MAKING NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS AS A FAMILY- Most people think about making individual resolutions as Jan. 1 approaches, but families can also use the turning of the calendar year to set goals. "Like merchants, families should take inventory," says Samuel T. Gladding, professor of counselor education at Wake Forest University. "And, New Year's is a good time to do it." Gladding, author of several books on family and group counseling, says family resolutions can be fun and fulfilling in that they help families be proactive rather than reactive. "Many families get caught up in routine - it becomes comfortable, but sometimes it is not growth-promoting," he says. Have a family meeting on Jan. 1, says Gladding, to take stock of what would make life better for the group.
TIS THE SEASON TO TRIM TAXES - While trimming the tree and tying the bows on holiday packages, a Wake Forest University tax expert says a little planning now can trim money spent on taxes. "From a tax minimization standpoint, the overall message is don't wait - people are better off selling assets and making big-ticket purchases now," says Ralph Tower, the Wayne Calloway Professor of Taxation at Wake Forest's Calloway School of Business and Accountancy. Tower also says that investors should consider tax-free investments, which are yielding higher interest rates than taxable ones in today's market. "A little forethought and action can save money down the road," says Tower.
HOW TO MAINTAIN HEALTH DURING THE HOLIDAYS - The secret to maintaining healthy eating habits during the holidays lies in the answer to one question, says a Wake Forest University nutrition expert. "Ask yourself if it's worth it," says Gary Miller, an associate professor of health and exercise science. "Save your calories for the foods and drinks that you really enjoy." Miller suggests finding fat-free or low-calorie ingredients as substitutes in some holiday foods, like skim milk in place of cream or applesauce in place of cooking oils. "Set limits for yourself before the holiday season begins," Miller says. "Like allowing one or two specialty sweets per day or limiting your portion size of certain foods and drinks." Miller also cautions against skipping meals prior to a big party. He says that will only encourage overindulgence on the higher-calorie finger foods.
HOLIDAYS OVERSHADOW NON-CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS - People from non-Christian backgrounds can feel swept under the rug during the holiday season as stores, radio and television shows and even close friends unwittingly begin to bombard them with messages promoting Christian beliefs says a Wake Forest University English and religion professor. "The boundary between cultural celebrations and religious ones can be hard to keep," says Andrew Ettin, a rabbi and professor who has worked for more than 20 years with students of all faiths at Wake Forest. "I think that many of us who live as religious minorities in a predominantly Christian environment find that the overwhelming emphasis on Christmas all around us bombards us with religious messages that are unwelcome even when they are not intended as religious."
THINKING OUT LOUD CAN TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT GETTING AND GIVING - When trying to help children deal with the holiday season's emphasis on buying new things, parents should "think out loud," says Donna Henderson, a Wake Forest University counseling professor. Parents should say out loud what they are thinking when deciding whether or not to buy something, says Henderson, who has 12 years of experience as a teacher and school counselor. "We do this so quickly in our minds, but we need to actually say it to give children a model for their own decision-making." Providing a "script" for younger children to use for situations when they want a new toy or a new article of clothing helps develop their cognitive thinking skills. This method also works well when parents are trying to encourage helping others. "If you are donating food to a homeless shelter or doing charity work," she says, "Let children know how you reached your decision to help."
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