A few popular plants given as holiday gifts include Christmas cacti, poinsettias, kalanchoes and chrysanthemums — plants whose flowering is perfectly timed to the shorter days experienced this time of year.

For those who love to prepare meals during the holidays, relieve some of the stress associated with cooking by preparing and freezing holiday treats in advance. Freezing prepared foods allows you the satisfaction of homemade meals with the convenience of store-bought ones.

The holiday shopping season starts earlier every year. Competition from online businesses is forcing brick-and-mortar retailers to open earlier and stay open longer. Before Thanksgiving dinner has been reduced to leftovers, shoppers will hit the stores in search of bargains.

Fried turkeys continue to be a popular holiday option in the South, but if they’re cooked wrong, they can result in a burnt bird or an unexpected trip to the emergency room.

Whole roasted turkey is the centerpiece for many holiday meals and gatherings. There are a variety of ways to prepare and present it. Just as important as flavors and textures, however, is food safety when preparing and cooking a turkey.

The holiday season can be a challenging time for those who are trying to live a healthier lifestyle. From office parties to classic family get-togethers, it seems every event brings an endless array of delicious home-cooked dishes. It’s easy to see why so many Americans relinquish their commitments to eat smarter around the holidays. 

Most gardeners know that getting poinsettias to rebloom is a task that is beyond formidable. However, the Christmas cactus, which is rare in beauty, is actually easy to grow and rebloom, maybe even for the rest of your life.

Each year, we set New Year’s goals. Some we achieve, while some are as good as gone by Jan. 2. Just because you fell short last year doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying to make some positive changes this year.

The holiday season is filled with all types of parties. While they can put you in a festive mood and allow you to catch up with family and friends, they can also derail your diet when finger foods and delicious beverages abound.