CHRISTMAS TIPS

Christmas means spending time with family: poll

Published

10 years ago

12/10/2014

(Reuters Life!) – Despite the stress and commercialism of the holiday season, what most Americans enjoy most about Christmas is spending time with family and friends, according to a new poll.

Two-thirds of people surveyed by Harris Interactive felt their loved ones were the most important aspect of Christmas, followed far behind by parties and presents.

“You hear the grumblings every year about ‘I’ve got to spend time with my family, I’ve got to do this’ … but this is kind of what everyone wants to think the holiday season is about,” said Regina Corso, director of polling for the firm.

Less than one in ten people said they looked forward to holiday dinners and parties, while six percent were eager to find and give gifts and four percent said they wanted to watch television specials and listen to holiday songs on the radio.

Of the 2,455 people polled in the online survey, only one percent admitted that what they looked forward to most was getting presents, while nine percent said they do were not excited about the holidays.

The poll also distinguished some small generational differences. Three-quarters of people 62 and older hope to spend time with family and friends, compared to 59 percent of 18 to 30 years olds, who were more likely to look forward to receiving gifts.

“There’s still a little of the kid in them on that end,” said Corso.

When asked to put personal feelings aside, the poll found people are split over what they think others feel about the holiday season.

Just over a third said most people believe the holidays are a chance to spend time with loved ones and celebrate traditions. The other two thirds were split between believing it’s about presents and feeling that it’s about both.

“Silent Night,” was the top Christmas song followed by “White Christmas,” “Oh Holy Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and “The Christmas Song.”

Among the holiday tunes people said they never wanted to hear again are “Jingle Bells,” “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”, “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”

“I guess holiday songs about reindeer don’t really sit well with people,” said Corso.

She expressed surprise that the top song was a religious one and that five of the classics made it on both lists.

“It really does show we are a nation of diverse people and that goes right down to which songs we love and which songs we hate at Christmas time.”

(Reporting by Claire Sibonney; Editing by Patricia Reaney)

CHRISTMAS TIPS

Come see the Kell House decorated for the holidays

Published

7 years ago

12/20/2017

bowienews

We have three ways for you to come see the Kell House decorated in all its Christmas finery this week before it’ll be closed until 2018!

Regular weekday tours will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed Wednesday) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We will be part of Downtown’s Candlewalk on Thursday, December 21st, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come see our favorites Elves!

Or come enjoy the Kell House with a special Candelight tour on Saturday. December 23rd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5.

CHRISTMAS TIPS

Tips for less stressful holiday travel

Published

8 years ago

11/09/2016

bowienews

As the holiday season is upon us, it can be a stressful time for many, including for those traveling to visit family and friends. Follow these tips below to help make your holiday travel less stressful. See your mid-week News for other tips, along with more holiday fun in each edition of The Bowie News in November.

Tips for less stressful holiday travel

Roadways, railways and skies tend to get busy come the holiday season, when millions of people across the globe travel to visit family and friends.
Wherever travelers are headed, be it across the country or across the world, they should realize that many other people are traveling as well. That can lead to traffic, long lines and other side effects associated with large crowds. But before travelers let the idea of challenging travel conditions deter them, they can consider certain ways to make the process of getting from point A to point B a bit more manageable.

Travel by car

Those traveling by automobile will have a few extra steps to take to ensure their trips go off with minimal disturbances. One of the more important steps is to ensure the vehicle is properly maintained prior to departing. Have the car checked by a mechanic and take care of any service appointments, such as oil changes or tire rotations.
Map out the route in advance and have an alternative plan if the route chosen proves to be too congested. One idea is to choose a scenic drive that may be a little longer but has less traffic. In addition, account for rest stops or points of interest that can break up the trip. Apps such as GasBuddy can help drivers find the cheapest gas or the cleanest bathrooms along their routes.
Bring along plenty of snacks so you can eat healthy and arenÕt forced to rely on foods you otherwise would not eat. This is particularly helpful with keeping kids satiated. Plan for a few treats along the way so that everyone traveling has an end goal, such as an ice cream or a souvenir.

Traveling by plane

One of the key things air travelers can do to make holiday traveling easier is to avoid peak travel dates. Whenever possible, avoid traveling the day right before the holiday, which tends be the busiest and most expensive. Remember, weekends tend to be more harried and expensive as well, particularly when the holidays fall in close proximity to a weekend.
Weather is a gamble in many regions of the world during the holiday season. Develop a contingency plan just in case foul weather delays or cancels flights. ItÕs much less stressful to put plan B into motion than it can be to rush around trying to make new, last-minute plans.
Always shop around for the best rates, but also the best atmosphere. It may be wiser to fly out of a smaller airport where crowds will be thinner and delays less frequent, or you may prefer a larger airport thatÕs closer to home and offers more amenities.
Another way to avoid delays is to pack minimally. Ship gifts and even travel essentials ahead to your destination, and only bring carry-on bags aboard the plane. This helps travelers sail through security checks and avoid the crowds at the luggage carousels.
Holiday travel requires planning, patience and having alternative plans in place so that everyone can make it home for the holidays. TF169407