Today we’re back with another Spooky Mommy installment, this time from Ashley Ziegler, who’s taking a firm stance on the oh-so-important topic of holiday decorations. She writes: “No one can deny the coziness and cheer that comes with Christmas decorations. The tree filled with warm white lights, seasonal fluffy throw blankets in every room, and stockings hanging from the mantle create a vibe that you just don’t get any other time of the year. It’s magical — but Halloween decor is better.”

This one goes out to everybody whose house is already decorated with bats.

— Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

“One of my favorite things about being pregnant and planning my son’s nursery was setting up his little library. My husband dutifully hung the IKEA bookshelves every millennial parent has now, and I stocked them with classic children’s titles, including some of my own books from when I was young,” writes Katie McPherson. “And while some of the beloved titles on his shelf make everyone who visits say, ‘I love that book’ — Goodnight Moon, Where the Wild Things Are, you know the big ones — there are other forgotten children’s books that catch people by surprise.” And today, she’s rounding up some of our favorites.