Holiday Gifts and Lifestyle 2019

November 2019

A Special Supplement from

Beacon Communications

RhodyBeat

presents

Presents for the Planet

Eco-friendly gift options

Cozy Quarters Holiday hosting in small spaces

Avoid Hazards

Keep safety in mind when decorating for the holidays View this section online @ www.rhodybeat.com

Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 2

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Keep safety in mind when decorating for the holidays

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Decorate with a nose toward inviting holiday aromas

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Christmas tree tips and tricks

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Prepare the fireplace for holiday decorating

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Information to include on holiday party invitations

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Holiday hosting in small spaces

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How to simplify holiday hosting on the day of the party

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Cooking for a holiday crowd

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How holiday hosts can safeguard guests with food allergies

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How to make holiday wreaths the easy way

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Learn the meaning behind the menorah

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Wrapping gifts is a very old tradition

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Tips for successful office Secret Santa exchanges

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How to approach gift exchanges at the office

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Christmas tree recycling

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Eco-friendly gift options

3 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 4

Keep

safety in mind when

decorating for the holidays

•D o not overload outlets.

Plan displays according to the number and location of available outlets.

•N ever exceed the maximum number of light strands that can be attached together.

•U se lights and products that have been tested for safety.

Certification marks like UL, ETL and CSA are from nationally recognized laboratories.

•L ED lights should be used whenever possible. Such lights consume less energy and run cooler than other bulbs.

D

ecorations help make the holiday season a magical time of year. Stores are awash in color and twinkling lights, and similar imagery is on display in private homes.

Designing holiday displays can be a great way for families to spend time together and kick off the celebration. In fact, according to Electrical Safety Foundation International,

around 90 percent of Americans decorate their homes for the holidays.

When trimming the tree and decorating this holiday season, families must keep safety in mind. A little planning and some precautionary measures can ensure displays are enjoyed all season long. Travelers Insurance offers the following holiday decorating safety tips.

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•T he ESFI says candles start almost 50 percent of all decoration fires. Minimize the risk by using candles only when they can be monitored.

Artificial candles can be used in place of real candles.

•C heck for freshness in live trees. A fresh tree will last longer and is less of a fire hazard than an old tree.

•P lace Christmas trees at least three feet away from all heat sources, including fireplaces and heaters.

•U se decorations that are non-combustible or made from flame-resistant materials.

•P ay attention to the age recommendations of decorations to see if they can be used in homes with young children. Some items, however common, are choking or strangulation hazards.

•A void putting small, “mouth-sized” decorations near the ground or on lower limbs of trees, where young children can easily reach them.

•E xercise caution when hanging decorations at high heights. Make sure the ladder is secured and have a spotter who can hold the ladder and pass items up safely.

•O utdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs. •E xercise caution when decorating near power lines that extend to the house.

•K eep hung stockings far away from open flames so they do not catch any errant embers.

These are just a few suggestions for decorating a safely for the holiday season.

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oliday decor is as much about the sights and sounds as it is about the scents of the season. Few things evoke the holiday spirit as much as the aroma of fresh evergreen or spicy cinnamon and cloves. Incorporating inviting aromas into holiday decor can make homes feel even more special.

Filling a home with fragrant decor takes a little ingenuity and planning. Here are some ideas to incorporate the scents of the holiday season into your decor.

Use a real Christmas tree. An easy way to create a pine-like scent indoors is to select a real Christmas tree. Ask the tree farm which varieties are the most fragrant. If a fresh tree is not possible, fill a decorative basket with pine cones and evergreen boughs for that woodsy appeal.

Create a seasonal scented simmer.

Take to the stove to make a homemade air infusion from ingredients in and around the house. Simmer pine branches, citrus peels, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and whatever else can be placed in a pot or slow cooker with water. The scents will permeate the house for hours if enough water is added to the mixture.

Make holiday sachets. Some of the same ingredients for the holiday simmer can be dried and sewn into sachets. Add ribbon and hang on real or artificial trees.

Or tuck the pouches into various areas around the house.

Experiment with scented candles.

Scented candles can be found at various stores during the holiday season. Select among popular holiday aromas like pine, cinnamon, apples, and Christmas cookie varieties.

Utilize essential oils. Natural food stores and other retailers may sell essential oils, which can be diluted and sprayed on surfaces or into the air.

Exercise caution around upholstery, or test for staining before use.

Spend more time in the kitchen. Add delicious scents to the home by way of freshly baked goods or holiday meals.

Nothing beats the smell of cookies right out of the oven, and the scents can linger for hours.

Make beeswax ornaments. Add scented oils to melted beeswax and pour into molds. Hang these creations as ornaments on trees or in other areas of the home.

Craft some “gingerbread” ornaments.

A mixture of cinnamon, applesauce and glue can be used to make ornaments or gift tags that resemble gingerbread cookies, and these ornaments have more staying power than actual cookies.

Design a pretty pomander. Stud an orange with cloves. Cut off the top of the orange and hollow out a place for a small tea light. The warmth of the flame will produce more scent.

Rich and inviting aromas can fill a home with the holiday spirit.

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5 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

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Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 6

Christmas tree

tips and tricks

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hristmas trees are an iconic symbol of the holiday season.

Whether they are personal trees nestled in the corner of a living room for families to enjoy or towering evergreens serving as the focal point of a town square, Christmas trees are a wonder to behold.

Many people have fond memories of time spent around the Christmas tree sharing gifts and family traditions. Live trees and their pine-like aroma can be especially nostalgic trees to include in holiday plans. The National Christmas Tree Association says that approximately 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States every year. North American trees hail from all 50 states and areas of Canada.

While freshly cut trees can be particularly beautiful and aromatic additions to the season, they require a bit more work than artificial trees in order to remain beautiful and thrive throughout the holiday season.

Maintenance can help keep Christmas trees as perfect as possible.

• Even though it is tempting to buy a real tree as early as possible, their shelf life is limited even with the best care. Dural Christmas Tree Farm advises that, under the best conditions, a real tree should last up to four weeks before drying out.

• Consider the needles when looking for a real tree. Pull your hand toward your body along the branches. If many needles fall off, the tree is past its peak.

• Think about the room in which the tree

will be located.

Leave at least 6 inches between the tip of the tree and the ceiling, accounting for the height of the tree stand as well.

• If needle retention is a goal, the Scotch pine variety has the best needle retention and a high survival rate, lending to its popularity, offers Precision Tree and Landscape. Douglas fir and balsam fir are other durable trees.

• If possible, buy a freshly cut tree from a reputable nursery or tree farm, advises The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Many pre-cut trees sold elsewhere were likely cut weeks before and may not be fresh.

• Cut the bottom of the tree trunk before bringing it home to facilitate the uptake of fresh water daily. Trees can absorb as much as a gallon of water in a day, so make sure the tree gets fresh water every day.

• Keep trees away from as many heat sources as possible and away from direct sunlight to prolong longevity.

• According to Karabin Farms in Connecticut, to make a Christmas tree last longer, boil a gallon of water and then dissolve one cup of sugar in the water. Allow to cool. After freshly cutting the trunk, pour in the warm sugar water.

Continue to add fresh, cool, plain water to the tree stand afterward.

Once needles begin to fall off with frequency, the tree is reaching its prime. Remove it so it does not become a fire hazard.

7 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

Prepare the fireplace

for holiday decorating

A

jolly holiday season can be made even more merry with a roaring fire. Homeowners often build holiday tableaus around the fireplace to serve as festive backdrops. The mantle and the fireplace itself also may be a prime spot to dedicate to decorating this time of year.

Even though Christmas tree fires are rare, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, when they do occur they’re likely to be serious. That is why trees and other flammable decorations need to be kept clear of gas and woodburning fireplaces and stoves. In addition, many other guidelines should be heeded to ensure fireplaces and holiday decor safely coexist this season.

Read labels on decorative items carefully before decorating. Be sure to only select items that are flame-resistant or retardent. Cherished collectibles and other items should always be kept far away from open flames and heat.

It pays to have a fireplace inspected and cleaned for use prior to operation, advises Doherty Insurance Agency. Rely on a trained chimney sweep, and have the

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Even though it may be picturesque, do not place wrapped packages or gift boxes near the fireplace, as they tend to be highly combustible. Keep presents and other flammable items at least three feet away from the fireplace.

Do not be tempted to dispose of wrapping paper, boxes or even a Christmas tree in the fireplace. Wrapping paper contains additives that make it burn at high temperatures. A Christmas tree hasn’t been properly seasoned and could be a fire hazard and potentially contribute to excessive smoke and creosote.

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9 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

to include

Information on holiday party invitations

T

echnology has changed nearly every facet of everyday life, and that includes holiday hosting.

Whereas hosts once had to worry about getting invitations stamped, sealed and sent out on time, e-invitations, often referred to as “evites,” have simplified the invitation process immensely.

Hosts can still send invitations the oldfashioned way, but they also can now use preexisting templates to design holiday invitations in minutes and send them out to all of their guests.

While the way invitations are sent has changed immensely, the information to include on the invites has stayed the same. If it’s been awhile since you sent a holiday invitation, this refresher course on what to include on your invites can ensure guests know all they need to know about your holiday party.

Date and time: The date and time of the party should be clearly stated on the invitation. The holiday season is one of the busiest social seasons of the year, with family gatherings and office parties dotting December schedules. Leave nothing to the imagination on your invitation and clearly indicate the day of your party and what time it begins.

Location: It might seem like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to include the location of the party on your invitation. Even if you annually host a holiday party at home, include your full address so guests, especially new invitees, have something to enter into their vehicle GPS systems.

Degree of formality: Guests will want to know if the party is formal or casual, so let them know via the invitation. If no dress code information is included, guests will likely assume the affair is casual.

Menu: If you plan to serve a meal, include information about the menu on the invitation and request that guests with specific food allergies inform you or bring their own food to the party.

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Accommodations: The U.S. Department of Transportation notes that, each year, hundreds of people die in drunk driving crashes during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you plan to serve alcohol, let guests know on the invitation and let them know you will arrange for safe transportation home, if necessary. Ridesharing apps have made it easier than ever to get home safely, but hosts should still keep the phone numbers of local taxi companies on hand and make sure guests rooms are ready to accommodate guests who get a little too festive.

Party invitations have changed dramatically over the last couple of decades. But they still serve as a guests’ primary source of party information.

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Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 10

Holiday

hosting

in small spaces

G

atherings of family and friends are a big part of the holiday season.

Hosting such gatherings can be a great way to show loved ones how much you appreciate them, and hosting also saves hosts the trouble of traveling during one of the most hectic travel seasons of the year.

When hosting a large crowd at home, space can be a difficult hurdle to clear.

However, a few helpful strategies can help space-starved hosts pull off a holiday soiree where everyone is comfortable.

Pare down the menu. Holiday feasts don’t have to resemble medieval banquets with excessive amounts of food and drink.

Hosts with small kitchens and tiny dining quarters can pare down the menu, limiting offerings to just a single entree and a few simple side dishes, so everyone feels comfortable at the table and has ample room to eat. A small menu also gives hosts more time to spend with their loved ones during the festivities.

Don’t overdo it on drinks, either. When planning the drinks menu, avoid offering cocktails, which take time to prepare and often require guests to visit the kitchen for refrigerated ingredients. Limit drinks to

wine, beer, water, and soft drinks, storing cold beverages in a cooler kept outside on a front or back porch or in an area outside the kitchen so cooks can work without interruption.

Move some furniture. If your main living space is small, consider moving some bulky furniture into a bedroom or office where guests won’t be spending time.

Then make better use of the open living space by placing folding chairs or other accommodations to ensure there’s ample seating for everyone. A single recliner can only be enjoyed by one person, but removing it from a room may create enough space for as many as three folding chairs.

Go small on decorations. If you know you’ll be hosting in advance of the holiday season, decorate with guests in mind.

That might mean skipping a six-foot Christmas tree in favor of one that takes up less space. Avoid leaving any fragile decorations out, as adults or overexcited kids may knock them over as they try to navigate a cramped space.

Holiday hosting can be fun, even in small spaces. A few simple tricks can make even the smallest spaces accommodating.

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the day of the party

C

ome the holiday season, many people look forward to gatherings with family and friends. Such gatherings are often held in private homes, and that means someone must take on the task of hosting.

There are many advantages to hosting holiday gatherings. Hosts won’t have to travel during a notoriously busy time of year to take to the roads and sky. Hosts also won’t have to book hotel rooms or arrange for other accommodations, saving them money and time during a season that tends to be expensive and packed with social engagements.

As the day of their holiday parties draws near, hosts can take several steps to make the day of the party easier, allowing them to spend more time with their family and friends.

Choose the right menu. The right menu

can go a long way toward making hosting easier on the day of the party. Various factors, such as food allergies and the size of the guest list, must be considered when planning a holiday menu. As hosts scour cookbooks for the right foods, look for recipes that don’t require everything to be done on the day of the party. Prep work tends to take as much, if not more, time as cooking the foods. So look for recipes that allow you to do most, if not all, of that prep work in the days leading up to the party.

Clean the common areas. Guests likely won’t be spending time in every room of your house during the party. So when it comes time to clean, focus on the common areas where guests will be. Living rooms, dining areas and restrooms should garner the bulk of your attention when cleaning. If guests might be wandering outdoors, make sure leaves and

dirt have been cleaned off of patios and decks.

Plan a playlist in advance. Expect to be busy on the day of the party, even if the party is catered or all the food prep was done long before the first guest arrived.

Because you will be busy welcoming guests, you likely won’t have time to set the musical tone for the party, so do so in advance of the big day. If you want to stick to holiday music, many streaming apps offer various stations that play holiday music exclusively. Simply choose a station you like and then begin playing music when the first guest arrives.

Make a list of supplies and check it twice. About two weeks before the party, sit down and make a thorough list of everything you expect to need. Include food, beverages, dining needs (i.e., plates and silverware), and entertainment. A couple of weeks before the party, purchase items that won’t spoil, such as beverages like water, soda, wine, and beer and extra utensils if necessary. Doing so saves time during your grocery store trip the week of the party.

Holiday hosts can take several steps in the days leading up to their parties to make hosting easier once guests arrive.

11 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

simplify

How to holiday hosting on

Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 12

Cooking for a holiday crowd

D

ecorations and shopping draw much of the attention come the holiday season, and rightfully so. But many people’s fondest holiday memories occurred around the dinner table during meals with friends and family.

Holiday foods tend to be rich, flavorful and time-consuming to prepare. However, all the effort is usually worth the satisfied smiles on the faces of loved ones.

Planning holiday meals is challenging, and hosts often doubt if they have enough food for everyone. No one wants guests to leave feeling hungry, nor do they want to have tons of leftovers, much of which will inevitably end up in the trash. Determining how much food to serve involves figuring out a few key items, including the mix of guests (ratio of children, men and women), the length of the occasion, the timing of the event, and the type of meal one plans to serve. For example, if the holiday gathering is an after-dinner cocktail party, hosts can get away with offering very little food. However, hosts of holiday dinners have a lot more food to prepare.

To get started, consider these general guidelines, courtesy of Allrecipes.com and The Spruce, a home living resource.

Think about which foods you plan to serve. Popular foods tend to go more quickly than other items, so serve more than the general portion guidelines suggest. Shellfish appetizers, roasted or mashed potatoes, wings, and slices of rich meat are examples of popular fare.

The more foods you offer, the smaller the portion sizes can be. But because guests will likely want to try all the offerings, expect the average person to consume more food per individual when several foods are offered.

Most people will eat two to three portions each of appetizers or snacks. In fact, appetizers (for a hungry crowd) may be consumed in greater abundance than subsequent courses.

Average portion sizes for each guest include: 3 ounces of dips; 3 ounces of salad; 6 ounces of meat or main entrée; 5 ounces of starch; and 11⁄2 pieces of dessert. These estimates can be used to cal-

culate how much food will be needed.

Think about adding “safety” items to the menu that can be pulled out in a pinch and don’t require much prep work. These can include cheese and crackers, extra bread, nuts, olives, or pretzels.

Hosts who are overly concerned that guests may go overboard can tame portion sizes by hiring servers who can oversee buffet lines. Otherwise, serve guests plated meals directly from the kitchen, from which hosts can dole out the right amount of food to ensure everyone gets enough to eat.

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13 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

How

holiday hosts can safeguard guests

with food allergies

H

osting for the holidays is a fun way to bring loved ones together during a special time of year. As enjoyable as hosting can be, it’s no small task, especially when guests have food allergies.

According to Food Allergy Research & Education, an organization deadline to improving the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, a food allergy is a medical condition in which exposure to a certain foods triggers a harmful immune system response. FARE® notes that more than 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions, and roughly one in 13 children in the United States has a food allergy. And food allergies are not just a danger in the U.S., as data published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2015 revealed that 6.9 percent of Canadian children under the age of 18 self-report having at least one food allergy.

Food allergies are cause for concern, as FARE® notes that every three minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room. Before planning holiday menus, hosts should ask guests if they or their children have any food allergies and then plan the menu accordingly.

When hosting large gatherings, it may be impossible to avoid foods that trigger guests’ allergies. In such instances, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America offers the following food safety tips to hosts.

•W ash hands before and after eating or handling food.

•P revent cross-contamination in preparation and serving by preparing dishes

in separate areas and washing all prep materials, such as cutting boards, before reusing. Keep unsafe foods away from safe foods at all times.

• Read all food labels.

•P repare and cook safe meals first before sealing them and setting them aside. Then make unsafe foods.

•U se separate serving utensils for each dish. Be careful not to mix them up.

•W ash all prep areas and eating areas with a paper towel and commercial cleaner. Avoid using sponges and rags, which can be a source of allergens.

•K eep food isolated to one area of the home and clean up thoroughly after the meal.

•M ake a plate for each child with food allergies before the meal is served to avoid cross contamination. Keep unsafe foods out of reach of young children with allergies.

•R equest that children with food allergies sit close to their parents during the meal. Ensure that those eating nearby will be careful not to accidentally spill or share unsafe foods.

•P lace packages of wipes near food and encourage everyone to wipe their hands after eating, though encouraging them to use soap and water is best.

Walk around periodically to dispose of any uneaten food or dirty plates and napkins.

When planning holiday menus, host should always keep food allergies in mind. Taking steps to safeguard adults and children with food allergies can ensure everyone has a happy, healthy holiday.

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Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 14

How to make holiday wreaths the

easy way

T

here are many different ways to decorate homes and businesses for the holidays. Tall evergreen trees are among the most visible symbols of the holiday season. However, wreaths hung on doors, windows or fences also are ubiquitous this time of year.

Wreaths adorn homes primarily during the holidays of Easter and Christmas.

Wreaths have also been worn around the head or neck in ceremonial events around the globe for centuries. It is believed the first wreaths date back to ancient Greece and Rome. Members of the Greco-Roman society were known to hand-make ring-shaped items using fresh tree leaves, small fruits, flowers, and twigs. Oftentimes these headdress-

es symbolized a person’s social status. Others suggest wreaths evolved to become a Christian symbol of immortality.

Regardless of how wreaths are viewed, many people like to display wreaths for the holidays. Wreaths can be purchased premade, but making a wreath on your own can make the holidays even more fun.

One of the easiest ways to make a wreath is to design it around a circular floral foam form. Gather supplies to make the wreath. For traditional wreaths, supplies will include sprigs of evergreen (real or artificial), ribbon, floral wire,

bows, and artificial berries. Working around the foam form, arrange the boughs of evergreen, using the floral wire to wrap or pin into the foam itself. Keep the layers coming until you get the desired coverage.

Embellish with a ribbon or place a bow.

The blog A Piece of Rainbow says that creating a wreath jig is an easy way to make a wreath. Cut a dollar-store laundry basket bottom from the top ring to make a template, on which you can place wreath-making materials so they keep their circular form. Use floral wire or natural jute string to tie the materials

together. Experiment with fresh evergreen, twigs, holly branches, or whatever materials you choose.

Thick card stock also can serve as the wreath template. Attach artificial flowers or leaves, spray snow, ornaments, or other items to the card stock ring with a firm adhesive.

Many craft stores sell wreath forms made of natural vines that have been strung in a ring. These can be decorated in their entirety or left a little sparse to let the natural twine show through.

Wreaths may seem like complicated creations. But a little imagination and the right materials is all it takes to create a homemade wreath.

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Mayor

15 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

l a c o L p o Sh

Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 16

Learn the meaning behind the menorah

T

he menorah is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Chanukah.

Displayed in homes, and often in windows, each year, the menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum that symbolizes Chanukah and much more.

Menorahs have been part of the Jewish faith since ancient times. Isaiah 42:6 indicates that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel, and its mission is to be a “light unto nations.” After being liberated from slavery in Egypt, the Jews were commanded by God to make the original menorah, which at the time featured seven branches. The seven arms were believed to refer to the seven days of creation. The menorah was lit every evening and cleaned every morning. The wicks were replaced and fresh, consecrated olive oil was put into the cups to keep the flame alive.

After the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and desecrated by the Romans, there remained only enough sealed, consecrated olive oil left to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, giving the Jews enough time to make new consecrated oil. This became known as the Chanukah miracle.

While the original menorahs were seven-

branched, the Chanukah menorah, or Chanukiah (Hanukkiah), became a ninebranched version lit only during the holiday. According to the Jewish holiday site Breaking Matzo, celebrants light a new candle or wick on each night of Chanukah. The ninth night, called the Shamash (“helper” or “servant”), is used to light all the other candles or oil lamps. To be kosher, the Shamash must be placed on a different level than the eight other candles.

After both temples were destroyed, a new tradition developed in which Jews did not replicate anything from the destroyed temples. As a result, menorahs used in many Jewish services, apart from Chanukah, no longer had seven branches.

Six-branched menorahs became popular in some synagogues. However, the Jewish Virtual Library indicates that some rabbis have gone back to seven-armed menorahs for regular services because the modern ones are electrified and, therefore, cannot possibly be duplicates of the original Temple menorah.

Lighting the Chanukah menorah gives celebrants the ability to embrace the holiness of the holiday and take a small part in Jewish history.

T

he holiday season is rife with tradition. One of the most recognizable traditions involves wrapping gifts. While the wrapping paper many gift givers use today is a relatively recent phenomenon, the tradition of wrapping gifts is centuries old, with some historians even suggesting it dates back to ancient times. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis® notes that many ancient cultures celebrated various holidays that included exchanging gifts, adding that it’s very likely that, even in ancient times, gifts were wrapped to surprise their eventual recipients. Bojagi is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth that might have begun being used some time

during the Three Kingdoms of Korea period, which began in 57 BC and ended in AD 668. The Japanese tradition of furoshiki, which can be traced back to the 17th century and possibly as far back as AD 710, involves using a traditional wrapping cloth to transport certain items, including gifts. As for the gift wrap familiar to today’s holiday celebrants, that traces its origins to the early 1900s. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis® notes that Eli Hyman and Morris Silverman founded the first gift wrap company in the United States in 1903. Unfortunately for gift givers back then, adhesive tape had not yet been invented in 1903, and wouldn’t be for another 27 years.

Did you know?

S

ome holiday traditions, such as holiday lighting displays, are impossible to miss, while others are more subtle and possibly even unknown to many celebrants. One tradition that falls into the latter category involves the placing of oranges into Christmas stockings. The origins of Christmas stockings are rooted in legend, and one of the more popular tales involves a widowed father of three beautiful girls. According to Smithsonian.com, this father was struggling to make ends meet and was concerned that his financial struggles would affect his daughters’ ability to find a spouse. As the legend goes, St. Nicholas was wandering through the man’s town and heard of his concerns. Recognizing that the man was unlikely to accept charity, St. Nicholas slid down the chimney of his house and placed three gold balls in the girls’ recently laundered stockings, which were hanging by the fire to dry. The value of the gold balls, which were discovered the following morning, was enough to ensure the girls could eventually wed. So what does that have to do with oranges? Those who wanted to replicate the tale could not so easily come upon gold balls to place in stockings, so they chose something similar in appearance: oranges.

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17 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

Wrapping gifts is a very old tradition

Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 18

How to approach gift

exchanges at the office

Tips for successful office Secret Santa

exchanges

T

he holiday season provides plenty of opportunities to socialize. Holiday celebrations are sometimes akin to family reunions, but friends also tend to celebrate together in December.

Such celebrations sometimes include different groups of friends, and that may require hosts to do a little extra to break the ice so everyone relaxes and has a good time.

Secret Santa gift exchanges can make for a great ice breaker, even if guests are buying gifts for people they don’t know. If you plan to make Secret Santa part of your holiday party this year, consider these tips to ensure it goes off smoothly.

Start planning early. Hosts likely know everyone coming to their party, so they should take the lead and organize the Secret Santa exchange. Let guests know as early as possible, even including the information in the party invitations, so they have time to shop.

Make it optional. Forcing people to mingle and exchange gifts is never a

G good idea. Give guests the option to participate ask them to indicate if they will or won’t when they RSVP. Set a reasonable gift limit. Figure out a budget that works for everyone. There are plenty of gifts to be had for $20 and under. Gag gifts or “dollar store” gift themes can ensure no one goes overboard in terms of dollar value.

Consider a wish list. Asking participants to fill out wish lists ensures that their Secret Santa buddy will have an idea where to start shopping.

Enlist a digital helper. Technology can make organizing Secret Santa exchanges even easier. Elfster is an online gift exchange app that can help hosts effectively organize their Secret Santa parties.

Fun is key to Secret Santa exchanges, so make sure to keep things lighthearted when planning the party and exchanging gifts.

ift giving is a big part of the holiday season. While people typically exchange gifts with relatives and close friends, it’s not uncommon for coworkers to exchange gifts as well.

Office gift exchanges are not as simple as giving gifts to friends and family members. Gifts that might be entirely appropriate to give to relatives and friends may raise eyebrows if given to coworkers. To avoid awkward situations, professionals can consider the following tips before purchasing gifts for coworkers.

Contact your human resources department. Many companies have established protocols that govern office gift exchanges. Some may prohibit gift-giving altogether, while others may place dollar limits on gifts or restrict gifts to certain items, such as food or gift cards. Contact human resources before organizing an exchange or purchasing gifts to ensure you don’t violate company rules.

Keep it simple. Even if your office has no rules governing gift exchanges, keeping things simple and placing a dollar limit on gifts can avoid hurt feelings and awkward situations.

No one expects an elaborate gift

from a coworker, so something as simple as a $20 gift card should suffice.

Reach a consensus regarding gifts for supervisors. Discuss exchanges with your coworkers before purchasing gifts for supervisors. Workplace environments can become awkward and uncomfortable if one person appears to have spent more on a gift for a supervisor than his or her coworkers. When gifting supervisors, decide on a dollar amount that everyone is comfortable with and agree to only purchase gifts for a supervisor if everyone can afford to do so. Someone may not be able to afford a gift, and that person should not be made to feel bad.

Supervisors must think before buying gifts as well. Supervisors who intend to buy their subordinates gifts also must take steps to avoid potentially awkward situations.

Giving the same gift, such as gift cards to local stores and restaurants, will avoid giving the impression that you’re playing favorites.

Office gift-giving is common during the holiday season. Such exchanges should be handled delicately and be respectful of everyone in the office.

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19 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 20

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W

hen choosing a real Christmas tree for holiday celebrations, consumers should think about the many ways that trees can be repurposed after the holiday season. Some towns collect discarded trees to use them for various purposes.

However, homeowners can get in on the action as well. The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers these great ideas for post-holiday tree use.

•P rop up the tree near a bird feeder to provide another perch and shelter to birds that stick close to home in winter, such as chickadees and finches.

•S tring the tree with various treats for birds and put it in a sheltered location. Ideas include homemade suet, cranberries and millet.

• Mulch the tree and use it in the garden in the spring.

• Use boughs to insulate perennials in the garden.

•K eep some branches to use as kindling in a wood stove or fireplace, or as aromatic logs for next year’s yule fire.

•S ink an old tree in a personal pond.

Fish and tadpoles will live and lay eggs around this sheltered area.

•C ollect some pine needles and sew them into fabric packets to make scented sachets for closets or drawers.

There are many imaginative ways to come up with handy uses for Christmas trees once the holiday season ends.

21 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

Christmas tree recycling

Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 22

Eco-friendly gift

options

T

he saying “the more the merrier” certainly applies during the holiday season. But during a season of big gifts, extra food and travel, “more” can exact a heavy toll on the environment.

According to Stanford University, Americans generate 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve than during the rest of the year. While no one wants to take anything away from the spirit of holiday season, everyone can take steps to make the holidays more eco-friendly. In fact, there are various ecofriendly gifts that can make great presents and benefit the environment at the same time.

Purchase experiential gifts When making holiday shopping lists, think of gifts that offer experiences rather than material goods. Gifts that involve experiences, such as going to a sporting event or attending a play or musical, decrease reliance on wrapping paper. Such gifts also reduce clutter in the recipient’s house and conserve the resources otherwise used to manufacture alternative items that would have been purchased. Experiential gifts that also tap into environmental pursuits, such as touring with an animal rescue group, or accommodations at a carbonneutral hotel can be an added bonus.

Opt for locally made gifts Select gifts made by local artisans or companies that operate domestically. This cuts down on the carbon emissions from having to ship products from long distances or even overseas.

Give climate-friendly stocking stuffers Companies like Cool Effect offer gifts for those looking to offset carbon emissions through clever funding. People can buy and offer gifts that correlate to packages like Costa Rican wind power or

the “poo package,” which funds biogas digesters for family farms in India that capture methane emissions from cattle dung.

Get crafty Gifts from the kitchen or ones made by the giver can be crafted from sustainable materials. They also show how you care by taking the time to customize a gift for the recipient.

Avoid gag or useless gifts Select gifts only with utility in mind. Skip purchases that are made only to beef-up the look of presents under the tree or to make it appear that gifting was more generous. Items that a person cannot or will not use will ultimately be relegated to the trash, which is wasteful.

Wrap in reusable materials Fancy wrapping paper certainly looks nice, but choose other materials that can be reused.

Look for decorative tins, boxes, fancy gift bags, and other items that can be reused for years to come.

Sustainability is possible during a season of excess when gift givers shop and wrap gifts with the environment in mind.

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23 • November 2019 • Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle

it’s all about the

Holiday Gifts & Lifestyle • November 2019 • 24