Happy Monday everyone! Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

December 6: Bring a new, unwrapped toy (to be donated to the Home for Little Wanderers) to Frog Pond between 3-4pm and receive a free ticket voucher to Disney On Ice's Treasure Trove at TD Garden, December 26-29. *UPDATE: This event has been relocated to DCR Steriti Memorial Rink, 561 Commercial Street, Boston.
December 7: It's National Cotton Candy Day (who knew?) and these local restaurants will celebrate with complimentary post-meal confections: BOKX 109 American Prime at Hotel Indigo (Newton) is offering apple, strawberry, and blueberry flavors, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar (Boston) is serving sour apple cotton candy laced with cherry pop rocks, and The MET Bar & Grill (Dedham) is offering watermelon and cherry flavored cotton candy to all parties with kids in tow. Also, Towne Stove and Spirits (Boston) is serving maple cotton candy as a compliment to some of their desserts.

December 8: Revel in a starry night in New Bedford.

December 8: Celebrate Bodhi Day at Barefoot Books.

December 8-11: Support indie crafters at the Brookline Arts Center's Artist Marketplace.

December 9-11: And you can do the same at the Craftboston Holiday Show.

By early this week Enter to win tickets to the Spirit of Boston Santa Lunch Cruise (by noon December 6) and/or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (by noon December 8).

At your leisure: Consider seeing Peter Pan this month. I took Laurel yesterday and it was really impressive, particularly the 360 degree theatre set! You can look for half price tickets here.

At your leisure: Is your teen in a band? Perhaps they want to consider competing to rock out to help sick kids at Children's Hospital.

At your leisure: Start a fitness program. Here are 11 easy tips to get you going.

At your leisure: Chip away at procuring holiday items -- start by shopping local!

At your leisure: If you're sending holiday cards, pull together photos (I'm doing this right now!). I figure it's OK if they arrive anytime before next winter! (Also, stay tuned, I have a fantastic giveaway lined up to help you in this department!)

At your leisure: In advance of all of those holiday photos, book a hair appointment. I was psyched that I remembered to book a hair cut this past weekend with my friend (and fabulous cut and colorist) Honey Jo this past weekend given that the next couples of weeks are totally packed.

Image credit: Cotton candy necklace by FatallyFeminine via Etsy

If the number of hours I used to spend polishing musical theatre dance numbers and color guard routines is an indication, I clearly have a thing for organized spectacle. And it arguably doesn't get more organized or spectacular than a blinged out kick line. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes recently debuted their new show in Boston and runs through December 28. And how cool is this? The kind folks at Citi Performing Arts Center offered me a 4-pack of Christmas Spectacular tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Holly!
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Rules*:

Email contests@bostonmamas.com with "Rockettes" in the subject by noon EST, Thursday, December 8, 2011, and include your mailing address in your e-mail to expedite the process. (I have the tickets sitting here on my desk and will drop them in the mail as soon as I draw the winner!)

Local entrants welcome.

One entry per person (please do not enter off multiple e-mail accounts).

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*One lucky winner (drawn randomly via Random.org) will receive four (4) tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show in Boston on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 7:30pm. The winner will be notified directly via e-mail, then listed back at this post using first name only.

I hope you all have a fantastic first weekend of December! Here are 12 fun weekend picks to consider:

1. Oh the craftasticness that awaits at the Bazaar Bizarre! (Boston)

2. Warm up those lungs...help break the world record for the most carolers in one place. (Boston)

3. If you're looking for fine art this holiday season, head to the Gorse Mill Studios Holiday Open Studios. (Needham)
4. Drop off donations at the Room to Grow Holiday Toy Drive then enjoy a stroll about downtown. (Boston)

5. You can visit with Santa and/or make a gingerbread house this weekend at Verrill Farm. (Concord)

6. Enchanted trolley tours await! (Boston)

7. Get your glow on. (Medford)

8. Celebrate native arts and culture. (Cambridge)

9. Enjoy a farm inspired open house. (Lexington)

10. Show your Bank of America card for free admission to six Massachusetts museums. (Boston, Cambridge, Dennis, Lincoln, North Adams, Worcester)

11. An island Christmas stroll sounds just lovely to me. (Nantucket)

12. Christmas in Salem kicks off this evening. (Salem)

Image credit: Bazaar Bizarre

I can hardly believe I'm writing this, but Happy December everyone! There's so much great stuff on tap home and work-wise this month; I hope you're finding the same! Meanwhile, if you're looking for a Santa adventure that extends beyond the local mall, the kind folks at Spirit of Boston offered me a 4-pack of Santa Lunch Cruise tickets to share with one of you lucky readers. Setting sail Saturday, December 10, enjoy lunch, entertainment, goodie bags, cookie decorating, and photos with Santa against the lovely backdrop of the Boston Harbor. Fun, no? Here's how to enter to win:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Erin!
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Rules*:

Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with "Santa Cruise" in the subject by noon EST, Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

Local entrants welcome.

One entry per person (please do not enter off multiple e-mail accounts).

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*One lucky winner (drawn randomly via Random.org) will receive four (4) tickets (approximately $120 value!) to the Spirit of Boston Santa cruise on Saturday, December 10, 2011. The winner will be notified directly via e-mail, then listed back at this post using first name only.

Also: Bring a new toy to the Santa cruise (to benefit Christmas in the City) and receive a voucher for your child (12 and under) to cruise for free one time (of their choice) in 2012. Toys can be brought to the ticket booth at the Spirit of Boston. Voucher can only be used on the Spirit of Boston.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday long weekend! As I mentioned last week, we're in the midst of a lot of transition in my house right now so I decided to take time off and focus on the family. It was really lovely and I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things this week! I hope your re-entry back into the real world is smooth; meanwhile, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:
November 28: If you're a classical music lover and can swing a sitter (or mama sitting exchange!) last minute, enjoy tonight's free performance by the Borromeo String Quartet.

November 29 (also December 1 & 7): The Boston JCC is offering programming for interfaith couples and parents to explore how to honor Chanukah and Christmas.

November 30 (through January 1): Take in the pretty at Winter Lights IV in Lowell.

December 1: Celebrate local at Holiday in the Square in Lynn.

December 1-4: Or do the same via the Marblehead Christmas Walk.

December 1: Join the masses for Boston's Official Holiday Lighting.

December 2: Love performance spectacle? The Radio City Chistmas Spectacular kicks off in Boston. (And stay tuned, I'll be giving away tickets to this show soon!)

December 2: Learn how to give baby a rub down at this free infant massage class.

December 2: I love that the Lexington Symphony is offering two Pops shows; a Kids' Pops at 4pm and Holidays Pops at 8pm.

December 2-4: The unique and festive Holly Folly Weekend kicks off in Provincetown.

Now through January 1: This visual celebration of children's literature sounds so lovely.

At your leisure: Put aside some toys to donate to your school or community toy drive.

At your leisure: Check through your kids' outgrown winter gear; donate cold weather items to kids in need.

At your leisure: If you're interested, this is why I've been especially busy the last few months. I'm growing this wonderful company and just redesigned the website. I'm thrilled with how pretty it looks!

At your leisure: I wrote a guest post sharing 8 tips to healthier holidays if you need some ideas.

At your leisure: Schedule coffee or a night out with a girlfriend. (I am long overdue on this and am trying to get something in the books this week.)

At your leisure: Think of how to help out a mom friend with one small act. My act for the week will be delivering dinner to my friend who just had a baby.

At your leisure: Do something kind for yourself. Personally, I'm thinking it's time to book body work with Heather.

Image credit: Borromeo String Quartet via NEC

Though I do enjoy shopping, I've admittedly been turning a blind eye to the onslaught of big box Black Friday pitches I've been receiving -- partially because this marketing approach seems awfully tiresome, and partially because I'm a big fan of supporting local indie businesses. As in past years, we plan on adhering to a pretty minimal approach to holiday shopping, but when I do get around to it, I'll start by turning to what's immediately around us. I wanted to share some great ways to shop local -- there's so much talent that warrants your attention!
1. MassArt Made recently opened at Huntington and Longwood. This store features handmade products by MassArt alums, students, faculty, and staff. I haven't had a chance to stop by yet but I hope to soon -- I adore the concept!

2. I have featured Boston Handmade before; this juried group of professional local artists and craftspeople are prominent on the local craft fair circuit. Check their calendar for updates; they are participating in Holly Days in Princeton, the Mudflat Holiday Sale, the Jamaica Plain Holiday Fair, and the Bazaar Bizarre, among other events.

3. I started the Boston Mamas mamapreneur business network as a way to feature listings for local, mom-driven talent. If you need a professional photographer, look no further! There are also lots of great listings for products, indoor activities, and more.

4. Whenever someone asks me about Etsy, I describe it as a beautiful, beautiful rabbit hole. Simply set your location, search for the item you are looking for (otherwise, general browsing could send you down the rabbit hole for hours!), then click on "Local Items" in the left sidebar to shop local artists. Totally awesome.

5. And of course, look around your neighborhood! I'm particularly keen on supporting local brick and mortars because I admire their bravery in taking the plunge in paying rent (one day I dream of being similarly brave and renting studio space). In past years, it's been fun to take Laurel to local stores so she can help pick presents for her grandparents. (I recommend telling the child what the spending limit is in advance!)

Finally, through Weekly Blueprint and my Fun Weekend Picks, I will do my best to call attention to upcoming local craft shows as I hear about them. Please always feel free to comment in if I'm missing something, or drop me a line to let me know about an upcoming event!

Image credit: delicious looking natural soaps by S.S. Soap in Boston via Etsy

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this week. I'm both looking forward to the connection and reflection that happens around this time of year, and admittedly am also a little overwhelmed by the details of life right this second, given that there's a lot of transition going on in our household (plus, poor Violet is suffering from a bizarre full body rash right now). Anyway, I hope you all enjoy lots of relaxing time this week; here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:
November 21: Start the week out getting up close and personal with cows.

November 21-22: Get what you need at the grocery store before the pre-Thanksgiving freak out on Wednesday.

November 21-22: As you go through your pantry checking off supplies for Thanksgiving, pull out extras and donate to a food bank.

November 21-22: If you're traveling: squirrel away some travel surprises via books from the library, "what's old is new" toys from your own playroom/storage, toys swapped with friends, or items procured from a local toy or craft store.

November 22: If you're traveling: start setting aside a packing pile, or keep a piece of pen and paper handy to jot down items as you remember them. I pretty much always walk around with a piece of paper in my pocket to jot down to-do's since I can't seem to remember anything these days!

November 22: Plan your holiday tabletop; procure any last minute supplies.

November 23 (through December 10): Celebrate the festival of trees in Wellesley.

November 23: Need to occupy your kids while you prep pies? Have them help make place settings or other Thanksgiving inspired décor (think turkeys made from toilet paper rolls!). Or print up and have the kids color some of these free Thanksgiving coloring pages.

November 24: Reflect and be grateful.

November 24 (through January 1, 2012): Enjoy the kick off of ZooLights at the Stone Zoo.

November 25: Go for a run, brisk walk, or hike through the woods with your family.

November 25: The Nutcracker kicks off in Boston! (You can get half price tickets here.)

November 25 & 26: Celebrate native arts and culture in Cambridge.

November 26: Check out the Macy's Christmas Tree Lighting. **see comment from Sara below re: timing

Some time this week: Destress via acupuncture. My friend Roxanna swears by this place.

At your leisure: Tackle a small decluttering project. (I'm thinking about doing a year-long weekly decluttering project!)

Image credit: Appleton Farms

Today, Kate shares a great find for relocating your outgrown kid's clothing and gear:

If you're like me, you occasionally find yourself looking for good ways to pass along the clothes, toys, and gear that your kids have outgrown. Due to generous grandmothers, my daughter's dresser is often overflowing, and I search out ways to share the bounty. Two Little Monkeys, a new children's resale shop in the Union Square neighborhood of Somerville, is a great resource for anyone looking to either unload or pick up clothing, books, toys, and gear (including high-end strollers at terrific prices) for babies and children.
The owner of the store, a mother herself, offers either cash or store credit for items brought in, and purchases based on her existing inventory and the needs and tastes of her customers. All seasons are bought and sold, as are both genders and all sizes through 5T (the owner is looking to expand into larger sizes). The store is roomy and comfortable -- unlike some resale shops, which can feel musty and cramped -- and I noticed MacLaren strollers and a Stokke crib on a recent visit, as well as clothes and shoes in good condition and holiday and seasonal items. Whether you're buying or selling, definitely check out Two Little Monkeys.

Two Little Monkeys, 77 Bow Street, Somerville; 617-222-0043

Ah, weekend, I'm so excited for you! Here are 10 fun picks for your consideration:

1. Grown up event alert: dust off your dancing shoes for this dance off. (Boston)

2. Explore how people used to measure the world pre-technology. (Cambridge)

3. Yay for more than 135 crafty exhibitors to peruse. (Wellesley)
4. Rock out with Ben Rudnick & Friends. (Brookline)

5. Get in the holiday spirit at this tree lighting. (Boston)

6. Talk turkey and make an eco-friendly Thanksgiving centerpiece. (Westport)

7. Meet some critters up close and personal. (Boston)

8. Cheer kids on (and, if you're like me, get a little nostalgic) while they rock the Rubik's Cube. (Boston)

9. Give props to this local mother/daughter book team. (Newburyport)

10. Enjoy a family-friendly musical brunch for brass instrument lovers. (Boston)

Image credit: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net