christmas
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Oklahoma Mom Reports Son ‘Missing,’ Only to Find Out He Was Trying to Make Money to Buy Her a Christmas Gift
One Oklahoma City boy’s secret mission to surprise his mom for Christmas snowballed into a larger surprise for his whole family after their local police officers banded together to ensure that the family had an amazing Christmas. According to KFOR-TV, single mom Sophia Reed had used the last of her extra funds, including Christmas money,…
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She’s Smokin’: The Running Fat Chef Has a Holiday Dinner Hack for You
Step away from the grills, people. It’s cold outside! Based on the temperatures I’ve been experiencing here in New York City, winter is already here. And while I love fried and smoked food as much as the next person, I’d like to keep my limbs frostbite-free if possible. Admittedly, I also don’t have a backyard.…
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Watch: Kwanzaa Is Like Christmas, Just 7 Times Blacker
This video originally appeared on Dec. 19, 2017. Have you ever looked at your kids and thought their little narrow behinds could show more appreciation for the countless Jordans and Apple products you buy them for Christmas? Have you been looking for seven ways to be a better person as you usher in the new…
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Christmas Ain’t Christmas Without My Grandma
The last time I saw my grandmother alive was at my uncle Bobby’s funeral. She looked tired. Grandma breathlessly said, “Hello,” almost unable to get out of her chair. We did our usual routine. I told her how much I missed her. How I wished I had more time to stay but had to hit…
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Growing Up Without the ‘Christ’ in Christmas: What It’s Like Being Raised by a Christmas-Loving Atheist
Ever since I can remember, two constants have been in my life: My mother was never religious. She went all out for Christmas. Each year she attacked the holidays with an ever increasing fervor. She has lived in the same mostly white neighborhood for 23 years, where all the homes are as homogeneous and drab…
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Mind Your Plate, Not My Stomach: Surviving the Holidays With Judgmental Loved Ones
Some of us are looking forward to burying our faces in Christmas dinner with friends and family in a brief 10 days. Hopefully, your dinner will be blessed with someone who has gifted culinary hands when it comes to baked macaroni and cheese—and I’m not talking about the disrespectful and disgusting remakes making the rounds…
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This Christmas: Less Stuff, More Love
This year, I’m less about stuff under the tree and more about substance in my life. Everyone is asking me what I want, and I keep drawing a blank. The thrill of materialism just ain’t what it used to be. Somehow it’s all Gucci for me this year—without the Gucci. What I want lies more…
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Why Don’t You Know How to Play Spades? An Important Question
Over the next couple of weeks, families all over the country will congregate to observe and celebrate whichever holiday those particular families observe and celebrate. Some of these families will be black—including mine—and in these particular holiday celebrations, there may be many unique things present, including (but not limited to) … Dining room tables with…
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Watch: VSB and The Root Conduct ‘Operation Find Black Santa’
If you’re a parent of color, Christmastime may present a conundrum of sorts. You want to engage with Christmas traditions, such as Santa Claus, but you’d love nothing more than for Santa to look like your family. Esteem Gang Gang Gang. We at VSB feel the same way. We heard a story, passed down from…
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My Significant Other Made Up an Elaborate Backstory to Steal My Shirt
The following words were approved by my household. My life is a fun one. I’ve got awesome children, and my home is full of love and often the smell of the holidays and gingerbread houses because my woman has somehow decided that boiling (and forgetting to turn off the eye until it’s too late—I spend…