Chat & Chew: Let's hear it for the family meal. A wave of research in recent years has  found that children who eat with their parents not only tend to eat better, they also typically have fewer emotional problems and are better students. But knowing that the family meal is a good idea in general does not necessarily solve this problem: what do you talk to your kids about? How do you engage them so that you're having a welcome conversation instead of pulling replies out of their mouth like a dentist? As with so many parenting challenges, it invariably comes down to taking the fun road.  With very young kids, you could play guessing games like "Who Am I Thinking Of?" For kids five and older, if  you're looking for inspiration, we strongly recommend "Dinner Games & Activities," a box of cards from Family Fun Time with all sorts of clever ideas for fun and rewarding talk.  It'll probably inspire some ideas of your own. 

Karan For The Cause: This week's pick in honor of breast cancer awareness is by Donna Karan Cosmetics. It's a limited edition Eau De Parfum that comes in an Ivory Cashmere Pouch. It's 0.2 oz/6ml and is available for $40. A percentage of each purchase will be donated to breast cancer research. You can find it at fine department store counters.
God, They'll Put Anyone On A Stamp! It's the time of year that everyone starts planning to send out holiday cards to their loved ones and friends. This year, personalize your stamps for your cards. Go to www.photostamps.com and upload your photo and customize it. The stamps are available in sheets of 20.
Feeding On Art: Make every meal a work of art with this new feeding set for babies and toddlers by Skip Hop. Designed in the shape of an artist's palette, it comes with bowls that fit in the palette holes but are also detachable and microwave safe. A fork and spoon also are included. It retails for $28 and is available at Giggle, 1033 Lexington Avenue 212-249-4249 or 120 Wooster Street 212-334-5817. 

Children's Holiday Fashion Show! If you love children's clothes-and who doesn't?-you can treat yourself (and your child) to a festive children's holiday fashion show featuring gorgeous threads from Best & Co., Kule, Whitlow & Hawkins, Prissy Poofs, ABC Home, Bonnie Young, Ochanga, Florence Eisman and other top designers and stores. The event, sponsored by New York Family Magazine and the Extell Development Company, will include a raffle for a free family vacation at a luxury resort, as well as an amazing goodie bag. Details: Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 10:30 am to noon, at The Rushmore Sales Gallery, at 422 West 70th Street.  RSVP to Stephanie Musso at 212-894-5441 or smusso@manhattanmedia.com.

Star Wars In 3-D: Let the "force be with you" in 3-D! As part of The Scholastic Store's free Saturday events, kids can learn how to create pop-up pages with author/artist Matthew Reinhart in celebration of the release of his new pop-up book, "Star Wars: A Pop Up Guide to the Galaxy." Kids can arrive in costume. Ages 5 and up. Details: Saturday, Oct. 20, at 3 pm. Scholastic Store, 557 Broadway (Between Prince and Spring), 212-343-6166, www.scholasticstore.com.

A Vision Of Luxury: AVENUE magazine, New York Family's big sister, is hosting a Luxury Living Showcase at the New York Public Library. The event will be a full day of fun and information featuring exclusive, ultra-luxurious properties from the all over the globe, special guest speakers, book signings, a private library tour and more. It's a chance to hear directly from developers about their amazing properties, to pick up home decorating, design and party planning tips from people like Mario Buatta and Foley & Cox, and to have some fun. Details: Saturday, Oct. 20th, from 11 am to 4 pm, New York Public Library's Celeste Bartos Forum, at 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. For more details and to RSVP, visit www.aveshowcase.com.