2015 Holiday Gift Guide

2015

iris

holiday gift guide

Keep poinsettias great through the holidays

Save energy with holiday decorations

Holiday living made easy

2015

features

contents

Make holiday decorating easier this year .......................................2 Christmas tree varieties and care ............5 Hold on to wrapping supplies ..................5 Keep Poinsettias looking great through the holidays ...............................7 The man behind the beard ......................7

about iris

Things to consider when hosting for the holidays...........................8 Make a child’s first holiday special .......................................8

Publisher Jack Osteen jack@theitem.com

Save energy with holiday decorations ................................9

Sales Manager Waverly Williams waverly@theitem.com

Holiday living made easy ......................10 Give your Christmas a country feel .......................................10

Sales Staff Mark Pekuri mark@theitem.com

Holidays potentially hazardous to pets .................................11 A gift of epiphany for Three King’s Day ...................................11

Karen Cave karen@theitem.com

Traditions behind holiday gifts ...............12

Paige Macloskie paige@theitem.com

Holiday travel tips .................................12

Gail Mathis gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com Layout and Design Ryan Galloway ryan@theitem.com

Cary J. Howard cary@theitem.com Leigh N. Mitchell leigh@theitem.com Rosie Peavy rosie@theitem.com Megan Ray megan@theitem.com Katie Shaw katie@theitem.com The Sumter Item Osteen Publishing Co. 20 N. Magnolia Street Sumter, SC 29150 www.theitem.com

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Christmas tunes spread holiday spirit.........................................15 How to avoid the holiday shopping rush ......................................15

Eddie Hodges eddie@theitem.com

2

Hanging stockings with care..................14

2015

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Make holiday decorating easier this year I

t is not the holiday season until homes, stores and town centers are decorated in lights and tinsel. When entire neighborhoods are enhanced by bows and animated figurines, the celebratory tone is set and decorations can trigger happy feelings associated with holiday gatherings.

Some people find holiday decorating enjoyable and eagerly anticipate taking out storage containers and sorting through all of their memory-laden trinkets, while others are less enthusiastic about readying their homes for the season. No matter which group you fall into, the following are some simple tips to make holiday decorating easier.

• Plan to decorate on a day when you do not have any other responsibilities. Choose to decorate on a day when you can devote your full attention to decorating, avoiding a day when you might be distracted by other things. If you prefer to decorate alone, ask a friend to watch the kids or have a spouse take them out of the house for a few hours.

If decorating is a family event, find a day when everyone’s schedules are clear.

• Take out the decorations the day prior. Hauling boxes and containers from the attic or basement can take a while. Take some time to move all of the decorating items to a main floor of the house the day or night before your decorating marathon. This way you won’t get discouraged or tired by the task even before the real decorating has begun.

• Put the tree up first. The Christmas tree is the a focal point of holiday decorations, so set up the tree and decorate it before you get started on decorating the rest of the house. If you do not get to all of your

other decorating, at least y and the tree will be ready your home will still have peal. some holiday appeal.

Once the lights are on, decorating the tree is a great activity for usy keeping the kids busy her while you handle other jobs. uer.

• Divide and conquer.

Nothing makes holiday decorating go ng faster than delegating s. decorating tasks. ks Assign specific tasks ut to your helpers. Put one person in chargee of decorating thee living room whilee another handles the outside lights, wreaths and inflatable items. s. Working to music frequently • Turn on the tunes. takes your mind off of the work and will help pass the time more quickly. Have your favorite holiday playlist at the ready and turn up the volume. Sing along to the carols or contemporary songs while you are elbow-deep in decorations.

• Take some breaks. Working hungry or tired may lead to sloppy work or frustration. There’s little chance of untangling a knot in the lights with your

patience in tact if you haven’t eaten for hours. Plan some time for lunch while you sit and rest. Survey the work you’ve done and make a list of the next steps.

After the hard work of decorating, you’ll likely have a sense of accomplishment. Now it’s time to enjoy the holiday scene and prepare for the excitement of the weeks ahead.

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Christmas tree varieties and care A

n evergreen tree decked out in lights and ornaments is one of the universal symbols of the holiday season.

The Christmas tree tradition is believed to have originated in Germany in the 15th or 16th centuries, when trees were decorated with edibles, such as nuts and fruits.

They were later decorated with candles and eventually lights.

Through the centuries, people have trekked to forests, Christmas tree farms and commercial lots to pick the perfect trees for their holiday displays. The National Christmas Tree Association says more than 33 million real trees are purchased each year, making the tree business a billion-dollar industry. While there are scores of evergreen varieties, certain tree types are more popular than others and thus more available for purchase. The following are some of the more popular trees come Christmastime.

Eastern Redcedar: Branches of the tree are compact and form a pyramid-shaped crown.

The trees should be a dark, shiny green color.

The eastern redcedar is not a true cedar tree, but a member of the juniper family. This tree can make a great cut tree with a homespun look and a pungent fragrance.

Leyland Cypress: This cypress is one of the more popular Christmas trees in the southeastern United States. The tree will be very dark green to almost gray in color.

It has little aroma. Some people choose the Leyland because it does not produce sap, which is great for those with sap allergies.

Colorado Blue Spruce: An attractive blue-green foliage and a good symmetrical form is what attracts many people to the blue spruce. The Colorado Blue Spruce has an excellent natural

shape and requires little pruning to look like the perfect Christmas tree.

It’s not very fragrant, but the tree needles may give off an unpleasant odor when crushed.

Scotch Pine: A classic conical shape and very good needle retention help make the Scotch pine a popular tree to cut for the holidays.

Scotch pines also are quite prevalent thanks to the tree’s adaptability to a wide range of climates.

Eastern White Pine: A delicate green color and long needles are found on this tree. Another popular pine, the rich fragrance of the white pine may make it preferable to those who like their homes to smell of evergreen.

Douglas Fir: The Douglas fir is one of the foremost Christmas tree species in the United States. It has soft needles that are dark green in color. Those needles radiate in all directions from the branches to give the tree a full look. The needles, when crushed, have a sweet fragrance. Douglas firs tend to live long when cut.

Fraser Fir: Another popular fir for Christmas is the Fraser fir. The needles are bicolored, with dark green on top and silver on the bottom.

More fragrant than its cousin, the Douglas, the Fraser also boasts a slender profile, which makes it suitable for smaller rooms.

Christmas tree maintenance

Nothing can guarantee the health and appearance of a tree after it is brought into a home. But choosing a recently cut tree that has good needle retention can help. Here are other tips for a long-lasting tree.

• Use a sharp saw to cut an inch off of the trunk base to remove the sappy covering that forms from cutting. This will improve water intake.

• Fill a tree stand reservoir with warm water. Expect the tree to drink heavily in the beginning.

• Keep the reservoir filled every day and check to see how much water the tree is using.

• Place the tree far from heaters or other drying sources.

Hold on to wrapping supplies

I

n addition to the billions of dollars shoppers spend each year on holiday gifts, quite a lot of money is spent on the bags, boxes and paper used to wrap those gifts. Unity Marketing says the average person spends between $70 and $100 on wrapping supplies during the holiday season. While it is nice to add some new items to the wrapping mix each year, collecting and conserving bags and tissue is a wise and eco-friendly, cost-saving measure. For those hosting the holidays this year, set up two storage bins in the room where you and your loved ones will be unwrapping presents. One bin can be used to collect clothing boxes that are in good shape, while the other can be used to organize gift bags and bows. Encourage guests to take some of the used wrapping paper to use again next year.

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Keep poinsettias looking great through the holidays A

long with the fragrant evergreens and twinkling lights synonymous with the holiday season, poinsettias make up a key component of holiday decorating.

Unlike holly and some of the other greenery that is commonly associated with the holidays, poinsettias do not naturally thrive in the colder temperatures. These plants originate in southern Mexico and were considered an exotic plant when first introduced to the United States

by Joel Robert Poinsett, the first American ambassador to Mexico.

Poinsettias can be fickle plants and ones that gardening novices may find challenging to maintain. The plants are comprised of green foliage, colorful (often red) flower bracts, and the actual flowers of the plants, which are the red or green buttonlike parts nestled in the center of the bracts.

Because they are a tropical plant, poinsettias can be damaged by exposure to low temperatures, even if they are only exposed for short periods of time. They should be wrapped and protected against the elements when brought home. For maximum plant life, poinsettias need to be placed near a warm, sunny window, or another area that has ample amounts of light. They thrive in temperatures between 60 and 75 F and should be kept away from warm or cold drafts.

Water the plant whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. Water

until it drains out the bottom, but don’t let the plant sit in water. Overor under-watering can cause leaves to drop prematurely and wilt. If your home lacks in humidity, you may need to water the plant more frequently. Poinsettias do not need to be fertilized while the plant is in bloom.

The Ohio State University Extension says poinsettias can be reflowered the following Christmas, but unless a yearlong schedule of care is observed, the results usually are not good. You can speak with a gardening expert or consult online resources for the proper care schedule. Caring for a poinsettia year-round involves gradually drying out the plant and storing it in a cool location. The plant later will be moved outdoors and then back inside and pruned to keep a full shape.

Poinsettias are short-day plants, which means they flower about 10 weeks after the daylight shortens to about 12 hours or less. Therefore, to have the plant in full flower by Christmas, it will have to be kept in complete darkness between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. from the first part of October until Thanksgiving. Many people find the affordability of poinsettias makes it more convenient to buy new ones each year than try to foster regrowth.

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous to humans or animals, but they should not be ingested due to the potential for allergic reactions. Poinsettias can help remove pollutants from indoor air, which is advantageous during the winter months when doors and windows are typically kept closed.

Select plants that have dark green foliage and no low or damaged leaves. This ensures the best success for keeping poinsettias looking healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season.

The man behind the beard E

very Christmas Eve, children go to bed eagerly anticipating a visit from Santa Claus. This merry gentleman is purported to visit the home of every good girl and boy, delivering gifts and cheer along the way.

Before the modern evolution of Santa Claus lived a very real and generous individual named Nicholas. In the third century, Nicholas served as the Bishop of Myrna in present-day Turkey. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, believing that giving should be done secretly and sacrificially in Jesus Christ’s name rather than one’s own.

Stories tell of Nicholas paying the dowry for poor daughters to enable them to get married. He reportedly put coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him. It is believed Nicholas helped to restore the hope of hundreds of people in his community, making him a beloved and revered Bishop. Throughout his ministry, Nicholas fervently shared his life and fortune with others.

Nicholas continued to be revered and commemorated by many Christians even after his death. His charity and unselfish works helped inspire generations of the faithful, and he eventually was named the patron saint of everyone from merchants to sailors to pawnbrokers.

No one really knows what St. Nicholas looked like. But in 2005, a forensic laboratory in England reviewed historical data and photographs of the remains taken from St. Nicholas’ grave in the 1950s. Researchers concluded that he was a small man, perhaps no

more than five feet in height, with a broken nose.

This image certainly does not fit with the robust frame and other imagery awarded St. Nicholas in more modern years. St. Nicholas is believed to be the inspiration for Santa Claus, which was a name taken from the Dutch Sinterklaas, a contracted form of Sint Nicolass, or St. Nicholas.

Tales of the real St. Nicholas’ giving spirit were blended with a fictional personification by New Yorkbased newspaper writers who blended the St. Nicholas name with the appearance of a Dutch town citizen. The goal was to reach out to the primarily Dutch immigrants living in New York at the time. This jolly elf image was given a boost by the publication of “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” which was published around the same time.

Eventually, the merry Santa Claus portrayal began to outshine the more accurate St. Nicholas version as a religious man, fostered by political drawings and caricatures that depicted Santa as a chubby sort in a red suit. That image prevails to this day.

Beneath the Christmas symbolism, the beard and the presents associated with Santa Claus lies a tale of generosity that originated with St. Nicholas.

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Things to consider when hosting for the holidays

H

oliday hosts have a lot on their plates. The work of holiday hosting does not begin when the first guest arrives. It starts weeks before, when homeowners begin preparing their homes for overnight guests.

Because the holiday season can be so busy, it’s easy for hosts to overlook certain things as the day their first guests are set to arrive draws nearer.

But the following are a few things hosts should consider in the weeks before their guests show up.

Accommodations It’s hard to overlook accommodations when hosting for the holidays, but it’s best to inspect linens and other items that might go largely unused throughout much of the year. Check foldout couches or air mattresses a few weeks before your guests are slated to arrive. This gives you ample time to address any issues and also allows you to comparison shop and find great deals on any items you need to replace. Hosts who are parents to young children may want to discuss sleeping arrangements before guests arrive if kids will be asked to sleep in different beds. Kids might embrace the change, while others might be less enthusiastic. If younger cousins will be staying over, let kids choose their new roommates, which might make them more excited about sharing rooms with their guests. Explaining the situation in advance gives youngsters time to ready themselves for their temporary move.

Diets Ask guests before they arrive if they have any particular food allergies or items they need to avoid because of any medications they might be taking. This

is especially important for youngsters, who may forget to avoid homemade cookies with nuts despite having nut allergies. By asking in advance if your guests have any food allergies or foods and ingredients they must avoid, you will know to avoid serving particular dishes so no one accidentally eats foods that might make them sick and you can prepare alternative dishes for people who must avoid certain foods.

Activities If guests will be staying for several nights, explore a few local activities so everyone can get out of the house for a night or two. Time spent with family is one of the best parts of the holiday season, but spending all of that time inside in cramped quarters can grow uncomfortable over time. Plan a family night or two out that everyone can enjoy.

Pets When hosting for the holidays, let your guests know if you have any pets.

Some people have dog and cat allergies, and those allergies may make it difficult for them to enjoy their stay. Others’ allergies might be so severe that they have to find alternative lodging. Let guests know about your pets when you invite them to stay at your house so no one is surprised at the last minute.

In addition, let guests know if they can bring their own pets along to your house.

Hosting for the holidays is a great way to welcome loved ones into your home. Considering and discussing a few factors before your guests arrive can ensure everyone enjoys their stay.

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Make a child’s first holiday special A baby’s life is filled with milestones. First smiles, first steps and first words are just a few of the moments parents will treasure.

A baby’s first holiday season is another special time to cherish. Shoppers seeking gifts to make a baby’s first holiday special have many clever, cute and functional items to choose from. Several of these gifts can become keepsakes to be tucked into memory boxes for growing kids to look at later in life.

• Christmas pajamas: What better way to await for the arrival of Christmas than in a pair of snuggly pajamas? Send pajamas ahead of Christmas Day so that new parents will have plenty of adorable photo opportunities as their baby boy or girl tears open the gifts. Stores stock several different fun and festive prints, or look into pajamas that can be personalized.

• Photo print package: Photography packages can involve the entire expanding family and will catalog special moments in time. Purchase studio or on-location time with a private photographer, or use one of the popular photography chains found in malls and department stores.

• Personalized framed print: Commemorate the first holiday season with your child by getting a print made with his or her name and age. Leave a space on the print so that the child’s parents can customize it even further with their son or daughter’s footprints.

Include a matted frame and child-safe ink or paint to complete the gift.

• Keepsake ornament: Some families embrace the tradition of adding a new ornament to their Christmas trees each year. Purchase an ornament for the new baby with the year so he or she can join in the tradition.

• Crochet or knit blanket: Crafty individuals can make a blanket that the newest addition to the family can enjoy during the chilly days of winter.

These blankets often become treasured keepsakes that may be passed down throughout the family or kept tucked away for kids so they can give them to their own children once they start their own families.

• Rocking horse: Babies don’t wait long before they start to run around and climb. A classic rocking horse makes for a fun baby gift, and rocking horses come in many different styles. If you are the family carpenter, you can even purchase some unfinished wood from a craft store and then make this into a homemade gift your favorite little guy or gal will always cherish.

• Piggy bank: Foster good saving habits by gifting a personalized piggy bank. Get kids off on the right foot by depositing a few dollars into the bank before giving the gift.

A new baby brings many changes and fun experiences. Gift-givers can make a baby’s first holiday season one filled with joy and whimsy with creative gift ideas.

Save energy with holiday decorations T

he holiday season allows people to transform their homes into wonderlands of lights, garlands and poinsettias. Each family has its own holiday traditions, and decorations are a part of many of those traditions.

Decorations might be awe-inspiring, but those that include lights often lead to substantially higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are ways for homeowners, whether they prefer subtle displays or more over-thetop arrangements, to save money and still celebrate the holiday season in style.

Switch to more efficient lights. A great way to ensure holiday displays consume less energy is to change the bulbs being strung. Incandescent lights can use 80 to 90 percent more energy than LED lights. Gradually replace older light strands with newer, energy-efficient LEDs.

Not only do LEDs require less energy, but they also can last longer than incandescent bulbs, meaning you won’t have to replace them as frequently as more traditional bulbs. Furthermore, lower wattage usage means you can attach more strands of lights together safely.

Use timers. Timers can be set to turn lights on and off at specific times, ensuring lights aren’t turning on during the daytime or being left on into the night by forgetful homeowners. Timers also are a good safety precaution. A dark house that is normally lit up can advertise to thieves that no one is home. When lights turn on with a timer, it will create the illusion that it is business as usual in your residence.

Use homemade decorations. You also can save energy and money by recycling materials into holiday décor. Trim branches from trees and use them in vases

Let us Personalize your C hristmas Gifts for Everyone !

for an instant wintry look. Prune an evergreen on your property and make your own wreath with some wire and twine. Shop yard sales for gently used decorations that still have years of utility left. Sew ornaments from scraps of fabric or clothing that no longer fits. Each of these ideas reduces reliance on manufactured decorations that consume energy during production and fuel while being transported from factories to store shelves.

Rely on extension cords. You can extend the length of displays without using more lights by spacing out light strands with extension cords. Intersperse spotlights to add attention to key elements of your display as well.

Turn off interior lights. If a Christmas tree is illuminating a front window, turn off the lights in your home, as the tree may provide enough light to make a living room or den extra cozy.

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Holiday living made easy W

ith so much on our plates between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the holiday season can be hectic. Fortunately, there are many ways to save time and make the holiday season more manageable.

• If you don’t have plastic clips to hang lights around windows and to the eaves of your home, inexpensive clothespins will work just as well. If you’re concerned about the color of the wooden clips, paint them holiday hues before stringing the lights.

• Put a bath mat, rug-side down and rubber-side up, beneath your Christmas tree stand. This allows you to spin the tree as you hang lights and ornaments without damaging the floor underneath. It also makes it simple to undress the tree once the season is over. Use a tree skirt to hide the mat.

• Squeeze artificial tree portions into concrete form tubes. First wrap the tree portions in twine and then slip them into the concrete sleeves. Each tube can be stowed in attic or garage rafters, freeing up precious space.

• Use empty squirt bottles to make baking and cooking easier. Pancake and cookie batters can be squirted from the containers for less mess.

• Store one or two strings of lights in a plastic shopping bag to keep the strands from getting tangled.

Hang the bags from a hook in a garage or stack them in a storage bin.

• Use plastic zip ties to attach garland and lights

to bannisters. They’re easy to assemble and will not damage the bannisters.

• A paper towel holder can be screwed to the wall in a craft room to neatly hold spools of ribbon. Simply pull the length you need from the spool and cut for easy decorating.

• Mount a tree stand to a piece of wood with screws or glue. This prevents spills from reaching the floor while stabilizing the tree.

• Old maps make interesting gift wrap and are a nice change of pace from commercially produced paper or newsprint.

• Wrap duct tape or another type of sticky tape around your hand. Pat over fallen pine needles that accumulate around the tree. In hard-to-reach areas, wrap the tape around a broom or a floor sweeper.

• When traveling for the holidays, use a brightly colored suitcase or flashy tape to make your suitcase stand out from others at the airport.

• Place hardened brown sugar in a baking dish, cover it with a moist paper towel and either microwave it on high for 20-second intervals or place it in a 300 F oven for five minutes. This will soften the sugar, making it easier to use the sugar to prepare your favorite holiday cookie recipes.

• Save plastic bread ties, which can be used to make tags for the wires on certain devices. Such ties also can be used to organize decorating components and to

keep your place on a roll of tape.

• Measure the inside of your picture window and construct a wooden frame to its dimensions. Staple holiday lights to the frame and then easily slip the frame in and out of place each year.

• Hang a live wreath or some boughs of evergreen in your home to give it that fresh pine scent if you have an artificial tree.

• Color-code storage containers so you can easily find holiday decorations in the attic or basement.

• Pack for a holiday excursion using a collapsible clothing storage hanger for closets. Fold clothes on each fabric shelf and then collapse it into your suitcase.

When you get to your destination, unfold and hang it in a closet so all of your clothes will be at the ready.

Make the holidays even more enjoyable with a variety of timesavers and clever tips.

Give your Christmas a country feel

C

hristmas decorations can range from grandiose lighting displays to more subtle adornments. Some families may prefer more traditional holiday decor, while others might like the look of modern trimmings.

Holiday decorations can also be used to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a certain type of locale, giving a home a holiday in the city vibe or a more rustic feel. For those who prefer a rustic look reminiscent of a country Christmas, consider the following tips. * Start with the tree. The Christmas tree is the center of many a home’s holiday decor, and those who want to create a country Christmas can start with their tree. Instead of traditional holiday lights, choose lights that look like candles while adorning the tree with wooden ornaments and strands of popcorn. * Forgo traditional wrapping paper. Instead of flashy, storebought wrapping paper, wrap presents in brown paper and put presents under the tree as early as possible. Instead of storebought gift tags, create your own and attach a candy cane or another candy to the gift. * Think nature with decorations. Items gathered from nature

can give a home a rustic appeal during the holidays. Hang a homemade wreath on the front door and include pine cones and clippings from evergreen trees when adding decorative accents around the house. Tuck a few decorative woven baskets in corners to further emphasize a rustic look. * Create homemade ornaments. Homemade ornaments can also give a home a more rustic look come the holiday season.

Spend an afternoon creating holiday crafts with the kids and use these instead of store-bought ornaments. For those who are especially gifted craftsmen, put your woodworking skills to the test to create decorative wooden stockings that, if not functional, can be replaced with more traditional stockings come Christmas Eve. * Don’t forget the music. Another way to create a country Christmas is to play country Christmas albums instead of classical or more traditional Christmas records. Nearly every country music star of the past and present has recorded a Christmas song or album, so create a master playlist of country Christmas songs on your digital music player and play it throughout the season to set the holiday mood in your household.

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Holidays potentially hazardous to pets T

he holiday season is full of joy. But in the midst of decorating and socializing, pet owners may overlook the needs of their pets. Hectic schedules and homes full of unusual décor can throw pets off-kilter.

No pet owner wants their pet to feel uncomfortable or suffer any injuries, so it’s important that owners exercise caution with the following items come the holiday season.

• Bones: Is turkey on the menu for the family feast? If so, resist the urge to toss some bones and scraps to dogs or cats. Small bones or bone chips can become lodged in the digestive tracts of pets and cause serious injury. If you want to provide your pet with a holiday treat, choose a safer, storebought bone.

• Aromatic oils: The holidays are not the same without the familiar scent of mint, cinnamon or pine. Some people resort to scented candles or aromatherapy oils to create the perfect holiday ambiance. But some synthetic aromas or even natural extracts can be toxic to cats and dogs. Stick to nontoxic items and keep them well out of the pet’s reach.

• Chocolate and other sweets: An abundance of treats seems to be par for the course during the holiday season.

Dogs should avoid all chocolate, but dark chocolate poses a particularly serious threat. Chocolate can cause agitation, elevated heart rate, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and even death. In addition, candy or cookies sweetened with the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure for dogs.

• Pine needles and trees: When ingested, pine needles can puncture the intestines of pets. In search of an easy drink, dogs and cats may be drawn to the fresh water reservoir of live trees, increasing the likelihood that they knock over a

Christmas tree, injuring themselves and causing damage around the house. Trees should be properly secured, and fallen needles should be promptly discarded.

• Tinsel and decorations: Skip the tinsel if you have a cat. Felines are likely to mistake tinsel for a toy. Eating tinsel can cause severe damage to a cat’s intestinal tract, as it may get caught in the stomach while the rest of it continues to pass through the intestines. Tinsel also may wrap around the tongue, increasing the cat’s risk of choking. Ornaments also are tempting playthings.

Cats may pounce on glass ornaments, breaking them and suffering injury. Keep pets in mind when selecting tree ornaments, and opt for unbreakable ornaments when possible.

• Electrical cords: The American Animal Hospital Association says holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew.

Secure all cords and keep them out of reach of pets.

• Candles: The subtle flicker of a lit candle can add ambiance to a space. But all it takes is the swish of a tail or the pat of a paw to knock over a candle and spark a fire. Never leave lit candles unattended. If you have boisterous pets, opt for LED simulated candles instead.

• Alcohol: Spirits are sometimes a part of celebrations, but alcoholic beverages should be kept out of reach of pets. Alcohol suppresses the immune system, and it can result in significant health issues for pets who consume it.

The holiday season is a time for celebration. Ensure that these festivities are as safe for pets as they are enjoyable.

A gift epiphany for Three King’s Day

A

lthough many people are ready to take down their trees and pack away their holiday decorations once December 25 has come and gone, millions of people wait to remove such decorations until the Epiphany, which occurs on January 6 each year.

The Epiphany, also referred to as Three Kings’ Day, celebrates the day the Three Magi visited the baby Jesus and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Although any Christian can celebrate the Epiphany, the holiday is most embraced by the Hispanic community in the United States and in Spanishspeaking countries. In Latin America, for example, many children receive gifts on Three Kings’ Day, rather than Christmas.

Certain traditions are essential to Three Kings’ Day. In the week

preceding, children may write letters requesting gifts they would like, especially if they have behaved well over the last 12 months. Children also are urged to share how they intend to improve their behavior or practice good deeds to others in the upcoming year.

Figurines of the three wise men are placed in nativity scenes on January 5, and children may leave out grass or other food to feed the animals of the magi, particularly the camels.

Those visiting another person’s home on Three Kings’ Day may want to bring the gift of a “King’s Ring,” also known as a Rosca de Reyes. This is a sweet bread shaped like a wreath that is adorned with candied fruit. A figurine of baby Jesus may be baked inside.

Tradition states the person who finds the figurine is expected to host a party on Candlemas on February 2.

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T

he holiday season is a time to celebrate with friends and family. Several holidays are celebrated in this relatively short time period, making this one of the most festive times of the year.

Many holiday celebrations focus on the exchange of presents, which may be exchanged with relatives, friends and even coworkers. But are you familiar with the origins of exchanging gifts?

Gift exchanges trace their origins to both religious and secular traditions, each of which has helped shape the holidays into what they are today.

Christmas

People exchange gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day all over the world. For Christians, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe was a gift from the Creator.

From a religious standpoint, gifting others around Christmastime can be traced back to the stories of the Three Kings (also referred to as the “Three Wise Men”) who visited Jesus after his birth. Frankincense, a fragrance involved in worship; gold; and myrrh, an incense associated with funerals, was presented. Another giver of gifts is part of many Christmas celebrations. St. Nicholas, a fourth century saint, is a beloved figure across the globe who has a reputation for giving gifts in secret and helping the needy. The figure of “Santa Claus” is based on St. Nicholas, and the blending of the two has evolved as history has mixed with folklore and personal traditions.

Hanukkah Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The word “hanukkah” actually means “dedication” in Hebrew.

Traditionally, gelt, or money, was given as a

Hanukkah gift. Many Hanukkah gift givers aim to give gifts that are thoughtful and sweet. Money is not exchanged as much today, with other gifts taking its place.

Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is an American holiday that pays homage to traditions and cultural influences from Africa. The holiday was developed in 1966 by Maulana Ndabezitha Karenga. The focus of Kwanzaa is on family and the harvest as well as certain principles, such as unity and faith.

Gifts make up one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa celebrations.

However, gift-sharing is not the central part of this s p e c i a l holiday. Gifts are symbolic of the labor and love of parents a n d the commitments made and kept b y their children.

Gifts are exchanged in abundance this time of year.

The traditions behind the giving of presents is farreaching and based in religious, secular and cultural traditions.

T

he holiday season is rife with tradition, and traveling to visit family and friends is a tradition shared by many people. Holiday travel can be hectic, as millions of people take to the airways, highways and railroads in the days before and after Christmas.

But travelers whose patience is annually tried by airport security checkpoints and holiday traffic jams can employ several strategies to make holiday travel more palatable.

Let apps do your legwork. Technology has made life easier in many ways, and smartphone apps can even help travelers make holiday travel less stressful. A free app such as FlightView provides smartphone and tablet users with real-time flight information and even provides travelers with flight status alerts. Travelers or men and women trusted with picking up family and friends at the airport can check gate assignments, delays and cancellations and even follow the flight’s progress while it’s in the air.

And it’s not just air travelers who can put their apps to work for them. Drivers who are on a budget can download the free GasBuddy app, which finds the cheapest gas in a given city or postal code. Traveling apps are quite popular, and many are free, saving travelers money while making holiday travel that much easier.

Bring along your own sustenance. Hunger

pangs are sure to arise during your holiday travels.

Airports and roadside truck stops are not exactly known for their healthy fare, so pack your own nourishing foods that can help you maintain your energy and stay healthy. Packing your own meals and snacks also saves you money and, if you’re driving, time.

Ship gifts. Shipping holiday gifts is another way to simplify holiday travel and save money. The lighter air travelers can pack, the more quickly they can make it through the airport. Shipping gifts saves you from paying excessive bag fees, and it also saves you the trouble of checking bags and waiting in baggage claim. Drivers also may benefit from shipping gifts, which can give everyone in the car more room to relax and also save the driver some money on gas.

Switch up your travel schedule. If possible, take an extra day or two off during the holidays so you aren’t forced to travel on the busiest travel days, which tend to be the days that immediately precede and follow the major holidays. If you must travel on busy holidays, hit the road or the friendly skies as early as possible. Book an early morning flight so you beat the crowds at security checkpoints or begin your drive an hour or so before sunrise when many of your fellow travelers are still asleep.

Travel is a holiday tradition for many people. While airports and highways are especially congested during the holiday season, there are many ways for travelers to make their trips less hectic this year.

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Hanging stockings with care M

antles adorned with garland and other holiday trinkets make fireplaces ccome om alive for Christmas. That magic m ag g is only enhanced by hanging Christmas C hr stockings, which are just waiting w ai to be filled with goodies for good g goo oo girls and boys. Those without a fire rreplace often hang stockings from windowsills w in and stairway banisters.

No written record exists to N eexplain exp xp the origin of hanging sstockings st t to on fireplace mantles.

Despite D es this, many people link the ttradition rad d to a tale about St. Nicholas.

Ass that story goes, St. Nicholas was A ttraveling r v rav through a village when he overheard the plight of three he women. w om They were poor, and their ffather ath h could not afford an ample dowry d ow to marry them off. Rather than tth ha have them end up spinsters, St. St S t. Nicholas N secretly tossed bags of ccoins oin n through a window (or down the tth he chimney, depending on which version v er of the story you read or hear), h he ea and they were captured in the

girls’ stockings hanging to dry by the fire. The family was overjoyed to have received such riches.

Soon news traveled about the mysterious money in stockings, and other children left out stockings for St. Nicholas to capture their own gifts.

The tradition has transformed over the years, and now many children hang stockings by the chimney with the expectation that the stockings will be filled with gifts from Santa. Traditions once suggested that only gifts from Santa were left in stockings, while gifts placed beneath the tree were from family, but that has since changed.

Stockings are now meant to hold small gifts while larger items are placed under the tree.

Stockings should be hung away from the flames of the fire as a safety precaution. Some children even like to hang individual stockings on their bedposts instead of on a fireplace mantle.

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Christmas tunes spread holiday spirit S

ome stores start stocking Christmas decorations and wrapping paper as early as the end of October, and some families begin decking their halls in holiday finery in late November. But for many people, the holiday season has not truly begun until the music synonymous with this festive time of year has hit the airwaves.

Few things can make a person feel as festive as the holiday songs they know and love. Many families have a favorite musical artist whose music they consider synonymous with their holiday celebrations. While families have their own unique holiday traditions, over time certain holiday songs have emerged as favorites.

These are the tunes you’re likely to hear played over and over on the radio. Billboard, which tracks the music industry’s most popular songs, compiled its own list of the most popular Christmas songs.

The list measures the volume of people who have been exposed to the song on the radio, and is based on ranking rather than exact figures of listeners, and the following are the 10 most popular songs based on those parameters.

10. “Happy Xmas (War is Over),” by John Lennon: This song debuted in 1971 and was written by Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono. Performed with the Harlem Community Choir, the song was originally a protest song about the Vietnam Warm before it eventually became a Christmas standard.

9. “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24),” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra: According to Nielsen, this instrumental mash-up of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells” is one of

the best-selling Christmas digital singles in SoundScan history.

A combination of full, classical orchestra and rock, “Christmas Eve” is a memorable and powerful piece of music.

8. “White Christmas,” by Bing Crosby: Crosby crooned this tune in 1942 in the movie of the same name, and Irving Berlin’s song soon became one of the most popular holiday tunes of all time. It has been covered innumerable times and has become a holiday season standard.

7. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” by Andy Williams: This popular Christmas song was written by Edward Pola and George Wyle in 1963. The song celebrates the traditions and feelings of the Christmas season.

6. “Feliz Navidad,” by Jose Feliciano: This Spanish-English pop song is recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers as one of the 25 most-played and recorded Christmas songs around the world. Puerto-Rican born Feliciano has said that the song has always been a bridge to the cultures that are so dear to him.

5. “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” by Burl Ives: This song was written by Johnny Marks, an American songwriter. Ironically, Marks was Jewish, but he specialized in Christmas songs and wrote many of the holiday standards people love, including this upbeat tune and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

4. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” by Nat King Cole: Believe it or not, this song was actually written in the summer when composers Bob Wells and Mel Torme were trying to cool off with winter imagery. Snow-covered images and phrases eventually turned into lyrics for this popular song that was most memorably recorded by Nat King Cole.

3. “Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms: This song has been performed by many, but Helms’ version of the is perhaps the best known. The song highlights the crossover style known as “rockabilly” and merges the classic “Jingle Bells” with rock n’ roll references of the 1950s.

2. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” by Brenda Lee: Brenda Lee was a chart-topping female vocalist of the 1960s who owes much of her success to this beloved holiday classic.

Despite the mature sound of her voice, Lee recorded this version when she was only 13 years old.

1. “All I Want for Christmas is You,” by Mariah Carey: This up-tempo love song has become a Christmas classic and one of Carey’s most popular hits. She cowrote and coproduced the song with Walter Afansieff. It is one of the few, modern, original Christmas songs to stand the test of time and become an official Christmas standard.

How to avoid the holiday shopping rush

H

oliday shopping can be both fun and hectic. While it’s fun to scour stores looking for can’t-miss gifts for your loved ones, shopping amongst the crowds also can prove hectic.

While online shopping has made department stores somewhat less crowded come the holiday season, the National Retail Federation notes that online shopping during the 2014 holiday season accounted for just one-sixth of all holiday shopping. The opportunity to see and feel potential gifts in person compels many people to do the majority of their holiday shopping in-store, and there are ways for such shoppers to avoid the holiday shopping rush as they begin their quests for the perfect gifts.

• Shop during off-peak hours. Weekends and weeknight evenings tend to be the busiest times to go holiday shopping. Professionals who have weekends off may put off their shopping during the week, choosing to do so on Saturday and Sunday afternoons when they have extra time to browse and comparison shop. Shopping offpeak hours, such as during weekday mornings or even early mornings on weekends, is a great way to avoid crowds. Parents of young children might want to take a morning or even a full day off of work to get their holiday shopping done so they can avoid shopping with their kids in tow. You can probably move around more quickly if you choose to shop while the kids are in school, and this also affords you time to find gifts

for the

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• Make a list. Knowing what you want to buy online can decrease the amount of time you spend wandering around malls and stores. The longer you linger without an idea of what to buy, the greater the chance you will be joined by fellow shoppers. If possible, call stores before you leave the house to confirm if they have certain items in stock, or buy items online from retailers who offer an in-store pickup option.

Checkout lines for in-store pickup items are often separated from more traditional checkout lines, further reducing your risk of waiting in long lines.

• Shop local businesses. Small local businesses may not boast the inventory of larger retailers you’re liable to encounter at the mall, but local small businesses tend to deal with thinner crowds than national stores during the holiday season. Items in such businesses may be more unique than items sold at nationwide retailers, and when you shop at smaller businesses, you likely won’t be forced to hunt for parking spots or wait on long checkout lines.

• Start shopping early. Crowds only grow bigger and more impatient between Black Friday and the final days before Christmas, so shoppers who can find the time to shop before the height of the shopping season might find parking lots and checkout lines more to their liking. In addition, shopping early affords shoppers more time to find the best deals.

The holiday shopping rush hits full swing in the weeks before Christmas Day, but there are many ways shoppers can get their shopping done and avoid the crowds at the same time.

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