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Every year, our family looks forward to getting Heifer International's catalog in the mail and choosing a gift of shares of a sheep, shares of a pig, etc. that can make a difference in the lives of families living in poverty around the world. But New Jersey-based writer Melody Moser, who blogs over at Journeys Near and Far, did more than just send a check. She visited Heifer Ranch in Arkansas, and learned all about the organization and the cool stuff they're doing. Check out her post, share it with your kids and then visit Heifer International and make a donation.

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Have you tried “Elf Yourself,” the fun-and-free service from OfficeMax and JibJab? You can turn your family into silly dancing elves and share your dance with family and friends. It's easy and it's a hoot! Here's the Sena family (featuring “Charlie the Rescue Dog”) sending you our disco wishes for a great holiday season!

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I'm excited to introduce you to a wonderful guest blogger today. Janine Adams is a professional organizer in St. Louis, Missouri and the president of the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Check out her terrific blog at www.peaceofmindorganizing.com. Janine's post helps us focus on thoughtful, creative giving at a time when many of us are trying to find more meaning in the holidays.

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Dear readers, how cool is this? One of my favorite parenting writers, Jenna McCarthy, is our guest blogger today. She's the author of the hilarious book, The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to Highchairs and Potties. When she’s not busy buying and returning bakeware, she can be reached at jennamccarthy.com.

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Somewhere in your parents' spare bedroom, up on a closet shelf — or in your grandmother's attic, in a dusty cardboard box — is your life…

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Hey, all you parents of aspiring ballerinas, black belts and baseball heroes — have I got a cool holiday-gift idea for you. You know how you take endless photos of your kids in all sorts of action poses? Just think how much fun it will be to decorate their bedroom walls with life-size (or bigger) cutouts of themselves.

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What parent doesn't love the idea of commissioning a painting of their child? Something to enjoy at home, give as a gift to grandparents, and keep forever as a family treasure… But there's the cost. And in financial times like these, when we're all watching our holiday spending, this sort of gift might seem out of reach. (And those less-expensive, but tacky-looking, digital “paintings” that are available online don't quite cut it.) But artist Dare Johnson Wenzler of Lincoln Park Studio has created a unique art form that results in a paintings that will be adored by you and your loved ones. Take a look at the painting Dare created from a photo of my son, Matt, and our dog, Charlie. It is hanging in our living room and I just love it.

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Today I saw something on Facebook that parents of tweens and teens should know about…

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6a00e54f81b426883300e553c60aba8833-150wi I love Krista Colvin's organizational tips, and she's got a terrific post for the holidays (about gift hiding) over at Real Simple. Krista is a lifestylist and organizing maven who “wouldn’t be caught without lipstick, a morning cup o' joe + fabulous girlfriends.” My kind of gal! She writes a fun, helpful blog, Organize in Style, and she's the creator of The Shebang - The Smart Woman's Guide to Doing it All! (See the link on Organize in Style.)

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The address I gave in yesterday's post, about sending holiday cards to soldiers, turned out to be a hoax. (Who would do such a thing to our soldiers, and to Americans who want to support and honor them during the holidays?) Thanks to the readers who commented and e-mailed right away to let me know. You guys are great!

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