Living

Spread cheer by sending holiday cards to friends and loved ones this year. Dec. 9 is Christmas Card Day, and Alaska is the perfect location for your winter landscape family photo or a Made in Alaska card.

Sporty or luxe, quirky or tasty, these Alaska-made gifts are perfect for tucking under the tree or in a stocking this holiday season. Check out our list of the best Alaska-made gifts from around the state, and get everyone checked off of your holiday shopping list (and maybe something for yourself, too.)

The holiday season is just around the corner, and before you know it 2019 will be here. November is notoriously the time of year when the holiday stress starts to hit, both at home and at work. Here are some tips to conquer that pile of responsibilities during the busiest time of year:

There’s no shortage of design inspiration each holiday. From the homes on St. Charles to the Instagram posts, it’s easy to feel both excited and overwhelmed. Here are some decorating tips that strike a balance between festive and frugal:

The holidays are here, and it’s definitely the most wonderful time of year. From baking cookies to singing carols, everyone has their own traditions. Although people debate when to start decorating or play Christmas music, one of the most heated topics is the best holiday movie debate.

Most people know Alaska for its amazing slopes and endless backcountry trails – a dream for skiers and snowboarders. The state is also perfectly constructed for another timeless winter activity: downhill sledding.

Snow has finally arrived, bringing a plethora of opportunities for outdoor exploration in Alaska’s largest city. Walk, ski or bike Anchorage’s 200 miles of trails, a great way to connect with the city’s commitment to the outdoors.

Applications are now open for 2019 spring and fall semesters for the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program’s full-time high school component.

Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday is on Nov. 18, and it’s time to celebrate. Disney parks will be having a special birthday party, but the joy is spread worldwide. Join the celebration from Alaska:

With school back in swing, juggling carpool responsibilities is one task almost every parent dreads. Conquer your school carpool with these tips:

You’ve likely heard of the River Watch Bear Cam in Katmai National Park, but what about the live puppy cam in Denali National Park and Preserve? It shows live video of sled dog puppies. No, we’re not kidding.

The annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention is a time to honor the past and look to the future. From Oct. 18-20, 2018, 6,000 Alaskans will gather to discuss land use and other challenges.

PFD season means a welcome funding boost for Alaska organizations through the Pick.Click.Give. program. Pick.Click.Give. allows Alaskans eligible for a PFD to pledge online to donate to a nonprofit organization in increments of $25. In 2017, more than 26,000 Alaskans contributed $2.7 million dollars to important causes.

Donations from Alaskans’ PFDs make a difference for nonprofits working to support indigenous people across the state. If you haven’t selected a charity to support yet through Pick. Click. Give., here are eight nonprofits that are improving Alaskan communities through preserving tradition, expanding access for people with disabilities, art, education, culture, history and more. After you get your PFD, you can make a donation on Oct. 8 to mark Indigenous People’s Day.

PFDs are often spent on big-screen TVs and shopping sprees. But your PFD can also go a long way toward improving the lives of Alaska’s youth. Consider donating part of your PFD to nonprofits that ensure young people across the state are fed, educated and physically active.

This month, the GCI Women’s Network partnered with Habitat for Humanity Anchorage and members of the Wells Fargo Women’s Team Member Network to build a duplex on Anchorage’s east side. Volunteers did construction work, ranging from trimming boards to raising walls, to help provide safe, affordable housing to families in need.

NFL football kicks off Sept. 6. Make sure you never go hungry and your beer never runs dry at some of Alaska’s best sports bars.

It probably won’t come as a surprise that the Arctic and sub-Arctic animals living at the Alaska Zoo, such as gray wolves, Amur tigers and moose, thrive in cold weather. As the temperature continues to drop, they become more active – a treat for zoo visitors.

With school back in session, many families deal with the sniffles that accompany having children. A health savings account from Fidelity Bank can help you better prepare for unexpected medical expenses. An HSA can be used only if you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) — generally any health plan with a deductible of at least $1,350 for an individual or $2,700 for a family.

Labor Day weekend in Alaska can be taken with a glass half-empty or glass half-full approach. It may mark the end of Alaska’s glorious summer season, but it’s also a long weekend to check off the last items on your summer to-do list.

We’re all looking for ways to save time and make our lives easier. Here are some of our favorite tricks to give ourselves extra time to play outside:

With one of the highest rates in America, too many Alaskans are personally affected by suicide. In 2017, GCI launched its Suicide Prevention Grant Program to combat the issue. The results were so successful that GCI extended funding for 2018.

Epic encounters with moose and bears often come to mind for Alaska wildlife viewing, but don’t forget the woolly mammoth descendant still roaming the 49th state. Found in several Alaska regions, musk oxen can reach 800 pounds.

The start of the school year does not mean learning must be confined to workbooks and science projects. From Lyutik the majestic polar bear to George the talking magpie, Alaska Zoo residents are eager to help guests better understand their species, habitat and more.

The hunt for the hottest back-to-school fashion and trendy footwear is on. Recent high school graduate Deven Jackson launched a store specializing in vintage clothing and rare sneakers called League.

The first Sunday of August is National Sisters Day. While the origin of the holiday is unknown, anyone with a sister knows their sibling deserves her own holiday.

Whether a quick hour from Anchorage to Girdwood or a multi-day statewide adventure, road trips are as much a part of Alaska summer as salmon fishing and the midnight sun. These podcasts will make you happy when the answer to, “Are we there yet?” is still, “No.”

The early bird gets the worm and may be less depressed, too, according to a recent University of Colorado study. That’s the finding from one of the largest studies exploring the link between sleep-wake preference and mood disorders.

Puggle. Porcupette. Pup. Believe it or not, these are not made-up words but actual baby animal names. Baby porcupines are referred to as “porcupettes,” and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center recently started taking care of one.

The Fourth of July is almost here, and there is nothing more patriotic than winning Olympic gold for Team USA.