FESTIVE FUN MADE EASY Traditions That Won’t Cost a Fortune
CREATIVE CRAFTS AND TASTY TREATS You don’t need to buy pricey kits when you can create your own fun. Build a gingerbread house from scratch, or whip up batches of cookies and let everyone go wild with frosting and sprinkles. If you’re looking for something outdoorsy, make birdseed ornaments from pinecones and peanut butter, then watch the backyard come alive with feathered guests. OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Bundle up and take a nighttime drive (or stroll) to admire the best light displays in your town. It’s a free way to soak up the magic of the season together. If you’re lucky enough to get snow, the options are endless: snowmen, forts, snow angels, or even a friendly snowball fight. And when it’s too chilly to stay outside, warm up with hot cocoa by the fire. SHARE THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT The season feels even brighter when you spread joy beyond your own home. Go caroling in your neighborhood or at a local
The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. Suddenly, the calendar is full, stores are packed, and wallets feel too light. But here’s the truth: The most memorable moments don’t come from expensive gifts or elaborate trips. We spark them from laughter, creativity, and time spent together. Whether you’re looking for cozy nights in or adventures out in the crisp winter air, here are fun, low-cost holiday activities for the whole family. FESTIVE FUN AT HOME Let’s turn home into holiday central! You can wrap your front door like a giant present, or craft homemade ornaments from everyday supplies. Popcorn and cranberry garlands, paper chains with gratitude notes, and handmade snowflakes instantly transform your space into a festive wonderland. For extra coziness, plan a movie night complete with blankets, popcorn, and your family’s favorite holiday classics.
nursing home, attend a school holiday concert, or deliver handmade cards to friends and neighbors. These simple gestures leave lasting impressions and remind everyone what the holidays are truly about. COZY TRADITIONS THAT LAST For a touch of nostalgia, start a new tradition like sleeping under the Christmas tree one night, creating a DIY advent calendar, or hosting a family game night with holiday music playing in the background. These small rituals are the ones kids and adults both look forward to each year.
Who’s to Blame for Pedestrian Hits? Curbside Conflicts
Who’s responsible when you’re struck by a moving vehicle while walking? The answer isn’t as clear-cut as you think. As drivers, we’re encouraged to always yield to pedestrians. When traveling on foot, we may believe we’d automatically win a case if a driver hits us while in a crosswalk. In reality, neither scenario is true in Virginia. Just as motorists must perform certain duties legally and competently on the road, pedestrians have legal responsibilities to fulfill. Under state laws, pedestrians are required to do the following: • Look out for motor vehicles when crossing. • Refrain from disregarding approaching traffic when entering or crossing a street. • Step to a place of safety when reasonably necessary to avoid danger. • Use a sidewalk if one is available. • Walk on the “extreme left side or edge” of a roadway when no sidewalk is available or there is no shoulder “of sufficient width” on the right side. • Refrain from stepping into a roadway “at any point between intersections where he would
be obscured from the vision of a driver of an approaching vehicle.” • Use “the most direct route” when crossing a street between intersections. • Refrain from crossing against a “Don’t Walk” signal. Regarding protections under the law, pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks. This protection also applies when no sidewalk exists, such as at the end of a block. However, this right of way is granted only if the pedestrian doesn’t violate any of their duties. Violating these obligations will likely prevent a plaintiff from recovering damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Additionally, the injured plaintiff won’t receive compensation if it’s determined that both parties’ negligence caused the incident. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information on how pedestrian-accident cases are handled in Virginia, and please remember this article the next time you stroll on our streets.
–Kevin Mottley
2 | (804) 823-2011
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