Oregon Family Magazine

Budget Wise Gifts Kids Can Give Page 8

7 Things You May Not Know About Chanukah Page 14

9th Annual

Holiday Gift Guide

Page 16

Stocking Stuffers • Games & Toys • STEM & Tech • Mom’s Gifts

The holidays and weariness of the pandemic are going to put us all to test.

Stay strong and keep your circle small so we can all greet in 2021 in good health.

Refer to the Oregon Health Authority and the CDC for guidance on how to handle your holiday gatherings safely. On the fence about a family gathering? Our providers recommend you say “no”. If you have questions specific to you or a family member’s health – for example, risk tolerance – the providers at Oregon Medical Group encourage you to check in with a medical professional.

Please continue to take these important steps to keep your loved ones safe: Wash your hands. | Wear a mask. | Stay home if you have any symptoms of illness.

Limit your interactions even if you feel good. | Get your flu shot!

We’re Here to Help You Live Your Healthiest Life.

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december IN THIS ISSUE

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28

Happy Holidays!

7 8 12

INSPIRING GENEROSITY Rising Up for the Greater Good BUDGET WISE HOLIDAYS Affordable Gifts Kids Can Give

FAMILY HEALTH An Option for Hearing Impaired

14 16

CHANUKAH 7 Things You May Not Know

20 16

2020

O R E G O N FA M I LY

Holiday

Gift Guide

9TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Games, STEM, Tech, & More!

23 26 28 29

MOM’S GIFT GUIDE Delights with Moms in Mind

SLEDDING SAFETY TIPS for Winter Fun DISCOVERY BOX Cozy Animal Abodes

FAMILY MOVIE REVIEWS For Kids: Over the Moon For Adults: Love and Monsters

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PET RESCUE SPOTLIGHT Kitty: Pepito Puppers: Daisy Mae

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23 Mom’s

Gift Guide

In times of sickness and wellness, we are with you every step of the way.

Karen Ortiz, M.D., F.A.A.P., brings genuineness and compassion to each patient visit and strives to help children and their families be well, physically and emotionally. Proficient in medical Spanish, Dr. Ortiz recognizes that each family is unique and focuses on building lasting relationships, from birth through young adulthood.

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Inspiring Generosity in Children

by Pilar Bradshaw, M.D., F.A.A.P. Eugene Pediatric Associates

G

enerosity is a trait most parents would like to see instilled in their children.

Teaching kids to serve and give to others builds character and empathy.

It also releases chemicals in the brain that stimulate reward pathways and creates a feeling of joy. Scientific studies show that people who are generous as adults experience better physical and mental health, improved job enjoyment, have happier and stronger relationships, and live longer.

Lead by example Teaching generosity to kids is best accomplished by parents

who model the behavior. Babies and toddlers are hard-wired to mimic others, so show them how to share toys and be attentive to others. Smile and praise your child when you see him or her sharing or nurturing others; praise will reinforce those pathways in their brain.

For school-age children, teach generosity by participating as a family in community projects and giving to others. It’s important to note that exhibiting generosity is not just the giving of money or material items. Giving your time and showing kindness to others is just as important. Some ideas for families include: • Gather and deliver clothing donations to a local charity.

• Collect used books for the library or toys for a community toy drive.

• Donate fabric to our local nonprofit Bags of Love.

• Deliver non-perishable food to FOOD For Lane County.

• Make cards for children in the hospital or in local shelters.

Teens and young adults can do even more, such as mowing lawns for elderly neighbors, volunteering, or occasionally donating their time to babysit instead of expecting payment.

Talk with your kids about ways they would like to be a positive impact on their school, neighborhood and community.

Acknowledge your child’s acts of kindness Be sure to recognize and a c k n o w l e d g e y o u r c h i l d ’s generosity. By doing so, you will strengthen that behavior and it will become how they naturally treat others.

Raising generous kids to be compassionate adults is one of our most important tasks as parents. Opportunities to show compassion are endless and impactful. For more ideas on encouraging generosity in your children, talk with your providers at Eugene Pediatric Associates.

Instilling these traits now will produce great rewards in the future.

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Gifts

KIDS CAN GIVE ON A SMALL BUDGET

by Sarah Lyons

O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M • D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0

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T

here is nothing more heartwarming than

a gift made by a child. Handmade gifts are

affordable, fun to make, and can be given to

parents, grandparents, teachers, and siblings.

Here are some gifts that are sure to make someone special smile this holiday season.

Prints All you need is a child’s cooperation, some paint, and a little creativity to make a gift that will be cherished for years. Handprints, fingerprints, and even footprints can be used to make a variety of crafts and art. Websites like Pinterest are full of ideas of how to make a handprint into a picture of Santa, a Christmas tree, reindeer, or snowmen. There are literally hundreds of possibilities. Try putting your child’s prints on an apron, ornament, tea towel, oven mitt, or T-shirt to give to a special someone. Make sure to follow the directions on the paint to ensure that the design lasts for years. As a bonus, your kids will love getting messy during the process.

Tasty Treats Kids love to help out in the kitchen, so why not put together some tasty treats for some sweet people in your life? Get the kids involved in the holiday baking and put together a plate of cookies the kids can help deliver to a neighbor or friend. Putting a homemade cookie mix into a mason jar

10

also makes an easy gift that kids can help with. Finish the jar with a holiday bow and instructions and it’s ready to be delivered.

Frame it Photos make a favorite gift for any proud aunt, uncle, parent, or grandparent. Get kids involved in picking out favorite photos from the past year and putting them into a collage with handmade drawings or a poem.

Try making a scrapbook page that can be framed for a special gift. Picture frames can be made with decorated popsicle sticks, clay, or an existing frame can be painted or decorated with mosaic tiles, buttons, or other craft supplies. Affordable frames can be found at local thrift stores or the dollar store.

Personalized Gifts Nothing is more thoughtful than a gift made to fit the recipient’s personal tastes.

Talk to your child about the their favorite hobbies and tailor the gift to their interests.

For example, use permanent markers to

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M

Make Your Own Holiday Themed Plate What you need: • Sharpie brand pens in a variety of colors (recommend using only name brand) • White plate (Affordable plates can be found at the local dollar store) Have children decorate the plate however they wish.

Some fun ideas - cookies for santa, string of lights, Christmas tree, Happy Birthday, You are loved, Santa face, or other fun design.

Bake plate for 30 minutes at 400°F. Hand wash plate for best results.

Source: www.thechirpingmoms.com

decorate golf balls for the golf lover in your life, decorate a plain coffee mug for the coffee lover in the family, have your child create a special bookmark for the bookworm you know, or use fingerprints to decorate wooden utensils for your favorite chef. Kids can also use scrapbook paper, stickers, craft supplies, and cardstock to make custom stationery.

Making personalized gifts also helps teach kids to be observant of other’s interests that may be outside their own.

Utilize Beads Beads are an affordable and versatile craft item that can be used for a variety of gifts. Small children can string beads on a pipe cleaner to make a candy cane or cross ornament. Older children can make personalized jewelry or key chains for loved ones. Pony beads can be melted to make into a suncatcher, mobile, or even a bowl. With beads, you can give your child some ideas and let their creativity lead them.

Spa at home Do you know someone who needs some rest and relaxation? Try mixing equal parts white or brown sugar and olive oil for an easy sugar scrub that is a great gift for anyone who deserves a day at the spa. There are many recipes for homemade soaps, sugar scrubs, and bath salts available online. Many can be mixed together in just minutes and cost very little to make. This luxurious gift may be quick and affordable, but it is sure to make your recipients feel loved and appreciated.

There is great value in teaching kids to give gifts to others. They learn to be generous, thoughtful, and experience the joy of giving.

They also learn the important lesson that gifts do not need to cost a fortune to be cherished.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and stay at home mom to six children. Her kids enjoy creating special gifts for loved ones.

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Bridging the Communication Gap …Literally!

by Ginevra Ralph

H

earing loss can be devastatingly isolating. COVID’s masks and Plexiglas barriers are making it all that more challenging. Regardless of who in our families has hearing loss – children, parents, grandparents – they all need to be part of our conversations.

Nearly 48 million Americans have hearing loss. 50% of them are under age 55. 13% of youngsters ages 6-19 do. If you suspect a

problem – don’t wait. Get tested! If you or your children already use hearing aids or cochlear implants, speak up and let others know how to help you hear better.

Now a college sophomore, Gigi uses two cochlear implants. She consciously decided that “My hearing loss is not an imposition on others. As I transitioned to living independently and made new friendships, I realized that I deserve my Gigi using a personal hearing loop with a classmate.

spot at the table. It’s okay if I need a little extra help getting there. In the end, we are all sitting at the same table.” She adds, “In a letter to my younger self I would beg myself to learn how to advocate for myself sooner.

In middle school, I used to let certain things slide, such as requesting closed captioning on videos. I have since learned that captioning not only benefits me but everyone else too, even if they don’t have hearing loss!

Hearing devices are essential – but they can never restore perfect hearing.

Supplemental strategies and tools boost their effectiveness. “Hearing loops” are the most favored assistive listening systems. Loops can be large for filling a performance hall or quite small for store countertops. They work right through Plexiglas! Ask your specialist to activate your device’s telecoil program to use loops and maximize where and how well you can hear.

Retired realtor Sue Prichard uses her personal loop daily to stay connected. “We recently had a long-awaited visit from our 17 year old grandson, whose deep, soft voice falls squarely in the range that is most challenging for me to hear. Outside, masked, and “distanced”, I set up my portable loop, placing its microphone right next to him. I could hear and understand every word he said.”

We invite you to borrow a personal-sized hearing loop from The Shedd to test out bridging all those socially distanced gaps – in the car, at work, at play, on Zoom, the doctor’s office, etc.

Contact Ginevra Ralph at The Shedd for more information, 541-434-7002.

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M

Plan a Schoolcation Take a break from screens and have some fun learning!

We’ve collected a list of “schoolcation” trip ideas to immerse yourself in culture, history, art and film right here in our beautiful backyard.

Learn more at EugeneCascadesCoast.org/Schoolcation

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Seven Things You Always Wanted to Know About

Chanukah

by Jill Morgenstern

D

id you ever want to know more about the eight day celebration known as Chanukah? If you ever wondered about this holiday your child may have studied at school, here are some answers to questions you may have asked:

like to spell it as many ways as I can in a single document, both as a personal challenge and because I have a better chance of finding it with a search if I cover my bases. Some people say any spelling is correct as long as it has eight letters to represent the eight nights.

1

Why Does it Change Dates?

Chanukah is celebrated on the 25th day of the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar.

Because the Hebrew calendar measures lunar months, the date of Chanukah changes from year to year.

What’s the Deal with the Spelling (or lack thereof?) Chanukah or Hanukkah is a Hebrew word. That means the word is spelled with letters that are not in English. Some people have preferred spellings, but there is no correct spelling. I

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M

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Why Are We Eating This Time?

Back when Greece ruled Israel, there was “a bad king” named Antiochus. He told Jewish people that they had to eat pigs.

Pigs are not-kosher, meaning it’s against traditional Jewish law to eat them. There are a lot of things people who keep kosher are not supposed to eat, but for whatever reason, even people who don’t keep kosher sometimes draw the line at pig. Judah Maccabee and the Maccabees fought and fought the Greeks. The Greeks destroyed the

Jewish temple and ruined all the holy oil.

Obviously, the Jews lived. But they could only find one tiny bit of oil to last one day.

Miraculously the oil lasted for 8 days, long enough to make new oil and to bring about an eight-night long festival of lights. Or, that’s the simple version at any rate.

4

What are we eating this time?

Lots of stuff with oil. Because the oil lasted for eight days. The two most wellknown Chanukah foods are potato latkes and sufganiot. Latkes are what many people call potato pancakes. There’s not a big difference between a latke and a potato pancake, except that a truly traditional latke has chicken fat in it. Sufganiot is basically a jelly donut.

5

Why Does My Kid Come Home Singing About a Dreidel? There are plenty of Hanukkah songs. Tons of them. But for whatever reason, every public school I’ve ever taught in or had a child in seems to only know that one song about the dreidel. Dreidel is a Hanukkah game involving a spinning top and what basically amounts to gambling for candy. Each letter on the dreidel is part of the acronym for “A Great Miracle Happened There”. The game is often played with Gelt (chocolate coins).

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What About Presents? My understanding is that presents are only a big deal in places where Hanukkah “competes” for attention with Christmas. Some families do other special activities each night instead of presents. A friend and former coworker of mine plays dreidel with a different type of candy each night.

ise

5 WasteW

UNTY

LANE CO

find out, or

If in doubt,. leave it out

7

What ’s that Menorah Thing?

The commandment for Chanukkah is to light the menorah. Most people have probably at least seen one. It holds eight candles, one for each night and a shamash, or helper candle. On the first night, one candle plus the shamash is lit. The second night, two candles, and so on. This is done in celebration of the temple oil having lasted eight days.

Jill Morgenstern is a teacher and Jewish Sunday school teacher. She has four children and a Master’s Degree in teaching reading.

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2 0 2 0

O R E G O N

F A M I L Y

Holiday

Cozy Cool With a toasty Shred Dog Jacket, your kiddo is set to enjoy the colder months.

We like this jacket for its everyday style, waterrepelling fabric and light insulation. It can be worn as a standalone or layered with a hardshell for a day on the mountain. Right now, it’s also half-price. shreddog.com. $60.

Give ’Em the Boots Designed in Boise, Idaho, Lone Cone Boots keep kids dry and comfortable and let them express a little of their personality. The boots come in dozens of great patterns and are certified free of harmful chemicals. As we head into the winter months, Lone Cone Boots can easily keep up with your little adventurer. LoneCone.com, Amazon. $14 - $35.

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M

Never Felt So Good Letter boards of all sorts are all the rage. Give your kids their own to personalize their space with this adorable Birdy Boutique Felt Letterboard. It comes with 130 letters, numbers and characters. The Birdy Boutique is a women and veteran-owned business with all sorts of cute and creative designs. https:// birdyboutique.com/ $15.

Gift Guide T

by Kelli Matthews

he holidays are coming at us fast. While our in-person celebrations may look different, gift-giving can be a way to make things feel a little more normal.

This year, for our 9th annual gift guide, we found creative and imaginative gifts for kids. From toddlers to teens, our intrepid reviewers played games, sampled snacks, made art and went on imaginary adventures.

Family Game Night

W

e love board games in our house. ThinkFun and Ravensburger sent us their latest and greatest to review for the Oregon Family Magazine holiday gift guide every year.

My keys to success: we can all play, it doesn’t take longer to set up the game than it does to play it, and it’s quickly understandable. Our three favorites this year were Mystic Market, Chicken War and Strike!.

Mystic Market is a commodity buying and selling game is easy to pick-up and fast-paced.

The concept is that you’re buying and selling magic potions with the values continually shifting. Amazon, Eugene Toy & Hobby. $20.

What could be more entertaining than building a chicken army? Chicken War is a deduction game for 2 to 4 players. Each of the 81 Chicken Tiles features a unique combination of 4 different characteristics. You choose a leader and then recruit an army that shares that leader’s characteristics. If you think you know who your opponent’s leader is, you can lob an egg and try to be the last chicken standing. Amazon. $20.

A classic family-friendly dice game, Strike was easy to learn and a blast for everyone in our house. The game is easy: Roll. Match.

Win! The last player left with dice wins. That’s it. Games are fast, so you can even set up a best-of tournament series. Amazon, Target. $20.

My family enjoys cooperative games (Ravensburger’s Horrified is a favorite) and we the movie series, so Back to the Future: Dice Through Time Board Game was a no brainer. It’s a little more complicated to set up and learn than the previous three games, but the game’s attention to detail from the movie make it a ton of fun. Target exclusive. $28.

Sometimes, you just want to play solo and the Moon Spinner is a classic brainteaser. Your goal is to scramble the various colored sections and then figure out how to rotate them back to their starting positions. The way the circles interact with each other makes this an addictive challenge. ThinkFun. com, Amazon, $13.

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STEM Fun

T

here’s always a fine line between a gift that’s “too” educational and feels like school and something that your kids find fun and exciting but - surprise! - kids still learn something. I think these four ideas are more the latter.

The Mel Science subscription boxes for chemistry or physics have awesome experiments for would-be scientists. Each month has a theme and enough “ingredients” to do at least two of each experiment. This is serious science with real lab equipment but accessible for tweens and teens. MEL also has a kids box for ages 5 10. melscience.com $34.90/mo.

Designed for ages 5–10, OSMO Coding Starter Kit builds coding skills in progression with 3 hands-on learning games. Our third-grade reviewer was enthralled with this kit.

Watch your child learn to code as they connect colorful blocks of code in the physical world to chart the adventure on their screen. Amazon, Target $80+.

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The Scoot Hands-Free Hover Drone Duo Set puts an intuitive twist on drones.

I’m a terrible drone pilot, but these cuties are controlled not with a remote control but with your hand. So easy and fun! You can even pass the drone from person to person. The high-tech sensors detect obstacles and have a lightweight, crushproof shell, so they’re safe indoors. Amazon $60.

This creative building toy is part origami and part building block. The Clixo Building pieces are magnetic and can be built anywhere - even on the go. It’s intuitive and straightforward and can really be made into anything.

And when playtime is done, the pieces snap together and are even dishwasher safe. www.myclixo.com $30+.

Arts & Crafts

A

rt instruction may be limited during remote learning and these two subscriptions and gift ideas are an easy way to add a little creativity and art back into your kids’ lives.

This drawing how-to curriculum uses dots to guide the young artist (as young as 4) through creating their own masterpieces. The Guide Dots starter kit includes a light pad and high-quality art supplies. Each project walk the kiddo through the project step by step with a series of videos. Each project takes 45 - 60 minutes, so my reviewer’s attention ebbed and flowed and needed some nudging. But we ended up with a project he’s so proud of. https://guide-dots.com/ $15 - $30.

The Marmals defy category, but this clever new toy’s creative approach gives it an arts and crafts spot. The Marmal is an engaging “fidget” toy with interchangeable magnetic parts. Creator Jeff Lawber (Portland, Ore.-based!) calls the Marmals “your new imaginary friends.” Each one comes as a blank slate that can be customized with the included markers or with paint, pencil or any other media. The Marmal can be a wonderful little character in your kid’s imaginary adventures. https://www.marmals.com/. $25.

Orange Art Box is a subscription art box with several projects that kids and families can create together - or that kids can do on their own, giving you a break. The box comes with plenty of supplies and clear instructions. We enjoyed the crafts together as a family. https:// orangeartbox.com/ $28 - $38.

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Techie Cool

Y

ears ago, when we started this gift guide, it was primarily focused on tech toys for kids, so this category always has a soft spot for this reviewer.

It looks like mom’s iPad, but Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA) Sit & Play is a more focused, virtual preschool jumpstart for toddlers. The tablet comes preloaded with content, and kids play in short 15-min intervals. The parent app gives you total control and helps track your kid’s progress. Our young toddler tester loves it, and his mom is impressed with his focus on the content. Animalisland.us, Amazon. $199.

If we were rating this year’s guide by cute factor, the Octobo plush robot would be pretty high on the scale. There’s a pocket for a small device screen (a large phone or small tablet). When activated, Octobo comes to life, interacting with kids through guided storybooks and educational apps. Octobo gives emotional feedback, conveying empathy and cooperation. thinker-tinker.com, Amazon. $199.

CINEMOOD is the world’s first noiseless, 3” ultralight standalone projector that converts any surface into a 12-foot cinema. The projector comes preloaded with kid-friendly entertainment — movies, games, e-books and bedtime stories - that can be projected on any flat surface inside or outside the home. No plugin and no wifi required. Or you can stream content from your phone. Amazon. $399.

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Refuel with Snacks

A

fter a day outside, it’s time to refuel with some snacks.

With a Universal Yums subscription, you get a new box from a new country each month. My kids have been fascinated by the differences in textures and flavors. Universal Yums sends a unique variety of sweet and salty snacks with a 12+ page booklet with trivia and recipes from the country of origin. universalyums.com $15 - $35 (three sizes) The idea of eating roasted crickets got lots of giggles and silliness from the reviewers, but wait!

They actually liked them! Gym N Eat Crickets are absolutely unique and memorable — an excellent way to expose friends and family to entomophagy (eating of insects). Did you know that insects take a fraction of the food, water, and land to raise the same amount of protein as traditional sources? We liked the smokey BBQ and fiesta flavors best. https://www.gymneatcrickets.com/ $16 - $50.

This snack box from Snack Riot was a huge hit. Each comes with nine different brands to discover with duplicates of each snack. The brands all have a “healthy snacking” approach to their goodies. I love that it’s mom-founded, so you can be sure the snacks are yummy (what’s the good of having snacks no one will eat?) and practical. snackriot.com $38/month.

Something Special

O

ur last two special gift ideas defy category but will delight your kids. We hope our guide gives you some fresh gift ideas for the kids in your life. Stay safe and healthy this season!

Your little girl may be looking for ways to express her style. Isabelle Grace Jewelry Girls ID Necklace is a perfect choice. The ID necklace has her name, a heart or star and you can also add a birthstone charm to make it extra special.

My niece has been asking to wear her mom’s jewelry and this will be a unique piece to start a collection. Hint: Isabelle Grace has beautiful big girl jewelry, too. https://www.isabellegracejewelry. com/ $65.

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For the Toddlers

T

he pre-school set is the easiest to buy for.

Everything is amazing! Even so, these ideas are sure to delight and keep your young ones entertained for at least a few minutes.

The super-soft snuggler from Slumberkins comes with small board books that help little ones understand and manage their emotions.

The Rainbow Unicorn Snuggler has a book and poster about authenticity and staying true to oneself. It’s a charming message, and the beautiful snuggler is a perfect nighttime companion. https://slumberkins.com/ $45+.

Road trips and camping adventures build family memories. The Haba Little Friends Camper Vacation set gives young kids the accessories to recreate and imagine their own adventures.

The set comes with two chairs, a detachable awning and a boy figure. Elephant’s Trunk, Amazon, Target. $50.

If you want to elicit giggles and squeals from your toddler, Mr. Blue My Dancing & Singing Bird is your bird. This adorable dancing bird will come to life in response to noises or movement (like getting tossed across the room). The bird scoots along the floor, coos and chirps sweetly and is also soft and snuggly. Amazon. $20.

This friendly Hopping Shark from iPlay iLearn is covered with soft, removable/washable plush fabric. Easy to use- just inflate with the included hand pump and off you go! The shark is small, so it’s best for the 2 - 3-year-old range. Amazon. $25.

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Trains! The first of two is the SmartMax My First Animal Train for ages 1 - 5. Each of the two halves of the engine, coaches and animal passengers connect with magnets. If you have other SmartMax sets, they’re compatible, too. Amazon, Target. $35.

Brio wooden toy train sets are classic! The 37-piece Brio Smart Tech Sound Action Tunnel Travel Set ups the ante with the battery-powered Record & Play Engine to respond to the tunnel accessories. With the corresponding app, you can change the lights, control the speed and direction and more. I’ll admit to being charmed by this set, right along with my toddler reviewers. Elephant’s Trunk, Amazon, Target. $180.

Mom’s T

Gift Guide

his year’s holiday gift guide for mom has beauty, baubles and tasty treats, along with a few other delights. Feel free to cut this out, highlight your faves and drop hints indiscriminately to friends and family.

Feel Good

T

he easiest form of self-care is to take good care of your skin. At-home facials, face and body oil, sugar scrubs and even excellent hair tools can make you feel your best.

Mizz Bloom Organics products smell and feel lovely. They’re certified organic, vegan and cruelty-free. I tried the Paradiso Perfecting Mask, Nourish Face Oil, Ritual Hyaluronic Serum and Glow Body Oil. The pineapple and papaya mask and the oils (both face and body) made my skin feel hydrated and nourished. And yes, they all smell wonderful. www.mizzbloom.com.

From a small company in Alabama, Concrete Fleur is a whipped body cream with Argan oil and a sophisticated scent that’s floral but not overbearing. You’ll smell orange, bergamot, grapefruit, jasmine and rose, along with vanilla and warm musk. It feels as good as it smells! www.concretefleur.com.

Before oils and lotions, start with a luxurious bath and exfoliating body polish. Level Naturals Body Polish comes in eight natural scents. I tried the Vanilla + Charcoal and the Jasmine + Rose. The scent is light and the polish exfoliates and leaves your skin soft. The “discovery set” includes the body polish, soap, Epsom salt bath bomb and a roller ball fragrance. www.levelnaturals.com.

On the topic of body oils, Evereden’s Body Oil soothes skin. The Evereden line has products for both moms and babies and while my babies are no longer babies, a good body oil is perfect winter skin care for any one. The Golden Belly Serum includes Marula (protective antioxidant), Rosehip (soothing and healing) and Centella (repairing). www.ever-eden.com.

If you or your teen has trouble skin, I highly recommend the Banish line of products.

The Pumpkin Enzyme Mask is my all-time favorite. This year, my teen tried the Banish Fighter Gel. It did a remarkable job clearing his skin without feeling tight or dry. The gel can also be used to heal flaky skin and even eczema. www.banish.com.

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I flat-iron my hair just about every day and with shoulder-length hair, that can take a toll — and it has. Little did I know my (relatively) cheap flat iron was the culprit. Vibrastrait flat iron vibrates 7500 times per minute. This salonquality tool “shuffles” hair without pulling or tugging. My hair looks and feels so much healthier, definitely worth the money. Amazon.

We have four people, with four different heads of hair in our household. I was eager to try Green Ablution’s shampoo and conditioner bars. They’re low waste (no plastic!) and smell so good.

Shampoo and conditioner bars are an excellent solution for travel (someday) or kids’ use (my kids loved this product). My advice is to make sure you have soap dishes or containers to keep the bars in. The shampoo bar, in particular, is soft when wet. https://www.greenablutions.com/.

Of course, we know beauty comes from within, right? A great water bottle can make all the difference in keeping your skin, brain and body hydrated. If you love a challenge, the Hidrate Spark steel water bottle is a “smart” water bottle that connects to an app, reminds you regularly to drink water and even lights up around the base when you meet your goal. If you prefer something more classic, the CopperH2O is beautiful. Recent studies have shown that copper is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-viral. www.hidratespark.com and www.copperh20.com.

Add Shanti Creations zero-waste candles for a little ambiance. Located in Queens, New York, the company produces natural coconut wax candles in mason jars for easy repurposing options. The 1.5 oz sampler set is a perfect stocking stuffer. https://www. shanticreationsnyc.com/.

A little ambiance and a little puzzle-making sounds like a terrific winter weekend. Dowdle Folk Art Wooden Puzzles are stunning.

The pieces are made of wood and when you complete the puzzle, you have a beautiful piece of art. You’ll find holiday designs and Oregonspecific designs to choose from. https://dowdlefolkart.com/.

Look Good

Y

ou feel good, you smell good, you’re wellhydrated and… you’re still working and helping kids school from home, staring at screens all day. Take care of your eyes with blue light glasses. Blue light glasses aren’t just a fashion statement; they really help with screen eye fatigue.

Jins Eyewear has hundreds of styles and its website has an innovative virtual try-on tool to help you decide. I got a matching set with my third grader so we both can keep our eyes healthy in style. https://www.jins.com/, $60+.

My favorite thing about writing this gift guide is finding the “diamonds.” This year, I found CoCo Crowns by Valencia Corraine and the Four Seasons Hoodie. I immediately loved the art and designs. Each of the four designs honors one of the founder’s best friends - her superheroes. https://cococrowns.com/. Use code OREGON for 25% off.

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Of course, a holiday list isn’t complete without some jewelry! The Ruxi Tirisi Leap Collection is a beautiful statement about embracing being uncomfortable, experimenting and trying new things. The Angel Wing Pendant is handcrafted from sterling silver with hand engraved lines reminiscent of bursts of light, enhancing the stone’s brilliance. I just love this piece. https://ruxitirisi.com/, $173.

Tastes Good

S

uppose you’re looking for a local idea.

In that case, Marche Provisions has a South Willamette Valley Food Trail Gift Box with flavors, scents and character of this bountiful part of the world. https:// provisionsmarkethall.com/ $68.

Follow dinner with sweet treats and bubbly. Enjoy a personal size mini Moscato d’Asti from Risata with your tasty treats.

Sourced from Italy, it’s a sweet and bubbly beverage that you can find it at most major grocery stores and retailers.

Beautiful food demands attention to presentation. If you’re a fan of sushi or noodles, chopsticks are everything. Beautiful Chopsticks has a curated and handpicked collection from artisans around the world. https://shop-chopsticks.com/, $12+.

Laumière Gourmet Fruits is a decadent looking and tasting experience. All the products are 100% natural, with no added preservatives, refined sugar, or additives. All collections are vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free and glutenfree. https://laumieregourmet.com/ $35+.

Stroopwafels seem all the rage lately, but if you’re looking for the most amazing of this delicious treat, check out Stroopies. The Stroopie Tin or the Stroopie Gift Box are a great way to sample all the flavors, but the dark chocolate salted caramel is my favorite. https://www.stroopies. com/ $8+.

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What to Wear Dress for the weather. If it is cold enough to sled, then it is cold enough for winter coats, snow pants, hats, boots, and gloves. If your kids are older and more serious about their sledding fun, dressing in layers is advisable so they can be removed as the kids work up a sweat. Head protection is important, especially for children ages 12 and under. If you don’t have specialized winter head gear, even a bike helmet offers some protection.

Avoid scarves, if possible, since they can get caught or tangled and increase the chance of injury.

Sledding Safety Tips for

Winter Fun

T

by Katy M. Clark

here is no better way to spend a winter’s day than swooshing down a sledding hill with your family. While sledding may be a fun rite of winter, it does send thousands of children and teens to emergency rooms every year. Injuries range from the serious, like head injuries, to the more common cuts, bumps, and bruises.

Check out the following tips to make your next sledding adventure as safe as it is fun.

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Location, Location, Location!

Choose a hill that does not end in a parking lot, to avoid colliding with cars or light poles, or a pond, which may not be solidly frozen enough. Likewise, make sure the sledding hill is free of rocks, trees, or poles that could injure riders. Ride during daylight or else choose a slope that is well-illuminated at night. Again, you want to make sure any potential obstacles or dangers are visible.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M

How to Sled Teach your kids to ride down the middle of the hill and return to the top by walking up the sides. This avoids collisions between those riding down the hill and those walking back up. Ride one at a time, unless your kids are younger than 5 years or so. In that case, it is best for the littlest riders to be accompanied by a parent. Sit feet first and discourage any sledding while standing up or going face first.

The latter method greatly increases the risk of head or neck injury. The safest type of sled can be steered by hand and includes brakes to come to a safe stop. Try to avoid substitute sleds like lunch trays or cardboard boxes. Kids should be coached in how to fall off the sled to avoid a crash. If the sled is going too fast or a collision seems imminent, teach children to roll off the sled and let it go.

Reminders for the Adults Always supervise your kids. In case someone does get injured, you will be there to give first aid or take the injured party to a doctor. Never pull a sled behind a motorized vehicle such as a car or ATV. Speed and being on a trail or roadway are dangerous combinations. Finally, don’t forget to have fun. Sledding is a terrific way to celebrate winter and enjoy the outdoors. Plus, most sledding parties like to conclude the outing with hot chocolate--yum! If you keep these sledding safety tips in mind, then you and your family will have a frosty good time.

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Discovery Box

by Andrea Willingham, the UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History

Animal Abodes T

ake a look around the place where you live. You might have a place where you sleep, somewhere you like to play or relax, somewhere you eat, and somewhere you study. The places we call home serve many different functions and can take many different forms.

Just like us, animals make special homes for themselves. Let’s take a look at some of Oregon’s most unique animal abodes.

Beaver Oregon’s state animal, the beaver, makes its home along rivers and waterways. Beavers build dams across ponds and streams to control the flow of the water, and then they construct a large dome out of sticks (called a “lodge”) in the middle of the water, where they live. To keep predators and unwanted visitors out, they cleverly put the entrance to their lodge underwater, so only they can find their way in. Beavers’ dams actually create

important habitat for many other species, like juvenile salmon, migratory birds, and small rodents. Their homes help create more homes for other animals.

Western Meadowlark Oregon’s state bird is the Western M e a d o w l a r k . C a n yo u g u e s s w h e re Meadowlarks make their homes? If you said meadows, you’re right! The Western Meadowlark likes to live in open fields and meadowlands, avoiding thick forests and wooded areas. Although you often hear about birds nesting in trees, the meadowlark builds nests on the ground, weaving grassy bowls for laying eggs. Some even weave together grasses and shrubs to create a little hood or umbrella over the nest to protect their eggs from the rain.

Mountain Lion Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, make their homes all across Oregon in many different habitats (not just mountains!)—deserts, valleys, and dense forests alike. Unlike beavers or birds, they don’t create lodges or nests. Instead, they find shelter under low tree boughs or in small caves, dens, or rocky areas within their territory, which is usually about 100 square miles.

Pacific Treefrogs We’ve looked at where some birds and mammals live—but what about amphibians?

Pacific treefrogs are the most common frog species in Oregon, and they make their homes

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in ponds, forests, and wetlands. They breed in shallow water so their tadpoles will have somewhere to swim once they hatch. During the dry season they shelter in damp, shady areas or in the burrows of other animals where it’s cool and moist.

Home is where you make it As you can see, animals create a wide variety of homes for themselves. Some build elaborate shelters and stay in one place for a long time, while others roam across miles and miles, making taking shelter in various places along the way. Some change where they live seasonally, and others tough it out through the whole year.

Next time you see a wild animal, consider where it makes its home. Do you think it lives nearby, or is it out looking for food?

Perhaps you’re in its neighborhood! Try to be a good neighbor and give it space. Observe its behavior, and see what you can learn.

Explore from Home Families with preschoolers can join us starting on December 18 to learn more about animal homes through Little Wonders Online (https://mnch.uoregon.edu/virtuallittle-wonders). You’ll get to look at different kinds of animal dwellings and create your own animal house! Be sure to check out our other Explore from Home web pages as well. They’re filled with activities for kids of all ages, in both Spanish and English, at https://mnch. uoregon.edu/explorefromhome.

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for seniors and COVID-vulnerable visitors, and 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. for everyone. Stay tuned to our website (mnch.uoregon.edu) and follow us on social media for the latest on our winter lineup of virtual events.

MOVIE TIME for Stay-at-Home Streaming!

by Bonnie L. Harris

Letting Go of Love Pearl Studio Rated: PG Streaming on Netflix

A

lthough I love Pixar, Blue Sky, and Disney Studios, t h e re ’s a fo r m i d a b l e n e w animation company called Pearl Studio that’s producing some remarkable new films. With the backing of Dreamworks Animation, Pearl Studio gave us Abominable in 2019 and their new feature, Over the Moon, is nothing shor t of exceptional. With top-notch animation, a soundtrack I must add to my playlist, and energetic characters that practically jump

off the screen, Over the Moon, is both heartfelt and thrilling.

But at its core, it’s a story of devastating loss and how a teenager named Fei Fei overcomes her fear of change.

In a small Chinese village, Fei Fei and her parents celebrate the annual Moon Festival with their extended family by telling moon Goddess stories, making moon cakes, and sharing dinner. After Fei Fei’s mother dies, the family continues the Moon Festival traditions until one day, Fei Fei’s father brings a new woman and her son, Chin, to dinner. Fei Fei feels betrayed so she decides

Bungee & Fei Fei make a plan. to build a rocket to go to the moon to prove that the Goddess still faithfully waits for her lost

partner. She believes this proof with cause her father to change his mind and not remarry. Fei

Fei’s plan seems to work, but Chin stows away on the rocket and when they arrive on the moon, the Goddess isn’t at all what Fei Fei expected.

She demands a mysterious gift that leads Fei Fei and Chin on the ride of their lives. With the help of some quirky unexpected friends, Fei Fei finds the gift and convinces the Goddess to let go of her lost love, which in turn, helps Fei Fei do the same with her mother. It’s a wonderfully imaginative story that teaches a priceless life lesson. Be sure to keep the tissues handy.

FOR THE PARENTS Survival Lessons Love and Monsters Paramount Pictures, Rated: PG-13 Streaming on Amazon

T

he world turns upside down, people are separated into colonies, fear keeps them locked down, terrors lurk around every corner!

Does that sound like 2020 or what? Not to make light of the pandemic, but the off-beat new feature, Love and Monsters, has plenty of parallels with what we’re enduring. It’s an entertaining, goofy coming-of-age film about a young man searching for his lost girlfriend in a world ruled by genetically altered insects

about giant slugs, killer centipedes, and voracious Sand-Gobblers. Even the stray dog and animals. The film doesn’t take itself too named Boy, who often rescues our clumsy seriously, but at the same time, the characters hero, Joel, seems genuinely devoted to the have remarkable emotional depth for a story quest. Joel finds his girlfriend after an 85-mile trek and some tough survival lessons, but she’s responsible for a colony of older people who’ve allowed suspicious new arrivals into their safe zone. Joel must decide to help them or return to his own colony, which he finally realizes is his new family. The ending fits the zany story, and although it’s far-fetched, we cheer Joel’s newfound courage and conviction. Pass the popcorn Advice from Mavis. and enjoy!

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RESCUE SPOTLIGHT T

he Cat Rescue & A d o p t i o n Ne t wo r k presents Pepito, a super sweet, active, and playful young man who is only 3 years old. This sleek, white boy has good looks, loves to hug and cuddle, enjoys vocalizing, and has great personal hygiene. He’s been checked out by our vet and is very healthy, but does need to stay on a urinarytract-health prescription diet for his lifetime. Pepito gets along great with gentle kids, other friendly cats (especially kittens!) and is OK with mellow dogs. He is looking forward to a forever home where he will be your loving companion and make you the center of his world!

He is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, defleaed/dewormed, and is negative for Felv & FIV. His adoption fee is $100. To meet Pepito, please call 541-225-4955 option 1 or send an email to adoptinfo@CatRescues.org

Meet Daisy Mae! This active 6-year-old mixed breed is looking to join a family who can take her on lots of adventures! She has a high energy level and would and happiest with long, daily walks and lots of ball throws for fun and exercise.

She is VERY smart and eager to please! She is looking for a companion who will continue giving her positive reinforcement training and work on basic manners.

Daisy Mae should go to a dog and cat free home. She will probably be fine with kids, as long as they can respect her space and things. She has red and white fur and weighs between 45-50 lbs.

She is up to date on vaccinations, microchipped and spayed. Daisy Mae has a lot of love to give and can’t wait to find her person!

If you are interested in adopting a dog, or would like to learn more about adding a dog to your family, please call Greenhill Humane Society. Greenhill Humane Society is open for adoptions by appointment seven days a week, 11 am – 6 pm at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. For more information call (541) 689.1503 or visit www.green-hill.org.

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We know it’s tough that we all need to do our part and keep wearing masks.

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