Maura Chwastyk

The holidays are a stressful time. Whether it's worrying about crazy travel plans, wondering how you're going to manage your drunk Aunt Carol at the family get-together, or not sleeping because the million-watt glow from your neighbors' Christmas decorations keeps you up all night, everyone's nerves are a bit more frayed this time of year.

When you’re brushing your teeth, it can be almost impossible to contain the toothpaste only to your brush. Somehow it ends up on the mirror, in the sink, maybe even on your hands. It seems like the only good place for that paste is in your mouth, but as it turns out, there are a lot of other places you might want your toothpaste to go. It can help out all over the house if you know how to use it.

The weather might be more ice cream trucks and long days at the pool, but the calendar is inching towards yellow buses and new backpacks. Every parent knows about back to school clothes and back-to-school supplies, but nowadays, back-to-school apps are just as important.

Sure, your dad said he didn’t want anything for Fathers’ Day, but that might also have been a not-so-subtle hint that thanks to the last several holidays, he has enough ties and golf balls.

As much as your non-smoking mom claims to love the handmade ashtrays and hand-picked bouquet (from her garden, no less) that you’ve given her every Mother’s Day for the last two decades, this is the year to shake things up.

Many of us have become so addicted to our phones that we can’t stand having to put them down, even when we’re driving. If you’re one of the technologically obsessed who hates to be parted from your phone even to sleep, you’re in luck.