It won’t be long before you start to smell “holiday scents” and hear “holiday music” almost everywhere you go. These holiday smells and sounds are a marketing tactic. According to research conducted by Spangenberg, Gorhmann, and Sprott, when Christmas music is played in conjunction with an ambient Christmas scent being released, consumers have more favorable reactions to retailers, merchandise, and the overall shopping environment. Despite this retailing trick, consumers can avoid overspending by doing three things: make a budget, make a list, and stick to your plan.
Make a budget
Ideally, budgeting is something that is done in advance and practiced year round. If you already have a budget in place, simply begin to plan how you will spend the money you have set aside for this holiday by category. If you do not have a budget, make a decision about how much money you are willing to spend this holiday season and stick to it. Some categories you may want to include in your holiday budget: Christmas cards, postage/shipping, gift wrapping expenses, decorating, travel expenses, and items for special meals/potlucks. For a printable holiday budget template, click here or visit the University of Maryland Extension website at http://goo.gl/5957ic.
Make a list
Once you have an idea of how much money you have for each budget category, get specific. Under each category, list individuals/groups to whom you want to give cards or gifts, decorative items you wish to purchase, places you will travel to, and food items you may want to prepare that are outside of your normal grocery list. Once you have identified the specifics based on your budget, decide on the total amount you can spend on each item.
Stick to your plan
Stick to your list and do not buy things you cannot afford. The idea seems simple enough, but, ultimately, this is where some will fall short. In 2013, a study conducted by Harris Interactive found that 57% of U.S. adults with children said they would be willing to take on debt in order to make their children happy for the holidays. When you buy gifts on credit or receive refund anticipation loans, title loans, or cash advances, you are taking on debt and may be buying items you cannot afford. Items purchased on credit that cannot be paid off before interest accrues end up costing more.
Tricks are for Halloween. This holiday season, don’t get fooled into unplanned purchases by the ambient smells and sounds retailers use to entice consumers. Shop smart by making a budget, making a list, and sticking to your plan.
References:
Spangenberg, Grohmann and Sprott. (2004). It’s beginning to smell (and sound) a lot like Christmas the interactive effects of ambient scent and music in a retail setting. Journal of Business Research 58:2005 (1583-1589).
University of Maryland Extension (2013). Stop Seasonal Stress with a Holiday Spending Budget. Retrieved 31 October 2014 from http://goo.gl/5957ic
Lexington Law. (2014). With the Holiday Season Nearing, Lexington Law Examines How Important Presents Are and How Much People Spend on Them. Retrieved 31 October 2014 from http://goo.gl/i3KDXm
Gratitude doesn’t have to happen only on World Gratitude Day or around the Thanksgiving table. Happiness researchers have found that expressing gratitude has wide-ranging benefits. Counting your blessings on a frequent basis is associated with increased happiness. Grateful people are more likely to:
take better care of themselves both mentally and physically
get more regular exercise
eat a healthier diet
have improved mental alertness
schedule regular physical examinations with their doctor
cope better with stress and everyday challenges
feel happier and more optimistic
report more hours and better quality of sleep
experience fewer physical symptoms like headaches, coughing, nausea, or pain
have stronger immune systems
maintain a brighter view of the future
So how do you put more thanks-giving and gratitude into your day? Try these suggestions to give yourself a boost:
Be mindful of what you have. It’s not how much you have, but how you feel about what you have, that makes the difference.
Write it down or share with a group that you meet with on a routine basis. This is a great way to continually give thanks.
If someone thanks you, accept the thanks graciously. Let the person know you appreciate being thanked. You don’t need to do anything else. Honestly.
Look for small things to be thankful for. The only person they have to be meaningful to is you. Here are some examples: “I found a parking space right away”; “It’s raining and I remembered my umbrella today”; “I was in a hurry and someone let me go in front of them in the line at the store”; “I had a good hair day.”
If you write a thank you note, keep it short and simple. It’s not a big report that’s due or the novel you keep putting off writing. Just think of the reason for the thank you and be sincere. If you forgot to send a thank you note, don’t let the elapsed time be an excuse to avoid the task all together. You can send a quick email and then get to the real thing.
During the holiday season and throughout the year, enjoy and be thankful for the little and the big things and the kindnesses of others. Gratitude is good for your head, good for your heart, and good for your soul. And, just so you know, we take you very seriously – thanks for taking the time to read this message.
Do you have food containers growing green fuzzies in the back of your refrigerator? It’s easy for leftovers and other food items to overstay their welcome in the fridge, creating a food safety hazard as well as unnecessary clutter. With Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to super-clean your refrigerator. Follow these tips to get your refrigerator ready for Thanksgiving leftovers and other holiday treats:
Remove everything from the refrigerator.
Examine each container – discard outdated leftovers and any items of whose age you are uncertain or you don’t plan to use in the near future.
Remove shelves, drawers, and bins. Wash with a solution of baking soda and warm (not hot) water.
Clean the interior of the refrigerator with baking soda and warm water. Dishwashing detergent can leave a residue that can lead to odors if not rinsed thoroughly. Dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Clean each container before returning it to the refrigerator.
Wash the outside of the refrigerator with sudsy water (using hand dishwashing detergent), rinse, and dry. Wash the gaskets around the refrigerator doors – sticky gaskets can cause air leaks, costing you more energy over time.
Vacuum the dust off the condenser coils, usually on the back of the refrigerator, or under it. Dirty, dusty coils make the refrigerator work harder to cool and use more energy, costing you more money.
Remove and clean the “pan” or plastic tray at the very bottom of the refrigerator that collects the condensation or defrost water. Look in your care manual to find where this “pan” is located. Dust and moisture in this “pan” can cause mold to grow, causing health problems for people with allergies.
Clean the floor around and underneath the refrigerator.
Your fridge is now ready for the holidays!
Sources: My Florida Home Book – Taking Care of Your Home, Chapter 5. Taking Care of Indoor Features, University of Florida/IFAS Extension, 2008.
While leftovers can be a lifesaver for figuring out lunch the next day or dinner when you’re in a time crunch, it is important to remember safe food handling practices including eating, freezing or tossing out refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days.
Limits to leftovers
Put leftovers in the refrigerator as soon as possible; make sure your refrigerator temperature is 40o F or colder. When possible, label your leftovers with a date and eat within 4 days. If you want to enjoy your leftovers longer than 4 days, transfer them to the freezer. TIP: When placing hot foods directly in the refrigerator, separate the food into small, shallow containers. This allows the food to cool more quickly.
It’s time to start getting backpacks ready, lunches packed and kids off to school. Back to school time is the perfect time to start packing a healthier lunchbox. Packing your child’s lunch may contribute to the difficulties of getting out the door in the morning but it does not have to. You know your child better than anyone, their likes and dislikes, so go with what you know.
The first step to packing a lunch is to determine how much food is enough for your child. You will know you did not pack enough when they come home and tell you they ate all their food and are still hungry. Likewise, if you pack too much, you will know by seeing uneaten or half-eaten items in their lunch box at the end of the day. Start by packing between 3 and 6 items. They will have enough variety in their lunch box to sustain them throughout the school day without too much waste. MyPlate.gov is a great resource for building a balanced meal (protein, vegetable, fruit, grain, dairy).
Secondly, pack as much as you can the night before. This will decrease morning stress. Cut up fruits and vegetables and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cut up fresh ingredients for sandwiches, if required. Make up cracker or dried fruit packs. Wrap up home-baked treats and place in the lunch box.
Lastly, keep in mind this food safety tip: Include gel ice packs to keep refrigerated food cold. Refrigerated food shouldn’t be above 40 degrees for more than 4 hours due to increased bacterial growth causing possible illness.
Lunchbox Meal Ideas:
1.) Wheat crackers, cheese cubes, deli meat, strawberries/blueberries, snap peas (with their favorite dipping sauce*)
2.) Mini quiche, carrots, celery with peanut butter and raisins, whole fruit (pear, orange, banana)
*Want something to dip kid-friendly veggies in besides ranch? Try low-fat Greek yogurt, hummus, or this cottage cheese veggie dip:
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
Enjoy with baby carrots, snow/snap peas, bell pepper strips
Snack Ideas:
1.) Whole wheat pita cut into wedges with 2 tablespoons hummus for dip
2.) Trail mix: mix 20 almonds, miniature box of raisins, and ¼ cup sunflower seeds
For additional information on creating nutritious meals, contact your local Extension office.
It won’t be long before you start to smell “holiday scents” and hear “holiday music” almost everywhere you go. These holiday smells and sounds are a marketing tactic. According to research conducted by Spangenberg, Gorhmann, and Sprott, when Christmas music is played in conjunction with an ambient Christmas scent being released, consumers have more favorable reactions to retailers, merchandise, and the overall shopping environment. Despite this retailing trick, consumers can avoid overspending by doing three things: make a budget, make a list, and stick to your plan.
