Reclaim Your Holidays
In This Issue
Share your winter
holiday stories
Cookies & talk build
family bonds
Help audiences
control finances
Family tensions? Start
talking
Our Mission
Reclaim Your Holidays
helps Iowans create
fun, meaningful
holidays that are
easier on the
environment through
practical, inspiring
information and
opportunities to
dialogue and share
ideas.
Our Sponsors
Reclaim Your Holidays
is made possible
thanks to funding
support from the REAP
Conservation
Education Program and
the Iowa DNR Solid
Waste Alternatives
Program.
Quick Links
Helping educators use RYH resources
December 2014
What do you love about the winter holidays?
Read stories Iowans shared as
they answered that question. RYH
educators could use this handout
found on the RYH website to
engage their own audiences in
story telling about their favorite
holiday memories or activities.
Ready-to-use "Cookies" activity builds relationships
RYH educators will find this 30-minute
inter-generational activity for elementaryschool aged children and parents/
grandparents ideal for winter at nature
centers, libraries, congregations, schools or
other organizations. Step-by-step directions make it easy to plan
and hold. RYH also provides a ready-to-go event flyer to
promote the Using Creativity, Cookies & Conversation activity.
Create meaning by taking control of holiday finances
Want to make the holidays less about
money and more about relationships?
Want to help your audiences simplify this
component of the holidays? RYH
educators will find this handout, "Taking
Control of Holiday Finances," useful for
many audiences. The rewards for all can
be great -- financially and emotionally.
Communication before holiday eases family tensions
Join Our List
Children benefit from
relationships with grandparents,
aunts, uncles and other extended
family members. These relatives
express love in many ways,
including gift giving which some
parents say can be excessive and
difficult to manage. This RYH
handout on family communication can help families practice
clear, respectful, assertive communication skills to benefit all.
RYH educators could add this handout to their display tables any
time of the year.
We wish you fulfilling winter holidays and thank you for
helping Iowans create more meaningful, fun, and
environmentally friendly celebrations,
Susan Salterberg
Carole Yates
UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education