Holidays
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]
Holidays
Gift Giving
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]
Gift Giving
Mother’s Day Deals
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]
Gift Giving
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]
Christmas
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]
Holidays
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]
Gift Giving
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]
Holidays
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]
Gift Giving
Father’s Day Activity Guide : Bringing Dad Up-to-Date
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]
Holidays
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]
Holidays
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]
Holidays
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]
DIY + Handmade
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
Holidays
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.
Christmas
Guest Post from Bonjour Events: Holiday Dinner Parties – Selecting a Venue
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]
DIY + Handmade
Fast n’ Festive Halloween Favors
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… [read more]
Holidays
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.]
[read more]
DIY + Handmade
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… [read more]
Holidays
Planning a Halloween to Bark About
This week, as we stock up on sweets and play the “Monster Mash” on repeat, our four-legged friends are making their own holiday preparations. We invited special guest blogger, Barkley, to give us a pooch’s [read more]
DIY + Handmade
Breaking Bread Before Yom Kippur
Photo courtesy of Foodologie In a few days, millions of people will be observing Yom Kippur, or the “Day of Atonement”. It’s a day of fasting, resting, and praying in commemoration of the day to [read more]
Holidays
Vive Bastille Day!
Photo and recipe courtesy of The District Domestic On the anniversary of France’s independence, why not make some fresh, flaky croissants? From the country that brings us foie gras, brie and macarons comes what is [read more]
Holidays
Red, White & Blue: What to Wear On July 4
A patriotic floppy hat (Forever 21) A sweet peasant blouse (Arden B.) Trendy cut-offs shorts (Delia’s) Fun striped wedges (TOMS Shoes) And top it off with a lovely DIY brooch (instruction at Design Sponge)
DIY + Handmade
Father’s Day Breakfast Cake!
Photo and directions courtesy of Savory Sweet Life Want to make something special for Father’s day but can’t choose between sweet or savory? Or maybe you already plan to cook all his favorite breakfast foods, [read more]
DIY + Handmade
DIY for Dads!
Photo courtesy of Someecards Sure, a tie is nice, but if the Father in your life already had a closet full of them, why not take his least favorite and turn it into something awesome, like [read more]