Valentine’s Day is a fun and festive time to celebrate love. While Valentine’s Day is commonly used to celebrate romantic relationships, it can also be a good day to spend time with family and friends and celebrate the love you share for each other. If you’re wondering how to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved ones, here are some family-friendly fun activities for you to consider. Decorate Your Home
Decorating your home in pink and red is a great way to start. Make decorating an enjoyable activity by putting on some light music and having kids help with hanging up the decorations. You can even make Valentine’s Day crafts with your kids, friends and relatives who share your knack in making heart tassel charms, sequin pins, tissue paper wreaths, air-dry clay hearts and the like. Another sweet way to decorate is to get some colorful post-its from your neighborhood drugstore and write kind loving notes to each other. You can use these to decorate by sticking them on the wall, the fridge, the kitchen table, or just keep them for a bad day. Spread Love Through Gifts Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, candy hearts, and cards are inexpensive gifts that can make a big impact on Valentine’s Day. You can also often find fun toys, salty snacks, and other small Valentines-themed items throughout the first two weeks of February. These are cute gifts to give to kids or other family members to spread love. Your local drugstore is a great place to find festive gifts for your family members, even at the last minute. Shop local helps spread love to your local community too! Spend Time with Family Valentine’s Day is a good day to spend time with family looking back on the memories you share. With elderly parents, you can look back on old photo albums from weddings, births, and other family milestones. If you’re unable to spend time with a parent, share albums with another relative or pass albums along to home care aides who offer companionship to your elderly loved one. If you have kids who are old enough, you can also reminisce on old memories with a Valentine’s Day theme, looking back on old home videos or baby books with some heart-shaped snacks. We all remember fun times in the kitchen at home. How about making Valentine’s Day cupcakes or candy together? Be sure to prepare plenty of coloring, frosting, powdered sugar, and other fun ingredients! Dress Festively Wear pink and red at home or work and take pictures to celebrate Valentine’s Day! You could even buy fun accessories like feather boas or bead necklaces and do a family photoshoot. If you enjoy throwing parties, have a pink and red themed party. Valentine’s Day parties are a great way to put your festive decorations and pink and red attire to good use. If you’re throwing or attending a party where you plan to wear pink or red, some Boston dry cleaners offer Valentine’s Day discounts for pink or red garments and household items. Get your garments and table linens cleaned before your party to look your best! Enjoy Valentine’s Day with plenty of fun, laughter, good food, music and dancing, and don’t forget to show your love. Take advantage of local stores and discounts to get in the community’s Valentine’s Day spirit too! As the end of the summer break approaches, it’s natural for students and their parents to start planning for their return to school. Starting a new school year can be exciting, daunting, challenging, and nerve-wracking for children, so as parents, we need to help them get ready for the new school year. Here are a few back-to-school tips. Organize Your Home
Over the break, it’s normal for your home to have become somewhat messier than normal. Make a team effort with the whole family to clean up, de-clutter and get organized. Not only does this put everyone back into work mode and set the scene for being back in school, but it also means your kids have no excuse for not being able to find their gym kit or book bag the night before going back in school. If you’ve got lots of junk to get rid of, save time by renting a dumpster. It’s so much easier to be able to toss things away as you’re sorting, rather than maneuvering around piles in your home and making multiple trips to the local recycling center. Clean Out Your Closets Linked to above, make sure you sort through your closets while getting your home in tip-top order. If your child has had a summer growth spurt, it’s better to know beforehand instead of finding out they have nothing suitable to wear for their first day in school! It also helps your child find everything they will need for their schooldays. Get rid of clothes and shoes that no longer fit or are showing signs of wear and tear. You can donate items in good condition and discard the rest. In case you open the closets and discover a huge pile of hidden laundry, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed — get practical time-saving help from your local laundry or dry-cleaning service. Get Vaccines School can be a veritable breeding ground for germs. When kids start mingling again in school, you might find that your child comes home with colds, sore throats and earaches more frequently than when they’re off school. Head to your local pharmacy to get the family updated with their flu shots. While you are there, you can also conveniently pick up various school supplies and other back-to-school items like backpacks. Check School Updates in Advance Nobody likes being surprised on the first day back to school. Put your mind at rest and check for pertinent updates on your school’s website and prepare accordingly. Are there any special supplies your child needs for the next academic year? Give yourself plenty of time to make any necessary purchases. Confirm the actual first day back and read up on your school’s most recent COVID policy. Get any required COVID supplies like masks while you are at the drug store as well. Arrange Activities It doesn’t need to be all work and no play when the kids go back to school. Keep your kids engaged and motivated outside of the classroom by making sure they have plenty of fun with their peers in the evenings and on weekends. It can be as simple as arranging with other Boston parents for kids to meet up in the neighborhood park or playground. Alternatively, take a look at your town’s library calendar to find diverse activities and events geared toward youngsters. Set those school year daily routines in motion, like school transportation, lunches, study habits, bed time, etc. Finally, give your child a good pep talk, a pat on the back, hugs and kisses, and send them off to a good start! Whether you’re a city native or a visitor, there’s much to enjoy in the Boston area at any time of the year. But with Father’s Day and graduation around the corner, you’re likely gearing up to celebrate, Boston-style. Here are a few tips to help you plan a happy and memorable Father’s Day or graduation celebration. Dine at One of Boston’s Many Fine Restaurants Whether you’re celebrating graduation day or hosting a Father’s Day event, you, your family, and your loved ones will enjoy having a night out and eating a nice dinner. And with many restaurants offering al fresco dining, you may even consider reserve an outside table. Make it memorable by getting a makeover, dressing up in your favorite dresses and best evening wear, and taking lots of pictures. Before you go, take these fine garments to a Boston dry cleaner to get them cleaned and conditioned. Be sure to dry clean them again afterwards to remove any food stains and keep them in shape for the next wearing. Enjoy an Outdoor BBQ
Or, instead of going out for dinner, why not stay in and host an outdoor BBQ party for your Grads and Dads celebration? Not only does BBQ make for a quintessential American party, it is also the best way to enjoy the early summer weather. (But if it’s going to be hot, you can always opt for some shade in your backyard or deck, or take your party to the local park picnic shelter.) And when it comes to BBQ, you might want to invest in a propane grill if you don’t already have one. Propane is a clean fuel and propane grills are easy to start, easy to control the flame, and easy to clean. Just don’t forget to fill your propane tank or get propane delivery from a trustworthy provider. Because of the warm weather, you can expect to work up a sweat and maybe get food on your clothes. If you are too tired after the party to do laundry, just call your local wash and fold delivery service! Bonus Tip: Where to Buy Gifts Every dad and new grad deserves a gift on their special day. If you had been too busy with party preparation and either forget or can’t spare time to shop for a gift, you can find gifts suitable for both dads and grads at the local drug store. For example, you could put together a gift bag of bathing products including bar soap, bath soaks, cologne, aftershaves and more. If all that great food at the restaurants and BBQ gives you a bad case of indigestion, you can also rely on your local pharmacy for digestive help. Hope you find these ideas useful and wish you a great Father’s Day or school/college graduation celebration with your family and loved ones. Caring for an aging parent can be both complicated and rewarding. Having a little extra help can make all the difference. It’s important to take care of yourself, as well. Being a family caregiver can be both emotionally and physically exhausting, so here are some tips for caring for an aging parent at home. Laundry and CleaningLaundry and cleaning are chores that require physical exertion, so it is best to get help with these tasks as much as possible. This could mean taking certain items to and from the dry cleaners or signing up for laundry delivery service. Or just designate a certain day that you do your loved one’s laundry, even if it’s at your own home. Hiring a cleaning service is always an option. Or you could make sure your parent has easily accessible tools like brooms or dustbusters so they could still do some light cleaning themselves. Getting the Necessary Medical SuppliesIt’s imperative that your aging parent has the necessary meds and medical supplies such as walking canes, shower seats, and reaching aids. Check with your local pharmacy about automatic prescription refills. Delivery may always be an option as well. This kind of thing is where hiring a home care agency could come in hand. A home healthcare aide will be able to provide assistance not only with picking up prescriptions but also help with mobility and physical assistance. Cooking Simple MealsPart of holding on to your dignity as you age is remaining as independent as possible. So even if your parent needs significant assistance with living by herself or himself at home, there are ways to make it so that they can do some of the everyday tasks themselves. For example, on weekly grocery trips, be sure to pick up food items that they may be able to prepare themselves. Prepping ingredients beforehand and labeling them in containers in the fridge is always a great way to lend some assistance without overstepping. Caring for an aging parent can be tricky, but with a little extra planning, it doesn’t have to disrupt your life. Your parent deserves to be able to live out their lives as independently and comfortable as possible, and so do you. Don’t forget to take a break every now and then. A respite care provider can provide the at home care assistance that your parent needs while you rest and recharge.
So many Americans are affected by skin allergies, so much so that skin allergy remedies are a lucrative industry. Different factors can make skin allergies worse like weather, pollen and common airborne allergens. Here are some tips for those dealing with skin allergies Check With Your Local PharmacySkin allergies are sometimes tricky to treat since they vary so much from person to person. Check with a compounding pharmacy about medications specifically for your individual needs. Compounded medications for skin will be specially formulated for you by type and dosage, so you'll get the quickest most reliable results. Be Aware of What Fabrics Irritate Your SkinYou may be unaware that some of the clothing you wear regularly is irritating your sensitive skin. It could be the fabric itself, or the detergent you've been using to wash them. Always look for "free and clear" detergents that don't contain any dyes or perfumes. Additionally, look for a local green dry cleaner nearby that tailors to those with sensitive skin. Ask for no fragrances and hypoallergenic products. Check With Your DoctorSometimes skin allergies could be pointing to a more serious health problem. If your skin suddenly becomes dry or irritated, its best to have it checked out by your doctor or dermatologist. Raised rashes, odd-shaped markings or irritation paired with fevers should always be checked by a medical professional right away. Moisturize FrequentlyDry weather or heat can bring on skin allergies, especially if you're already prone to dry skin. To avoid this, I always keep my skin moisturized with a natural, perfume-free lotion or oil. I like to buy lotions and creams specifically formulated for sensitive skin at a local drugstore near me, which also can fill prescriptions from my dermatologist. Older people also tend to have dry skin, so family caregivers or professional home health aides should also take care to keep their loved one or client's skin moisturized.
Skin allergies are a pain, but they don't have to be. Take care of your skin and take care of each other. Father's Day is right around the corner and it's time to start thinking about gift ideas for all the special guys in your life. This year is undeniably different than previous Father's Days, so it may require a little thinking outside the box. Some traditional stores aren't yet fully open, and special outings and celebrations may not be possible because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not to worry! I've compiled some unique Father's Day gift ideas that are perfect for our current situation. Gift CardsGift cards are always a good idea for any holiday gift. But this year, consider a gift card from your Dad's local dry cleaner. Once things get up and running again, he'll want to freshen up his wardrobe and get out of those sweats and t-shirts. Or he may try shirt laundry service at his office so he can look his best always at work. If the dry cleaners won't work for your guy, the local drugstore will have a large selection of gift cards for local restaurants and stores. Private Home CareThis gift could work for grandpas as well as Dads. If your dad is caring for his elderly father, or could just use some help himself, contacting a private home care agency may be the perfect gift idea. A caregiver or home health aide could be a lifesaver, and something they may not always feel comfortable asking for themselves Last-Minute GiftsBecause of COVID-19, it's hard to follow our usual gift-giving routines. If you haven't been able to go to a department store or find what you need online, you may need to run out and grab something locally. Luckily, pharmacies are considered essential right now and almost all are offering special extended hours. The local pharmacy near me, for example, turns out to be a treasure trove of Father's Day gifts. Cologne, coffee mugs, fancy chocolate - you'd probably be surprised what you can find at the drug store. The community pharmacy probably carries Father's Day gift sets as well to make it even easier. Don't let the global pandemic stop you from treating those special Dads in your life to the perfect gift they deserve.
With everything going on in the world right now, prepping for a holiday celebration is a welcome distraction. Memorial Day is coming up, and although we may have to tweak our traditions a bit, it’s still entirely possible to have a good old’ fashioned American BBQ. Here are some things to consider as you’re preparing for Memorial Day. Get Those Flags ReadyI know you don’t need a reason to proudly display your American flag, but Memorial Day is a perfect reason to freshen it up a bit. Did you know that some dry cleaners will clean flags for free? Call your local dry cleaners and ask about their flag policies. An old crumpled flag can accumulate a lot of grime and even mold, so getting it cleaned once a year is a good idea. Prep the Picnic LinensWhether you’re planning a social distancing gathering with the neighbors, or a family backyard barbecue, it’s still important to make sure your table linens are ready to go. Most linens can be machine washed in cold water on a gentle cycle. However, sending your linens to a local dry cleaner with laundry delivery service will not only ensure they’re washed properly, but also save a lot of time and effort. For anyone attending your gatherings that may want some extra protection, consider washing some bandanas or small cloth squares that can be used as face masks. Prepare for Outdoor GatheringsWe’ve all been cooped up inside for months, so it’s easy to forget about the necessary outside preparations. Your local pharmacy will have everything you need to stock up on like allergy meds for high pollen counts, insect spray for those pesky mosquitos and even last-minute paper products like napkins and paper cups.
Once you’ve made these simple Memorial Day preparations, you’re ready to enjoy the start of the summer with your family! Enjoy! Photo by Michael Skok on Unsplash We usually celebrate Mother’s Day with flowers and gifts for mom, taking her out to dinner and may be a shopping spree or a trip to the spa or salon. While our city is still in lockdown, with restaurants, salons and shops closed, how are you celebrating Mother’s Day? Mother's Day GiftsFor the most part, we can order gifts online and get them ready by Mother’s Day. If you cannot get a gift delivered in time, don’t forget that your local drugstore is still open and carries a variety of health and beauty products that your mom would love – from age-defying skin care, hair coloring and styling to perfumes and manicure products. Your community pharmacy may provide curbside service so you can stay safe. Take a load offMom is always busy caring for her family. The list of household chores is never ending. During the quarantine, the amount of cleaning and disinfecting has probably quadrupled. So a great gift would be to take over some of her work. How about letting the local dry cleaner nearby do the laundry? Schedule a laundry pickup before Mother’s Day, so that she is relaxed and not worried about doing the laundry. If mom’s work includes caring for grandpa and or grandma, which is not unusual in this age of the “Caregiving Crunch,” you can take a load off her by hiring respite care providers from the local home care agency. A home health aide can provide respectful professional care and companionship for a senior loved one while the family caregiver takes a break. Fun activity togetherDo something fun with your mom at home, such as watch a movie on TV, take a trip down memory lane by viewing old photos together, make handicrafts or artwork, give mom a manicure, and so on. Mother's Day dinnerIf your mother is living in the same house, you can perhaps cook a nice dinner or if you are not a good cook, you can order a big meal online and get it delivered to the house. But if your mother is not under the same roof, you can try sharing a virtual dinner on Zoom. That way, you can still see and chat with each other during dinner.
With a little creativity and preparation, we can still give mom a memorable Mother’s Day during these unprecedented times. Stay safe and have fun with your mom on Mother’s Day! Photo by Karolina Bobek ✌ on Unsplash We heard from Governor Charlie Baker yesterday that the number of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts will begin to surge sometime between April 7 and 17. With the stay-at-home advisory and social distancing guidance still in place until April 30, we’ll need to find new ways to manage our daily lives. Fortunately, we have the Internet, various online tools to help us work remotely and entertain ourselves. And for the physical stuff, we can take advantage of delivery service. Laundry DeliveryCleanliness is key during this time. Other than washing our hands and disinfecting frequently used surfaces, we need to keep our clothing and bed linens clean. Using a germ-free laundry service can be extra beneficial. If you usually take your laundry to a dry cleaner or a laundromat, this would be a good time to switch to a free laundry delivery service. Even though dry cleaners are considered an essential service by the state, they usually reduce hours and avoid having you in the store as much as possible. Prescription DeliveryMedical supplies are critical too, especially prescriptions. Pharmacies are also an essential service and will stay open, but they, too, may reduce hours. In the suburbs, curbside service is often available – you drive up to the curb, call the store and they will bring the prescriptions or other medical supplies to you. Many drugstores also offer prescription delivery service within their neighborhoods. You should call your local drugstore to find out if they offer this service. Food and Grocery DeliveryWe all need food. While all the restaurants have closed, we can still order food online and then either pickup or get it delivered. Many supermarkets also offer grocery delivery service and even meals to go. These days, we may find empty shelves for certain food items. Rather than making several trips to get all the food items that you need, it is better to stay safe and order online instead.
When taking advantage of delivery service, make sure that it is contactless. Ask the driver to leave the delivery items on your doorstep and then pick them up after they left. Let’s all be careful and stay healthy! Canadian stand-up comedian, Russell Peters, once joked that everyone in Boston thinks they are Irish. Indeed, St Paddy’s Day Parade is a major event in the city of Boston, which is often called the capital of Irish America. The parade has been running since 1901 in South Boston, the most Irish neighborhood in Boston. It features marching bands and pipe bands from throughout North America, as well as colorful floats, music and plenty of Irish good cheer. The parade begins at the Broadway 'T' Station and ends at Farragut Road, South Boston. Stake out a spot somewhere on Broadway for a good view. Whether you are Irish or not, it’s certainly worth sharing in the fun. Clearly, you need to dress the part – in green, preferably with Irish luck motifs like shamrock, or a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. You can even go all the way by dressing as a leprechaun, with green tall hat, red beard and even green hair! Be careful when you dye your hair and use other hair products. They can cause color loss to your clothing. When that happens, even your dry cleaner may not be able to save it. Kids often paint their faces, such as shamrocks on the cheeks, or a full-face Irish flag in green, white and orange. How about Irish food? You will see these advertised on local supermarket flyers – cabbage, corned beef, soda bread and potatoes. Hop into an Irish bar for more festive beer and spirits, along with Irish music and dance! It’s easy to overeat or get drunk in big parties. If you do, you might need antacids, or gas relief and heartburn relief digestive aids from your local drug store. It’s better to control your appetite and save yourself the agony. Food spills are nearly unavoidable in parties, too. Don’t waste time trying to remove the stains yourself. Call the laundry delivery service and save your time for the more important things in your life!
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