A single mom from England has saved a fortune by taking her kids out of school during term time to go for vacations abroad and said she stands by her decision and will do it again. Rachel Smith, 33, has been on four holidays so far with her children, Brayden, 11, and Elianna, 9, and has…

Commentary “Have you picked out a gift yet?” “Mom’s tastebuds will love these gifts.” “Give her the perfect treat for her perfect day.” It’s how you know that Mother’s Day is around the corner: Your inbox fills up with messages from florists, jewelers, food purveyors, and others hoping to separate you from your money by…

Travelers hitting the roads home following the Christmas holiday can expect to see gas prices lower than this time last year, but they will be driving on seemingly more dangerous roads. The national average for a gallon of regular gas on Dec. 26 stood at $3.10 per gallon in the United States according to AAA….

Holiday season dishes tend to be heavy on sweet and fat. Which is why some of my favorite meals this time of year involve kale. It’s not that I don’t enjoy a good Yorkshire pudding, or a bowl of buttery potatoes, or a sweet baked ham. Rather, it’s that pigging out on decadent foods like…

This film is only available in the United States because of territorial licensing. A Max Lucado story. As Christmas draws near, Jack finds himself disconnecting from the holidays, his job, and ultimately his wife. His latest assignment as a journalist takes him to Dallas, but a mysterious photograph draws him to the town of Clearwater,…

Festive celebrations call for sparkling wine. From inimitable Champagne to budget-friendly alternatives, here are favorite picks from top sommeliers for all your holiday toasting needs. Domaine du Moulin Methode Ancestrale Brut (Courtesy of Domaine du Moulin) Domaine du Moulin Methode Ancestrale Brut, Gaillac, France Pétillant naturel wines (roughly translates to natural sparkling) have the best…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — until a guest at your holiday party spills red wine all over your living room carpet. Or sloshes their coffee across your best table linens. Holiday mishaps happen, but there’s no need to panic. You can remove many of the most common stains with a few…

At this time of year, we’re bombarded with the sights and smells of addictive sugary foods and beverages. Gingerbread, candied yams, and egg nog beckon at every turn. Sooner or later, someone is going to put a platter of Christmas cookies in your face. If we aren’t careful, one sugar-loaded indulgence can lead to another—and…

School districts in several states are offering some holiday cheer to teachers in the form of bonus checks of up to $1,500. Veteran teachers in the Fort Smith School District of Arkansas will receive a $1,500 stimulus check by Dec. 15, according to a memo obtained by media sources.  The school board approved the idea…

The holiday season is everyone’s favorite time of year—or is it? The cultural image of the holidays, fueled by glittering media images, is a delightful time of family harmony, delicious feasts, brightly lit houses, kisses under the mistletoe, and wide-eyed children gathered around the tree. The good news is that those kinds of heartwarming moments…