Youâve probably heard that Canada is one of the best places to live when it comes to quality of life and standard of living. However, did you know that itâs also a fantastic tourist attraction?
Canada has many vast and breathtaking natural landscapes, including mountains and coastline. If youâre thinking of vacationing in Canada soon, this article prepared in collaboration with Visagov will cover the type of permit you need, plus five must-see Canada nature destinations.
Before you visit Canada
The first thing you should do when youâve decided to visit Canada is to get an electronic travel authorisation. Travellers from most countries will need this document to prove that they have permission to enter the country. The good news is that you can handle your eta Canada application online easily. First, research thoroughly to determine if you need or qualify for an ETA from Canada. If you do, make sure you apply well in advance of your travel date.Â
When you get to Canada
Another thing you should plan before you get to Canada is your itinerary. Since most of the fantastic attractions are provinces away from each other, planning allows you to schedule your movement correctly to avoid missing any destination.
Here are our top picks for Canada nature attractions:
Niagara Falls
You canât discuss natureâs blessings in Canada without mentioning Niagara Falls. It isnât just the largest and most beautiful waterfall in the country, but also one of the best in the world.
This beautiful natural wonder is at the border between the United States and Canada and is a must-see location for Canadian tourists. You can schedule a hiking trip along its beautiful trails for a close-up view, or book a boat tour.
Banff National Park
If youâre touring Canada with your loved ones, you should take them to Banff National Park. You can start your tour at Moraine Lake and stroll through the forest surrounded by mountains. You could see some magnificent animals, including bears and elks. After your hike, thereâs the option of a refreshing swim in the hot springs.
The Canadian Rockies
This pristine natural tourist destination is home to Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway. Taking pictures and videos at this location will make you feel like youâre visiting a fairytale land, especially when you stay near the sparkling lakes.
Vancouver Island
If you will be visiting British Columbia, Vancouver Island is a must-see before you leave. This beautiful coastline location is an island that houses a rainforest, beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. Apart from hiking, you can also go whale watching or enjoy some delicious seafood in Ucluelet and Tofino.
Haida Gwaii
Another fantastic location in British Columbia is Haida Gwaii. Itâs a remote place known for the rich history of its indigenous people. There are many ancient villages in Haida Gwaii, and itâs also a great place to get a glimpse of the local wildlife.
Sorry! As a registered member you get 10 free posts from our archive (posts more than a year old) every 30 days. You have reached your limit for this 30-day period. If you would like to access unlimited posts from the archive (ad free, too), become a subscriber today, and keep reading as many articles as you want.
Full Access Individual Subscription
Benefits include:
Unlimited access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home sites
Ad-free browsing environment
Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
Receive the full-text daily newsletters
All features that Members have access to
Annual subscribers pay just 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
Turkоy is a wondоrful dоstination for a family holiday, offоring stunning bоachоs, rich culturо, dоlicious cuisinо, and plоnty of activitiоs for all agоs. But how can you оnjoy a Turkish bоach gоtaway on a budgоt?
HĐľrĐľ Đ°rĐľ sĐžmĐľ tips and suggestions to help you plan a mĐľmorablĐľ and affordablĐľ trip.
ChoosĐľ thĐľ right timĐľ to visit
One of thо bоst ways to save money on Turkish bоach getaways is to avoid thо pоak sоason, which is from Junо to August. During this timо, thо pricоs of flights, hotоls, and tours arо much highоr, and the beaches are more crowded.
If you can, try to visit in thĐľ spring (March to May) or autumn (SĐľptĐľmbĐľr to NovĐľmbĐľr), whĐľn thĐľ wĐľathĐľr is still warm and sunny, but thĐľ crowds arĐľ smallĐľr and thĐľ pricĐľs arĐľ lowĐľr. You can also find somĐľ grĐľat dĐľals on last-minutĐľ bookings, especially if youâre flexible with your datĐľs and destinations.
Apply for a Turkish tourist visa onlinĐľ
AnothĐľr way to savĐľ monĐľy and timĐľ on your Turkish bĐľach holiday is to apply for a Turkish tourist visa onlinĐľ. This is a simplĐľ and convĐľniĐľnt procĐľss that allows you to obtain your visa ĐľlĐľctronically without having to visit an Đľmbassy or consulatĐľ.
You can learn morĐľ about Turkish tourist visas and how to apply for hassle-free travel. You can also chĐľck if youârĐľ ĐľligiblĐľ for a visa exemption on arrival, depending on nationality and the duration of your stay.
Pick a family-friĐľndly rĐľsort
Turkey has a wide range of resorts to suit every budget and prĐľfĐľrĐľncĐľ, from luxury hotĐľls to sĐľlf-catĐľring apartmĐľnts. If you need family-friendly accommodation, itâs essential to research and compare thĐľ facilities and services of different resorts bĐľforĐľ booking. Â
Popular and family-friĐľndly resorts in Turkey
Kusadasi: A lively and modern resort on the Aegean coast, with a long sandy bĐľach, watĐľr park, golf coursĐľ, and marina. Itâs also closĐľ to thĐľ anciĐľnt city of EphĐľsus, which is a UNESCO World HĐľritagĐľ SitĐľ and a must-see for history lovers.
Antalya: A historical and cultural rоsort on thо Mоditоrranоan coast, with a picturоsquо old town, harbour, and musоum. It has a variоty of bоachоs, from pоbbly to sandy, and a rangо of activitiоs, including rafting, hiking, and waterskiing.
Bodrum: A chic and cosmopolitan resort on the Aegean coast with a charming whitĐľ-washĐľd town, fortress, and marina. It has a vibrant nightlifĐľ, a shopping cĐľntrĐľ, and a spa. It also boasts some of thĐľ bĐľst beaches in Turkey, such as BitĐľz, GumbĐľt, and Torba, and somĐľ of thĐľ bĐľst diving spots.
Enjoy free and cheap activities
 Hоrо аrо sОmо Оf thо free and cheap activitiоs that you can оnjoy on Turkish bоach gоtaways:
Visit thĐľ local markĐľts and bazaars, whĐľrĐľ you can find ĐľvĐľrything from frĐľsh producĐľ and spicĐľs to souvĐľnirs and handicrafts. You can also practicĐľ your bargaining skills and get some great deals.Â
TakĐľ a stroll along thĐľ promĐľnadĐľ and thĐľ harbour, whĐľrĐľ you can admire the views, watch thĐľ boats, and Đľnjoy thĐľ brооzĐľ.Â
Join a frоо walking tour to learn more about the history and culturĐľ of thĐľ area and meet other travellers and locals.Â
Rent a bike or a scooter and ĐľxplorĐľ thĐľ surroundings at your pacĐľ. You can also join a guidĐľd bikĐľ tour to visit hidden gĐľms and scĐľnic spots.Â
Go hiking in thĐľ national parks and naturĐľ rĐľsĐľrvĐľs, whĐľrĐľ you can enjoy stunning flora and fauna, frĐľsh air, and tranquility.Â
Go snorkĐľlling or kayaking in thĐľ clĐľar watĐľrs, which are perfect for seeing colourful and Đľxotic marinĐľ lifĐľ, or just having an adventure.Â
Visit thĐľ musĐľums and gallĐľriĐľs, whĐľrĐľ you can admire the art and artifacts and lĐľarn morĐľ about thĐľ history and culturĐľ of Turkey. Some of thĐľ museums and galleries Đ°rĐľ frоо or havĐľ a low ĐľntrancĐľ fоо, such as thĐľ Antalya MusĐľum, thĐľ Bodrum MusĐľum, and thĐľ Kusadasi CaravansĐľrai.Â
Try thĐľ local cuisinĐľ. Classic Turkish dishes include kebabs, pidĐľ, borĐľk, dolma, baklava, and lokum.
Turkоy is a pоrfоct dоstination for a family bоach holiday, as it offоrs somоthing for оvоryonо, from sun and sand to culturо and advоnturо. With somо planning and budgоting, you can havо a wondоrful and affordablо trip that you and your family will rоmоmbоr for a long timо. Book your Turkish tourist visa onlinо, pack your bags, and gоt rоady for a fantastic Turkish bоach gоtaway on a budgоt.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.
Are you looking for a fun way to show off your Christmas spirit this year? If so, you may want to consider trying out some Christmas nail art!
To help you in your search for the perfect Christmas nail art to try this holiday season, check out this list of 22 different Christmas nail art ideas that you will love.
Christmas Nail Art Ideas
1. Blue & White Snowflake Nails
This blue and white snowflake design will be perfect if you want some winter nail art to add to your nails this holiday season!
This nail look features a gorgeous and detailed winter nail look that features snowflakes and Christmas trees.
As seen in this video, you can also make this look even more fun by adding some dots with white nail polish to resemble snow on your nails.
2. Pink Gingerbread Nails
For those of us who want to try out more intricate nail designs for the holiday season, you may be interested in adding some 3D details to your nails.
For example, this pink gingerbread nail look will give you a super cute and girly look featuring 3D gingerbread and sweater designs.
Also, you can add some more sparkle to this look with some sparkly nail polish and some rhinestones!
3. Brown Christmas Nails
This brown Christmas nail look is perfect for those of us going for a different nail design than the usual Christmas designs.
For this nail look, you will add tons of different designs to your nails to achieve this super cute and cozy Xmas nails vibe. I absolutely love the sweater patterns and snowflakes and they look so chic with the neutral-toned beige, brown, and white polishes.
4. Sparkly Peppermint Tips
For a sparkly French-tip look this Christmas, you can add some glitter candy cane designs, as shown in this video tutorial!
This look will give peppermint-inspired designs for the tips of your nails with sparkly nail polish to make this look festive.
5. Pink Sweater Nails
Sweater nails are also a super cute design that you can do for this Christmas! For example, you could try out this pink sweater nail look that features sweater designs using pink nail polish.
You can also add other designs to make this look stand out more, such as the pretty pink and white snowflakes shown above.
6. Black Christmas Nails
Black Christmas nails may not have been a design that you thought of doing this Christmas, but they actually look really cool!
All you need to do to create this kind of look is make sure you have black and white nail polish to create striped and snowflake designs, as shown in this video.
7. Garland French tips
Many people love garlands around Christmas time, and you can add them to your nails with this Garland French Tips nail look!
To create this look, you will do a classic French tip on your nails, but you will add some garland designs onto your nails to make them festive for this season. Alternatively, you can pick up this set of press-ons on Etsy and just glue them on for the exact look.
8. Sparkly White Christmas Nails
White can also be used to create holiday nails; it just depends on what kind of designs you are going for.
For example, these snowflake and sweater designs using white nail polish will create a soothing winter vibe for the holidays.
9. Teal Winter Nails
If you want a nail look using other colors instead of classic Christmas colors, you can also try out a nail design like this one!
This nail design used teal nail polish to create a super cool teal Christmas-inspired nail look with some teal sparkles, snowflake designs, and nail accessories like this adorable bow.
10. Grinch Nails
If you, like me, are obsessed with the Grinch, you will definitely want to do a Grinch-inspired nail look for the holiday season!
A Grinch nail look requires some nail art skills, so you should check out these press-on nails that feature the characters from the Grinch movie. No brush skills or salon visit required!
11. Red Christmas Nails
Everyone knows red is a classic Christmas color, so if you love how red looks on your nails, you can create a gorgeous red nail design for the holidays like this one!
This nail look features some Christmas lights designs as well as snowflake and peppermint designs to complete the look.
12. Grey Snowy Nails
You may not have considered using grey for your holiday nail designs, but itâs actually a perfect color for creating some winter-inspired looks.
As seen in this tartan nail design, you can also do cool red and black designs for the holiday season!
For this look, you will use red and black nail polish to create the tartan pattern on your nails. If you arenât sure how this kind of vibe is achieved, check out this video to get the look.
14. Red & Green Plaid Nails
Another popular pattern that you can do on your nails for the holiday season is plaid! You can use red, green, and white nail polish to create a plaid design on your nails for the holidays, as shown on these press-on nails.
You can also totally make this look more festive by adding some sparkly nail polish to your nails!
15. Candy Cane Nail Art
Adding candy cane designs to your nails is also a fun way to create a Christmas-inspired nail look. For example, this candy cane nail art look will look super cute on shorter nails for the holidays!
So, if you are considering shorter nail looks, you should try out this adorable candy cane nail look that features mini candy cane designs.
16. Plaid Christmas Nails
If you like the look of the plaid design on your nails but want to use colors other than the usual red and black tartan hues, then I recommend trying out this pink plaid nail design!
This nail look will give you a more girly look that you will love wearing for the holidays. Just watch this video tutorial to see how to get this look, featuring stunning rhinestones and 3D bows.
17. Reindeer Nails
If you want a more unique nail design for the holidays, I recommend checking out this winter-inspired nail look!
For this look, you will add reindeer and Christmas tree designs to your nails and a super cool heart-shaped window with winter candles. Or just buy these adorable press-ons to get the look without doing any nail art.
18. Let it Snow Nails
For those of us who want to add the look of snow to our nails, you will want to check out this âlet it snowâ nail design!
This nail design will create the illusion that you have real snow on your nails! If you have never tried a design like this before, watch this video tutorial to get all the details on recreating this snowy nail look. Itâs such a fun texture that you can add to tons of nail looks.
19. Glow in the Dark Christmas Nail Art
For those looking for a colorful nail design that stands out this holiday season, I highly recommend this glow-in-the-dark Christmas-inspired nail look!
These pretty press-ons will give you a super cool and festive nail look with many different glow-in-the-dark nail designs inspired by Christmas to make your nails stand out this season.
20. Christmas Confetti Nails
If you want to incorporate all of the Christmas colors into your nail designs this year, I recommend trying out this Christmas confetti nail look!
These easy-to-apply press-on nails will combine all of your Christmas favorites into one nail look with a bunch of different super cute nail designs, such as reindeer, Santa, and candy canes.
21. Mistletoe Nails
This mistletoe design is a super cute and simple green nail design that you can do for the holidays!
To recreate this design from these press-ons, you will want to use green and red nail polish to create small mistletoe designs on your nails while also adding some other designs to your nails, such as these adorable snowflakes!
22. Red Foil Christmas Nails
Another way to incorporate red into your nail design for the holidays is by using red foil. You can create super cool nail looks like this Santa-inspired design with red foil!
For this look, also make sure to use red and white rhinestones to complete the look.
What Christmas nail art will you be trying for this holiday season?
Have you tried Christmas nail art before? Which Christmas nail art from this list is your favorite?
We know what Ryan Phillippe did this Thanksgiving: spent Turkey Day with his 12-year-old daughter, Kai.
âHad the BEST Thanksgiving wknd w these lil beauties,â Phillippe, 49, wrote via Instagram on Monday, November 27, alongside a carousel of images from his holiday weekend. âPizza was had, Elf was watched, Young Sheldon was binged (along w teen romance anime). Boba was had, boardwalk shopping, cooking of pancakes was attempted, and we found some fake snow. + the eagles beat buffalo in OT and moved to 10-1, but I think that only mattered to me.đ.â
In the sweet snaps, Phillippe could be seen smiling in the driverâs seat of his car with Kai in the passenger seat while her friends rode in the backseat. The foursome of girls also posed on a boardwalk, walked arm and arm down a breezy street, stopped for Boba drinks and took a ride through a snow-clad Christmas tree farm.
Phillippe shares Kai with ex Alexis Knapp, whom he began dating in May 2010. The pair were together for just four months before calling it quits that September. In March 2011, Us Weekly broke the news that the exes were expecting their first child together and Kai arrived in July 2011.
One year after giving birth, Knapp, 34, opened up about how their little one resembled her more and more every day.
âShe looks like moi. A lot more so now,â the Pitch Perfect actress told E! News in June 2012. âThey always come out looking like the dads, because men are just fat and puffy and canât open their eyes too much.â
While Knapp believes Kai is her mini-me, Phillippe has made headlines for his resemblance to his two other children: daughter Ava, 22, and son Deacon, 18, whom he shares with ex-wife Reese Witherspoon.
âWhat I get a lot lately is they think Deacon looks like her and Ava looks like me,â Phillippe told Extra in October 2022. âMy response is always, âDuh ⌠How are you surprised that children look like their parents? Isnât that biologically how itâs meant to work?â
Courtesy of Ryan Phillippe/Instagram
Despite Phillippe acknowledging that there is an âobviously a father-son resemblanceâ between himself and Deacon, the Cruel Intentions actor told E! Newsin September 2021 that the 22-year-old actually looks âa lot moreâ like Witherspoonâs side of the family, while Ava âlooks more like mine.â
Philippe and Witherspoon, 47, tied the knot in 1999 and were together for seven years before their 2006 split. The pair have since worked hard to coparent their two children.
âItâs a feeling-out process,â Phillippe told Huffpost in October 2014 of raising two children with Witherspoon post-divorce. âI think weâve gotten to a really great place ⌠Itâs going well, and sheâs happy and remarried, and our kids are incredible. Iâm proud of the way weâve handled it and who our little people are.â
All grown up! Freddie Prinze Jr., Mario Lopez and more of the hottest hunks from the â90s have turned into some of the most devoted dads in Hollywood. The Saved By the Bell alum and his wife, Courtney Mazza, have been âblessedâ with three âhealthy, beautifulâ kids â but wouldnât say no to expanding their [âŚ]
In December 2021, a source exclusively told Us that Phillippe has been an âawesomeâ parent to all of his kids â and will always show up when they need him.
âEven during the pandemic when heâs been in literally another country, heâs present in their lives and he is in their eyes,â the insider added. âHe is really proud of who theyâve become.â
The holiday season can be wildly fun and it generally loved. The rituals from Thanksgiving to New Yearsl mark some of the important moments in our lives.  But all the joy and merriment can come with issuesâŚbills, sluggishness, drama, anxiety, and more.  The good news is marijuana can help with the celebrating and the stressâŚhere are crucial cannabis hacks for surviving the holiday season.
Have A Dedicated Supply
You never want to be the person sending frenzied text messages on the eve of a big holiday trying to track down a friend of a friend of a friend who may be able to hook you up. Instead, have a plan. If you donât have a regular supply in your town, be sure to pack some goodies to go for the trip. Preparation is key.
Double Down On Storage Options
An important point to remember while staying at home is that you will be in close proximity to family members, friends, and pets who donât necessarily normally smell the sweet, skunky aroma of quality cannabis on an everyday basis. As such, that celebratory joint youâre saving in your bag might set off a few olfactory alarms.
In order to combat that, simply make sure you invest in the best possible storage option at your disposal to clamp down on the smell â a simple ziplock bag wonât always do the trick. Spring for something airtight, because if you donât, youâll be needing to throw open those windows and pray for a strong cross-breeze. When in doubt go for the old pill bottles, top off with a cotton ball, and store near some dryer sheets for some added smell protection.
Be Discreet, But Not Too Discreet
Thereâs an art to stepping away from a family function to enjoy a quick hit or two, but one of the greatest joys of these gatherings may be stumbling upon other members of the family who also partake.
Photo courtesy of Cannaclusive/Flickr
Sure you knew cousin Phil would be happy to join you, but 78-year-old Betsy? Oh yeah, sheâs been doing it since before you were born! So allow a beat or two to connect with family members you may have more in common with than you know.
Time Your High Accordingly
There are a number of factors that should go into your decision of when to actually spark up that green or throw back the edible. Timing is key for making sure the desired outcome is achieved. First you must know both yourself and your strain. Is it an indica or sativa? Do you typically get sleepy or talkative when you smoke?
One stellar scenario could entail toking up as an appetizer to the festive holiday meal, but thereâs also the equally satisfying option of capping off the night with a dessert hit. Either way, be intentional and you will surely come out satisfied.
Pull Out The Throwback Toys
âBored,â you say? Impossible! If youâre home for the holidays there is surely a treasure trove of jigsaw puzzles, activity books, arts and crafts materials, and Legos lying around the house from your youth. Draw some inspiration from that Hindu Kush you packed before sitting down with some actual drawing utensils and watching the time fly by.
Photo by Flickr user John Morgan
Be Smart About Where You Smoke
While you might be completely fine smoking in your front yard where you currently live in Colorado, traveling to your hometown can be a totally different story. Be smart about how open you are with your cannabis use in a town where there may be increased police presence for the holidays. Consider areas that are not open to public view if possible.
Donât Leave Anything Behind
You may be tempted to leave some reserves behind for the next time youâre in town, but depending on who else is living in that house, it might not be your best idea. Do you really want a call from mom or day wondering what âTHCâ stands for three weeks later? Thatâs what we thought.
âMy favorite video every year,â the country singer, 33, joked in a Friday, November 24, Instagram video of Akins, 34, setting up their holiday tree. âHa ha!â
Akins had climbed up a tall ladder with a wooden stick in her hand to secure the towering treeâs ornaments. The coupleâs festive fir was silver with an âOh, what funâ garland and clear twinkly lights. Various other red and white decor adorned the remaining branches.
While Akins did the heavy lifting, Rhett sat back in a chair next to the coupleâs four daughters: Willa Gray, 8, Ada James, 6, Lennon Love, 3, and Lillie Carolina, 2. While laughing at his wifeâs expense, Rhett let out a snort.
Grinches beware, the holiday season is upon Us â and celebrities including Stassi Schroeder and Caila Quinn have the Christmas decorations to prove it! Schroeder, 35, teamed up with daughter Hartford, 2, in early November to get their Christmas tree up and decorated ASAP. âYou like the red?â Schroeder asked her daughter in an Instagram [âŚ]
âEverybody say, âHey mommy,â he quipped before the girls greeted Akins in unison.
Akins, who gave her spouse a knowing look, noted the kids shouldnât âdo this at homeâ before she carefully climbed down from her perch.
Lauren AkinsCourtesy of Thomas Rhett/Instagram
Akins uploaded another peek at their tree on her Instagram later that night.
âOh what fun,â she wrote. âItâs the most wonderful time of the year đ⨠(only 3 broken ornaments and maybe a few tears shed-the sweet season of life where we all sleep really hard at night hahađĽ°đ).â
In Akinsâ post, their four kids wore matching holiday nightgowns as they placed the final ornaments on the treeâs branches.
Country cuties! Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins have adorable daughters and love spending time with the little ones â and documenting their cutest moments on social media. The âDie a Happy Manâ singer and his childhood sweetheart adopted their daughter Willa from Uganda in May 2017. âI had always wanted to adopt,â Akins told Us [âŚ]
Rhett and Akins had been friends since middle school, ultimately sparking a romance after she went away to college. They got married in October 2012, nearly five years before they first became parents.
âWhen I saw her, I donât know, I was very drawn to her,â Akins exclusively told Us Weekly in January 2018 of adopting Willa Gray from Uganda. âI just tell everyone she was always my baby. It just took us a little bit longer to find each other. I called Thomas one of the first nights I met her in Uganda and told him about her. Without hesitation, he said, âBring her home. She is ours. We are going to make this happen.ââ
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Courtesy of Lauren Akins/Instagram
Amid their adoption journey, Akins found out that she was pregnant. Ada James arrived in August 2017. Daughters Lennon and Lillie followed in February 2020 and November 2021, respectively.
The holidays are a big deal for the Akins brood as they often go all-out to decorate their house, don matching pajamas on Christmas Eve and even host an annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.
If you are obsessed with almond nails, you may be considering what kind of nail looks you should rock this Christmas season. Weâve already shared some Christmas nail ideas, but this post will specifically focus on almond nails for Xmas.
Christmas almond nail looks will work for basically any nail length; you just need to find the perfect one for you!
So, for those of us looking for the perfect almond nail look for this holiday season, check out this list of 20 super cute almond nail Christmas looks that you should try!
Christmas Almond Nails
1. Pastel Blue Frozen Nails
If you want a Christmas design made with blue nail polish for your almond nails, this one may be for you!
With this nail look, you will be creating the illusion that your nails are frozen with some glitter and polish to create an icy look on your nails.
You can add more to this look by using some rhinestones to give it more sparkle!
2. Black & White Christmas Nails
If you want a nail look that is a bit different from the usual Christmas nail looks, this is a cool option thatâs subtle and chic.
To create this nail look, you will use black & white nail polish to create a fun Christmas-inspired design on your nails that features a Christmas bow.
So, if you are curious about how to recreate this look, check out this video!
3. White & Gold Christmas Nails
White and gold is another pretty combo for nail designs on almond-shaped nails. So, if this sounds like the type of look you want to try for Christmas, check out this white and gold Christmas nail art look.
I love this look because you can create super cute Christmas-themed designs on your nails with gold nail polish, making your Christmas nails stand out.
4. White Ribbon Nails
Another fun design for almond-shaped nails is this white ribbon nail look. This is great for those who like to do silver nail looks for Christmas.
This look centers around a bow design made out of white and silver polish. You can also get even more creative with this nail look by adding on a 3D bow, as shown in the video tutorial!
5. Christmas Cookie Nails
If you like to play off gingerbread and Christmas cookie designs, you may want to check out this Christmas cookie nail look.
This look uses brown nail polish to create fun designs resembling Christmas cookies on your nails. You will be obsessed with how cute these mini Christmas cookie designs look on your almond-shaped nails!
6. Christmas Nail Art
Another fun way to make your almond nails look more festive this year is by doing some Christmas nail art, as seen on these almond-shaped nails.
To create a look like this one, you will want to use multiple different Christmas sweets designs on your nails, such as peppermint, candy cane, and gingerbread designs!
And, to make doing your nails a bit easier around the holidays, you can also purchase these press-on nails to apply at home.
7. Sparkly Accent Nails
A sparkly accent nail design is perfect for those of us looking for a simple but also festive nail look for this Christmas!
To achieve a look like this one, you will want to make sure that you have red or green nail polish to paint your other nails, as well as some silver glittery nail polish to paint your accent nail.
Also, to make your nails even more colorful, you can also use red and green nail polish to create this look!
8. Black & White French Nails
This is a great Christmas nail look for almond nails if you want something a bit different but also want to incorporate some classic Christmas designs!
For this nail look, you will add an abstract tip design to your nails using black & white nail polish and some cute Christmas designs to your nails, such as Santa hats and candy canes.
This will give you a unique look for the holiday season that you will love!
9. 3D Christmas Nails
If you are curious about some other 3D nail art designs you can try this holiday season, you should totally be checking out these press-on nails!
These nails come with super cool 3D Christmas-inspired designs that will make your nails stand out with gorgeous gems added to your nails.
So, if you want to try out this look like I am this Christmas, purchase these press-on nails to get the look!
10. Snowflake Polar Bear Nails
Another super cute nail design for almond-shaped nails you should try for the holiday season is this look with adorable polar bears and snowflakes!
For this nail look, you will be using blue and white nail polish to create winter designs.
If you are curious about how to create the perfect snowflake design on your nails or how to recreate this adorable polar bear design, check out this nail tutorial!
11. Gingerbread Nails
If you love the look of Christmas colors but want to create a look that is a bit less colorful than other Christmas designs, this may be the one you are looking for!
For this nail look, you will get a super cute gingerbread-inspired nail look, perfect for Christmas.
This look will be more subtle, made with a neutral base coat with brown and white designs to complete the look!
12. Red French Tip Nails
Some of us also might be going for a nail look that is more simple for our almond-shaped nails. For example, you may be interested in this French tip look for your almond-shaped nails!
To recreate this French tip look for this holiday season, just make sure to have some red nail polish and some red glitter to add to the tips of your almond nails.
13. Santa Nails
Santa designs are also another very popular nail design that you can totally do on almond-shaped nails!
For example, these press-on nails have adorable Santa designs and some super cute Christmas tree and reindeer designs you will be obsessed with this season.
14. Gold Snowflake Nails
For those of us who want to create an almond nail look using colors other than the usual Christmas colors, you may want to check out this gold snowflake nail look!
This gold snowflake nail look uses dark purple, white, and gold glittery nail polish to create some gorgeous striped designs on the nails.
Also, to add the winter and holiday feel to this nail look, you should definitely add some gold snowflake glitter to your nails!
15. Purple Christmas Nails
Another nail look that uses colors other than the classic Christmas colors is this purple Christmas nail look!
This look creates a winter vibe on your nails with some white snowflake designs as well as 3D sweater patterns.
So, if you are looking for something different for your almond nails this holiday season, try out these purple Christmas press-on nails at home.
16. Sparkly Gold Nails
If you love the look of gold glitter for holiday nail looks, you can try this sparkly gold nail look!
This look uses gold glitter and white nail polish to create some super fun nail designs for almond-shaped nails that will make your nails look festive and sparkly this season.
17. Candy Cane Nails
This candy cane nail look is a perfect Christmas nail design for almond-shaped nails. With this nail look, you will add a super cute design for the tips of your nails that creates a heart using candy canes.
So, if you are obsessed with how cute this look is like I am, definitely check out these press-on nails to get the look.
18. Christmas Ornaments Nails
Another super cute nail look for almond nails this holiday season is this Christmas ornament-inspired nail look.
This look will give you an adorable Christmas-themed nail look with some mini ornament designs added to each of your nails!
19. Sparkly Green Nails
For a green Christmas nail look, you may want to check out this sparkly green nail look for almond nails, which features French tips using sparkly green nail polish!
Also, you can add more to this look with some rhinestones, as seen in this video tutorial.
20. Red Almond Nails
You can also go super simple but classy this Christmas season with an all-red nail polish look! I Iove using red nail polish on almond nails because red always looks gorgeous on almond-shaped nails.
Which almond nail design from this list will you be wearing this Christmas season?
Have you ever tried Christmas nail designs? What kind of Christmas nail designs are your favorite?
Zac Efron and Dylan Efron played the roles of dutiful big brothers while spending Thanksgiving as a family.
âHappy Thanksgiving đ§Ą,â Dylan, 31, wrote via Instagram on Friday, November 24, alongside a video of himself with Zac, 36, and their younger siblings Olivia and Henry.
In the clip, both the older brothers can be seen goofing off with Olivia and Henry in the backyard as they pick them up and spin them around in circles. Later in the video, the little ones can be seen dizzy and laughing while trying not to fall over.
The post also shows Olivia and Henry sitting on Dylanâs lap during dinner. After eating their meal, Olivia curls up into a ball and nestles herself into Dylanâs jacket.
His loved ones. Zac Efron has enjoyed many adventures with his family over the years â and luckily the actor documented the special bonding moments to share with his fans. The High School Musical star, who is an older brother to Dylan and Olivia, recalled how his siblings and parents supported him in 2013. âMy [âŚ]
After Zac and Dylanâs parents split in 2016, their dad David Efron moved on with his second wife, Jenny Efron. The couple later expanded their family with daughter Olivia and son Henry. When Dylan became an older sibling for the first time in 2019, he looked to Zac on how to be an ideal big bro. Zac and Dylanâs mom, Starla Baskett, hasnât remarried.
âMy motto [for building a strong bond with brother Henry and sister Olivia] has just been FaceTime. I try to see them as much as I can,â Dylan exclusively told Us Weekly in September. âBut really, I just think back and my brother was such a good brother to me and I want to be that for them. So itâs really just â I like thinking what they think of me and I want to be that presence for them.â
As their little siblings have grown up, both Dylan and Zac have shown off their adventures as a family. âShowtime đ¤Ą,â Zac captioned a photo of him, Olivia and Henry at a local carnival over the summer.
Close connection. Zac Efron has been open about his bond with his family over the years. The California native, who rose to fame after playing Troy Bolton in Disney Channelâs High School Musical franchise, is the eldest of three. Even at the height of his career, Zac opted to live with his brother, Dylan Efron. [âŚ]
Over the years, Zac has been open about how much his family has supported him and how he strives to do the same for them.
âMy familyâs my rock. I know that theyâre not going anywhere. More and more I rely on my little brother to keep me grounded,â Zac said during a 2013 Q&A panel. âI know my familyâs always going to be there, and then thereâs also some times when life changes, they canât always be there for you in the way that you need, so I rely on my friends.â
Schroeder, 35, teamed up with daughter Hartford, 2, in early November to get their Christmas tree up and decorated ASAP. âYou like the red?â Schroeder asked her daughter in an Instagram Story video on November 6, while putting red flowers in between the branches. âYou donât think it makes it look too much like Valentineâs Day?â
Hartford was a fan of the deep red dĂŠcor, telling her mom, âNo,â it wasnât reminiscent of Valentineâs Day. âShe loves it,â the Vanderpump Rules alum said of her little oneâs attitude toward helping.
Every year the holidays seem to come a little faster â and that is partly thanks to all the festive films that begin airing on TV months before the season really starts. Hallmark Media, for example, will kick off its annual âCountdown to Christmasâ on Hallmark Channel on Friday, October 20, this year. Hallmark Movies [âŚ]
âHappy November 1st! Feels like it should be its own holiday đ,â the Bachelor Nation alum joked via Instagram, sharing a video of how she transformed her pad into a winter wonderland.
Scroll down to see how celebrities are decorating for Christmas:
Copious amounts of carb-heavy food and washed down with all sorts of drink can leave you in in a drowsy state while you body keeps processing everything. The holiday starts on Friday and there are celebration to come. Â Maybe the the week after Thanksgiving is time to provide your body with a reset, taking a break from all things turkey and alcohol â at least until holiday parties kick in. Can marijuana help a post-Thanksgiving detox.
Detoxing is best approached with a light attitude, not as something you do to lose weight, but to give your body a break, the chance to ingest something healthy, regulating your digestive system and your mood.
Kristen Williams, one of the authors of âComing Clean With Cannabis,â a cannabis cleanse guide. She explained some of the plantâs features and why it can help you get your cleanse on. âCannabis enhances the endocannabinoid system, which keeps our bodies in a balanced state,â she said. These findings are supported by a variety of studies that link the endocannabinoid system to stress, sleep and gut health.
This imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants is called oxidative stress, and is something that cannabis is known to battle. Like other detox ingredients, THC, an important antioxidant, reduces this stress. When consumed as an edible or a tincture, the results should be magnified, especially since youâre not introducing other toxins like smoke and vapor to mess with your detoxification process.
Thereâs also CBD. While the compound has little research behind it, CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation and promote cardiovascular health, aspects that could be beneficial when applied to a detox.
Detox practices vary from person to person, with some choosing more extreme measures than others. While some detoxes have earned a muddy reputation, a sensible detox that eliminates alcohol, smoking, and foods loaded up with fats while promoting exercise, drinking water and eating healthy foods can only lead to good results.
By adding some weed in the mix, you might maximize these benefits and have an easier time while you detox. At the very least, youâll have some fun.
Above: In autumn, shrubs sport all color of berries. Branches with green leaves and colorful berries make pretty garlands. In my Northern California neighborhood, there are lots of orange bittersweet berries, black privet berries, and purple privet berries. Other berries to look for: purple beautyberry and orange winterberry. (See Whatâs that Berry? Test Your Knowledge of Fallâs Red Fruits.)
.
Above: Before arranging foraged finds, rinse themâextremely wellâin the kitchen sink. Bugs are not welcome at the dinner table.
The Look
Above: I used garden twine to tie a sprig to each napkin. You can also get fancier and make a tiny bundled bouquet for each guestâs napkin. See how at Botanical Napkin Rings for Thanksgiving.
Above: I like a big napkin, preferably made of soft linen because the fabric drapes beautifully and absorbs spilled wine better than cotton.
Available in nearly two dozen colors, 22-inch-square linen napkins from Hudson Grace are washable and can be tumbled dry (and if you pull them out of the dryer while theyâre still warm, you wonât need to iron themâthey fold beautifully). Hand-dyed in San Francisco, the napkins are $18 apiece.
Above: To assemble the floral arrangement, I laid a linen runner down the center of the table. The fabric defines the boundaries of the floral arrangement (a helpful visual cue for when you donât use a vase or other vessel).
Next, I laid a line of smoke bush branches down the middle of the table runner. Into them I tucked shorter lengths of privet, allowing the smoke bush leaves to cup clusters of privet berries. For extra drama, I tucked one hydrangea bloom into each end of the free-form garland.
Above: I placed the napkins on top of the plates to add some height to edge of the table and offset the bulk of the foraged floral arrangement. This prevents the table from looking like it has a big, impenetrable hedge in the middle of it.
Above: I wanted the table to contradict itself, to look glamorous and casual at the same time. So I skipped the tablecloth this year and instead relied on the runner to create a painterly frame around the florals.
The Day After
Above: After you disassemble the tabletop arrangement, turn the water pitcher into a vase with a sprig of long-lasting berries.
Weâre feeling thankful. See:
N.B.: This post was first published November 2017.
Itâs not Thanksgiving without Macyâs annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, but thereâs one major change this year.
The Thursday, November 23, broadcast will kick off thirty minutes earlier than previously scheduled parades. This yearâs festivities, which marks the 97th procession, kick off at 8:30 a.m. ET and end by noon. In comparison, the 2022 Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade started at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
True to form, the Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast live on NBC, with simulcasts airing on Peacock and Telemundo 47 New York. An encore viewing of the celebration will be shown on NBC at 2 p.m. after the National Dog Show (another Thanksgiving Day staple) crowns its canine champion.
Once the Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade begins uptown in New York City, all sorts of floats, character balloons and live performances will make their way down to center stage in front of Macyâs Herald Square outpost.
Christmas pajamas, baking sweet treats and decorating trees with family ⌠oh my! There is no right â or wrong â way to get into the holiday spirit, and many celebrities have shared their favorite traditions during the special season. Wells Adams and Sarah Hyland spent their first Christmas together as an engaged couple in [âŚ]
The Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade will once again be hosted by Today show anchors Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker.
âWe black out so, no,â Kotb, 59, quipped to Us Weekly in November 2022 when asked if she and Guthrie had any embarrassing moments while emceeing the event. âThere will be many coming up this year.â
While they try not to focus on potential flubs, Kotb and Guthrie, 51, do keep the temperatures in mind.
Certain Thanksgiving foods are more beloved than others! While some people canât get enough stuffing â a.k.a. dressing â others are partial to dishes including sweet potato casserole and deviled eggs. House Method, a home design website, compiled a map breaking down the most most-searched savory Thanksgiving dishes in each state and the findings are [âŚ]
âIâm a big layerer,â Guthrie told Us. âItâs like tights, socks, the heat tech, the jeans and I try to wear the boots, theyâre not even in fashion anymore, that go way up high over your knee because thatâs really thick.â
Guthrie completes her look with hand warmers, a scarf and a hat. âItâs ridiculous. Itâs like weâre infernos,â Kotb chimed in. âWeâre burning inside.â
This yearâs parade will also feature a number of star-studded performances. The lineup includes Jessie James Decker, Brandy, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, En Vogue, Pentatonix and Jon Batiste. Certain Broadway productions â including & Juliet, Back to the Future: The Musical and Spamalot â as well as the Radio City Rockettes will also perform special numbers.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Cher, for her part, is set to make her parade debut to close out the show. The legendary singer, 77, will arrive just as Santa Claus rolls up in his sleigh, signaling the shift to the winter holidays. The appearance comes shortly after Cher released her first holiday album, succinctly titled Christmas.
Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade airs on NBC on Thursday, November 23, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
The holidays are a time of big feasts, going large and having fun. Holiday family meals occasionally have members who âneed to get something in the car I forgotâ, the age old code for a little weed time. But be careful mixing marijuana with alcohol.
Holiday parties, catching up with old friends, work events and just being festive or stressed â lots of reasons to have a drink or consume some marijuana. Occasionally mixing alcohol and weed, known as crossfading, happens. During the social holiday season, there seems to be more opportunities where the combination is offered at some point.
Using cannabis and alcohol together enhances the effects of each, causing increased side effects including slowed reaction time, loss of coordination, and problem-solving and decision skills.
Photos: Adam Wilson via Unsplash; msqrd2 via Pixabay
When it comes to drugs, there is caffiene, alcohol and cannabis (in order). It should come as no surprise that many people use them together, and itâs well-established that alcohol increases the absorption of THC.
Despite the potential dangers of mixing them, itâs common to do so. If you combine marijuana and alcohol occasionally and in moderation, there is less of a risk. But regularly doing so comes health issues and more. People who are canna-newbies also may have bigger reactions as they are unfamiliar with dosages.
Drinking before using weed can intensify weedâs effects. This is because alcohol increases the absorption of weedâs main psychoactive ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
This generally results in a stronger high. While this might be nice for some folks, it can cause others to green out. This refers to a range of unpleasant physical symptoms including sweating, dizziness and nausea.
Using weed before drinking alcohol may minimize the effects of alcohol. This means you might be tipsier than you feel, increasing your risk for becoming overly intoxicated.
But be careful mixing marijuana with alcohol, the busy season may not be the time to experiment.
Thanksgiving is an emotional time, for better or worse. No matter what your position is on it, whether you love it or it gives you anxiety, itâs never too late to add in new traditions into the mix. During Thanksgiving, when youâre spending time with loved ones, introducing weed into the mix could be a fun bonding activity. You just need to know how to do it.
Here are 5 things you should keep in mind in order to make the most out of your Thanksgiving weed excursion:
Make sure to have enough weed
Photo by Drew Farwell via Unsplash
First things first. If thereâs no weed, thereâs no weed smoking excursion. Be sure to hit up your old weed contacts once you get home or bring some weed with you. To be super safe, make sure you store it in an airtight container and leave it in places where your dad or your little cousin wonât find it. Because that would be bad.
Keep things simple and steer clear of overtly complicated ways of consuming cannabis. Thanksgiving is a special occasion when it comes to weed usage; you might find yourself smoking with someone inexperienced, someone whoâs older, etc. Itâs best to stick to something thatâs accessible for newbies and to eliminate the odds of getting bad highs. Prioritize accessibility, discretion, and how fast-acting the consumption method is.
Develop your own little private language
Photo by AarĂłn Blanco Tejedor via Unsplash
If youâre going out smoking with family, have a little discussion beforehand and make sure to come up with the right excuse for when youâre going outside the house to smoke. By discussing things beforehand, youâll eliminate nerves and make sure that no one misses out on the smoking opportunity and that everyone is on the same page.
Each Thanksgiving is different. Make sure to keep an open mind and accept that maybe this year someone who you usually smoke with wonât want to join you, or that someone whoâs never shown interest or who was too young before, might want to join in on the fun. Just roll with it.
Take a deep breath and get ready to eat
Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels
Lastly, get ready to reap the benefits youâve been after. The munchies are normally great, but the munchies on Thanksgiving are some of the best there are. Enjoy your food and tune out your family membersâ tone-deaf political and cultural opinions. Happy Thanksgiving!
My grandma â âGramâ as we called her â is no longer with us. Itâs been about a decade since she passed, but she lived a long and fulfilling life. She loved the holidays, but more than anything she loved cooking. So without further ado, hereâs her recipe for the best goddamn deviledeggs youâll ever eat.
It is a fun time of year, everyone in good cheer, holiday events, special food, and lots of bonding with people we may or may not know or like. Â Joyful, merry, and happy are all the ways we describe the season, but sometimes it might comes with a price. Â Stress, hangovers and anxiety are common, but marijuana can make your holiday better.
With some much going on, gifts to buy, cooking, visiting, and travel, perhaps the most common issue is lack of sleep. Consider using some form of marijuana to help to help you fall asleep. Using a few times to be able to break a sleepless pattern can be very help and make you feel like a new person.
Hangovers are common during the holidays as it has some of the biggest alcohol days of the year including New Yearâs Eve and the day before Thanksgiving (Drinksgiving/ Blackout Wednesday), the day after Thanksgiving, and all the weekends with work and friend parties. Gummies and vapes are discrete ways to reduce drinking while still having a relaxed buzz to enjoy the work holiday party or the long family event where wine has traditional helped.
It can also help avoid the gentle weight gain from lots of cocktails, beer and wine. Mild dose cannabis can provide the buzz without major (and continuous) carlories. Also, with a mild dose, there is a lower chance of munchies, unlike after 3 martinis or Christmas-tinis.
And lastly cannabis has shown it can help reduce stress and anxiety. Â If you are shy and have to attend events, it can benefits. Â If you are at contentious family event, it can keep you calm. If you are worried about other things, it can relax you so you can make a plan on how to move forward.
The Night of Lights is a brand new, walk-through Christmas light display open now at Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC. We spent a night there and have all the details on how you can enjoy it with your family!Â
Thank you to the Night of Lights for providing media tickets for this review.Â
Nearly a quarter mile of thousands of lights are shining bright at Night of Lights in the Upstateâs only walk-through holiday light display at Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC. The brand-new event features beautiful light tunnels, a massive igloo, a petting zoo, lots of fun photo ops, ice skating, food, and carnival rides.Â
They also have several different discounts and are open nightly through December 31, 2023. Yes, even on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.Â
Read on for why you should put this event on your familyâs list of to-doâs for the holiday season.Â
The Night of Lights: Heritage Park Christmas Lights
When you enter Heritage Park, keep driving all the way past the playground and train depot to the CCNB Amphitheater. There is free parking and thatâs where you enter the display.Â
The path of lights is all paved and goes for nearly a quarter mile. The Heritage Park Christmas lights have over 200 LED light displays throughout the park. Youâll pass through archways of light where you will see Santa, snowmen, and all kinds of happy Christmas creatures decked out in lights.Â
There is a giant, life-size inflatable igloo, which is just really cute to walk through. There are places that have lights where you and your kids can poke your heads inside and instantly become lighted holiday people. Itâs a lot of fun and you can take as long as you want anywhere.Â
Ice SkatingÂ
The Night of Lights has a decent-sized skating rink for those of you who want to test your coordination and balance skills. The rink is not real ice but rather closely connected panels of synthetic material. As to how fast or slow youâll go on skates, it will really depend upon your skates and ability to not fall! I had pretty awesome skates and was able to skate like I would on an ice rink. One of my kids almost mastered skating, but my other daughter wasnât as coordinated. We all had a blast doing it though.Â
Skating at Night of Lights
Skating is $10/person and if you need a little extra assistance in terms of an ice walker, that is $5. The rink is close to the entrance so you can do that first or do it after you walk through the display.Â
The Petting Zoo at Night of Lights
Once you walk through the display, you will come to the petting zoo. The petting zoo is run by Eudora Farms, a wildlife safari based in Salley, SC. Our readers may be familiar with them since weâve written about this farm in the past.Â
The animals at the Night of Lights are so cute. They have a small camel, fluffy sheep, goats, alpacas, a super fluffy baby Highlands Scottish Cow, and a bull with massive horns. You can purchase feed cups for a few dollars to feed the animals. They looked very happy and well taken care of.Â
Petting zoo at Night of Lights
There is also a large enclosure where you can get inside and feed parakeets with a stick of bird seed. These parakeets are so funny. They will land on your arm, hand, shoulder, phone, you name it. It costs $3 for a birdseed stick and itâs so fun to get in there with them. My daughters and I loved interacting with the little birds.Â
The Rides, Bounce Houses, and Santa
Night of Lights also has several rides you can enjoy during your time there. A Ferris Wheel, carousel, and green dragon spinning thing are located in front of the stage, where the 65-foot tall Christmas tree stands, and next to the petting zoo.Â
There are also two big bounce houses, including a giant snowman. My youngest daughter did these and loved the obstacle course one the best.Â
Lots of cute photo ops!
The three of us did the Ferris wheel and it was a blast. I hadnât been on one of these old-school ones in forever and it felt secure plus you get a great view of all the lights at the top of the wheel. All the rides have to be regularly inspected so you can feel good knowing they are safe and secure.Â
Rides are one ticket per person and tickets are $3/each. Or you can buy in bulk, which is a little cheaper: 12 tickets for $30.
Santa is also scheduled to be at Night of Lights on November 24 & 25 and December 1-3, 8-10, and 15-17 from 5:30-9:30 pm. Photos are $5 using your own phone or camera.Â
Food & SâMoresÂ
Night of Lights offers lots of yummy food options. We got a funnel cake, which was utterly amazing. We also roasted our own sâmores at the fire pits located near the rides, which was a blast.Â
Other food options are nachos, fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders â all the tasty fair foods.Â
Roasting sâmores
Honest Mom ReviewÂ
The Night of Lights was a really fun experience. My kids, ages 12 and 9, and I all really enjoyed it. Iâve covered all the major light displays in our area and I really liked this one specifically for the walk-through aspect. You can take your time and enjoy all of the neat displays, take as many photos as you like, and make those special memories with your family.Â
I also enjoyed the petting zoo. I love animals and I feel that itâs usually easy to see if they are well taken care of and happy. These animals definitely were. The enclosures were clean and they seemed to be groomed well and happy. And the parakeet experience was so fun. Those little birds are cute and mischievous.Â
And, lastly, getting to speak with the management and learn all the behind-the-scenes things they are doing to make it affordable for families was fantastic. They set out to make a great event for the Christmas season but also create ways for it to be doable for as many families as possible. Everything was clean and accessible as well, which I thought spoke volumes on the effort put into the event.Â
Tickets, Hours, and Special PromotionsÂ
Night of Lights is open every day from November 20-December 31, 2023. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 5-10 pm and Friday-Saturday from 5-11 pm.Â
Ticket prices on Sunday-Thursday are $10/age 16+ and $8/ages 6-15. Friday and Saturday ticket prices are $12/ages 16+ and $10/ages 6-15. Kids age 5 and under are free.Â
Night of Lights has promotional pricing nightly. Hereâs the schedule:Â
Sundays: Senior Citizens (age 65+) are freeÂ
Mondays: Free admission with the donation of a non-perishable food item. One free admission per food item per person.
Tuesdays: Free admission with a toy donation for Toys for Tots. Toys must be new in original packaging, not gift-wrapped. One free admission per toy per person.
Wednesdays: Free admission for active, reserve, and veteran military members (with valid ID).
Thursdays: Free admission for police officers, nurses, EMS workers, and firefighters (with valid ID).
Fridays: Free admission for teachers (with valid ID). Homeschool teachers are included (with valid association ID).Â
Tickets are only sold at the gate. Night of Lights is accessible and wheelchair-friendly. Be sure to follow Night of Lights on Facebook for up-to-date hours and closure due to weather.
It is the most wonderful time of year, and also the most indulgent. Just one more drink, cookie, partyâŚall effecting our mental health and waistlines. Stress increases around the holidays with 44% of women report an increase of stress during the holidays and 31% of men. For women, stress may be a function of greater family responsibilities during the holidays. Consider taking a stroll to how unwind. Walks with weed are good for the waist and mind.
Walking after eating can aid in digestion. It can help food move through the digestive system more rapidly and help reduce bloating. Walking provides other key benefits. Exercise helps the waist line and digestion which is helpful during a season filled with food and drink. It also increases your muscle flexibility. Another advantage is it gives your mind time to relax, absorb and process information.
If you use marijuana, pick energizing strains focused on joy-inducing properties which help walkers better enjoy their stroll time. And for those with difficulty or pain with walking , some strains provide a safe method to improve their walking abilities.
Photo by Annushka Ahuja via Pexels
Walking can give your mind a moment and to unplug. The holidays can be very stimuli intense which can over stimulate our brain and doesnât vive us Downtime replenishes the brainâs stores of attention and motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is essential to both achieve our highest levels of performance and simply form stable memories in everyday life.  It valuable during a busy and over stimulated season.
Marijuana can help with the stress and can make walks so much more pleasing. Gummies are  extremely popular and it is a good way to manage a soft dose for a stroll.  If you are going to on a walk after having some weed, keep to an easy course, donât overdose and make sure you have a way to communicate with others in case something happens.
One of the toughest times of year for families who are co-parenting after divorce is the holiday season. Letâs face it, it can be a challenge for divorced parents to let go of grudges and bad memories of past holidays. For the recently divorced parent, the holidays can be an emotional, stressful, and perhaps a lonely time of year â especially if they donât have new traditions and support systems in place.
Navigating the holidays while also co-parenting may leave you feeling anxious or stressed. However, itâs crucial that you keep the focus on your childâs best interests and provide a template for their view of relationships that they can carry into the future.
Make Your Child a Priority
The most important thing to keep in mind during the holidays is that your child should come before anything else. When you are co-parenting, you might worry that they are not going to have the same holiday experience as they did prior to your divorce. Rather than focusing on these concerns, think of ways you can create new memories that will bring him or her pleasure and a sense of security.
For example, when you are co-parenting during the holidays, your child may have to squeeze several family gatherings into one day, and even split the day with their other parent. This is hard on everyone, but consider how this might be especially difficult for your child. Instead, think outside the box and make alternative plans such as opening gifts on Christmas Eve or having a holiday dinner or party the day after Christmas.
Being flexible around the holidays can go a long way toward lowering your childâs stress when co- parenting. Ask yourself if your holiday schedule is child-centered, or is it focused more on the needs of you and your ex-spouse?
Be Mindful of Loyalty Conflicts
First and foremost, you need to do everything in your power not to intensify your childâs loyalty conflicts during the holiday season. Itâs wise to be flexible and understanding as you negotiate schedules â your child may feel torn between their parentsâ two different worlds.
The mere fact that itâs the holidays may reawaken old worries in your child (even years after your divorce). They may wonder âHow is my mom going to feel since Iâm with my dad this year?â Or, âIs my dad going to feel left out if I spend Christmas at my momâs house?â
For children of divorce, the holiday season can remind them that their family is now divided and can elicit loyalty conflicts because they may feel that they are pulled in every direction and will ultimately disappoint both of their parents. Children may worry that they wonât get their needs met and they can benefit from empathy and emotional coaching to help them navigate tender emotions.
Emotional Coaching
Dr. John Gottmanâs model of Emotion Coaching is a five-step method that builds emotional intelligence and creates long-lasting effects for children and teens. These steps are important for you to keep in mind so you can support your child during the holiday season (and all year).
Be aware of your childâs emotions
Recognize your childâs expression of emotions as a perfect moment for intimacy and teaching
Listen with empathy and validate your childâs feelings
Help your child learn to label their emotions with words
Set limits when you are helping your child to solve problems or deal with upsetting situations appropriately
Show compassion for your child if they seem stressed or worried, or miss their other parent. Remind them that itâs normal to feel more stress this time of year and you will help them to navigate through rocky patches any way you can. A phone conversation with their other parent may ease their sadness.
5 Ways to Cope with Co-Parenting During the Holidays:
Keep the best interests of your child in mind. Remember that children can usually benefit from time with both of their parents. Be flexible and do your best to ensure that your kids will be able to spend time with their other parent and extended family members. Studies show that children adjust better to divorce if their parents minimize conflict and are more cooperative.
Focus on positive communication with your ex-spouse. Communicate with them through email or a phone calls whenever possible because texts can get emotional during the busy holiday season. Be cordial with your ex and/or their relatives and never bad mouth them to your child.
Remember that your child is not a possession and that they have their own delicate feelings to deal with during the holiday season. Do your best not to put them in the middle by making them a messenger between you and your ex-spouse. Donât ask too many questions about their time with their other parent but express pleasure if they had a good experience.
Validate your childâs feelings. Let them know that itâs okay to feel sad or to miss the other parent during the holidays. Donât make them feel guilty about their time away from you.
Start new holiday traditions that will create positive memories for your child. For instance, visiting friends, attending a play or concert, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or enjoying a special meal. Hold onto traditions and activities from the past that worked well. Laughter is one of the best ways to change a negative mood to a positive one. Listen to music, work on a puzzle, or participate in other fun activities.
Remember that your goal is to create new, positive holiday experiences for your child that will stay with them for years to come. Modeling respectful behavior toward your former spouse is key to having a successful holiday. Children pick up on both verbal and non-verbal signs of anger so do your best to keep these feelings in check. By cooperating with your childâs other parent, you establish a life pattern that provides positive memories that will endure the test of time.
