Motherhood Mondays: What family traditions do you have during the holidays?

What are your family traditions around the holidays? When we were growing up, my parents would light angel chimes at the dinner table, and the heat from the candles would make the angels spin around and ring the bells. That little "ding, ding, ding" sound still makes me feel so warm and cozy...

Toby is two-and-a-half years old, so this is the first holiday that he'll really understand. I've been thinking so much recently about the value of rituals, and I'd love to create some for our family. So angel chimes are the very first holiday tradition we're starting with him.

Does your family light angel chimes? (Apparently, angel chimes are actually Swedish, but they were introduced to America about fifty years ago.) What other holiday family traditions do you have? A big Christmas Eve dinner? Homemade stockings? Super spiked egg nog? I'd love to hear—and get ideas!

(Many thanks to our friend Alpha Smoot for taking photos)

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Have a wonderful weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? I'm excited to just CHILL. Also, we're going to a Christmas party and I'm looking forward to wearing this little black dress (and these, haha). Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

Head's up: 25% off at J.Crew this weekend.

This New Yorker poem made me laugh out loud. (Busted.)

Chocolate-chip-peanut-butter-oatmeal cookies.

10 commonly misunderstood words.

Bravo!!!! Women are officially funny.

A ball of Christmas lights.

Pet peeves in a marriage.

Want a balcony? Add one.

Mathematics of elevators. (P.S. Freaks me out.)

Urban camping.

Interesting take on the Bachelor. Seriously.

Foldable Me made me laugh.

Slam-dunk cheap gift for guys, if you're still looking.

A coloring book I secretly want myself.

Awwww, teeny bow ties.

Cool photos of Will and Kate. And congrats to them!

And, of course, here's the complete Cup of Jo 2012 Holiday Gift Guide. Thank you so much for reading! xoxo

(Photo of Mick, inspired by 50 years of Rolling Stones style)

Gift Guide Part #7: Your Younger Brother Who Can Fly a Plane and Strike Up a Conversation with Anybody.

Colorblock sweatshirt for knocking around on lazy Saturdays, $168. (Here's another cute one for $59.50.)

Matchbooks to have around his apartment for candles/romance/easy decor. $5/each.

Slate cheese board, made in Brooklyn. $29 or $44. (The small size is sold out, but the others are in stock.)

Scratch map to record his travels, $16.49.

Good old-fashioned jacks to play over a glass of wine, $6.

Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost stories, $10.84. Dahl read 749 creepy tales at the British Museum Library before selecting the 14 that comprise this anthology. "Dahl's taste, it will surprise no one, is impeccable," says the Washington Post.

Moccasin slippers, for padding around his apartment, $49. (I have the girl's version and love them.)

Egg cooking spoons so he can make perfect soft-boiled eggs for the ladies. 10.50 Euro for a set of four.

Thermo Pot for bringing a warm lunches on adventures, $39.90. Keeps food hot for five hours, guaranteed for 10 years.

Knife skills class, prices vary.

Sifteo Cubes, $129.95. My sister's brother-in-law created this awesome award-winning interactive game system, featuring toys that talk to each other. The cubes communicate wirelessly and respond to each other and your gestures. They come with four pre-installed games, and you can download many more. (P.S. Their TED talk was rated one of the "top 5 most engaging TED talks" of all time.)


Damn Good Advice, $9.95, a genius and very opinionated handbook by George Lois, the original Mad Man. (I really want this myself!)

And, always and forever, the Icelandic Beard Cap, $79.

P.S. More gifts for brothers, and (finally) the complete 2012 gift guide!

Thursday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Lo & Sons, a collection of rugged camera and travel bags made by a mother and her two sons. The fantastic bags can easily fit laptops and are full of secret pockets. I love how the weekend bags also attach to a rolling suitcase. Today, one lucky reader gets to choose her favorite. Which would you choose? (I'd pick the O.G. in army green.)

For a chance to win, please visit Lo & Sons and leave a comment below telling us your favorite bag. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Emily M. is our lucky winner and has been emailed. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers: Get 35% off with the code ACUPOFJOHOLIDAYS until December 16th.

Gift Guide Part #6: Your Hilarious Dad Who Has a Nickname for Everyone and Dared to Bring Stinky Camembert on Family Road Trips.

James Bond coffeetable book celebrating 50 years, $18.45. Also because everyone secretly thinks your dad's a spy.

James Bond model cars for his desk, $40.

Personal puzzle, $24.99. With a favorite family snapshot (say, of everyone at the beach, you dancing together at your wedding or a baby photo from years back...).

The complete first season of Homeland. He will flipping love it. $34.96.
Cashmere watch cap, since that's what all the cool guys are wearing. $68.

A genius food basket from New York Mouth. My favorites include The Total Jerk and Choc-lot Taster. $40 to $165.

A bottle of red wine with this tag (best read with an English accent). $4.50.

Lego Big Ben, $39.95. You're never too old for Legos, and this one is tough (with 346 tiny pieces).

Indestructible umbrella, $70. Instead of wimpy umbrellas that end up in the garbage, he can carry this aerodynamic umbrella with a patented Radial Tensioning System. Perfect for Michigan winters.
Silhouette mug featuring a personal photo, $50 for custom. (I'm thinking of using this shot:)

2013 calendar featuring two of his favorite things, $24. Update: These will be back in stock early next week. xoxo

P.S. More gifts for dads, and the 2012 gift guide so far...

Gift Guide #5: Your Outdoorsy Sister Who Rides Bikes in the Mountains and Always Knows What to Say When You Need Her.

Star-spangled robe because she's out of this world (ba dum tsh!). And she'd look ridiculously gorgeous in it. 35 Euro.
Wooden sandwich boards for serving stinky cheese or turkey sandwiches to friends outside, $80 for four.

A beautiful print of an actual snow crystal to remind her of your childhood winters in Michigan, $60.

Portable bonfire log. If you want to gather friends around a crackling flame for a chat, this log just needs a single match to light! How cool is that? $28.

Four of your favorite books to add to her brilliant bookcase.

Morning mug, which understands her need for coffee. $15.

Faceted magnets. They're not just beautiful but are also the World's Strongest Magnets. $16 to $80.

Happy Socks from Sweden, $12. (Or a cute four-pack for $45.)

Heart spoons, 10 euro each.

Clare Vivier clutches have been featured everywhere online, but they'd be perfect for dinners out, drinks with friends, running to meet her husband, $165. (I really like this neon one, too.)

NatureBox, a monthly subscription to surprise her with a box of different healthy snacks every month. We've tried it, and they're DELICIOUS. (Think: carrot chips! blueberry almond bites!) $60 for three months.

Calligraphy return address stamp, since her doctor handwriting looks like this. $68.

Plus a handwritten card from you (and a signature motorcycle drawing from your toddler). $4.50.

P.S. More gifts for sisters, and the 2012 gift guide so far...

(Morning mug via D*S)

Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from the etsy shop Petitor, which makes the sweetest simple jewelry you can wear everyday. The California-based designer is offering this initial necklace, where you can choose two initials on a gold chain. Would you choose your first and last initials? You and your child? Your state abbreviation? (This XO is cute:)

For a chance to win, please visit Petitor and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Ashley M. is our winner and has been emailed. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers: Get 10% off your order with code ACUPOFJO until Sunday.