To make these waffles even more decadent, I topped them with creamy vanilla Greek yogurt, sliced bananas and mini dark chocolate chips. But that wasn't quite enough, so I decided these waffles needed one more thing to make them perfect. A drizzle of both chocolate and caramel sauces complete these over-the-top waffles. It's totally optional but so worth it.

Loaded homemade peanut butter waffles recipe

Yields 4 large waffles

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

For the waffles

• 2-1/4 cups waffle mix
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 whole egg

For the toppings

• 1 large banana, sliced
• 1 cup vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips
• Chocolate and caramel syrup, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat your waffle iron as directed.
2. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the waffles, and mix very well until smooth.
3. Spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray, and prepare the waffles until all of them are cooked.
4. Stack 2 waffles on a plate, and top with 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, some banana slices and some mini dark chocolate chips.
5. If desired, finish the waffles with chocolate and caramel drizzle. Best served immediately.

More homemade waffle recipes

Pretty in pink waffles
15 Tips for the best waffles
4 Impressive waffle recipes

More: Beauty blogger nails Adele's 'Hello' makeup (WATCH)

The singer used facial prosthetics to transform herself into "Jenny", an Adele impersonator, to take part in a sketch alongside eight other (genuine) Adele impersonators.

At the audition for a pilot programme at the Wimbledon Theatre, the real Adele (a.k.a. Jenny a.k.a. Adele) managed to convince the other Adeles that she was so nervous about going on stage she was going to be sick.

"Jenny" was persuaded to carry on with the audition, and she performed last out of the nine singers, taking to the stage to perform "Feel My Love".

A fake nose adds to the disguise

"Jenny" blends in with the other Adele impersonators

The penny drops...

More: Adele's throwback pic is too cute to handle (PHOTO)

Watch the brilliant sketch below.

Lisa Adele Martin, one of the Adele impersonators featured in the sketch, commented on the video, describing Adele as "lovely" and saying she "couldn't' breathe" when she realised what was going on.

"I cringed watching it back because I was bawling like a baby, but what do you do when you meet your idol...?" she posted.

More: Adele posts open letter to say 'I'm sorry' to her fans

McCarthy — who has been making the rounds promoting her new comedy, Boss — is garnering major attention for her weight loss as of late.

Arriving on set last night in a black turtleneck sweater, skinny jeans and a fringed sweater from her own Melissa McCarthy Seven7 Collection, the 45-year-old actress looked noticeably slimmer. Some sources claim she has recently shed 50-plus pounds by adhering to a high protein, low-carb diet. It's a shift that has not gone unnoticed.

According to Celebrity Health and Fitness magazine, in fact, McCarthy has been following the same diet Tim McGraw and Megan Fox have used to drop pounds. The magazine says McCarthy can also credit her weight loss to a regimen of Pilates and walking. It's a shift that has not gone unnoticed by fans.

More: Melissa McCarthy digs into the shame women feel when plus-size shopping

But while it would seem like McCarthy doing something to benefit her health and overall peace of mind would be well-received, not everyone is applauding the Boss star's slim down. Some detractors think McCarthy hasn't done enough to merit the positive attention.

However, a certain ratio of "keyboard warriors" are sadly to be expected — there will always be those who choose to troll celebrities, and they certainly aren't what you might call fans. In that respect, these criticisms (as rude as they may be) are not the most shocking feedback McCarthy's weight loss is eliciting.

More: Fans hate Melissa McCarthy's ridiculously Photoshopped picture (PHOTO)

Apparently, some fans are upset because they feel as though McCarthy has abandoned her role as an advocate for body positivity. These fans are citing previous statements made by McCarthy in which she said she would always be happy with herself and wasn't worried about losing weight.

The logic, one can assume, is that they feel slighted by McCarthy in some way and worry that her dramatic weight loss is sending the wrong message to those who would embrace body positivity — that in order to be truly happy with your body, you must slim down.

It would seem McCarthy can't win for losing. Earlier this year, a promotional photo for the upcoming all-female Ghostbusters reboot was disgustingly fat-shamed over McCarthy's casting and, of all things, her jumpsuit in the promotional pic.

And even in slimming down, McCarthy has remained a passionate spokesperson for the plus-size community — even launching an entire fashion line around size inclusivity. "People don't stop at size 12. I feel like there's a big thing missing where you can't dress to your mood above a certain number," she told More magazine in May. "[Malls] segregate plus-size [women]. It's an odd thing that you can't go shopping with your friends because your store is upstairs hidden by the tire section. We'll put you gals over there because we don't want to see you and you probably don't want to be seen."

Perhaps this fan says it best, reminding everyone that McCarthy is the sum of more than just her size.

Do you want to know the one thing that is separating the Green Team from all the other teams?

They are laser-focused on winning and don’t obsess over what the other teams are doing.

That's it. I've decided that this is their secret sauce and the reason that they'll win this race. Sure, they’re a strong team that works well together, but how much time do you see them wasting worrying about which team is going to do what?

Hardly ever.

Sure they worried about getting to the last stop tonight before everyone else, but that was because it was a U-Turn and they knew that they were going to be the ones to get U-Turned if they didn't get there first. But they got there first and opted to not U-Turn anyone, because why do it? It would have been of no benefit to them and would have only made that target on their back even larger — if that's at all possible.

In contrast, the other teams spent the entire leg wondering who was going to be able to U-Turn the Green Team and, if not the Green Team, then who was it going to be. Even when the teams got to the U-Turn and realized that the Green Team was in first and that The Reporters had U-Turned the Texans, they complained and obsessed over that.

I do have to go on record though, and say that I think it was a stupid move on The Reporters' part to U-Turn a team that was solidly in last place. There was no way the Texans were going to be a threat to anyone — they haven’t been a threat for a few weeks now. Why? Distractions. They lost focus on the game a long time ago. Something the Green Team just doesn't do.

If you're keeping count (or losing count!) the Green Team hit the mat first for the sixth time and yes, won another trip. Their honeymoon is going to be epic, isn't it?! They've earned it! They've worked their tails off and deserve everything they're winning. Shoot — it's not winning — they're earning it. Something that seems to be hard for The Paparazzi and the other teams to wrap their heads around. In a final, bizarre twist of not worrying about your own game and not being focused, Chris looked at Phil and boldly told him "They won't win the million dollars."

What?! Hey Chris, I don't know what race you're in, but if that's what you really think, now we know why you're not winning.

Laser-focused + determination to win + not worrying about anyone else = the recipe to win $1,000,000 and laugh all the way to the bank on an all-expenses paid trip.

What do you think is the "secret" to why the Green Team is such a force to be reckoned with? Do you think The Reporters messed up U-Turning Team Texas?

"Do. I. Really. Look. Like. That?"

I know mirrors are there to help people check their form — and take awesome gym selfies — but sometimes I look up after a hard set and see my face, matted with sweat and hair all askew and wonder why I don't look like those girls on Instagram.

More: A simple workout you can literally do while cooking dinner

Then I remember that no one — not even those girls on Instagram — really look like that after a workout.

That's why a new coffee table book currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter has really resonated with me. Minneapolis-based photographer Jonah Sargent went to yoga classes in his home state and in Germany to capture the awkward, hard-working faces of people practicing hot yoga.

The result is Faces of Yoga, a book that shows the variety of looks people make when they work out. The idea is not to ridicule people, but to empower and show that everyone has their "workout" face. Though it may not look like those airbrushed shots, each face is perfect all the same.

More: 6 Yoga poses for women who work long hours at a desk

"When I first started yoga I was constantly distracted by how I looked and felt during class and I think that’s why a lot of people don’t try it — people are worried they’ll look or feel stupid," Sargent wrote on his Kickstarter page. "In the era of Instagram profiles devoted to sexy yoga poses on beaches, it's important to remember that we all look bad when we do yoga, so we should immerse ourselves in it and forget the rest."

Sargent is hoping to raise $2,500 in order to ship the books in time for the holidays, and he's well on his way.

More: 7 Yoga poses for when you have the flu

Eat

Let me begin by stating that I ate so much food that weekend I could probably survive on water until Thanksgiving. There was food, food and more food. If not the normal conference fare, there were the vendors who provided food, drinks and snacks that could last you throughout the weekend. This was one food conference where there was plenty of food.

Pray

There were a lot of things to pray about. First and foremost, I was thankful I did not burst any seams in my clothes. Did I mention there was a great deal of eating going on? I also prayed for my back and my arms because the amount of swag and the promotional items you get can be a lot to carry. One day, I came home with five bags. Pray you are staying at the host hotel. Since the conference was local for me this year, I opted to commute. While it was a great cost saver, I think it would have been a better plan to stay on sight.

You will also pray for long naps. The conference is nonstop. You are literally going from the time breakfast starts until the end of the night. You will pray for comfortable shoes; they will definitely come in handy. You will pray for note-taking skills because you will have information overload. You will also pray that you have current, updated business cards. You will pray that moving forward, you never miss a conference.

Love

You will love your experience. You will love the camaraderie, you will love the fellowship and you will love all of the information that was shared. You will love the workshops, the vendors, the demonstrations and the parties. You will love blogging even more. You will love BlogHer and the time, attention to detail and the preparation that takes place to put a conference of this magnitude together. You will love SheKnows and make it your business to walk around with your bright orange cup letting the world know that you are not alone and that you have a blogging community where people not only eat, drink and be merry, they teach, they learn, they dance and they even karaoke.

When I left the conference, I was exhausted. It has taken a few days to be able to collect and articulate my thoughts because all I could think about was unpacking all of my free stuff and sleeping for a few days — which didn’t happen because I still have a nine-to-five job. I am looking forward to incorporating all of the things I have learned. I am excited about taking my blogging skills up a notch. Since the moment the conference ended "Eat. Pray. Love" has resonated in my mind. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to share my Eat. Pray. Love. experience.

Now we all know and — most of us — love the most popular fantasy series out there. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Twilight Saga and The Hunger Games franchise are all top of the heap for many reasons — but there are many unsung, yet still successful, series that I think you'll enjoy that will expand your horizons from the conventional popular fantasy of today.

Five fantasy series you have to read to believe

1. The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. "It starts with a discovery of witches." I personally haven't even finished this trilogy yet, but A Discovery of Witches (book one of the series) has just about all of my favorite elements. The romantic relationship between Matthew, a vampire, and Diane, a witch, is more matured than the ones from other more popular franchises of supernatural romances. Diane is far from your stock character of a witch, and she is a deeply sensitive and intellectual person. Top that off with castles, orders of knights, magical manuscripts, ancient spells, romance and danger, mystery and secrets and modern science colliding with the supernatural. While the series starts in our own time with the subculture of the creatures coexisting with us humans, it also has the element of taking the reader back in time when Diane and Matthew "time walk." This series has it all.
2. The October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. This is another series that I have just begun, but when I have my hands on one of the books, I can barely put it down! There are emotional twists and high-octane danger around every corner, and it is a classic play on life or death choices based on loyalty, duty and greater good. McGuire takes creativity to a whole new level with the world of Faerie existing right under our human noses both among us and parallel to us — in iconic San Francisco no less. October, Toby for short, is a heroine I can get behind. Her wry narrative and cool style is relatable and makes the whole fantasy that much more believable. She is jaded and scarred, and still deeply sensitive at heart, showing it's not all pixie dust and rainbows just because you have magical powers. After reading the books in this series, you may fleetingly wonder if any of your neighbors have pointy ears to hide.
3. House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. Although it can be said that the success of this series is due in large part to overwhelming popularity of vampire romance in pop culture in recent years, and although it is geared towards teens and young adults, I really was entertained. Again, I love the idea of an entire subculture living amongst us. Something I found unique to this series was the combination of the romanticized vampires with well-researched occult lore, even including Native American legend. One unique idea the Cast girls included was the lacy, intricate “tattoos” that would decal the skin of the magic-casting vampires as a mark of their power. It’s an easy to read series that will still keep you guessing what could possibly happen next.
4. The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. Not to be confused with the Inheritance Trilogy (which I haven't read yet, but plan to), this is an epic tale of dragon riders and elven magic. If you like Lord of the Rings, this is one series you definitely don’t want to miss! It is fully enrapturing, taking you back to a time long ago and far away infinitely more magical — before modern innovation created distance between us and our fairy tales. It’s packed with adventurous quests, castles, dungeons, powerful spells, epic battles and, of course, the grand dragons and their riders. One thing that I really love about Paolini's characters is how he brings out the complexity of their emotions better than some. A "damsel in distress" isn't just a mere damsel in distress in this series, and I think you'll agree he has a very detailed development of each character.
5. The Dark Angel series by Keri Arthur. This is another series I have only just begun, recommended to me by a very reliable fantasy buff, who happens to be one of my best friends. Arthur’s creatures are incredibly creative and they have their own genealogies that are complex and wild. This series is best for the fantasy fan who is tired of the downplay of adult themes in many popular series and is ready for a mature one. There are plenty of sexy and alluring elements that are more subtle or absent in similarly themed fantasy novels, but never anything that comes off as trashy fanfiction. Yet again, this series has supernaturals living right among us humans, thriving in the modern age and nevertheless keeping close to their ancient origins. For me, the way Arthur brings this world to life is reminiscent of Constantine. There is good versus evil, personal sacrifice in the name of justice for the innocent and supernatural beings that usher and watch over the souls of those that have passed away. It’s easy to get good and wrapped up in this series, and I appreciate the fact that Arthur makes her character, Risa, so relatable as a woman.

There’s a series for everyone

It can be so liberating to get lost in a good book. With the weather getting colder, it’s the perfect time to curl up and find one you enjoy! Whether you’re into stories about heroes and dragons, fairies and magic from nature, or witchcraft or vampires and other creatures that go bump in the night, there are so many underrated series out there to explore. Just when you think you know everything to know about your classic fantasy themes and stock characters, a new take comes along that can take you on a whole new ride, and it will give you that first-time feeling of when you stepped into a fantasy land.

To see more from me, follow me on Twitter @JeniBecks!

Generally, the amounts in these recipes will stuff a medium- to large-sized turkey for a family gathering. As a general rule of thumb, use a third to half the recipe to stuff a chicken or to roast separately in a pan to serve with pork.

To roast separately from the turkey, butter a suitably sized baking pan, spoon the mixture in and smooth the top. Bake in an oven at 350 degrees F for 45 to 60 minutes until the top is crispy.

Cranberry and walnut stuffing recipe

This recipe is a version of a traditional American recipe. Like many recipes for stuffing, the original recipe contained apples, but as apples are a higher carb fruit, we have substituted cranberries, which have the dual effect of making the stuffing lower carb than the regular recipe and also adding a little extra seasonal color and flavor.

Makes 15 (1/2-cup) servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1-1/2 cups onion, chopped
• 2 cups celery, chopped
• 2 cups cranberries (fresh or defrosted if fresh-frozen) 
• 1 cup walnut pieces
• 1-1/2 cups almond flour
• 1 pound ground pork
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, or to taste

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Cook the celery and onion together until soft, about 10 minutes.
2. Mix the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, add the celery and onion mixture.
3. Use the mixture to stuff the turkey, weighing the bird before roasting to calculate the correct cooking time. Roast as directed on the package.

Per serving: 7.0g carbs, 2.8g fiber, 18g total fat, 26mg cholesterol, 7g protein, 120mg sodium, 216 calories

Next: Pork, sage and onion stuffing recipe

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Pork, sage and onion stuffing recipe

This is a traditional English recipe. The advantage of this stuffing is that it contains no fruit, is particularly low in carbs, but still has a delicious flavor.

Makes 15 (3/4-cup) servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 pounds ground pork
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 tablespoon ground sage
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, or to taste

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan, fry the onion until soft, about 10 minutes.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients and mix well.Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and mix to combine.
3. Weigh the turkey after stuffing to calculate the complete roasting time. Roast as directed on the package.

Per serving: 1.8g carbs, 0.6g fiber, 16g total fat, 48mg cholesterol, 11g protein, 123mg sodium, 196 calories

Next: Apricot and ginger stuffing recipe

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Apricot and ginger stuffing recipe

If you are in the mood for a lighter, meatless stuffing, then this recipe is definitely one to try. Apricots are lower carb fruits. It goes very well with pork dishes when baked in a pan in the oven and served with the meat separately.

Makes 15 (1/4-cup) servings

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1-1/2 cups apricots, chopped (fresh or canned in water, drained) 
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, or to taste

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the chopped onion, cook for about 5-10 minutes until softened.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients, mix well. The mixture should come together and look fairly wet, but if it doesn't, add a few tablespoons of water until it holds together in the pan.
3. Use the mixture to stuff the turkey. Weigh the stuffed turkey to calculate the complete cooking time. Roast as directed.

Per serving: 5.6g carbs, 2.0g fiber, 9g total fat, 8mg cholesterol, 3g protein, 101mg sodium, 113 calories

Tips for low-carb stuffing

Stuffing is not generally difficult for low carbers to convert. It's just a question of finding the right kind of ingredient to replace the high carb elements like breadcrumbs, potatoes, biscuits, cornbread, high carb fruit and sugary fruit juices. Here are a few ideas:

• Almond flour will come to the rescue to stand in for breadcrumbs and other starchy combinations. It will soak up juices and bulk up a stuffing mix in a similar way to breadcrumbs.
• Fruit juices can generally be replaced with a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice mixed with water.
• Sausage meat can be substituted with fresh ground pork to avoid the carby fillers often used in sausage-making.
• An egg can be added to any of these recipes if you like your stuffing to be more solid so it can be served by the slice. Adding an egg also adds extra protein, which low carbers will always welcome.

The art of stuffing and cooking a turkey

Stuffing a turkey can be messy. Use a large serving spoon as the neatest way of getting the stuffing into the turkey. If you are stuffing a chicken, simply use a smaller spoon.

Pack the stuffing well into the cavity using the back of the spoon to press it in. It's quite surprising how much stuffing you need for larger birds. Afterward, you can tie the bird up with string to help stop the stuffing from coming out during roasting. However, if you prefer you can use an egg in your recipe to help keep it all together. You can skip both the string and the egg if you want, as most of the stuffing will remain in the bird anyway. Even if it does fall out, it just adds flavor to the gravy you can make using the juices from the pan when the turkey is finished cooking.

Of course, it is essential that turkeys and chickens are cooked thoroughly to avoid the possibility of food poisoning. Therefore, it's very important to weigh your turkey after you have stuffed it with your choice of stuffing in order to calculate the cooking time. This will ensure not only that your stuffing is cooked, but also the turkey. You can also use a food thermometer to ensure the temperature of the bird and the stuffing is where it is supposed to be.

More holiday recipes

Spiced cranberry buckle — the hybrid dessert your holiday table needs
21 Simple last-minute recipes that will save your Thanksgiving
Slow cooker pumpkin pie makes holiday baking easier than ever

The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line opened more than 30 years ago and employed six home economists who took 11,000 phone calls in the first year. Now, more than 50 Butterball experts respond to that many calls on Thanksgiving Day alone.

Butterball's hotline, 1-800-BUTTERBALL, is open in November and December  (times vary). Calls are answered in English and Spanish. You can also live chat at butterball.com or ask questions on Twitter or Facebook.

For 30 years, Carol Miller has been on the helpful end of Butterball's Turkey Talk-Line. On the other end of the line: home cooks in turkey turmoil. There are giblet mysteries to solve and questions about stuffing, timing and thawing.

According to Miller, the number one question after all these years is still about thawing. The easiest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator, and the rule of thumb is one day in the fridge for every 4 pounds of turkey.

"It's better if you call us early than if you call us on Thanksgiving Day," Miller says. "On Thanksgiving Day, you probably have a problem."

In addition to telling us how the Talk-Line works, Miller also gave us a little behind-the-scenes glimpse. Find out what really goes on (and why no question you have is a stupid question).

SheKnows: What's Thanksgiving Day like for the Turkey Talk-Line?

Carol Miller: I am one of 50 people who man the lines, and Thanksgiving is the culmination of our season.

Each one of us is here for eight hours that day. It is a crazy day. Our office [in Naperville, Illinois] is a great big wide-open room, probably about the size of a basketball court. You can imagine what it sounds like in here when you get 35 to 40 people talking as fast as they can. The lines are constantly busy. We probably take 11,000-plus calls on that day.

SK: You must get some oddball questions, right?

CM: We do get callers who just don't cook a lot. We had a young woman who had a large turkey and a small apartment oven. Her concern was that the turkey was going to rise in the oven. Turkeys do not rise. She was very glad to know that they actually get a tiny bit smaller.

SK: What helpful tips have you collected over the years?

CM: Many roasting directions say to put a rack under the turkey, and that gets the turkey off the bottom of the pan so that the air can circulate around. If you don't have a rack that will fit in the pan that you're using, get out four or five carrots and lay them in the bottom of the pan. Put the turkey on the carrots. This keeps the turkey off the bottom of the pan and the carrots will flavor the broth a little.

Another tip is to use a meat thermometer and make sure it's accurate. Most people have a meat thermometer in the back of their drawer that they haven't used since last Thanksgiving. To test it (for accuracy), boil some water. Make sure that when you put it in the boiling water it reads 212 degrees. Then you'll be able to test that turkey.

You can't look at a turkey to see if it's done. You really need to take the internal temperature (Butterball advises that a turkey is done when the thermometer reads 180 degrees F deep in the thigh, 165 degrees F in the center of the stuffing, if turkey is stuffed.).

More turkey cooking tips

10 Ways you're cooking your turkey wrong
The dos and don'ts of carving a turkey — 9 tips for the perfect bird
20 Genius turkey-cooking tips for a fail-proof Thanksgiving meal

It is kind of tricky: To make it “significant” it helps to be emotionally close to those people. Knowing their dreams, goals, worries, fears and habits will guide you to find the perfect books. Think about your parents, siblings, partner, cousins, best friends or co-workers. Don’t you know a bit about their lives? I’m sure you do, so take that knowledge as your “Santa’s helper” and go get shopping.

What if you are thinking about someone new in your life? I will tell you a recent secret of mine when it comes to shopping books for others. Let’s face it — most of us are hooked on Instagram. Therefore, I search their Instagram following list and use it as my partner in crime. Chances are that they might be using or reposting fantastic quotes from one of their favorite Instagram sensational writers.

Eureka! Now go and visit those writers. Find out if they have published a book lately. Is the subject of the book related to that person or will it be of any interest? Imagine their faces at the moment of opening presents and realizing that you took the time to care and gift them with those words that they so often “like” on Instagram.

In here, I give you an example of twelve great books that I already searched and ordered as presents. These books are perfect for almost everyone. I added a small summary about each book.

Most of us start New Year’s with a list of new commitments — books are an extraordinary way to help support those commitments.

1. All the Words Are Yours by Tyler Knott Gregson

My first choice is a Goodreads Choice semifinalist for Poetry Book of the Year for 2015. The book All the Words Are Yours by Tyler Knott Gregson is a beautiful collection of romantic poems. Gregson is magnificent. I warn you that anybody that reads his poems becomes a fan immediately. (Amazon. Kindle $10. Paperback $11)

Instagram: tylerknott

2. Black Butterfly by Robert M. Drake

Black Butterfly by Robert M. Drake — a book the author dedicated to someone he lost. A black butterfly in some places is a symbol of life and rebirth after death. Maybe someone you know had a very rough year, shed several tears on your shoulders and is in need of comfort. This person would benefit from this book. (Amazon. Kindle $8. Paperback $13)

Instagram: rmdrk

3. Letters, to the Men I Have Loved by Mirtha Michelle Castro Mármo.

Letters, to the Men I Have Loved by Mirtha Michelle Castro Mármol is dedicated to the men who motivated the author's personal growth. Give this flawless gift to celebrate a best friend who is doing perfect on her own after a breakup. (Amazon Kindle $10. Paperback $17)

Instagram: mirthamichelle

Next: More books for every Instagram quote-lover

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4. Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton

Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton is based on the blog exposing the daily stories of New Yorkers — and recently other parts of the world. It includes photos and stories and is a great book for that visual man with a kind and caring soul. (Amazon. Kindle $15. Paperback $17)

Instagram: humansofny

5. Playing With Fire by Beau Taplin

Playing With Fire by Beau Taplin, an Australian self-published writer with the most amazingly romantic poems. You will wish you could fall in love again. Buy it directly from his website — but hurry because some of his books are already sold out. (beautaplin.com $18 AUD)

Instagram: beautaplin

6. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur is a collection of poetry about strong issues affecting women suffering abuse and violence. It tries to heal and make the heart sweet again. I have a great admiration for the courage and strength in this writing — the perfect gift for a warrior. (Amazon Kindle $8. Paperback $11)

Instagram: rupikaur

Next: More books for every Instagram quote-lover

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7. Chasers of the Light: Poems from the Typewriter Series by Tyler Knott Gregson

Chasers of the Light: Poems from the Typewriter Series by Tyler Knott Gregson — poems about the beauty of life. He writes his daily poems on a vintage typewriter that he bought on sale, and since then, his collection has been magical. (Amazon. Kindle $10. Paperback $12)

Instagram: tylerknott

8. 50 Ways of Self-Love by Meredith Marple

50 Ways of Self-Love by Meredith Marple contains creative inspiration for daily practice — wonderful for a friend who needs a little motivational push. (Amazon Paperback $15)

Instagram: belongtolove

9. Words from a Wanderer: Notes and Love Poems by Alexandra Elle

Words from a Wanderer: Notes and Love Poems by Alexandra Elle encourages readers to embrace life. The book is just beautiful and appropriate for almost anyone. This author is another one that gained my respect. I usually look forward to her comments and quotes on Instagram. (Amazon Paperback $5)

Instagram: alex_elle

Next: More books for every Instagram quote-lover

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10. The Infinite Traveler by William C. Hannan

The Infinite Traveler by William C. Hannan is thought provoking, inspiring and moving — perfect for everyone. (Amazon Paperback $23) 

Instagram: williamc.hannan

11. A Brilliant Madness by Robert M. Drake

A Brilliant Madness by Robert M. Drake, collective writings from the author. Containing brilliant poems questioning about life and love, it has fast become one of my favorite books. Find it here: Amazon. Kindle $8. Paperback $18. U.S.. Instagram: rmdrk

Instagram: rmdrk

12. If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For by Jamie Tworkowski

If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For by Jamie Tworkowski. A book of encouragement, support, guidance and recovery, this book is also a Goodreads Choice nominee for Best Memoir and Autobiography of the Year for 2015. By buying this book, you will be supporting the nonprofit organization To Write Love on Her Arms. ( Amazon. Kindle $12. Paperback $10) 

Instagram: jamietworkowski

Hope you’ll find these recommendations helpful. Happy shopping!

We joke about the regifting concept, but it does have some merit — especially if someone is underemployed or wanting a change from mall crawls and credit card debt. The idea is to challenge your gift-giving circle to give gifts without spending money. Bartering would be fine. Start with everyone writing a list of four things they would like that needn't come from a store. It can be very creative and get stuff cycling both literally and physically out of waste or disuse.

10 Suggestions to get you thinking about regifting

1. Gently used kitchen basics overflowing from your kitchen. Wrap them up for your favorite college student: dishes, pots, gadgets, glassware. Add recipes.
2. Water bottles that come with event swag. Fill them with baking ingredients for a tweenager to make brownies or cookies.
3. Ten hours of babysitting goes a long way for new parents. Depending on age, bring construction paper, glue and old magazines for collages.
4. A beloved book. Wrap it up for a kindred spirit along with an invitation to tea.
5. Collect some great fabric pieces. Old jeans and flannel shirts, cut to size for a quilter or crafter.
6. Swap living room floor picnics once a month. Complete with well-used classic board games.
7. Donate time. Volunteer four hours of your time to each person's charity of choice.
8. Host a "Schnapps Wars" bottle swap. Often we have unopened bottles of gifted alcohol that isn't to our tastes.
9. Teach a friend a second language. Give them your reading materials and a list of resources. Practice conversation.
10. Garden and household tools. Tools you have doubles of make a great gift for someone's first apartment or house.

In each case, the gift becomes very personal and very precious. You also give yourself the gift of not getting swept away from the true meaning of giving.

Whatever your seasonal celebration, make it matter!

Every coffee lover needs to experience a cup of coffee in a French press. I was given a Bodum French press (Amazon $18) as a birthday present, and it’s still a favorite years later. It really is a must. You haven’t truly loved a cup of coffee until you’ve tried this. Pair it with a bag of some freshly ground coffee beans, and bam! — your coffee lover will be in caffeinated heaven.

Have a latte lover on your hands? The Starbucks Verismo milk frother (Amazon $58) is a dream come true. Pour in milk, press a button and in minutes you have the perfect foam for your coffee. It also has the ability to warm milk, if you are just looking for a simple cuppa.

Once you have the frother, maybe add some of these Torani coffee syrups (Amazon $16) along with it. Not only is this a delicious addition to any coffee lover’s collection, but it also feels indulgent and saves money! Don't forget to invite yourself over for a caramel macchiato because obviously you need to help test these out.

Big mugs (Indigo $12) are the very best. It means room for more coffee. I like lots of coffee. I have a few of these mugs in my cupboard, and they are fabulous. Add the variety of quirky and inspiring statements, which makes it very easy to personalize for that special someone. Or maybe this one? I love that because reading is awesome, and who doesn't love a Gilmore Girls reference? It’ll be hard to pick just one because these mugs are awesome. (I give you permission to get one for yourself. I won’t tell anyone).

Every coffee fanatic needs a mug to take on the go, and this list compiles the best of the best. I’m a total klutz, so the Contigo works well for my spilly needs. It also does a fair job of keeping your coffee warm if you happen to forget about it.

Environmental issues aside — though they are aware of the issue and intend to make the pods recyclable in the near future — the Keurig 2.0 K200 system (Keurig $90) is great for someone with space issues in their home or the person who only needs one cup. They also come in a variety of fabulous colors making it easy personalize for that special someone.

If you have a little more money to spend and know that your coffee fan likes a quick espresso, the DeLonghi EC702 15-bar-pump espresso maker (Amazon $170) might be the perfect gift. Basically, it’s like having your very own barista in your home.

You can take your love for coffee to a whole other level by gifting this deliciously smelling, wonderful coffee scrub (The Coffee Scrub $15). It might be a little messy, but it’s full of antioxidants, promises killer exfoliation and it’s organic to boot.

After a good caffeinated body scrub, add another layer of awesome with Lush’s "Five O’Clock Whistle" vegan shaving smoothie (Lush $13). I can already smell the coffee now.

If the coffee fanatic in your life has everything they could hope for in their own home bar, you can never go wrong with a gift card to a local coffee shop. Starbucks also gives you the ability to register your gift card so you can start earning points, too.

Now go and shower that caffeinated loved one with all the coffee things, and be prepared to be their favorite this holiday season!

What are some of your favorite coffee gadgets or products?

And no, she didn't go with a simple sheet cake, or even a tiered cake. Instead, the baking enthusiast opted to make a life-size version of her and her husband-to-be.

More: Jilted bride-to-be ruins her wedding dress in the best way

Northern Ireland native Lara Mason has been baking as a hobby for four years, including some pretty intricate designs. "I have made loads of life-size cakes before with Prince George and Jennifer Lawrence being my most recognized," she told Express and Star.

The final product — which looks remarkably like her and her husband — took three days and weighed over 300 pounds between the two cakes. She's holding a cocktail glass, while husband Nikki Mason wears a beer funnel hat. It took over 40 pounds of icing and 40 pounds of chocolate cake to master.

More: Bride-to-be gets her dream ring made from fiancé's old wisdom tooth

"I created myself as the happy bride on our wedding day with Nikki drinking cans of lager from a 'marriage survival kit' as a way of coping with getting married to me," she told the Western Press. "It took me around 20 hours to create where usually I would spend about 150 hours on a cake of that size so it was a little rushed."

"After having the competition and making Prince George the week before I only had three days to make this one. Everyone loved it though, my hubby was especially proud that I got it done in the short time scale."

And as for how it tasted? Well, the Masons never got to try her hard work.

More: Quadriplegic man shares first dance with wife, two years after their wedding

"I actually left the cake at the [reception hall] for the players to cut up and enjoy," she added.

But all the hard work was worth it to show off a cake that demonstrated their unique personalities. "Everyone loved the cake. It was quirky and original, just like us really."

You're on a date, and you order something that sounds delicious. Your date does the same, but his version of a delicious meal involves a steak, burrito, burger, fries... all washed down with a milkshake. Then he orders dessert.

More: Student combines technology and tradition to ask a girl on a date

Yeah, many guys know how to put away the food, but it turns out that there might be an evolutionary reason for that. Researchers from Cornell University found that men tend to double the amount of food they eat when with women and that it might be "motivated by a hardwired male urge to demonstrate prowess."

In the study — published in the journal Evolutionary Psychological Science — involved men eating at an all-you-can-eat Italian buffet. The men who ate with at least one woman ended up eating 93 percent more pizza and 86 percent more salad than those who only dined with men.

More: Here's how much sex you need to have to stay happy

"The findings suggest that men tend to overeat to show off," lead author Kevin Kniffin, a visiting assistant professor in applied economics and management, said in the study. "Instead of a feat of strength, it's a feat of eating."

The idea is that the cavemen who were able to hunt and gather a lot of food were more attractive mates to women. "Analogous to the view that women 'eat lightly' in order to respond to men's mating preferences, the intersexual or mate-choice hypothesis that we test presumes that men 'eat heavily' in response to women's mating preferences," the researchers wrote.

More: New phone vibrator is the sex toy we've all been waiting for

The depressing part: The women who dined with these all-you-can-eat dudes felt like they were the ones who ate too much, instead of the guys, even though there was no evidence they did.

Glow, a new company that specializes in creating apps to help you track your cycle, fertility and overall sex life, decided to compile data to help pinpoint these times.

According to their research, which took 7.6 million sexual encounters into consideration, your orgasm potential is directly related to when you get your period. While you may not be feeling so sexy when you're actually bleeding, the data suggests you definitely will be a week after it stops.

More: 10 Reasons your sex life is in a rut

This makes perfect sense, because that's also when most women start ovulating. Since this is the time in a woman's cycle when she's most likely to get pregnant, her physiology has accommodated for that by making her particularly randy then. Moreover, according to a 2007 study in the Journal of Hormones and Behavior, women have more sexual fantasies then, and are thus more easily aroused during this time.

The study also reported that their female subjects were fantasizing more about men, regardless of their sexual orientation. Researchers posited this was likely due to the fact that their bodies know they need sperm at this time to be impregnated. "You're going to want to have sex with someone who can actually pass genes on to you," said graduate researcher Samantha Dawson.

More: The best workouts for every week of your menstrual cycle

However, even though you might be most in the mood for sex the week after your period ends, it's not the easiest time for you to orgasm. Glow's research suggests that time is in fact one week before you get your period. This is likely because while a woman's testosterone levels drop then, her libido increases, because her uterine lining is thickening. This action effectively stimulates the nerve endings in her vagina, making her more sensitive there, and thus more prone to a super awesome orgasm. So pencil days 23 and 24 of your cycle into your calendars, ladies. Your body will never forgive you if you shirk sex on those days.

More: What your favorite sex position says about you

If you're interested in learning more about your cycle, when you're most fertile and how to best connect sexually with your partner, you should definitely download one of Glow's three apps. There is so much you may not know about your body, and all the stages it goes through every month. Trust me, that is one crash course you want to take in order to master sexy time with your partner.

Chicken, rice and vegetables are added to the slow cooker and cooked in a creamy coconut milk-based broth that takes minutes to prepare. I added curry and lemongrass to give this soup tons of flavor and topped it off with lots of fresh cilantro.

There's no need to leave the house for your favorite Asian flavors when Thai coconut-curry chicken soup is this easy to make.

Slow cooker Thai chicken soup recipe

For a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken from the recipe. Tofu, garbanzo beans or portobello mushrooms would be a great substitute.

Serves 6

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 6 hours | Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 (12 ounce) cans lite coconut milk
• 1-1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1-1/2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste (found in most Asian markets)
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 large chicken breasts
• 1-1/4 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 1 large sweet onion, minced
• 1-1/2 cups diced carrots
• 1 cup sweet green peas

Toppings

• Fresh lime wedges
• Fresh cilantro
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the base. Mix well, and set aside.
2. To the bowl of the slow cooker, add the chicken, rice and vegetables. Pour the coconut milk base on top, and cover the slow cooker with the lid.
3. Set the cooker to cook on low for 6 hours, and stir on occasion.
4. Once the chicken has completely cooked through, remove it from the cooker, and shred it using 2 forks. Return the chicken to the cooker, and cook for 30 more minutes.
5. Serve the soup in bowls, garnished with lime wedges, fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
6. Best served warm.

More Thai recipes

Thai peanut noodle bowls
Pad thai recipes
Thai beef stir-fry

Many women are starting businesses while also raising a family. They launch ventures out of their home offices, spare bedrooms or kitchen tables while also managing the daily responsibilities of running a household and chasing after kids. It’s exhausting for sure, but mompreneurs wouldn’t have it any other way.

With the holidays just around the corner, what do you give the busy mompreneur in your life?

1. Meal delivery for one week

A mompreneur’s dream is to not do meal planning — and cooking! — for a week when she has a looming deadline or is about to launch a new project. Give the gift of meal delivery for one week. Great options are Blue Apron or HelloFresh (although someone in the house will have to cook the meals), or opt for meal delivery services like Munchery (in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Seattle and New York City only).

2. A good seat

Is the chair she uses in her office one that is left over from an old dining room set? Is it tattered, uncomfortable and not exactly functional? Give the mompreneur the gift of a good chair. It might not seem like the sexiest gift, but she will truly appreciate a comfortable chair after the many hours she spends at her desk. It doesn’t need to be super fancy, just comfortable and maybe even a bit stylish. (Amazon $74)

3. Bookkeeping services

For the mompreneur who does it all or who is just starting out, a practical gift idea would be to hire a bookkeeper to set up her bookkeeping. Getting all the accounts, payees and customers/clients information loaded into QuickBooks or Xero takes a lot of time and the busy mompreneur would rather spend her time elsewhere — like on the business or hanging out with the family.

4. For the liquid lover

An on-the-go mama who is also the C.E.O. usually travels with her favorite beverage. A new and fashionable container to hold her hot coffee that also keeps her water — or maybe some wine while she’s posting to her social media accounts at night — cool is a practical, yet great, gift. S’well bottles (S'well $25-$45) are a stylish option.

Next: More unusual gifts that every busy mom entrepreneur will love

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5. Flower of the month club

I don’t know any mama or woman who wouldn’t love to have a fresh bouquet of flowers delivered each month. If an official flower of the month club is too extravagant, you could easily commit to picking up a bouquet yourself and hand delivering it to her.

6. Desk accoutrements

Every mompreneur has her favorite pens, calendars and other creative stuff that makes her workspace happy. Stealthily find out her favorite items and create a basket of desk goodies. A fabulous store to peruse for other fun ideas is Paper Source. (Paper Source $40)

7. For the bookworm

Most entrepreneurs I know are serious bookworms. For mom entrepreneurs, reading can be tough sometimes, but listening to a book while driving the kids around or at the gym is much more manageable. Audible is a great gift to keep her updated with the latest business books.

8. The ultimate gift

The gift of time is the ultimate gift. If the mompreneur in your life is your partner, this will score you some serious brownie points (or maybe something else too). Gift her a day, or better yet a weekend, away where she can either rest or conduct a serious strategy and planning session. If the mompreneur is your friend, you can offer to share a retreat away. Promise to give her the space she needs. Share a room to cut costs or find an Airbnb. This is a gift that you can share — and make some great memories to go along with it.

Running a business from home while juggling a family and other responsibilities is tough.

This holiday season, show her you appreciate everything she does while also revealing how much you support her on this courageous journey of entrepreneurship.

Coming from a Hispanic background, Thanksgiving was never really a big deal in our family. I decided that it would change once I had my own family. Fast-forward a couple decades and here I am, a mom of one, stepmom of two.

I take holidays seriously and so do my kids. The first holiday I made sure they understood was Thanksgiving. It is a very special day where the whole family comes together to share a meal in love and appreciation. My children understand this and not only do they help with preparing the food, they help with decorating and leading the grace. We eat together, talk, share and then just hang out. There isn't any "I can't make it" or "I don't like turkey" or "I have to go shopping!" allowed in our home.

Honoring Thanksgiving together is our family tradition.

I am totally against shopping on Thanksgiving. Black Friday is its own mess. I do not see a need to go shopping on Thanksgiving night. Sometimes, my stepdaughter and I will venture out to shop on Black Friday, but it's usually late morning and most sale items are depleted. It's OK though because I do not want her to focus on having to buy gifts. That is not what the holidays are about.

We, as a blended family, have limited time together during the holidays and I do not want to waste it shopping at a mall.

Instead, we have our own tradition: breakfast together on Friday morning, Thanksgiving decorations get put away, Christmas bins get pulled out of storage and we go purchase our Christmas tree. We then spend the rest of the weekend decorating the tree, going to see a movie at the theater and then, on Sunday, our elf makes his long-awaited return to our home. This scenario has been exactly the same for the past four years and it's been perfect. We all know what we are doing, no one makes any other plans and we enjoy each other's company.

This weekend is our bonding time before the holiday craziness. Family bonding is our top priority and it all starts with the magic of Thanksgiving weekend!

There’s no one right answer. Your own family’s values, financial circumstances, and spending and savings style drive the bus. Just like all other parenting practices, we all bend some of the rules once in a while, but there are other rules around the house that really need to be sacrosanct. Some of that wiggle room might stem from personality differences among your kids — one might be a shopaholic and one overly frugal.

One of the most repeated rules you hear from money gurus is to never indulge your kids when they beg for something, and I definitely agree. Caving in to a 3-year-old who is whining at the grocery check-out for candy will just reward bad behavior.

But I confess that sometimes I’m willing to spend money stupidly on the kids in my life, even when it’s not a birthday or holiday gift. If I’m that aunt that goes overboard whenever I’m on a special outing and I spot something really cool for my nieces, especially if it’s a unique experience or a souvenir of our time together, I’m gong to play the role of that indulgent aunt and spoil them.

The key to this wonderful little bubble I live in is that these kids don’t expect or demand it, and I make it a point to talk about how lucky we are that we can afford these little splurges.

Still, there are two areas where — in my opinion — parents need to stand firm and be consistent.

Set up your kids for financial success

I can’t stress this enough, you are your child’s most important teacher. One thing I’ve learned from my time on the board of California’s Jump$tart, an organization that teaches kids financial literacy, is that even grade school children benefit from being exposed to money concepts early. By discussing your family money situation honestly in an age-appropriate way with your children, you are helping them understand money.

I know that so many parents want to protect their children from unnecessary stress and that they hope they won’t ever have to struggle, so they avoid openly talking about how bills get paid or share any family money pressures. But kids who have no idea how parents earn money and what it costs to live are just going to struggle in a more serious way when it’s their turn to pay some bills. These kids are much more likely to get into debt.

So, when you sit down to pay your bills, invite your child to ask about what you’re doing. Or when you are grocery shopping, talk about how your shopping list ties to your overall budget and why this impacts how you shop. Even if you don’t use a list—just talk about the mental math you do every time you walk into Whole Foods.

Secondly, do not give your child an allowance in exchange for basic chores like making their beds or clearing the table. These are part of their responsibilities as members of the family.

You’re not entitled to an allowance until you earn it

Offer an allowance for initiative, those tasks that go above and beyond the everyday chores. Your daughter may be the one responsible for taking the trash from the kitchen to the garage, and that would be one of her expected duties. But when she offers to pull the cans out of the garage and all the way to the curb on garbage day, that would be an extra bit of initiative that qualifies for allowance. Making her own bed or emptying the dishwasher doesn’t qualify. Offering to do something nice — like walking a neighbor's dog when the weather’s bad — is going above and beyond.

Handling allowances this way teaches kids what it’s like in the real world, and being consistent will prepare them for the day when they take their first real job. Maybe even more importantly, this approach encourages and rewards a child for ‘stepping up.’ This is the one rule I would never want a parent to break because it's simple and it works.

What are your non-negotiables in dealing with your kids and money?

Black Friday deals now start the day before, on Thanksgiving, and there is no need to bust down any door or sleep outside waiting for the stores to open to get the best deals; they’re readily available.

Walmart will open at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving eve, as will Kmart, Sears, Target, Macy’s and Best Buy. Not only are restaurants like Carl's Jr. and TGI Fridays open early on Black Friday, but they are offering specials to make sure you choose them.

Even though, according to Fortune, Black Friday 2014 sales were down a whopping 11 percent, stores are still hopeful that 2015 will be better. When you walk into any of these stores on Black Friday, you don’t see Alice Walton helping you find a shirt in your size. You see the real heroes of Black Friday, the ones who deal with all the stress and pandemonium — the shift workers.

This year, I spoke with several of the shift workers who you will encounter on Black Friday, and here are some of the things you need to know about them:

Managers try to make the day better for their employees

Barbara Johnston lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has been a restaurant manager for 17 years.

“My ritual is that before I go to work I buy something for my staff like bagels or candy. I've been in the restaurant industry for 17 years and have yet to work at a store that's slow on Black Friday. My advice for the general public is to remember we are people too. We aren't paid overtime or special pay. I'm on salary and I only get a day off as long as we can hit our numbers.”

On Black Friday, Johnston will be working a 12-hour shift.

Respect the hours on the door

Omar Ali from Atlanta, Georgia has gotten out of the shift work business because it’s too taxing on him. However, last year he was still a cook at Hooters.

“I would work Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Hooters never closes, not even when the CEO died. The servers and cooks would pool our cash and have a potluck dinner. I learned how to fry a turkey, and we would eat together before we opened. We didn't get holiday pay.”

He adds, “I wished that customers realized that many people who work those shifts are forced to. So, show some consideration.”

If the sign says they are about to close for the night, don’t pound on the door demanding a meal 10 minutes before closing. Most shift workers have been there 10-12 hours by then and really want to get home to their families.

As a result of being in the industry, Omar says, “I don't go shopping on Black Friday out of respect for those on the retail front lines. I shop online instead.”

Be kind — shift workers truly want to help you

Kerry Rivelli from East Rutherford, New Jersey works retail at a small store on Black Friday.

“I wish everyone would understand many of us have spouses that don't have to work Black Friday. [While] I am here to do my job and help you out, I am exhausted from the day before and I'm not a robot.”

Come to those working Black Friday with kindness. “We will take care of you,” Rivelli says, “No need to start out yelling and screaming.”

Some workers see Black Friday as a silver lining

It’s not all misery. Many retail workers love their jobs and look forward to helping you. Bob Stein, who works at a Target in New Jersey, tells me:

“I volunteer to work Black Friday. I love talking to the people who shop, I love the controlled chaos and the day goes quickly. It is by far my favorite working day.” Target is very good to their employees, at least his store is. “There is holiday pay, and the store brings in food for its employees to enjoy during break.”

Stein reminds you that, “We do not control the inventory, the prices or others’ behavior.” He suggests leaving young kids at home with a babysitter or grandparent if possible. The crowded environment is not the best place for kids and makes it harder for you to get your shopping done.

Go back to that post-9/11 mentality

Pamela Edson from Montague Michigan worked retail for 15 years. She’s worked every Black Friday since 2000. She told me something fascinating:

“In 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, customers were polite, willing to wait their turn in line, pleasant to interact with and had a sense of true patriotism when spending their money to defeat terrorism. The following year, all things returned to normal with customers being rude, entitled and rushed.”

Plus, each year brought longer hours and earlier openings. She says she couldn’t take it anymore. She found it, “too soul crushing.”

Finally, James Spil, a shift worker and father, from New Jersey says that he worries, “The whole Black Friday message may be ruining family values.”

In her book, Broadcasting Happiness, Michelle Gielan reminds us that negative people increase our stress and make it more difficult for us to see the world in a positive light. Shift workers need your understanding and your positive energy since the inevitable chaos of Black Friday will have a strain on them. Remember that at the same time you are shopping for your family, they are providing for theirs.