Find the 2021 Holiday Fun Guide here. The presents have been ripped open, plastic packaging dismantled and the batteries installed. Dinner won’t be ready for hours and the kids are stir crazy. What else can you do on Christmas Day…
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Create a Box Full of Local Adventures for Your Des Moines Kids
I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the look out for clever gift ideas that are NOT toys or “stuff”. So, last year when I stumbled upon the idea of an “Adventure Box” mentioned in a Facebook post,…
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2018: Countdown to Christmas in Des Moines
Find 2021 Christmas & Holiday events and activities here. Waiting and preparing for Christmas can be almost as magical and fun as the holiday itself. Counting down the days builds suspense for the big holiday and rewards your kids with…
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2018: Guide to Nativity Events in Des Moines
Find 2021 Christmas & Holiday events and activities here. Many churches are hosting nativity events and live nativity scenes around Des Moines where the Christmas story is portrayed with actors and animals in an outdoor setting. Check out some of these spots…
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2017 Des Moines Experiences That Make Great Holiday Gifts 4 Kids
Find the 2021 Holiday Fun Guide here. While kids love unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning, sometimes that initial rush and feeling of elation is fleeting. If you’re looking for something more long-lasting, consider giving an “experience” gift this year. After…
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dsm4kids 2017 Holiday Gift Guide
Find the 2021 Holiday Fun Guide here. This holiday season, I’ve been keeping my eye out for fun unique local products, to help you find the perfect gifts for your family and friends. There are so many small businesses (storefront…
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Give Back to Your Community this Holiday Season in Des Moines
It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the holiday hoopla of gifts, shopping and parties for your family. Yet the holiday season is often one of the hardest times for many families who struggle to put food on the…
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5 Des Moines Neighborhoods That Make Supporting Small Business Saturday Easy
Updated for 2023 Small Business Saturday, which started in 2010, is an annual shopping tradition dedicated to supporting small businesses and celebrating local communities across the country. Small Business Saturday is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This…
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2 Holiday Appetizers Even Kids Will Like
In our pre-kid days, we used to throw cocktail parties with festive drinks and adorable canapes and hor d’oeuvres. These days when we throw a party, guests under 12 out number the adults. There’s no need to stop entertaining just…
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Say, “Thank You Santa!” with a FREE Printable from dsm4kids
The other morning my daughter and I were having a conversation at breakfast and she mentioned something about sending Santa a Christmas Card. My reaction, “Umm, you didn’t send Santa a Christmas card, you sent him a list of things…
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Shop Local 4 Last Minute Gift Ideas in Des Moines
Updated for 2023 Want to find great gifts and support the local economy at the same time? Locally-owned and operated retail outlets often offer something unique and special. Here’s a few locally-owned places in Des Moines where you can find…
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Grandma Gerri’s Molasses Crisps Cookie Recipe
A holiday celebration just isn’t complete without some delicious seasonal cookies. And, of course Santa is expecting to be served a few when he stops by. The following cookie recipe is a favorite from my own childhood. My maternal grandmother…
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Give Back and Adopt a Family in Des Moines This Holiday Season
With the holidays adding to already-full schedules, it’s all too easy for the true meaning of the season to get lost in the hustle and bustle of holiday commitments and gift giving. But how does a busy family shift the…
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Santa Watch! How Kids Can Track Santa in Des Moines
For many families, one of their Christmas traditions is tracking Santa Claus’s progress on Christmas Eve using a Santa Tracker. Here’s a few ways kids can keep tabs on the big guy’s progress as he makes his way across Iowa.
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