Planning required when serving alcohol at holiday parties

DHS news release

Note: This guest opinion is by Karen Wheeler, addictions policy manager, Oregon Department of Human Services

Planning required when serving alcohol at holiday parties



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By Karen Wheeler


The winter holidays are a time for celebratory gatherings of family and friends, food and drink, and high spirits. But there's one ingredient that can quickly spoil the holiday cheer -- alcohol.


Give serious thought to the food and drinks you're serving; consider keeping the party alcohol-free.


However, if you decide to add alcoholic beverages to your holiday menu, a bit of planning and preparation can keep your event merry and bright.


If offering liquor, be responsible. Prepare for that relative who tends to imbibe too much. At the same time, make arrangements for non-drinkers and young people. This kind of planning will ensure that your guests have fun and don't turn into party problems or, worse yet, holiday statistics.


Traffic studies tell us that an average of four persons a year for the past 10 years have died on Oregon roads during the Christmas holiday. When New Years statistics for the decade are added in, we learn that 41 percent of the fatal holiday highway crashes involved alcohol. For all of 2005, 33.8 percent of Oregon's motor vehicle fatalities involved alcohol. And last Christmas alone, Oregon State Police arrested 59 persons for driving under the influence of intoxicants.


Keeping alcohol out of the hands of young people is always the way to go -- and it's the law. During holiday parties, keep an eye on the liquor cabinet or punchbowl when kids are around. Research tells us that one place youth procure alcohol is at parties where parents and other adults have left them unsupervised.


Instead, offer teen guests challenging games, activities like a white elephant gift exchange, fun beverages and good food. That way you won't be adding to the eye-popping statistics of Oregon's serious underage drinking problem.


For example, about 30 percent of eighth graders and 45 percent of 11th graders consumed alcohol in the past month, according to DHS reports. One in four older teens said they drank five or more alcoholic beverages within several hours (binge drinking). And more girls than ever are drinking, up from 26.4 percent in 1999 to 33.9 percent in 2006.


There's something else to remember: In Oregon, it's illegal for anyone to serve more alcohol to someone who is showing signs of having too much to drink. And, there's the third party liability law, which means that if you allow an intoxicated person to leave your party, you may be liable for any damages or injuries your guest causes to others on the way home.


Here are some tips for holiday party givers:

Avoid making alcohol the main focus of social events. Entertain guests with music, dancing, games, food and conversation. Many adults prefer non-alcoholic beverages, so offer plenty of alcohol-free choices such as sparkling water, ciders and juice drinks, and sodas.
Provide guests with nutritious and appealing foods to slow the effects of alcohol. High protein and carbohydrate foods such as cheese and meats stay in the stomach much longer, which slows the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol. Avoid salty foods that encourage people to drink more.

Measure the correct amount of liquor into drinks (no doubles) and don't serve anyone who is under age or appears to be impaired. Don't serve alcoholic punch or other beverages that make it hard to gauge how much alcohol one consumes. Don't force alcoholic drinks on guests or rush to refill empty glasses.

Stop serving alcoholic beverages at least one hour before the end of the event. Serve coffee, alcohol-free beverages and desserts at that time. Before the party, recruit people who won't be drinking to help ensure that everyone has a safe ride home.

Karen Wheeler is addictions policy manager for the Oregon Department of Human Services

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Cyber Monday shopping tips

Cyber Monday, a term coined by the National Retail Federation in 2005 to describe the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday, is the ceremonial kickoff for the online retail season. If you plan on clicking and saving today, the Attorney General’s Office strongly suggests that you only shop on company sites that you know and trust.

The American Bar Association created a useful Web site called Safeshopping.org that explains how to check if your site is secure and private, compares payment options and provides suggestions to determine if a seller is legitimate.

When shopping online, follow these tips:

1. Use a credit card that offers you “charge back” protection in case of a problem. When possible, couple that with a third-party payment service such as PayPal for privacy.

2. Ask about delivery, return policies and warranties before you pay.

3. Look for the signs of a secured Web site -- “https” in the Web address and a little yellow padlock in the browser bar.

4. Study consumer feedback sections to learn about other buyers' experiences.

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Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping

In these tough economic times, smart shopping during the holiday season is more important than ever. Whether consumers are shopping online, by phone, or in stores, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has some advice to avoid both debt and unneeded stress.

First, make as accurate and comprehensive a budget as possible – don’t forget to include the cost of incidentals like postage, gift wrap, and decorations. Then, learn to navigate holiday sale ads, make sure to keep careful track of your spending, and make the best of layaway opportunities.

To learn more about smart holiday shopping, see the consumer alert “Holiday Shopping, Circa 2008: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission,” at
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt082.shtm. For more general information about wise money management and savvy shopping, visit ftc.gov/consumer.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,500 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
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ADMH OFFERS INFORMATION AND TIPS TO BEAT STRESS AND THE HOLIDAY BLUES

Thoughts of the upcoming holidays usually bring a smile to most people’s face when they think of the family gatherings, food, and presents that will be in abundance. But some may feel stressed or depressed for a host of reasons surrounding the holidays. However, with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress and
depression that sometimes accompany the holidays.

Recognize Holiday Triggers
According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the most important things to do is learning to recognize some of the more common holiday triggers that lead to stress and depression. This will help you feel more in control and be prepared
to disarm them.

 Relationships. They can cause turmoil, conflict or stress at any time, but tensions are sometimes heightened during the holidays. Family misunderstandings and conflicts can intensify. On the other hand, facing the holidays without a loved one can leave you feeling lonely and sad.

 Finances. In this time of economic uncertainty, everyone is feeling the pinch. With the added expenses of gifts, travel, food, and entertainment, the holidays can put a strain on your budget and peace of mind.

 Physical demands. The extra parties, shopping, baking, cleaning, and entertaining, can leave many wiped out. Being exhausted increases stress and makes you more susceptible to colds and other unwelcome guests.

Tips to Combat Holiday Stress and Depression
These practical tips from the Mayo Clinic and Mental Health America can help you find the balance you need to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed.

 Acknowledge your feelings. Remember that the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely.
There is room for these feelings to be present, and it is okay to express your feelings. Conversely, allow yourself
to also experience joy and happiness as you celebrate special times.

 Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Know what you can and cannot do. Try to set realistic
goals, prioritize the important activities, plan accordingly, and pace yourself.

 Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. Be open to creating new ways to celebrate
the holidays.

 Reach out. Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and make new friends, contact someone you
haven’t heard from in a while, and try volunteering some of your time to help others. It will lift your spirits and
broaden your friendships.

 Stick to a budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Before gift and food shopping, decide how much you can afford and then stick to it. You can also enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to
look at holiday decorations.

 Make some time for yourself. Recharge your batteries and let others share in the responsibility of planning activities. Dr. Richard Powers, chief medical director for ADMH offers some additional tips related to diet, exercise and sleep.

 Consider your dietary targets for the day. But do not become distressed over dietary failures from the previous day. You have the entire next year to work off those extra pounds.

 Make a resolution to get exercise on every day that you are off from work. Walking is fine, especially if you walk more than 45 minutes per day.

 Get enough sleep especially when you are off work and avoid heavy drinking late at night or the use of caffeinated beverages after 5 p.m. Both alcohol and calories disrupt your sleep. Being well rested helps you to have positive relationships with your family.

Dr. Powers states, “Experts like myself remind everybody that you might get depressed or stressed out during the holidays; no big news flash to most people. This year, ADMH encourages everyone to take a proactive, positive approach towards the holidays. Decide whether you want to be in control of your emotions or if your emotions will be in control of you.”

RESOURCES

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For more information about the Mayo Clinic, visit www.mayoclinic.com
For more information about Mental Health America, visit www.nmha.org

Thanksgiving Day a Time for Reflection, Gratitude, Sharing

Washington — Thanksgiving Day in the United States is possibly the premier U.S. family celebration — typically celebrated at home or in a community setting and marked with a substantial feast. Thanksgiving provides an occasion for reunions of friends and families, and it affords Americans a shared opportunity to express gratitude for the freedoms they enjoy as well as food, shelter and other good things.

Many Americans also take time to prepare and serve meals to the needy at soup kitchens, churches and homeless shelters. Others donate to food drives or participate in charity fundraisers; in fact, hundreds of nonprofit groups throughout the country hold Thanksgiving Day charity races called “Turkey Trots.”

And on a more worldly note, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the “holiday season” that continues through New Year’s Day. The Friday after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Every year, the president issues a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday in November (November 26 this year) a National Day of Thanksgiving. It is an official federal holiday, and virtually all government offices and schools — and most businesses — are closed.

“As Americans, we hail from every part of the world,” President Obama says in his proclamation. “While we observe traditions from every culture, Thanksgiving Day is a unique national tradition we all share. Its spirit binds us together as one people, each of us thankful for our common blessings.”

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

A variant of the harvest festivals celebrated in many parts of the world, Thanksgiving is popularly traced to a 1621 feast shared by the English Pilgrims who founded the Plymouth Colony (located in present-day Massachusetts) and members of the Wampanoag Indian tribe.

The Pilgrims had arrived in 1620, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to separate themselves from the official Church of England and practice freely their particular form of Puritanism. Arriving at Plymouth Colony too late to grow many crops, and lacking fresh food, the Pilgrims suffered terribly during the winter of 1620-1621. Half the colony died from disease. The following spring, local Wampanoag Indians taught the colonists how to grow corn (maize) and other local crops, and also helped the newcomers master hunting and fishing. The Wampanoag were a people with a sophisticated society who had occupied the region for thousands of years, says the National Museum of the American Indian.

Because they harvested bountiful crops of corn, barley, beans and pumpkins the Pilgrims had much to be thankful for in the fall of 1621. The colonists and their Wampanoag benefactors — who brought deer to roast — held a harvest feast to express gratitude for God’s blessings. Although it is known that the colonists provided fowl for the feast, the rest of the menu remains an educated guess; the Pilgrims likely offered turkey, waterfowl and other wild game, seafood such as mussels, lobster and eels, vegetables, grapes and plums, and nuts.


Turkey, caribou, moose and whale meat are served at the Alaska Native Thanksgiving dinner at the Anchorage Friends Church in 2006President Obama’s proclamation recognizes “the contributions of Native Americans, who helped the early colonists survive their first harsh winter and continue to strengthen our Nation.” It is a reminder of the Native American role in the first American Thanksgiving, a feast held to thank the Indians for sharing their knowledge and skill. Without that help, the first Pilgrims likely would not have survived.

The legacy of giving thanks, particularly with a shared feast, has survived the centuries. Several U.S. presidents — starting with George Washington in 1789 — issued Thanksgiving proclamations, but it wasn’t until President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation that Thanksgiving became an annual national holiday. He called for it to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. It was in the dark days of the Civil War, but Lincoln said that difficult times made it even more appropriate for blessings to be "gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people."

A 1941 congressional resolution moved it to the fourth Thursday to assure a longer post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas shopping season in years when there are five Thursdays in November.

Each year, the president also “pardons” a Thanksgiving turkey — actually two turkeys, since one is a backup in case the other decides to misbehave during the ceremony. The two fowl, spared from the oven, live out the rest of their lives at a children’s petting zoo.

TRADITIONS OF THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving sees the most air and car travel of the year as families and friends try to reunite for the holiday. Many Americans enjoy a local Thanksgiving parade, or the annual Macy’s department store parade, televised live from New York City. Others watch televised American football. Overseas, U.S. troops are served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are staples of the Thanksgiving feast, although there are meat substitutes such as “tofurkey” (combining the words tofu and turkey), a loaf made from seitan (wheat protein) or tofu (soybean protein).

Thousands of charitable organizations serve hot Thanksgiving dinners to the needy — and to anyone who shows up — and millions of frozen turkeys are donated to families each year.

“As we gather once again among loved ones, let us also reach out to our neighbors and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand,” says President Obama. “This is a time for us to renew our bonds with one another.”

He also asks Americans to “pay tribute to our country's men and women in uniform who set an example of service that inspires us all. Let us be guided by the legacy of those who have fought for the freedoms for which we give thanks.”

Dept of Consumer Affairs Offers Consumer Coping Strategies to Help Keep Holiday Rush from Becoming "Holiday Blues"

The holiday season can be stressful for many people. Often it's the stress of trying to live up to unrealistic expectations. Many factors can take their toll on emotional well being: rushing around; attending to extra social obligations; being alone; spending too much money; or overindulging in food and drink.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs has tips on dealing with the holiday blues, and advice for consumers who may need to seek professional help. The Department's Board of Psychology licenses psychologists, while the Board of Behavioral Sciences licenses clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists.

Experts say coping with the holidays starts with simply being aware of your expectations, both for yourself and for friends and family.

"It's an illusion that everyone's holidays are perfect. You may not be able to relive past holidays or create the "perfect" holiday season," explains Jacqueline Horn, Ph.D., president of the California Board of Psychology. "But the holiday blues are usually short-lived and should pass. If you don't feel better soon after the holiday season is over, you may want to seek professional help."

Dr. Horn, a practicing clinical psychologist and lecturer for the UC Davis Department of Psychology, says even those who are isolated and have no support group can brighten their holidays by going out in public. They can go to the mall, attend no-cost or low-cost community events, or volunteer their time to help others during the holidays.

Since days are shorter and the hours of darkness longer, another way to keep the blues at bay is to simply get some sunlight with a daytime activity, experts say.

Following are some tips from psychologists on how to cope with holiday stress:

TIPS TO HELP YOU HANDLE THE HOLIDAYS

■Set realistic goals for yourself
■Find time for yourself.
■Volunteer to do something for others
■Let go of the past. Approach the holidays with a fresh outlook and try something new
■Don't over-indulge by drinking or eating too much
■Spend time with people who are supportive
■Get your sleep
■Get some exercise
■Connect with your community.


However, if your typical coping skills are ineffective and you become overwhelmed by stress, anxiety or depression, it may be a sign that you should consider seeking professional help. Other warning signs include:

■Weight loss or gain
■Thoughts of suicide
■Feelings of worthlessness
■Difficulty thinking or concentrating
■Difficulty sleeping or increased sleeping
■Depression symptoms lasting more than two weeks
If you think you need professional help, start by getting a referral for a qualified therapist from friends, family members, clergy or your physician. Consumers should confirm a therapist is licensed so they meet the professional standards set by the state. Also check that the license is in good standing.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs licenses thousands of professionals who can help. To check license status or get more information, visit the Psychology Board Web site at www.psychboard.ca.gov or the Board of Behavioral Sciences site at www.bbs.ca.gov. Psychiatrists are medical doctors licensed by the Medical Board of California, www.mbc.ca.gov. Licensed Professional Counselor LPC CEUs
For more tips on how to "Be a Safe and Smart Holiday Consumer," check the Department of Consumer Affairs' Web site. The California Department of Consumer Affairs promotes and protects consumer interests. Call(800) 952-5210 or visit the Department's Web site for information on a variety of helpful consumer topics.

Health Department Offers Holiday Mental Health Tips

The holiday season is here, and although this is usually a joyous time of year, it can be an especially stressful time for those who experienced loss because of the recent hurricanes in Louisiana. To help people cope, the Department of Health and Hospitals-Office of Mental Health is offering counseling services and stress-relief tips. LPC CEUs, LPC Continuing Education

“We know this holiday season will be a difficult one for many of our citizens,” said DHH Secretary Dr. Fred Cerise. “The holidays can intensify feelings of grief and loneliness. Also, the contrast to past holidays may aggravate the losses people have experienced in recent months, and the stress of preparing for holidays when money is short and family members are scattered can be overwhelming. We want to let people know that help is available during this time.”

To be able to enjoy the holidays despite these feelings, DHH mental health officials advise citizens to think ahead about ways to adapt traditions to meet the current circumstances. “Don’t put pressure on yourself to have the ‘perfect’ holiday. Planning celebrations that accommodate your feelings can reduce stress and make the holiday a day of healing,” said Dr. Cheryll Bowers-Stephens, DHH-OMH assistant secretary. “Have a holiday that fits how you feel.”

To turn Thanksgiving and other upcoming holidays into a time of healing, it is important for people to acknowledge that things have changed in the past year.

“Prior to the holiday, each person should consider the question, ‘How did I get to this day in this place?’ The answer will include the many traumas of upheaval, but it will also include moments of help, support, togetherness and kindness with loved ones,” Dr. Bowers-Stephens said. “Citizens also can come up with ways to honor those who lost their lives during the hurricanes as part of their activities, as this will help them celebrate their lives. The journey from disaster to recovery takes a long time, but being aware of even small kindnesses is empowering and will help everyone tackle the difficult rebuilding that lies ahead.”

Such observations of the holiday may not help everyone to manage their emotions. Anyone experiencing overwhelming feelings of sadness or loss is encouraged to call the statewide crisis hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak to a certified mental health counselor.