Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away (May 13 is the big day!), and that means it’s time to get clever, either by way of shopping or crafting or writing that special letter or poem. There’s a bunch of ways to tell mom you care — what’s your favorite?

The universal Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up, and may we suggest you show your teachers some love during May 7-11, 2012. Maybe you can decorate your teacher’s door, have kids deliver single flowers one morning and add them to a parent-provided vase. Determine and drop off favorite snacks and drinks, gather up a collection [...]

You might not be the craftiest person in town, but here’s one artsy idea you can surely implement. Just stock your kiddos with pipe cleaners, pom-poms, felt, foam, glue, and more, and tell them to create animals and aliens and anything their little hearts so desire. Here’s where you come in: just hot glue gun [...]

(Click on image for more information and photo credit.)

The holidays never end. Seems once Halloween hits, it’s one right after the other, and, now, Valentine’s Day is on the horizon. If you’ve got school kids, that means parties and paper cards and treats. If you don’t have school kids, you  might still want to plan something special for your at-home kiddos, and just [...]

I’m already thinking about Christmas shopping, and I’m wondering what to get this year for my boys, who are 8 and 10 years old. They are sorta over “toys,” although the younger guy does like action figures still, and Lego is pretty popular all the time. Nerf guns would probably be a hit, too, but [...]

Image: www.slurpee.com We don’t all have the good fortune to have a 7-11 up the road — or in our cities, even — but if you do, then today (7/11/11) is your lucky day, because in honor of the shop’s unofficial birthday, free Slurpees will be awarded to all who order one. Woo-Hoo! Can’t beat [...]

Newborn twins Alijah and Tatiana are each going to get a baby rag quilt from me, and I have to say, this security blanket just might be my favorite baby gift of all time. I mean, there are lots of beauties over at Little Sassy Pants, and I’ve been know to order bundles of personalized [...]

Chances are you know a teacher who deserves a special thank-you gift, a new neighbor who would love a housewarming gesture, a momma-to-be in need of a shower something or other or maybe a pal who needs a little cheer while recovering from an illness. And chances are you’re completely stuck on what to get [...]