*This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.*
Do you have any fun holiday traditions in your family? In our house since we celebrate Christmas AND Chanukah, both my husband and I feel it is important to have fun holiday traditions that are unique to the way we celebrate the holiday season. We want the kids to have powerful positive but distinct memories of both holidays, so there are a few things we make sure to do each year with them. This year Chanukah comes first and we always celebrate by inviting some friends over, making potato latkes (pancakes), and playing the dreidel game. Though we’ve been doing this all along, realistically this is probably the first year the kids, well the two older ones, can really play a game of dreidel. The potato pancakes are really simple to make, I just grate the peeled potatoes, mix them with one egg, salt and pepper, flatten scoops of the mixture into flat pancakes in the pan and then fry them in canola oil until they are crisp and light brown. They are delicious served with applesauce and sour cream! Even though this is a casual event it can be tricky to host a party and still having time to look my best.
Luckily I, as part of the Johnson&Johnson HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® Team, received a box of goodies to help me get through it all looking great. Most of the products we received are ones that my family already uses on a regular basis as part of our routines like the Johnsons No More Tangles detangling spray. I mean you’ve seen that gorgeous head of hair Hayley has, right?! We need that spray to help detangle it every day and be able to manage that mane! As for me, the Clean and Clear night relaxing deep cleaning face wash, Aveeno positively radiant targeted tone corrector, and Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara are staples of my beauty routine. Needless to say the package arrived just in time to keep me looking good through the holidays. Looking good brings me to our annual Christmas tradition where we dress in matching pajamas, light the fire and drink hot cocoa while we open presents.
The reason I still need to look good, even though I’m in my jammies is that first we take a picture of all of us in front of the tree in our matching pajamas. I love both of our fun holiday traditions and these pictures are so much fun to look back at through the years. The kids are so cute in all of them, and I know I want to be able to look back at them, and feel like I look good too! This is a great time to stock up on your holiday essentials because you can visit the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® website to get great savings of up to $35 on some of your favorite products. Just visit HealthyEssentials.com to download coupons for the month of December.
I always love seeing your kids in your posts. They are so stinking cute! With hair that thick, you’re definitely going to need the no more tangles!
Our healthy essentials are Band-Aids and Neopsporin. We go through a lot of both.
You have the cutest kids ever! We go through a lot of band aids and sinus medicine.
So cute, love the photo! So many essentials – the bandaids are a big one here. My kids have a few at all times it seems!
These are great essentials. I always carry band-aids in my purse. And, I must day your children look adorable…that shiny, black hair is to die for!
Our healthy essentials is our first aid kit filled with goodies. Lol. Seems with three kids, someone always has a boo boo. HA!
I’ve always wanted to do a matching pajama tradition over the Winter- it sounds like you have a great focus, even amongst the hectic holidays! You can never have enough of the essentials!
What a cute family you have! What a great list of essentials – we keep many bandaids on hand at my house!
Your kids have the most gorgeous hair! I’ll be sure to print off some coupons as we try to keep stocked up on these types of products.
Band-aids are a biggie when you’ve got small kids. They get boo boos all the time.
I love splenda, I use it a lot and would be great for the holidays!
The kids look fantastic! I definitely think these are some good products. Band-aids are one of those essential things moms need.
I have a first aid kit with lots of band aids and antiseptic in it. I have one for my car as well.
That’s a great box of goodies. I regularly use more than one of those. Splenda has been great in my recipes!
What a beautiful family you have. And that is one helpful first aid kit. A true must-have!
What a cute photo! We use many of these great products ourselves in our home daily.
I love all the goodies you have. My favorite would have to be Splenda and of course Bandaids.
How interesting! I think it is very cool you celebrate two holidays and will be passing it on to your kids. That Johnson’s essential pack looks amazing and all those products are def. must haves!
These are great products. I would love to try the night time cleanser.
I have been trying to switch from sugar to Splenda. I am experimenting this year with my Holiday baking. So far it has been a success using Splenda.