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Honoring Valentine’s Day With or Without a Partner

Written by Marybeth Heckler on February 9, 2020. Posted in Holidays.

Outside of Christmas, Valentine’s Day may be the most stress-inducing holiday of the year. For those who are in a relationship, the pressure to be “super romantic” and to hit all the right notes on that day is almost like it will be a test of your love.

For those who don’t have a partner, Valentine’s Day can be a painful reminder of that loneliness and isolation. With that in mind, here are some ways that you can honor the holiday with love and kindness without the stress or sadness that may sometimes be associated with it.

Before we even begin, let’s dispel one huge myth about Valentine’s Day. This day is not meant to be a test of whether or not you love your partner. If your partner truly tries to place a value on your love based on what you get them for Valentine’s Day, or whether you are romantic, or where you take them for dinner, then maybe you are not in a healthy relationship to begin with. It is also not a test of whether you are desirable as a person if you do not have a partner on Valentine’s Day. Try to take the stress out of this, which you can do with our next step.
The next thing you need to do is gain some perspective on what the day means. Just like with Christmas, marketers have latched onto this holiday as a means of commercializing it for more money. (Don’t believe me? Two days before Christmas, our local “big box superstore” moved all of the Christmas candy and merchandise to the clearance aisles and began stocking Valentine’s cards and candy.) So use this time to talk with your partner about what the day truly means to you. Communicate with him or her about how you would like to celebrate this holiday together and what would be the best reflection of your love.
If you are not in a relationship, it may seem like you have no one to love. But that is never true. On Valentine’s Day, organize a counter-Valentine’s dinner with your single friends where you can share in the love of your friendship. If you are divorced or widowed, then you can still connect with your children or family members. Make this day a celebration of LOVE in all of its aspects, not just romantic love.

This Valentine’s Day, remember that love is what the holiday is all about. But love is not reflected in commercial goods or dinners. Love is not just about romance and desire. Love should be enjoyed and appreciated in all of its forms for a healthier holiday.

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Celebrating Lunar New Year in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on January 20, 2020. Posted in Holidays.

In many Eastern countries, the beginning of the new year doesn’t start on January 1^st, but rather at the beginning of the first moon cycle. It’s one of the most celebrated family traditions in many Asian countries, where families come together to celebrate, commune, and accumulate good fortune for the upcoming year.

The city of Denver has many options for people and families wanting to get in on the celebrations of Lunar New Year.

Truong An Gifts

This local, cultural, Asian market celebrates Chinese New Year each year in their parking lot with two days’ worth of performances from local groups including lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and kids’ fashion shows (where all participating kids in traditional clothing get red envelopes). This is a great way to do a bit of shopping and enjoy the holiday at the same time. They update their Facebook page and event regularly so keep updated there.

Southridge Recreation Center

This recreation center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado is teaming up with the Great Wall Chinese Academy for a mini-festival and a performance including lion dances, martial arts, and music. Find out more here.

Sharetea Westminster

Enjoy traditional performances from the Nguyen Thieu Lion Dance troupe at this location on February 1^st only. They will also be handing out red envelopes for good luck. Don’t forget to grab a cup of bubble tea while you are there. Find out more here.

Castle Rock Outlets

This shopping center honors Lunar New Year each year with red envelopes, crafts, and discounts. Find out more.

Nathan Yip Foundation

If you want something a bit more robust, check out the Chinese New Year party at the Grand Hyatt Denver. This party has traditional performances, acrobats, lion dances, karaoke, and even a silent disco. Plus, enjoy themed food stations and an Asian-themed street market. Get your tickets here.

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How to Celebrate National Thank You Month

Written by Marybeth Heckler on January 6, 2020. Posted in Holidays.

While it may seem obvious that January is a big month for sending out thank you cards, after all the holidays events and gifts the month before, January is also, officially, National Thank You Month. This is a great opportunity to incorporate gratitude and appreciation and also showcase some great ways to express your thanks. Especially, if you are parents, the benefits of becoming more intentional when saying ‘thank you’ include role modeling great behavior.

Here are some ways you can celebrate and give thanks this month:

Make a Gratitude List

First, begin by making a list of everyone and everything you are grateful for right now. This list will help you come up with ways to express your thanks to the people that matter the most.

Discover Their Love Language

To really give back in an impactful way, ask people about their love languages. This concept comes from a book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell.

The five languages are:

Physical Touch
Words of Affirmation
Gifts
Quality Time
Acts of Service

Once you identify the most effective way to show your love to someone, you can come up with some truly great ideas for expressing your thanks.

Make Cards in Batches

Spend some time filling out basic thank you cards that you can hand out in the moment to anyone who does you a good service or makes your day better.

Take Someone to Lunch

If there is someone especially deserving of thanks this month, consider taking them out to a meal, coffee or dessert this month.

Thank Every Day

Make it a point to be intentional about saying thank you to someone every day this month. If it helps, keep a journal to help you say on track. This could be the beginning of a new habit for you.

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Giving Back This Holiday Season (And All Year Long)

Written by Marybeth Heckler on December 15, 2019. Posted in Holidays.

It’s become a cliché, but the holidays are truly a time of giving to others. If you remember your Charlie Brown Christmas special, the crass commercialism of the modern world is trying to destroy that spirit.

That’s why it is so important to show generosity to others by giving back. It’s not only something you should do during the holidays but should be a year-round endeavor.

Here are ideas on how you can give back now and all year long:

Quick change — Most of us have that change jar in our house or a cubby in our car where we throw our loose coins. Rather than using this for an occasional soda, take it into a bank and exchange it for hard cash and then donate this to a local charity.

In fact, relabel your change jar as the donations jar and keep putting in extra money year-round. (Another great use for your coins is to take them down to the local Salvation Army bell-ringers and just pour the whole jar in. They’d love to have all of that change at once and you won’t have to cash it in first.)

Volunteer — Another popular form of giving back to the community is volunteering. One of the most popular forms of this is to help out with the local food bank or homeless shelter serving holiday meals. But the reality is that many of these already get tons of help during the holidays.

If you want to assist with serving meals or donating food, do this in the spring and summer when demand is high, but donations are low. Instead, donate your time to a local nursing home. And remember that it’s not just human beings you can give back to. Your local animal shelter would love toys and food for the animals there. You can also donate your time caring for the animals housed at the shelter.

Build relationships — One of the greatest things you can do is to develop a bond with another human being. During the holidays, thousands of senior citizens are alone. Talk to your local senior center and see if they can let you come in and visit with these individuals so they don’t have to be so alone at this time of year.

These bonding activities can include sitting and talking, reading to them, or singing Christmas carols as a family or group. If you develop a connection, you may be able to have them join your family for dinner over the holidays. Chances are, if you try this you will develop a connection that will last long after the holidays are over.

During the holidays, many people get an entitled attitude of “give me more.” But it is also imperative that you give back to the community, especially if you have little ones that you want to inspire to do the same.

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Gardens & Nurseries to Visit in Denver This Holiday Season

Written by Marybeth Heckler on December 8, 2019. Posted in Denver, Holidays.

Winter in Colorado conjures up images of snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees. The last thing most people think of is flowers and vegetation. But there are actually a number of botanical gardens and nurseries that thrive during this time of year.

As part of your holiday activities, here are some of the best gardens that Denver has to offer for you and your family:

Denver Botanic Gardens – This public garden is known for its beauty and the holidays are no exception. Stop by to check out their Winter Gift Market. Here, local artisans can help you find unique gifts for your friends and family. Local craft booths include jewelry, pottery, specialty foods, clothes, antiques, and bath supplies.

Tagawa Gardens – This nursery is known for celebrating the holidays in style with a variety of plants for your home. Of special interest for many people will be the array of poinsettias they have for sale. Tagawa has experts who specifically choose plants that will thrive in Denver’s homes so you know your plant will last with a little TLC.

They’re also the official garden center for the Denver Broncos, so you can be sure to find plenty of orange and blue poinsettias for you football fans. For those who are looking for holiday gifts, you might want to consider an amaryllis, azalea, or even a Christmas cactus, all of which will thrive in the local environment.

The Hudson Gardens and Events Center – This location offers beautiful self-guided nature walks that don’t stop just because the temperatures drop. For the adventurous, you can still walk through gorgeous landscapes to get in touch with nature. But Hudson Gardens also offers A Hudson Christmas.

Here, the landscape is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights adorning the trees and special displays set up to delight the kids. While you are there enjoying the lights, you can also warm up with hot chocolate and snacks. For the young (or young at heart) you can visit with Santa. Be sure to bring your camera to catch memories of this holiday festival.

Nick’s Garden Center and Farm Market – This great local nursery, Nick’s hosts a holiday open house on November 23^rd and 24^th to kick off the season. But if you can’t make that, they still have a multitude of holiday plants and a Christmas tree lot to help you bring the beauty of the outdoors into your home.

For the holidays, Denver can truly be an awe-inspiring place. But the natural beauty of this area isn’t confined to the mountains and forests. These gardens and nurseries can also entrance you with delight this holiday season.

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Holiday Activity Calendar for Families Seeking More Christmas Spirit

Written by Marybeth Heckler on December 1, 2019. Posted in Holidays.

Nobody wants to be the Ebenezer Scrooge in their family yelling “Bah Humbug!” at the thought of Christmas. But with all of the stress of the holidays, it’s easy to find yourself falling out of the Christmas spirit.

Whether you have little ones who still believe in Santa, or you’re older and feel too “grown up” for Christmas, here are activities for you and your family that can put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart:

Advent Calendars — Some of us fondly remember the advent calendars of our youth that counted down until Christmas. Each day, you would open a window on the calendar and get a piece of chocolate. (Always a plus!)

As a family, create your own advent calendar. Tape the “presents” to each day on a regular calendar. (This is great because you can choose your own candy.) If you want to excite the older kids (or yourself), advent calendars have moved beyond the norm.

Try one of these variations:

Funko Pops — These collectible vinyl figures are super cool and can make for a great holiday tradition.
Legos — These super-cool calendars feature mini-figures each day in a variety of themes. Just don’t leave them on the floor to step on them.
Wine — This one is definitely for the adults! But check out a sampling of wines each day to make you warm and festive.

Santa — You’re never too old for Santa. This year, take part in some kind of activity that features the jolly fat man. Start by writing a letter to Santa thanking him for last year’s gifts and dreaming of what you really want this year. Then, make a trip to the local mall and have pictures with Santa.

Yes, it’s still perfectly acceptable to do this even without kids! If your pets are like family, take them as well to the local pet store for their own set of pictures. Finally, spend a day or two before Christmas baking special cookies for Santa and then leave them out on Christmas Eve. Just make sure they are your favorite types so you can enjoy them when the kids go to sleep.

Tacky Light Tour — Some families have turned their homes into the Griswold house from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Round up the family in your mini-van, throw in some blankets and hot chocolate, and drive around watching the Christmas lights. Just don’t forget your camera and a sampling of Christmas music for the trip.

Movie Marathon — Christmas is the best holiday when it comes to movies that warm the heart. Introduce your little ones to classic Christmas movies like the original Christmas Carol or Miracle on 34^th Street.

Of course, It’s a Wonderful Life is also a perennial favorite. After the kids go to bed, check out non-traditional Christmas movies with Die Hard or Love Actually.

Make a late resolution this year to do something special for Christmas. It can be anything as long as it brings happiness, joy, and warmth to you and your family.

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Halloween Activity Idea List for 2019

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 13, 2019. Posted in Holidays, Motherhood.

October is on its way and many people are already looking forward to the coming of cooler temperatures and chilly autumn nights. But if you’re like a lot of us, October gets you thinking of one thing—Halloween!

This is the holiday that lets you get your scare on and enjoy the creepier side of Denver. Let’s take a look at some of the best activities for adults and families this year:

Elitch Gardens Fright Fest — This popular theme park is already a family favorite. But in October, the park stays open late for Fright Fest, featuring a series of haunted houses (including a circus themed one, so beware the creepy clowns) and a “fully-immersive” ghost story experience called Séance. These activities require an adult over 18 to accompany the kids and are only recommended for those 12 and over.

Denver Zoo — If you are looking for something better suited for the little ones, then consider the Enchanted Hollows at the Denver Zoo. It features an immersive art walk along with other fall time family favorites, such as pumpkin carving and cornhole. Older kids and adults can try out the ax throwing, and everyone can enjoy the “Scary-oke” sing-along.

Pumpkin Nights — Another family favorite is held at the Adams County Fairgrounds. This event features 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins on display, as well as many more Halloween displays on hand to entertain your family. The festival also has outdoor movie screenings, bounce houses, a fire show, and snacks when you work up an appetite.

Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas — Don’t let the title of this one fool you. Tim Burton’s film classic has become a perennial favorite for fans of both Christmas and Halloween. This year, the Colorado Symphony will have a screening of the film complete with live orchestral music. This one is sure to be a blast for movie and music fans.

Denver Botanic Garden’s Corn Maze — A favorite for those who like their fun a little less scary is the corn maze at Denver’s Botanic Gardens. The seven-acre corn maze is a great place to get lost and explore. And, if you do like a level of creepiness, then come back in the evening for the After Dark Corn Maze and Dead Zone Scream Park.

Denver Zombie Crawl – Halloween without zombies? Celebrate the living dead by dressing up as a zombie and coming out for the party which features vendors, a costume contest, and a physical challenge for teams called the “Organ Trail.”

There is plenty to do this October to celebrate the creepiness of the Halloween season. So whether you are an adult who enjoys being scared or a family that just likes a little bit of spookiness with your fun, there is plenty to choose from.

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Family Fun Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day

Written by Marybeth Heckler on March 14, 2019. Posted in Holidays.

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and even if your family isn’t Irish, you can still have some fun celebrating this event. Unfortunately, many of the celebrations set up in local communities may be centered around green beer and may not be very family friendly. If you have kids, here are some family activities you can do on your own to help get out your green and celebrate.

Parade—Most kids love parades and the St. Patrick’s Day parades in most major cities can be a huge production with marching bands, floats, and Irish musicians. If you live near a place that is scheduling a parade, be sure to check it out.
Treasure Hunt—You can get a jump-start on your Easter Egg Hunt practice with a St. Patrick’s Day themed treasure hunt. Head out to the yard and hide gold coins from your leprechaun’s pot of gold. Then turn the kids loose and let them track them down. As a bonus, you can hide something special as the big prize for the lucky child who finds it.
Holiday Cookies—Baking together is always a great idea. You can make easy “leprechaun gold” cookies by baking sugar cookies and adding a little yellow food coloring for the right gold tint. If you want to get creative, switch it up for green food coloring and get some shamrock shaped cookie cutters to make a variety of cookie types.
Craft Bracelets—If you own a rainbow loom or something similar, you can spend the day making green friendship bracelets to give out on St. Patrick’s Day at school or daycare.
Do some Research—Fun…research? Actually, yes. You don’t have to be Irish to spend this day talking to your kids about your family heritage. This is the perfect time to do a little online research about your family’s origins. And who knows—maybe you can trace some of your ancestors back to the “Emerald Island” itself.
Movie Night—How about a themed movie night to wrap things up? It’s a bit of a lost classic, but Disney’s 1959 Darby O’Gill and the Little People is a great family classic about Irishman outsmarting a group of leprechauns. Adults can also be on the lookout for a very young Sean Connery is this film that is based on a beloved children’s book. If you get a chance, you can even tuck the kids in with an Irish folk tale as a bedtime story.

St. Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity to have some fun with your family. Take some time to do an activity or two this year with your children to celebrate this special day.

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Why Moms Should Take Time to Be Creative

Written by Marybeth Heckler on March 7, 2019. Posted in Holidays, Motherhood.

If you spend any time on social media, you can often be in for a very humbling experience.

Many moms look at their peers on Facebook and Instagram and marvel at the creative work that they can accomplish while the rest of us are still trying to get a latte to jumpstart our mornings. But it doesn’t have to be that way, nor should it be that way.

March is International Ideas Month and March 8^th is International Women’s Day. Let’s celebrate both of these events together with a look at why moms should take the time to be creative.

The need for inspiration—One of the difficulties of being a mom is that you often feel like you are stuck in a world of little kids with no time for yourself or adult conversations. (There’re only so many times you can sing “The Wheels on the Bus” before you snap!)

By expressing yourself creatively, you can get back in touch with a side of yourself that you may have thought went away when you gave birth. If you feel like your creativity has been pushed to the backburner, then spend a day reconnecting with your creative side. Visit a museum or take a walk alone in the park. Send the kids off with the grandparents and spend the day listening to old music or writing poetry. Whatever inspires you and moves you emotionally is a great choice.

Take a class—You may be delighted to discover that there are many resources in the community for expressing yourself. If you live in an area with a small community college, you may want to take a class in photography, art, creative writing, or even cooking. (Anyone who has watched an episode of Chopped can attest that food can be a great way to be creative.)

But you don’t have to set aside that much time for your creative side. Have a girls’ night out at your local “wine and art” shop in order to get together with others, have a glass or two of vino, and then paint something that you can take home and put on the wall.

Beat the baby blues—Postpartum depression is a very real thing that affects thousands of women each year. But one way to fight any type of depression is with creativity and expression. Even if it is nothing more than keeping a journal of your thoughts, you are enabling yourself to express your ideas. This can help keep you sane when the challenges of motherhood start crowding in.

This March, spend some time caring for yourself for a change and learn how to express your creative side. If you get in touch with this key area of your life, you will find your mood elevated and your home life much better.

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Getting the Most Out of Your Local Library (Library Lovers’ Month)

Written by Marybeth Heckler on February 21, 2019. Posted in Holidays.

February is designated as Library Lovers’ Month to encourage people to visit and support their local public and school libraries. Too often, it seems, people think of a library as one thing — a repository for books. But there’s a lot more happening at your local library than you may know about!

Let’s take a look at some of those materials and activities you can take advantage of this month (and for the rest of the year).

Go Digital—If you’re a book-lover, then obviously a library seems like heaven on Earth. But even the best library can’t house everything. That’s why many libraries are now offering digital book services such as Overdrive for your tablets and e-readers, including the iPad, Kindle, and Nook. These services allow you to download eBooks, audiobooks, and even graphic novels and videos straight to your mobile device so that you can read them at home or on the go.
Ditch the Paid Online Services—Another service offered by most libraries is a great array of audio-visual materials. Are you tired of what’s on Netflix or Hulu? Then check out the library and browse its selection of DVDs. Along with the standard blockbusters, there’s usually some obscure foreign films as well as many classics. Are you getting tired of paying for Spotify or Audible? Libraries also offer audiobooks as well as CDs or albums that you can check out and take home.
Get Social—Many people think of the library as a place where you can’t talk or, if you do, not above a whisper. But the library is actually a great place to become socially active. Most libraries offer different kinds of social gatherings, including story time for kids (also known as break-time for moms) as well as other events such as film screenings and more. They may even have meeting rooms available for rent if you need one for your business or social group.
Get Financial Assistance—The library can also save you money! How, you ask? Well first, they offer tax information for free and allow you to print out tax forms and complete them at the library. Many libraries also offer free tax returns for Senior Citizens and for those who need assistance with the EZ forms. Libraries can also help you earn money by holding programs such as job fairs and career counseling.

If you aren’t sure what programs are available at your library, then take a visit today. Talk to a librarian! They aren’t the stodgy “No Talking!” stereotypes of old. Much more often, librarians are happy to help you learn more about their programs and offerings.