holidays

The holiday season and end of the year is a time for gratitude, reflection and hopes for the upcoming year. At USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), we are thankful for the opportunity to serve the American public with statistical integrity and are looking ahead to continuing that work in 2024.

The holidays are a festive time. Putting up a Christmas tree, wreath, and ornaments may be part of your tradition. But, look twice before you acquire fresh plant material for your seasonal décor this year, because there may be something lurking inside. Invasive plant pests and diseases are talented hitchhikers. They may hitch a ride on your living Christmas tree, wreath, untreated firewood, or handmade ornaments. And, they aren’t just unwelcome guests—these pests threaten local ecosystems and agriculture when introduced to new places.

The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. Often, those celebrations involve sharing a meal together. With Thanksgiving and the winter holidays here, it is a great time to start looking for recipe ideas! These five, healthy holiday recipes from Nutrition.gov combine vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other nutritious ingredients in one delicious dish: