Holidays

The Zac Brown Band enjoys phenomenal success. They have twelve hit singles, two platinum records, and a very loyal fan club, known as the Zamily. Currently over 13,000 members strong, they are leveraging the power [read more]

Last Minute Gifts

zach

We’ve all been busy elves over the last few weeks. No matter which holiday you’re celebrating, it’s a time for family, goodwill, and renewal of relationships. Then all of a sudden, a knock comes at [read more]

Military moms support each other with Elfster ornament exchange

Sending your child off to college can be one of the most bittersweet moments for any parent. There is joy to see the success and independence that your child has achieved, as well as worry [read more]

Spooky Nails To Celebrate Halloween

Halloween is almost here, and by now most people have their costumes ready to go. For some people, they may not want to commit to a full costume, but there’s a whole world of ways [read more]

Great Gifts for Dad, Not Just Another Tie!

Father’s Day is almost here. While no one is able to say what exactly can make a great Dad, it certainly is both a great responsibility and a great gift. Your Dad may have passed [read more]

Mother’s Day Deals

Peter

Mother’s Day is right around the corner for North America, and we all want to make Mom feel special. Elfster has the ultimate Gift Guide that includes ideas for all tastes and budgets, sure to [read more]

Sweet Somethings: Gifts for “Amour” Inclusive Valentine’s Day

Call us romantic, but we don’t think that Valentine’s Day should “suck” for anyone. It might seem that Cupid and Casanova reign supreme on February 14th, but why limit the love to the lovers? These [read more]

Secret Santa : Getting the Family Onboard

Every family’s heard it: “You don’t have to buy me anything this year!” Or, “I’ve got all the gifts I need, seriously.” And let’s not forget the old favorite, “Please don’t buy me a present.” [read more]

Faux Seasons : Fashion No-No’s for Every Holiday

Let’s get one thing clear. We’ll wear white whenever we please. Hard to believe, but there are still some sticklers out there who maintain that wearing white after Labor Day is the ultimate crime of [read more]

December in July : The PC Elf’s Alternative

This may come as a bit of a shock, but not everyone in the North Pole is thrilled about this Christmas in July business. The “Politically Polite” Elf is rather non-denominational when it comes to [read more]

Fourth of July Party Ideas : Decorations of Independence

Looking for some pretty ways to show your patriotism this Independence Day? Well, thank your lucky stars and stripes, because Elfster has a handful of helpful hints. This weekend, we’re celebrating the land of [read more]

Father’s Day Activity Guide : Bringing Dad Up-to-Date

Meghan L

Dad just wouldn’t be Dad without that little spark of, well, “Dadness” to him, right? We’re talking about socks with flip flops. Shamelessly boastful bumper stickers. An unparalleled enthusiasm for corny jokes. Your father isn’t [read more]

Memoir-ial Day: Best Biographical Beach Reads

Page-turning is a great way to fan off on a hot summer afternoon. (Pool boys with palm fronds aren’t a bad solution, either.) But with the official start of the season just around the bend, [read more]

Cinco de Mayo: 10 Worst Piñata Fillers

The last thing you want to do at a Cinco de Mayo celebration is anger a sugar-hungry six-year-old wielding a stick. Selection of piñata filler can make or break your hard-earned reputation as “coolest mom” [read more]

An Open Letter From the Easter Bunny

To My Adoring Public, It has come to my attention that my approval rating has taken a dive down the proverbial rabbit hole in recent weeks. While I’ve still got a good number of “believers, [read more]

Easy-as-Pie Thanksgiving Placemats

History unfolds right before your pies, with this precious pop-up placemat idea! We love how PubliQue Living transforms plain sheets of recycled paper into charming table pieces for every occasion. But in the Pilgrim spirit of “making do,” this Thanksgiving, we just had to try the idea ourselves… DIY-style!

We armed Intern Steph with some Bristol Paper and an X-Acto knife, and told her to re-create the Mayflower for our Thanksgiving table… After a good cry, she got right to work and this was the result! Say what you will of her historical accuracy (or the judiciousness of giving an intern a knife), we think Stephanie did the pilgrims proud on this one, and here’s how you can create your own!

Materials:

• Large sheet of bristol paper or poster board
• X-acto knife
• Pencil

Ye Olde Thanksgiving Small-Talk

“Stick a fork in it.” This might be a top-notch tip for preparing a turkey, but we think it should generally be avoided in Thanksgiving dinner conversation. We know that families are under a lot of pressure to amp-up their suppertime small-talk, especially on this nationally sanctioned day of quality time. So to better prepare for a lull in the conversation, Elfster suggests you inject a splash of humor, and history, into this year’s festivities. You can get the Butterball rolling by using these pilgrim-approved words of thanks:

• Father, I am most mightily beholden to you for the generous portion of slaw.

• Mother, I see the lima bean casserole has not returned for this year’s festivities, and I give you many thanks.

• Grandpa, I am very much obliged to you for your tips on the art of turkey-basting, but please stand aside.

• Thanks with a bowed heart for sparing us the details of your last trip to the podiatrist, Uncle Jim.

• Aunt Midge, a thousand times I thank you for hinting at the parsley betwixt my teeth.

Guest Post from Bonjour Events: Holiday Dinner Parties – Selecting a Venue

Julie

Are you the lucky one who gets to pick out the holiday dinner party for your law firm, playgroup or charity board? There are so many restaurants it can be overwhelming to start but below [read more]

Fast n’ Festive Halloween Favors

Stephanie K

Think quick! It’s almost Halloween and you’ve pretty much wolfed down your colossal candy stockpile. All that’s left for your guests is one measly bag of morsels. Don’t just stand there! Today we’re making these festive, fun-sized candy bags. With these cute little favors, your guests might just overlook your stinginess with the sweets…

Something’s Afoot…

Here in the North Pole, our idea of a “good scare” is when Rudolph comes down with a case of the sniffles! But this week, one Elfster intern found herself smack dab in the middle of a Halloween horror flick. With a flashlight poised eerily under-chin, today we tell her tale! [Cue clap of thunder.]

Garden Ghouls for the Docile Decorator

Step away from the carving knife! We know that the spirit of Halloween might not feel the same without going Friday-the-13th on an unsuspecting pumpkin. But this year, make good with the gourds! We’re talking a little less violence, and a little more ingenuity…