Author: Jenn Bussell

Jenn Bussell has worked as a writer, editor, and communications strategist for more than two decades. She’s the co-author & editor of “Have Fork Will Travel: A Practical Handbook for Food & Drink Travel Industry Professionals” and a contributing writer to Centennial Media’s “The United States Presidents: The Best and Worst of All Time | 2020 Election Special.” In addition to writing about food & beverage, travel & tourism, and political history, Jenn also covers fashion and personal style. Her previous work includes a style column for the Washington Examiner and content creation for The Working Wardrobe.

The Greatest Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide. Ever.

A wedding anniversary is a time for spouses to look back on one of the most magical days of their lives. And the tradition of celebrating a marriage on the same day every year is nearly as old as the institution itself.

History of the wedding anniversary

The first recorded wedding ceremony dates back to 2350 B.C. in Mesopotamia, but the practice of celebrating the occasion one year later didn’t catch on for quite some time.

While the exact date of the first wedding anniversary is somewhat dubious, some researchers believe the tradition began, as many things did, with the ancient Romans. Others believe the first recorded wedding anniversary happened in Germany sometime between the 16th and 17th centuries.

anniversary gift guide couple celebrating in kitchen

It wasn’t until the mid-1800s, in Germany and England, when significant marriage milestones — years 25 and 50 — were celebrated with a gift. In those days, to still be alive and together after that many years was considered quite a feat. (One could argue that still being alive and together for a 50th wedding anniversary is quite a feat even these days.) On the 25th anniversary, couples would be given a wreath made of silver. If they made it to their 50th anniversary, they received a wreath made of gold — each metal representing the strength of the relationship.

Traditional vs. modern anniversary gifts

Silver and gold are still the traditional gift for the 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries today. It wasn’t until post-Industrial Revolution consumerism that gifts were given on a more annualized basis, with the value of the gift increasing year after year, as if to say, “Congratulations for staying married another year!” Or, more flippantly, “You’re totally worth it, babe!”

Today, most anniversary gifts fall into two categories: traditional and modern. The notion of “modern” was first introduced in 1937 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association, which saw an opportunity to capitalize on celebrating significant life milestones with fine jewelry. Fun fact: It was this same association that standardized birthstones in 1912.

Anniversary gift guide for the 21st century couple

Not sure if your better half falls into a more traditional or modern gift camp? That’s OK. The secret to giving the perfect gift that says “I love you” is simple: Make it personal and unique, just like the couple you are.

1st anniversary | Modern | Clocks

Your first wedding anniversary is a celebration of the year you’ve spent together since you said “I do.” This engraved heart clock is the perfect modern gift to symbolize the first 12 months that have passed, and the time you have ahead as a couple. Choose from three verse options to appropriately express your feelings, and then add your own ending sentiment or message to create a truly unique — and “timeless” —keepsake.

2nd anniversary | Traditional | Cotton

There’s nothing quite like the touch or feel of cotton. It’s the fabric of our lives. Why not wrap your significant other in an embroidered bathrobe that’s made of luxurious velour on the outside and plush terry cotton on the inside? Unwrap at your own discretion.

3rd anniversary | Modern | Crystal/Glass

Can you even call it an anniversary celebration if there are no bubbles dancing in a Champagne flute? This pair of crystal stemware can be etched with your choice of design, names, anniversary year, and date. Add a sparkling wine and chiller gift set, and you’ll be all set for a romantic evening. You can even throw on those robes you bought last year to help set the mood.

anniversary gift guide Chiller and Wine Gift 1

4th anniversary | Traditional | Fruit

Year four is traditionally about frui t or flo wers. For this special occasion, we’ve taken the simple strawberry and given it a coating of decadence by dipping and drizzling each berry in milk, dark, or white chocolate, and then decorating it in seasonal toppings and festive glitter. Don’t worry, the glitter is safe to eat. If your sweet isn’t a strawberry lover (or glitter admirer), you can also choose gourmet chocolate and caramel-covered apples or elegant Belgian chocolate-dipped dried fruit. Feeding each other is up to you.

anniversary gift guide dipper strawberries

anniversary gift guide belgian chocolate fruit

5th anniversary | Traditional | Wood

As author Fran Lebowitz once said, “Vegetables are interesting but lack a sense of purpose when unaccompanied by a good cut of meat.” If your spouse has a fondness for straight-from-the grill goodness, consider presenting them an anniversary meal with a perfectly seared bone-in ribeye or juicy shrimp on this live-edge Acacia wood serving board with leather handles.

6th anniversary | Traditional | Candy

The gift of chocolate has long meant love and passion. And, according to a study conducted by Dr. Jennifer Nasser at Drexel University, consuming chocolate releases dopamine in the brain, causing feelings of pleasure, excitement, and euphoria. This beautifully gift-wrapped box of artisanal Champagne truffles from world-renowned Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus is just what the doctor ordered.

7th anniversary | Traditional | Copper

If you’re fortunate enough to be a homeowner by this point in your marriage (no guarantee these days), you may be looking for a way to announce to the world how much you love each other and the exact day you were wed in holy matrimony. Fortunately for you, this personalized love birds plaque (which isn’t actually made of copper but does come in a convincing-looking copper finish) will accomplish both, not to mention make you the talk of the block (at least until your copycat neighbors across the street get one of their own.)

anniversary gift guide champagne truffles

8th anniversary | Modern | Linens

By the eighth year of marriage, you are most likely all set in the linens department. A fresh take on the gift of linen is this fun and flirty personalized love letter pillow on which you can express your most heartfelt feelings for your one and only.

9th anniversary | Traditional | Pottery

Your love for each other has grown like a flower, so why not get something to put those beautiful blooms in that you surely brought home on this most wonderful day? (You did remember to get flowers for the occasion, didn’t you???) This vase is decorated with a pretty floral design, and you can customize it with a sweet message that carries special meaning to just the two of you.

10th anniversary | Traditional | Tin

No matter how you describe it, tin is not a sexy metal. But add three mouth-watering popcorn flavors — butter, cheese, and caramel — into a four-gallon, decorated tin bucket, and you have the makings of the perfect anniversary night of Netflix and chill.

15th anniversary | Modern | Watches

At this point in your marriage, you may be thinking, “My how time flies!” This elegant vegan leather watch box allows you to engrave special dates of the important moments you’ve shared together into the glass top. Removing the included velvet-like watch cuffs easily converts the watch box into a treasured jewelry box.

anniversary gift guide Leather Watch Box

20th anniversary | Traditional | China

You bought the wine, the cheese, the charcuterie, the crackers, and the bread for a romantic picnic at home. Now, what to serve it on? How about these elegant appetizer plates that will give you the feeling of eating in a fine dining restaurant? Don’t forget the matching metal plate holder. You could forget it, but it’s you’re anniversary — go for it!

30th anniversary | Traditional | Pearl

Modeled after the art nouveau Lilies of the Valley House of Fabergé egg from 1898, this stunning hand-painted Fabergé trinket box embellished with 24K gold, Matashi crystals, and pearls will melt the heart of a lifelong or novice Fabergé collector.

anniversary gift guide faberge easter egg

40th anniversary | Traditional and Modern | Ruby

In addition to being a modern symbol of “passion” and “love,” the precious ruby is believed to protect its wearer by keeping evil at bay. No wonder Dorothy didn’t wear amethyst slippers. Even if it’s just folklore, a gift of silver ruby earrings is sure to rekindle the flame. If neither of you is into jewelry, but you do have a thing for citrus, then sharing a box of avocados will do the trick. The health benefits of these rich, nutty fruits are known to help in the romance department.

anniversary gift guide premium gift basket

50th anniversary | Traditional and Modern | Gold

Fifty years…congratulations! This golden anniversary milestone will most likely be shared with loved ones of all ages and palates. The Ultimate Premium Gift Basket offers you, and your family and friends, nearly 20 different gourmet delights. It’s more than a gift — it’s an entire celebration. (Well, not entire…you’ll still want to add some wine.) And don’t forget to request your free gift from the White House.

Back-to-School Care Packages

Boarding school and college students are returning to campus, and as they settle in to their new residences, they may experience bouts of homesickness. After a summer of enjoying home-cooked meals and snacks on demand, these bright young minds now must fend for themselves.

Fortunately, we have several ideas to make the switch to dorm life easy, homey, and delicious.

Care packages for boarding school students

For many students, this will be their first time living away from the structure and comfort of home. For parents, this shift to your kids being on campus may be fast-tracking your empty nest syndrome.

care packages with student eating cookie

If you’re missing your kids before their suitcases are even packed, think about sending them a care package to arrive after their first few weeks of school. It’s a simple yet thoughtful way of saying “I’m thinking of you,” with a selection of baked goods you know they like.

For the eater who likes a little bit of everything, an assortment of sweet and salty, fruity, and crunchy snacks will hit all the right notes. Packed in a sturdy wood box, this signature gift becomes the perfect solution for desktop storage, giving the recipient a convenient place to tuck away books and school supplies when the snacks run out.

Is your student crazy about popcorn? Send a trio of classic flavors — butter, cheese, and caramel — with a personalized message or family photo to show you care.

Care packages for college students

While making the adjustment from home life to dorm life is hard for any undergrad, the shift is an even bigger shock to the system for incoming freshmen.

To help ease this transition, arm your first-year college student with wholesome snacking options, such as fresh fruit and classic cheeses, to keep their energy up for long days and even longer nights.

As the days grow shorter and nights grow cooler, it’s increasingly important your child gets the nourishment — both physical and emotional — they need. This array of easy-to-heat, homemade-inspired soups will help stave off those seasonal colds and midterm blues.

And for those weekends when you wish you could be there tailgating together, send a celebratory snack box that says “Go team!”

Make their dorm feel like home

It can be hard to make a dorm room feel like home, so sending your child some home décor should brighten their living quarters.

Home goods

Personalized items are a must. From welcome signs to wreaths to picture frames, there are lots of ways to add character to their little home away from home.

Flowers

Since most dorm rooms and apartment complexes won’t let you paint the walls or hang picture frames, students have to find other ways to add some color to their bedrooms (besides the usual Pink Floyd posters). That’s where flowers come in! Even a small bouquet can add new life and a pop of color to any room.

Plants

In addition to flowers, plants are a great way to inject some vitality into a living space, and they’re also helpful for maintaining good air quality. Even if your student doesn’t exactly have a green thumb, you can still find them an option that requires little maintenance, such as a succulent or cactus.

Journal

Ask any college graduate about their time in school and they’ll probably tell you it was “the best time of my life.” Keep the memories they make in college alive and with them forever by jotting them down in a personalized journal. You can adorn the cover with something as simple as their name to something as personal as a family photo, so they’ll always know it’s theirs.

Something cozy

Winter is only a few short months away, and the walk to class in the cold and snow is no easy feat. Make their journey a little easier by sending a comfortable pair of Good Day™ Socks. With their signature message of “Gonna Be a Good Day™” inscribed on the toe, you can bet these socks will always make them smile — even during finals week!

Spa gifts

Dorm bathrooms aren’t exactly known for their elegance, but the right shower products can turn even a communal bathroom into a relaxing oasis. After a hard day of tests and projects, treat your scholar to a little relaxation with a premier spa gift basket in a number of favorite scents.

If sending a care package has you envisioning long lines at the post office and packing peanuts everywhere, don’t fret — we’ll do the heavy lifting for you. The 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. family of brands offers nationwide shipping, including next-day delivery on many items. If you plan on sending care packages throughout the year, the Celebrations Passport gives members unlimited free shipping for 12 months for a low one-time fee.

School’s Back in Session: 5 Ways to Celebrate the Return to the Classroom

As the first day of school approaches, it’s important not only to keep an eye on your child’s mood, behavior, sleep patterns, and appetite but to recognize all the positive aspects of heading back to the classroom. Parents need to celebrate both the return to school and the academic success their kids have achieved so far.

But what does a back to school celebration look like?

Below are five creative ways to bridge the gap between summer mode and school mode, and help build positive excitement and anticipation for that all-important first day of school.

1. ‘Yes Day’

If you have elementary school–aged children, there’s a good chance you crowded together on the couch to watch Yes Day! on Netflix, which is based on the 2009 picture book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. A “yes day” is what it sounds like: It’s an entire day where your every answer to your kids will be, “yes.”

Sibyl Volker and her husband started doing end-of-school “yes days” when their now 8-year-old son finished kindergarten. It’s become a tradition every June for the Portland, Oregon, family of two.

back to school celebration with kids swimming

“We’ve promised them each their own day to pick out adventures before school starts,” Sibyl shares. “Our daughter has already decided she wants to ride roller coasters, and our son will likely want to play video games and go swimming.”

If your family’s “yes day” includes candy for breakfast, delight them with a smorgasbord of sweets in the form of the Candy Craves™ Fabulous Favs Tray.

But what about food? “There will be sugar,” remarks Sibyl. “And probably tacos.”

Do the kids want breakfast for dinner? Then say “yes” with a customized assortment of baked goods including scones, Belgian waffles, loaf cakes, English muffins, and sweet rolls. Now that’s a good start to the day….

2. Movie night

Everyone loves going to the movies. Re-create that in-theater magic by hosting a movie night at home.

Start by creating a movie marquee listing age-appropriate film titles to choose from — school-themed movies or films based on your family’s favorite books are a good place to start.

back to school celebration with outdoor movie night

For an indoor experience, rearrange furniture so the screen is the focal point; toss pillows on the floor so little ones can stretch out. For outdoor viewing, line up patio chairs, blankets, or sleeping bags under the stars, all facing the projection screen.

Don’t have a projection screen? You can DIY a makeshift screen by clipping a white full-size, flat sheet to a dark wall and then clipping it to staked poles or even a clothesline. The secret is to pull the sheets super taut to remove any wrinkles.

And, of course, no movie night is complete without snacks. Set up a table off to the side where kids can help themselves to butter, cheese, and caramel popcorn or grab an individual back-to-school-themed snack pack or cake pop. And don’t forget the beverages…for kids and ad ults!

3. Teacher appreciation party

Teachers have long been unsung heroes, so why not host a back-to-school celebration in the form of a teacher appreciation party? Your child and their classmates can create handmade gifts that communicate both their excitement about going back to school and their appreciation for all their teacher’s hard work.

One gift could be a thank-you poster on which each student makes a handprint with nontoxic, washable paint and writes a personal message.

back to school celebration with girl giving teacher gift

Expressing gratitude can also be done in food form.

And this year, you can not only show your gratitude for your teacher with a thoughtful gift, such as some back-to-school themed iced cookies , but with each purchase, you’ll also be supporting the Red Nose Day fundraising campaign. 1-800-Flowers.com has joined forces with the nonprofit Comic Relief US through Sept. 9 to help end child poverty and provide access to quality educational resources and supplies for all. Ten percent of net proceeds from our special back-to-school collection will be donated to this vital campaign, helping ensure all children thrive with the opportunity for a bright future.

4. Time capsule

Time capsules are an interactive storytelling project that the entire family can create for their future selves. Items that go into the time capsule can have personal meaning or represent life at this point in time. They can be sentimental or even a bit humorous, such as:

A favorite toy or stuffed animal
A family photo
A letter to your future self
Old cell phones
A family questionnaire

5. Classmate meet and greet

If you already know the other students in your child’s class, consider planning a meetup at a local park or playground for a fun back to school celebration. Setting up designated activity zones, such as a craft table to make personalized name tags and a cookie decorating station, will help kids get back into the groove of hands-on projects and time management.

History of Marriage: 13 Wedding Facts That Really Take the Cake

Mawwage — ahem — marriage. It’s what brings us together. It’s also a ceremony rooted in centuries-old superstition.

Did you know the tradition of a groom carrying his new spouse across the threshold dates back to ancient Rome? It was a way to prevent the bride from tripping and, thus, conjuring up the evil spirits who once occupied the newly wedded couple’s home.

And while today’s wedding guests gather ’round to catch a bouquet or garter belt in hopes it will bring them future love and marital bliss, historically, it was a small piece of the bride’s gown that was torn off for good luck at the end of the wedding ceremony.

history of marriage with a bride looking at her photos while bridesmaids do their makeup in the background

So book the hall, pick out your invites, dust off that rented tux that you forgot to bring back — and cue up the band for a first dance of facts about the history of marriage, engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.

Did you know…

In 2021, there were 61.45 million married couples in the United States, compared to 40.2 million married couples in 1960.
The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. in 2021 was $28,000 ($34,000 if you include the engagement ring).
The longest marriage on record is that of Herbert Fisher (born 1905) and Zelmyra Fisher (born 1907), who were married May 13, 1924. The Fishers remained married for 86 years, 290 days, until Herbert died on Feb. 27, 2011. He was 105. Zelmyra died two years later, also at the age of 105.

Mariah Carey bumped Elizabeth Taylor off the No. 1 spot of possessing the world’s most expensive engagement ring. Australian media mogul James Packer proposed to the singer with a 35-carat, platinum-set, emerald-cut diamond flanked by two baguette diamonds valued at $10 million. Carey reportedly sold the ring for $2.1 million as part of their breakup.

The current estimated median age for a first-time marriage is 30.4 for men and 28.6 for women.
Eighty percent of all weddings take place between May and October, with the three most popular months being June, August, and October.
The practice of a groom and his groomsmen wearing matching suits began during medieval times. Back then, it was thought that by dressing identically the men would confuse evil spirits wishing to curse the newlyweds with bad luck.
The largest vow renewal ceremony in the U.S. consisted of 1,201 married couples. It took place in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Oct. 8, 2016, during Western Michigan University’s homecoming weekend.

history of marriage with a wedding tablescape with colorful flowers

The shortest marriage on record is believed to be a mere 180 seconds held by a man and woman in Kuwait. It’s said the new bride tripped and fell after saying “I do,” and, instead of lending a helping hand, her new husband called her stupid. Back on her feet, the bride demanded the judge annul the marriage ASAP.
Rumored to be the most expensive wedding gift a groom has bestowed on his new bride, a $20 million Gulfstream jet was given to Katie Holmes by Tom Cruise when they wed in 2006. The present was a foreshadowing of sorts, as she jetted from their marriage six years later.
The average honeymoon duration is seven days. The tropical paradises of St. Lucia, Jamaica, Bora Bora, and the Bahamas are among the most popular destinations for post-wedding getaways.
Traveling to an exotic destination — or traveling anywhere — for a honeymoon wasn’t always customary. In 19th century Great Britain, instead of setting off for foreign lands, a newlywed couple would visit those friends and family who were unable to attend the wedding. And many, many, many moons ago, ancient Norse bridal couples jaunted off after their wedding into hiding, where they were brought a cup of mead (honey wine) for one moon cycle. Hence, the origin of the word.
U.S. couples celebrating 50, 60, and 70 years of marriage can receive a free anniversary greeting from the current U.S. President and First Lady.

Lights! Camera! Diwali! Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Chef Maneet Chauhan

Diwali is the annual festival of lights during which Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities celebrate the triumph of light over dark, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Historically a five-day religious holiday in India, Diwali has expanded to include both non-secular and secular celebrations across the globe, many of which are scaled back to a single day.

Along with marriage and the birth of a child, Diwali is revered as an auspicious occasion, one of prosperity and luck. The third day of Diwali pays homage to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, a powerful deity who bestows blessings of good fortune upon those who honor her. Lakshmi is believed to appreciate beautiful aesthetics and tidiness. She also is said to have a taste for sweet foods and aromas because they’re fulfilling to the soul.

We recently caught up with culinary talent Maneet Chauhan — celebrity chef, cookbook author, Food Network star, restauranteur, and co-founder of Nashville-based Morph Hospitality Group. She gives us a peek into her Diwali celebration plans and how she adds a modern twist to centuries old traditions.

Festival of lights and a feast for the senses

One of the most unique and compelling aspects of Diwali is the notion of go big or go home. “Diwali is about going all out: colors, sounds, smells, sights,” Chauhan says. “It’s sensory overload.”

This means fancy, sparkly clothes and dancing lights to tantalize the eyes, uplifting, dance-inducing Hindi and Bollywood music for the ears, bouquets of fresh, fragrant flowers for the nose, and boldly flavored Indian dishes to delight all five senses in a single bite.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of attending a Diwali celebration, the experience will feel familiar in many ways. There is an air of solemnity coupled with significant joy and merriment. “I always draw the analogy of Diwali being a cross between Christmas and Fourth of July,” Chauhan says.

maneet chauhan with Maneet Chauhan lighting a candle as part of Diwali celebrations

Flower power and Diwali celebrations

Chauhan takes a more practical approach to designing her rangoli, using only flowers and petals, and skipping colored powders altogether. “They make quite a mess indoors,” she jokes.

In India, marigolds are predominantly used in rangoli as they are considered an auspicious flower. Since stems of marigolds aren’t easy to come by in the U.S., Chauhan tweaks this tradition to focus more on the color of the flowers than the type.

Her go-to Diwali flower of choice? Roses, which Chauhan buys in a range of bright, autumnal hues. “Rose petals are absolutely beautiful, and they are great fillers in the rangoli design and on the tabletop,” Chauhan says.

Chrysanthemums (“mums”) — in particular, seasonal pelee mums — also make great alternatives to marigolds.

Pass the puri please

Diwali is also a festival of food, and lots of it. “We spend two or three days before Diwali cooking…making things which take a really long time as a family,” Chauhan shares. “It really brings us together.”

A Diwali dining table is typically festooned with flowers, garlands, and candles, and laid out with tons of sweet treats, such as ladoo and gulab jamun, and a selection of chaat, savory street snacks found at food stalls, carts, and train stations across India.

“I call chaat the Indian version of nachos,” Chauhan says. “They have different layers and textures and ingredients, and you can make it seasonal or according to your taste buds.”

Chauhan and her husband, Vivek, try to incorporate many of the tastes from their own childhoods into the family’s modern-day Diwali celebrations. Iconic chaat made for Diwali include bhel puri, pani puri, and aloo chat, all recipes found in Chauhan’s latest cookbook, “Chaat: Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India.” “One of the big things about Diwali for us is encouraging the kids to enjoy what the traditions are and being proud of where they came from,” Chauhan adds.

How can everyone celebrate Diwali?

Like many in the Indian diaspora, Chauhan has witnessed growing cultural awareness and acceptance of Indian festivals like Diwali. “People are really drawn to the beauty and celebratory aspects of Diwali and embrace it as their own,” she says.

If you’re keen to host a Diwali get-together this year, Chauhan offers this simple checklist to help get you started:

Two to three chaat
Two to three simple yet savory Indian main dishes
Sampling of Indian sweets and desserts
Lots of flowers and candles, including a stunning centerpiece on the dining table
Festive, Indian-inspired clothing worn by you and your guests
Bollywood music from a curated playlist on Spotify, Pandora, or Amazon Music

“It’s about beautiful décor: lots of bright flowers with beautiful scents, fun, sharable food, and great music,” Chauhan says. “That’s all you need to get the Diwali party going.”

Key themes and traditions of Diwali

Family and home

Family and home are central to Diwali. Preparations begin a month or so in advance and continue until the first day of the festival, when time is spent cleaning the house and putting up decorations for the big celebration. Remember, Goddess Lakshmi likes a tidy home filled with lots of vibrant colors: reds, oranges, yellows, and golds.

Letting in the light

With a colloquial name like the festival of lights, lighting is essential during Diwali, as it represents enlightenment, knowledge, and wisdom. Clay diyas — Indian lamps made with ghee or vegetable oil — and candles are placed around the home to chase away darkness and welcome in goodness and purity. Families and their guests gather together to say a small prayer when lighting the diyas. Afterward, everyone heads outside to play with hand-held sparklers, called phuljhadi in Hindi. In India, fireworks are set off to illuminate the sky.

Rangoli

In addition to lighting, one of the primary Diwali decorations is rangoli, a beautiful floor and tabletop art made with colored powders and flowers. Rangoli represent happiness, positivity, and liveliness within the home and serves to welcome in Lakshmi and her blessings.

An ad for Maneet Chauhan's selection of 1-800-Flowers.com products for celebrating Diwali.

Preparing for a Positive Back-to-School Experience

The series “Back To It” features advice and ideas for celebrating the return to school and the office.

While many students are excited about the long-awaited return to in-person learning and the social interactions it brings, you may have a child or teenager who’s feeling anxious about heading back into a classroom setting after constant family togetherness. And it makes sense.

For nearly 18 months, our homes have been the epicenter of all life’s activities. For our children, this has meant turning kitchen tables into school desks and missing out on sharing key celebratory milestones like birthdays and graduations. Throughout this disruption, kids have also been living with the fear of illness, death, and general uncertainty, which has led to an increase in anxiety, says Dr. Kenneth Tellerman, chairman of the Committee on Emotional Health for the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Now, with the looming return to in-person learning, our children are wondering: Do I have to go back? What if I’m not ready to go back?

“This anticipation of making the jump back to normalcy is the trigger I’m seeing right now, which is different from what I saw a year ago,” Dr. Tellerman says.

He is also seeing an increase in regressive behavior and separation anxiety among pre-school- and elementary school-aged children, which manifests in the following ways:

Following parents from room to room
Not wanting parents to leave the house, even if to just go outside to the mailbox
Wanting to join their parents in bed at night

Reading the signs

No matter your child’s age, Dr. Tellerman reinforces the bedrock of mental health: adequate sleep, appropriate nutrition, and exercise. Ensuring these three critical behaviors on a consistent basis may help mitigate the effects of anxiety, stress, or depression.

He recommends keeping a look-out for any of the following red flags, and to connect with your child’s pediatrician as the first line of support.

Red flags in children

Sleep disturbances often in the form of nightmares
Irritability
Frequent meltdowns
Headaches
Belly pains
Separation issues

Red flags in adolescents and teens

Sleep disturbances often in the form of insomnia
Eating disorders
Social withdrawal
Self-harm
Substance abuse

Preparing for the transition

As kids are inundated with back-to-school messages, their anxiety may start to increase. How can parents help?

In addition to watching out for any physical, emotional, and behavioral changes, Dr. Tellerman suggests refocusing your child’s attention and energy with out-of-the-house activities and socializing with peers.

He also recommends reintroducing structure and routine back in your child’s day such as set mealtimes and bedtime.

Particularly for children experiencing separation anxiety, flexibility in the transition back to full-time, in-person school will be critical to their successful adjustment after a year of perpetual change.

Tapping into resources

As school administrators and educators around the country continue moving forward with plans to offer in-person learning five days a week, many are heeding the AAP’s advice to adopt an all-encompassing approach for mental health support.

“Mental health is our number one priority,” says Penny Kapanika, assistant principal for student affairs at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx, New York.

Kapanika as seen first-hand a heightened awareness and investment in resources and tools to support the socio-emotional health of students, an unanticipated upside of the pandemic.

While resources vary from school to school, they include:

Onsite counselors and mental health professionals available to meet with students during the school day
Anonymous, text-based help lines that give students a private and safe way to communicate they need support
Access to telehealth and digital mental health tools
Peer support programs

Not sure which resources are right for your child?

Kapanika recommends connecting with your child’s teacher or guidance counselor as a starting point. “Teachers [and counselors] have a finger on the pulse of what’s happening with our kids,” she states.

Despite our best efforts, there may instances where kids are just resistant to going back to school. Professional therapists can work with you and your child to explore deeper issues and develop coping strategies that make sense. For additional resources or to find a pediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist near you, visit the AAP’s Healthy Children, or the Child Mind Institute.

Antonia Lofaso Is a Mother First, a Chef Second

Our series “MVP Moms” explores the critical role moms play at the heart of families. These uplifting stories show that Love Makes a Family and why there are #NoLimitsOnLove.

Antonia Lofaso is a Mother First, Chef Second

For the past 20 years, chef and TV personality Antonia Lofaso has been making her mark on the American culinary industry.

Antonia has competed alongside top chefs and been the victor in head-to-head kitchen duels. She helped shape L.A.’s diverse dining scene as partner–owner–executive chef of a local restaurant empire, and on top of that, she authored a cookbook. You may have seen Antonia as host and judge on numerous cooking and food competition shows, too, and she even made a guest appearance on ABC’s The Bachelorette.

Yet for all her culinary accomplishments, Antonia is most proud of one far more personal: being mother, mentor, and best friend to her 21-year-old daughter, Xea Myers.

Xea was born in Los Angeles in March 2000, just a few years after Antonia had completed her studies at the famed French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Institute) in New York City.

The family was one of love, laughter, music, and, of course, food until a tragic day in November 2011 when Xea’s father collapsed outside his Beverly Hills home and died a few hours later in the hospital.

Just days shy of her 35th birthday and on the cusp of a burgeoning culinary career, Antonia suddenly found herself as a solo parent to an 11-year-old daughter. This experience forever changed their lives.

A Road Built of Sacrifice, Not “Unicorns and Rainbows”

Antonia spent her childhood in the suburbs of Long Island in a Sicilian-Italian-Jewish-American family. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a mom. “It was never a decision. It was always, ‘I’m going to be a mother,’” she states matter-of-factly.

After Xea was born, Antonia continued to work full-time. In mid-2007, when Xea was 7, Antonia was tapped to open Foxtail in West Hollywood as its executive chef. Just as this impressive career milestone was happening, the chef found herself 2,000 miles away from her young daughter to compete on Bravo’s Top Chef: Chicago.

Four years later, when tragedy struck, Antonia found herself thrust into the role of single parent, having to figure out how to be both mother and father while not losing sight of her professional goals.

“Trying to build a career while trying to raise a very young child is not always easy. It comes with balance,” Antonia says. “There wasn’t a lot of time I was able to spend with Xea as a very young girl. There were swim meets that I missed. There were teacher conferences that I missed. There were dinners over and over that I missed. And it weighed [on me].

“That road wasn’t always filled with unicorns and rainbows,” she adds. “That road was filled with a lot of anger, resentment, irritation on both our parts.”

Today, at 21, Xea is grateful for all the sacrifices her mom has made. “I know my mom had me at such a young age,” she says. “And I see this beautiful life that we live together now, all the things I’m able to have because of the hard work that she’s put into it.

“I am extremely proud of who my mom has become over the years,” Xea says, beaming. “I am beyond impressed.”

Food, Fun, and Fitness are a Family Affair

Stumble onto the Instagram accounts of chef Antonia or Xea, and you’ll be greeted with envy-inducing images of food, fun, and fitness.

You might think a culinary powerhouse like Antonia would lack the time and desire to cook when she’s home. Maybe she’d just want to relax in between filming, traveling, overseeing four L.A.-area restaurants, and creating her chef-inspired apparel brand Chefletics. But no. Making memories with her daughter comes first.

“Xea and I actually cook together all the time,” Antonia says. “Teaching her how to cook anything … those are moments that she will have forever. And honestly,” she adds, “these are the memories that I grew up with: my grandmother, my mother, my father, my uncles who own pizzerias. I remember those moments of making dough or making pasta or roasting potatoes. Creating those moments through food is a real thing.”

“We love to cook together,” Xea adds. “But also, we take our health and wellness really seriously.” In fact, Xea and her mom make time to work out every day together: “It’s so much fun,” she says. “We call it a summer camp.”

When the CrossFit sessions end, mother and daughter keep the competition going with games — specifically, cards. “Cards is a very big tradition…we take it very seriously,” Xea warns with a smile.

Flipping the Script on Mother’s Day Memories

In reflecting on past Mother’s Days, Antonia and Xea agree that the celebrity chef has spent most — if not all — of those holidays working to bring joy to other people’s celebrations. But that hasn’t stopped them from finding time to honor their unique relationship in their own way, on their own time.

One tradition they’ve established takes a Freaky Friday approach to celebrating Mother’s Day and Xea’s birthday. “We have this thing where my birthday is her day, because I wouldn’t have a birthday without my mom,” Xea explains. “But if she was going to take that credit, then Mother’s Day is mine, because she wouldn’t be a mom without me.”

A Very Dynamic Duo

The deep love and mutual admiration of this mother–daughter duo are palpable. They share the same bright, welcoming smile and finish each other’s sentences as if they also share one mind. And since it’s just the two of them against the world, they each take immense pride in being the other’s mirror and motivator in life.

“My entire motivation all the time was about creating this life for us,” Antonia says. “Xea is the reason my career is the way it is.”

And what a career it’s been, from making corn dogs at Hot Dog on a Stick at the Sherman Oaks Galleria to working under the tutelage of Spago Beverly Hills’ Executive Chef Lee Hefter to teaching actress and singer Selena Gomez how to properly prep an octopus over video chat. There seems to be nothing that Antonia Lofaso can’t do with daughter Xea by her side.

“My mom is, hands down, the strongest and most hardworking person that I have ever come across,” Xea says. “You just have to know us to understand the energy that we have and the relationship that we share. It’s very special, for sure.”