December 1991

LET'S BRING CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE CHILDREN

A Child's Christmas is the theme of this December issue, epitomized by the beautiful, golden-haired children in the photo above and on our cover. They are the vision of everything we want for the children in our lives-- lovely and healthy, happily trimming the tree in a warm and cozy home.

Houseplants in the Holiday Spirit

Visit a local florist's shop or greenhouse to see what festive plants are available in your area.

KIDS IN PUBLIC

In the hurried pace of holiday shopping, when department stores are crowded with people and eyecatching displays, it's easy to lose your cool with misbehaving children.

YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLS

Children going to school all year-round? If the idea hasn't come to your town yet, it soon will. More than a million students nationwide have already waved goodbye to the traditional school year with its summer-long break.

WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

"If it hadn't been for the clinic and Liz, I couldn't have stayed in school," says Sharon (above), who has just completed her studies in Worcester, Massachusetts, to become a legal secretary.

Celebrate! ...

HO, HO... OH, NO! The holiday guests are all but knocking at the door and you're not ready? 'Tis the time to shop this story for last-minute gifts, quick decorating ideas, and other ways of spreading cheer.

Color it Christmas

Magenta, orange, turquoise, and purple. These are the hues that color Christmas at the Hutchison house. Folk-artist Sarah Grant-Hutchison and her family fill their clean-cut home with laughter, crafts, art, and love throughout the year, then pull out all the stops at the holidays with a rainbow celebration.

To Grandmother's House we go

Thomas Wolfe wasn't exactly right when he said we can't go home again. We CAN go home at Christmastime, by way of the heart. That's the way to holiday activities at Ron and Susan McBroom's little house in the Iowa woods. Parents of four and grandparents of seven, Susan and Ron have a knack for celebrating with the heartfelt and the handmade. And, when the McBroom clan gathers several times during the holidays, you'll hear the sounds of laughter, singing, and rowdy play.

Christmas in a Twinkling

Make your house a heavenly host to this season's festivities Reaching skyward for inspiration, we gathered a handful of stars and-- what else?-- angels to put your place in a glorious mood and still leave you time for ho-ho-ho-ing.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

With each recipe, we give important nutrition information. The calorie count of each serving and the amount, in grams, of fat, cholesterol, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, and sodium help you keep tabs on what you eat. We also include the percent of calories coming from fat.

Green Gift Ideas for the Holidays

HOLIDAY TABLETOP TIPS

Simple, caring touches let your dinner table say "happy holidays" as clearly as the special food. These fun, festive looks will get your family and friends in the mood to celebrate:

Hassle-free holiday travel

Afraid you'll get stuck at the airport? Or booked into a hotel that busts your budget? These timely tips will take the hassles out of your holiday travels.

STAYING SAFE

Almost 150,000 assaults, robberies, and rapes were committed in parking lots and garages in 1989, according to the latest data available at presstime. Some 335,900 robberies occurred on streets and highways in 1990. Such statistics make it shockingly obvious that personal security in and around a car is serious business.

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence.

SHOPPING HOW TO ORDER

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

While watching kids sit on Santa's lap at the mall the other day, I overheard one concerned youngster ask, "Santa, I hope your sled comes with a driver's side air bag."