Moments ago, I was flipping through the channels and noticed that the Hallmark Channel is airing a spate of Christmas-themed shows and movies as part of its "Christmas in July" special. I'm not sure what to make of this. On the one hand, the holiday season is a special if short-lived time of year, so I can see why the network would want to do something like this. Christmas shows and movies are of the feel-good variety -- not only are they ideal to watch with the family, but they build anticipation for the actual holiday season, which is a mere five months away. I wouldn't be surprised if the Hallmark Channel got a major ratings boost from this endeavor. Yet, it feels a little awkward to be watching Christmas-based programming when it's 90 degrees outside and there's nary a Christmas tree or wreath in sight. I can imagine it being like celebrating Valentine's Day in September or the Fourth of July in March. Understandably, some kids might not want t...

Surprisingly, many consumers say they would never stay at a haunted hotel. Whether it's bizarre ghost sightings, strange sounds (knocking, howling, talking, screaming, etc.), or unexplained lights, the thought of spending the night at a haunted property sends chills down people's backs. What draws me to haunted hotels in the first place is that they tend to be steeped in history. Hotels classified as haunted tend to be those that have been existence since the 18th-19th centuries, or earlier. In fact, the vast majority of them are listed in The National Register of Historic Places. The most renowned historic hotel in my area was converted into a hospital during World War II to treat the wounded. Many speculate that the hotel remains haunted to this day by the spirits of those who perished during the war. I think the history behind historic hotels certainly makes them worth visiting, even if it's only for a few hours. In fact, many of these properties offer guests histo...