By Metalia

Considering that I don’t celebrate Halloween (I’m an Orthodox Jew) I’m probably the last person that you’d expect to be writing this piece.

HOWEVER

We have a holiday called Purim that takes place a bit later in the year, but involves—nay, REQUIRES—awesome costumes, as well. I take a bit of pride in putting together what I think are good costumes for my kids every year, and what’s more, I’ve learned something new each year, and so with Halloween rapidly approaching, I thought I’d share a few of my best tips with you today.

1. Take advantage of your powerless kids while they’re young.

As time has gone on, I’ve upped the ante for myself, so to speak, to the point where I feel like I have to outdo last year’s costumes each time. However, for this first point, I’m going to take you back a few years, to my son’s first Purim. Being a new mom, I wanted to dress him in something cute and cuddly and soft, and I had bought him an adorable cow costume (HALF PRICE right after Halloween, thank you very much) a few months earlier. And really, if I tried to dress him in that today, I think he’d roll his eyes at me and/or throw a huge, “NO”-filled tantrum. But back then? Haha, sucker. Mama wants a cowbaby, and she is GETTING a cowbaby. There’s only so long that you can get away with this, so strike while you can, and fulfill all your vicarious costume wishes while they’re one or two years old.

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By Angella of Dutch Blitz

So! Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday. As if all of the cheesy ads on TV weren’t enough to remind you, I am here to add to the bombardment of commercialism.

I am kidding. Really. Before I was married, and for many years afterward, I gave the big middle finger to commercialized holidays such as Valentine’s Day and the others. I might be getting soft in my old age, but maybe in the midst of our crazy lives we need an official “holiday” to remind us to appreciate those around us.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought that I would share some of my favorite gifts that I have received in these past six-and-a-half years of being a Mom.

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