Tips and resources for the holidays

We have gathered timely tips, practical advice and seasonal know-how from University of Missouri Extension specialists. Whether you’re decorating, cooking, shopping or simply trying to stay healthy and grounded, these quick reads offer reliable guidance for a safer, more enjoyable winter season.

Festive flowers and plants

Picking poinsettias (YouTube short). Few plants are as closely associated with the winter holidays as the poinsettia, America’s No. 1 flowering plant.

10 gifts for the gardener. State Master Gardener coordinator Debi Kelly says you can find a great holiday gift for the gardener on your list without spending a lot of green. “Gardeners find joy in small packages that don’t cost much, and they understand delayed gratification,” Kelly says.

Don't let toxic plants, flammable greenery ruin your holidays. Stealing a kiss under the mistletoe or hanging a holly wreath to welcome guests are both great holiday traditions. “What’s not so great is that both of these plants are toxic,” says MU Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein. Get the lowdown on these are other potentially poisonous holiday plants.

The holidays make scents. Trees and flowering plants enhance the holidays not just with their beauty. Several tree species create tastes and aromas that we indelibly associate with the season.

A Christmas tree from the South Pacific. When most people think of Christmas trees, the South Pacific does not come to mind. Yet a small island between Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand is the native home of the Norfolk Island pine, a popular holiday houseplant that can serve as a living Christmas tree.

More articles about holiday plants that bring wintertime cheer.

Holiday safety and well-being

Safer holiday shopping (YouTube short). Important tips for avoiding criminals during the busy shopping season.

Holiday food safety tips. Amid all the excitement of the holidays, food safety can often be overlooked, turning a joyful gathering into an unpleasant experience. By following a few key food safety practices, you can keep holiday meals both delicious and safe for everyone at the table.

Planning can ease holiday stress for those with allergies, health conditions. Holiday celebrations can be stressful for people managing food allergies or chronic health conditions. Planning and open communication can reduce anxiety and help everyone enjoy the season.

Protect your identity this holiday season. ’Tis the season of giving, but make sure you don’t give identity thieves the gift of your personal information.

Beating the winter blues. Feeling low as the days grow shorter? MU Extension human development specialist Maria Calvert shares practical tips to boost your mood and navigate holiday grief.

Harm reduction for safer holidays. Substance use sometimes increases during the holidays. It might be extra celebratory cocktails or self-medication to deal with depression or stress. While there is no safe way to use any substance, experts have developed an approach to help people engage with substances in safer ways

Tips for busting holiday budget blues. The holidays are a good time to talk about family budgets and plan for next year. Family gatherings are also an opportunity to talk with extended family members about budgets for holiday gift-giving. This can prevent financial stress and misunderstandings.

For even more winter holiday-themed content, visit our holiday resource library.