Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends for December 4, 2000

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Dec. 4, 2000 | 8:29 a.m.

Lisa Ferguson is the Sun assistant features editor. Her Trends column appears Mondays. Reach her at lisa@lasvegassun.com or 259-4060.

Planning ahead

If you haven't already bought a fresh Christmas tree -- don't. At least not before digesting a few tips, courtesy of the December/January issue of The Family Handyman magazine.

Don't cut the pesky plastic netting (put on at most tree lots) off of the tree right away. First bring the tree into the house and set it in the stand. Why? The netting keeps the tree compact, making it easier to get through doors, stairwells and hallways. It's also easier to tell if the tree is straight in the stand while it's wrapped.

Purchase one of those giant, plastic tree bags when you buy your tree. Put the bag over the base of the tree before setting it in the stand (be sure to slit it so the trunk can absorb water) and hide the bag under the tree skirt. When the holiday is over -- and the tree is shedding needles everywhere -- pull the bag up over the tree and haul it away.

Finally, give your knees a break from crawling under the tree to water it. Hang a funnel from a branch with the loop of a clothes hanger. Run a plastic tube from the end of the funnel, along the trunk, to the water reservoir. Have one of the kids watch the water level or put their finger in the reservoir to let you know when it's full.

Easy rider

Speaking of little ones, if you have kids, there's a good chance he or she has a new bike or one of those popular scooters on their wish list this year. According to the website kid-e-sport.com, 69.8 percent of moms nationwide plan to give their children a new set of wheels this holiday.

Bicycle company Raleigh USA recommends parents follow these tips fur purchasing the right bike for their children:

Figure out what type of riding Junior will do, and where. Will he be touring the neighborhood? Tackling rugged trails on the weekend? This will help narrow down the choices.

Be sure to buy the right size bike -- not one he will grow into. If a bike is too large, it will be tough for a youngster to handle and will cause distractions for the rider. Check the height from floor to seat and the reach from the seat to the handlebars.

Don't believe the hype. Remember, bikes are vehicles, not toys. It can have all of the bells and whistles -- literally -- but a quality bike won't go out of style when the next big thing hits the market.

Jarring effect

Now that the kids' gift are taken care of, the question is what to buy the adults?

How about a little of everything? That's the idea behind Just Jars Me's line of themed gifts, which come packaged in large glass jars.

A Hanukkah jar comes filled with potato pancake mix, dreidels and chocolate coins as well as candles, crackers and nuts, and costs $39.99 (plus shipping and handling).

A "Making Dinner" jar is perfect for the harried holiday hostess: Candle holders with candles, salt-and-pepper shakers, holiday napkin with napkin rings, flavored coffee and after-dinner mints, is also $39.99.

For more information, visit justjarsme.com or call (877) 587-8527.