If you're looking for something a little quirkier for Chanukah this year, you must check out someonespoilme.com's chanukah-themed gifts. Even if you're not looking to buy anything, it's worth it just so you can see their Menorah Cork (a full-fledged menorah that sits happily in any wine bottle!). [read on...]

A reader just wrote in that she'd come across our site while looking for recipes to make when her brother's wife's family comes to visit (good luck with the turkey, Amber!), and she thought the Kosher Hostess community might like to know about gourmetgiftbaskets.com's Chanukah gift baskets. [read on...]

Over the past few weeks, the terrible effects of Benie Madoff's financial scandal have become horrifyingly clear. In addition to individuals whose entire financial lives have been devastated, many, many charities have been damaged, some so severely that they have had to shut their doors. Orphanages, hospitals, and sick and needy people all over the world are all suddenly without the help they were so desperately depending on. The reach of this tragedy is almost unimaginable.

One woman whose father has to rebuild his life now because of the scandal put together an information blog to help other people wade through the aftermath. [read on...]

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the first time this year, and since my mother-in-law offered to cook just about everything (yes!), all I needed to do was cook the turkey. I'll admit it was daunting at first, but I had lots of good advice floating around my head, including some from our very own Chef Sam, and the built-in excuse that I'd never made a turkey before, so how good could they expect it to be? [read on...]

Whether you need to steel yourself for your own Thanksgiving dinner or want to remind yourself that it's not that bad, this holiday dramedy hits the spot. Directed by Jodie Foster, Home for the Holidays is crammed full of top-notch actors who shine through their frustrated, neurotic, exacerbating, silly, loving characters. [read on...]

If you've ever felt conflicted about whether Jews should celebrate Thanksgiving, this children's book just might answer the question. Rivka's First Thanksgiving, by Elsa Okon Rael, is a story about a young girl who finds her voice and uses it with her grandmother, her rabbi, and eventually the beit din (rabinic court)! [read on...]

One of the ways we like to honor shabbat in our home is by arguing over who gets to read the People magazine first. We perform the traditional last-minute shabbos rush of plugging in timers, heating up water, and making sure the bathroom light is taped on, then I light candles, wish everyone a good shabbos, and make a mad dash for the magazine table. [read on...]

Are you too on a quest for the perfect lip balm?

I've been searching for years, and the newest worthy competitor is totally old school: Carmex. Yep, the kind you find displayed on the drugstore counter, the one with the garish yellow packaging, the lip balm with the words "FOR-COLD-SORES" stamped in bold letters across the lid. [read more...]

Who doesn't love cupcakes? They're so cute and pretty and often small enough to justify eating more than one. They're perfect for parties and ideal for creative, noncommittal types who like to decorate things.

Here are a couple of cupcake tips for do-it-yourself-ers: [read on...]

I actually don't even like honey very much, but when I sampled Andrew's Whipped Honey with Cinnamon at a local farmers market, I was hooked. I tasted it straight off a spoon, and it was delicious. It's also amazing spread on apples or challah, and makes the perfect Rosh Hashana gift. [read more...]