In some ways, we have an easier time of dealing with these issues at our Botanic Garden. Plants--evergreens, Pointsettias, and Christmas cacti--are all a traditional part of holiday displays. We can present decorated trees and wreaths as horticultural displays rather than religious. But in spite of opportunity to down-play the religious significance of these things, the fact remains: decorated trees and wreaths are Christian no matter what you say about them (and we do hear about it). Last year we put a menorah into a display. This made a few people so happy that it changed my mind about the appropriateness of the object in our horticultural context. My impression was that the presence of one menorah just said we weren't ignoring a significant segment or our audience just because there are not plants connected with non-Christian religions during this time of year. People are sensitive and feelings are tender during the holiday season. Furthermore, the opportunity to make money by catering to the beliefs and feelings of an audience presents another kind of pressure. These realities complicate our decisions about what is appropriate at our institutions. I'm very interested in following this discussion stream to hear more opinions and solutions to this sensitive issue. Katherine Johnson Chicago Botanic Garden http://www.chicago-botanic.org