Lifestyle

I hadn’t seen a $2 bill for years when I noticed schoolmate Rip Black tipping with them. Having loved them since attending its 1976 re-introduction, I adopted Rip’s paean to Mr. Jefferson, tipping with them since. I gave one to an Uber driver recently – he stared at it, announcing, “This one’s going in the wallet!”

If you’re tired of giving people the same old birthday, graduation or wedding gift (hello gift cards, journals and potholders) – we have an idea to shake things up: handmade paper roses.

Guy Fieri is riding into Beantown … and not to film an episode of “DDD” at one of Boston’s haunts. He’s opening his own 185-seat tequila-themed restaurant.

The epitome of patriotism: watching fireworks spark on the Fourth of July in Massachusetts – especially given the Revolutionary War was sparked here some 244 years ago. Here’s where we recommend watching the iconic Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (that aren’t Charles River Esplanade).

You don’t have to fall down a rabbit hole to enjoy whimsical tea Alice in Wonderland-style, just visit the newly opened Alice in the Village at Patriot Place.

It’s never too early to plan for pizza. The third annual Boston Pizza Festival returns July 13-14 this year at Boston’s City Hall Plaza.

Gargantuan roommates Ruth and Emily received five new toys earlier this month from Massachusetts College of Art and Design students as part of an annual program offered at the school. The gifts presented to the Asian elephants living at Buttonwood Park Zoo are as enriching as they are fun.

The Boston Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the banks of the Charles River each year. The oldest of its kind in North America, it began in 1979 as a small neighborhood event commemorating the death of Chinese poet and politician Qu Yuan. It now draws over 20,000 people.

Lately, safety concerns related to ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft have increased. These apps offer so much convenience, but they also demand extra responsibilities. Remember these safety tips:

While you may think of camping sites, lodges and cabins for park accommodations, some offer lodging a bit more out-of-the box. We recently stayed in a 1970s barrel cabin in Unicoi State Park in North Georgia, so named because it’s shaped like a giant barrel.

Many in our society are focusing on making their lives greener. But for some, the concept seems so vast that it’s hard to understand the lingo.

For three years, I’ve written the same words on Airbnb’s reservation field that says “tell your host why you’re in town.”

Dubbed “the most Instagrammable pop-up in America,” Happy Place will keep Bostonians smiling at 500 Boylston St. through June 2.

You can soon “seas” the opportunity to eat (and take plenty Instagram photos of) fish-shaped ice cream right here in Boston.

Learn traditional Greek dancing, watch a theater rehearsal, become a TEDx Talk master and paint like Monet. Sounds like a solid bucket list, but these are actually activities previously offered during ArtWeek, a 10-day festival featuring unique artistic experiences in Massachusetts.

We can’t wait for rooftop drinking this spring. Grab your favorite shades and visit one of our top picks:

It’s thawing outside, which means it’s time to lace up your sneakers and get to jogging, walking or racket swinging – whatever suits your style.

Sometimes the best medicine is snuggles from your fur baby. But what do you do if your pet has an incurable disease? Here are some tips to allow you both to live your best lives.

Occasionally making yourself inaccessible is essential to boosting focus. A survey found that always being reachable – checking emails during off days, scrolling through social media, responding to texts 24/7 – is associated with higher stress levels. This is known as “continuous partial attention,” a state of alertness largely driven by FOMO.

Last issue, we covered Boston’s tiniest neighborhood. This issue, we cover the largest.

Thawing temperatures and lighter nights lead to more foodie adventures. Here are new spots to add to your list this spring.

While your friends may be taking spring break inspiration from “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys, you don’t have to book a flight to Aruba or Jamaica for a fun-filled trip. Skip the airport and drive to one of these nearby destinations (just don’t expect bikini weather):

A $2.5 billion Encore resort and casino building already stands tall above Boston Harbor in Everett in anticipation of a June opening.

Each year on Patriots’ Day, the Boston Marathon attracts about 500,000 spectators, making it News England’s most widely viewed sporting event. It’s also the world’s oldest annual marathon.

MFA Boston’s first exhibit dedicated to Frida Kahlo – “Frida Kahlo and Arte Popular” – is on display at the museum through June 16.

Here are our favorite apps to make travel easier, more affordable and more fun.

Parents across America continue to worry about the apps their children and teens download. Here are two apps that can give parents peace of mind.

Baker, author and magazine editor Brian Hart Hoffman released the third volume of “Bake from Scratch: Artisan Recipes for the Home Baker” on March 15. The book features more than 600 recipes and is currently available for order through online retailers, such as the “Bake from Scratch” website.

When I was four and just becoming aware of people outside my family, I began noticing our wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Growing up, I could never decide which square of the Sky Bar to eat first. This funky candy bar has always been one of my favorites, so I was devastated last summer when Necco went out of business, leaving its future unclear.