Archives for 2013

The holidays can mean BIG stress for little ones, just as they can for adults – from changes in the daily routine to family squabbles and more. To help keep the season running smoothly for everyone, Angela Santomero, creator and executive producer of top-rated preschool series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and a child development expert for more than 20 years – as well as a mom herself, has some terrific tips to share. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood offers practical parenting strategies in each episode and here are some from Angela inspired by the series and its upcoming holiday special, “Snowflake Day,” premiering November 25 on PBS KIDS.

• Create Your Own Holiday Traditions – These extra special family rituals will make the season less stressful and more meaningful for everyone. Don’t worry about not sticking with traditions that you grew up with or trying to make everything “perfect.” Whether it’s going to a community show, baking or crafting paper lanterns together, each year offers the opportunity to strengthen your own family’s traditions and make wonderful and lasting new memories!

• Get Your Children Involved – Kids love to participate and to feel like they’re an important part of the holiday preparations, so have them help make place cards, work on decorations, put out gifts, etc. It’s a great way to help get them excited about the festivities – and one less thing for you to have to do, too!

• Prepare Kids for New Situations – Encountering unfamiliar situations can be stressful for young children, so, as Mom Tiger told Daniel, “When we do something new, let’s talk about what we’ll do.” Before going to a holiday party or gathering, let your child know what they’ll experience and who may be there. This will help them relax and feel prepared for what’s ahead!

• Teach Preschoolers to Be Thankful – Did your child get something that wasn’t exactly on their wish list? Let them know that, while it’s OK not to like every gift, it’s important to show their appreciation and remember that someone was thoughtful enough to do something nice for them! Encourage them to make thank you cards to further underscore the importance of being grateful.

• Reinforce the True Meaning of the Holidays – At holiday time, there’s so much pressure to buy, buy, buy. Parents can help head off disappointment by reminding kids that they may not get everything they want. This also provides the perfect opportunity for parents to emphasize the importance of giving to others during the holiday season – and that the most special “gift” of all is spending time together!

And don’t forget to snuggle up with your snow angels and tune in to the adorable new Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhoodholiday special – “Snowflake Day” – premiering on PBS KIDS, Monday, November 25, with additional airings onSaturday, November 30, and Wednesday, December 11 (check local listings). Another perfect way to reinforce the true spirit of the holidays and importance of giving, the new special is full of twinkling lights and seasonal cheer. The vibrant half-hour show introduces five catchy songs, including a special holiday-themed version of the series’ familiar opening sung by noted jazz vocalist Matt Dusk. Like all Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood episodes, “Snowflake Day” blends the warmth and gentle lessons pioneered by Fred Rogers, which are especially meaningful this time of year.

Giving Tuesday is this  week, so how about donating items to your local Goodwill ^® ? As the end-of-year holidays approach and new items start pouring into our homes, we know that there’s a lot of things we can also get rid of.

The holidays are a great time to involve the whole family in making a difference in the lives of others, and what could be easier than boxing up unwanted items and getting them out of the house? Or, perhaps, give the gift of “cleaning out” to an older parent or relative who struggles with the task themselves. Of course, don’t forget that all these donations are considered charitable tax-deductions.

When you donate stuff to your local Goodwill—a sweater, CDs, furniture or electronics—you support Goodwill’s efforts to provide a variety of employment services to people in need in your community. This holiday season, we are encouraging everyone to donate used goods to one of Goodwill’s 2,700+ locations throughout the country.

To see just how far your donations can go, watch this poignant mini documentary, which tells the stories of someone whose life was transformed through their involvement with Goodwill.

“Candice”
A 22-year-old who went from sleeping in her car to becoming a nurse’s assistant because of Goodwill’s job training programs.
www.youtube.com/embed/FhigtwZH0Io

Last year, Goodwill provided employment training, job placement, financial education, youth mentoring and more to 6.7 million people in the United States and Canada. (To see how the process works, just watch our “How We Do It” PSA.)

Through Goodwill’s locator tool, it’s easy for people to find their nearest Goodwill location, including stores, headquarters, job training centers and donation centers. And through Goodwill’s Donation Impact Calculator, you can see how every item you give empowers people who are seeking to earn jobs and build careers.

We also have a fun new Snapguide about hosting a Festive Holiday Sweater Party: http://snapguide.com/guides/throw-a-festive-sweater-holiday-party/

On behalf of Goodwill Industries^® in partnership with the Ad Council.

Management at Del Amo Fashion Center announced today that Del Amo Fashion Center will have extended holiday hours starting at 8:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening to greet shoppers and families eager to begin their holiday shopping for the 2013 season.

Families, friends and shoppers are welcome to join us at Del Amo Fashion Center for special shopping events and activities during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  Everyone can come walk off those Thanksgiving calories at 8 p.m. and begin crossing names off their holiday lists as well as getting some great deals for themselves.

“Heading to Del Amo Fashion Center with family and friends is the perfect way to wrap up a holiday about gratitude and togetherness,” said Lindsay Hermance, director of marketing and business development at Del Amo Fashion Center. “Many families enjoy entertainment traditions around Thanksgiving, whether it’s sharing meals, going shopping, seeing a movie, or watching a game together. We are excited to meet our customers’ different schedules and needs with the variety of retail and entertainment experiences they enjoy at Del Amo Fashion Center, plus extended opportunities for holiday ‘doorbusters’ and deals to be discovered.”

To reward shoppers for choosing Del Amo Fashion Center, swag bags will be available at Guest Services to the center’s first 150 customers, starting at 6 a.m. on Black Friday, while supplies last. Treats will be available at Guest Services through Black Friday weekend as well.

In addition, Del Amo Fashion Center’s mall management “elves” will greet and reward shoppers who have been on their best behavior this year with surprise treats and goodies, starting Black Friday weekend and continuing throughout the holiday season.

Friendly greeters will be stationed at mall directories beginning Black Friday, and continuing during holiday weekends and Christmas Eve, to help shoppers with directions, answer questions, distribute retailer offers and provide an insider’s perspective on the best deals and gift ideas for the holiday season.

To keep shoppers’ spirits high, holiday entertainment, including strolling carolers, will be going on throughout Black Friday weekend as well.

For more information, visit Del Amo Fashion Center on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DelAmoFashionCenter, Twitter at https://twitter.com/delamofashion or Instagram at http://instagram.com/delamofashion.

About Del Amo Fashion Center

Del Amo Fashion Center is the South Bay’s retail destination for shopping, entertainment and dining. It boasts more than 200 stores, including Macy’s, H&M, Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble, Coach, and more. Visit the outdoor promenade and enjoy dinner at Stacked or PF Changs before a movie at our 18 screen AMC Theater. The indoor mall offers fashion for women, men and children plus jewelry, footwear and electronics. Del Amo Fashion Center serves the nearby communities of Palos Verdes, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Redondo Beach and Gardena. For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visit http://www.simon.com/mall/del-amo-fashion-center or call 310-542-8525.

About Simon Property Group

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) is an S&P 100 company and a global leader in the retail real estate industry.  The Company currently owns or has an interest in more than 325 retail real estate properties in North America and Asia comprising approximately 242 million square feet. We are headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employ approximately 5,500 people in the U.S.  For more information, visit simon.com.