Carl Pettit

Globes and angels and stars are fine, but for the folks who like to be a little more imaginative with their Christmas-tree decorations—whether from boredom or budget—we’ve come up with a list of five unusual ways to help get the creative wheels in your noggin spinning:

Christmas means toys, food, holiday cards, laughter, singing, family squabbles and lot of sweets stuffed inside your belly. The festive season also means a ton of money will be spent on those near and dear to us—and with so many sales going on, maybe just a bit on yourself as well.

“Come on! It’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.” Those famous words, from the song ‘Sleigh Bells Ringing,’ signal the arrival of lots of snow in the colder regions of the planet—and tons of winter fun. What better way to enjoy the crisp air, and the cold outdoors, than by taking a “cool” sleigh ride?

The microwave oven is a wonderful time saver. When you want to defrost a chicken, warm up a bowl of soup, pop some popcorn or cook an instant burrito, you can’t beat microwave technology.

The open road offers up a lot of possibilities. You’ve got adventure, new and strange destinations, gorgeous scenery, and the opportunity to escape the humdrums of your normal life, plus all of the interesting characters you’ll meet along the way. All you have to do is decide on a route, get into the car and drive.

When you’re out in the bright sun, and you want to have some fun without squinting for hours on end, you need a pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes.

People are always trying to eat healthier or lose weight. The media sends out a constant onslaught of new information about what you should and shouldn’t eat.

When someone tells you that you have a frog in your throat, that person is letting you know that you sound terrible. Your voice is raspy and dry, and you’re probably having a hard time speaking. So, is there some magical tale about how this expression came about?

When the weather is good, and the sun is out, it’s time to start thinking about taking the family out into the American wilderness. For those of you who really want to explore the outdoors, here are some of the best campsites around, spread across the country.

What you wear into the water, and how much skin you choose to reveal, is now mostly a matter of modesty (or lack thereof) and personal taste. Not so long ago, the options were much more limited, for men and women both.

When the weather gets warmer, and you head out into the sun, you’re bound to eat a whole lot of ice cream. Of course, you could choose from the traditional flavors, like vanilla, chocolate, pistachio and rocky road. But why not try something a little different?

If your best friend sidles up to you and tells you that he or she is “as pleased as punch,” then you know that person is very pleased indeed. But how did this phrase come into being in the  first place?