News Stories - Page 281

Christmas may highlight the winter calendar for many Georgians - complete with lights, decorations and a tree - but it's not the only holiday celebrated this winter. CAES News
Holiday lights are festive, but too many can overload power cords.
Winter is a time for hanging holiday lights and keeping warm and toasty. Both of these activities can involve using extension cords. To keep your family safe while being warm and festive, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension urges homeowners to check extension cords closely.
When planted in the right container, potted plants can be the gift that keeps on giving all year round. Gift-givers should check the plant for signs of disease and insects to avoid sharing an unhealthy plant. CAES News
Make sure holiday gift plants are disease and pest free
House plants make great holiday gifts, but gift givers should be careful to make sure their gift plant is healthy. Otherwise, that cheery Christmas cactus or festive fern can turn into a pot full of heartache by mid-January.
Sleet encases a branch of a leyland cypress tree in Jackson, Ga. CAES News
Protect landscape plants from winter temperatures
Landscape plants get plenty of attention during the summer, but they need protection during Georgia’s winter months. Rather than trying to keep plants warm, gardeners should help protect plants from wind, snow, ice, drastic soil temperature changes and heat from the sun on cold days.
4-H Alumna Carla Hall (right), host of ABC's daytime show, The Chew, presented the Distinguished Alumni Medallion to 4-H alumna and Grammy Award-Winning Singer and Songwriter Jennifer Nettles (left) at the National 4-H Council Legacy Awards Gala on April 17, 2012. CAES News
Jennifer Nettles named honorary chair, host for 2015 Georgia 4-H Gala
Jennifer Nettles, the Grammy-award-winning singer songwriter and Georgia 4-H alumna, will serve as honorary chair and host of the 2015 Georgia 4-H Gala.
University of Georgia food safety specialist Elizabeth Andress says canning your favorite recipe and giving it as a gift may be a very thoughtful present, but follow proper guidelines so you don't pass on a foodborne illness. CAES News
Make sure homemade gifts are safe this holiday season
Many people are turning toward home canning as a way to show their loved ones how much they care during the holidays. While gifts from one’s own kitchen can mean a lot, it’s essential that the canner use the proper techniques so that everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season.
CAES News
UGA Extension helps Georgians avoid holiday weight gain
The average American gains about one pound during the holiday season. It doesn’t sound like much, but over the years those single pounds start to add up.
The Walk Georgia logo was introduced in 2014. CAES News
Twelve ways to get jolly without the jiggle

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why: some extra pounds are coming to town — only if you allow it. No one wants to be a Scrooge, and part of the joy of the holidays revolves around food. So how are we supposed to stay extra jolly and not gain extra jiggle?

Leyland Cypress trees growing on a Christmas Tree Farm in Nicholson, GA. 7 G's Tree Farm. 
11-11-09 CAES News
Georgia-grown Christmas trees in the spotlight this holiday season
For more than 500 years, people have brought trees into their homes to decorate for the holiday season. While some families choose artificial and pre-lit trees, plenty of people still want the real thing.
CAES News
Managing expectations critical to easing holiday stress

Traveling for the holidays, especially when small children and in-laws are involved, can add stress to an already hectic time for some couples.