Grab a friend for a night of de-stressing the holidays with a fun workshop

Elise Zwicky for Chronicle Media

Horticulture educators will give demonstrations on using fresh greens for holiday arrangements and festive decorations at the University of Illinois Extension “Friends Night Out” workshop.

Horticulture educators will give demonstrations on using fresh greens for holiday arrangements and festive decorations at the University of Illinois Extension “Friends Night Out” workshop.

Feeling frazzled by the thought of decorating, entertaining and shopping for the holidays? The University of Illinois Extension has planned a fun night of holiday preparation to calm those nerves.

The “Friends Night Out” workshop will be offered in Woodford County Dec. 3, McLean County Dec. 5 and Livingston County Dec. 10. Cost for the three-hour program is $25 per person.
“I think the holidays can be stressful because people put too much pressure on themselves by thinking they have to make everything perfect,” said Brittnay Haag, an extension horticulture program coordinator. “This event is intended to help them de-stress and have a fun night.”

Horticulture educator Kelly Allsup has offered a holiday centerpiece workshop in the past and decided to collaborate with two other educators this year to offer a more in-depth program, Haag said.

During the workshop, Allsup will teach participants how to make an arrangement using fresh greens and festive décor, while offering tips on how to incorporate the latest trends. Those attending the workshop will leave with their own holiday centerpiece to adorn their tables.

“It will be very simple,” Haag said. “Kelly will walk them through it step-by-step and teach them how to care for it afterwards.”

Jenna Smith, a University of Illinois Extension nutrition educator, will give tips on how to enjoy favorite holiday foods without putting on the pounds in a program called “Holiday Appetizers and Mocktails.” Participants will enjoy a meal of tasty appetizers, along with flavored drinks appropriate for both kids and adults. They’ll also take home a packet of waistband-friendly healthy recipes to make during the holidays.

Rounding out the program, consumer economics educator Pam Atkinson will walk the group through activities to help them shop wisely this holiday season. Her talk is designed to help participants pinpoint their own “money habitude” and identify the type of shopper they are, which can help them avoid spending more money than they want to or should spend during the holidays.

“We’re planning a fun, educational evening that people can attend with their friends,” Haag said, adding that the event is geared for all ages from teen through adult and isn’t just for women.

Pre-registration is required and the workshop is limited to 30 participants in both McLean and Livingston counties and 15 participants in Woodford County. Registration can be made online at web.extension.illinois.edu/lmw or by calling the appropriate county’s extension office.

When and where of “Friends Night out”

  • The Woodford County workshop will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Woodford County Extension office at 109 E. Eureka Ave. in Eureka. The phone number to register is (309) 467-3789.
  • In McLean County, the workshop will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 at the McLean County Extension office at 1615 Commerce Parkway in Bloomington. That phone number is (309) 862-4041.
  • The Livingston County workshop is planned for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Livingston County Extension office at 1412 S. Locust in Pontiac. To register there, call (815) 842-1776.

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