We just found a Hanukkah kids’ music album that we love! It’s called Let’s Go Coconuts by The Macaroons.

You can download the album on iTunes; then rock out with your kids this holiday season to songs like “Hurry Up and Light the Candles” and “Mezuzah.” If your kids enjoy listening to it with their non-Jewish friends, it’s a great way to explain exactly what a Mezuzah is. For our readers, who aren’t Jewish or may not know the origin, a Mezuzah is the welcoming scrolls that contain a sacred prayer on parchment and are attached to doorways.

Our Hanukah e-cards feature some great ecards for kids that can be used as teaching tools. The Tap Dancing Maccabees e-card references those ancient Jewish leaders from 164 BC. Our Hanukah Bubbies Game ecard is a great to teach your kids about the dreidel, delicious sufganiyot, and gold-wrapped gelt.

Children’s author, Maurice Sendak, noted for his book Where the Wild Things Are and who is Jewish, drew this great illustration for kids called In Grandpa’s House.

I was glad to know that such a famous author reveres his historical roots, and in fact was recently invited by the Jewish Museum of New York to choose menorahs from the 18th-20th centuries for a Hanukah exhibit.

With so many options for music and art this Hanukah season, we hope you will cherish this time with your children and grand-children.

Okay, Christmas decorating is getting a little crazy: stairwells ringed with expensive garlands; bejeweled Santas lighting the mantle … I just don’t know if I agree with going this overboard. Back in the day, a bough of mistletoe would simply do. The folklore behind kissing under the mistletoe is quite interesting. Down through the centuries, Germans, Celts, and Greeks have venerated this plant. According to this article, “it was considered to bestow life and fertility; a protection against poison; and an aphrodisiac.” You can find mistletoe in nature and bring it indoors; then kiss your husband underneath it! Tickle your honey with laughter during this festive holiday season by sending a funny Christmas ecard.

Another simple way to decorate your house for Christmas, is to do like the song says: “Deck the halls with boughs of holly.” Cut bushy twigs from the holly bushes in your backyard and strategically place them around your house. The bright glossy green and red colors will be intoxicating. If it’s the festive smell you’re after go straight for REAL PINE.

– The Douglas fir has the most fragrance.

– The Red fir has spaced-out branches for hanging ornaments.

– The Noble fir that doesn’t easily drop needles.

This year, our Christmas ecards have beautiful animations illustrating the many colorful traditions of Christmas. In the e-cards in her collection, the fabulous Ms. Dionne Warwick dresses in plush fabrics and knee high boots to trim her outdoor garden in her lovely “Dionne Warwick’s Christmas e card“. Shimmery tinsel garlands, shiny bulb ornaments, and tasty peppermint canes are the way to go!

I love the Seasonal Christmas department at Sears for buying cute, affordable decorations:

This Sunday (November 6) is Daylight Savings day. That means at 2:00 a.m. on November 6 we all turn your clocks BACK one hour. Do you know the old saying “Spring Forward/ Fall Back”? Well, that’s how we remember to turn your clocks BACK one hour this Sunday. This is especially important if you attend a religious service regularly on Sunday mornings. One time I missed a church service completely because I was late one hour due to failure to turn back my clock.

Here’s a Daylight Savings ecard about the tricky relationship we have with our alarm clocks:

Our Daylight Savings ecards are hilarious and will help you send your loved ones a reminder!

Are you aware of what Circadian Rhythm is? It’s the 24-hour cycle of our body. According to this site at 2:00 a.m. is our deepest sleep; 10:00 a.m. high alertness; 6:30 p.m. highest blood pressure; and 9:00 p.m. melatonin secretion starts. Our body makes melatonin and that controls our sleep and wake cycles. How interesting! So I plan on reorganizing my bedtime to maximize my Circadian Rhythm (now say that five times fast!)