Category Archives: Holidays

Give Mom a Pajama Day!

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

“The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children.” – Jessica Lange

So true!  Our mothers do soooo much for us.  That’s why Mother’s Day is our chance to turn the tables back to Mom.  For at least one day make her the center of the universe again!

How about treating the Mom in your life to a Pajama Day this year?  This is a day where Mom can lounge all day in her favorite pjs and not worry about a thing.  She can stay home and relax, and the fun comes to her.  No cooking, no cleaning, no running around.

There are so many nice things you can do for her to create a wonderful and relaxing day.  But we encourage you to think about what she really loves and needs so you can create a really special day for her.  Get creative!

Here are some ideas:

Movie-Loving Moms

Is she a movie buff?  Gather her favorite snacks and have a movie marathon day with her.  You might even treat her to a luxurious throw blanket, a copy of her favorite movie, and some gourmet organic popcorn!

The Book Worm

Would she prefer to have quiet time to read and perhaps a meal with the family later?  Drop off a gift basket for her in the morning with a cozy new pair of pajamas, some herbal tea, and the latest release from her favorite author.  Come back later and cook her a delicious meal!

Stressed-Out Mom

Is she a super stressed Mom who could really use some intense relaxation?  Buy her an in-home massage.  There are lots of massage businesses that will come right to your home, so check out the options in your local area.  Top it off with one of these awesome robes and a new pair of slippers for a day of luxury!

The New Mom

Is she a new Mom and really could just use a day of restful sleep without having to care for the baby?  Take the family out and give her some much needed quiet time.  Before you go, outfit her with everything she needs to get some good zzzzzzz’s: a great nightshirt, some cute and cozy socks, and an eye mask.  Come back later and surprise her with a bright bouquet of flowers!

Now its your turn!  Tell us in the comments below what you do for your Mom on Mother’s Day!

Photo Credit: Sky Noir via Compfight cc

Honor Mom with a Fun Gift!

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Mother’s Day is all about celebrating and honoring that special person who brought us into the world. Our Moms have nurtured us, given us unconditional love, taught us how to do so many things, and made many sacrifices for us too.  Really, how can we name all that she’s done for us?  We think its important to show Mom our gratitude and just how special she is.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to find the right gift for Mom.  But at The Pajama Company, we make it easy for you.  Depending on your Mom’s interests, we’ve selected out some fun gift ideas below.  Use discount code “Mom” for free UPS Ground Shipping!  And, check out our options on gift packaging here.

Dog Lover

“Pink Labs” Pajama Pants

“Dog Person” Nighshirt

Feline Friendly 

“Feline Warm & Cozy” Nightshirt

“Cat” Slippers

Coffee Fanatic

“I Moose Wake Up” Nightshirt

“Given Enough Coffee” Nighshirt

The Gardener

“In the Garden” Pajamas

“Keep Calm & Garden On” Nightshirt

Beach Bunny

“Take Me to the Beach” Nighshirt

“Beach Woman” Pillow

 

Our Favorite Easter Games!

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Easter games can be so much fun and a great way for kids (and adults!) to burn off some of that sugar from all those treats and candy!  We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite Easter games that the whole family can enjoy.  Think about making these games an annual tradition and your kids will look forward to Easter for more than just what the bunny brings!

Easter Egg Hunt

An egg hunt is a classic Easter game and tons of fun!  This was always my favorite game as a kid.  Fill plastic eggs with treats and prizes and hide them around your house – inside or out.  The kids will love hunting them down and discovering the treats inside.  Check out step-by-step directions here.

Jelly Bean Trail

Create a trail of jelly beans from your kid’s room to their Easter basket.  On Easter morning, kids follow the trail and find their basket waiting at the end!

Easter Egg Roll

For 136 years now, the White House has hosted an Easter Egg Roll with upwards of 30,000 people.  You can host your own egg rolling party and join in the fun too!  Here’s how to set up the game.

Bunny’s Eggs

Much like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”, in this game kids are blindfolded and each take a turn at pinning their egg in the bunny’s arms.  Who ever gets their egg closest to actually being in the arms is the winner.  Here’s a full description of the game here.

Egg Scramble

In this creative tag game, a course is set up and one person is the bunny and the rest of the players are various egg colors.  If the bunny can tag the egg when its color is called, that person becomes the next bunny and the game continues.  Check out more about the Egg Scramble.

The Bunny Hop

You may have seen the Bunny Hop at weddings and parties, but it can become a fun Easter tradition as well.  Find some fun music and teach everyone the steps!

Duck Walk Race

If this game doesn’t get everyone laughing, I don’t know what will!  Each player lines up at the starting line and squats down and grabs their ankles.  The first person to waddle over the finish line wins!

The Egg and Spoon

Participants walk the course balancing an egg on their spoon with no help from their other hand.  The first person to make it to the finish line without dropping and breaking their egg wins!  More details here.

What games does your family play at Easter time?  Do you have any favorites?  Please share in the comments below!

Photo Credit: dnhart via Compfight cc

Pajamas and Shamrock Cupcakes

Leave a reply

by Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

The title alone makes the day sound heavenly. I know that tomorrow is the actual day but I wanted to get this post out in case you are interested in making my yummy Shamrock Cupcakes for dessert (recipe is found below). But I must say a Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all the lovers of the Irish and Irish alike!

I am not Irish (Italian and German by blood) but my wonderful husband is, every year I make the “Irish Boiled Dinner” of cabbage and corned beef yes I know that it is really a New England Boiled Dinner. I do give it a little Irish twist I don’t “boil” the meal I actually cook it in a counter top oven roaster and instead of water I use a pint or two of dark stout beer. I also cook cabbage, potatoes, carrots and the corned beef.

Dinner is usually a casual event in my home. We sit at the table and discuss our day, but dress code for most of us is our pajamas (my husband works nights and is usually getting up from sleeping all day). I will use any excuse to wear pajama just because they are so comfortable, and my kids are the same.

The Pajama Company has these cute Munki Munki “Kerry’s Farm” Poplin pajamas that are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day (because the are green)

There are so many different styles of pajamas at The Pajama Company you can literally wear a pair every single day for a year (and I think still have some left over).

I do want to mention that it is Maternal Health Monday on St. Patrick’s Day so 10% of your purchase will go to  a very worthwhile cause. How can you not indulge and get a cozy pair of pajamas for you and the whole family.

Now for the delicious cupcake recipe that I love making for my family…the best part is it is semi-homemade so you are not slaving in the kitchen all day.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: Makes 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 (18.25-ounce) chocolate cake mix
  • 1-1/4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons creme de menthe OR 2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon mint extract
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup mint chocolate chips
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons creme de menthe liqueur OR 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 24 muffin tins with nonstick baking spray containing flour and set aside.

In large bowl, combine cake mix, water, 2 tablespoons creme de menthe OR 2 tablespoons water plus mint extract, melted butter, and eggs. Beat on low speed until moistened, then beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Stir in chocolate chips.

Divide among sprayed muffin tins. Bake 20-25 minutes or until cupcakes spring back when lightly touched with finger. Cool in tins 5 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, 3 tablespoons creme de menthe OR peppermint extract, and 1 cup powdered sugar until fluffy. Gradually beat in 2 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 cup heavy cream until smooth. You can tint the frosting green with food coloring if you’re not using the creme de menthe. Frost cupcakes with this mixture.

Store covered at room temperature.

I hope you enjoy!

Love is in the air!

Leave a reply

by Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

Yes this is the week everyone either loves or loves to hate! Ahh Valentine’s Day, the day that is filled with roses, cupids and candy.

Well I say skip the candy and flowers and give something I can use all year round! There is nothing more sweet to me than getting a pair of comfy pajamas that I can wear around the house! Yes I am a practical woman and a lot of my sentimental memories are in and around pajamas!

I know on Friday I will be wearing some cozy jammies. Who says you can’t have a romantic night wearing pajamas?

Yes I will be having a romantic night with my sweetie, I will just do it in comfort.

What do I do for my husband you ask? Well of course I cook his favorite meal and we relax at home watching a movie we enjoy with the kids. For dessert I usually do something fun like a chocolate fondue fountain and it ends up being a nice time together.

Want to do something different for your sweetheart this year? Well here at The Pajama Company we do Valentine’s Day differently:

We are bringing a popular family Valentine’s Day tradition of our founder to you: The Valentine’s Day Grab Bag. These specialty pillowcases are filled with a selection of small gifts to share the holiday of love with the whole family.

“Valentine’s Day isn’t just about treating that one special person,” says The Pajama Company founder and president Ellie Badanes. “At the Pajama Company we say you should share the holiday with all the people you love.” 

The Grab Bags are modeled after Ellie’s family tradition and are designed to be shared through an activity for a family or group of friends. 

“Each person takes a turn closing his or her eyes and picking something out of the grab bag,” says Ellie. But there’s a catch: the picker then has to decide who else in the group should get that gift. “It’s a great way to honor all the people you love and help everyone feel special this Valentine’s Day,” says Ellie.

Want to know more of our ideas for this day of love? Well we have a selection of Staff Favorites just in case you need some help choosing.

I know I will be snuggling up with my husband on Valetine’s Day sporting this lovely Kashwere Lightweight Robe humming a happy tune as I dip strawberries in chocolate and relax.

Now we would love to hear from you. Comment to this blog post and tell us how you plan to spend your Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone has a wonderfully romantic day and keep on wearing those pajamas!

 

I’ll Be Home For Christmas!

Leave a reply

By Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

Yes, I am home from a month long trip frolicking in Connecticut. Actually the trip was a sad one I went back home to celebrate the life of someone that will always remain near and dear in my heart.

After being home for a few days, I can feel the Holiday spirit fill me. My family hasn’t decorated for our holiday festivities because they waited for me to be home. Now that everything is back into some order we will be starting our holiday work.

The holiday season is a big time in my family as I am sure it is for many families. Nothing is better than being held up in the house because of cold weather baking, watching classic movies, and snuggling in your pajamas.

Christmas is the time where pajamas are very important. When I think Christmas I envision a small child making their way down a huge staircase in their pajamas usually with a stuffed animal in tow. Heading to the Christmas tree to see if Santa has come to visit them and leave gifts if they were good all year long. as a child I always wore footie pajamas like our “Winter Snowflake” Kids Fleece Footie Pajamas.

As children I always begged my mother to open one gift on Christmas Eve. That was usually pajamas for us to wear on Christmas Day for photos. This tradition has lived on in my house. I make sure every year to buy pajamas for the family and we wear them in the morning for the perfect photos. I know some families even wear matching pajamas for Christmas Morning photos, I am sure that is of interest. If it is then search no longer because The Pajama Company offers Matching Family Pajamas, it is the cutest idea for the biggest family related holiday of the season.

Before the big night it might be nice to do a fun family project dawning your pajamas. I always pick a project to do with the kids and pump up the traditional Christmas music that everyone eventually hums and sings along to (like Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, etc.) and we have a lot of fun and laughs being together as a family. I will give you a fun suggestion to get started with this tradition.

 

So there you have it fun family picture ops, projects and music. Yes here at The Pajama Company we know how to have fun.

 

 

 

 

 
Salt Dough Santa Ornament
4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups water

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients and knead dough for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Roll dough out and cut around hand or cut circles out for making hand imprints.
3. Make a small hole for the hanger and prick to prevent air bubbles.
4. Bake at 300ºF about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. You may have to bake considerably longer depending on how thick the ornaments are. Please note that these ornaments will harden as they cool.
5. Paint and decorate as desired. Acrylic paints work best and use a varnish to make them shiny and to protect the painting.

35 Bowl Games, Buckeyes and Pajamas

Leave a reply

By Anne Badanes, The Pajama Company Holiday Editor

What could be simpler than watching football games in pajamas? Right after all the hoopla of Christmas it is time to kick back and watch football, in pajamas of course. I just read that there are 35 bowl games, which means over a hundred hours of football to watch.

My Buckeyes will be at home with no post season game for this year. Instead of watching the Ohio State Buckeyes, we’ll enjoy eating Buckeyes while we watch the other games. Buckeyes are one of the tastiest holiday treats — simple to make and almost impossible to mess up.
Even if they aren’t in the Bowl games, Buckeyes are always winners! Whether you’re watching football or just enjoying a simple day in your pajamas, these treats will make your day a little sweeter.

Buckeyes– you need only five ingredients; 1 ½ cup of smooth peanut butter, 1 cup of SOFT butter, ½ tsp. of vanilla extract, 4-5 cups of confectioners sugar and 4 cups of semi sweet chocolate chip. Mix the PB, butter, vanilla and confectioners sugar together. It might look dry, but using your hands roll this mixture into 1” balls and put on a cookie sheet (I put parchment or waxed paper on the cookie sheet)

1.  Mix the PB, butter, vanilla and confectioners sugar together. It might look dry, but using your hands roll this mixture into 1” balls and put on a cookie sheet (I put parchment or waxed paper on the cookie sheet)

2.  Stick a toothpick into each of the balls and put these in the freezer for about an hour (they can stay longer if you like)

3. Melt the chocolate chips in either a double boiler or just a bowl that is sitting in simmering water. Stir the chips as they melt until it is smooth.Holding the toothpick, dip the peanut butter ball into the chocolate mixture, covering about ¾ of the ball with chocolate. Remove the toothpick and put back in the fridge until you want to serve them!

4.  Holding the toothpick, dip the peanut butter ball into the chocolate mixture, covering about ¾ of the ball with chocolate. Remove the toothpick and put back in the fridge until you want to serve them!

 

 

My Dog Story & Favorite “Puppy Chow” Recipe

Leave a reply

By Anne Badanes, The Pajama Company Holiday Editor

Have you ever noticed how people resemble their dog? A lean neighbor with long spindly legs is accompanied on her morning runs by a greyhound. My size zero athletic trainer has a new three legged Chihuahua puppy that she named Trinity. Tiny Trinity began as a rescue pup but now hops up the stairs oblivious to her missing leg. We had an English Cocker Spaniel with unruly hair who ate anything in sight and escaped from the house to socialize in the neighborhood cul de sac. I fear he took after me.

I was constantly apologizing to my neighbors for his wandering spirit and his obsession with their compost pile. At Christmas time, I attempted to make peace by giving them yummy bags of homemade Puppy Chow, a fun and sweet gift for dog lovers and those whom your dog may “love”.  It is super simple to make and easy for kids to help make!

Ingredients:

1 stick of margarine

½ cup of peanut butter

6 ounce bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

1 box of Crispix or Rice Chex

2-3 cups of powdered sugar

A LARGE Brown Paper bag from the grocery store

Melt the margarine, peanut butter and chips in a large pan on top of the stove. Stir it regularly so it doesn’t burn. Take if off the stove top and pour the box of cereal into the mixture. Mix with a spoon to coat the cereal with the chocolaty mixture. Meanwhile, put the confectioners’ sugar into the paper bag. Pour the coated cereal into the paper bag and shake it around gently. The sugar will stick onto the coated cereal.

You can serve this tasty snack in a big bowl immediately or store it in a sealed container. I put about a cup of it in a small cellophane bag and tie a bow on it for my neighbors. Even though our dog died several years ago, puppy chow is part of my annual baking. My neighbors still love getting it.

As for my athletic trainer, I am buying her pajamas with dogs on it. She prefers sleep to sweets.

 

 

 

Vote “No” to Christmas Chaos and “Yes” to SIMPLE

1 Reply

By Anne Badanes, The Pajama Company Holiday Editor

How did the holiday that promises peace on earth become a month of stress? We all know the reasons; we can look at our to-do list and see all the things that we must do. We feel the expectations that others have and we beat ourselves up with the expectations that we put upon ourselves. Many women feel they must be the magicians behind the “magic of this holiday”. We tend to forget that we are human.

For years I taught a seminar to help women avoid the stress of Christmas. It offered practical steps in dealing with those tough holiday issues whether it was extended family, budget worries, an overbooked calendar, or the unspoken “rules” of gift giving. In the seminar, the women evaluated their behaviors and expectations. Then they made hard changes that helped bring sanity and yes, even peace into December.

Here is the bad news. The seminar was held in September. That was early enough in the year for people to make the necessary changes such as telling mom that they wouldn’t be driving to Boise this year….or that they had a $10 limit for nephew’s gifts…or that they would not be in charge of a cookie exchange.

The countdown is here and it seems that everyone knows how many days until Christmas. With a bit of panic in their voices, my friends will say “Yikes only 13 more days until Christmas and I haven’t……..” and then they spew out a list of impossible tasks. I want to tell them there is no way they can get all that done in a month.

Instead of counting days until Christmas,  I concentrate on a few principles to keep it SIMPLE.  These thoughts are nothing new, I’ve gathered them from psychologists and authors who write about holiday stress. Through the years I’ve adjusted them for me.

  • I’ll think of my home as a place to relax and enjoy being with people, not a place for a photo shoot for Better Homes and Garden (pick the magazine) Or for a museum.
  • I’ll not compare myself to others when they start bragging about all they’ve done/bought/ planned for the holidays. Instead I will think of what is important to me.
  • Instead of racing to the malls or downtown, I will shop from home. It will save me money in the long run.
  • I’ll show others that I appreciate them using words not expensive gifts.
  • When possible, I’ll appreciate the winter solstice right when it gets dark, light a few candles and think about the meaning of the holiday.

 SIMPLE

The ReinDog Parade

Leave a reply

By Anne Badanes, The Pajama Company Holiday Editor

I planned to post a blog on how to make the perfect gift for dog lovers, but today is the annual Reindog Parade in Cincinnati; one of the silliest holiday traditions. So instead of making gifts, I will be heading down to Mt. Adams to see the variety and creativity of costumes. As a child we had a Basset Hound, a dog with a droopy frown even though she had the name of Pollyanna. My sister and I tried to make costumes for her, but fitting something over her ample trunk and 2 inch wrinkled legs was almost impossible. We’d try to catch her while she wiggled her long trunk. She’d shake off the bows that we tied to her droopy ears and then hid beneath the bed until we left the room. Creating a fashionista Pollyanna was impossible.

That is why the Reindog Parade tickles me. Somehow the owners find costumes that their dogs will wear for the entire parade route.  Many of the owners are also dressed up and they are almost funnier than their pets., particularly when their well dressed pup attempts to sniff another dog. (Of course, dog owners are a breed unto themselves.) While lots of the dogs have antlers or fancy velvet colors, the prize winners have much more creative attire. Here are my two of my favorites from last year’s parade.

The two pajama dogs were among a big group of jammie dogs and these two might even be smiling.  Teeny Santa looked much less comfortable. There was a Basset who only had a bow taped to his head and of course was frowning. Déjà vu for me.

The weather forecasters predict showers so it might be a RAINdog Parade.