Bright and early on New Years Day, a shiny black car will arrive at our apartment to take me and my husband to the airport. We will fly to Atlanta, and then on to the Dominican Republic to enjoy a blissful seven days as we celebrate our honeymoon. This will be my first real vacation since sophomore year of college (when I went to the place in that picture). It’s been that long since I took more than a few days off from the real world and truly relaxed. I’m excited for the beach, frozen cocktails, all of the benefits of staying at an all-inclusive resort, and of course, quality time with the hubs. This week will also be the first time I’ve actually unplugged since I started this blog almost three years ago. There may be one (scheduled) post while I’m gone, but other than that, silence. No tweets, no instagrams, no Facebook likes and updates. It will definitely be a welcome break…but it will be weird. But, don’t worry, I won’t be totally without technology. I’ve already loaded up my Kindle, and I even got it a special cover so I can bring it to the beach and pool without worrying. I will also have my camera, and I promise many photos when I return.

I’m hoping that starting the new year in a beautiful place on a trip to celebrate love and happiness will set a tone for the rest of 2012. The past few years haven’t been the easiest for me, and I have no qualms about saying that I deserve this trip. In fact, we all deserve to take a break, even for a day. Do whatever makes you happy and forget about your responsibilities. It doesn’t matter where you go, as long as you’ve got a smile on your face. It’s been far too long since I’ve felt sand between my toes and heard the waves crash on the shore. I can’t wait to escape to paradise!

P.S. If everyone could please put in a good word with Mother Nature for me, that would be much appreciated. Sunshine!

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Every year around Hanukkah time, my mom and I get together and make cookies. It’s a process that starts with making the dough from scratch, watching  excitedly as it spins around in the food processor. When it’s done, we roll out the dough and choose which shapes and symbols we want to make. There are menorahs, stars, and a bottle of oil. Next is my favorite part: decorating! We have a collection of colored sugar and sprinkles, and it’s so fun to combine them  into rainbows and patterns. When the decorating is complete, the cookies go in the oven until they turn golden brown, and their sweet scent fills the house.

I have always been the one to teach friends of other faiths about Hanukkah. My mom and her best friend came to my college campus to make latkes in our dorm kitchen. I’ve brought dreidels to every place I interned or worked, urging everyone to take a break and have some fun. My Hanukkah bear sits on my desk throughout the holiday, and I ceremoniously squeeze his foot to light the candles on his plastic menorah every day.

For me, traditions are what make the holidays meaningful. Although the cookies are yummy, it’s the time spent with my mom that I look forward to the most.  It’s wonderful to know that there are certain holiday comforts that will always be there, no matter how crazy life gets. I think it’s so important to take a break from everyday life and spend time with family and friends during the holiday season. Step away from the computer. Eat, drink, and be merry. Learn about other people’s traditions and enjoy your own.

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Have you ever wanted to buy a friend or family member a gift and had no idea what to get them? Of course, it happens to everyone. I’m not sure why this idea just came to me…I did write a column on gift giving for a couple of months last year, but what I realized is that a little social media investigating can solve this dilemma.

First, check out the person’s Facebook profile. Do they list a lot of books? How about a gift card to a bookstore? What about the movies and TV show sections? You could get them a DVD. Are there favorite artists playing nearby anytime soon? Concert tickets! Also, take a look at their favorite teams and athletes. Fan gear and memorabilia are great gifts for sports fans. Do they “like” any stores, businesses or brands? This can give you an idea of where they’re shopping, and therefore where you should shop for them.

Another way to find out where they like to spend their time and money is on Foursquare. Look at the places where they hold mayorships and the ones they check into consistently. If someone visits Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts every morning, a gift card to one of those places is a no-brainer. Find out where they like to go to lunch or happy hour and offer to take them there, food or drinks on you.

On Twitter, you can see the brands and establishments people interact with on a regular basis. What stores are they following? Whose contests do they RT? What are they talking about in their stream? All of these things can give you further insight into what they’re interested in and what they spend their time doing. This will help you give a gift that they will actually use.

In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with giving a gift card. They often get a bad rap as impersonal, but if you know someone spends money somewhere, aren’t you doing them a favor by giving them a gift card to that place? For my birthday last week, I asked for gift cards to Amazon (for Kindle books) and Starbucks (for my Frappuccino addiction). I was very happy to receive both! So, just do a little digging, and finding the right gift will be easy. In the process, you’ll get to know your friends a little better too.

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On Saturday, I went to see the movie Bridesmaids. It was the first time I’d been to a movie in months, but I can honestly say I haven’t laughed that hard at a movie or TV show in a long time. I went with Andrea, one of my best friends, and fittingly, one of my bridesmaids. We just kept looking at each other, so glad that neither one of us is as crazy as anyone in that movie. Sunday night, my fiance and I had more than a dozen people over for a barbeque in our backyard. After some burgers and dogs, we played Cards Against Humanity. It’s basically the same format as Apples to Apples, but a lot more inappropriate, and therefore a lot funnier. You can’t play that game without a smile on your face, it’s just impossible.

Currently, I’m working on choosing joy every day of my life, but it’s hard. Sometimes the stress of the things I’d like to change in my life and the craziness of wedding planning combine and making me a little bit like Eeyore. As cute as he can sometimes be, no one likes to be gloomy. I really think laughter is good for the soul, and we should all make sure we laugh every single day. Watch silly YouTube videos, or a crazy fluff TV show, or go to the local dog park and watch the doggies play. Instead of freaking out when you make a little mistake, try laughing it off. Most importantly, never worry that you’re laughing too loud or too heartily. Those deep belly laughs are precious and refreshing. If anything, people will be jealous and curious, and who doesn’t like to be a little mysterious sometimes?

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There are so many great deal sites out there, it’s pretty much crazy to pay full price for anything these days. Although it can be hard to tell all of these deal aggregators apart, there are some that have found ways to make their offering unique. Signpost is focused on getting locals the best deals possible, and creating a community of deal-lovers. As they say on their About us page: “We make it easy (and free!) for anyone to post, rate and discover great deals: everything from the weekend-only sample sale and the too-good-to-be-true happy hour, to those hidden finds you only hear about when you’re in-the-know. Locals vote up the deals they like and personalize their experience around friends and tastes. No games, check-ins or maniacal email scouring required.”

The lovely people at Signpost have given me the opportunity to give away a $20 certificate to Allmenus.com. How’s that for a deal? In case you don’t know, AllMenus is the place to browse menus and order from your favorite restaurants. We all have those times when we just don’t feel like making dinner, or don’t want to go out in the rain to pick up lunch. This is your chance to get something yummy delivered for free.  The only catch is that this giveaway is only valid for those located in NYC or the five boroughs. So, here’s how to enter:

Mandatory:
Leave a comment below telling me your favorite food to order in. Be sure to include your email address.

Bonus Entries:
Like Signpost and Life is Like a Box of Chocolates on Facebook.
Follow @SignpostNYC on Twitter.
Tweet: I want to win $20 to @allmenus from @sameve and @SignpostNYC!

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. A winner will be selected on Friday, June 3rd at noon. Good luck!

Dear Readers, I love you! Yes, I’m using “the L word!” I’m going to prove it too, with my very first giveaway. Here’s the deal. I also love pictures, taking them, looking at them, being in them. Pictures are a visual history, reminding us of people, places and things that have played a role in our lives. Have you ever wished you could bring a special picture with you when you go away? Well, now you can, thanks to the brilliant minds at Bagettes. Full disclosure, the owners just so happen to be my cousins, but I would love their stuff even if we’d never met.  Check out their website and I’m sure you’ll agree.

Now, for the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a medium cosmetic bag (like the one above) with the photo of their choice! You have until Friday (1/28) to enter, and here’s how:

• Click here and “like” Bagettes on Facebook (Feel free to also “like” Life’s Chocolates while you’re there!)
• Then, come back and leave a comment. Tell me about a favorite photo: who is in it, where it was taken, and why it’s your favorite.
• I will be tweeting about the contest throughout the week.  RTs earn an extra entry!
• On Friday at 12 pm (EST), I will be selecting a winner through random.org.

Now, you may be thinking that this is just for the girls, but I timed this giveaway such that the winner will receive their cosmetic bag by Valentine’s Day.  Men, I’m sure you have a wife/girlfriend/mom/sister/grandma/friend who would love to receive such a beautiful personalized present!  So, get entering! And thank you all for supporting me and this blog, it means the world

And the winner is…Lindsey N!! Congratulations! Please email me your name and contact info, and Bagettes will be in touch with you soon. Thanks to everyone who entered!

It’s holiday gift giving time, and as someone who loves finding just the right gift for everyone on my list, I wanted to share some tips:

Give something personalized. Stationary is always easy to find, and all you need to know is the person’s name. Another option is something like an engraved bottle topper, or check out Things Remembered for tons of personalized options. One more idea: a custom photo gift, like a cosmetic bag or coin purse. Shout out to my cousins Felice & Bryan who run Bagettes! Definitely visit their site if you’re looking for a creative photo gift for family and friends.

Take advantage of gift guides online, in magazines, and on the websites of your favorite stores. In case you missed my tweet yesterday, I highly recommend Lulus.com if you’re looking for something cute, but affordable for the ladies in your life.

Don’t be afraid to give something silly or inexpensive. The Target $1 bins are a fantastic place to find fun, affordable gifts! If you choose well, the person will never know that you only spent a dollar. Perpetual Kid has a lot of goofy gifts that don’t cost much, so try there too.

Go the “easy” route. Think about the hobbies, interests and pastimes of the intended gift recipient. Do they watch certain TV shows that have merchandise? Are they a sports fan? Do they play a sport? As long as you don’t go with the same theme every holiday/birthday, it’s totally okay to get something more predictable.

Send a card. A box of cards can cost as little as $5, and a book of stamps is about $10. So, send a little holiday cheer to your friends and family the old fashioned way. Everyone loves getting mail!

Make a gift yourself! Save a little money and send a thoughtful homemade gift. Whether you make cookies, knit a scarf, bead a necklace, or put together a collage, the extra thought and effort will definitely not go unnoticed.

What are your holiday gift giving tips? How do you survive the season and still have money in your pocket?

Somehow it’s been four months since the last installment of [Sam]antics! I figured you all must be in withdrawal right now (I know I am!), so here are the latest additions to the Life’s Chocolates’ Dictionary:

[Out]look: Changing our outlook on life might force us to step outside our comfort zone, but instead of looking that as a scary thing, look at is a great opportunity to challenge yourself, to learn and grow.

Re[cog]nize: There’s a reason this word has the same root as cognizant. We have to fully aware of something, be totally attuned with our whole being, to truly recognize it.

Gr[atitude]: I think it’s very fitting that you can almost spell attitude from this one. Being grateful is an attitude, a state of mind, an outlook. It’s not just a fleeting moment when you realize you should have said thanks.

Present: The present is a present, it’s a gift, and we shouldn’t take it for granted. Sure, things may not be perfect right now, but if nothing else, we’re lucky to be alive, and we should do our best to appreciate every moment we’re given.

B[log]: Whatever the purpose of your blog, be it business or pleasure, a full-time job or a hobby on the side, it is a log of your thoughts. Be proud of what you record there, so you can look back later in life and be happy with how you represented yourself, and reminded of how much you’ve grown.

[Quest]ion: It sounds cliche, but it’s true: There are very few easy answers in life. We have to search and struggle and overcome obstacles to find answers to the questions that mean the most to us. It’s as if we’re on a quest, traveling a difficult and challenging route, but it’s all worth it when we reach our destination.

What do you think of my definitions? Do you have some alternates of your own? Any suggestions for the next round of [Sam]antics?

Remember those posters in your elementary school classroom with catchy sayings like:

Reading is FUNdamental*Get hooked on a book*Read to succeed

As corny as they may sound to us now, their messages are still true. Reading is not just for little kids, it’s for us big kids, too.  Even though we recently spent years poring over pages and pages of required reading for school, doesn’t mean we can’t read for pleasure.  In fact, I think it means just the opposite.  In case you hadn’t guessed, I love reading. Even when I was in school, I would still take time every night to read a book I enjoyed. If you’re not convinced yet, let me tell you some of the benefits of reading for grownups:

• It’s a healthy way to escape, that costs far less than a beach vacation, and doesn’t damage our minds or bodies.
• Reading lets you travel to different times and places, and learn about things you’ll never be able to experience yourself.
• The best books draw you in and make you feel like you’re part of the story. You can’t put them down, and yet you don’t want them to end.
• Reading keeps your imagination alive, expands your vocabulary, and teaches you things you never knew.
• A good book provides a welcome distraction from a long commute, or a relaxing end to a hectic day.
• Thanks to the existence of libraries and the invention of the online card catalog, finding the book you want is quick, easy and free.
• Unless you’re reading a very rare or out of print book, chances are that someone else is reading it too. Even though reading is often a solitary activity, people love to talk about the books they’ve read. Joining or starting a book group is a great way to meet people.

Do you think reading is a worthwhile activity? Why or why not? What are your favorite books and why did they resonate with you? You can check out some of my favorites here.

In case you missed out on previous editions of [Sam]antics, all you need to know is that I love words, and I like to find meaning beyond the dictionary definition. Enjoy the following random assortment, and share your thoughts. Happy Friday!

[Vacat]ion: When you go on vacation, truly “vacate” your life. Leave the worry and stress behind, unplug, and enjoy yourself. You deserve it.

Re[move]: Whether you’re removing yourself from a situation, removing something from your closet, or removing someone from your life, let yourself move on.

Sh[out]: Plain and simple: shout, let it out. Literally jump for joy. Dance in your kitchen. Give yourself a moment of pure happiness, no holds barred.

Lov[able] + Cap[able]: Always remember that you are “able,” you can do whatever you set your mind to. The only thing that’s stopping you is you. You have the capacity to love and be loved. Just believe in yourself.

[Obst]acle: There’s a reason this word has the same root as obstinate. Obstacles are stubborn, but although they may seem immovable, they can be overcome. After all, it’s not called an imposstacle.

[Good]bye: As difficult as it may be, sometimes saying bye can be a good thing. In fact, it may end up being one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. Try to look for the good in goodbyes.