Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

If you had “one more project” on your BINGO card for me before the holidays, you got it! For years, our lovely pets have wreaked havoc on our presents as soon as we’ve put them under the tree. We’ve tried everything to keep them from jumping on the gifts and scratching at the festive paper—from special deterrent spray to storage bins to fireplace screens—to minimal avail.

That’s when it hit me—an idea so bonkers, it just might work. I quickly consulted my Amazon shopping cart and filled it with a ceiling-mount curtain track, command strips, and a clear tarp with grommets. My grand plan is to cut the track in half and affix it to the ceiling and floor with the command strips. Then, I’ll hook that to the tarp, and boom—an instant pet proof fortress (which slides open for convenience).

While my loving husband hasn’t stopped laughing about our Christmas tree essentially having its own shower curtain, I think this might finally be the solution we’ve longed for. I’ll keep you posted—and I’m so glad you’re here.

Here’s what you need to know: While I make my list and check it twice, there’ve been a few times that I’ve accidentally missed someone—or was simply unprepared when a person unexpectedly had a gift for me, but I didn’t have one for them. Talk about mortifying. To combat this Christmas crisis, I’ve come up with a series of five useful holiday hacks. 

Our top tips:

• A handmade gift—You don’t even have to be particularly crafty for this one. As long as you’ve got a piece of paper and pen laying around, you could create a Christmas card, draw a picture, or write a poem about a special memory you and the recipient shared.

• Money—You know what’s open on Christmas? ATMs. I’ve never heard anyone complain over a fresh, crisp $20. To make the gift seem more personal, place the cash in a box and wrap it—or just stick a bow right on top of the bill for a little laugh.
• “It’s coming”—I’ve had to use this line more than once—because while I remembered to buy a gift, I bought it too late to arrive in time for the holiday. If you’d like to keep an element of surprise, gift the tracking number so they can see their mystery package moving through the postal system. 

Still in a tizzy? We’ve got additional ideas for you at the link below!

Question of the Week: What are Christmas Eve and Christmas morning like for your family? Do you relax at home in pajamas while eating candy for breakfast, or are you bouncing between parents,’ grandparents,’ and in-laws’ homes? Feel free to send all your holly jolly traditions my way at amie@couriernewsroom.com (or vent about them, if you need to). 

Men’s and women’s Virginia Tech (VT) basketball players recently came together with Carilion Pediatric Hematology-Oncology patients to paint sneakers. The Shoes 4 Hope tradition is in its third year, in an effort to raise awareness about pediatric cancer.

Dozens of children and teens receiving treatment at the Roanoke facility traveled to VT’s Hahn Hurst Basketball Practice Center in Blacksburg on Dec. 18. There, they gathered with the basketball players to showcase their artistic expression. 

Together, the group customized dozens of pairs of sneakers, each displaying unique and colorful designs by the time the event wrapped up. 

Later in the season, Hokie coaches and basketball staff will wear their bright creations. Be sure to keep an eye out for the women’s basketball game on Jan. 25 and the men’s basketball game on Jan. 30.

• One of the greatest parts of the holiday season is Christmas light displays outside local homes. One house in particular, 9716 Wendhurst Dr, became a local institution and a national household name for its elaborate display. Think: Great Christmas Light Fight (READ MORE HERE).

• From a $50 million scholarship program to help low-income students attend private schools to a desire to withhold funding from localities that refuse to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently unveiled his proposed budget for the state (READ MORE HERE).

• Sometimes making a holiday meal feels too tedious, and if you’re traveling, you might not be able to cook. If you find yourself in Virginia on Christmas Day, there are plenty of restaurant options open, offering everything from festive buffets to cozy meals (READ MORE HERE). 

This week, we’re featuring a basketball highlight! If you’d like to see your team’s accomplishments broadcast on Dogwood’s platforms, send a note and photo to amie@couriernewsroom.com or reply to this message. Just be sure you have permission to share from all of the proper sources—players/guardians, photographers, and coaches/schools, to name a few.

AP Photo/Ben McKeown

You know it’s a happy day when an announcement from Gobbler Country includes the phrase “in a twist of good news.”

Earlier this year, Ramiya White, a six-foot-five-inch center from Louisville, Kentucky, made her decision to play for Virginia Tech. The Hokie formerly played for Butler Traditional High School and on the Adidas 3SSB circuit.

The freshman came in as the third-ranked prospect and the top-ranked center in the state of Kentucky in the class of 2024, according to Prep Girls Hoops.

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