Have a surplus of candy because there were fewer—or no—trick or treaters this year? Or perhaps your kids scored big and can’t possibly eat all of it. Donating your haul of Halloween candy to soldiers stationed abroad, neighborhood firefighters, and others will surely sweeten someone’s day. Keep reading to find out where to drop off the dulce, below.
Operation Troop Treats
iStock
Operation Troop Treats is the nation’s largest dentist-sponsored Halloween candy exchange benefiting U.S. Service Members and their families, teaching children about good dental health and the importance of giving back to those who serve our country.
Donate Halloween candy at any participating dental office nationwide from Nov. 1-6 and receive a toy in exchange for each child's candy donation. Local dental offices will send Operation Gratitude the donated candy, dental kits, and funds to cover the assembly and shipment of care packages for U.S. troops.
Click here to find out your nearest donation location.
Murphy-Harpst is a nonprofit residential treatment center in Atlanta that serves severely abused and neglected children and teenagers. It is an emotional, spiritual and physical safe haven, offering residential treatment, placements in specialized foster care, and community programs that serve at-risk young people and their families. And they'd love your excess candy to share with the children in their care!
Drop off or mail to Murphy-Harpst, Attention: Pam Kramer, 740 Fletcher St., Cedartown GA 30125
The Halloween Candy Give-Back Program gives families a way to donate surplus candy to deployed troops, veterans, and first responders with the goal of forging strong bonds between the civilian and service communities nationwide. This year, donation locations will not be set-up due to COVID-19; however, Operation Gratitude encourages donors to ship candy directly to them (OG Candy Processing Center, ATTN: Halloween Candy, 8967 Oso Ave., Building D, Chatsworth, CA 91311), or better yet, contact a local military base, veteran organization, or first responder department to see if they are interested and able to take the candy.
If you would like to register to donate excess Halloween Candy, click here.
Ronald McDonald House supports families with children battling illness by providing a "home away from home" while seeking treatment. Some local chapters of the Ronald McDonald House accept unopened, surplus candy donations.
Find a local chapter here. Contact the one closest to you to verify that they're taking donations before loading up you haul of sweet stuff!
Local fire stations are not only where the big hook and ladder trucks are stored, but they're also where firefighters live when they're on duty, waiting for an emergency call. And, while they usually keep it pretty healthy around the house, we're pretty sure everyone likes a little late night chocolate, now and then.
PAW Kids is a community organization that provides safety and sustenance. PAW House is a safe and loving after school enrichment program where students can find reading mentors, homework help, and more. Claudia's House is a neighborhood food pantry that offers daily meals for the community, meals for seniors, and more.
Donations can be dropped off at Claudia's House on Mon., Tues., & Thurs. from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Claudia's House is located at 1633 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy.
It’s month eight of my first pregnancy, and sh*t is hitting the fan. Let’s imagine it’s that baby green kind that we can all relate to. I’m 3,000 miles away from my family and completely unsure of what I’m about to do or who I’m about to become. Then the phone rings.
It’s my dad. The only person I know who thanks me for talking at the end of our conversations. I pick up the phone, mainly because he usually only calls for 2 reasons: 1) to see how I’m doing or 2) to let me know that a care package is on its way—complete with a good book, a $50 bill tucked in it and a handwritten note.
We talk, I vent and he thanks me for the phone call. I realize that I’m going to be ok. Talking helps like that.
Fast forward three years.
My daughter, Lily Love, is being potty-trained and baby #2 is on his or her way. Being a mom, as most of you know, is the wildest and most amazing ride. I’ve realized that I’m happiest being a mama and one of the people I have to thank for that is my dad.
My husband is my rock and in the trenches beside me, day in and day out. My mom is my inspiration and resident wonder woman, but my dad is the one who created a strong foundation for me as a mother, upon which I have built a happy (albeit messy) home.
My dad has gifted me with four of the most precious abilities, which I tap into every day when gathering my inner strength to battle through toddlerdom:
Excessive Patience: I remember living at home after college (that happened!), and my dad would drop me off at the local train station every morning so I could get to work. I was always running late, and he would always wait. He could have gotten mad and yelled…. and sometimes he did, because I was a brat and deserved it.
But most of the time, he would sit patiently in the car and drive extra fast to catch the train. I now draw upon that wooosaaa-like patience in the form of long, deep breaths as I wait for my little girl to find her fifth stick of ChapStick before we run out the door. Because having only four is unimaginable!
Active Listening: Only recently have I learned just how important it is to actively listen. That is, to show up, hold space and care for another. The response you receive when you do so is nothing short of amazing. My husband and daughter now feel supported when I see them and hear them, rather than easily interject my own opinion.
My dad, a social worker of more than 40 years, has mastered the art of active listening. He stops what he is doing, looks you in the eye and silently listens until you ask him a question. He gives his eyes, ears and heart to you.
Uncluttered Presence: My dad often tells me, “This too shall pass,” a well-known quote that exudes wisdom. He taught me that the best and the worst moments fade, so you better embrace the here and now. Stop and take in the sun’s rays, smell the grass, roll down the hill with your kid, cannonball into the pool or simply read a book while listening to the birds sing.
Whatever you do, be fully present because now is all we have. I truly believe that my daughter is more content because I try (try is the key word here) to be present with her, to create memories and not distractions.
Unconditional Love: This one’s a biggie. Some say that this type of love doesn’t exist, but my dad made sure that I knew it did. From getting up at 3 a.m. to take me to horse shows to picking me up at 3 a.m. from train stops, my dad didn’t just tell me he loved me, he showed me. Through thick and thin. And trust me, I wasn’t an easy teenager.
But that didn’t matter. I always knew that my dad’s love was unwavering and that he was only a phone call away. Cute-faced toddlers are easy to forgive, but those older, more difficult years are not that far away. Knowing what unconditional love feels like will help me through it all because to know and to give love is the greatest gift of all.
I am forever grateful for my dad, who has also become the most incredible “DeDe” to my daughter. But having an amazing dad or any dad is not a prerequisite for being a good mom (whatever that means). It’s about knowing a person who has loved and supported you through the good, the bad and the ugly. To know that type of love, in any capacity, is to be able to give that type of love. If you’ve known such a person, consider yourself lucky and I can bet your kids are just as lucky, too!
I’m a beauty hunter, a dreamer, a learner and a doer. I'm also a mama to 2 wild ones (Lily Love + Bear). As a self proclaimed forest fairy + forest school founder, I believe in nature and magic and know that growth happens when you step outside of your comfort zone.
Who doesn’t love a good movie night in? Snuggle up on the couch in your comfy sweats or pajamas and enjoy some sweat treats to snack on. My kids and I were recently given the opportunity to watch a private screening of DISNEY CHANNEL’S FIRST-EVER MYSTERY SERIES “SECRETS OF SULPHUR SPRINGS”- and needless to say, we loved it! It was the perfect movie night for the kids and it really grabbed our attention- not too spooky, but just enough intriguing. We can’t wait to see what happens next!
“Secrets of Sulphur Springs” is a time-travel mystery series for kids & families.
You can watch the 1 HOUR UNINTERRUPTED TV PROGRAMMING EVENT ON DISNEY CHANNEL THIS FRIDAY, JAN. 15, 2021!
Start planning your movie night now with some of our must have’s to make your home a theatre “like” experience.
1
Cuddly Blankets
$34.94
Comfort is key! Grab yourself an oversized blanket and snuggle up.
Educational publisher McGraw Hill wants to help parents and teachers during the pandemic. The company has just released a new virtual “care package” packed with materials and activities to use with kids to help foster bravery, courage and learn new ideas.
As we all navigate these unprecedented times, McGraw Hill’s virtual care package is tackling bravery head on. The free resource comes with boredom busters, a bravery playlist, activity book, bravery cube game and more.
photo: iStock
The team at McGraw Hill says, “everything in this package is designed to be used by anyone looking to develop courage. We hope that you enjoy this package and that it also serves as a source of inspiration for your own courageous ideas and learning experiences.”
You can find the completely free care package here.
It’s another chance to celebrate a holiday in the changing landscape of 2020. No matter your favorite tradition for the day, there’s one thing we can be thankful for—the option to order your Portland Thanksgiving takeout style! Our city’s incredible restaurants are offering up some stellar menus for the big day, ready to take home. We found the best of the kid-friendly options ranging from vegetarian to no holds barred turkey feasts. Read on to find out more about where you can get your Thanksgiving to go in Portland!
It's true, New Seasons lets you reserve your Thanksgiving feast online, making this year's holiday meal easier than ever. Just follow this link and make sure to order soon. Items are running out. Think: turkey, ham, pie and potatoes. If you hop on line and find they are out of something you just need to make your feast whole, no worries. In Portland there's a new seasons in almost every neighborhood. Don't forget to check your local store's website for hours and COVID-shopping rules in advance. You don't want to miss out on New Season Thanksgiving Dinner 2020!
Hubers Café has been a staple in Portland since they’ve opened in 1879. Over 100 years later they are still known for their delicious turkey, Spanish coffees, and majestic décor. In a normal year this place is so popular for Thanksgiving that people start reserving a year in advance. This year, you’ll want to call to reserve your Thanksgiving Care Package, a delicious meal to go! Hint: don’t want to wait until the big day? Order their Thanksgiving meal any day this month!
If you feel safe, McMenamins restaurants are one of the rare restaurants that are open for dining in. Enjoy all the deliciousness of the day, without clean up. The Kennedy School in Portland is offering a delicious turkey-day buffet, ranging from classics like roasted turkey and pumpkin pies to Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and an assortment of fabulous desserts. With lots more in between! The bar will be open so you can order the perfect ale to accompany your meal. Load up your plate and enjoy tasty food alongside those you love the most. Now that’s something to be thankful for. Reservations required for social distancing needs, please call ahead.
Buffet 11:30 am-5:30 pm Courtyard Restaurant Turkey Dinner 11 am-9 pm Cost: $38/adult; $23/children 4-12; free for kids 3 and under Kennedy School 5736 NE 33rd Ave. 503-249-3983 Online: mcmenamins.com
Get a taste of Texas in Portland with Holy Trinity, the popular barbecue cart offering succulent ribs, brisket, sausage and more. This year pitmaster Kyle Rensmeyere is offering up excellent smoked turkey for the big day to go with your sides at home. The 3.5 pound bird comes sliced or unsliced, ready to pick up on Thanksgiving Day. Get your pre-orders in online.
If you’re more into tempeh than turkey, Farm Spirit is here for you! The plant-based restaurant is offering an entirely meat free Thanksgiving menu this year, with tempeh roast and wild mushroom gravy, cornbread stuffing, potato gratin, roasted fall vegetables, and even pies! Find the menu and order online by November 21.
So, your kids may be home for an extended period of time in the coming weeks. Perhaps they will be off for a planned Spring Break and your travel plans have changed. Or maybe schools will be canceled out of an abundance of caution over the spread of Covid-19. Maybe you live in a part of the country that is still waiting for the start of Spring and you are buried under a blanket of snow. Regardless of the circumstances, lots of downtime at home can lead to frustration and boredom. I’d like to suggest an addition to the usual line-up of books, homework sheets, games, craft projects and screen time: service.
What if we all shifted our focus a bit and spent some time gazing outward toward people and organizations that could benefit from our kindness and outreach? While volunteering in the community may be impossible during these challenging days, there are lots of “Kitchen Table Kindness” activities that can keep children meaningfully engaged while spreading kindness to others whose struggles may have nothing to do with the spread of the coronavirus.
In my work as an advocate for family and youth service, I often recommend at-home service activities for families with children who might not be welcome to volunteer in the community because the kids are too young. However, all of the following projects can be done by children of all ages, and you likely have most of the supplies in your home (or can easily order them online for delivery).
1. Write letters and cards for children who are being treated in the hospital. You can send them to Cards for Hospitalized Kids or Send Kids the World. Send Kids the World allows you to search a database so you can direct your letter to a specific child. The Cards for Hospitalized Kids website includes important guidelines on appropriate language to use in your letters (for example, you never want to say “feel better”). The use of glitter and glue should be minimized. Construction paper and crayons or markers are all you need to work on this easy and meaningful project.
2. Similarly, your kids can make colorful birthday cards and send them to the Confetti Foundation which supplies birthday parties for hospitalized children.
3. Kids can decorate plain paper placemats with cheerful messages and drawings, and these can be donated to your local Meals On Wheels program. You can search the national Meals on Wheels website to find your local branch.
4. There are many ways that your family can support our active-duty military, their families and veterans. Organizations like Soldiers Angels, Operation Gratitude, and Support Military Families collect cards, letters, hand-knit scarves, para-chord bracelets and others items for care packages that are shipped to our servicemen and women who are serving far from home, and to the home-front families who miss them.
5. Do you have some fleece fabric sitting around? Consider making no-sew blankets for Project Linus, which provides hand-made blankets for children in need, or donate them to a local nursing home to be used as lap blankets.
6. Fleece scraps can also be used to make chew toys or pet blankets for donation to your local ASPCA or animal shelter. Ideas and instructions can be found online.
7. Do your kids love to draw? Check out Color a Smile which distributes cheerful drawings to senior citizens, our troops overseas and anyone in need of a smile. You can download printable coloring sheets from the website and let your kids go wild. Once you’ve collected a stack of beautiful drawings, send it along to Color a Smile which has given out over a million smiles over the last 25 years.
8. Order an arts and crafts kit from Stars of Hope. Stars of Hope is an organization that grew out of the tragedy of 9/11 which empowers people to share messages of love and hope through hand-painted wooden stars. Each “Box fo Hope” includes 15 wooden stars, paint, brushes and instructions. After your kids have painted the stars, you can box them up and send them to a community that is recovering from a natural disaster or other tragedy.
9. Take a look around your own neighborhood. Is there an elderly, homebound or ill neighbor who might need some groceries, some help or just a phone call to check-in? Can your kids spend some time on the phone, Skype or Facetime with a far-away relative who hasn’t seen them in a while? Think about the people in your family who might appreciate hearing from you, who would enjoy sharing a laugh or a warm word of affection during an anxious time.
10. Finally, if your kids are a little older and they are interested in learning more about a social justice issue—the environment, poverty, hunger, educational access for girls around the world, homelessness, etc.—sit with them and help them through some internet searches of reputable sources of information on these subjects. Spend time talking about the work that is being done and how they might get involved.
This is a particularly fraught time for everyone, especially parents who need to manage their own fears and anxiety while keeping children calm. If we are going to be stuck indoors together—and it is increasingly likely that this will happen to many Americans—perhaps we can use this time to spread joy and kindness. We can remind ourselves that as dire as our own situation may seem, someone, somewhere is likely having a more difficult experience. By helping our children to spend some of their time actively engaged in serving others, even from the confines of our own homes, we can find a glimmer of hope and optimism in challenging times.
Natalie Silverstein, MPH, is the NYC coordinator of Doing Good Together. She is a writer, speaker and consultant on the topic of family service. Her first book Simple Acts: The Busy Family's Guide to Giving Back was published in 2019 and her second book for teens will be published in 2022.
We don’t know about you, but this year, we feel like a superstar if we put on pants, take a shower and make sure the kid eats some broccoli. But some NYC parents are not only modeling #NYtough and proving “we can do hard things”, they’re out there giving back to their communities and making a difference in all kinds of ways, from feeding the hungry and raising money for businesses impacted by pandemic, to entertaining us and providing a much-needed laugh. Read on for some good news and inspiration!
Helping to Feed New Yorkers: Temecca Seril
Helping Feed New Yorkers: Element 9
Founder of social innovation tech consultancy firm Element 9, Harlem resident and mom to 11-year-old Barack, Tamecca Seril was dismayed at the inequalities of the food and health systems in her community that COVID-19 brought into stark relief. She wanted to reduce the hardships faced by the city’s most vulnerable populations, and zeroed-in on food relief work as a meaningful and immediate intervention. “New Yorkers don’t let New Yorkers go hungry,” she says. Her company now operates a pick and pack operation at Industry City in Brooklyn, preparing shelf-stable food care packages for the GetFood NYC program, a COVID-19 food relief program. As of late September, the Element 9 team has distributed more than 800,000 meals since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.
Rocking Out & Giving Back: Dave Miller & Lisa Schorr, Kids Rock For Kids
Kids Rock For Kids
Lots of parents' kids are in rock bands. However, most of those parents don't produce live benefit concerts as a way of both supporting their kids' passions and demonstrating how people, even kids, can use their talents for a greater good. That's the origin story of Kids Rock For Kids, founded by Brooklynite parents Dave Miller and Lisa Schorr, an effort that has grown from an altruistic, "let's-put-on-a-show" impulse in 2017 to full-on non-profit with a global reach and impact.
Early KRFK shows featured accomplished Brooklyn and NYC kid bands and raised money for local agencies including the New York Coalition for the Homeless. When the pandemic put the kibosh on the organization's April 2020 benefit, Kids Rock For Kids pivoted to a live-streamed show featuring the kids playing together, separately. (That fundraiser pulled in an impressive $12,000.) The latest effort from Kids Rock For Kids was "Around the World: A Benefit Show for Kids in Crisis", a live-streamed concert featuring 15 hand-picked, incredible teen and tween bands, from 10 countries, including Spain, India, Colombia and the UK that benefitted UNICEF. As part of that production, KRFK even put together their own six-person band, selecting a rock-star kid from every inhabited continent as members. (That effort has raised over $5K, and counting). Bummed you missed it? Don't be: an encore presentation with new material is streaming November 15. The best news? The donation period is still open, so your family still has time to rock out and give back, too!
Like many people, photographer Karen Haberberg found herself with a lot less work when the pandemic hit. While the Chelsea resident (and mom to two kids, ages nine and 13) did continue to do remote photo sessions with families—capturing those fleeting newborn days, for example—she also felt compelled to do something for the people who were keeping the city alive, in every sense of the word.
"I was asked by a friend to photograph a bunch of employees as a 'thank you' for working at the offices of Babylon Dental during the height of Covid. They risked their lives to deal with dental emergencies because treatment was so widely unavailable otherwise," she says. That lead to a larger project of porch photo sessions for essentials workers. She hoped to offer a respite and a moment of normalcy to these first responders, and donated her services to families throughout the city.
Caring for Community: Nowshin Ali & Anurag Shrivastava, People In Need
PIN: People In Need
It’s difficult to overstate the impact that Nowshin Ali, Brooklyn resident, restaurateur—she owns celebrated Flatbush eatery Jalsa—and parent parent to an 11-year-old boy, has had on her community, both pre- and post-pandemic.
In 2016, the Ditmas Park resident and Anurag Shrivastava co-founded community-based organization People in Need (PIN), which is dedicated to assisting low-income families speaking a variety of languages reach their full potential as residents of New York City. Over the past four years, PIN has run an after-school homework program, summer youth programs, women’s workshops, and warm clothing and back to school supplies drives.
In mid-March PIN launched People In Need - COVID19 Food Insecurity Campaign. With an initial fundraising goal of $3,000 to serve people in the Flatbush community, donations now total over $70,000 and PIN assembles and delivers family-sized food boxes to over 300 families a week throughout Brooklyn, and has served more than 3000 unique families throughout the borough multiple times.
PIN proudly serves Brooklyn’s full diversity: elderly people who live in isolation, people with disabilities and special needs, single mothers, and low-income families who are primarily South-Asian, Latino and Black.
In mid-October, through the People In Need women’s program, the organization will launch multi-lingual workshops in basic computer skills for the female immigrant population of Flatbush. Workshops will provide assistance with navigating the internet, opening email accounts, finding essential help through various government websites and working with Google Classroom for children’s remote learning.
Helping to Keep it Local: Maya Komerov & CinchMarket.nyc
CinchMarket.nyc
Over the past few years, it's been hard not to notice the number of independent businesses closing up shop around New York City. Rising rents coupled with fast, often free shipping from Amazon and other big box retailers, has meant tough times for the businesses that are key to keeping New York unique and vibrant. About two years ago, tech industry veteran and entrepreneur Maya Komerov (also mom to two kids, ages 7 and 11) decided she wanted to create something to help sustain the small businesses in her home borough of Brooklyn, and CinchMarket was born. (Komerov is seen here, right, with Glam Expressway owner Lindsay Stuart.)
Originally an app, Cinch Market is now also an online destination that facilitates, through tech and operations, shopping independent local businesses throughout Brooklyn. (In October, the company expands to Manhattan's Upper West Side, with plans to ultimately serve the entire borough.) Of course, when the pandemic hit, the need for Cinch Market—for both stores and residents—surged. Cinch Market sells across more than 12 categories, including gifts, toys, wine, jewelry, essentials, and if you order by 10 a.m., you can get your delivery the same day; if your order is over $60, delivery is free. Note: goods from multiple stores arrive in a single box thanks to a central processing center in Brooklyn. "We create an infrastructure to get back the power of community," she says. "People want to shop local." (Take that, Amazon!)
On October 1 and 3, scores of professional dancers took to the streets as part of Dance Rising: NYC, a hyper-local dance out across all five boroughs. NYC professional dancers took to the parks, windows, streets, and rooftops to dance. The event was held in an effort to focus public attention on an industry that has been economically devastated by the pandemic, with an estimated 90 percent of the dance professionals out of work. Organizers, members of the Dance Rising Collective, include Lucy Sexton, mom to two teenagers, and Maura Nguyen Donohue, parent of two sons.
“[My children] have struggled through their Zoom dance classes, but long to be moving with others—outside their bedrooms!,” Sexton says. “Dance Rising is a balm for the souls of our city's dance artists. Letting them move publicly and amplifying their artistry every way we can. Our city is a great city because it celebrates dance and culture and art. We need to let professional dancers know they are valued and inspire our young dancers who have been alone and inside for too long!”
Later this fall, large-scale videos of the dances filmed as part of project will be projected in public spaces throughout the city.
Cool to Be Kind: Rob Stone & Jon Cohen With #SaveOurStages & NIVA
Save Our Stages
If you met your partner at Mercury Lounge, S.O.B.'s, Baby's All Right or some other seminal NYC indie music venue, you have no excuse not to get your wallet out right now, because we found your new favorite T-shirt.
Rob Stone and Jon Cohen, co-founders of THE FADER, built a magazine and media company based on their love of music—especially live music. And let's face it: NYC is where incredible live music happens, particularly in small, independent spaces like the ones mentioned above.
"There is no more enjoyable moment for a music fan in NYC than seeing your favorite artists [play] live, early in their career in a small club, and following that ascension through the years to see them play Madison Square Garden. But It all starts in that small independent venue," says Cohen. "What the music fan does not realize is how many people and lives are tied into that independent music venue ecosystem. From ownership to the crew, to the sound people to the bartender, merch person, security, so many livelihoods were instantly put on hold from the pandemic. When all of this started, one of the first things we thought of at FADER is 'How can we use our platform to help support those in music being affected?'."
One part of the answer: A T-shirt made in collaboration with popular relief platform This T-Shirt, building on the National Independent Venue Association’s (NIVA) #SaveOurStages campaign, spotlighting independent venues across New York and the impact they have on their communities. All proceeds made from the sale of the shirt will benefit NIVA.
"My first concert was RUN DMC at Madison Square Garden in 1986 and it was mind-blowing, but so many monumental shows have been at small venues—like seeing Alicia Keys for the first time at Joe’s Pub when she was 17, to the only time I saw Prince live in Chelsea, to seeing The Notorious B.I.G.’s very first show at The Muse in 1993," says Stone. "I want my twin boys to grow up and see shows and experience the creativity and culture, be in that moment that only independent New York venues can provide."
(Disclaimer: there's some not-so-kid-friendly language on the shirt, but hey, that's rock and roll.)
Half of the kindie rock sensation The Pop Ups, spouse to a frontline healthcare worker, and dad to two daughters, ages eight and six, Jason Rabinowitz reports, “humor and levity are essentially how my family has survived the pandemic, emotionally speaking.” Part of that was creating a silly video as a family project one weekend, and that morphed into an entire web series dubbed, "This Joke's For You.” (Installments were sent around to friends and family as a little pick-me-up during trying times.) Then Rabinowitz’s bandmate Jacob Stein suggested tackling some of the current challenges for parents in song. “It's dire. But it's also absurd,” says Rabinowitz. “And our belief is that if you can't laugh you'll cry. So The Pop Ups wrote 'Dad You're Not A Teacher. Primed from the family web series experience, Rabinowitz’s kids stepped in to speak for all kids in the video for the song. Coming soon, just in time for Halloween, is “ZOOMbies.” Which of course is about “How Zoom turns you into a zombie…”
Allison Eden identifies herself as "the least likely person to patrol", but the Upper West Side resident and mom to two teen boys has been hitting the streets every week since July as a volunteer for neighborhood safety patrol organization the Guardian Angels. (She's seen here, in glasses, with some of her fellow GAs.) The impetus for Eden's involvement was the much-publicized relocation of more than 280 homeless men into her neighborhood, and reports of some dealing and doing drugs, public urination and other undesirable behavior. "These are human beings. They need services," she says. But she also didn't feel safe. "I said, 'If nobody's going to do anything, I'm going to do something'." And now, on some nights when she'd typically be in bed with a book, she heads out from 8 p.m. to midnight to patrol the Upper West Side with other neighborhood volunteers to help keep the streets safe. "I've met the greatest group of people, who love New York City like I do," she says. "It's not political. These are people who love New York City."
Halloween may look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still celebrate the sweetest part about the holiday — candy! Dylan’s Candy Bar is here to satisfy all of your spooky cravings. From gummies to gourmet treats, these candies are perfect for trick-or-treating or a candy buffet.
Spooktacular Halloween Kebobs: ($6.00) You can’t do Halloween without Gummy Kebobs! Perfect for parties, trick-or-treating and more, these unique treats always go fast. Grab yours before they’re gone!
Body Parts Buffet Tackle Box: ($26.00) Take a bite out of life the creepiest Tackle Box yet! Filled to the brim with gummy brains, eyeballs and more, this box is perfect for Halloween lovers.
Harvest Happiness Paint Can: ($17.00) Take festive treats on all your adventures this Fall! Bring our paint can to the pumpkin patch, on a road trip or along on a hike—the possibilities are endless.
Fall Flavor-ites Tackle Box: ($26.00) Move over, PSL! Indulge in the flavors of Fall with this handpicked assortment of gourmet treats.
Jeepers Creepers Tackle Box: ($26.00) These creepy crawlers look almost too real to eat…we said almost! Use the creatures inside to decorate Halloween treats, spice up an everyday snack or satisfy your sweet tooth.
Apple-solutely Perfect Popcorn: ($12) – This apple flavored popcorn is the apple of our eye! With white chocolate and graham crackers, it’s almost as good as a trip to the orchard. Pair with a Halloween movie for the perfect night in.
Spooktacular Chocolate Bar Multipack: (10) – Get in the Halloween spirit with this 4-pack of bars in spooktacular shades. Perfect for trick-or-treaters or Halloween care packages! (Psst, more is more! Save $3 when you buy this Halloween chocolate bar multipack.)
If you’ve been craving Milk Bar but aren’t planning a trip to New York City anytime soon, you can now satisfy that sweet tooth at Target! Coveted Milk Bar goodies are now being sold at your local bullseye retailer.
Chef Christina Tosi and her East village sweet shop are expanding the cult-following offerings to stores, starting with new Truffle Crumb Cakes. Found in the refrigerated aisle, the new treats are inspired by Milk Bar’s bakery Cake Truffles and supermarket desserts.
Truffle Crumble cakes currently come in Birthday, Chocolate Birthday and Chocolate Chip and retail for $2.99 for a pack of two.
You’ll also want to get your hands on Milk Bar’s Cookies, which currently come in Compost, Confetti and Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow. Cookies retail for $4.99 for a pack of eight,.
Chef Tosi shares, “That my mom, my aunts, my brothers and sisters can get a little nibble of the bakery at their nearby Target excites me to no end. Though most aren’t able to visit us at one of the shops, or are waiting for that special occasion to send a care package, we’re here for you, to give you a reason, an excuse to take a little moment to celebrate something, someone, to take a beat, to eat dessert.”
Milk Bar will be bringing new cookie flavors that include holiday exclusives in the next few months.
With the holidays approaching many people are looking for unique gifts to send to family and friends near and far. Etsy just released its 2020 Holiday Trend Guide, filled with top gifting and decor trends for a very different holiday season. From thoughtful long-distance gifts to cozy outdoor decor, this year’s trends are all about finding ways to celebrate those we love.
This year’s top holiday trends on Etsy include:
Gifting
First-time hosting essentials: Many people will be hosting holidays for the first time this year, making entertaining essentials a priority. There has already been a 49% increase in searches for housewarming gifts. Searches for hostess gifts such as candlestick holders, tea towels and personalized cutting boards are also up.
Long-distance gifting: With many unable to see family and friends in person this year, Etsy sellers are helping shoppers let their loved ones know they are thinking of them from a distance with personalized care packages. Searches for care packages are up 235%. There has also been a noticeable increase in searches of greeting cards and holiday cards.
Decorative games and puzzles: The classic games we all know and love have gained momentum throughout the year.
Greener gifting: Shoppers are looking to minimize waste from the gift to the wrapping. There has been a 53% bump in searches for eco-friendly gifts and a 70% bump in searches for eco-friendly gift wrap. Shibori is taking hold as a surprising and eco-friendly take on the tie-dye trend, with a 50% increase in searches for tie-dye and shibori items.
Decor
Sculptural candles: Sellers are putting a creative spin on holiday decor staples and reinventing traditional taper, pillar, and votive candles. Searches for abstract, modern and geometric candles has jumped 86%.
Cozy outdoors: Many festive gatherings are moving outdoors this year, and shoppers are already making plans to transform their outdoor areas into inviting and warm spaces for guests. There has been a 186% spike in searches for outdoor blankets, a 197% spike in searches for fire pits, and a 52% spike in searches for outdoor holiday decor.
Homespun holidays: This year, shoppers are opting for nostalgic holiday decor that is reminiscent of a time filled with simpler pleasures and activities. On Etsy, there has been a 16% increase in searches for crochet, knit, or embroidered ornaments and an 18% increase in searches for holiday quilts. One remerging trend from years past is incorporating citrus into holiday decorating. There has been a 126% spike in searches for citrus decor.
Pet Advent Calendars: Advent calendars are a holiday mainstay, but this year the holiday countdown is about to get a lot more fun for our four-legged friends. There has been a 43% jump in searches for advent calendars and an 89% jump in searches for pet treats.
