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Christmas Eve is viewed differently by different people, even those who live under the same Santa-ready roof. Adults may see Christmas Eve as crunch time when they must prepare food for the next day or set up presents for their children to open in the morning. Children, on the other hand, are focused on Santa's visit and little else. Parents naturally want to make Christ- mastime as special as possible for their chil- dren, and that may involve ensuring that Christmas Eve is just as memorable as Christmas Day. The following are some ways to impart more magic into Christmas Eve celebrations. Attend Mass at midnight Practicing Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas. On Christmas Eve, churches often hold celebra- tions that may include late-evening or mid- night masses that celebrate the birth of Christ when the calendar switches over to December 25. While it does make for a late night, it can be thought-provoking for kids and a unique experience unlike any other. Bake fresh cookies Children like to leave out a plate of cook- ies and a glass of milk for Santa. That makes Christmas Eve a perfect time to whip up a fresh batch of cookies. Explore differ- ent recipes to come up with a unique offer- ing each year. Read a Christmas story Watching television or looking at a tablet or mobile phone before bed can be too stimulating when it's time for children to wind down for bed. Choose a holiday tale or tales that can be read as a Christmas Eve bedtime story. Reciting the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas ('Twas the Night Before Christmas)" is a great way to set the Christ- mas Eve mood. Make a batch of 'reindeer dust' Why should Santa's reindeer be left out when it comes to receiving treats? Reindeer dust, made from a combination of oatmeal, rice cereal, dried fruits, and glitter (if desired), is purported to attract Santa's reindeer and provide them a nibble at the same time. Plus, it's generally safe for other animals in the yard to eat. Go caroling Caroling may not be the norm, but some families may want to revive it. Close-knit communities can organize family-centric caroling opportunities and roam the cul-de-sacs and other pedes- trian-friendly areas singing popular songs. Christmas Eve is a great time to embrace various tra- ditions that help to make the season even more special. DAILY NEWS AND WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • GMTODAY.COM 2 • SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 2022 Fire safety protocols to keep in mind when holiday decorating Decorating the interior and exterior of a home is a beloved holiday season tradition in millions of households. Such decor makes it easy to dive into the festive nature of the season. Many people could not imagine a holi- day season without decorating their homes, and it's vital that celebrants do so safely. Fire safety is especially important during a time of year when string lights and poten- tially dried out trees feature so prominently. These fire safety tips can ensure this holi- day season is safe. • Buy the safest lights. It might be tempting to buy the most inexpensive lights, especially given all the extra costs already associated with the holiday season. However, safety should be the utmost prior- ity when buying new lights. Testing labora- tories such as CSA, Intertek and UL certify products to ensure they're safe for use. Products that aren't certified should be avoided. • Use lights and cords where they're intended to be used. The packaging on lights will indicate if the product is intend- ed to be used indoors or outdoors. It's vital that individuals decorating their homes with lights pay attention to these labels. Never decorate the exterior of a home with interior lights, and vice versa. Extension cords made for indoors also should not be used outdoors and vice versa. • Be especially careful with candles. Candles should only be burned when adults are in the room and should always be extin- guished before leaving the room or going to bed. When burning candles, place them on heat-resistant surfaces that are beyond the reach of curious kids and pets. Never place candles within arm's length of Christmas trees or houseplants, including poinsettias. • Ask an electrician to inspect your exterior outlets and circuits. Ground fault circuit interruptor (GFCI) outlets are designed to prevent electric shocks and reduce the risk of electrical fires. Most areas now require new homes be built exclusively with GFCIs, which are recogniz- able because they feature two buttons between the outlets. But older homes may not be equipped with GFCIs, particularly with exterior outlets. GFCI installation is not an especially expensive job, so home- owners should ask an electrician to inspect their interior and exterior outlets and replace non-GFCIs with GFCIs. • Do not pinch light cords. Stringing lights can be a hassle, but cords should never be pinched in doors or windows or beneath interior and exterior furniture. Doing so increases the risk of damage to the cord, which in turn increases the likelihood of fire. • Avoid overloading circuits. Over- loaded circuits pose a significant fire haz- ard. When plugging in lights, choose outlets that aren't already occupied by devices and other electronics. If need be, unplug appli- ances like televisions and devices while lights are on and plugged in. When decorating this holiday season, celebrants are urged to do everything they can to reduce the risk of fire in their homes. How to make Christmas Eve special for kids Craft an entire day around tree shopping Though retailers may begin playing holiday tunes shortly after Halloween, for many people, no date on the calendar marks the beginning of the holiday season better than the day they pick up their Christmas tree. There are many different ways to acquire a Christmas tree. Some people prefer artificial Christmas trees that can be stored and taken out each year. Others make a yearly expedition to a tree lot or a Christ- mas tree farm to find the perfect fir or spruce. Historians believe a man named W.V. McGallard planted 25,000 Norway spruce seedlings at his Mercer County, New Jersey farm in 1901, essentially estab- lishing the first commercial Christmas tree farm. By 1908, customers could visit the farm and choose trees for $1 each. McGal- lard helped create an entirely new industry that now accounts for 350 million trees being grown and sold in the United States every year. Selecting a Christmas tree may not take more than an hour or two, but there are ways for families and other tree shoppers to maximize their time spent looking for a tree. • Bring refreshments. Couple Christ- mas tree shopping with picnicking if the weather is amenable. Pack some foldable chairs into the vehicle (sitting on the ground on a blanket may be too cold) and bring along thermoses of coffee or hot cocoa. Snacks like granola bars, Christmas cookies or other filling treats can keep everyone satisfied and energized while they shop for a tree. • Pair tree shopping with a trip to see lighting displays. Find the tree lot or tree farm and then scope out potentially scenic spots to view holiday lighting displays nearby. Neighborhood Facebook or other social media groups often tout homes that put up eye-catching displays. Ask around for addresses and plan your own tours. • Plan a night out. Everyone may be tired and hungry after a long day of Christ- mas tree hunting. Plus, it's typically a good idea to wait some time for boughs to open before decorating. Use this opportunity to dine out and return home ready to decorate. Make it a regular occur- rence that Christmas tree shopping is followed by a family meal at a favorite restaurant. • Watch a classic film. Many different holiday movies are broadcast this time of year and each enhances the Christmas spirit. While putting up the tree, play a favorite film in the background. What better way to enjoy decorating your own tree than by watching Charlie Brown adorn his meager evergreen at the same time? Make a day of selecting and putting up the Christmas tree each year. Doing so can enhance the holidays and make for an enter- taining way to spend time together as a couple or family.

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