HOLIDAY KNOW-HOW

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- DECEMBER 2, 2023

Matriculating through the holidays can be challenging. The experience can be  less daunting if you have a a bit of holiday know-how. Luckily, acquiring this expertise is a relatively simple task. 

 

To begin, there are some niceties that should be observed. “Nine Holiday Etiquette Tips, Explained” is a starting point. “Whether you’re made of merriment or a bit of a grinch, keeping these etiquette tips in mind can make the holidays a little easier on everyone.”

 

One of the tips concerns holiday cards. “It might seem like a faux pas to send a card that arrives after December 25 — but even the etiquette experts at the Emily Post Institute note that cards can be sent a couple of weeks into the new year.” Learn eight more tips at: https://www.interestingfacts.com/holiday-etiquette/ZUVkVakcfAAHuXln. 

 

An additional etiquette skill is saying “thank you” in a special way. “Have you ever wondered how people around the world express their gratitude? Find out how to say 'thank you' in eight different languages.” The options cover everything from a simple “Gracias” (Spanish) to a tad more exotic “Dhanyavaad” (Hindi). 

 

As for “thank you” in plain English, it derives from words for "thought" and "memory." This is appropriate. “When you give your thanks to someone, you are acknowledging what they have done for you and stating that you won't forget it.”

(https://www.dictionaryscoop.com/article/8-Ways-to-Say-Thank-You-in-Different-Languages)

 

Of course, a sure path to holiday know-how is to exploit the tastes of the season. Southern Living magazine can help with this via “Twenty-five Christmas Treats You'd Only Find On Grandma's Dessert Table.” These are classics. “Nothing hits the spot during the holiday season like one of Grandma's tried-and-true Christmas dessert recipes. After all, there’s a reason these goodies have stood the test of time.”

 

What a collection! The list includes: Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad, Potato Candy, Lemon Thumbprint Cookies, Chocolate-Pecan Tassies, and Transparent Pie with Whipped Crème Fraîche and Sugared Cranberries. See twenty more at: https://www.southernliving.com/grandmas-christmas-treats-8401194. 

 

Enjoying those treats is easier if your guests are comfortable. This is a snap if you follow the advice in “What to set your thermostat to in the winter.” The good news is your guests can be cozy and you can save cash all at the same time. 

The magic number is sixty-eight degrees. “You've probably engaged in thermostat wars with a loved one who simply prefers to keep your residence at a different temperature.” 

 

According to the Department of Energy: “Anywhere around seventy degrees is a good target when it gets cold. A home that’s at seventy degrees is quite comfortable.” (https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/11/26/winter-thermostat-setting-heating-bills-tips/71506023007/)

 

Once your friends and family are well mannered, well fed, and cozy comfy, it's okay to let them settle in and watch some football. Whatever they have wagered on the Detroit Lions, though, will be nothing compared to a man from Freeland, Michigan. In a bet made in 2017, he can't shave his beard until the Lions win a playoff game.  

 

On January 7, 2017, as the Lions played Seattle in the playoffs, Ralph Guevara made this statement: “If they win, I will shave. If they don't win, I won't shave until they win a playoff game. The Lions lost, and Ralph hasn’t shaved for nearly seven years.” 

Because of the historical ineptitude of the Lions, no one can recall when Ralph did not have a beard. His pickleball cohorts wonder what he really looks like. “No one has really ever seen him without his beard. We are all anxious to see it (his full face), so we are hoping the Lions win for that.” (https://www.abc12.com/news/saginaw-county-man-cant-shave-beard-until-lions-win-playoff-due-to-2017-bet/article_ed19c6be-88b9-11ee-9ee2-3f1a302ce875.html)

 

While everyone is watching the exploits of the Lions, it may be a good time for you to do some shopping. Tipping those who provide the goods and services is a polite thing to do. The question is what amount is appropriate. A fun interactive graphic can help. “Pew Research Center created Tipping Point to give you a chance to compare your tipping habits with those of the overall public.” See it at: https://www.pewresearch.org/2023/11/28/do-you-tip-more-or-less-often-than-the-average-american/.

 

If you would rather shop from home, how about something that will thrill the dog lovers on your gift list? Better yet, how about if it's free? “The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released the 2024 TSA Canine Calendar, an annual tradition that honors the agency’s more than 1,000 explosives detection canines working across the United States. The calendar features photos and fun facts about each of this year’s canine winners.” It's free! Just download and print the calendar from: https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/tsa_canine_calendar_2024.pdf.

 

Finally, remember the special Neff Zone holidays page at: https://www.neffzone.com/holidays/. At the top of the page is a link adults might reference called “How Christmas Works.” The kidlings can see how they score

on “Santa's Nice-O-Meter.”

 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews. 

 

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