Holidays
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Keep pets safe during the holidays
While the glittering lights, prettily wrapped packages and delicious treats all make for holiday fun, these same festive elements can pose risks for pets. Keep the season merry and bright by pet-proofing your holidays with these tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association: 
Seasonal decorations can be hazardous to pets. The holidays bring lots of seasonal home decorations, such as candles, decorated trees, and potpourri. Pet owners are urged to make sure pets are not left alone in decorated rooms to avoid potential dangerous situations. Don’t allow pets to chew on power cords or consume decorative elements such as tinsel.
Holidays plants can be poisonous to pets. Some holiday favorites such as mistletoe, holly, and lilies are actually harmful to pets. These plants should be kept out of pets’ reach.
People treats aren’t necessarily pet treats. One of the main challenges that comes along with the holiday season is the excess of food. It is encouraged that you keep “people food” in places that cannot be accessed by your pets. As your guests if they can do the same. Pet owners are urged to keep human treats away from pets. Specifically treats that contain chocolate, Xylitol, grapes/raisins, onions or other foods that are toxic for pets.
Pets react to holiday stress, just like people do. The holidays tend to bring lots of family and friends together in one place. Some pets get scared or excited around crowds or when they see new faces. It’s advised that pets are placed in a separate room while guests are visiting. Holiday travel and spending time in an unfamiliar environment can also cause disruptive or problematic behavior in pets. If your pet is unaccustomed to travel, consider hiring a pet sitter or boarding them at a qualified facility.
My favorite Christmas cookie recipe
I have to admit, I’m not one of those talented women who can whip up a gorgeous collection of holiday treats. I don’t putter for hours on end in the kitchen and my meal-planning skills lean toward quick and simple.
But baking cookies at Christmas is such a time-honored tradition that even I had to find something that would allow me to find joy in the kitchen this time of year. My solution is Martha Stewart’s sugar cookie recipe. My favorite cookie cutter shape is the penguin, but you can adapt this recipe for any cut-outs.
If you are in search of your own family traditional cookie recipe, I hope you’ll give this 
one a try. I’ve spent many happy hours with family and friends preparing these wonderful treats!
Ingredients
• 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for surface and more if needed
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Royal Icing
Directions
1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Turn out dough, and divide in half. Flatten each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Let one disk of dough stand at room temperature just until soft enough to roll, about 10 minutes. Roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface to just under 1/4-inch thick, adding more flour as needed to keep dough from sticking. Chill in refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes. Cut out cookies using desired cutters or templates. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets as you work. Roll out scraps, and repeat once. Repeat with remaining disk of dough. Chill cookies in freezer until very firm, about 15 minutes.
3. Bake cookies, switching positions of sheets and rotating halfway through, until edges turn golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Decorate with Royal Icing.
Cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week.
What is your family’s favorite Christmas cookie recipe?