Tag: dinner

Of all the gift ideas on your list this year, the one that's sure to be both appreciated and returned to you is attention. Especially during the holiday season, it's easy to get distracted by things that don't really matter. As you spend time with loved ones and cherished friends, make the most of it by being present.

It is easy to have a family meltdown and we all know family fights can get intense during the holidays when there is unresolved conflict. When family members are fighting, the root cause is that they aren’t listening.

The following is a news item selected by the Hitched editors during the week of September 25, 2014.

Are Home-Cooked Family Meals Still Possible?
Three sociologists, Sarah Bowen, Sinikka Elliott, Joslyn Brenton and their research team spent more than a year and a half conducting in-depth interviews with 150 black, white, and Latina mothers from all socioeconomic classes. They also spent over 250 hours observing 12 working-class and poor families. What they found is that sitting down for a regular, healthy family meal is really difficult—and perhaps unrealistic.

From the vibrant Oxbow district of downtown Napa to the charming town of St. Helena, the Napa Valley Wine Train graciously provides passengers the ultimate in culinary dining experiences. As it rolls through the very heart of this legendary wine region, fresh gourmet cuisine is prepared in its onboard kitchens and served to delighted guests in four antique dining cars. It’s an utterly delectable and unforgettable experience.

With the holidays fast approaching, our emotions seem to jump all over the place. We’re excited, anxious, and stressed because there’s so much to plan, and we want the holidays to be perfect. Yet, the thought of the holiday dinner quickly reminds us of past events that have been anything but loving and peaceful. Many families have some kind of history of arguments that seem to erupt at the yearly holiday dinner table.

Life is hectic and everyone is busy. While that's an ongoing reality for many, it's also true that time with good friends can be therapeutic.  Planning a girls night out is a great way to schedule some dedicated ladies-only time to relax and nurture yourself and your friendships.

These 10 etiquette tips will keep the focus on recharging your batteries and reconnecting with your friends on your next girls night out.

Believe it or not, your family’s eating habits can have a profound effect on your child’s academic success. The routine of preparing and sharing meals regularly creates a sense of family togetherness and unity. Though the hustle and bustle of everyday life can get in the way, it’s important to carve out time specifically to sit down together around the table. Students who eat dinner with their families often are more likely to:

* Do well in school (40 percent more likely to earn A's and B's in school)

It's a good time to start talking to your children about what you expect when you visit friends and family over the holiday season before your arrive. By the age of three the words "Please," "Thank you," and "You’re welcome" should be familiar and user friendly. "Would you please pass the gravy" and "Thank you for the nice dinner" are good starts. The following are a few basic table tips that will get you over the holiday dining hurdle and maybe even a few compliments on how well behaved your kids are: