Winter

Winter storms can bring a mixture of wind, snow, cold and ice, but they can also bring danger of injury and even death. Be prepared for stormy conditions by safeguarding yourself, your home, and your family. We show you how.

If there is ever a time to wear plaid, it's during winter, so you better get it in under the wire this season! This pattern is bright, festive, and is great way to to revive up a pair of jeans and old boots, or bring life to an otherwise dreary couch. Adding a pop of pattern and color to to any outfit or room makes it warmer and brighter, so check our favorite plaid picks, and get ready to get shopping for these deals and embrace the plaid pattern.

Take advantage of hot cocoa season to get crafty! If your kids love hot chocolate, try making these simple and adorable Animal Stirrers as great winter DIY that will make your hot chocolate  (and other warm drinks) even more fun. This craft is fun for mom, and kids can help pick out and paint the animals!

Brighten up your winter meals by preparing a vibrant, fiber-filled, whole grain salad with bright dried cranberries and crunchy nuts that even kids will love. This makes a perfect weekend lunch, or a wholesome dinner. Introducing kids to whole grains like wheat berries is wonderful way to expand their palettes and get them eating right—plus, they are sure to love the nutty flavor and chewy texture. Try this recipe today! 

Hot chocolate is an always-popular winter favorite. What's not to love about warming up with a steaming, hot cup of rich, luscious hot chocolate, topped with a luxurious swirl of whipped cream after a long, chilly day? This season, I tried a new version: White Hot Chocolate, made with rich white chocolate. My daughter was skeptical at first but quickly came to love this recipe in a matter of sips. It may be our new favorite warm winter drink!

Are your kids feeling house-bound and restless due to winter weather? If you're out of indoor activities (and patience!) and need some family fun ideas to keep your rugrats occupied, try this great craft for kids. This fantastic family DIY allows your kids to connect with natire by making something inside to take outside. You likely already have all the supplies, to get started on Winter Bird Feeder!

The slow-cooker (or Crock-Pot—whatever you want to call it!) is my best friend in the kitchen each winter. There is no better way to get a wholesome, delicious family dinner on the table when you are exhausted from work or parenting. One of my favorite healthy soups to make during the cold season is Slow-Cooker Tomato Soup.

Warm, seasonal Anjou pears, topped with crumbly, sweet, spiced oats and baked to gooey perfection, makes a comforting winter dish, that will keep your family cozy during these frigid months. Try this recipe for dessert today. (Hurry, before these pears go out of season!)

This winter, warm up on chilly evenings with a steaming, comforting mug of Hot Buttered Rum that imparts a tantalizing aroma you won't be able to resist. An excellent alternative to a standard chilled cocktail, you can even serve a pot of this at a party (like New Year's) or as an after-dinner drink. Find the recipe below.

These Ice Lanterns are very easy to make, incredibly inexpensive (practically free!) and are absolutely beautiful when lit on your doorstep through a cold night. Make these any time this winter: for New Year's Eve, a party, or any chilly evening. You can make  various sizes and can even dye the water to make colored lantern! With just a few supplies you can DIY these gorgeous lanterns!

Making a DIY yarn wreath is a fabulous way to welcome Christmas and winter. This Candy Cane Yarn Wreath makes a fun Christmas craft and fabulous seasonal door decor. This wreath, reminiscent of a peppermint candy cane, is not only easy to make, but will your home a sense of cozy warmth.

This is a really special Christmas craft you can do to decorate your home for the merry holiday. Isn't it convenient that pinecones are shaped like Christmas trees? With this holiday spin on family fun, even the kids can participate by adding the puff paint Christmas lights to the trees. Once done, line these up on a mantle or place one on each of your child's nightstands to bring the seasonal spirit to your house.

During the frenzy of the holidays it is important for parents to take a little time for themselves. Warm up and space out with a steaming, decadent, flavorful cup of coffee, and eake a break from your busy day for a quick snack! This simple recipe makes a fabulous drink you can sip in peace when you need some this holiday season.

’Tis the season to gather family and friends, but ’tis also the season of shopping, baking, cleaning, cooking, preparing, wrapping—and doing a million other things! Take a night off to relax and cuddle with your kids on the couch by popping some popcorn and popping in a great seasonal DVD to enjoy a Family Movie Night. Here are our picks of the 10 absolute best winter films to watch with your kids.

As the weather gets colder, our heads are responsible for losing a lot of our body heat and shivering is no fun. Be smart and stylish this winter with a cold weather hat that is fabulous and functional—and under $35! From fedoras to fur trappers, we've picked a hat perfect for your personality that won't bust your wallet during the holiday season. So, get shopping!

The perfect dinner for those sneaky, lingering winter days? My quick and easy Vegetarian Chili! It is delicious and healthy, plus this recipe makes a ton, so you can freeze some as a bonus meal for another day!

Winter is definitely a culprit in catching cabin fever - during these cold, seemingly endless months, the only way to break free of Jack Frost's grip is to get outta the house and do something fun.

It's Tuesday so here's your list of the best stuff popping up around the web.

What's better than having a day off from school and getting to jump around in the puddles the rain leaves behind?

Living on the coast of California means my children will never experience snow days.

I like to add a little sweetness and spice to my hot chocolate, which is why I love this Mexican Hot Chocolate mix that I make myself at home. Plus, it is super quick and easy to fix and is the perfect comfort food for these cold winter days.

When young kids are sick at home, it can be hard to come up with activities that keep them occupied but avoid over-exertion. 

I adore using my slow-cooker in the winter and here is one of our recent favorite soups.

It's Tuesday so here's your list of the best stuff popping up on the web:

Ladies, it is time to step away from the fleece.

Mountain Boy Sledworks offers high-performance, heirloom-quality wooden sleds at the right price.

Hi Moms! I am here to announce the Slow-Cooker Challenge!

London is cold this time of year, which means my kids are too.

One of my favorite dishes to make for weeknight dinners during the winter is soup.

This tasty soup is a real favorite of mine. I love its simplicity and how delicious it is on a cold winter night.

During the Holidays I love to curl up and watch classic Christmas movies, especially because I only let myself watch them during the Holiday season (that way they remain special, or so my mother told me).

Start the New Year off right with some sharp looking fashions for your little guy.

If it's not raining in your neck of the woods now, chances are it will be soon!

There's nothing like showing up to two parties in a row in the same dress.

Mom is it time to glam up your winter wardrobe?

There's a chill in the air and jackets everywhere!

Even though you're covered from head to toe during the winter, your skin and your beauty routine need you NOW more than ever.

It's holiday season and that means - parties!

Keep your kiddo warm and happy with these super cool accessories this winter.

December is around the corner - are you ready?

Having grown up in Northern California layering is second nature to me.

Plaid is back in full force this fall and the colors, styles and fashions have us all Mad About Plaid for boys especially.

Maybe it's the chill in the air or maybe it's that the holidays are just around the corner, but what ever the reason we have been feeling awfully cozy over here at Momtastic.

I admit part of the reason I left the East Coast was because of winter, alright it was a big part of the reason.

It’s only November and much of the nation has already gotten a taste of the white stuff.  

I don't know about you but after watching the snow come down this last weekend in the eastern half of the country, it was enough to make my teeth chatter and bundle up in a blanket.

With the Holidays around the corner, I start thinking about my decor for decorating the house and table for family gatherings. 

Yes, it's that time of year to fluff and dust off your sweaters that have been sitting on your upper shelves of the closet looking so, so lonely.

It's no surprise that kids love wearing anything with animals on it but this season, animals are not only a cool motif on sweaters and shirts but also on hats, scarves and winter accessories.

The air is turning and soon too will the leaves. Have you started getting your gardens ready for the colder weather to come?