I saw her coming as I carried my tea down the hall.

"Rita!" she called. "Before you leave us for your dream job, there are a few things I want you to blog about."

I paused. Taxes? NOT AGAIN.

I turned slowly. I've actually blogged about taxes before. (Find my headline in this article.) (I'll give you one guess.) Some of my posts can only be found via the Wayback Machine.

Please don't ask me to blog about taxes.

"I want you to blog about how great my butt looks." And then she threw back her head and laughed and laughed.

I sighed with relief. That, my friends, I can do.

I will miss my dear friends here at H&R Block. I will miss our Chipotle lunches. I will miss checking in with the Ultra-Pool. Believe it or not, the people who build online and software tax products are actually wicked funny, as one must be in order to spend years in this business arguing over semantics with Harvard-educated tax lawyers.

I don't care if you went to Harvard. That word does not mean what you think it means.

So, my friends, I'm sorry to go. Sneak onto Twitter and follow me. Please don't give my cube to a tool. And for God's sake, kick some tax.

Now that December is here I’m ready to embrace the holidays, and over the years I’ve found that Christmas décor is actually really easy. Once the tree is up, a pretty tree skirt and some festive stockings go a long way in creating the mood. And if you love having these elements (and more) coordinated just so, consider Sterling Pear’s holiday décor starter set. Great to gift or to start your own traditions with, this simple yet richly embroidered and trimmed set includes two stockings, a tree skirt, and a table runner. And as part of the Giveaway Goodness series, Sterling Pear kindly is offering one lucky reader their holiday décor starter set! Simply check out the rules below and enter to win by midnight, December 4.

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Jessica!
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Rules:

Leave a comment below about this giveaway to enter to win. Be sure to include your name and email in the appropriate fields so we can contact you if you win (including just first name or first name + last initial is OK).

One comment permitted per person; US & Canada entrants welcome.

Anonymous or SPAM-like comments will be discarded.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Friday, December 4, 2009.

*One lucky winner (drawn using Random.org) will receive a Sterling Pear holiday décor starter set ($113 value).

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And for those who wish to shop now, use code BOSTONMAMAS09 for a 20% discount off your order at Sterling Pear (a browser other than Firefox is recommended when shopping the Sterling Pear site).

I met Allison Czarnecki of Petit Elefant this past summer at the T.J. Maxx/Marshalls event; she’s one of these people who exudes a lot of wonderfully happy mojo, whether it’s in person, through her blog posts, or via Twitter and Facebook. As a blogger, I particularly love Allison’s keen eye for style and her desire to offer ideas for a range of budgets. I’m subsequently thrilled that today, for the sixth installment of my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series, Allison shares simple guidelines and great ideas for easy accessorizing.

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From Allison:

Accessorizing for the holidays can be loads of fun; there's stuff in the stores you just don't see year-round and there are bright and bold colors you might not wear any other time of year. Plus, there’s all of those scarves, mittens, and cable knit hats…what's not to love? Being a stylish mama is a piece of cake during the holidays if you follow a few simple guidelines:

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1. Stick to your style. Are you more of a J. Crew girl than a thrift store bohemian? Then go with simple accessories, only glammed up a little. Don't try to be something you're not just because you're getting a little extra dressed up for a holiday party. For example, here are some great J. Crew pieces to kick conservative looks up a notch for the holidays:

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2. Don't overdo it with accessories. Unless your signature style is piling it on, don't wear the cute hat and the scarf, plus the 5 necklaces, bracelets, big earrings, huge belt, massive bag, and ultra-tall riding boots. Girlfriend, it's too much. If you add one, maybe two statement pieces to an outfit, that is plenty and there will be more of you to look at, which is the whole point of accessorizing anyway. Here's an example of some inexpensive boho options from Forever 21; you don't need more than one or two of these strong pieces to finish your cool look:

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3. Stay within your color palette. Accessories come in a range of colors that may tempt you to go a bit crazy, but don't buy something that doesn't look good on you just because it looks great on the mannequin in the store. If you stay true to the colors you already have in your closet, you really can't go wrong. Even basic color palettes can render swoon-worthy accessories, as with this mix of examples from Gap.com.

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Now, with these simple guidelines in mind, go forth and conquer all those PTA teas, company holiday parties, and family gatherings! And have fun while you do it…these are the holidays after all.

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Allison Czarnecki is the founder and editor of Petit Elefant, where she writes about traveling with kids, fashion & style for women, recipes and crafts, home & garden…all on a realistic budget. Allison also is the mastermind behind the ultra cool SocialLuxe Lounge. You can follow Allison on Twitter at @petit_elefant.

Happy Monday! I'm still asleep and preparing for my last day at H&R Block tomorrow.

You can now read my reaction to Lynn Harris' article on BlogHer.

It's been so fantastic to meet aspiring and established small business owners and entrepreneurs through Kirtsy/Microsoft Office Live's Boston Hands On Small Business sessions. And the good news? Extra sessions have been added to this free, nationwide business development series and Angela and I will teach one more Boston installment tomorrow, December 1, in Cambridge. So register and come enjoy coffee and good company while you learn about cool free tools to help your business grow.
Also, Angela recently shared some terrific HOSB photos and an interview with local attendee and mamapreneur Susan Callahan.

The sound was deafening in the Happy Joe's party room. Twelvechildren ranging in age from just over one to a college freshman weretaking turns sitting on a game-ticket-purchased whoopee cushion andhowling with laughter. We'd just come off an hour of bumper bowling,and the kids could barely contain themselves after being stuffed fortwo days straight with myriad cookies and other sweets while taking over a three-bedroom condo also occupied by 14 adults.

As I passed my one of my seven brothers-in-law to refill my large soda, he gesturedto the kids chanting each other's names as they passed the whoopeecushion.

"Just think, Rita," he said, laughing, "If you were the Duggars, all these kids would be seven short of your nuclear family."

I looked back at the trashed party room, the piles of plastic crap,the discarded utensils and wadded up, pizza-sauced napkins, and imaginedmy life if I had 19 kids.

Then I laughed my mother-of-an-only-child-for-sanity-purposes ass off and went to refill my glass, knowing I'd made the right choice for me.

More power to you, huge families. I enjoyed my huge extended family this weekend. I adore every one of them, and when I hugged all my nieces and nephews goodbye, I almost felt like crying, I love them so much. But now, back at home, I treasure the quiet and the calm. I am lucky, lucky, lucky to have access to both worlds.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Here's hoping you had a lovely time with your families and your digestive tracts recover nicely.

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Help your child reconnect with make believe on Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews!

I first connected with Michelle Stern of What's Cooking two years ago, when she approached me about contributing to Boston Mamas. Though Michelle is based on the West Coast, I adore her hands on approach to cooking with kids and we walk the same green path; the geographical disparity quickly became an afterthought. It was such a pleasure to finally meet Michelle this summer, when we happened to film our segments for The Juice back to back. Just as lovely in person as she is over e-mail, though Michelle is a regular contributor to this site, given that she is one of my favorite eco-foodies, I wanted to feature her in my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series. Today, Michelle shares a few simple yet meaningful ideas for mindful holidays gifts.

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From Michelle:

It’s nearly impossible to avoid the madness that is the holiday season. Billboards, transit advertising, mailers, and festive to-go cups are all telling us that we need to spend, spend, spend during the holidays. I love a thoughtful gift as much as the next person. And my children are already about to burst with enthusiasm for Chanu-mas (Chanukkah + Christmas). But I can’t help but think that we need to try to carve out another message. How about a few alternatives to traditional store-bought gifts this year? Each of these ideas brings the season of giving to a new level – they help the planet, teach kindness, and help those who may need a little lift, all while spending quality time with your kids.

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Cook from the Heart:

Everyone associates the holiday season with tasty goodness. For some of us that means chocolate, for others it means hot cocoa with little marshmallows or perhaps a jar of homemade seasonal chutney. Excellent gifts can be made, not just purchased. How about making some fabulous gifts from the kitchen this year? Ask your kids what floats their boat. Leaf through the pages of your favorite cookbook together, go on a grocery shopping adventure, and then blast some holiday tunes as you all cook for your loved ones. It’s a win-win situation – you get to play with your kids and make your gifts at the same time! (Plus, you will probably save some money, too…but nobody needs to know!)

My daughter and I made these BBQ spice rubs (pictured above) for holiday gifts. Pick up the spices, small glass jars, ribbon, hang tags, and a spoon if you want to fancy it up. The mixture is simple (I offer ratios since amount will depend on your number of jars):

1 part each: onion powder and cumin

1.5 parts each: brown sugar, paprika, and chili powder

0.5 parts each: coriander and garlic salt

[Also, for more food inspired gifts, check out these ideas for cookie and soup gifts jars.]

Go Green:

I wonder if Mother Earth minds that she doesn’t get any gifts for the holidays. How about we all make a pact to keep her in mind when we do our shopping this year? Here are a few ideas: cool reusable containers for kids’ lunches, nifty reusable produce bags, or a subscription to your local CSA (for yummy produce that comes from your neck of the woods instead of around the world).

Share:

People are often more sentimental during the holidays than during the rest of the year. It’s a good time to double your favorite soup recipe and drop some off at your local women’s shelter. Or you could help an entire community become sustainable by making a donation to Heifer International for a living gift in honor of your grandparents.

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Michelle Stern owns What's Cooking, a certified green company that offers cooking classes for children in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she isn't in the kitchen, she's the head chauffeur for her two children, dog walker to her two mutts, and chicken feeder for her backyard flock. You can follow Michelle on Twitter at @whatscooking.

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Image credit: Michelle Stern

Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses shares some tips for staying healthy during the flu season:

“Expecting mothers or moms of young children have more than just themselves to worry about this flu season, particularly with the added threat of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Pregnant women and young children are particularly susceptible to complications related to the flu.
We are learning more every day from experts who are studying these viruses. Here are some of the latest recommendations from the CDC to help protect yourself and your children.

Health care professionals recommend that pregnant women be vaccinated for both types of flu.

Getting your flu shots during pregnancy can help protect your newborn from these viruses.

Practice flu-prevention hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs. Teach these behaviors to your children.

Keep your home clean, especially high traffic areas such as keyboards and doorknobs. Open windows for fresh air as often as you are able.

Boost immunity by eating a balanced diet packed with plenty of fruits and vegetables. This is especially important for toddlers and young children.

Stay informed. The CDC website offers information and resources about the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu. The H1N1 page is being updated frequently.

If you or your child start to experience flu symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, chills, or body aches, call your health care provider for professional guidance.

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Image credit: CDC

I first met the lovely Isabel Kallman of Alpha Mom at the inaugural Pampers mom blogger meeting in Cincinnati and have since adored being in her company at every turn (most notably while interviewing Salma Hayek, talking all things blogging, and while wearing paper bags on our heads). Isabel is a smart entrepreneur, a kind friend, and always is thinking towards personal improvement, community building, and outreach to those in need. Fittingly, for the fourth in my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series – Isabel shares easy ideas for reconnecting with the spirit of the holidays through giving.

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From Isabel:

It feels better to give than receive.

And yet, our kids haven’t figured that out. It’s our responsibility to help them understand that adage.

I always remember the episode of Friends where Phoebe is struggling with whether to become a surrogate for her brother and sister-in-law. Phoebe’s mom steps in to help her in the decision-making process by giving her a puppy to care for for a week or so, with the caveat that Phoebe must give back the puppy soon after. Right about when a sad Phoebe is about to return the puppy, her brother falls in love with it and Phoebes spontaneously decides to gift it to him. She declares that as hard as it may be, it feels better to make another person happy with a treasured gift. (Of course, the requisite punch line is that the puppy wasn’t hers -- but her mother’s -- to give away.)

You get the point.

Developmentally, young children are selfish. It’s just who they are. As parents, we need to help them learn firsthand about the gift of giving and the joy it brings to others. And to oneself.

As adults, we too, often forget -- especially in the craziness of shopping and wish lists.

Here are some things you can do by yourself, and with your children, to donate your time, goods, and services during the holidays, hopefully to reconnect with -- as cliché as it may sound -- the spirit of the holidays.

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1. Begin the holiday season on Thanksgiving Day, not Black Friday. Thanksgiving is perhaps the best day of the year to model charitable giving. Local schools, shelters, and houses of worship throughout the country are already organized to feed the needy. We all are busy, but taking time out of your day to feed the less fortunate is a priceless gift you can give to your family and others.

2. Online shopping can help you give without costing you a cent. Ever heard of iGive.com or iBakeSale.com? These sites connect shoppers, retailers, and charitable organizations. There you can holiday shop your favorite retailers (like, almost all of them) and assign a percentage of your purchases to be donated in your name to your favorite charities. This is all without having to pay extra for your purchase. You pay the retail price of the goods, but the retailer pays the referral fee to the charity. Huzzah!

3. Donate your earned points. That is, the shopping points you earn and accumulate through your credit card companies and the frequent flier miles earned through the airlines. See, your loyalty is valuable.

4. Remember those not at home for the holidays. The holidays are associated with home and family. But as you know, for many that is not their current reality. Perhaps pay special attention to charitable organizations focusing on the military (e.g., Adopt a US Soldier) and hospitalized children (e.g., Toys for Tots).

5. Clean out your closet ahead of the season. You’re going to need the extra space to hide gifts and store new ones, right? So, kill two birds with one stone and clean out your closet and take your gently-used goods to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

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Isabel Kallman is the founder and chief cook at Alpha Mom, a lifestyle parenting and marketing research company. She loves stilettos, comfort food, and reading books with her 6-year-old son. You can follow Alpha Mom on Twitter at @alphamom.

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Image credit: Power of Giving