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Biggest health trends for kids in 2015.

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They bounce down, they’re carried up, they bounce down, they’re carried up… how long can this go on?! This is what happens when someone pours a huge bag of ball pit balls onto an escalator. (P.S. kids don't do this at the mall!)

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December Holiday Facts and Figures

                          This festive season, or simply the holidays, is a time for gathering and celebrating with family and friends, gift giving, reflection and thanks. To commemorate this time of year, the U.S. Census Bureau presents the following holiday-related facts and figures from its collection of statistics.

                               51.6%

Estimated proportion of the nation's potatoes produced in Idaho and Washington during the fall of 2012. Potato latkes are always a crowd pleaser during Hanukkah. Source: National Agriculture Statistics Service, Crop Production, Page 57 http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProdSu/2010s/2013/CropProdSu-01-11-2013.pdf [PDF - 1.2 MB]

$1.4 billion

The estimated value of product shipments of candles in 2011 by U.S. manufacturers. Many of these candles are lit during Diwali, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of Manufacturers, http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ASM_2011_31VS101&prodType=table

        Rush to the Stores

$25.9 billion

Estimated retail sales by the nation's department stores (including leased departments) in December 2012. This represents an estimated 39.3 percent jump from the previous month when retail sales were estimated at 18.6 billion. No other month-to-month increase in department store sales last year was as large. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business and Industry  http://www.census.gov/econ/currentdata/dbsearch?program=MRTS&startYear=1992&endYear=2013&categories=4521I&dataType=SM&geoLevel=US&notAdjusted=1&submit=GET+DATA

Note: Leased departments are separately owned businesses operated as departments or concessions of other service establishments or of retail businesses, such as a separately owned shoeshine parlor in a barber shop, or a beauty shop in a department store. Also, retail sales and inventory estimates have not been adjusted to account for seasonal or pricing variations.

13.9%

The estimated percentage of total 2012 sales for department stores (including leased departments) in December. For jewelry stores, the estimated percentage was 20.5 percent. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business and Industry http://www.census.gov/econ/currentdata/dbsearch?program=MRTS&startYear=1992&endYear=2013&categories=4521I&dataType=SM&geoLevel=US&notAdjusted=1&submit=GET+DATA http://www.census.gov/econ/currentdata/dbsearch?program=MRTS&startYear=1992&endYear=2013&categories=44831&dataType=SM&geoLevel=US&notAdjusted=1&submit=GET+DATA

20.7%

The estimated growth in inventories by our nation's department stores (excluding leased departments) from Aug. 31 to Nov. 30, 2012. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business and Industry http://www.census.gov/econ/currentdata/dbsearch?program=MRTS&startYear=1992&endYear=2013&categories=4521E&dataType=IM&geoLevel=US&notAdjusted=1&submit=GET+DATA

$39.2 billion

Estimated value of retail sales by electronic shopping and mail-order houses in December 2012 ─ the highest total for any month last year. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business and Industry http://www.census.gov/econ/currentdata/dbsearch?program=MRTS&startYear=1992&endYear=2013&categories=4541&dataType=SM&geoLevel=US&notAdjusted=1&submit=GET+DATA

23,697

The number of electronic shopping and mail-order houses in business in 2011. These businesses, which employed 321,481workers, are a popular source of holiday gifts (NAICS code 45411). Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, Table CB1000A1 http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2011/00A1//naics~45411

        Christmas Trees and Decorations

$1.0 billion

The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from China between January and September 2013. China was the leading country of origin for such items. Similarly, China was the leading foreign source of artificial Christmas trees shipped to the United States ($93.0 million worth) during the same period.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics
https://usatrade.census.gov/

     Where the Toys are ... Made

70

Number of establishments around the country that primarily manufactured dolls and stuffed toys in 2011. California led the nation with 10 locations. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code 339931, http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/ http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2011/00A1//naics~339931 http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2011/00A1/0100000US.04000.003/naics~339931

524

The number of locations that primarily produced games, toys and children's vehicles in 2011; they employed 7,187 workers. California led the nation with 88 establishments. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code 339932, http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2011/00A1//naics~339932 http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

Nearly 15 billion

Pieces of mail the U.S. Postal Service expects to deliver between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. The busiest mailing day is set for Dec.16, and Dec. 18 will be the busiest delivery day. Source: U.S. Postal Service http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_083.htm

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When kids are little, parents teach them how to ride a bike and how to look both ways when crossing a street. Learning to cross a street and to ride a bike are rites of passage that allow a child more independence. Rules for staying safe on the streets aren’t just for little ones. With friends, cell phones, music devices, and a variety of other distractions, all kids, even teenagers, need a reminder about street safety:

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Get the kids involed with preparations for Thanksgiving dinner

Eating Thanksgiving dinner is fun, but helping get everything ready for the big meal can be a lot of fun too. Here are a few things you can do to help out.

Plan the menu. Talk with your family about what you want to have for Thanksgiving dinner. Pick a couple side dishes to go with turkey, like vegetables, potatoes and salad. Then pick something for dessert.

Set the table. While your parents are busy carving the turkey, offer to set the table. Fold the napkins and then place the forks on the left side of the plate and the knives on the right side.

Lend a hand in the kitchen. There are lots of dishes to get ready for Thanksgiving, so ask your parents what you can help with. Maybe you can mash the potatoes or slice the cranberry sauce. Make sure to ask your parents if you're not sure about certain kitchen tools, like knives.

Clean up. Give your parents a break when dinner is over and help with clean up. Sweep the floor or load the dishwasher so your parents don’t have to.

Your parents will be so happy to have your help. After a full day of cooking, eating and cleaning up, you can all enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert.

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Thanksgiving facts and figures

FFF: Thanksgiving Day: Nov. 27, 2014          

             Release Number: CB14-FF.25                                                       

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims — early settlers of Plymouth Colony, held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. This event is regarded by many as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag  Indians in attendance played a  key role. Historians have recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America. These include the British colonists in Virginia as early as 1619.

The legacy of thanks and the feast have survived the centuries, as the event became a national holiday 151 years ago (Oct. 3, 1863) when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month to encourage earlier holiday shopping, never on the occasional fifth Thursday.

                                     Where to Feast

115 million

Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2014’s second quarter — all potential stops for Thanksgiving dinner. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership, Table 8 <http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtabs.html>

4.4 million

Number of multigenerational households in the U.S. in 2013. These households, consisting of three or more generations, no doubt will have to purchase large quantities of food to accommodate all the family members sitting around the table for the holiday feast ─ even if there are no guests! Source: 2013 American Community Survey, Table B11017 < http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_3YR_B11017&prodType=table>

4

Number of places in the United States named after the holiday’s traditional main course. Turkey Creek, La., was the most populous in 2013, with 435 residents, followed by Turkey, Texas (410), Turkey, N.C. (291) and Turkey Creek, Ariz. (294). There are also two townships in Pennsylvania with “Turkey” in the name: Upper Turkeyfoot and Lower Turkeyfoot. (Please note that the Turkey Creek, Ariz., population total pertains to the 2010 Census). Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 Population Estimates and American FactFinder, Table DP-1, 2010 Census Summary File 1 < http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012-3.html> < http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US0477415> < http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer.html>

8

Number of places and townships in the United States that are named Cranberry or some spelling variation of the acidic red berry (e.g., Cranbury, N.J.), a popular side dish at Thanksgiving. Cranberry Township (Butler County), Pa., was the most populous of these places in 2013, with 29,490 residents. Cranberry township (Venango County), Pa., was next (6,583). (Please note that population totals for the two places on the list that are census designated places ─ Cranbury, N.J., with a population of 2,181, and Cranberry Lake, N.Y., with a population of 200 ─ pertain to 2010.)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 Population Estimates and 2010 Census Summary File 1 <http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/index.html> <http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table> < http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer.html>

42

Number of counties, places and townships in the United States named Plymouth, as in Plymouth Rock, the landing site of the first Pilgrims. The two counties, both named Plymouth, are in Massachusetts (2013 population of 501,915) and Iowa (24,957 in 2013).

Plymouth, Minn., is the most populous place, with 73,987 residents in 2013; There are two places in the United States named Pilgrim: One, a township in Dade County, Mo., had a 2013 population of 128; the other, a census designated place in Michigan, had a 2010 population of 11. And then there is Mayflower, Ark., whose population was 2,299 in 2012, and Mayflower Village, Calif., whose population was 5,515 in 2010.

Note: Townships have been included in these counts from 12 states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin) where the primary governmental or administrative divisions of a county serve as general-purpose local governments that can perform the same governmental functions as incorporated places. These county subdivisons are known as minor civil divisions, and the Census Bureau presents data for these in all data products for which place data are provided. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Summary File 1 2013 Population Estimates Counties: <http://www.census.gov/popest/data/counties/asrh/2013/index.html> Cities and Towns: <http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/index.html> 2014 U.S. Gazetteer Files < http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer.html>      

Participants in the First Feast

24.5 million  

Number of U.S. residents of English ancestry as of 2013. Some could very well be descendants of the Plymouth colonists who participated in the autumn feast that is widely believed to be one of the first Thanksgivings ─ especially the 664,000 living in Massachusetts. Source: 2013 American Community Survey, Table B04006. < http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B04006> < http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B04006/0400000US25>

6,500

Number of members of the Wampanoag American Indian tribal grouping, as of 2010, roughly half of whom reside in Massachusetts. The Wampanoag, the American Indians in attendance, played a lead role in this historic encounter, and they had been essential to the survival of the colonists during the newcomers’ first year. The Wampanoag are a people with a sophisticated society who have occupied the region for thousands of years. They have their own government, their own religious and philosophical beliefs, their own knowledge system, and their own culture. They are also a people for whom giving thanks was a part of daily life. Sources: 2010 Census American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File, Table DP-1 < http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table>

American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving, National Museum of the American Indian <http://nmai.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/education/thanksgiving_poster.pdf>.       

Preparing the Feast … Enjoying the Day … and the Aftermath

98.6%

Percentage of households in 2013 with a gas or electric stove ─ essential for cooking their Thanksgiving feast. Another 96.8 percent had a microwave, also helpful in preparing the meal. Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2013, Table 3 <www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p70-136.pdf>

98.3%

Percentage of households with a television in 2013. No doubt, many guests either before, after, or perhaps even during the feast will settle in front of their TVs to watch some football. Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2013, Table 3 <www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p70-136.pdf>  

35.8%

Percentage of households with a stand-alone food freezer in 2013, which they may want to use to preserve their Thanksgiving leftovers. Far more (99.2 percent) have a refrigerator. Once all the guests leave, it will be time to clean up. Fortunately, 69.3 percent have a dishwasher to make the task easier. Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2011, Table 3 <www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p70-136.pdf>

Culinary Delights

66,047  

The number of supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores in the United States in 2012. These establishments are expected to be extremely busy around Thanksgiving, as people prepare for their delightful meals. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 44511 < http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

3,240

The number of baked goods stores in the United States in 2012 — a potential place to visit to purchase refreshing desserts. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 445291 < http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

2,788

The number of fruit and vegetable markets in the United States in 2012 — a great place to find holiday side dishes. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 445230 < http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

242 million

The number of turkeys that were forecasted to be raised in the United States in 2014. That is down 5 percent from the number raised during 2012. Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, <http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/TurkRaisSu/TurkRaisSu-09-30-2014.pdf>

45 million

The forecast for the number of turkeys Minnesota will raise in 2014. The Gopher State was tops in turkey production, followed by North Carolina (35 million), Arkansas (29 million), Indiana (17 million), Missouri (17 million), and Virginia (16 million). Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, <http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/TurkRaisSu/TurkRaisSu-09-30-2014.pdf>

$19 million

The value of U.S. imports of live turkeys for 2013, with 99.9 percent of them coming from Canada. When it comes to sweet potatoes, the Dominican Republic was the source of 47.8 percent ($5 million) of total imports ($10.4 million). The United States ran a $13.6 million trade deficit in live turkeys during the period but had a surplus of $86.1 million in sweet potatoes. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics < http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/data/>.

856 million pounds

The forecast for U.S. cranberry production in 2014. Wisconsin was estimated to lead all states in the production of cranberries, with 538 million pounds, followed by Massachusetts (estimated at 210 million). New Jersey, Oregon and Washington were also estimated to have substantial production, ranging from 16 to 55 million pounds. Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, < http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/Cran/Cran-08-14-2014.pdf>

2.4 billion pounds

The total weight of sweet potatoes — another popular Thanksgiving side dish — produced by major sweet potato producing states in 2014 Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProd/CropProd-10-10-2014.pdf>

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Help Prepare Your Family's Thanksgiving Dinner | Articles for Kids | Grades K - 5