E-Briefing November 1999 Stymied for good gift ideas? University of Cincinnati faculty and staff serve as "idea elves" with the suggestions below. Also below: suggestions for cutting stress and battling the holidays' ills; picking the best tree; as well as customs and traditions from around the world Table of contents 1. Gift ideas for navigating holiday shopping A. Clothes anyone? Only for those over 55 B. A picture-perfect gift C. The write gifts: best in literature D. The write gifts for kids E. Literature with a holiday theme F. Pointers on poinsettias 2. Sometimes "ho-ho-ho" turns into "no-no-no" A. Make sure shopping isn't, literally, a pain B. Cybershopping has been "proved," will it prove profitable? C. Don't take a "pounding"-ing D. The holidays are nothing to sneeze at E. Light up safely indoors F. Light up safetly outdoors too G. Cut the stress to cut domestic violence H. Combat depression I. Christmas past can haunt Christmas present J. Christmas intensifies the struggle of addiction K. Snowman leads the way to easing stress 3. We, of course, celebrate American style. Other customs and traditions A. Greece B. Germany C. Germany, a haunting holiday for some D. Merry Olde England E. Japan 4. What's "tops" in trees 1. GIFT IDEAS A. CLOTHES ANYONE? Margaret Voelker-Ferrier, associate professor of fashion design, says that if you seek a gift for a man or woman aged 35-55, you might want to skip on purchasing clothing as spending on apparel for this age group has fallen 25 percent over the last decade. Home furnishings and entertainment are much more likely to be a hit with this age group. Teens and young adults are another story. They are driving the boom in stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic and The Gap. Apparel spending usually increases for those above 55. "Then, the house is finished more or less. The kids are gone. I'm a perfect example. My house is finished. I'm 51 and a perfect bell-weather. I've spent a lot more on clothes in the past couple of years after going without doing so for many years." contact: 513-556-5041 B. A PICTURE-PERFECT GIFT Jay Yocis, production manager, UC's Photographic Services, has suggestions for camera and accessory purchases for beginning and advanced photographers. For beginners, he recommends the basic 35-millimeter SLR (single lens reflex) camera made by any major manufacturer (Nikon, Canon, Minolta or Pentax). These cameras allow the user to learn the basics of the craft -- framing, focusing and adjusting the aperture (light setting) -- by hand. But they also allow for automatic exposure and automatic flash when it's more convenient, and Yocis specifically recommends buying a camera that allows for both manual and automatic settings. All the basic models can grow with the beginning photographer as a variety of lenses, from wide angle (good for group shots) to telephoto (good for individual portraits) to zoom (good for family gatherings), can be used with these cameras. For the more advanced photographer, Yocis prefers Nikon's F5 and Canon's EOS 1N. "These are built to last with full features like advanced exposure and fill-flash modes, expandable accessory lines, interchangeable viewfinders, and computer linking," he said. For any photographer happy with his basic equipment, Yocis added that all the major manufacturers have a long list of accessories to meet any challenge, whether its underwater photography, sports photography or fine art photography. contact: 513-556-0393 C. THE WRITE GIFTS Gifts of holiday literature can be woven into family traditions, building on the quality time the family spends together. UC associate professor of education Darwin Henderson is an expert on early childhood education and children's literature. Henderson says a new holiday book can become a family treasure that can be handed down to generations. "These beautiful pieces of literature have a special meaning, as families read to children and children read to their family." Some favorite suggestions: "Twas the Night Before Christmas," "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg and the Dr. Seuss classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." contact: 513-556-0198 D. THE WRITE GIFTS FOR KIDS Fiction writer Erin McGraw, associate professor of English, suggests those shopping for children opt for books by Edward Eager which are being re-issued from the 1950s. The best-known Eager book is "Half Magic," a tale of children who find a talisman that grants only half their wishes. "It's smart, and kids will like it because it's smart," said McGraw. Adults and children alike might like the Harry Potter book series while adults might like a new novel by Michael Frayn called "Headlong." "It's funny and engrossing. It's pretty intricate," added McGraw. contact: 513-791-8375 E. LITERATURE WITH A HOLIDAY THEME Rosemary Franklin, English literature biographer, recommends the following books as holiday gifts. All have a holiday theme: the James Joyce short story "The Dead," part of his book, "The Dubliners," has a beautiful description of a holiday feast; "A Child's Christmas in Wales" by Dylan Thomas describes the Yuletide in Wales and is best read aloud to a child; "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote is a haunting tale of loss; and "The Power of Light" by Isaac Bashevis Singer is a Hanukkah story for the child in all of us. contact: 513-556-0633 F. POINTERS ON POINSETTIAS Poinsettias are a traditional gift, but anyone who has kept the potted plants beyond the holidays knows that they usually end up looking like bedraggled weeds. Want to keep your poinsettia glowing for Christmases future? Tom Smith, academic area coordinator for UC's horticulture program, recommends reducing watering after Christmas and then cut back the plant till it is only four or five inches high. Come May, leave the plant outside which will allow it to grow. Bring the plant back indoors in September, and DO NOT place it near any light source from 9 p.m.-9 a.m. The plant requires those 12 hours of darkness from September through October when it can emerge to finish developing its color for the holidays. While shopping for poinsettias, look at the flower which is the small, yellow blossom inside the red leaves. Look for tighter blossoms which indicates the plant is still coming into bloom. Look for dark, green foliage from the stem to the pot. Avoid drooping or yellowed leaves. Avoid plants displayed in drafty store areas or those where the wrapping container is tight around the plant. At home, keep the poinsettias in a moderately warm area, at about 65 to 70 degrees. Don't overwater. Give it one good soaking, and then, let it dry out before watering again. Make sure excess water can drain from the plant. Do not leave water sitting in a saucer underneath the plant. contact: 513-853-6821 2. SOMETIMES "HO-HO-HO" TURNS INTO "NO-NO-NO." SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR COPING WITH STRESS AND FRUSTRATIONS THAT CAN BECOME PART AND PARCEL OF THE HOLIDAYS A. MAKE SURE SHOPPING ISN'T A PAIN Brad Hammond, associate professor of industrial design, suggests that when carrying shopping bags, balance the weight of purchases to carry equal amounts in either hand. The slim handles on traditional shopping bags are bad for the body because they don't spread the pressure of the bag's weight over a wide surface. Ideally, a contoured handle of about three-quarters of an inch in diameter could be slipped over the current handles. Until that is invented, Hammond quips that "dragging the shopping bag like you do a bag of raked leaves" would create less stress on the body. Or, until someone invents a Christmas shopping cart based on wheeled luggage with collapsible handles, just use your wheeled luggage with a collapsible handle to ergonomically tote purchases. contact: 513-556-0250 B. OR SHOP VIA THE KEYBOARD Chris Allen, professor of marketing, says that last year "proved" e-commerce as a possibility as shoppers turned to the net in "legitimate numbers." This Christmas will test whether its profitable for retailers. "This season is going to be definitive as far as who some of the survivors are and who falls by the wayside." The amount of money being spent on advertising will greatly increase the pressure for "dot com" sites to produce. Ironically, e-commerce has turned to traditional media to lure shoppers. "This supposedly revolutionary new medium has really brought billboards back to life. Billboards across the country can't be bought right now, they are committed for months and months, because of this 'dot com' advertising." contact: 513-556-7110 C. DON'T TAKE A "POUND"-ING The holiday season can bring on the biggest weight gains of the year, followed by New Year's resolutions that are never achieved. UC Wellness Center director Kirsten Lupinski says Americans gain an average of seven to ten pounds between Thanksgiving and the new year. Lupinski says January and February bring the highest number of people to exercise gyms, but they usually stick around only four to six weeks. Although Americans want to see instant results as they're working to shape up, the key to getting fit is staying committed to an exercise routine. Lupinski adds that exercise reduces stress, which is a benefit as the holidays can be the most stressful time of the year. "People may need to scale back their exercise routine during the holiday rush, but they shouldn't abandon it altogether. Instead, they should try group activities, such as skiing and ice skating," says Lupinski. contact: 513-556-6124 D. THE HOLIDAYS ARE NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT A holiday season with all the trimmings can trigger allergies. Live Christmas trees bring mold spores into the home, causing allergic respiratory symptoms, according to Dr. David Bernstein, an internal medicine/immunology specialist at UC's Medical Center. Symptoms may include a runny nose, watery eyes and even asthmatic reactions. In addition, dust mites can be a problem for people who are doing a lot of housecleaning in preparation for guests and gatherings. "People may feel the pressure to stay at the homes of relatives during the holiday season, where they can encounter indoor allergens they don't have at home," continues Bernstein. For instance people who suffer from cat allergies may suffer a severe reaction if they spend a few days at a home where a cat dwells. Bernstein says these allergy sufferers can help ward off a severe attack by taking their medication before visiting the relative's home, and limiting visits to a few hours. Finally, people with serious food allergies may want to check the recipes of holiday treats. Candies and cakes often contain nuts and other ingredients that can cause severe life-threatening reactions in allergy sufferers. contact: 513-558-4701 E. LIGHT UP SAFELY INDOORS Patrick Reynolds, director of UC's Fire Science Technology Program and a retired officer with New York City's fire department, warns that fire is a real holiday hazard. A "real" tree is highly combustible so families need to take precautions. First, don't place the tree where it blocks an exit. If the tree dries out, it will be even more flammable so keep the base steeped in water and don't place it near a forced-heat air vent (which will dry it out even more). Make sure all electric lighting is "UL-approved," meaning it is approved by a national group called the Underwriters Lab. When stringing light strands, make sure all plugs fit snugly together, don't overload any extension cords, and don't place strands where they might be stepped on. Even if placed under carpets, wires that are stepped on might lose their protective coating. Finally, keep the strands away from toddlers who might chew on them. Reynolds recommends a new topping for the tree: a portable smoke detector decorated as an angel or in some other holiday fashion. Just don't cover up the detector's vents. contact: 513-556-6583 F. LIGHT UP SAFELY OUTSIDE TOO Elvin Stepp, associate professor of electrical engineering technology, says the popular icicle lights shouldn't be hung from metal gutters. And homeowners shouldn't mix bulb types: the mini-bulbs with larger, more traditional C-7 and C-9 sizes. When deciding on size, consider that the mini-bulbs often come in strands of 100 or more, and if a single connection is loose, the whole strand goes dark. The C-7 and C-9 strands burn hotter and use more energy, but if one bulb comes loose, the rest stay bright through the night. The most dangerous electrical mistakes includes overloading circuits with too many strands connected together and mixing bulb types. Even strands with similar looking C-7 and C-9 bulbs should be kept separate and plugged into different sockets. contact: 513-556-6558 G. CUT THE STRESS TO CUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE With the increasing stress of the holidays also comes an increase in domestic violence, said Gary Dick, UC adjunct assistant professor of social work and the former director of an intervention program for batterers. "Stress is one of the predictors for domestic violence. People have a lot of expectations about what they want the holidays to be, and then, negative tendencies in our relationships, including domestic violence, have a tendency to intensify," he said. The more readily available flow of alcohol [at parties] also contributes to the increase in domestic violence. contact: 513-271-5365 H. COMBAT DEPRESSION Depression tends to increase during the holidays because our culture puts so much emphasis on families at this time of year, according to Gerald Bostwick, associate professor of social work. "Many people don't have families, and holidays are a reminder that they don't have what society is telling them they should have." A recent survey shows that only 26 percent of U.S. households are two-parent families with children. Bostwick recommends making connections, perhaps volunteering, to counteract isolation. Those with a lasting depression should seek treatment. contact: 513-556-4624 I. CHRISTMAS PAST CAN HAUNT CHRISTMAS PRESENT The past can haunt the holidays of the present, says Gary Dick, UC adjunct assistant professor of social work. Previous holidays, memories of the past, tend to resurface at this time of year. It might be that this holiday won't be like others in the past because of death, divorce, or children who have grown and moved away. Or, it might be that holidays in the past have been traumatic. It all adds up to tremendous pressure on families during an already overloaded time of year. Dick suggests that families re-evaluate their traditions to make life less stressful. "Keep traditions that work. Develop new traditions that fit with your values and family lifestyles. It might be painful to break away and so something new, but in the long run, it can be healthier." He also suggests, perhaps, postponing some holiday events to January. "Last year, we took our annual Christmas party with the extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins and moved it to the end of January. Everyone was more relaxed." contact: 513-271-5365 J. CHRISTMAS INTENSIFIES THE STRUGGLES OF ADDICTION Larry Anthony, program coordinator, Addiction Studies, says the holidays can intensify the struggles of those recovering from addictions. Memories of the past are stronger at this time of year, and the emphasis on having a good time as well as celebrations such as toasting a new year can trigger relapses for those with alcohol- or other addiction problems. "People recovering from addictions need to allow themselves to have fun...in activities that don't involve drinking. Spend time with positive people, sharing substance-free activities such as playing games or going to movies." He added that people recovering from addictions need to stay busy and plan for possible cravings. "They need to have a plan ready in case they start feeling cravings...techniques such as visualization or imagery. The plan may mean getting to the nearest phone to call a friend or member of a support group. Sometimes, it means they need to leave the party." Anthony also warned that holiday foods high in caffeine and sugars can intensify cravings; whereas other foods like peanuts and legumes which contain certain proteins can aid in relaxation. contact: 513-556-9196 K. SNOWMAN LEADS THE WAY TO EXERCISE, EASING STRESS AND THE MAKING OF NEW MEMORIES IF YOU DO IT RIGHT How many times have you seen the snowman's head topple to the ground? Well, building a three-level snowman isn't easy. Ron Huston, professor of engineering, warns that building the biggest snowman on the block will mean a fight with Mother Nature. Just as tall buildings need to be very wide at the base and then taper quickly to a skinny top, so with a solid snowman. Be content if you don't quite build the biggest on the block. After all, it will just look like the Eiffel Tower. The best material for a snowman is wet snow (vs. powdery) and "then you want the weather to get very cold so it doesn't melt," said Huston. contact: 513-556-6133 3. WE, OF COURSE, CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS "AMERICAN-STYLE." WHAT ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES AND THEIR TRADITIONS? UC FACULTY COME FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND SHARE THEIR NATIVE TRADITIONS A. GREECE Greek native Michael Romanos, professor of planning, says that the Feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6 is a major holiday in that country because St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, and Greece has always been dependent on the sea for its livelihood. In fact, though the European tradition of the Christmas tree is increasingly found in Greek cities, it is not the traditional decoration. Model sailboats aglow with candles and banners are. The sailboats sit in the windows, and children carry them while caroling on Christmas eve. He added that the gift-giving occasion in Greece is not Christmas but New Year's Eve and Day. Santa Claus doesn't bring the presents. St. Basil does. In addition, icons from the home are placed in the local church for over a month before New Year's. They are blessed at Christmas and carried home on New Year's Eve or Day to bring a blessing on the house in the coming year. Also on New Year's Eve, a special cake with a coin hidden inside is sliced and divided among the family, with one slice reserved for Jesus. Whoever finds the coin in his slice is promised good luck and prosperity in the coming year. If the coin is in Jesus' slice, the house will be blessed. Rich food is also part of the holiday tradition, including cookies of almonds and powdered sugar called "kourabie," honey syrup and walnut cookies called "melomakarouno," various kinds of sausages and "pichti," a jello made from the boiled bones of a pig. Said Romanos, "I like it [pichti], but my wife Carla [who is Greek-American] hates it." contact: 513-556-0258 B. GERMANY The traditions of Germany sound very familiar to American ears as many of our customs come from that country. German native Udo Greinacher, associate professor of architecture, explains that candles (part of the Advent wreath) are lit on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas. On December 6, St. Nicholas' Day, the saint appears in homes with the traditional red suit and white beard. "Sometimes, people hire students to play the part or the father does it. He comes with a branch to whip you if you've been bad. He reads from a big book about any misdeeds of the children and the dispenses gifts," said Greinacher. A few days before Christmas, Germans obtain live Christmas trees and decorate them with real candles. On Christmas eve, the room with the tree is kept dark. Then a bell rings, and the tree is lit. The tree is lit. The children sing some carols, and then, finally, are allowed to open presents. contact: 513-556-1128 C. GERMANY: A HAUNTING HOLIDAY FOR SOME Robert Probst, professor of design, grew up in the same part of Germany as did Greinacher and adds his own perspective on some of his native country's holiday traditions. On December 6, St. Nicholas visits children at school and at home, tallying their misdeeds or praising those who had been good. Recalled Probst, "I was so scared when I was little because I was always in trouble. St. Nicholas was always completely informed as to when I didn't do my chores, how many times I was late, when I'd broken something. He was always accompanied by a man all in black who was called 'Ruprecht.' Ruprecht carries a branch and whips you a little if you were bad. At the end, St. Nicholas would tell him to bring out the presents, and Ruprecht always opened the bag so reluctantly. The whole thing still haunts me today," laughed Probst, adding that, despite the promise of presents, part of him always hoped St. Nicholas wouldn't come so he wouldn't be blamed for his misdeeds.. Probst added that the celebration of the Epiphany in January is also important in Germany with carolers going house to house. contact: 513-221-2295 D. MERRY OLDE ENGLAND Ohio Eminent Scholar David Gosling of the University of Cincinnati is a native of England where, again, many of the holiday customs are similar to those in the United States. Some, however, do differ. The modern Christmas meal (of turkey) is capped by a traditional English dish called plum pudding which is an artery-clogging cake of dough, suet, raisins and currants. Brandy is usually poured atop the cake, and it is then set afire. After the blaze, the cake is basted with rum sauce (a mixture of cream, milk and rum...lots of rum). "It's a spectacular sight to look at and a fairly good way to become inebriated," said Gosling who added that an hour-long afternoon speech by the queen is also part of Christmas Day, a tradition he always disliked as a child. "As kids, we were expected to listen in complete silence. It was very tedious and rather ruined Christmas for me." As in this country, presents are delivered by a jolly Santa Claus who is alternately called Father Christmas. Home decorations in England tend to be inside the house, rather than outside as in this country, added Gosling. contact: 513-751-7376 E. JAPAN Japanese native Tony Kawanari, associate professor of industrial design, explained that New Year's is the holiday most emphasized in that country. Places of business close down for a week. "It used to be two weeks," he added. Gift giving and special foods are associated with the New Year. For instance, rice that was traditionally pounded between mallet and a granite base (now by machine) is used for a soup called "mochi" that is eaten on New Year's Day morning. People, some dressed in traditional garb, visit Shinto or Buddhist temples where bells are rung on New Year's eve to bring good fortune in the New Year. contact: 513-556-0248 4. WHAT'S "TOPS" IN TREES No one wants a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree so Tom Smith, academic area coordinator for UC's baccalaureate horticulture program, advises that pines and firs are the hardiest conifers. The spruce won't hold up well and tends to lose needles more quickly. "The Scotch Pine is outstanding. It has stiff needles and sturdy branches great for holiday ornaments. The Balsam, Fraser and Douglas firs are also very good." While checking our trees on the lot, look for needles that are flexible. Species with the darker green needles will hold up the best. Cut trees need plenty of water, as much as a gallon a day. Tree trimmers need to take off about a half inch from the bottom of the trunk before placing it in the stand so the tree can absorb vital moisture. contact: 513-853-6821 Click here to return to the most recent e-briefing offering.