Holidays

It is the most wonderful time of the year! We started our family traditions with Halloween trick-or-treating with the neighbors, followed by delicious chili and candy-trading. Thanksgiving follows closely behind, and then next up is getting the family Christmas Tree!  There aren't...

Updated March 7, 2021 St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays of the year. It's not because I'm Irish or because I love green beer. I always think of St. Patrick's Day as a celebration of spring! Once...

Every Hanukkah, my husband and I dedicate one entire meal to latkes.  Latkes are the entree.  Latkes are the side dish.  Latkes with applesauce are the dessert (well.. maybe also some sufganiyot).  Following an afternoon schvitzing over the stove,...

When I was in college, I briefly worked in an engraving and embroidery shop. It was incredibly satisfying — the work was precise and challenging enough to keep things interesting.  It was rewarding to see the physical results and...

Celebrate the holiday season with many wonderful family-friendly events happening in the Iowa City area. From visits with Santa to kids events and local shopping—grab your calendar and start planning to celebrate the spirit of the season. Many holiday events...

One of my favorite Christmas decorations is our large, elaborate Advent calendar. I always feel a sense of excitement as I pull it out of the box and place it on the wall. For me, it represents traditions and...

Visiting Santa is a treasured holiday tradition for many families. We just so happen to have some insider information on Santa's whereabouts, and we've compiled this guide to help you and your family track him down. To get those...

Ah, that annual holiday tradition — casting about for just the right gift for your child. Sometimes that can be the source of stress — many kids have more than enough "stuff" at home already. This year, more than...

One of my favorite Christmas songs that I love playing in the background while decorating our Christmas tree is the old time favorite, O Tannenbaum. We play both the German and English version on repeat while we decorate. The...

As with everything else in this crazy year that is 2020, holiday events – and therefore this Iowa City Area Guide to Family Holiday Activities looks a bit different this year. While there are still events that will be...