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Nov. 30, 2001
Christmas card lists may be longer this year as we cope with the holidays in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorism, according to Kathleen Gilbert, an IU associate professor of applied health science who is an expert on stress and bereavement. "People will probably be more appreciative for what they have and expand their Christmas card lists to reclaim past friendships," Gilbert explained, "because the terrorist attacks have made us realize how precarious and fragile life can be. It will be important for many people to reconnect with friends from the past, and exchanging cards at the holidays is one way to achieve this." Gilbert, an associate professor in applied health science, has more than 15 years of teaching and research experience in dealing with family stress, grief and bereavement. She anticipates that rituals will increase this holiday season, with family members saying what they are thankful for at holiday dinners. "Rituals are, by definition, a set of behaviors that have meaning that transcends the mere behavior, and I would expect this will increase because of what happened on Sept. 11," she said. She added that holidays can be a difficult time for some people because they are reminded of friends and family who are no longer there. "This can bring feelings of sorrow and a sense of loneliness," she said.
Media contact: Kathleen Gilbert, 812-855-5209, gilbertk@indiana.edu
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Americans will probably simplify holiday travel plans, according to Lynn Jamieson, an expert on travel and tourism and chair of the IU Department of Recreation and Park Administration. "Air travel may increase for those who own private jets or are part of charter operations," she explained, "but public confidence and an innate desire to simplify holiday arrangements and stay closer to home will have the greatest impact on holiday travel this season." Jamieson, who has more than 20 years of teaching and research experience in tourism and leisure services management, said air travel will decline and ground travel will increase "as people make plans to stay closer to home to be with relatives and friends who can reached via car, bus or train. Long-distance travel via airplanes will be postponed until confidence regarding airport security is restored."
Media contact: Lynn Jamieson, 812-855-8676, lyjamies@indiana.edu
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Families may be closer this holiday season because of the events of Sept. 11, according to Robert Billingham, an expert on family relationships and IU associate professor in applied health science. "Family get-togethers in the past that have been tense may be more relaxed this year because the terrorism of Sept. 11 may serve to bring people together. It may even get them to start over instead of dwelling on bad experiences in the past," he said. Billingham, who has more than 20 years of teaching and research experience in family relationships, said, "It's important to remain calm and relaxed at these events so you don't get upset over circumstances you can't control." He said staying at a hotel instead of with the family is an option to consider. "Get a reservation, even if you don't use it, because it gives you peace of mind to know you have this option for a place to escape." Billingham said the holidays also can be a time of loneliness for those without a spouse or children because of divorce or separation, and it's important for these people to create their own new traditions with friends at the holidays.
Media contact: Robert Billingham, 812-855-5208, billingh@indiana.edu
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Controlling the amount of food you eat at the holidays is the key to good nutrition, according to Alice Lindeman, an IU associate professor in applied health science who is an expert on nutrition. "You can eat everything you like and everything you want, but don't eat to excess. You should also drink plenty of beverages, such as water, with your food because that will help you get full and thus avoid over-eating." Lindeman, a registered dietician with more than 20 years of teaching and research experience in nutrition, offered other eating tips for the holiday period. "It is important to try to maintain the same routine, and if you eat a large meal, try to compensate with smaller meals before or after. It also wouldn't hurt to eat less at meals just prior to the holiday event. After you eat, go for a walk or do something else to get out of the house and away from the food. And it's important to eat safe -- don't nibble on turkey that has been left at room temperature for hours after the meal is finished."
Media contact: Alice Lindeman, 812-855-6437, lindema@indiana.edu
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Guests should not pour their own drinks at a holiday party, according to Ruth Engs, an IU professor of applied health science who has more than 20 years of experience in alcohol research. Offering advice on ways to host a responsible holiday party, she said if guests pour their own drinks, they tend to pour too much or make their drinks too strong. "It also works best to keep the liquor out of sight. Remember that alcohol is not the focus of the event. It's important to have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available. Cans of soda can be interspersed with cans of beer in a holiday ice chest, for example." Engs said guest should have no more than one drink per hour and not be deceived by the type of liquor consumed. "A drink is a drink, whether it is one glass of wine, one glass of beer or one glass of a mixed drink," she said. She recommended having plenty of high-protein and low-salt foods and snacks for guests. "You don't want to use salty food like the popcorn, pretzels and peanuts usually found in bars, because they make people thirsty. Push the food, not the alcohol, and have a drinking monitor to make sure no one gets out of control with their liquor consumption. It's also important to have a designated driver and to provide transportation for those unable to get home safely." Engs has a Web site descrbing her work at http://www.indiana.edu/~engs.
Media contact: Ruth Engs, 812-855-9581, engs@indiana.edu
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Today's Santa Claus is a culmination of figures from throughout the ages, according to Moira Smith, a folklore librarian at IU. Smith said the earliest gift-giver was Saint Nicholas, a legendary saint and bishop in the fourth century. Saint Nick was believed to have brought gifts to children throughout northern Europe on the eve of his feast day, Dec. 6. Later, Martin Luther substituted the Christ Child for Saint Nicholas and moved his arrival day to Dec. 25. The custom was brought to America by German immigrants. The German word for Christ Child, Christkindel, gradually became Kriss Kringle in English. The third source for the modern American Santa Claus is the English Father Christmas, a hearty man usually depicted wearing a red or green robe trimmed in fur or holly. Father Christmas, while not a gift-giver himself, symbolized generosity and the abundance of the season.
Media contact: Moira Smith, 812-855-1550, molsmith@indiana.edu