letter from our editor
When I think back to my favorite holiday memories from childhood, one image stands out: Creeping down the stairs with my sister in the wee hours, before anyone else was awake, and marveling at the presents underneath the Christmas tree that weren’t there the night before. The still of the morning, the quiet hush of a blanket of snow, the twinkling lights… it was all so magical. Yet, all these years later, I can’t tell you what was in those brightly wrapped boxes. The real magic wasn’t what Santa brought — it was in the overall experience I was lucky enough to have.
Now, as a mom, it’s my turn to create that magic — a task that grows more challenging the older my kids get. And yes, a pile of presents still delights my teens more than the milk and cookies routine. But I’d argue that it’s the wonder of the season, filled with family togetherness, that makes the holidays special.
That’s why this year’s holiday issue, presented by Great Wolf Lodge and featuring actress and lifestyle influencer Eva Amurri, is focused on experiences and family fun. Of course, you’ll find editor-curated gift guides that offer helpful hints for everyone on your list. But you'll also find a list of experience gifts that will delight your family long after the gift wrap is cleared away, as well as the best holiday movies to watch together, acts of kindness to do as a family (because giving is as good as receiving!), and low-mess baking kits and cookie recipes to make with kids that won’t stress you out.
Speaking of stress: New Happy author Stephanie Harrison shares tips for taming the mental load so many of us feel this time of year as we try to be the moms who make magic happen. As Amurri told us, "My mom was always so good at making holidays and experiences special. That's kind of her superpower. … And I can relate to that completely. I love being the house where everything happens, and I love giving my kids these magical memories that surround the holidays."
A low-stress holiday filled with merriment and magical memories? That’s our wish this season — for all of us!
table of contents
LETTER FROM our EDITOR on the cover videO
MINDFUL & MERRY GREAT GETAWAYS FOOD & FUN GIFT GUIDEs
cover image
Aubrie Pick
cover story images
Natasha Wynnyk
features
ANNIE GONZALEz photographs by matthew shouse / butter la
BROOKLYN DECKER images courtesy Astral Tequila
SK EATS
danielle giarratano design / sheknows
images courtesy getty
FOODIESPEAK
images courtesy contributors
sk SHops
danielle giarratano design / sheknows
images courtesy getty
credits
Printable Snowflake Coloring Templates
That Will Get Your Kids Through Any Snow Day
Holiday Baking Kits That Make Great Family Activities
RETURN to the top
Jacquelyn Greenfield
Giovana Gelhoren
Justina Huddleston
Ivy Becker
Cristina Velocci
Gina Vaynshteyn
Allison O’Connell
Sarah Wallace
Editor-in-Chief
Executive Editor
Senior Designer
Senior Food & Lifestyle Editor
Parenting Editor
Entertainment Editor
commerce Editor
Social Media Editor
trending news editor
Health Editor
Commerce writer
entertainment writer
lifestyle writer
Trending news editor
Chief Content Officer
Senior Commerce Director
vp, video
Senior video editor
Editorial
Media
The Best Holiday Movies
for Kids You Should Watch Now
Featuring
EVA AMURRI
Erika Janes
Marie Raton
Kenzie Mastroe
Rita Templeton
Alice Kelly
Maggie Ryan
Kristine Fellizar
Isabella Ong
Delilah Gray
Rebecca Rakowitz
MINDFUL & MERRY
Sweet & Simple Acts of Kindness to
Do With Kids During the Holidays
by Tonilyn Hornung
Table of Contents
Images and video courtesy unsplash unless otherwise stated
Presents
erika janes, editor-in-chief
When I think back to my favorite holiday memories from childhood, one image stands out: Creeping down the stairs with my sister in the wee hours, before anyone else was awake, and marveling at the presents underneath the Christmas tree that weren’t there the night before. The still of the morning, the quiet hush of a blanket of snow, the twinkling lights… it was all so magical. Yet, all these years later, I can’t tell you what was in those brightly wrapped boxes. The real magic wasn’t what Santa brought — it was in the overall experience I was lucky enough to have.
Now, as a mom, it’s my turn to create that magic — a task that grows more challenging the older my kids get. And yes, a pile of presents still delights my teens more than the milk and cookies routine. But I’d argue that it’s the wonder of the season, filled with family togetherness, that makes the holidays special.
That’s why this year’s holiday issue, presented by Great Wolf Lodge and featuring actress and lifestyle influencer Eva Amurri, is focused on experiences and family fun. Of course, you’ll find editor-curated gift guides that offer helpful hints for everyone on your list. But you'll also find a list of experience gifts that will delight your family long after the gift wrap is cleared away, as well as the best holiday movies to watch together, acts of kindness to do as a family (because giving is as good as receiving!), and low-mess baking kits and cookie recipes to make with kids that won’t stress you out.
Speaking of stress: New Happy author Stephanie Harrison shares tips for taming the mental load so many of us feel this time of year as we try to be the moms who make magic happen. As Amurri told us, "My mom was always so good at making holidays and experiences special. That's kind of her superpower. … And I can relate to that completely. I love being the house where everything happens, and I love giving my kids these magical memories that surround the holidays."
A low-stress holiday filled with merriment and magical memories? That’s our wish this season — for all of us!
Great getaways
Everything You Need to Know
About Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge During the Holidays
by Amanda Ogle
This Resort Is the Ultimate Family
Fun Getaway for the Holidays
by Jenny Altman
FOOD & FUN
by Lilian Burns
by Giovana Gelhoren
by Kay Snowden
Mess-Free Holiday Cookie Recipes to Make With Kids
by Kaila Stein
GIFT GUIDES
25 Experience Gifts Kids Will Never Forget
by sydni ellis
The SheKnows Ultimate
(& Foolproof) Holiday Gift Guide for Everyone On Your List
by Kristine Fellizar, Zoe Weiner
& Jacquelyn Greenfield
The Best Stocking Stuffers For Kids
by Alicia kort & jacquelyn greenfield
PARENTING WRITER
lifestyle writer
video editor
Sponsored by
Design director
intern
photography by george chinsee
CREATIVE DIRECTION BY SASHA PURDY
VIDEO BY allie o'connell, sarah wallace, PATRICK PHIlLIPS
VIDEO BY allie o'connell, sarah wallace, PATRICK PHILlIPS
IMAGES COURTESY OF GREAT WOLF LODGE
H
oliday
The
Issue
Eva Amurri's Modern Family
go to story
on the cover
The actress, lifestyle influencer,
and mom of three talks about creating
happy holiday memories with
her blended family.
5 Expert-Approved Ways to Actually Feel Happier This Holiday Season
by stephanie harrison
EVA AMURRI
Featuring
H
oliday
The
Issue
letter from our editor
on the cover
Erika Janes
Marie Raton
Kenzie Mastroe
Rita Templeton
Alice Kelly
Maggie Ryan
Kristine Fellizar
Isabella Ong
Delilah Gray
Rebecca Rakowitz
Jacquelyn Greenfield
Giovana Gelhoren
Justina Huddleston
Ivy Becker
Cristina Velocci
Gina Vaynshteyn
Allison O’Connell
Sarah Wallace
Editor-in-Chief
Senior Food & Lifestyle Editor
Parenting Editor
Entertainment Editor
commerce Editor
Social Media Editor
trending news editor
Health Editor
Commerce writer
entertainment writer
Chief Content Officer
Senior Commerce Director
Senior video editor
Editorial
Media