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Frugal Seasonal Family Getaways

If you can deal with dirty looks from your kid’s teacher, then consider heading off on a pre-Christmas getaway.  Families working with a tight budget, who want to sneak in a winter vacation before Santa Claus comes to town, must act now. Dozens of family-friendly vacation destinations are offering money-saving deals for clans who complete their travel before Christmas Eve, including: California:  Don’t wait to do Disney during your child’s winter break from school.  Rather, if you want to save big on hotel accommodations, travel during the first three weeks of December.  That’s when you will find deals like the … Continue reading →

Traveling on a Budget: Electrifying Holiday Light Displays

If you don’t have the cash to deck your halls like the Griswolds this Christmas, don’t fret. Fortunately, there are tons of places to view electrifying displays of holiday lights without having to travel far or zap your budget. The following cities are home to some of the nation’s most merry megawatt-lined miles and sparkling seasonal streets that won’t cost you a dime to view: New York City: It won’t take long for you to get into the holiday spirit when strolling along the streets of the Big Apple. The city’s massive window displays, blinged out trees and public parks, … Continue reading →

Affordable Fall Family Fun

The first day of autumn is just two weeks away, and just because Wal-Mart and Target already have their Christmas displays up doesn’t mean you should fast forward over this wonderful season. Fall is a great time to bond with your family in the great outdoors before Old Man Winter arrives and your kids refuse to move away from the warm TV. To help spice up the season, consider attending ones of the following fall-themed parades, festivals and kid-friendly events that won’t bust your family’s budget: Half Moon Art and Pumpkin Festival, San Francisco, California: On October 13-14, you can … Continue reading →

Family-Friendly Holiday Travel Destinations

There’s no time like the holidays to travel with your extended family. However, you don’t have to break the bank jetting off to a tropical island or a high-end ski resort to bond with grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins. Instead, consider checking out these affordable holiday-themed events and attractions that are ideal for family members of all ages: CANADA The Zoolights event at the Calgary Zoo is a real crowd pleaser. In addition to viewing the animals, you can take in an interactive light show that features more than 1.5 million twinklers. The zoo is also home to an … Continue reading →

Holiday Fun with the Family

After surviving yet another snow day with a house full of kids (most not mine), I definitely see why some parents take advantage of all the outdoor holiday-related activities offered this time of year. Whether it’s a horse-drawn carriage ride down Main Street or a walking tour of Christmas lights at the zoo, tis the season to let your kids burn off steam while enjoying festive events. Here’s a look at some kid-friendly holiday activities going on around the country right now: MAINE In Portland, Maine, families can tour the inside and outside of the legendary Victoria Mansion, which has … Continue reading →

Christmas in Florida

After the Blizzard of 2009, I’m sure more people than ever are considering traveling to Florida for Christmas. I prefer Hawaii myself, but I digress. Sunny Florida is a hotspot for snowbirds looking to escape Old Man Winter’s blast. However, some shy away from flying south because they don’t think the sand and surf make for a traditional Christmas backdrop. Little do they know that Florida is filled with festive displays and attractions this time of year, including: ORLANDO The House of Mouse goes all out for the holidays. If you are planning to travel to Orlando this month, don’t … Continue reading →

More Family-Friendly Christmas Displays

Who says you have to spend a ton of money or travel to the far ends of the planet to view fabulous holiday light shows? Christmas displays are a dime a dozen this time of year, and most don’t require draining your wallet to enjoy. Hundreds of communities from coast-to-coast erect awe-inspiring seasonal showcases to inspire Christmas goodness. The following festive displays are among the nation’s most popular: Atlanta: Macy’s Great Tree at Lenox Square Mall is a stunning piece of holiday craftsmanship. The towering tree is festooned with hundreds of lights and serves as the backdrop for many family … Continue reading →

Family-Friendly Christmas Displays

My neighbor’s 8-foot tall inflatable snowman didn’t survive last night’s blizzard. The nearly two feet of snow and 35 mph sustained winds that ripped through our rural Wisconsin neighborhood proved too much for Frosty to take. Such a shame. The snowman is just a small part of an elaborate Christmas display that our neighbor painstakingly erects each year. His holiday light show has all the pizzazz associated with professional displays put on by major cities, only on a slightly smaller scale. If you are looking to take in the sights and sounds of the season this month, consider visiting the … Continue reading →

Family Travel: Festive Christmas Displays

Last weekend my family traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, to take in the city’s spectacular Christmas displays. My kindergartner squealed with delight at the botanical garden’s annual gingerbread mansion and holiday train show. She was equally thrilled when we headed over to the State Capitol building’s rotunda to view the stunning 60-foot Christmas tree decorated with thousands of twinkling lights and handmade ornaments. Finally, her jaw dropped when we got to the city’s popular outdoor Festival of Lights event featuring more than 250,000 colorful Christmas lights strung on elaborate moving displays. It was a great way to get into the Christmas … Continue reading →

Places to Have a Holly Jolly Good Time with Your Family

Tis the season to be with family and friends. Whether you decide to bond on the slopes or huddle together in front of the fireplace for a fierce game of Pictionary, the holidays are a great time to spend with loved ones. However, if you don’t know how to ski or you shudder at the thought of having to stay cooped up indoors all day, you might consider the following festive family-friendly options: CONNECTICUT At Christmas Town in Bethlehem, Connecticut, kids can visit Santa on the Village Green and sing along with carolers strolling along Main Street. Don’t forget to … Continue reading →