While we make it a point to encourage our readers to buy local whenever possible, we realize that doing holiday shopping online helps you avoid crowds and stress-while staying in your PJs. In addition to offering cool incentives like discounts and free shipping, many online retailers also give back to those in need during the holiday season by donating a portion of their proceeds to various charities. The opportunities to "shop for a cause" at this time of year are almost limitless, so we've highlighted nine favorites we think are particularly great for families. So go ahead and spoil the ones you love and feel good about it!

If you’re looking for a New Jersey town full of history, natural beauty and family-friendly fun, look no further than Monmouth County’s Matawan, my own hometown. Take a stroll down Main Street in Matawan and discover landscape and architecture of 19th century New Jersey, alongside contemporary shops and restaurants. History buffs may associate Matawan Creek as the site of a 1916 vicious shark attack- subject of several documentaries, and, legend has it, an inspiration for Jaws. Over 30 years ago, a portion of Matawan became Aberdeen Township, and the neighboring towns share a zip code, school system and a sense of community.

Today, Matawan and Aberdeen boast a taste of the past plus modern restaurants and stores. The area’s natural beauty is evident in its lakes, parks and beaches. Its proximity to both New York City and the Jersey Shore make for an ideal day trip. So hop on Jersey Transit, or the Parkway, and visit Matawan and Aberdeen. And if you’re traveling to Monmouth County, check out our Great Small Town post on Red Bank.

We wrap up our month-long coverage of Nyack with a look at indoor places for kids to play and learn in the area.  We've already featured the top 25 things to do and taken a closer look at Palisades Center. Now we turn the spotlight to where to learn and play indoors.

Nyack offers so many fun-filled indoor experiences for kids and families, the onset of cooler weather and subsequent detour from parks and playgrounds is a bit easier to take. Read on for our picks of the best indoor places to play in Nyack. 

Thanksgiving is about being grateful for all of life's blessings. But let's be honest: It's also about eating delicious food, too. If you'd rather spend your holiday spending time with your friends and family instead of slaving over a hot stove in the kitchen, you might want to consider pre-ordering dinner from one of these Long Island's restaurants. You can pre-order not just your turkey, but all the trimmings and desserts as well. Then all you have to do is set the table and enjoy. And be sure to check out our roundup of 2016 Long Island Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving. Be sure to contact the restaurants listed below, as menu options may change without notice.

Disney is really on a roll. After the amazing success of Frozen last winter, the studio has created another lovable animated movie that is sure to be a huge hit with kids and adults alike.

Big Hero 6 is the story of a boy, Hiro, and his robot Baymax, a charming plus-size goof turned butt-kicking justice machine. Along with their band of faithful friends, Hiro and Baymax embark on an action-packed adventure to solve a life-changing mystery.

There's a lot to love about Big Hero 6. Mommy Poppins partnered with the New York International Children's Film Festival on a pre-screening and you can see the enthusiastic reactions of some of the school-aged kids in this video. But parents should also use caution before taking little kids as the film definitely earns its PG rating. Here’s what you need to know to decide if Big Hero 6 is right for your family.

It is time to set aside the Halloween Hoopla and get serious - or at least until the Holiday Hoopla sets in. For our oldest kids, college applications are due, and the Santa Monica Public Library has an evening for parents and students geared towards writing that all important college essay. And while we're mentioning things educational, the first week of the month always has a few free admission days at local museums. Beyond that, there is lots to do in Pasadena this week; outdoor ice skating returns in Santa Monica, and the LEGO aficionados in my house would fire me if I forgot to remind everybody that the first Tuesday of the month is always a free Lego model giveaway at participating stores. Who needs Halloween anyway?

High-stakes testing is a controversial issue that has been fueled in recent years with an increased emphasis on standardized tests nationwide. Though some of these high-stakes tests are new, having been implemented in the last several years, the SAT and ACT tests conjure up memories from many a parents' own high-school days. The tests have changed over the years and if you now find yourself navigating the test-taking waters as a parent, you may find that you have just as many questions as your teen.

Fortunately, there are helpful resources here in Westchester. We've rounded up various workshops and events taking place this fall, designed to help prep your teen for the tests and answer any questions you may have about the process. Resources include proctored practice tests that simulate the real deal, test-taking strategies from the experts, advice as to whether to take the SAT or ACT and more. Best of all, many of them are FREE!

Whilst we are busy being thankful, it’s also ok to plan. It leaves more time for thankfulness on Thanksgiving. If you’ve ever cooked a giant meal without a plan, you know that you weren’t as thankful on that day. You were more sweaty and unkempt and feeding people from the stovetop, than filled with gratitude. To avoid any future appreciation pit-falls, we’ve assembled a handy guide to help you get your meal on the table, and be happy about it. And for more holiday how-to's, check out our Holiday Guide.