Blog Posts by GALTime.com

By Mom Generations Audrey McClelland for GalTime.com

Capture the BEST holiday photos this season! Tips for taking cherished holiday photos

As soon as the Halloween candy is out of our house, it's full-fledged holiday happenings around here! That's right; November 1 st starts the oh so joyful preparations for holiday gatherings and celebrations. From Thanksgiving football games to cookie swaps, this season is all about reliving traditions and making memories as a family. What better way to savor the season than through photos? Here are my top tips for taking the best photos this holiday season:

• Set the self-timer and get everyone together for a group photo. The most beautiful thing about the holidays is how everyone from Grandma to grandbaby is brought together under one roof. Pulling everyone together for a moment - away from the dinner table for a family photo - is a special opportunity not every family takes advantage of, or is fortunate enough to be able to do. It may be tricky, but you'll be glad you seized the

By Author and Type-A Mommy Emily Liebert for GalTime

Hand Painted Clutch 10 gifts mom doesn't (necessarily) need (but totally wants) for the holidays

'Tis the season to be jolly…and stressed out. After all, selecting the perfect present for everyone -- especially a mom -- on your holiday list can be daunting, not to mention time-consuming.

Blender? Boring! Gift card? Impersonal! Bathrobe? Blah! In light of this annual conundrum, we decided to do the legwork for you, with a focus on that special mom in your life. While she may not (necessarily) need these fabulous picks, we're pretty sure she'll flip for them.

Hand-painted clutch perfect for Girls Night Out

Even moms need a break from mac 'n cheese and chicken fingers. That's why we love this aptly named "Girls Night Out" evening clutch designed by Houston-based artist, Hanh Tran. Made of canvas, Hanh's purses are hand-painted and inspired by her abstract and postmodern impressionist pieces as well as nature, art, and fashion. Dress up

By GalTime.com

Wow your guests with these Thanksgiving sides. They may not be the star of the menu, but they'll certainly win the award for best supporting cuisine.

Herb Butter

Ready to wow your guests? Stir up one or more batches of my easy herbed butter. You can make it several days ahead (one or multiple batches), then use it on the turkey, vegetables, biscuits, and more.

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots

3 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

2 teaspoons finely chopped tarragon

1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Stir together all ingredients in a small bowl until combined well. Cover and chill until ready to use. Makes about 2/3 cup.

RELATED 10 Tips for Tackling Turkey Day

Decadent Doctored Gravy with Marsala, Mushrooms & Rosemary

This gravy is an ideal accompaniment for any poulty dish. No lumps!

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large

By Marina Sbrochi for GalTime.com

CAUTION: Do Not Buy Her a Ring this Holiday Season Hey, guys: Do you feel pressured by all the engagement ring ads you see on TV, billboards, radio and magazines? If you don't cough up two months' salary are you less than a man? Is someone putting the high pressure on you to get her a ring for the holidays? Are her parents giving you the stink eye every time you come over and don't ask her father for her hand? Is she dropping hints like, "I really like round diamonds better than emerald cut, you know, in case you were wondering."

Here are three reasons to skip the little velvet box presentation at Christmas, Hanukkah, at a big family gathering, over hot cocoa, on New Year's, while ice skating or on a carriage ride through the city.

1. Diamonds shouldn't be produced out of pressure

NEVER EVER EVER do anything because you feel pressured to do it! You don't need to buy anyone a ring. Are you feeling the pressure because you are inundated with ads telling you that you would be a lesser

By Galtime's Kristen Hagopian, Author Brilliant Frugal Living

Save money on your feast this Thanskgiving! How to save money on your Thanksgiving celebration

Greetings, fellow frugal fans! Now that my cupboards are stuffed with Halloween candy (purchased at a delicious 75 percent off), it's time to begin preparations for one of my favorite holidays - Thanksgiving.

I've been hearing lots of talk from people who are used to spending $250 or more for a table of eight at Thanksgiving. With food costs on the perpetual rise, the cost of entertaining during the holidays can get expensive. The good news is that Turkey Day doesn't have to be a budget buster, especially when you follow these three simple tricks on how to host a fabulous feast for less.

RELATED How to Create a Chic (and Cheap) Thanksgiving Table

1. Turkey: Turkey prices can go upward of $1.69 a pound or more, depending on the brand name and grocery retailer. Do yourself a favor and procrastinate with purpose! Purchase your turkey from a big retailer less

By GalTime's Entertainment Diva Andrea Krivelow

PEOPLEHe had some tough competition this year, but Channing Tatum earned the title of PEOPLE's sexiest man alive!

The 32-year-old, who wed actress Jenna Dewan-Tatum in 2009, had a surprising reaction upon hearing the news:

"My first thought was, 'Y'all are messing with me'. I told Jenna after we'd been in the bathtub washing our dogs because they'd gotten skunked. She was like, 'What?'"

RELATED Celebrity Couples That Have a Kid-Free Marriage

Channing adds:

"Yeah, she calls me [the Sexiest Man Alive] now."

The Alabama native also reveals that he and Jenna are eager to start a family (and those are going to be some good-looking offspring!):

"I'm ready; I think she's ready. The first number that pops into my head is three, but I just want one to be healthy and then we'll see where we go after that."

He later jokes:

"It's really easy for us guys to say, 'I want like 15 kids'. Jenna will be like, 'Well

By Dawn Sandomeno & Elizabeth Mascali, of Party BluPrints for GalTime.com

Tips for Tackling Turkey Day Don't let Tom get the best of you! Here are some tips for getting it under control. Start now and avoid the stress of last minute holiday preparations!

1. Confirm number of guests.

2. Decide on sit down or buffet or combo ( we always have 20+ guests, but love to have everyone gathered at one table. So we serve food buffet style and have everyone sit at a long Thanksgiving Table we create from lining up smaller tables - it runs from the Dining Room to the Living Room!)

3. Regardless of how you plan to serve your Thanksgiving feast, you are going to need to seat all your guests somewhere, so make sure you have enough seats and space.

RELATED How to Create a Chic (and Cheap) Thanksgiving Table

4. Launder and press tablecloths and napkins.

5. Decide on your signature cocktail. This is great for welcoming guests from a road trip, a glass of prosecco is one of our favorites. Select the wine

By GalTime Teen Expert Jennifer A. Powell-Lunder, Psy.D.

Top Reasons You're Stressed Out You have a busy, fulfilling life. You have much about which to be proud. You are smart, street savvy, confident and determined, everyone says so.

"Then why," you wonder to yourself, "do I feel so stressed out and unhappy?

Regardless of whether you are young or older, married or single, working outside, working from home, or a stay at home moms when asked what makes you unhappy and stressed, the concerns and complaints are quite consistent.

Here is a list of the top five stressors which seem to translate into feeling overworked and overwhelmed:

1. TOO LITTLE TIME TO GET EVERYTHING DONE

Not matter how many hours there are in a day and how much you are able to accomplish, most of us still feel like there is always more to be done.

The simple solution: Accept the reality that no matter how much time you have available, you will always feel this way.

RELATED Foods to Shrink Your Belly And Holiday