There’s no time like the new year to learn how to feel better, and we have 5 easy ways to do it

We’re not into the ‘new year, new me’ thing. First of all, we think you’re pretty fabulous exactly the way you are. But we’re also not fans of all the pressure trying to change every habit in your life the second the clock strikes midnight. Major ick. Instead, we’re all about small changes that lead to big results. Learning how to feel better can be a little tricky, especially when everyone is offering ‘quick fixes’. Well, we’re not doing that. We’re sharing 5 of our favorite ways to create meaningful change without a stressful overhaul.

Of course, you know that there are a lot of products and services out there that promise the moon. It can be a serious challenge to figure out what’s worth investing in and what’s a total waste of time. And we know you don’t have time to waste, so we’ve put together 5 ways that’ll help you to start feeling your best from Day 1. Simple steps, serious change. What’s not to love about that? Keep reading for 5 easy-peasy ways to help you learn how to feel better and make 2024 the best year yet.

Consume More Superfoods (Without the Hassle)

Snap Supplements

You know the phrase 'work smarter, not harder'? That's how we feel about nutrition. We're busy. There's a pretty good chance you're not preparing beets or dandelion greens (but even if you are, there's always room for improvement). Make getting the superfoods your body craves easy (that's the vibe for 2024) with a high-quality supplement like Organic Heart Beets.

Heart Beets Powder is the ultimate all-natural superfood with certified organic beetroot powder and phytonutrients designed to boost energy, promote heart health, and aid digestive function. What can't it do? We're talking:

  • Supporting healthy blood pressure
  • Naturally promoting energy and performance
  • Aiding in detoxing and gut health

Just one scoop of Heart Beets (we kinda love saying it) is all you need to help get your body feeling its best.

Heart Beets—Buy Here!

Tone Up Your Resistance to Stress (Seriously)

Sensate

Oh, we know how easy it sounds. 'Just stop stressing', right? Reality check: stress is created when our long-held primal instincts (or our 'lizard brains') tell us we're in danger. That was great when our ancestors were being chased by prehistoric creatures, but our brains have evolved to trigger our survival instincts way too often. As important as deadlines and laundry truly are to our day-to-day, they're not being-chased-by-a-Sabre-Toothed-Tiger important. But our brains turn on those survival instincts at the drop of a hat and that's so not good for us.

What soothes stress? Activating the Vagus Nerve. That's the reason you feel knots in your belly under pressure. The Vagus Nerve regulates your body's reaction to stress, and toning it can have immediate and long-term benefits.

We've been using Sensate to do that. In just 10 minutes, the Sensate uses vibrations and sound to lower your stress. It's a wearable, palm-sized device and audio app that tones your Vagus Nerve, so you can naturally self-regulate your stress responses and find your calm.

Sensate—Buy Here!

Start From the Ground Up

KURU

The amount of pressure we put on our feet is...intense. From the minute we wake up to the minute we get into bed at the end of the day, they're literally carrying us everywhere. We ask them to walk, run, take stairs two at a time, stand in lines, leap over the spot the dog threw up in (or are we just projecting now?), chase toddlers across gravely playgrounds—the list goes on. 

Your foot health impacts your entire posture, can contribute to lower back pain, affect your balance—really, it all starts with our feet. Treating them well is a necessity, but we know that the comfiest shoes are, a lot of times, ew. Chunky, ugly, and squeaky aren't what we want to be associated with. Enter KURU.

The KURU FLUX offers heels-focused pain relief for everyday comfort. Perfect for your gym routine, neighborhood jog, dog walk, or travel plans, FLUX features heel-hugging technology that flexes with each step to hug your heels and support your arches. Oh, and they're a sock-like fit, so you can step into them and step out of them without having to mess with laces. Is it the perfect mom shoe? We aren't saying it's not...

KURU FLEX—Buy Here!

Are. You. Hydrated?

CamelBak

Are you?? 

We're seriously asking because it's so. so. so. so. important. Aside from boosting glowy skin and relieving bloat, being drinking water improves your focus, your physical performance, your energy level, kidney and liver function...listen, you just have to stay hydrated. And by the time you feel thirsty, guess what? You're already heading down Dehydration Drive.

The easiest way to stay hydrated is to have a convenient (and cute, we won't lie) vessel. We're very into the CamelBak Horizon 20oz Straw Tumbler in this dreamy, limited-edition Rose Gold Sky Metallic Fade finish. It's easy to carry around, fits right in cup holders, has a non-slip base, and an improved lid to help water flow even better. Oh, plus your water stays cold. Yeah, they thought of everything. (Also available in a moody mossy green color finish.)

CamelBak Horizon 20oz Straw Tumbler—Buy Here!

Keep Track of What Your Body Is Doing

Glow Premium

Menstruation, intimacy, fertility, pregnancy, parenthood, sleep, activity, and beyond. You need to know what's going on (notice how your doctor asks about most, if not all, of those things, even when you're just at a checkup?), but we know it's not at all easy to keep track of all of it. 

Surprise. There's an app for that. But Glow isn't just any app. It's a family of 4 apps that support you from your period, fertility, prenatal and pregnancy health, and parenting journey. 

The best part? Glow works with the Oura Ring—a sleek and chic unisex ring in several metal finishes that's so comfy, you might forget you're even wearing it. You don't have to have a smartwatch or fitness tracker anymore to stay on top of your health. Oura Ring uses research-grade sensors to accurately track your sleep, activity, heart rate, and more, right from your finger. As if that wasn't enough, when you purchase the Oura Ring here, you unlock Glow Premium Lifetime free. 

If you want to stick with regular health tracking, use code TINYBEANS20 to get 20% off your yearly Glow membership + a 7 day free trial.

Oura Ring + Glow Premium Lifetime—Buy Here!

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Dropping Christmas Eve: the Target Stanley cup, bottles, bowls, mugs, and tumblers in all. new. colors.

You’ve seen them everywhere. Instagram. TikTok. The gym. The office. The school pickup line. The Stanley 40oz Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler is the drink vessel that went viral. Maybe you first noticed your favorite influencer sipping on one, but they’ve definitely become part of the mainstream. From Target to sporting goods stores, the Stanley Tumbler is sold all over. It’s sold out all over, too. These tumblers can be a little tricky to get your hands on, so with these three new Stanley Tumbler colors launching today, you’ll want to run, don’t walk.

This Christmas Eve, Stanley partnered with Target to launch these ultra-fun, oh-so-practical goodies in gorgeous new hues hues from their All in Motion and Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Collections. These new colors are full of motivating bright pops of color for the New Year and the neutral chic shades you’ve come to expect from Hearth & Hand with Magnolia. But that’s not all that makes us swoon. The Target Stanley cup is made of recycled stainless steel so you can feel good about sticking to sustainability. Stanley’s vacuum insulation makes sure that your beverage of choice stays ice-cold for hours, or hot, if you prefer.

No, really. We’re talking 11 hours cold, 7 hours hot, and 24 hours iced. And, with the FlowState lid, you have the option of three drinking positions: a straw opening that resists splashes and holds the reusable straw in place, a drink opening, and a full cover. A comfy handle and cup-holder-ready base makes things easy. And if your tumbler doesn’t do everything they say it will, Stanley will replace it.

Although the other hues are pretty great, too, so we just really recommend snagging any of them! The newest colors drop at Target stores today, December 24th. Of course, we’re still crushing on the Holiday 2023 Collection, that you can still grab! According to the Target website, stores are open until 8pm on Christmas Eve, and get ready to take those gift cards you get shopping on Tuesday.

All in Motion Collection

Target Stanley Cup All in Motion Collection
Target

Limited Time 30oz Quencher Collection ($35.00) in Sizzling Pink, Fusion Coral, Ivory Hint, Feather Green, Perspective Blue and Comforting Purple—Buy Here!

 

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Collection

Three Target Stanley Cups on counter in front of bowl of lemons
Target

40oz Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler ($45.00) in Silver Foil, Best Beige, and Restful Green—Buy Here!

Target

12oz 2-pack Classic Legendary Mug ($45.00) in Best Beige, Restful Green and Silver Foil—Buy Here!

Target

18oz Adventure To-Go Food Jar ($30.00) in Best Beige, Restful Green, and Silver Foil—Buy Here!

Target

16oz Fresh-to-Table Bowl ($30.00) in Best Beige, Restful Green and Silver Foil—Buy Here!

 

New Year New You Collection

Target

40oz Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler ($45.00) in Melon, Watercolor Dusk, Watercolor Tulle, Pale Lime,  and Shale—Buy Here!

Target

30oz IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler ($35.00) in Melon, Tulle, Shale, and Pale Lime—Buy Here!

Target stanley cups in desert
Target

20oz Quencher H2.0 FlowState™ Tumbler ($30.00) in Melon, Dusk, Tulle, Pale Lime, and Shale—Buy Here!

Three Target Stanley cups toasting in front of a pool
Target

64oz Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler ($60.00) in Tulle, Dusk, and Shale—Buy Here!

 

The Holiday 2023 Collection

Target Stanley cups on white marble kitchen island with Christmas decor
Target

40oz Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler ($45.00) in Geo Shapes, White/Electric Yellow, Flamingo, Meadow, and Watercolor Blue—Buy Here!

Target Stanley Cup holiday gift exchange
Target

2-Pack 20oz Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler ($50.00) in Geo Shapes + Electric Yellow, Flamingo + White, and Meadow + Watercolor Blue—Buy Here!

Target

16oz AeroLight Transit Bottle ($30.00) in Nightfall, Electric Yellow, Pink Vibes, Meadow, and Watercolor Blue—Buy Here!

Target

2-Pack 10oz Everyday GO Tumbler ($30.00) in Pink Vibes + Flamingo, Nightfall + Meadow, and White + Electric Yellow—Buy Here!

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Writing down and saving one thing everyone is grateful for each week leads to an amazing New Year’s Day reveal

One of our favorite family traditions was inspired by—of all things—a half-remembered episode of Oprah. On Sunday nights, my husband, daughter, and I take a couple of minutes after dinner to write down one thing we are grateful for from the previous week. Sometimes it’s a hassle to find paper and pens. Sometimes we’re not in the mood because we want to get the dishes washed or flake out in front of New Girl. But most Sundays, we make the small effort to jot down something good.

The payoff for this tiny delay in our TV viewing is that on New Year’s Day, we read all those notes. While one of us might be nursing a hangover, another riding a sugar high, and the third frantically decluttering in the hopes of starting the new year off “right,” we gather at the kitchen table and take turns unfurling and reading aloud. It’s a small, low-key way to remember the things that made us happy over the past year and to start the next one filled with family memories and thankfulness.

Our entries are not always very original or deep. Many are variations of “I am grateful for the delicious dinner we just had,” “I am grateful for Daffodil (our dog),” and “I am grateful for my family.”

Still, the process reminds us of mundane events from the past year that we’d otherwise forget. Remember when we were briefly obsessed with spiralizing vegetables? Remember how we played badminton every day after dinner in June? Remember that October walk in the woods when the leaves were just spectacular?

The tradition also marks bigger moments. When Ottawa was hit by a big tornado-like windstorm called a derecho, whole swaths of the city lost power for up to a week. The dividing line between those who had power and those who didn’t was literally the street next to us. We continued to have electricity, and our gratitudes from May—“I am grateful for electricity,” “I am grateful for wifi,” and “I am grateful for the fridge”—reflect that.

Related: 18 Ideas to Help You Raise Grateful Kids

There are seasonal ones as well: lots of talk of skating and hot chocolate in the winter, the departure of the snow and the arrival of longer days in the spring, thankfulness for the beach and swimming in the summer, and remarks on the beauty of the autumn landscape in the fall. Our little scraps of paper are tangible markers of the passage of time and remind us of our links to those moments.

It’s not all connections to Mother Earth, however. Our favorite TV shows make frequent appearances: “I am grateful for Only Murders in the Building” was a common refrain.

The nice thing about the tradition is that I keep all those scraps of paper, and we can go back and reflect on years past. Our 2020 and 2021 gratitudes are reminders of the fear and preoccupations of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were grateful for Zoom calls with family, puzzles, board games, badminton matches, negative Covid tests, elaborate meals, and eventually—at last—vaccines. While the pandemic was, and is, incredibly challenging, the gratitudes from that time are a snapshot of an extraordinary moment in history that also brought us closer together.

The little tradition pays off in multiple ways. It allows us to take a small pause in our week to come up with something to be thankful for, which has real, measurable health benefits. And every January 1st, it brings our family together in a shared tradition, generating laughter, reflection, and a sense that we (the three of us, plus Daffodil, of course) are a unit that experienced the past 365 days together.

Plus, you never know what surprises will surface. This past year, we rented out our house for a few days in July. When we unrolled our gratitudes on January 1st, we discovered one written by an unfamiliar hand. “I am grateful for the lovely home we got to stay in for a few days.” It was a little shocking and weird to think our AirBnB’ers had snooped in our gratitude bowl, but it was also sweet and funny—kind of like the gratitude experience itself.

Amy Tector is an archivist and novelist in Ottawa, Canada. Her latest novel, Speak for the Dead, comes out in March 2023. You can follow her newsletter at amytector.substack.com.

Coming up with New Year’s Eve party ideas is a lot easier than you think

Whether you stay up until midnight (or 9 EST) to watch the ball drop or decide to do a Noon Year’s Eve thing, you can still host a memorable New Year’s Eve Party for kids. From easy appetizers to creating their own countdown and making confetti poppers, there are dozens of ways to make the last day of the year one they’ll never forget. We’ve got the best New Year’s Eve party ideas perfect for celebrating at home.

1. Plan Your Menu

New Year's Eve party ideas and food
iStock

Let the kids help with the party planning by whipping up a few appetizers made with just three ingredients (or less). From a creamy dip to the best breadsticks ever, there's something for even the pickiest of eaters. If you want something a little more sophisticated, but don't have a lot of time, try our favorite apps that come together in 30 minutes or less. Want to make it even more simple? Check out our favorite appetizers you can find at Trader Joe's. 

2. Hold a Mock Countdown

Throwing confetti is a classic New Years Eve party idea
Lotte Meijer via Unsplash

If your kids won’t make it to midnight, why not host a mock countdown before bedtime? There are dozens of videos available online where they can watch the ball drop (even if it’s last year!) and if you shout “Happy New Year” before the clock strikes 12, it will still be a stand-out celebration for them!

 

3. Play the Pajama Game

Gail Adams-Arnold

Another good New Year's Eve party idea is to host a good, old-fashioned pajama party with friends or just your family! Pile the living room high with sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets (props if you opt for a fort!), wear your coziest PJs, and camp out to watch the ball drop and the new year begin.

4. Dress to the Nines

dressing up is a fun New Year's Eve party idea
iStock

If a PJ party won't do the trick, host a formal affair in honor of the new year and let your littles don old dresses, jackets, gloves, bow ties, boas, and the like. Serve sparkling cider in fancy flutes, petite appetizers, and of course, a New Year’s cake!

5. Have a Cookie Encounter

baking cookies is a fun kids new year's eve party idea
iStock

Break out the sugar and flour and let your kids pick their favorite cookie recipe to bake. If you want to try something different this year, check out our favorite holiday cookie recipes

 

6. Drop the Ball Already

Using balloons is a fun New Year's Eve party idea
Kristin Eldridge for Modern Parents Messy Kids

Why watch the big event on TV when you can host your own? Create your own sparkling ball with a balloon or even piñata and lower it at midnight (or at any time of day if your littles can't stay up that late!). Your kids will love counting down in your own home—and bonus if the piñata ball drops prizes or treats!

7. Make It Glow

summer bucket list ideas
Anton Darius via Unsplash

You wouldn’t believe the amount of glow stick apparel out there! There is everything from necklaces to bracelets and glasses, and they all make a serious statement in the dark or in the backyard when you’re ringing in the new year. Check out our other glowingly good ideas here

 

 

Related: 12 Creative Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Day at Home

8. Make Some Noise

party poppers are one of the best New Year's Eve party ideas
Gabby Cullen

Poppers, pots and pans, confetti-filled balloons, you name it! Put together DIY noise-making machines to set off at midnight (or 8 PM, we won't tell!). These DIY Easy Confetti Poppers made from toilet paper rolls and construction paper are the perfect New Year's Eve party idea for younger kids. 

9. Wig Out!

Ronny Sison via Unsplash

Whether it's just you and the kids or if you're having a gathering, make a trip to the party store to pick out a wig for the big event! Kids will love taking on a new look for the night.

10. Make a Custom Countdown

using balloons for a countdown is a fun New Year's eve party idea
Kenny Eliason via Unsplash

Blow up several balloons with the hours left until the new year written on them (IE. Five Hours to Go, Four Hours to Go) and let your kids take turns popping them as each hour passes.

11. Toast with Toast

Damon Oliveira via Unsplash

When the clock strikes 12, we'll be toasting our bubbly flutes, so let the kids join in and put a spin on things! Pour sparkling cider for the petite partiers and get ready to toast—with toast! Let your kids nibble on their favorite toasts, everything from peanut butter and jelly to Nutella or even cheese! They'll have fun putting together these easy snacks and raising a slice to the new year!

12. Ring the Bell

Paging Supermom

A fun and noisy craft for kids, these New Year’s bells from Paging Supermomare pure genius. Pick up silver bells, golden yarn, and cool wrapping paper, and your party guests will be jingle-jangling in no time.

13. Toot Your Own (Edible) Horn

Cooking with My Kid

Your revelers will most definitely be tooting their own horns if they're edible! Only a little messy and way tasty, these tasty treats create a real sound machine when you nibble off the end of the cone.

14. Make a Wish

No Time for Flashcards

Drum up a little luck for the New Year. Kiddos will love the thumping sounds made by this clever craft. What’s it gonna take to make one? Glitter glue, stamp paint, star, and letter stickers. Don't forget to make a wish. Find out more from No Time for Flashcards.

15. Say Cheese!

Kelly Aiglon

Capture the moment with a DIY photo booth. This is where all those silly wigs and fancy dresses will have their chance to shine! 

16. Toss the Confetti!

tossing confetti is a fun New Year's Eve party idea for kids
iStock

One of our favorite New Year's Eve party ideas is to make your own confetti to toss when it is time to celebrate! Cut whatever paper you'd like into strips, then cut the strips into squares. Of course, tossing confetti makes a mess, but the kids will love using those paper squares to make art collages later on.

 

Whether you’re hitting the town or celebrating from home, these New Year’s Eve outfit ideas for mom will have you ringing in 2023 in style!

Somehow, it’s already almost 2023. This year, like most years, has definitely had its ups and downs, but celebrating what’s been and what’s to come is a tradition that always feels good. And you know what? Even if there have been times in 2022 that it hasn’t felt like it’s your year, putting on something sparkly and fun can be just the kick off you need for making 2023 the best yet. We’re here to give you some ideas for New Year’s Eve mom outfits!

Going out for a New Year’s date night, attending a party, or watching the ball drop from home; no matter how you’re ringing in the new year, we’ve got something for every mom. You can count on us to take you from adding a little glitter to your usual athleisure, finding you a “cute top to wear with jeans”, and taking you full glam with glitzy dresses. There’s a ton to choose from, from a lot of bling to subtle sparkle. Wear glittery joggers with a band tee, or your favorite heels with one of these cocktail dresses! No matter what, 2023 is about to be your year!


Sequin-Front Hoodie

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Active Sparkle Fleece Sweater

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POPFLEX Flare Leggings

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Wide-Leg Satin Jumpsuit

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Red Velvet Blazer

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Wide-Leg Satin Pants—Navy

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Mini Sweater Fit & Flare Dress

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Puff Sleeve Ruffle Neck Lace Top

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Rib Full-Length Bodysuit

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Lexie Satin Skirt

Maternity + Postpartum

$69 BUY NOW

Gold Glitter Cheers Tee

$7+ BUY NOW

Howdy New Year Sweatshirt

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Sweater Dress with Stitched-Down Pockets

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Merino Wool Joggers

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Dove Grey Pullover

$330 BUY NOW

Sequin Bomber Jacket

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Sequin-Front Joggers

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Puff Sleeve Flowy Dress

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One-Shoulder Rib Knit Top

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Off-the-Shoulder Jumpsuit

$36 BUY NOW

Faux Leather Leggings

$23 BUY NOW

Sequin Duster

$47 BUY NOW

 

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

 

Whether you choose to look back on the past year, or forward to 2023, your family will enjoy doing these New Year’s Day activities together

It’s that time of year and you’re going to need a stash of fun indoor activities for kids. While we can’t provide any mimosas with your New Year’s Day brunch, we’ve definitely got awesome traditions to start, activities to try, and other creative ideas to help you start the year right (there’s even a printable calendar craft for kids!). Scroll down to see them all. Happy 2023, y’all!

klimkin via Pixaby

1. Tradition Kick-Off
2022 has been a memorable year, to say the least. Start an annual tradition by writing letters to open the next year. As the mini-time capsule gets going, you’ll have a memorable way to look back and ahead. 

2. Make a Handprint Calendar
Using a printable calendar, you can make a handprint calendar for 2023. Get the tutorial here.

3. Indoor Campout
No matter where you live, it’s likely too chilly for the real deal, so pitch a tent in the living room, roll out sleeping bags on the couch, fashion a campfire and make sure to include some hot cocoa. Get inspired by these next-level indoor forts!

Related: 12 Decadent DIY Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipes

iStock

4. Cook Out
Staying home is always a little sweeter when you can smell something delicious coming from the kitchen. We've got the best snacks for your hungry crew right here

5. Movie Marathon
Whether you cue up all three Cars, back-to-back Descendants, or you’re ready to commit the next generation to every single Star Wars installment, loosen up those screen time limits and go big for once. Psst! If you need more ideas for what to watch, check out our ultimate list of movies for kids.

6. Out with the Old
You know when all you have to do is move the furniture around to get a brand-new perspective on it all? Show the kids how liberating it can feel to go new. Suggest a bedroom swap, a relief-effort donation round-up of old toys and clothes to make room for everything Santa may have just dropped off, or maybe even a fun (temporary) hair color!

Unsplash

7. Game Day
Let the games begin and see who the New Year will crown the champion. Pick crowd-pleasers like Bugs in the Kitchen or Apples to Apples, build an ultimate Magna-Tiles mansion, or set up that sure-fire bet that may last well into 2023: Monopoly. This list has our favorite new board games that even parents will enjoy

8. Bucket List Décor
The new year is the ultimate opportunity for a fresh start. Keep up that energizing NYE energy with family plans for 2023: a new place to travel, an activity or sport to try, or an organization to help out. We love the idea of hanging your ideas up on the wall for year-long inspiration. Another great way to display goals for the new year is to create a vision board,

iStock

9. Craft It Up
Get your Pinterest pins at the ready and tag some adorable crafts for the kiddos to create on New Year’s Day. Read through these helpful tips that will set you up for crafting success

10. (Get to) Know Your Neighbors
With everyone off from work and school, why not host a mugging for your neighbors? As nefarious as it sounds, muggings are a completely innocent (and oh-so-easy) way to entertain friends. Have each guest bring a coffee mug to use as a plate. You provide warm comfort foods that they simply ladle into their mugs (chili or soup, anyone?). The best part? Partygoers big and small can easily mingle while they munch, mug in hand.

11. Build A Puzzle
Building a puzzle can be a long or short process, but it's always better with family. Carve out some time in your new year's day to dedicate to a puzzle everyone will love. At the end, the final product can even be made into a framed picture if you glue it with puzzle glue.

12. Photo Time
No matter what your family does to ring in the New Year, we love the idea of streaming your “Best of 2022” photos on the TV to set the mood. Focusing on the family is what it's all about, after all.

 

Happy 2022! Start the new year off with this annual fireworks show,  a trip back to your childhood with a socks only skating rink, or an early dance party so you can get your toddlers (and you) to bed at a decent hour. We’ve got a bunch more suggestions for you. Scroll down for the rest of our top event picks!

Photo: iStock

Snowscape

Kick off your shoes and take a spin on the super-popular Sock Skating Rink. You can also follow the Snowflake Path to learn the science of snowflake formation, and make your own snowflake to add to the snowdrift in the Blizzard Zone. And don’t forget to stop by the new live science demonstration, Make It Snow! Event Details.

Art Exhibition: Wreath Interpretations

Celebrate the holiday season with this quirky and one-of-a-kind exhibition. Welcoming the holiday season with a variety of inventive and surprising wreaths, this exhibition includes wreaths by nearly 40 artists, designers, and creative individuals of all ages who have used unexpected materials to reinvent the traditional holiday symbol. Event Details.

Kids Week: Bald Eagle Watch

With programs led by Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Rangers will lead you to the best spots to view bald eagles. Event Details.

New Years Eve Fireworks

Join Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and the Prospect Park Alliance for this annual fireworks celebration. Enjoy live entertainment by DJ C. Live featuring the Brooklyn Mash It Up Band, and hot chocolate, at Grand Army Plaza prior to the big display. Event Details.

New Year’s Day Confetti Cupcakes Class

Celebrate the New Year with Taste Bud’s trademark Confetti Cupcakes! Learn how to make an oh-so-exciting cupcake that will be lucky if it makes it out of the Kitchen before you gobble it up. Event Details.

Noon Years Eve Dance Party

Get your groove on early for the new year. You are invited to a special Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party complete with party favors and a special countdown! Event Details.

Holiday Train Show at NYBG

Marvel at model trains zipping through an enchanting display of more than 175 famous New York landmarks—imagine the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, and other favorites—each delightfully re-created from natural materials such as pine cones, acorns, and seeds. Event Details.

Great American Bake Off Camp

Fire up tasty quick bakes, get recipe ready, create sensational centerpieces, and finish it all with a picnic basket finale! Put your skills to the test and be prepared to impress your family and friends with your creations! Event Details.

Industry City Ice Rink

IC Ice Rink welcomes all to come for an iconic winter experience. The rink is uncovered and outside, so dress appropriately for an enjoyable and comfortable skate. Event Details.

The PAW Patrol Experience: Only at CAMP

PAW Patrol CAMP is an immersive experience that celebrates PAW Patrol: The Movie ™ filled with interactive games, skill-based activities, themed crafts, and action-packed missions. NYC families will be able to live out their rescue team dreams through themed environments, counselor-led games, and activities celebrating their favorite group of adventurous canines. Event Details.

 

There are tons more events on our calendar – be sure to check them out all week long!

 

–  Jesseca Stenson

 

featured image: iStock

 

Actress America Ferrera and husband Ryan Piers Williams are expecting baby number two!

Ferrera announced her pregnancy on Instagram in a sweet New Year’s Day post. The post included an adorable family photo of Williams, Ferrera, her baby bump and the couple’s 19-month-old son Sebastian.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6witE_hPHx/

The Superstore actress captioned her IG pic, “Welcoming Baby #2 in 2020!” She went on to add, “Happy New Year from our wild & growing bunch.”

Along with plenty of fan love, celebs also wished the soon-to-be mama of two well. Actress Melissa Fumero commented, “YAYYYY!!! Congratulations again beauty!” and Reese Witherspoon wrote, “Congratulations!!!! This is the most exciting news.”

Even though, based on the IG pic,  Ferrera is clearly far enough along to show off her baby bumping belly, there’s no info on when the actress is due.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: America Ferrera via Instagram

 

 

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Now that the new year is here, it looks like some of your fave “friends” are celebrating. More specifically Noelle Sheldon, one of the twins who played Ross and Rachel’s baby daughter Emma on Friends, has a very special message for fans of the show.

If you watched Friends way back in 2000 (which you probably did), you might remember Emma’s first birthday party. In the episode “The One with the Cake” Chandler snarked, “Hi Emma. It’s the year 2020. Are you still enjoying your nap?” as the sleepy kiddo napped through her bday bash.

Now that it’s actually 2020, the IRL Emma is answering back. Sheldon recently posted a New Year’s Day pic of herself Photoshopped into Central Perk, with the caption, “Just woke up from the best nap of all time, happy 2020!! (ft. my poorly done photoshop) Hope everyone has an excellent year full of family, friends, and laughter!!”

Along with comments from Friends fans, Sheldon’s twin Cali (who also played Emma) added, “Finally.” We totally agree!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Noelle Sheldon via Instagram 

 

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Keeping your house clean: it’s the perennial parenting struggle, especially for houses with working parents. And though I don’t place a lot of pressure on myself to get this one right (I don’t think it’s worth all the worry), I do have one big pet peeve: clutter.

Clutter on the countertops, clutter at the door, clutter on just about every available surface where clutter could gather. And yet, no matter how many times we clean a surface and tell ourselves that this surface isn’t going to get like that again, it doesn’t take long for it to get buried.

Which brings me to New Year’s Day this year. My husband and I had been home for a few weeks for a family surgery and the holidays and we were finally trying to get back on track with things around the house.

On that one wintry night, my husband had an epiphany. We wanted to keep these surfaces clean but our prior methods hadn’t worked. We also felt like everyone was a bit to blame for the clutter and so everyone should carry a bit of the responsibility. So he came up with a “micro-step” that has been a game-changer for our house.

In case you’re wondering, a micro-step (in this sense) is basically a goal that is readily achievable because it is broken down into something simple—something that is “too small to fail.” Thrive Global has a number of outstanding examples of New Year’s resolutions in the form of micro-steps that you can actually stick to.

Our “Too Small to Fail” Surface De-Cluttering Plan was simple:

  1. Choose the most cluttered surfaces in the house—that ones that most frequently get piled up and need attention.
  2. Assign each person in the family to one of those surfaces. Match the surface with the skill or frequent use of the person, i.e. give the four-year-old the living room table where toys often gather and give mom the hall lowboy where bills and batteries often come to rest.
  3. Each night (or at least five nights out of the week) take a five-minute “clutter” check to have each person pay attention to their surface and get it back in the clear.

It sounded simple and maybe overly optimistic, but I told him we’d try it. After giving everyone a few days leeway to get their surface back to visibility, we started our quest to keep those spaces in the house clutter-free. And by golly, it has worked!

We did discover a few necessary ground rules along the way:

Taking something off of our surface and putting it on someone else’s does not count as de-cluttering your space—UNLESS it belongs to the person who owns that space. So, if my husband finds that I’ve left my glasses or a book on the kitchen counter, he can put it on the low boy for me and I’ll take care of it.

If the whole family messes up a surface at once, the whole family should participate in recovering it. So, just because my husband has the kitchen counter assignment doesn’t mean he cleans up from dinner every night—it just means he checks the surface at the end of the night and tries to get everything back to its rightful place. Same goes for a family game on the living room table.

But guess what else has happened? We’ve gotten used to seeing those clean surfaces that our Surface De-Clutter plan has inspired us to spread the de-cluttering mojo to other parts of the house.

We’ve grown more conscious of where we put something down when we’re in a rush and have started making more of an effort to actually put it away rather than just put it in a “temporary” spot where it will get stuck. Doing it together has also helped us to feel committed as a family to this new ritual and has freed us up to be more present with each other on a daily basis.

At this point its only been two weeks since we started this plan, but I can tell you in all honesty that some of these surfaces haven’t stayed clear for more than a day in the past three years, so two weeks of keeping them relatively clean and open is a huge accomplishment. Because we are all sharing in the duty and because each person’s little piece is not too much to handle, we are finding success that we believe will last.

And you know what? All these open surfaces are bringing me a ton of joy!

 

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Carrie Williams Howe
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Carrie Williams Howe is the Executive Director of an educational non-profit by day, and parent, writer, and aspiring homesteader by night and weekend. She lives in Williston, VT with her husband, two young children, and a rambunctious border collie. Carrie writes about family, food, parenting, and homesteading.