Trends for December 18, 2000

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Dec. 18, 2000 | 9:53 a.m.

In the stars

Consider this when settling in to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" this holiday season: If Hollywood had to do it over, who would you like to see cast as down-and-out George Bailey? (In case you just crawled out of a cave, Jimmy Stewart played George in the 1946 flick.)

Those folks at Blockbuster have been at it again -- and they beat you to the punch with another of the company's wacky surveys. The findings: 27 percent of respondents said Nicolas Cage would be a perfect match. George Clooney ranked second (21 percent) among all respondents, but first with females. Kevin Spacey came in third (19 percent) followed by Bruce Willis (13 percent).

Part two of the survey: Who is your favorite holiday movie character?

No big surprises here. Stewart's George took top honors, followed by Santa Claus, Scrooge, Rudolph -- yes, the reindeer -- and Bing Crosby (presumably in "White Christmas").

Out damn spot

If the masses are coming to your house to celebrate this holiday season, there's one thing you can count on: Something is going to be stained.

Table clothes, clothes and carpet, among others, are all easy targets for such things as splashed wine, catapulted cranberry sauce and smeared chocolate.

So the makers of Carbona, a stain remover, have offered some tips for getting tough spots out. Besides using their product, they urge that you not to delay: The quicker it's treated, the easier a stain will come out. Start by using the hottest water possible, or soak the blemished item in hot water (but keep in mind that what treats one stain may not remove another).

Remember, the stain needs some place to go, so place a clean cloth behind the area to absorb and "lift" the stain from the fabric. Also, refrain from rubbing a stain; "tap" it with your finger or a blunt object onto the cloth behind it.

Too much partying

Look, there's no need to beat around the bush. We know what many of you plan to do on New Year's Eve -- ring in 2001 with plenty of spirits. Just remember not to drink and drive.

And to drink in moderation. That message comes courtesy of the National Headache Foundation in Chicago. The organization has a few tips for avoiding holiday hangovers.

* Sip drinks slowly, and know that drinks mixed with fruit or vegetable juices will probably have less of an effect than drinking straight alcohol. Also, avoid red wine which contains an amino acid that can trigger headaches.

* After a night of drinking, try eating some honey. The sweet stuff contains fructose which reduces hangover symptoms and helps the body metabolize alcohol. Tomato juice also burns alcohol in the body.

* If all else fails, reach for the old standby -- a cup of coffee. The caffeine helps ease dilated blood vessels and can provide some relief from headache symptoms and pain.