10 of my favorite holiday gifts from Oprah’s favorite things list 2022
Last year I browsed Oprah’s Favorite Things List of holiday gifts so thoroughly that I thought — whoa, what if I share my favorites from her favorites? So I did. And you liked them! So much so, it was hard to even get your hands on some of them. Like those...
Over 20 of the best Advent calendars for 2022: From the magical to the luxurious, to… goofy dad jokes?
I’m just about ready to think about all things Thanksgiving, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that NOW is the time to order an amazing Advent calendar so you can start the countdown to Christmas on December 1st. The best ones goes fast! Which is...
25 wonderful Hanukkah gifts for toddlers to teens 2022 | Holiday Gift Guide
With Hanukkah coming up December 18, it’s time to share some of the best Hanukkah gifts for kids in 2022 — that actually are Hanukkah gifts. Because this year, more than previous years, a lot of us are really thinking about what it means to be Jewish and...
Cool non-candy Halloween gift for a cynical tween or teen? Reader Q & A
When Lisa asked us for cool non-candy Halloween gift ideas for her tween/teen nieces and nephews, I was on the case! I checked with my own Halloween-loving but decidedly…particular teens to see what kinds of things they would think are cool. I mean, of course...
Gen Z for Equity: This teen’s small business is taking a stand against racism
If your kids’ book covers or school folders are looking a little plain this early in the school year, take a look at the cool social justice stickers we’ve just discovered from new, teen-led Etsy shop Gen Z for Equity. The stickers were all designed by...
Ted Lasso’s new Little People Collector set: Believe!
We’ve been gushing about Ted Lasso for a while on Cool Mom Picks, and now I get to gush about the new Ted Lasso Little People Collector set from Fisher-Price, featuring six of the most iconic characters from the AFC Richmond locker room. Here’s where I...
13 dorm room essentials you might not have considered | Back to School Guide 2022
I’ve become a bit of a pro at picking out dorm room essentials — and separating the must-haves from the nice-to-haves from the not-going-to-haves if I’m paying for it. Having sent two of my three kids off to college already, it’s become clear...
20 cool backpacks for teens this year | Back to School Guide
When we look for cool backpacks for teens, it’s not enough for them to just be, you know, cool. As kids head to middle school or high school— especially after a whole year at home more or less (sigh) — they need bigger, sturdier backpacks, better shoulder...
The best summer camp care package ideas for tweens and teens: A helpful list from a mom who’s been sending them for 9 years
We are still celebrating the return to summer camp around here. And I am celebrating the joy of putting together summer camp care packages for my tweens and teens! The chance to run around with friends, swim, be silly, stay up too late, fill up their MadLibs with...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
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