Crossroads Holiday Magazine 2022

Crossroads Magazine 2022 Holiday Edition

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Lighthouse Foundation board member Greg Cooley, Lighthouse Foundation executive director Gary Caveness and Toy Store volunteer Herbie Rogers have a moment together before the Toy Store opens in 2021.

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Story by BRANT SAPPINGTON Photos by MARK BOEHLER

On a cold December day in 1995 members and volunteers with the recently formed Lighthouse Foundation came together at the Combs Court community center to make Christmas brighter for hurting families.

With a room full of toys donated or purchased with donations, they weren’t sure what to expect, but they knew they wanted to make a difference.

“We didn’t really know what we were doing, but we just had such a burden for people,” recalled founding Lighthouse board member Greg Cooley.

“I’ll always remember the first one the best. I remember us setting up in the Combs Court community center house and we were putting everything up and that seems so small now, but we were so excited about what we had,” said Lighthouse Foundation executive director Gary Caveness.

The spark lit on that first day has grown into what is today known simply as the Toy Store, one of the area’s largest Christmas outreach programs serving as many as 2,000 children from over 700 families each year.

It’s a community effort designed to share the love of Christ and empower families to give gifts to their children.

What makes the Toy Store unique is that it’s not a handout. Participants are given the opportunity to shop and choose gifts for their kids and are offered the opportunity to give what they can with no obligation.

Longtime volunteer Orma Smith said it’s a special thing to be able to help families give to their children.

“I think about what if I wasn’t able to give my children something. We’re giving them

the ability to do that. We’ve got to ensure that the parent is the hero,” said Smith.

At the heart of it all is the message of hope in Christ being shared with a hurting world.

“My favorite day of the year is Toy Store Day,” said Caveness. “To be able to share the gospel, the real gift of life with everybody that walks in that door is just an amazing thing and to watch God’s kingdom come together to serve hurting people and just smile and love on them.”

Everyone served by the Toy Store has the opportunity to hear the gospel message, talk to Caveness or another volunteer counselor and be prayed with and for. The love and outreach don’t end on that day, however. Those who ask for prayer and support share their information and those contacts are shared with churches to follow up with them for continued love and support.

“We want these people to feel like the most

special people in the world, you know what, because they are. They are special and we want to make sure they feel that way because in this world you will have trouble, but the Bible says in John 16:33 God says we’re fearfully and wonderfully made,” said the minister and community leader.

While there’s no typical recipient, Caveness said people may be surprised at who comes through the doors of the Toy Store.

“A lot of people think it’s just poor people that come here, but there are a lot of times there have been people that have just hit unfortunate situations,” he said.

Whether it’s a health emergency, a death in the family or some other disaster, a family finds themselves in need of help and the Toy Store is there to meet that need.

ABOVE: Toy Store volunteers Ashley Clausel and Lauren Butler get ready to open the Toy Store in 2021. FACING PAGE: The wide smile of volunteer Marcus Simmons can be seen outside the Toy Store every year as he greets vehicles upon arrival.

favorite day of the year is Toy Store Day. To be able to share the gospel, the real gift of life with everybody that walks in that door is just an amazing thing, and to watch God’s kingdom come together to serve hurting people and just smile and love on them.

Good friends Ashley Clausel and Taylor Moak volunteer their time very year at the Toy Store. – GARY CAVENESS Lighthouse Foundation executive director

It takes an army of volunteers to make the Toy Store happen each year and among them from the beginning has been Marcus Simmons. A big man with a big smile and an even bigger heart, Simmons can be found each year greeting people and directing traffic.

“It’s just always the reason for the season. It’s just such a blessing to be a part of that,” he said.

He’s always amazed at the number of people who are willing to come out and work with him in the cold and he’s made lifelong friendships with those who come together to serve.

“We get a whole lot out of it,” he said.

Rick Willis, known to many Toy Store participants as simply the bicycle guy, looks forward to the program every year.

“It’s just Christ-centered and it makes such a difference,” he said.

He remembers a young woman one year

asking him what she needed to do to get a bicycle for her child and just bursting into tears when he told her she could simply have one.

“It’s those moments when you’ve touched a life,” he said.

“When you’re in the midst of it and you see people with tears in their eyes, that’s what it’s all about,” said Cooley.

He said the gift of the Toy Store is much more than just presents under a tree, it’s the opportunity to share the gospel with people, pray with them and let them know somebody really cares.

Among the volunteers each year are many young people from local schools who take the day out to come together and help.

“It’s amazing to see the impact on these kids and the look in their eyes when they see they’ve helped someone,” said Cooley.

Caveness said God has blessed the Lighthouse and the Toy Store with a community that truly cares and Toy Store day each year is a time when the family of

God comes together across all lines to make an impact. He’s so grateful for all those who support the program financially, as volunteers and in any other way and said he knows it’s because God is in control.

“It’s a wonderful thing when the kingdom of God can experience something together, the power of unity. We want to show the face of Christ. If you love Jesus, we want you to be here wearing that smile of Jesus when people come through that door because let’s be honest, this world is hurting right now and there’s a lot of hurting people,” he said.

Donations can be made to the Toy Store by mail at:

Lighthouse Foundation P.O. Box 2121 Corinth, MS 38835

To learn more about how to get involved call the foundation at 662-286-0091.

Toy Store volunteer Adam Caveness goes over the Toy Store inventory before the doors open.

Bake up a sweet

Entertaining is a big part of the holiday season. Calendars are packed this time of year with gatherings with friends, family and professional colleagues.

Entertaining requires keeping plenty of refreshments on hand to ensure guests maintain their holiday spirit. Dessert is no stranger to the season, with office break rooms, dining tables and buffet stations brimming with sweet treats to tempt celebrants’ palates. Everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring along to a holiday party or to offer guests when hosting their own fêtes. Cookies are a standard due to their versatility and portability.

Festive “Sour Cream Cookies” provide all of the holiday feels and can be customized in color to reflect celebrations of Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s. Bake up a batch, courtesy of “Live Well Bake Cookies” (Rock Point) by Danielle Rye.

SOUR CREAM COOKIES

Directions:

1. To make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt until well combined. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well combined.

4. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, making sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

5. Mix in the dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the sour cream. Make sure to mix in each addition until just combined, and be careful not to overmix the batter.

6. Using a 1 1⁄2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room between each one.

7. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are set and spring back when touched lightly. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Festive Sour Cream Cookies provide all of the holiday feels and can be customized in color to reflect celebrations of Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or New Year’s. This recipe makes 22 cookies

8. To make the vanilla buttercream frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1⁄2 cup at a time, mixing in each addition until well combined.

9. Add the heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and gel food coloring (if using), and continue mixing until fully combined.

10. Once the cookies have cooled, spread the frosting on top of the cookies.

11. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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No holiday season is complete without a snack mix

When it comes to a holiday snack mix, it’s gotta have Bugles. Many holiday memories and traditions are made in the kitchen.

Christmas just isn’t complete in our house unless there is the smell of Mark’s Merry Mix in the house and every adult offspring, all 13 grandkids and a few select special friends get a plastic, three-cup container of the snack mix under the tree.

My musical secret got out years ago when I first started putting those wonderful Bugles in my Chex mix recipe.

This was years before the powers that be in the snack word started putting Bugles in assorted over-the-counter Chex mix bags.

I guess I should have copyrighted my recipe, if there is such a thing.

My other secrets out of the Chex mix bag is that I use Cheez-Its, which gives my snack a really good occasional cheesy bite. I also add honey-roasted peanuts, which give it a nice little sweet touch, but not too much sweet.

I grew up having my mom’s Chex mix every Christmas – and although Wheat Chex is a must, I would always dump leftover Wheat Chex back into the main batch when nobody was looking.

Wheat Chex are much more dense than the other Chex ingredients, so my recipe adjusts accordingly.

I have also developed a good flavoring over the years and came up with a Lawry’s seasoning, Shedd’s Spread, Lea & Perrins worcestershire sauce and Tabasco pepper sauce mix.

When I’m at the grocery store buying the ingredients every holiday season, I get some

second looks at the amount of Chex cereal in my shopping cart.

And then when folks see those bags of Bugles and boxes of Cheez-Its, it turns to conversation.

“You put Bugles and Cheez-Its in your Chex mix?” people ask.

Then upon the news it’s part of my special holiday snack blend, “I have to try that!” is always music to my Bugle taste buds.

So many people have asked for my recipe over the years, I finally kept track and made some notes.

Please note I make massive amounts of Mark’s Merry Mix, so an extra large roasting pan is necessary even if it’s just one batch. I usually make three batches, depending upon the number of friends who make the cut.

I have a large roasting pan, but a storebought aluminum pan works just as great. Get a huge one and don’t forget to spray with cooking spray so the mix doesn’t stick while cooking.

This recipe will fill a dozen 3-cup plastic containers. Invite a bunch of friends or family over for Chex Mix Night. I’m sure everyone will dip in as soon as the batch is dumped out for cooling.

This is not an exact science, especially the seasoning bleed. This is a starting point to a very happy holiday snacking season.

Ingredients

6 cups Corn Chex

6 cups Rice Chex

4 cups Wheat Chex

1 12.4 oz. box of Cheez-Its (I use regular, but there are a lot of creative options with Cheez-Its)

4 cups of small twist pretzels (I do not recommend pretzel sticks as it’s hard to stuff your mouth full)

2 bags of regular Bugles

16 oz. jar of honey-roasted peanuts

ABOVE: Pictured are some of the ingredients to use for the seasoning blend.

FACING PAGE: Upon further review, there may be some White Cheddar Cheez-Its in this batch.

Seasoning

Half cup of melted Shedd’s Spread Country Crock margarine, cooled

4 tablespoons Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce (OK, if the Worcestershire bottle isn’t wrapped in brown paper, I can’t accept responsibility for the mix; there is only Lea & Perrins)

2 tablespoons Lawry’s seasoning

Five shakes of Tobasco sauce (Don’t think heat, think enhanced flavor; for heat, triple the shakes)

Directions

Place all ingredients in an extra large roasting pan coated with olive oil Pam. Mix well with your hands. Sprinkle half of the seasoning blend onto the mix, slowly and mixing well with your hands. Try not to eat just yet. Cook for 30 minutes in a 225-degree oven.

Take out and sprinkle the rest of the seasoning blend, slowly and mixing well with gloved hands or a large spatula as the mix is rather warm at this point. Cook for 30 more minutes. Cover a countertop with paper towels and dump out the mix, spreading as thin as possible. Sampling is recommended at this point for quality control. Let cool before placing in other containers.

This batch makes enough mix to fill a dozen 24-ounce (three cup) containers, depending upon the amount of sampling. I usually make 11 containers and mark one naughty person off the Christmas list.

Enjoy!

Happy holidays and have a Mark’s Merry Mix Christmas.

Mark Boehler is a wannabe chef and editor of the Daily Corinthian and Crossroads Magazine.

Story and photos by MARK BOEHLER

BOEHLER

Wrap up this appetizer at your HOLIDAY COCKTAIL PARTY

Cocktail parties feature prominently on social schedules each holiday season. Such get-togethers are convenient because the foods and beverages served are designed to be small and portable. That can save any holiday host time in the kitchen. There may be plenty of prepared foods in

the grocer’s freezer that can be served for gatherings, but the taste of easy, homemade offerings can mingle with the time-savers when guests arrive. “Bacon-Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates” are an easily prepared appetizer that pairs sweet with savory. Even better, these morsels are delicious served

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

If your dates are not already pitted, slice the dates lengthwise on one side, but not all the way through, to create an opening. Remove the pit.

Using a teaspoon measure, fill the cavity of each date with a heaping teaspoon of the goat cheese and then gently press the sides together to close a bit.

Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Arrange the bacon-wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning the dates halfway through so the bacon is evenly cooked. Transfer the bacon-wrapped dates to a serving platter and drizzle with the hot honey. Garnish with the parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Bacon-Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are an easily prepared appetizer that pairs sweet with savory.

Firefighter TOY DRIVE makes sure kids don’t go without during Christmas

Story by CAROL HUMPHREYS Photos by MARK BOEHLER

‘Everybody says it’s the season of giving, not receiving, but unless you really give – especially to those who have nothing – you’re missing the whole point,” remarked Jerry Whirley, coordinator for the Corinth Fire Department Christmas Stuff-A-Truck Toy Drive.

This is the sixth year the firefighter has been involved in the annual Christmas event to help disadvantaged children. He has been with the fire department 28 years and became training officer six years ago. After Whirley assumed his new position, he recalled when toys for kids used to be dropped off at the fire department during the Christmas season. He went to his fire chief and told him he wanted to start the toy drive back up.

After getting the blessing from Corinth Walmart’s store manager to hold the toy drive at their location, Whirley began finding out where the need was. He knew there were different groups who contributed assistance for charitable events held by local organizations. He ended up contacting Sherri Paseur, administrative assistant for the Child Protection Services with the Alcorn County Department of Human Services. At the time she was working with Caterpillar Inc. in Corinth who hosted an “Angel Tree” for foster children in state care.

The fireman realized there were children who were left off the Angel Tree due to the cutoff date for names to be collected or for distribution of gifts. He asked CPS for a list of children who missed getting on the Angel Tree. The officer then organized the current annual Christmas toy drive hosted by the city’s fire departments.

“When

I was really surprised,” said the Stuff-A-Truck toy drive organizer. “I knew there was a foster care system but I didn’t realize how many children were involved. Our toy drive probably helps at least 100plus kids a year. It not only helps children in Alcorn County, but also in Tishomingo and Tippah counties where Alcorn County kids have found a home.”

The givers never know who the actual children are who receive the toys or clothing and never get to experience them getting their gifts. However, Whirley knows the need to help is often urgent. In his second year of the toy drive, Paseur called him a couple of days before Christmas Day. There had been an emergency hearing where the judge put a family of four children in emergency placement care. Paseur wanted to know if the firefighters could help. Fortunately, the toy drive organizer had leftover funds the CPS was able to help the children with.

“We knew if we didn’t help, these children may not have much or anything at Christmas time from coats to diapers to toys,” said Whirley.

Usually people donate toys to the toy drive but when money is donated, Whirley takes the money to Paseur so she can go buy items for older kids or teenagers so all the kids benefit.

The toy drive is mainly for “in-home cases” or families the DHS is working with so children don’t end up in state custody. Other local companies buy for foster children who are in state custody but the in-home families do not receive any benefits or financial assistance from the DHS. The children are often placed in temporary emergency placement homes

with friends or relatives until their parents can provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for them.

This is why the annual Christmas StuffA-Truck Toy Drive is so important to Whirley and his fellow firefighters.

“That’s who we are as firefighters and everyone in the emergency and law enforcement services – we strive to help our citizens, friends and family,” he said. “I just felt like this toy drive helping children who may otherwise go without is what I needed to do. I’ve had six successful years helping out a section of disadvantage children who really didn’t have a whole lot of help before.”

The Corinth Fire Department Stuff-ATruck Christmas Toy Drive is being held Dec. 9-11 from 12-6 p.m. at the Corinth Walmart on S. Harper Road. Unwrapped new toys, baby wipes and all sizes of diapers can be dropped off during this time to help ensure every Crossroads area child has a wonderful Christmas.

“A couple of times Santa Claus has asked if he could come out and hang out at the toy drive for a while,” said Whirley. “Maybe if he’s not busy at the North Pole he can come and help us out again this year. Last year The Grinch was also there, along with Santa Claus and ‘Sparky’, the Fire Pup.”

Gathering toys at Wal-Mart for the Corinth Fire Department Stuff-A-Truck Christmas Toy Drive are Perry Godsey of Farmington as The Grinch, Collin Dildy as Sparky the Fire Pup, Corinth Fire Department Training Officer Jerry Whirley and firefighter Darrell Hill. The toy drive is being held Dec. 9-11 from 12-6 p.m. at the Corinth Walmart on S. Harper Road. Unwrapped new toys, baby wipes and all sizes of diapers can be dropped off during this time to help ensure every Crossroads area child has a wonderful Christmas.

I inquired about how many disadvantaged children DHS worked with,

Corinth Fire Department firemen will be at the Corinth Wal-Mart from noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 9-11 to collect toys for disadvantaged children. Seven-year firefighter Darrell Hill collects toys for the drive outside Wal-Mart.

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Corinth Fire Department firefighter Greg Ross loads donated toys into a trailer during the drive.

How to pet-proof your home when decking the halls

The holiday season is a special time of year. Many factors combine to make the holiday season so unique and festive, and that includes all the effort people put into decorating their homes.

Much thought is giving to holiday lighting arrangements and which tree to buy, but it’s equally important to consider pets when decorating. Many common household pets are naturally curious, and that curiosity can make it difficult to decorate safely come the holiday season.

But various pet-proofing strategies can ensure holiday decorations and displays aren’t compromised by four-legged friends this season.

Secure the Christmas tree

Much like other residents of the home, pets may be mesmerized by a glowing Christmas tree. Pets may sniff around the tree or investigate it closely, which can increase the chances that it tips over. That poses a significant safety hazard and underscores the importance of using a sturdy stand. Fastening the tree to a wall, much like one might do with a television that isn’t mounted, adds a further layer of protection from tip-overs.

Block off base of live tree

Live trees need water to stay green and keep their needles throughout the season. That water could prove enticing to thirsty pets. Drinking water from a tree stand could increase the risk of the tree tipping over and the water could upset the stomach of pets if the tree was treated with pesticides prior to being brought home. When decorating with a live tree, make sure the base of the tree where the water will be is blocked off. A small fence around the tree could keep curious pets away. The room where the tree is located should be locked or inaccessible when pets are home alone.

Inspect and conceal light wires

Wires can become frayed over time, and that could pique pets’ curiosity. Lighting

Decorating is part of the holiday season. Pet owners must exercise an extra bit of caution to keep their pets and homes safe when decorating during this special time of year.

wires should always be inspected prior to decorating and frayed or damaged wires should be thrown away, even if it means replacing lights. If wires are still sturdy, conceal them along the base of the wall using a cable concealer, which prevents pets from chewing on them.

Avoid lighting candles

Candles should not be lit in homes with pets. Even candles on shelves that are seemingly beyond pets’ reach can be hazardous, as pets, especially cats, have a way of accessing spaces they seemingly

shouldn’t be able to reach. Use electric candles in lieu of traditional ones.

Speak to a vet

Talk to your vet about seasonal plants and flowers before bringing them into the home. Pet owners can speak with their veteri narians before bringing poinsettias, holly and other seasonal plants and flowers into their homes. Some pets could suffer allergic reactions if they eat certain seasonal plants, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and speak to a vet before including live plants and flowers in decorative displays.

Salvation Army Director Michelle Miles (right) and Salvation Army Thrift Store Manager Ashlea Rhodes get the Angel Tree ready as toys and clothes are needed for this year’s angels. Contact the Salvation Army to adopt an angel this year.

waiting for a

Story by CAROL HUMPHREYS Photos by MARK BOEHLER

What President Abraham Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature” often shows up during the Christmas season. This desire to reduce the suffering of others is the mission of The Salvation Army and Michele Miles, service center manager for the organization in Corinth.

She has millions of stories she can tell about disadvantaged children and those who have reached out so these little “angels” can have a happier Christmas. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program is a big part of her stories. The program provides Christmas gifts for hundreds of children in Alcorn County each year who would otherwise go without.

The charity coordinator has worked with the non-profit Christian organization for 22 years. Early in her profession she had an encounter with a young family that reinforced her belief her work was a calling from God and thankful God led her there.

“It was the beginning of October and my second year working with The Salvation Army in Corinth. I was still very new in learning about our organization. It was also one of my first times working with the Angel Tree program,” said Miles. “I was told there was a lady wanting to see me in the front office. When I walked into the room, she was just sobbing. I sat down and started talking to her.

“She told me she had three boys very close in age. Her youngest child was 6 years old. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, ‘I need help for my children and I have nowhere else to turn.’

“Her 6-year-old had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and the young mother didn’t have any life insurance on him. She was trying to go ahead and make payments for her child’s funeral and burial so she would have the money when he passed away.

“’I’m not going to be able to have Christmas for my children’,” she said sadly.

“I gathered information from her. The child and his family’s situation just tugged at my heart.

“We got sponsors to adopt the family and I’ll never forget how we loaded up Santa Claus in the Salvation Army truck. We went to their house Christmas Eve with gifts from Santa and spent about two hours with the family. It was one of the best two hours of my life watching in amazement as this child enjoyed Christmas.

“The following April when I arrived at work, the mother was standing on the doorstep. She said, ‘I wanted to come tell you my son has passed away and also, my children have never had a Christmas like they had this past Christmas. This was my baby’s last Christmas and your co-workers and you made it wonderful. I just wanted to let you know I love and appreciate you for everything you did for my family.’

“She had brought back everything that been given to her youngest that Christmas, saying she wanted us to give it to a boy her son’s age who could use it.”

Every year The Salvation Army obtains a list of children in Alcorn County whose families are going through a hard time. The hope is each child may still be able to experience the joy of Christmas.

Angel tags are printed for each child, newborn to 12 years old, and placed on an “Angel Tree.”

“For most children, these items from the Angel Tree will be all they get for Christmas,” said Store Manager Ashlea Rhodes, who has worked for the Salvation Army for 15 years.

“It’s always a blessing for them and us as well,” she said. “I love helping families in our community who are not able to afford Christmas. Parents are always amazed at what their children get and so appreciative.”

As important as it is the children have an enjoyable Christmas, it’s even more important they get what they need.

The most essential items on the list are warm clothing like jackets, coats and three or four new outfits. A new pair of shoes is also needed because most of the children wear shoes that are too little or hand-me-downs from an older brother or sister that are too big for them.

Gifts can also include two to three toys, probably all the toys a child will receive on Christmas Day.

When an “angel” is adopted from the tree, a list is given for each including the child’s first name and age. An attached letter includes the child’s clothing sizes, shoe size and the items on their wish list. When applicants come pick up an Angel Tree packet, they fill it out and give copies of picture identifications, any income coming into the household and copies of their bills.

Angel Trees are located at The Salvation Army on Lackey Drive and at Walmart in Corinth. Donors select their angels, purchase gifts and return them to the Angel Tree by the given deadline on each tag. Upon their return, the gifts are taken to The Salvation Army store for pickup.

Miles believes this year will be another tough year for applicants.

There may be parents who have lost their jobs and struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

“When you’re talking about $750 a month rent for a house maybe not even in the best condition but still a home, a lot of families have to struggle to pay the rent,” said Miles. “Utility and food bills have been crazy high this past summer. There are also situations where someone in the family has been sick and the wage earner has had to miss work for an extended period of time. When their income is disrupted, they have to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul.’ Sometimes this disruption in income takes months for someone to get back on their feet.”

Most of the children’s names on the Angel Tree are acquired through working with the Alcorn County school systems. Miles commented teachers see children every day and usually can tell if a child is in need. She noted a lot of times parents won’t ask for assistance or sign up because they fear they’re holding another child back from being served.

Every year The Salvation Army obtains a list of children in Alcorn County whose families are going through a hard time. The hope is each child may still be able to experience the joy of Christmas.

For the past couple of years, The Salvation Army has been following up Angel Tree gifts by providing each family with a food box with about $150 worth of groceries. It includes canned goods, meats like hamburger and cold cuts and cold products like milk and eggs. The food is geared for children during the time they’re out of school for the holidays and not receiving school breakfast and lunch.

Families receive their children’s gifts and food box in a drive-through at the store. ID’s are checked against paperwork the Salvation Army has. Last year, there was about 130 Alcorn County recipients.

Though Angel Tree adoptions usually start in November, Miles said many times they’re still trying to get children taken care of the day before Christmas Eve.

“But we get it done,” she said in gratefulness. “We’ve never had a child in this county not taken care of. We may be down to the last minute and I have delivered gifts on Christmas Eve. Somehow, someway, God makes a way.”

The Salvation Army administrator stressed her coworkers and her take their responsibility to the Angel Tree families very seriously and work

hard to get the children adopted. When the “Angels” gifts come back, the clothing and shoe sizes are checked to make sure the children are getting want he or she needs.

“We still have to explain to children what the true meaning of Christmas is,” she added. “If we are meeting their physical needs the way we should, then they’ll be able to see the

Love of God through what we are doing. I have been blessed and privileged to be a part of so many incidences. For 22 years I have loved and enjoyed every minute of what I do.”

ABOVE: Salvation Army Angel Trees have envelopes which contain the angel’s name and age on the outside. Those adopting angels will find the child’s toy wish list and sizes for clothes and shoes.

Angel Tree volunteers can call the Salvation Army at 662-287-6979.

ideas easy holiday centerpiece

The holiday season is a great time to make any home a bit more merry and bright. Most individuals let their personalities show through their home decor, and holiday decorating is just as personal as decorating throughout the rest of the year.

The main living areas of a home get the most decorating attention, with a Christmas tree or menorah taking a prominent position in the front window. Garlands, candles and other accoutrements also may dress up spaces. However, when it comes to holiday hosting, attention also should be given to the dining table – which can benefit from a festive centerpiece.

Premade centerpieces are undeniably attractive, but adding a homespun touch can be a fun creative pursuit and become a family tradition. Explore these eight simple ideas to dress up your holiday table.

1. FROSTED PINE CONES: Take advantage of a crisp winter’s day to venture into a forest or park that is rich with evergreen trees. Gather pine cones from the forest floor and, if possible, a few evergreen

Holiday hosts and hostesses should not neglect the dining table when they decorate. Festive centerpieces can be handmade without much effort on the part of hosts.

boughs. Give the pine cones a touch of winter whimsy with a little faux snow in a can or even white paint. Nestle the boughs and pine cones into a wide-mouthed vase or bowl in the center of the table. Individual pine cones can later be turned into place cards for seating guests.

2. HOLIDAY THANKS: Cut many strips of paper roughly 6 inches in length from various colored pieces of paper to match the holiday theme. When guests arrive, ask them to write a favorite holiday memory or two, or what they’re thankful for. Twirl the paper strips around a pencil to curl them, and then place the curlicues into a decorative bowl in the center of the table. Later in the evening, the host or hostess can read some of the sentiments.

3. MAGICAL FOREST: Use green and silver conical party hats to turn a table or sideboard into a veritable evergreen forest. Arrange them on a blanket of faux snow or white confetti.

4. FRESHLY CUT: Select attractive flowers in vibrant holiday hues from a florist or even the supermarket floral section. Cut

the stems and place them into an unusual display container, such as holiday themed mugs or a punch bowl.

5. GLASS BAUBLES: Who says ornaments should be exclusive to the tree? A crystal or glass cake stand can be transformed into an icy delight when topped with silver and clear glass ornaments.

6. BIRCH WOOD: The crisp white coloring of birch bark is right at home with holiday decor. Go stark with pieces of the cut wood in varying heights intermingled with white candles that mimic the shapes and scale of the wood.

7. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES: If guests are coming over and the race is on for a fast centerpiece, look no further than the kitchen. Lemons, artichokes, pears, or pomegranates look festive in a bowl interspersed with some greenery and baby’s breath.

8. CORNUCOPIA: The horn of plenty can be customized to any holiday. Purchase a horn in wicker or woven grapevine and fill with flowers, fruit and greenery, or even painted gourds or miniature pumpkins.

lives at the Jacinto Courthouse

Read full story on page 62

County historic treasure hosts

Story by BRANT SAPPINGTON Photos by MARK BOEHLER

Twinkling lights adorn the trees around the old brick courthouse as the glow of holiday hope spills from the windows of one of the area’s historic treasures.

It’s Christmas at Jacinto in a place where tradition and history come together to celebrate the holiday with a spirit of community and togetherness.

“It’s just such a special place and we want to share it with everyone,” said Jacinto Foundation Executive Director Charlette Foster.

Built in 1854 as the centerpiece of the town of Jacinto and the seat of government for Old Tishomingo County, which included the presentday counties of Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo, the Jacinto Courthouse is one of only a handful of surviving courthouses that pre-date the Civil War and a rare example of the foursquare style of architecture which was very uncommon in the Deep South.

Today the courthouse serves as a thriving center for community and cultural activities.

Christmas in 2021 saw a rebirth of Christmas spirit at the site as the foundation began a new tradition with Christmas at Jacinto.

“People loved it and we had so many people come together and help us out,” said Foster.

It was the first time the courthouse has ever been lit up for Christmas as far as anyone can remember, she said.

Activities included visits each weekend from local church choirs, pictures with Santa in the historic courthouse, horse and wagon rides and warm coffee and hot chocolate from the historic general store on the property.

“We just wanted to have

an old-fashioned, nostalgic Christmas,” said Foster.

The inside of the courthouse was decorated with antique-style decorations reflecting years gone by while a donated 50-foot tree outside and the exterior of the courthouse were lit it up with holiday cheer.

Planning is already underway for this year’s event with the kickoff set for the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 26. They plan to add more lights and more events and will also host breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The courthouse and

PAGE:

surrounding park will also be lit each evening for those who want to just relax and enjoy being outside under the lights.

All proceeds of Christmas at Jacinto goes right back to the Jacinto Foundation for the upkeep and care of the historic structure and grounds.

LEFT: Jacinto Foundation Executive Director Charlette Foster and volunteer Rhoda Cannon serve up hot chocolate in the Jacinto Country Store at a special Christmas event in 2021. FACING

Jacinto Courthouse is dressed up for the holidays.

Community has long tradition of giving to

Newspaper partners with Corinth Rotary Club for food giveaway active for at least 82 years

Story by CAROL HUMPHREYS Photos by MARK BOEHLER

The bad news: Economists are predicting prices and the cost of living will remain high for the rest of 2022.

The good news: An enduring spirit of giving in Corinth and Alcorn County provides hope for many financially disadvantaged families this Christmas.

The 27th Annual Corinth Rotary Club/Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket Fund food giveaway will soon be underway. It has been a long-standing holiday tradition in the community for at least the past 82 years. Currently, the annual program provides 1,000 holiday food baskets for local families in need through the generosity of donations. It’s a dedicated effort to make sure no family in Alcorn County goes without a good holiday meal.

“The Christmas Basket project is a good opportunity to get out into the community and provide service to those who need it,” said Corinth Rotary Club Basket Fund Chairman John Butler.

“I’ve mainly participated each year in packing the boxes and navigating vehicles when recipients come to pick up their boxes,” he continued. “It’s great to see all the partners Rotarians have in helping us out with the food. I feel like we’re helping those who are down on their luck and maybe gotten

a bad deal in life whether it’s temporary or something they deal with every day. It feels good to help when you’re able to.”

Community support like the Rotary Club’s in helping provide for struggling families goes back a long way in the Crossroads area. An Oct. 1, 1940, newspaper clipping from

the Daily Corinthian shows a list of charitable organizations in a drive to secure funds for their successful operations.

“Christmas Baskets” is listed as a community fund. Former executive director of United Way of Corinth and Alcorn County Betsy Whitehurst believes cheese was one of the products donated

to the baskets from local cheese manufacturer, “Kraft-Phenix Cheese Company,” which operated in the mid-1900s. She also remembers her mother helping to box up food for the Christmas baskets in the late 1960s.

ABOVE: Rotarian Bubba Labas checks pack canned good for the Christmas food boxes. FACING PAGE: Rotarian John Frame helps pack food boxes at the Crossroads Arena on a Thursday evening prior to the Saturday morning giveaway.

Various civic organizations such as The Alcorn County Community Fund (now United Way) and the Corinth Welfare Association maintained the Christmas Basket project for many years at least through the early ’80s. In 1995, the Corinth Rotary Club and the Daily Corinthian teamed up to cosponsor the annual Christmas fundraiser with a $15,000 goal.

Each 1995 Christmas basket contained a canned ham, bag of sugar, flour, cornmeal, a loaf of bread, dried beans, eggs, canned vegetables, fresh fruit and candy. Baskets were expected to contain enough food to last a few days. The goal was for the cornucopia of food to help elderly people living alone and financially strapped families.

The collaboration was successful as businesses, schools and citizens pulled together to give assistance to those less fortunate. Every year since there have been more donations and volunteers who have joined in the effort to make the Christmas holidays brighter for the entire community.

Hopefully this year will be no exception. Publisher Reece Terry of the Daily Corinthian stressed the need for giving this year as prices continue to increase resulting in more people needing assistance.

“The Daily Corinthian is extremely pleased to be able to continue to partner with Corinth Rotary to provide food to those in need during the holiday season,” he said.

Area businesses have always come together to supply the products for the baskets. Long Wholesale Distributors, Inc. has ordered groceries so there was no mark up and Gardner’s Supermarket has given bread and eggs. Kimberly Clark has donated boxes and tape. In 1995, Tri-State Bingo guaranteed over 2,300 canned vegetables.

Long Wholesales has participated in the Christmas Basket giveaway at least since 1995.

“We’ve been selling groceries for almost 80 years now and

something I know at least a little about. I have access to ways to get the various items we need for the baskets,” said president and Rotary member, Randy Long. “The annual Christmas Basket Fund food giveaway is something that touches

my heart. Knowing there are families out there who are hungry and rearing children when things are so expensive, I want to help in some way.”

As a Rotarian, Long said distributing Christmas baskets is important to the club.

“We have worked hard in this effort and try to be a big help at Christmas time,” he said.

He also gave credit to the Daily Corinthian, commenting the local newspaper has always played a vital part in the Christmas Basket Fund.

Boy Scout Cooper Fondron carries to food box to a vehicle during the giveaway.

“We couldn’t get all the food and support together for this fundraiser unless people knew about it and the Daily Corinthian makes sure folks get information so they can step up and help,” he added.

The business man also

baskets ready for distribution.

The Rotary Club and Daily Corinthian receive a lot of support from students participating in school clubs, the Boy Scouts and students giving service hours. Long remarked the hardworking kids were always energetic and cheerful.

“We usually pack boxes on a Thursday night. We have to take all these groceries and put them in 1,000 cardboard boxes. It’s always well-organized and takes less than two hours to pack the boxes. It’s a lot of fun,” he said.

Longtime Rotary Club member Hull Davis agrees. He’s been involved in the Rotary Club since 1969.

“I generally help with the packing of the boxes on Thursday night and the distribution of the baskets on Saturday morning. There has always been a strong community involvement in this effort.

The Rotary Club really comes together during this time as a unit, but we couldn’t do it without the participation from the high school students. They help us not only with packing the boxes but also with distributing them,” he said.

Both Long and Davis commented it was the smiles and appreciation on the faces of basket recipients that have made the Christmas Basket project worthwhile.

“The best part for me has been when recipients come through the lines in their vehicles, smiling and saying, ‘Merry Christmas,’” said Long. “I can tell these are people in great need and they’re just so happy and grateful to receive the baskets.”

Despite the pandemic hardships of 2020, the year’s fund-raising for the Christmas baskets surpassed the 2019 total. Last year the $21,000 fundraising goal was also reached.

acknowledged Corinth Brick Co. and owner, Allan Lee, a former Rotarian and president of the club.

“Allan always sends his trucks to Long Wholesale to pick up the groceries for the baskets and transport them to Crossroads

Arena to assemble for distributions. Most of the time my trucks are out on the road delivering and Allan’s trucks are a huge help every year,” said the wholesale food distributor.

Volunteers have always played a big part in getting the

Long Wholesale works with food pantries and food ministries all over northeast Mississippi. Long commented all of them have told him they are experiencing higher demand for food this year.

Jennifer Yeates Taylor of the Corinth Rotary Club and other volunteers pack oranges into the Christmas food boxes.

A fundraising goal of $23,500 has been set to fund this year’s Christmas Basket program. Donations from private individuals are the primary support for the Christmas baskets. As shown in the past, no matter the economic conditions at Christmastime, citizens of Corinth and Alcorn County are a generous community in helping those in need.

The Christmas baskets are not only a gift to recipients, but also to those who give.

food basket

each box has two loaves of

ABOVE: Boy Scout John Labas assists with the Christmas

giveaway process, making sure

bread. RIGHT: Rotarian Nick Bain loads full food boxes on a pallet during packing night at the Crossroads Arena.

ABOVE: Boy Scouts assemble boxes during packing night, then the boxes will be filled with food and paper products. Boy Scouts play a key role in both the packing and giveaway process. FACING PAGE: Rotarian Vince Overholt places Kimberly-Clark paper products into the Christmas food boxes.

Millions of people across the globe feel that the holiday season is a magical time of year. Though those people come from all walks of life, it’s likely that no group is as taken by the unique spirit of the holiday season as much as children.

Whether they’re looking forward to Santa’s arrival or preparing for a school holiday pageant, kids have much to be excited about come December.

Parents can channel that enthusiasm by involving kids when decorating around the house this holiday season. Make homemade ornaments. The options are limitless when

making holiday ornaments with children. From simple ornaments made from pine cones picked up outside to more complex projects designed for children nearing adolescence, parents can look to the internet to find design ideas and directions for hundreds of ornaments.

Let kids lead the way when decorating the tree. Families that celebrate Christmas can let kids lead the way when

decorating their Christmas tree. Kids are likely to spend the weeks leading up to Santa’s arrival gazing in awe at the tree, and knowing they decided where to place the various ornaments on it might make the season even more special for youngsters.

Take kids along when choosing lawn ornaments. It’s not safe to involve children when installing lighting displays, but kids will get a kick out

Inviting kids to pitch in when decorating for the holidays can make the season even more special for its youngest celebrants.

of choosing inflatable lawn decorations and other items to place around the yard. Take kids along when buying new items and then seek their input when placing Frosty, Santa and his reindeer friends around the yard. Include kids in culinary decor. Many celebrants cannot imagine a holiday season without gingerbread houses and cookies. These traditions provide another great opportunity to involve children in holiday decorating. Set aside some time to make homemade gingerbread houses, which can be used as decorations before they’re ultimately eaten. Cookies may not have the shelf life of a typical gingerbread house, but kids can pitch in and decorate cookies prior to a holiday party or family meal.

The spirit of the holiday season can be seen on the faces of children each December.

WHEN DID

become so popular? CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Holiday lights are now everywhere come the holiday season.

Private homeowners tend to hang the holiday lights outside their homes around Thanksgiving weekend and keep them up through New Year’s Day.

Though it might seem like a tradition without a deep history, decorating a Christmas tree with electric lights can be traced all the way back to the nineteenth century.

In 1882, Edward Johnson, who was a friend and colleague of the man who invented light bulbs, Thomas Edison, replaced candles, which had traditionally been used to briefly light Christmas trees, with light bulbs. But at the time of Johnson’s innovation, the high cost and relative infancy of light bulbs ensured the idea did not catch on.

Though it might seem like a tradition without a deep history, decorating a Christmas tree with electric lights can be traced all the way back to the nineteenth century.

And though United States President Grover Cleveland used electric lights to illuminate a Christmas tree in the White House in 1895, it would be another eight years before General Electric would begin selling Christmas light kits. Those kits cost $12 in 1903, which equates to several hundred dollars today. The first outdoor Christmas light shows started to become popular in the 1920s, and this is the same time when commercial sales of Christmas lights picked up.

In the 1960s, GE’s decision to begin manufacturing Christmas lights overseas helped reduce the price of outdoor lights even further, thus paving the way for the tradition of decorating home exteriors with string lights during the holiday season to take a firm hold. And that tradition remains wildly popular today, especially in the Crossroads area.

How to travel safely this holiday season

Transportation Security Administrators screened more than 1.3 million people on January 3, 2021, at airport security checkpoints across the United States.

That was the largest number of travelers the TSA had seen since March 15, 2020, which was just four days after the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. Airports and other transportation hubs are now as crowded as ever, as the world has largely opened up and vaccinations have helped people feel more confident about traveling.

With millions once again returning to the roads, rails and skies to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, it is once again prudent to go over safety tips that pertain to

holiday-related travel. Follow these guidelines when heading home for the holidays.

Make your home secure

Travel safety begins before you even step outside your door. It means securing the home and any belongings inside and protecting them from thieves who prey upon holiday travelers. Burglaries tend to rise in both the summer months and during the holidays, when homes are more likely to be vacant. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on the property and report any suspicious activity. Install a home alarm and activate it. Utilize a video doorbell, which can be answered remotely. Don’t post travel plans on social media, and be sure your home looks

occupied while you’re away.

Practice safe air travel

Airports are busy at all times of the year, but particularly so during the holiday season. Guard belongings by keeping an eye on your luggage and other bags at all times, even after boarding the plane. If you will be bringing a tablet, laptop or another expensive device onto the plane, put it on the x-ray belt last, so the device will not be out in the open for too long. Keep close to young children so they cannot wander off and get lost.

Prepare for vehicle travel

If you’re driving, get an oil change if it is due or close to it. Have an emergency kit packed into the car that includes road breakdown tools, flares, blankets, water, and snacks. Avoid distractions while on the road and depart after getting

plenty of rest. Designate a sober driver to get everyone home after drinking at a party where alcohol is being served.

It’s cold, icy and snowy in most areas during the holidays. Roads can be slippery and conditions suboptimal. Leave extra time, drive slowly and avoid driving until roads have been treated.

Keep gifts out of sight

When transporting gifts to and from home, including shopping for presents, keep items away from curious eyes. Packages should be kept in a locked trunk or in a covered cargo area. Consider shipping items to their destinations (and insure the packages) to avoid running the risk of gifts being lost or stolen en route.

These are just a few ways to keep safe when traveling for the holiday season. Keep merry and bright by avoiding theft and injury.

How to celebrate the holidays away from home

A popular Christmas song attests “there’s no place like home for the holidays.” For many people, a truer statement couldn’t be uttered.

But sometimes life gets in the way of an old-fashioned holiday spent at home.

There are a number of reasons why individuals may not be able to spend the holidays at home. Active military service people may not be able to leave their posts to travel home. Some students studying abroad or even far away domestically may find getting back to their homes can be time- and costprohibitive. Some people may not be home for the holidays because work obligations keep them out of town, or because they have planned vacations to serve as nontraditional holiday celebrations.

Being away from some familiar sights and sounds of the holidays doesn’t mean celebrations should be any less special. Here are tips for

celebrating away from home.

■ Find people in similar situations. Chances are you will not be the only person away from home, particularly if you are a student or someone on a business venture. Connect with others who are away from their families and do something together for the holidays.

■ Partake of local traditional activities. You may be used to baking sugar cookies for the holidays, but in a foreign country, the locals may make another type of dessert. Figure out how the locals celebrate the

Being away from home during the holidays may not be ideal. However, there are plenty of ways to maintain your holiday spirit when celebrating in unfamiliar surroundings.

holidays and then take part in any way you can.

■ Volunteer your time. If you will be away or alone for the holidays, volunteer your time to help the less fortunate. Deliver meals to those who are not able to leave home, like seniors, or volunteer at a soup kitchen. Visit a children’s hospital and deliver small gifts.

■ Engage in virtual fun. Connect with people at home through the power of digital technology. Video conferencing services connect people who can’t be together in person.

Utilize these apps and services to remote into a holiday dinner or when loved ones open gifts.

■ Cook up your favorites. Evoke traditional holiday celebrations by cooking the foods you would normally enjoy at home. Those tastes and smells can transport you back to grandma’s kitchen or dad’s living room.

■ Stay off of social media. Being away from home during the holidays can be challenging, and that challenge can be even greater if you see photo after photo on social media of people you know spending time with their friends and loved ones. Tune out of your social feeds for a few days.

■ Invite others to you. Maybe you don’t have the means of getting home, but you can bring those at home to you. Find out if anyone can plan a road trip, train ride or flight to where you are and then enjoy the holidays together.

With millions once again returning to the roads, rails and skies to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, it is once again prudent to go over safety tips that pertain to holiday-related travel.

Classic cocktail toasts the season with a twist

People indulge just a little bit more when the holidays arrive. That may translate into enjoying an extra meal at a favorite neighborhood restaurant, buying one or two additional gifts to stash under the tree or hosting a gathering with close friends that stretches into the wee hours of the morning.

Some choose to indulge by sipping a cocktail while watching the snowflakes fall. A whiskey sour is a classic that can be given a makeover with some ingre dients that are tailor-made for the holiday season. In this recipe for “Rosemary Cranberry Whiskey Sour,” courtesy of the editors of American Lifestyle, fragrant and flavorful fruit and herbs blend well with the tartness of the drink.

Rosemary Cranberry Whiskey Sour

Makes 4

Rosemary Simple Syrup: 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary

Cocktail: 6 ounces whiskey 3 ounces sour mix 16 ounces cranberry juice

Cranberries, for garnish Rosemary sprigs, for garnish

1. In a small pot over medium heat, whisk together the sugar, water and rosemary. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, creating a syrup. Remove from the heat, strain to remove the rosemary, and refrigerate.

2. Fill a shaker with ice, and pour in the whiskey, sour mix, simple syrup, and cranberry juice. Shake, and pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary before serving.

Tip: This recipe is great without the whiskey, as a classy, adult “zero proof” drink. You can make a big batch as a lovely punch – leave some cranberries and rosemary on the side for garnish.

Gifts to complete your holiday list

School-aged children

Successful shopping for adults on a holiday list often involves identifying a loved one’s favorite hobby and then finding something that makes that hobby even more enjoyable. For example, a new e-reader can be just what the family bookworm needs to make reading even more immersive.

School-aged children may not be so simple to shop for, as their interests are always evolving and they tend to outgrow toys as quickly as their growing bodies outgrow their clothes. No two kids are the same, but these gift ideas can appeal to school-aged youngsters at a time in their lives when their curiosity is always piqued.

STEM gifts

Parents know that the term “STEM” is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. These academic disciplines have gained heightened importance over the last couple of decades, and many toy manufacturers now make products that reinforce STEM lessons kids learn in the classroom in a fun way. STEMbased toys are available for kids of all ages, including children who are still in diapers.

Cookbooks

Cookbooks are another great gift for school-aged youngsters, who can learn a lot from pitching in at dinnertime. Children who cook with their parents can learn valuable lessons about nutrition and measuring ingredients can reinforce lessons learned in the classroom. Shoppers can choose from any number of cookbooks designed for kids, and even children as young as two can pitch in when baking cookies or preparing family meals.

Board games

Board games remain a wonderful way for kids to learn and have fun doing it. Board games are made for kids of all

ages, and they’re not just fun, but also beneficial to early childhood development. For example, clinical psychologist Beatrice Tauber Prior, Psy.D. noted to the children’s book publisher and distributor Scholastic that board games requiring strategy help the frontal lobes of the brain develop. Those lobes are responsible for planning, organizing and decision-making. Board games also provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together free from distractions.

Nature-based gifts

Many parents do everything they can to reduce the amount of time their kids spend looking at screens, which is a tall order in the digital era. But various manufacturers produce toys designed to help kids be more physically active in the great outdoors. From age-appropriate binoculars that encourage kids to explore natural settings to birdhouses and fairy gardens kids can build and paint in their favorite colors, shoppers can choose from a host of nature-

ABOVE: Shopping for school-aged children during the holiday season can be made easier with some suggestions that can reinforce classroom lessons while keeping the focus on fun. LEFT: Whether it’s portable tech, some help keeping their homes clean or a device designed to simplify homecooking, various gift ideas can help make busy professionals’ lives a little less hectic.

based gifts that encourage kids to get away from their screens and enjoy the great outdoors.

Busy professionals

The life of a successful professional can be hectic. Demands at work force many professionals to work long hours, and those days could be even longer for remote workers. In fact, a 2020 study of 2,800 workers by the staffing firm Robert Half found that 70 percent of workers who transitioned to remote work due to the pandemic now work on the weekends. The survey also found that 45 percent of workers indicate they now routinely work more hours during the week than they did prior to the pandemic.

With so much on their plates, busy professionals may not have time to shop for products that can make their lives a little easier. That makes the holiday season a perfect time for people to consider what to get the hardworking professional on their shopping list. These four gifts can each make it easier for

busy professionals to handle long days at the office.

Portable phone charger

Modern professionals rely on their smartphones to check and send work emails, keep track of their busy schedules and answer calls from colleagues, among other things. But those phones are only useful when their batteries are charged. Portable phone chargers are lightweight and easy to use, making them ideal for on-the-go professionals who need to keep their phones charged all day long.

Professionals who spend lots of time in their vehicles may love a solar-powered portable charger, which ensures their phone batteries stay charged even when they forget USB cables at home.

Wireless headphones

Though some models can cost of hundreds of dollars, a reliable set of wireless headphones can be found for as little as $50. These headphones can be especially useful for professionals who work from home, as many are designed to cancel out ambient noise, making it easier to participate in Zoom calls or other meetings even if the kids are being rowdy right outside a home office door.

Cleaning service

Few chores are less appealing after a long day at the office than cleaning a house. Many cleaning services offer weekly or monthly packages, and professionals would undoubtedly appreciate someone taking this timeconsuming task off their to-do list. Ask a relative or two to pitch in and help pay for the service if it’s beyond your budget.

Slow cooker

Slow cookers allow users to put everything in a pot in the morning and then arrive at night to a ready-to-eat, homecooked meal. These can be especially valuable to professionals who work long hours and don’t have the time to prepare a meal from scratch at the end of a workday.