By Tamara Galbraith

Celebrating the holidays surrounded by beloved children and pets always makes this time of year sweeter. But the little darlings sure can get into trouble when your back is turned, eh?

And that's why it's important to be aware of the plants you've got decorating your holiday setting each and every year. Little fingers like reaching for bright red berries, and curious puppies and kitties can eat anything and everything in sight, leaves and all. So let's run down a few popular holiday plant choices and what you should watch out for:

Poinsettias:
For many years, this popular beauty was thought to be extremely toxic. However, recent studies have shown that, while ingestion certainly isn't recommended, eating the leaves won't cause instant death either. Keep it out of reach of curious kids and pets, and be careful when handling it yourself; the sap can cause a poison ivy-like reaction on the skin.

Holly:
The greatest danger isn't the pointy-sharp leaves (although those are a nuisance); it's eating the bright red berries, which can result in extreme stomach and intestinal problems.

Amaryllis, Kalanchoe:
Somewhat toxic, but large amounts would have to be eaten for real trouble to occur.

Jerusalem Cherry, Pyracantha, Bittersweet, Helleborus niger, Mistletoe, Laurel, Yew:
All are highly toxic (especially the berries, when present) and should definitely be kept well away from children and pets.

Be smart about other plants too, or at least, where you have them positioned. Toddlers with a penchant for trouble can eat potting soil containing toxic fertilizer, or pebbles just big enough to be choked on. Don't put heavy plants where they could potentially fall on a child or pet. Watch out for dangling vines that kids or pets can pull on or get tangled in during a rambunctious moment...and you know the holidays bring plenty of those.

1. Plant a basket of narcissus for holiday bloom.
2. Protect built-in sprinkler systems: drain the system and insulate the valve mechanisms.
3. Tie limbs of upright evergreens to prevent breakage by snow or ice.
4. Open up spaces in dense trees to allow wind to pass through.
5. Rake and destroy leaves from fruit trees that were diseased this year. Remove mummified fruit.
6. Cut back chrysanthemums after bloom; clean up the ground.
7. Plant window garden of lettuce, chives, parsley.
8. Plant shrubs and trees that supply winter food and shelter to birds.
9. Stake young trees loosely so they can develop strong trunks.
10. Wrap the trunks of young trees with an insulating material to protect them from cold.
11. Mulch, mulch, and mulch some more.

Nurseries and garden supply stores are great places to do Christmas shopping. Lines are usually short, parking is easy, stocking stuffers abound, and children can find an inexpensive selection of gifts such as a rain gauge or a hummingbird feeder.

Some ideas: garden hats, tools of all kinds, gadgets such as thermometers that record high and low temperatures (good even for non-gardeners), pruners, tension meters, heat cables for sprouting seeds, ornamental objects (such as bronze faucets, bird baths, and garden sculpture), houseplants, bare-root roses, fruit trees, kneeling pads, soil-test kits, and miniature greenhouses.

For a personal gift that doesn't need wrapping, choose a sturdy basket for bringing in vegetables or flowers. Stuff it with a colorful apron, a pair of gloves, a trowel, a book or two, a few packs of seed, and a potted plant. You can even go to your local craft store and buy an inexpensive unfinished bird house for you or the kids to decorate and paint, and give your garden gift a special, personal touch.