Reporters, producers and editors, here is our holiday gift to you: Story ideas that relate to the holidays, and some evergreen ideas that can help you fill the newspaper or broadcast during the slow news month ahead.

An ultrasound showed Katie Larrison's daughter Mira had a heart defect that most children don't survive without treatment. Doctors at the University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center are experts at caring for children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, but other risk factors made the traditional surgeries risky. A series of procedures, as a fetus and immediately after birth, have given baby Mira her life and a first Christmas. Media contact: Shantell M. Kirkendoll, smkirk@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.

No one knows more about the issues facing a veteran - in combat or on the home front - than another veteran. It's why the U-M Depression Center, together with the National Guard, offers the Buddy-to-Buddy program. It partners returning soldiers with men and women who have already made the transition to civilian life successfully. Buddy-to-Buddy experts can talk about re-integration of soldiers, particularly during the holidays. Media contact: Margarita Bauza, mbauza@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.

When adult children go home for the holidays, they may see elderly parents are struggling mentally or physically with daily household tasks. U-M geriatrics experts can help assess problems and give advice on what can be done to help. Media contact: Anne Rueter, arueter@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.

The U-M C.S. Mott Children's and Women's Hospital is launching a new Gift of a Bear Program, which helps comfort young Mott patients and raises money for families in need. Supporters can help the healing of a Mott child by purchasing a teddy bear outfitted in an "M GO BLUE for Mott" T-shirt for $25. Proceeds will also benefit the Family Hope Fund that provides help to families in need at a challenging time in their lives. Media: contact Margarita Bauza, mbauza@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.

Last Christmas Emily Deibolt's family was concerned the 4-year-old was not hearing well. She seemed to ignore family members and her speech was delayed. She would also wake her family a dozen times a night. Marci Lesperance, M.D., a pediatric otolaryngologist at U-M, performed surgery on her middle ear and eardrum that's created what her mother calls "life-changing" results and corrected her hearing loss. Media: contact Anne Rueter, arueter@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.

The holiday season for most people is a fun time of the year filled with parties, celebrations, and social gatherings with family and friends. But for many, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, and anxiety. The U-M Depression Center can provide experts on dealing with this anxiety and on how to navigate family dynamics during the holidays. Media: contact Margarita Bauza, mbauza@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.

As the holiday season approaches, the economic strains that often result from having a seriously ill child are felt more deeply. Help make the stay of Mott Children's Hospital patients a little easier by making a donation of a new item from the Mott Wish List. The Wish List can be found online at mottchildrenshospital.org and provides the most up-to-date list of needs and requests of patients, families, and Child Life Activity Therapists. Gift cards to Target, Meijer or Wal-Mart make the greatest impact, but other items to on the Wish List include: colorful twin-sized fleece and quilted blankets; coloring books, activity books, word searches; markers and colored pencils; Webkins stuffed animals, Homedics Spa Lullaby Relaxation Machine available at Target and Kohl's; Homedics Color Cube Light Therapy available at Amazon.com and Specialneedstoys.com; and individual ceiling scene tiles from Ceilingscenes.com. Media contact: Margarita Bauza, mbauza@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.

For people coping with serious illnesses, the holidays can bring unwanted stress. Michelle Riba, M.D., professor of psychiatry and associate chair for integrated medicine and psychiatric services at the U-M Health System, recommends ways to steer clear of these unnecessary stresses during the winter months. Setting limits and keeping doctor's appointment can help prevent injury and illnesses. Media: contact Nicole Fawcett, nfawcett@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.

As the winter season closes in, so does the risk for winter-related injury. Amy Teddy, manager of the pediatric trauma program at Mott hospital, can give advice for an injury-free season, including when you need to wear a helmet - they are not just for riding bikes -- and how to pick the right one, plus staying safe during neighborhood sledding. The trauma program tracks reported sledding injuries and the numbers are surprising.

When visiting another person's home, it's a good idea to child-proof. Even with more adults around at family gathering, it does not mean someone is watching the children. In fact, statistics show when more adults are around injuries/accidents can go up. Media: contact Margarita Bauza, mbauza@umich.edu, at 734-764-2220.

Celebrations and busy schedules can easily distract us from paying attention to good safety practices during the holiday season. Carol Lundy, injury prevention and outreach project coordinator at the U-M Trauma Burn Center, has tips and reminders for your family's safety so you can enjoy a joyous and safe time. For instance, installing a working smoke detector in each level of our homes, keeping any ornamental candles attended by an adult or using flameless LED candles, and avoiding overloading electrical sockets with multiple cords are all good things to remember. Media: contact Bruce Spiher, spiher@umich.edu, or 734-764-2220.