“Etiquette has truly become a lost art,” says manners coach, Dubravka Vujinovic. “People are busy on their cell phones or watching television and they’ve lost sight that having a family meal is a great way to connect family members. Manners should be important at every meal, whether you are sitting down to a formal dinner or a casual afternoon get-together.”

Vujinovic is one of the etiquette coaches at dinnerware giant Replacements, Ltd. Throughout the holidays, the company hears from folks looking for a crash course in social graces. It doesn’t matter if you’re the guest, or the host — ‘tis the season for good manners and proper etiquette.

Set the perfect table

Remember: forks go to the left, spoons and knives to the right, with the sharp side of the knife turned toward the dinner plate. Place utensils in the order they will be used according to the courses you plan to serve.

Very importantly, don’t set the table with implements you don’t plan to use. “If you aren’t serving soup or salad, then you don’t want an extra spoon or fork in your place setting. Not only will these extra pieces get in the way and create extra clean up, it may be confusing for your guests,” Vujinovic says.

The bread plate goes to the left of the dinner plate, water glasses and other beverages to the right. Water glasses should be the only glass filled before your guests arrive. Wait to fill iced tea, wine and other drinks until after your guests are seated.

Don’t panic if you’re not sure about the proper place setting for each meal. Vujinovic says you can find “cheat sheets” or place setting guides on Replacements’ website, under the “neat things” tab.

Be a gracious guest

Always pass food around the table counterclockwise to the right without serving yourself first. Pass the salt and pepper as a set, even if you are only asked for one.

Ladies should always blot their lips before sitting down to the table, to keep from getting lipstick stains on linen napkins or glassware.

If you’re not sure which utensil to use with each course, start on the outside and work toward the plate.

And don’t forget…

Remember, the host/hostess always sits last. This person will let you know when it’s OK to begin eating by offering a blessing or statement or perhaps passing a dish.

Don’t cut more than one or two bites of food at a time and never butter an entire roll or piece of bread. Rather, pinch off one or two small pieces and butter those first.

If you need to excuse yourself temporarily, place your napkin on your chair to indicate you are coming back. Signify you are finished with your meal by placing your napkin to the left the dinner plate and your fork and knife side by side diagonally across your plate with the sharp side of the knife blade facing inward and the fork times down.

Perhaps most importantly, don’t bring your cell phone to the table.

Vujinovic emphasizes good manners transcends all ages.

“I think it’s very important to start teaching your children proper manners even at a young age,” Vujinovic says. “As I’ve noticed with my own children, kids are very open-minded when it comes to learning, so if you introduce them to etiquette now, this will become habit and stay with them throughout their lives.”

Should you cause a major holiday fumble by accidently breaking a piece of the host’s dinnerware, you should certainly offer to replace the piece. If you don’t know the name of the pattern or manufacturer, you’re in luck — Replacements offers a free identification service.

Still hungry for more tips? Vujinovic says you can find additional etiquette dos and don’ts on Replacements’ YouTube page.

The post 'Tis the season for good etiquette first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Protection 1, the nation’s second-largest security provider, is offering 12 tips for a safer holiday to help reduce the chance of becoming a holiday fire casualty:

1. Maintain your Christmas lights – Inspect Christmas lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting approved by a verified testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories.

2. Don’t overload electrical outlets – Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe, or you can risk putting too much strain on the power source. For additional protection, connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

3. Water that tree – Christmas trees account for 250 fires annually, resulting in 14 deaths, 26 injuries and more than $13.8 million in property damage according to the U.S. Fire Association. Typically, tree fires are started by shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches. Dry and neglected trees can increase your risk, while well-watered trees help to reduce the chance of any issues.

4. Avoid using lit candles – Open flames create many opportunities for harm particularly when kids and pets are in the house. However, if you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning and never go near a Christmas tree with an open flame from candles, lighters or matches.

5. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove.

6. Keep your mitts off – Keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stovetop.

7. Watch the oven – In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing.

8. Use turkey fryers outdoors, a safe distance from buildings and any other combustible materials.

9. Use only nonflammable decorations and ensure they are placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

10. Quickly discard gift wrap and packaging from your opened gifts as wrapping paper is very flammable. Never burn gift wrap in the fireplace or wood stove. It can ignite suddenly and cause a flash fire.

11. Throw it out – Never put tree branches in a fireplace or wood-burning stove as these items may ignite quickly, starting flash fires. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

12. Have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Or, consider installing a monitored alarm system. Most systems alert authorities automatically of smoke or carbon monoxide dangers – even if you’re away from home.

No matter how you celebrate, following these 12 tips to a safer holiday can help ensure you, as well as your friends and family, enjoy a safe, joyful holiday season.

The post Deck the Halls ... Carefully Please first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Nature’s Gifts
Whether decorating your home or cooking up festive treats, use the bounty that nature has already provided.

Potted plants are the perfect present, and make wonderful centerpieces. A small pot of live herbs can add a fresh taste to any meal. Indoor potted plants can help clean the air, too.

Things like pinecones, nuts, fresh fruit, pine boughs and leaves beautifully supplement a gift basket, holiday wreath, or floral arrangement. This added personal touch will not only stand out to the recipient, but can also be eaten or composted after the holidays, extending its use and leaving very little room for waste.

Recycle and Reuse
We have all experienced the sight of the overstuffed trash cans lining the curb following a party or holiday celebration. Wrapping paper, boxes, disposable cups and plates along with ribbons and bows overflow garbage bins at the end of each year. This year, cut down on that waste by simply reusing and recycling.

If you receive a gift in a lovely gift bag, box or even wrapping paper, simply flatten it out, fold it up and store it away for reuse next year. Think of the bags, boxes, papers and bows in new ways. Gift bags make festive lunch bags and are a fun way for kids to carry a special toy when going to a friend’s house. Boxes can be used for storing sweaters, scarves, gloves and hats once the seasons change.

Wrapping paper can be used to protect breakables when moving or storing. Festive paper can also be cut up or torn into strips for decoupage or paper mache. These papers will then be given a new life in future holiday celebrations. Even a simple shoe box with a decoupage of colorful wrapping paper becomes a work of art that can be used next year as a gift box.

Ribbons and bows are always fun for reuse. Tie them around pony tails for beautiful hair ribbons or use them to bind together flowers in a vase. Wrap ribbons around kindling near the fireplace for a festive touch to the fireside.

Compost
Another way to keep the trash can from overflowing this season is to compost whatever you can. Fresh flower arrangements, dying poinsettias, dried up greenery and wreaths, and even that Christmas tree can all be composted. In addition, vegetable peels, coffee grounds, tea bags and some wrapping paper can be thrown into a compost pile to return to the soil.

If you do not already have a compost bin or pile, one can easily be purchased or made with minimal effort. Occupying just a small corner of the yard, compost is an easy way to create organic material for use in the garden. For more detailed information on composting, check out our earlier article, Composting 101. Now, the celebration need not end in January – but can continue to grow into the next year.

Recycling, reusing, composting and celebrating the gift of nature are great ways to stay green this holiday season, and reduce the amount of waste while increasing the amount of fun you experience during this festive time of year.

The post Staying Green for the Holidays first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Your gifts can do more than make you and your recipients feel good. The value and impact can be immeasurable to the lives you’re affecting. Here are some ways you can help those in need this year:

* Find out what nonprofit organizations your loved ones support, and make a gift donation in their names. Many nonprofits will provide a gift donation “thank you” card for the recipient to open on the holidays. It’s a nice way to honor your loved ones and the charities they support. A great example is a holiday card from Share Our Strength, the leading non-profit working to end childhood hunger in America.

* Purchase gifts from companies that donate part of your purchase price to a nonprofit organization. Hickory Farms, known for a variety of quality gift baskets and boxes, is offering a Party Planner Gift Box this holiday. The Hickory Farms Party Planner Gift Box is filled with savory favorites like the award winning Signature Summer Sausage and new Farmhouse Cheddar. This gift box is a great way to bring friends and family together this holiday season. For every Party Planner Gift Box sold this holiday season, the company will contribute $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign (up to $500,000 through Jan. 31, 2012).

“The goal of the No Kid Hungry Campaign is to end childhood hunger in America by 2015,” says Bill Shore, Chairman and CEO of Share Our Strength. “One in five children cannot count on having enough to eat. Companies like Hickory Farms know that a hungry child is a disadvantaged child, and they make it easy for holiday shoppers to contribute to the fight to make sure all children struggling with hunger in our country have access to the nutritious food they need to live, learn and thrive.”

* Sponsoring another family’s holiday is thoughtful and easy way to give back this season. Choose a community organization that will identify a local family in need and help provide their holiday meal, or some of the gifts on their holiday wish list. Personalizing these gifts to the local family connects your family to theirs, and brightens the season for all.

Choosing gifts that give back this season can really help put you in the holiday spirit, while also benefiting those organizations that rely on charitable donations this time of year. As your loved ones unwrap their gifts, know that the joy they are experiencing goes further to help others in your community and across the country. Visit hickoryfarms.com to order a Party Planner Gift Box that supports Share Our Strength, or to purchase other quality gift boxes.

The post Choose the Gift of Giving this Holiday Season first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Everyone has a favorite recipe they look forward to enjoying at family gatherings. The smell and taste of a special dish can evoke memories from the past or create new ones  for younger generations. To preserve your family’s special recipes and traditions for generations to come, consider these easy and fun ideas:

Create a Family Cookbook
A cookbook full of special family recipes is a wonderful keepsake, and creating your own has never been easier, with a variety of affordable printing and scrapbooking tools available. Ask each family member to share a favorite recipe for inclusion. Make the book more personal by having each person write a memory that is tied to the recipe or include favorite family photos. You can also capture step-by-step photos of the recipe preparation and finished product, so the next time that you or a distant relative cook the dish, the recipe will yield the perfect result.

Declare Official “Just for the Holidays” Recipes
Make your grandmother’s famous apple pie the official dessert for Thanksgiving, or cook your dad’s special banana pancakes every Christmas Eve morning. Tying recipes to a specific holiday helps build traditions and excitement so family members can look forward to enjoying their favorite dishes.

Host a Family Cooking Party
What better way to preserve family meals than to plan a family cooking party? Gather the entire family and work together to prepare several special dishes. Assign each family member a role to ensure that everyone is involved. Not only will you be working together, but everyone will learn to prepare the recipe themselves.

Make Inherited Recipes Your Own
Adding your own twist to a family favorite can keep recipes alive for future generations. Modernizing a passed-down dish can also make it more accessible and convenient. Try updating your grandfather’s legendary strudel with apple butter you can buy at the store instead of homemade or grill something that is traditionally prepared in the oven.

There’s truly something exceptional about celebrating a cherished family recipe. This fall, the makers of Smucker’s(R) jams, jellies, preserves and fruit butters invite families to share special recipes and stories in the fourth annual Spreading Smucker’s Traditions Recipe and Essay Contest, for the chance to win $20,000 toward a dream family reunion.

From Sept. 14 to Nov.16, you can share an original family recipe on www.Smuckers.com. Your recipe must incorporate at least 1/4 cup of Smucker’s jam, jelly, preserves or fruit butter and should be submitted along with an original essay of 200 words or less about how the recipe is part of family traditions and how it makes your family celebrations special.  

Contest open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years and older. Complete Official Rules available on www.smuckers.com. Void where prohibited.

Last year’s winning recipe has been passed down for three generations, and is a family favorite at Easter gatherings:

Slow Cooker Marmalade Pork Tenderloin
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Makes: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:
3 pounds boneless pork tenderloin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Crisco(R) Pure Olive Oil  
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1 (12 oz.) jar Smucker’s(R) Sweet Orange Marmalade
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
1. Season the roast with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the roast on all sides. Transfer meat to slow cooker, add sliced onion, cover and cook on high about three to four hours.

2. Heat teriyaki sauce, marmalade, ginger, brown sugar and garlic in a small sauce pan on medium until sauce simmers. Cook until smooth and bubbly, stirring constantly.  

3. Remove meat from slow cooker, let rest for 10 minutes; slice and arrange on serving platter.  Drizzle roast slices with 3/4 cup of sauce, garnish with cooked onion slices and serve with remaining sauce.

The post Creative Ways to Preserve Family Recipes and Traditions first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

According to new research from CSA International, a global testing and certification organization, 60 percent of pet owners are concerned about their pet’s safety when leaving them alone in a house. Three in 10 Americans have either experienced or know someone who has experienced a holiday decorations-related accident with a pet that required a trip to the vet’s office.

While the types of accidents varied, it’s important to remember these CSA International holiday safety tips to help keep your pets and family safe.

* Cords are not chew toys: But, sometimes you can’t prevent your pet from sneaking a sniff. Carefully inspect holiday light strings yearly and discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders or loose connections. Ensuring that all holiday decorations are in proper working order and all cords are fully insulated are important steps to avoiding electrical and fire hazards and keeping pets safe when you’re away.

* Up, up and away: When decorating a tree or other indoor areas, place breakable ornaments and electrical decorations up high to protect both small children and pets. It’s also important to keep potentially deadly ingestible items out of pets’ reach, such as chocolate, poinsettias, tinsel and colorful ornaments that may look like a ball or toy.

* Spot the mark to keep Spot safe: When purchasing light strings, extension cords or electrical decorations, look for a certification mark such as one from CSA International. This provides assurance that products are tested and certified to applicable standards for safety and performance.

* Fresh or fake, be safe: If you buy a real Christmas tree, make sure it’s fresh. Fresh trees are less likely to dry out and become a fire hazard. Artificial trees with electrical lights should have a certification mark on them and should be made of fire-resistant materials. Pet owners should tether their Christmas tree to a wall to avoid tipping.

* No sparks for Sparky: Whenever possible, protect family and pets from electric shock by connecting all outdoor lighting into receptacles protected by weatherproof ground fault circuit interrupters.

* Holiday time is battery time: Make the holidays your time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices and replace batteries if needed.

* Cat and canine candle concerns: Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface, and keep away from combustibles. And if you leave the room, blow the candle out.

* Safe storage: After the holidays, wrap and store lights and decorations in their original packaging, as they likely contain manufacturer’s instructions on replacement bulbs and details for proper product use. Keep pets away from packages as well as your gift wrapping area. Swallowed string, ribbon, plastic, and even wrapping paper can lead to intestinal blockage and require a trip to the vet.

More tips for a safe holiday season that’s fun for you and your pets can be found at www.csaholiday.com.

The post Holiday Hazards to Avoid to Help Keep Pets Safe first appeared on The How Do Gardener.