 & 72nd Street, Papillion Check ShadowLakeShopping.com for extended holiday hours 402.537.0046