The dawn of a new year is perennially a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and to plan how to follow through with those changes. Did your New Year resolution make our list of Top 10 New Year's Resolutions? You'll also find inspiration and support for meeting each goal - from both local Pittsburgh and online sources.

The excitement of Christmas and Hanukkah are often over before you know it, leaving both parents and kids feeling a bit restless. Never fear! There are lots of fun things to do around Pittsburgh during this week between Christmas and New Year's.

Carnegie Science Center tops the list with three days of special Holiday Science Camps which run from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. each day. Your budding scientist, age 6-10 can choose from programs such as Robotics, Crack the Case, Science Scrubs, Medical Mysteries and Young Inventors. Half-day camps are also available for children ages 4-5, with special programs such as Outer Space, All Aboard, and Water Wonders. After camp, stop in to see the Miniature Railroad & Village.

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With only two weeks left before Christmas I'm starting to panic. I just can't bear to buy another sweater or gift certificate for the special people on my holiday list, but I'm having trouble finding that "special" something. Where in Pittsburgh can you find fun, funky or unique gifts?

The Pittsburgh Glass Center in Friendship sells a variety of festive and fanciful glass vases, sculptures and jewelry by local glass artists. More jewelry, plus ornaments and decorative accessories, worked in aluminum, bronze, pewter and sterling silver, can be found at Wendell August Forge in Grove City. They are all created one-at-a-time with hammer and anvil by Pennsylvania craftsmen. A variety of interesting, fun and Pittsburgh-themed gifts can be found at Pittsburgh museum shops, including the Senator John Heinz Regional History Center, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Andy Warhol museum.

If you must do a gift certificate, then why not a Pittsburgh getaway package from the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau, or tickets to a performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony or Pittsburgh CLO? One of our friends gave us a certificate for membership to the Pittsburgh Zoo - how cool is that?

Christmas shopping doesn't have to mean the mall. Get creative and have fun!

Almost as much of a downtown Pittsburgh holiday tradition as the Macy's windows, the Spirits of Giving From Around the World exhibit at the PPG Wintergarden is an enchanting display of life-size Santas and original paintings, each depicting holiday customs and celebrations from around the world.

Also in the Wintergarden is a 32-foot Christmas tree surrounded by several hundred elaborately decorated gingerbread houses and a unique holiday train display created by local artist Don Jones. Seasonal music performed by area musicians adds to the holiday spirit. Open daily, including Christmas and New Year's Day. Best of all, admission is free.