The Christmas Ice Caverns of Fairfield NJ: A Trip Down Memory Lane

I grew up in Morris County, and we had family members who lived in Fairfield, so we were frequent visitors of Essex County, too. Every year without fail, we visited the Christmas Ice Caverns, which were part of Fairfield Home and Garden on Rt. 46 in Fairfield, New Jersey. When I became a mom, I brought my own child there. It was a special place that held wonderful memories for so many. 

*Please note that the Christmas Ice Caverns have unfortunately closed indefinitely. If I hear that they plan to relocate or open again, I will definitely come back to update this post. In the meantime, please feel free to use it as a spot to reminisce or share thoughts and comments!

What to Do If Your Elf on the Shelf Forgets to Hide: Free Printables Included!

Sometimes our Elf on the Shelf buddies get a little lazy, don't they? You wake up in the morning and --GASP!- your elf is still on the shelf! Here's a quick and easy save for when your Elf on the Shelf forgets to move. Free printable included in post!

Creamy, Dreamy Easy Rice Pudding

I grew up with homemade rice pudding, although I can't remember exactly who made it. Isn't that sad? I thought it was my grandmother but my mom thinks it was our wonderful old neighbor, Marie. All I remember is a yellow tupperware bowl, and swirling my spoon around that creamy goodness! I searched the internet for a recipe similar to the one I remember as a child, and this was the closest I could find. And it's not hard to make, so come and try it! There's even a printable version at the end of this post.

Fun Christmas Attractions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

What are the best Christmas and holiday attractions in New Jersey and beyond? I have some great suggestions for you! The holiday season is upon us, and if you're anything like me, you're itching to do some 'holiday stuff' with your family. And I'm not talking crafts or baking- I mean, cool trips that you can take for some holiday themed fun. So here are some of my favorite must-visit holiday locations in the tri-state area. Be sure to scroll down for a full list of even more holiday ideas, too!

*This post is freshly updated for 2024!

Gingerbread House Hacks : Tips for Easy Construction and Decoration

The first gingerbread house I ever built was condemned.  The walls slid together, the frosting was too watery, and if a gingerbread man tried to move in, he would have been killed by a collapsing roof. But over the years I've learned a few tips and tricks to build a better gingerbread house. Especially when there are kids involved!

#WhatsMyName Fundraiser: Casino Night Happening this February!

On March 29, 2019, Samantha Josephson, a 21 year old Senior at the University of South Carolina and a New Jersey native, was kidnapped and murdered when she was targeted by a fake Uber driver. Immediately following this unfathomable tragedy, her parents set out to educate others on the importance of Rideshare Safety so that no other family would have to suffer this kind of loss. Because of their hard work and advocacy, the #WhatsMyName Foundation was created, and Sami's Law was created, establishing new safety regulations for rideshare companies. The #WhatsMyName Foundation is holding a wonderful Casino Night fundraiser in honor of their daughter, Samantha Josephson. Read on for more details!

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Amy Adams Brings Nightbitch to Life

If you've read Rachel Yoder's Nightbitch: A Novel, then you'll be excited to know it's now a movie starring the fabulous Amy Adams (in theaters December 6th). Nightbitch, the film, tackles motherhood in a modern world, and the struggles women go through as they take on a new maternal role. Read on for more details and watch a trailer for the film.

NJ Weekend Getaways: Holiday Family Fun at Ocean Casino Resort

One question I receive often as a blogger is, 'Do you have any ideas for weekend getaways?' Maybe you've already searched Reddit for weekend getaway ideas here in New Jersey but you're still looking for a fun family trip, especially during the holidays. Well, I found a place that you NEED to check out, perfect for a little Christmas magic. Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City has an amazing line-up of holiday family activities and offerings. I was able to check them all out myself, so read on for details and see why I think Ocean should be on your MUST VISIT list.

Santa Lollipops Made with Jolly Ranchers: Great Christmas Candy Gifts!

Making your own lollipops (or suckers) is not as hard as you think! These Christmas Santa lollipops were not tough at all, and they look adorable when they're finished! All you need are some Jolly Ranchers and a little imagination! Well, and this tutorial. But you get the idea...

DIY Thanksgiving Turkey Wreath

Thanksgiving crafts for kids are all over Pinterest, but this is one of my favorites! It's so basic and simple, it can even be done as a classroom project with young students. It makes a cute decoration for Thanksgiving and constructing it can keep the little ones occupied on a rainy (or cold!) day. It makes a cute gift for grandparents or teachers, and you can even personalize the turkey by adding a name across the belly or adding a little hat or bow.

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Gift Ideas for Kids, Teens Tweens, Babies, and More!

If you're looking for holiday gift ideas, you've come to the right place. If you need gifts for boys, girls, tweens, teens, babies, or even the special adults in your life, then I've got you covered! The Jersey Momma Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide features over 100 gift ideas in 14 different categories with something for everyone. Every item in this guide is hand-picked by me and comes with helpful links and photos. Everything is clearly labeled with bold headlines for easy reading. Don't forget to check out my toy shopping tips at the end of the post, too. 

A Review of ABCmouse - Is It Worth It?

ABCmouse's Black Friday Sale is live! 

Before I tell you about ABCmouse.com, let me just point out that this is my honest review from a mom's point of view.  I was not  asked by ABCmouse to review their service and I paid for their service just like anyone else!! This post has become very popular, so I try to keep it updated with accurate information and suggestions.

*Added note: Be sure to read the comments left by my readers at the bottom of this post. Their experience and advice is just as helpful as mine! And feel free to add your own comments about successes (or failures) with ABCmouse. I update this post often and try to answer all questions. 

**Note that I do not approve comments regarding billing or credit card issues. I do not feel this is a safe forum to discuss those matters. Thanks for your understanding! 

** I always try to update this post with the most recent sales - usually around the holidays. Their latest sale is for Black Friday! Get a one year subscription to ABCmouse PLUS a one year subscription to ReadingIQ for just $45 a year (until cancelled). Scroll through for the sale link!

OCEAN CASINO RESORT OFFERS A SEASIDE MAGICAL WINTER WONDERLAND THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The holiday season will be here before you know it, so let's start making some plans! Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City is transforming into a magical seaside winter wonderland filled with festive seasonal offerings and holiday décor. From magical attractions to themed suites and a local market, Ocean is offering a surfside escape of holiday cheer.  Read on for more details!

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum Opening March 2025

Hey dinosaur lovers, are you ready to travel back in time? The highly anticipated Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University (EFM) will open its doors in March 2025, welcoming visitors to an immersive exploration of dinosaurs and other prehistoric species. The world-class museum will bring the age of dinosaurs roaring back to life with exciting exhibits, live animal encounters and life-sized depictions of epic creatures from 66 million years ago. Read on for more details!