November/December 2016

A few years ago when thrift stores set up special racks for ugly Christmas sweaters and put a premium price on them (by thrift store standards), it was clear that they were becoming an endangered species for those who truly like wearing them.

Back in the day, the garishly adorned Christmas sweater showed up at family gatherings and then got packed away until the following year. Now they’re right out in the open — like a quirky uncle — celebrated rather than ridiculed.

The challenge is that when I see someone wearing a holiday sweater with a light-up reindeer nose or a three-dimensional snowman, I’m not sure if it’s a joke or a celebration of the season. Increasingly, it’s both.

Dec. 16 is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. It’s got a website, so it must be legit (nationaluglychristmassweaterday.org). Basketball fans can join the fun with a Cavaliers ugly Christmas sweater. They’re available online at several websites.

November is National Adoption Month. Ohio has more than 2,500 children waiting for a permanent home. Could you be the one a child is waiting for?

Age isn’t necessarily a barrier for adoptive parents. As people stay healthy and live longer than past generations, adoption agencies increasingly are welcoming people 50 and older to explore the adoption option.

One place to start is by taking a self-assessment online through the North American Council on Adoptable Children at nacac.org. Then check out Ohio’s ultimate adoption guide at jfs.ohio. gov, which lists both public and private adoption and foster care programs throughout the state.

Don’t kid around when it comes to vaccinations. Adults need them too, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

HERE’S WHAT TO  GET

• An annual flu shot. Sixty percent of people who wind up in the hospital from flu complications are 65 and older.
• Td to Tdap – tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). All adults should get the Tdap vaccine if they did not get it as a teen. If you did, then you need a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years. Again, check with your doctor.
• A shingles (Zoster) vaccine for everyone 60 and older. Younger? Ask your doctor if you should get the shot.
• A pneumonia shot (pneumococcal vaccine) for folks 65 and up or for anyone younger with certain chronic conditions.

Thanksgiving Day shopping is losing a bit of its edge this year with major retailers — under pressure from traditionalists — shutting their doors on the holiday.

No worries, though. There’s still plenty of time to shop with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday keeping credit cards and shopping areas busy in the post-turkey frenzy.

Consider taking a break from the buying with Giving Tuesday (givingtuesday. org). The week after Thanksgiving is when most charities kick off their busiest time of the year. If charitable giving isn’t on your holiday list, consider adding it. Giving is a habit you won’t have to break.