Using the tools of the cultural critic during the holiday

Having young kids during the holiday season is like getting to play a dry-run of a complicated obstacle course, where nothing is counted against you. You are allowed to see the layout of the field, be it how to get the Christmas Tree, how far in advance should I buy decorations, how many decorations do I actually need, and are costumes going to be involved? Then you celebrate the holiday and the kids barely notice, because they're too young to give a hoot.

After the holidays, everything savors of anti-climax. It's only logical I guess. We spend weeks (some of us months) in preparation, decoration and eager anticipation of the holiday season, so it follows that life feels a little ho-hum after so much joy and good cheer. I'm dealing with my own post season slump, and it just ain't pretty.

First, I bought myself a Jillian Michaels workout DVD for Christmas. I think Jillian Micheals is a robot. Besides being quite surfer-dudish, I think she's a cyborg created to say things like, 'Shred it, girl.' I don't want to shred anything. I want to shed belly fat, not shred it. That just sounds painful.

We've all opened that one gift that makes us say to ourselves, 'What am I going to do with this?' Maybe you already have that item and don't really need another one. Yes, you could ask for the receipt and return it. However, it can be very awkward so we rather just put it away or you wait until next Christmas and give it away. I've done it, more than once.

Now don't judge me as I see it, I'm getting rid of unwanted stuff sitting around the house. Plus it can save you some money, time and the shopping hassle.

I can't help but notice all of the shiny, sparkly things all around this time of year. If you need to stock up on sequins, now is the time. All of the shiny pretty things grab my attention, and I also think it is the time to make sure that your hair is one of those things that sparkle and shine through the holiday season.

This time of year also gets colder and drier, which takes its toll on us. Our mood, health, hair and skin are all affected. There is a lot you can do to hydrate your hair and keep it that way throughout the winter. Hydrated hair equals shiny hair, and who doesn't want that? Salons always offer great deep conditioning treatments, which also usually include some scalp massage and relaxation time - my top recommendation. If that is not an option for you right now, go grab some olive oil or coconut oil. Heat up a small amount in the microwave and apply to dry hair. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap and/or a warmed up towel. Leave this in for at least 30 minutes (the longer the better). Shampoo and style as usual. This treatment does wonders, and this time a year once a week or once every two weeks is ideal.

'Tis the season to be merry - and attend parties, host family dinners, bake pies and exchange gifts. Shopping, of course, is a major part of the holiday season, and mobile shopping continues to increase in popularity. One in four purchases will be made on a mobile device this year, according to Shopify, a leading ecommerce platform. Shopify predicts that mobile shopping will continue to grow and estimates that in 2013, 43 percent of holiday purchases will be made on a mobile device or tablet.

As we all rush into this holiday season, it settles me to know that to my children, there's nothing essentially different about Christmas. You didn't expect me to say that, did you? The pat response to the yuletide is something like this: 'It's a magical season of joy and giving.' Yeah, yeah, yeah. There is joy. There is giving. We all know they're excited about the presents. My kids love singing a good 'Jingle Bells, Batman Smells' just as much as the next kids do. But, kids, they live in 'fa la la' land all year long.

I'm not a shopper in the conventional feminine sense. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy buying things and I have fun playing with my new toys or flaunting nice new clothes. But I can't stand the process of shopping. The simple idea of waiting in long lines to do such a thing makes my blood pressure rise. But this time of year pretty much ensures some type of shopping has to happen. And now I have the kids to take into consideration when it comes to planning for the holidays.

Tipping is a way we can reward good service, whether it be for one meal at a favorite restaurant or for a year of service from one of your regular service providers. If you're wondering what is the right amount to tip, here are some guidelines.

Experts suggest that 20 percent of the total bill is the going rate for tipping for great service at establishments you frequent often restaurants, bars, salons, etc. However, there is nothing wrong with tipping more for great service or less for not-so great service. I posted this question to Facebook and responses were consistent with the notion that when it comes to rewarding good or great service, 20 percent is the going rate - with a few exceptions. 

If you're a parent of young children, your little ones are probably starting to think about what they would like to ask Santa to give them for Christmas. Of course, for kids the most important requirement for Santa's gift list is whether or not they've been good this year.

Small business owners are industrious people. We work long days, weekends, holidays, and even while we sleep. For that alone, I think we deserve to be on Santa's 'good' list! However, since Santa has an age limit to his North Pole gifts roster, I have a few ideas for ways that we, diligent small business owners, can reward ourselves during the holiday season.