Unique Holiday Gifts from NOVICA

I feel like every year it gets harder and harder to shop for friends and family. I am always trying to find unique and fabulous gifts that will make them say, "Oh where did you ever find this!" NOVICA is the perfect place to find these gifts. With their wide selection of handcrafted items, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list.

NOVICA gives artists and artisans around the world the opportunity to share their work with the entire world, and you the opportunity to have these pieces of art in your home. Their website is designed in such a way that when you view a product you get to see and learn about the person or people who create it. You are introduced to an artist who may be on the other side of the world who has something beautiful to share. Novica has a mission - to spread happiness by their commitment to connect, empower, preserve.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to shop on NOVICA and see the beauty up close. I was trying to find the perfect gift for my mother-in-law, so I searched for Christmas themed items. A great selection popped up with everything from nativities to ornaments. But these sweet Santas caught my eye.

From clothing to glasses to games to home accents. You can find a wonderful variety of items all in one spot. I would highly recommend that you take some time to explore this wonderful fair trade artisan website that works with National Geographic. Be sure to check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

I am thrilled to share this wonderful shopping experience with one of my lucky readers. One reader will win a $35 Gift Code to make a purchase from the NOVICA website.
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Tips for Parents in the Workforce

The days of being either a worker or a parent are largely behind us, as more and more parents stay in the workforce, even after they have kids. They still value their careers, and, as much as they also value their families, they don't just want to throw away a college education and everything they've been working to build up over the years.

Of course, this can make it a bit harder to parent as effectively as you'd like. The situation can be rather chaotic, and parents need to be ready for all that it entails. If you're a parent trying to balance work and family life, use these tips to make things go smoothly.

1. Keep in touch. You probably hired a nanny, dropped your kids off at grandma's house, or at least took them to daycare. It's best to stay in touch through text, phone, or online options. Even if you don't need to actively help parent, this makes the transition easier because you can get updates and pictures of yours kids, making you feel more involved.

2. Don't take your work home with you. Stay at the office, get things done, and come home when you can really relax and be with your kids. Time management, and splitting up your time effectively, is key. Thinking about work or trying to get extra things done at the house just adds stress you don't need.

3. Make sure vacation time is family time. You only get so many paid days off every year. Don't waste them. This may mean skipping little things that would be fun to attend, but it pays off when you get 10 days in a row with your kids.

4. Use the time you do have wisely. This is about more than just vacation time. You may only have a few hours from the time you get home to the time your kids go to bed. Spend it with them, not rushing around trying to get other things done.

5. Have emergency plans in place. Kids get sick. Schools have to close due to bad roads. All sorts of things can come up and disrupt your schedule. Having a plan ready in advance allows you to absorb these changes easily.

As many couples are finding out, it's very possible to have both a career and a family. You just need to know how to budget your time and plan ahead. Take a tip from me and hire a service for that holiday home cleaning.