Does the thought of holiday shopping leave you with that not-so-merry feeling? Here are some tips that can help save you time, money, and stress this holiday season:

• Santa's done it for years, and so should you: make a list. Decide early what your budget will be and who your gift recipients will be. Consider what gift(s) you'd like each person or family to receive from you. The best presents are usually the ones you think about ahead of time.
• Decide which retailers you'd like to deal with for your holiday shopping and sign up for their newsletters, apps, and/or text alerts. You'll receive notifications of sales, and often obtain a new customer discount, too.
• When you do find an online coupon, be prepared at the checkout - either print it beforehand, or have a screenshot on your phone that you can display. No sense in being confronted with no internet service at the checkout line.
• Team up with a friend or family member for your shopping - share in legwork and research, take advantage of splitting the costs of any buy-one-get-one deals, etc.
• Don't forget the incidentals like gift wrap. Save money by buying in bulk with others, or make your own from newspaper, boxes or some other unusual items.

Most holiday shopping nightmares come from waiting until the last minute. Think about it this way: would you rather be relaxing with family and friends on Christmas Eve or driving around desperately hoping the local stores are still open. The holiday headache you save may be your own.

If you'll be attending a Halloween get-together, need to bring a treat to an office party or just want to surprise your family, here are some of the strangest and/or cutest Halloween fare the internet has to offer:

• Appetizers are always popular at parties, and these are some of the eeriest! Try some Halloweeno Jalapeno Popper Mummies, or Graveyard Taco Dip or everyone's favorite, Deviled Green Goblin Eggs.
• If you'll be partying with some little vampires, make their day with some Blood Drip Cupcakes. Children and adults alike will adore these Monster Strawberry Cupcakes.
• No Halloween party is complete without some....odd treats. The kids will shriek with terror before diving into some Jello Blood Worms, or Bloody Severed Fingers. 
• Craving brains for your holiday menu? You're covered with these Pork Dumplings with Chili-Sesame Sauce, or this oh-so-yummy Brain Dip.
• Cheese Ball Monsters will totally rule any celebration, but adults might appreciate a more classic Great White Pumpkin Cheese Ball.
• Mummy Mini Pizzas and Halloween Top Ramen are great ways to involve the kids in cooking—and might get them to eat their veggies!
• No need to go thirsty with these crazy recipes—how about serving up a nice cup of Witch-Brewed Cider with Shrunken Apple Heads?
• Gluten free? No problem. Check out these 9 gluten free Halloween recipes.

Halloween only comes once a year, so make it a memorable one!

There’s a computer technician working on your favorite machine in the gym, and your trusty biometrics app once again needs to be reinstalled. If your workout routine has gotten a little too technological lately, why not take a step back in time?

Hiking is one of the oldest forms of exercise, and with crisp air and glorious fall colors, autumn is the perfect time. With that in mind, here are some safety tips to make sure your fall hikes stay injury-free:

• The days are shorter now, and darkness comes early. Be sure to plan your hikes accordingly and bring a flashlight.
• Watch weather reports. The fall months can often be unpredictable, and you never know if a warm sunny morning will turn cold and rainy, or even bring snow.
• Dress appropriately. Layers are the key to staying comfortable.
• Make sure your hiking boots have been broken in properly before tackling long hikes. There's no sense in having painful blisters ruin your good time.
• Autumn is also hunting season. Wear something bright and stay away from earth-toned colors as well as brown or black. Also make some noise so that hunters will hear you—whistle, sing, or carry on a conversation.
• Watch out for leaves on the trail. Newly fallen leaves can camouflage the terrain, making navigation difficult. Wet leaves can cause slippery conditions.
• Be careful walking near water, particularly on slippery wet rocks. You may not realize how tired you are until you try to swim to safety, so drowning is a real issue.
• Although the days are cooler, you can still get sunburned. Wear a hat and sunscreen.

A few precautions can make all the difference in your autumn hike—stay safe!

If you're looking for some fall fun, an apple-picking adventure may be just the ticket. But before you head out with your friends or family, it’s time to brush up on some apple trivia!

• An experienced apple picker picks at least six tons per day.
• Apples are 75% water—which makes them a great thirst quencher!
• The tradition of apple bobbing comes from the ancient Celts. During one of their annual celebrations, the first person to bite into an apple floating in the water would be the next to marry.
• Tossing an apple to a girl in ancient Greece was a marriage proposal. Catching it was an acceptance.
• If you ate a different variety of apple each day, it would take you more than 20 years! There are over 7,500 different varieties in the world.
• Apples are part of the rose family, just like plums and pears.
• Apples float because 25% of their volume is air.
• In recipes that call for white wine, you can substitute apple juice.

And speaking of recipes, try one of these!

• Are you a bigger fan of the crust than the fruit? Try these Apple Crumble Bars.
• Doesn't the idea of an Apple Slab Pie sound irresistible? This recipe from Pillsbury has received great reviews.
• And apples aren't just for dessert—why not whip up some Apple and Gouda Grilled Cheese Sandwiches? 
• Need it gluten free? Try this beautiful Gluten Free Apple Tart.

As the old saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants and dietary fiber. So enjoy one of these tasty fruits today and just send the doc a postcard instead.

Do you have any Columbus Day weekend traditions? Yes, we said Columbus Day. This three-day weekend isn't like Memorial Day or Labor Day, with those family cookouts, but it IS the first holiday weekend after school starts, and it DOES take place during October. 

So why not take advantage?! Here are some events taking place that weekend that may inspire you for your own mini vacation.

Amusement Park Mayhem. Many amusement parks start their Halloween events in early October. Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® will transform Six Flags into a “scream park” starting October 1st. Discount tickets will be available, so check sites like Skipadoo or purchase early on the Six Flags website. 

A Taste of Germany. Search online for “Oktoberfest October 8 2016” and you’ll find celebrations all over the country. The Nashville festivities look very promising, with events for the whole family, including a dog parade and dachshund races.

Splash in the Ocean. The beaches are less crowded during October, and the weather is still nice enough to play in the sand. Check out beach getaways on Groupon.

Fly High. Hot air balloon festivals take place around the country on Columbus Day weekend; New Mexico, South Carolina, and Illinois to name a few. Whether you find a local event or travel across the country, you'll feel like a kid again watching the balloons.

Ride the Rails. Why not take a trip through time? There are fall foliage excursions available in many states including New York, Michigan, and New Hampshire.

However you decide to spend Columbus Day weekend, remember to take lots of photos, enjoy yourself and each other!

The first Monday in October is Child Health Day. Below are some issues that adults rate as the biggest health concerns for children, along with some resources addressing them.

Childhood obesity. Here are key steps parents can take to promote healthier eating and an active lifestyle at home.

Bullying. Read about the effects of bullying, how to assess bullying in your child's school and find steps to promote awareness in your community.

Internet safety. Learn how to monitor your child's computer usage with these tips.

Drug abuse. Are you up to date on the current slang terms for drugs? Read about other warning signs of drug use and more on the National Institute on Drug Abuse site.

Child abuse and neglect. Find some expert tips on protecting your children.

Sexting. It might be time to have THE TALK with your kids—and it's probably not one your parents ever had with you. Learn what you should discuss with this tip sheet. 

School violence. Preventing any kind of harm to our children is every parent's concern. Check out some ways you can help.

While it's a relief that diseases like polio and tuberculosis no longer top the list of parents' concerns for their children's health, modern medicine can only do so much. The first step for a healthy child is great parenting. 

Hope you’re up for the challenge!