Parties are an integral part of the holiday season, when friends and family gather to celebrate and give thanks. For holiday hosts, parties are a great opportunity to make the season even more festive with an event that guests won’t soon forget. The following are just a few themes to make your holiday party as memorable as it is merry. • Christmas sweater party: Christmas sweater parties have grown in popularity over the last decade, when revelers have tried to outdo one another with the most outrageous holidaythemed sweater. Give prizes for the most outlandish sweater and let guests know early on so they can begin their hunt for a holiday sweater that’s so ugly or outrageous you can’t help but love it.
• Christmas costume party: Costume parties aren’t just for Halloween. This holiday season, consider making your holiday bash a costume party, encouraging guests to dress up as their favorite characters from holiday tales like “Frosty the Snowman,” “A Christmas Carol” or any of the host of beloved holiday legends. • Caribbean Christmas: The weather come the holiday season may be the one thing to put a damper on the festivities. To combat blue feelings from potentially inclement weather, consider a Caribbean theme for your holiday party this season. Rather than wearing sweaters and long pants, wear beach attire and give the party a touch of the Caribbean. Outfit your home in beach decor and serve food and drinks reminiscent
of the Caribbean instead of more traditional holiday fare like eggnog and gingerbread cookies. • Film festival: Holiday movies are another tradition of the season, so why not invite friends and family over for a holiday film marathon? Include classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Story” and encourage guests to submit their own favorites for consideration. • Christmas karaoke: For those who love to belt out their favorite holiday tunes, consider throwing a Christmas karaoke party that allows guests to perform their own renditions of their favorite Christmas carols. Purchase a home karaoke set and ask guests in advance of the party if there are any particular songs they’d like to perform.
Avoid common online scams
(BPT) – Sometimes the best way to find that perfect holiday gift is to search and shop online; it’s quick, easy and convenient. And more and more people are doing it: It’s anticipated that sales for November and December will grow to $54.5 billion in 2012, a 16.8 percent increase over 2011, according to eMarketer. As you venture into unknown online territory in your quest for that perfect gift, it’s important to shop with a heightened sense of security. There are undoubtedly countless honest and hardworking sellers who peddle goods over the Internet, but there are also scammers looking to take advantage of unwitting victims. Help protect yourself from scammers by following three simple rules: 1. Never use a money transfer service to pay for something online. “Money transfer services are convenient and simple ways to send cash to people you personally know, but you’re better off paying by credit card or using an escrow service when you’re buying goods online from someone you don’t know or you haven’t met in-person,” says Shelley Bernhardt, director of consumer protection at Western Union. Western Union is not an escrow service provider and does not guarantee the delivery or suitability of goods or services. Once you send a money transfer, it can be paid out to the receiver within a short time. After the money is paid, it’s
gone and the odds of getting it back if the gift you thought you purchased never finds your doorstep are slim. If an individual seller or online retail website only accepts money transfers as payment, be wary and look elsewhere. And don’t be fooled, even if the seller appears friendly and offers a reasonable explanation as to why he or she only accepts money transfers – fraudsters are well-trained in gaining your trust. 2. Never email any financial information. It’s a red flag if a seller asks you to email a credit card number or checking account number. And remember: Never give out your Social Security number when shopping online; retailers don’t need this information to complete a transaction. If you’re paying for something online, use a secure money exchange service like Paypal or use the
secure payment portal on the seller’s website. 3. Read product descriptions carefully, including the fine print, and determine exchange and return policies before you purchase. If the seller or website you bought from doesn’t have an exchange policy and the product you buy ends up being something different than what you expected, you’re likely out of luck if you try to return it. You can shop online safely and securely during the holidays or anytime of the year. But make sure you’re a savvy shopper and protect yourself from scammers by approaching your purchases with the required amount of scrutiny. For more information on avoiding common scams, visit www.westernunion.com/stopfraud or www.ftc.gov/moneymatters and click on ‘Scam Watch.’
MAHONING HILLS SOcIAL cENTER 19298 Rt. 119 Highway North
Punxsutawney, PA • 724-286-3099
Hours of Operation: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday
Offering Exercise for the Mind & Body Fitness Class your lunch reservation. Held FREE every Wednesday Fun & Games at 1 p.m. with instructor Carole Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. Zicha. Join us as Carole leads Games with Jen from us through our “Exercise For the Mulberry Square Mind & Body.” Get in shape for Thursday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. 2013 NOW! Bingo with Kim from Hillsdale FREE Blood Pressure Screenings: Nursing & Rehab Wed., Dec. 5 by Home Nursing Christmas Celebration Agency, 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m. Tues., Dec. 11 by Home Health, Don’t sit home alone! 10 a.m. Come & Enjoy! Wed., Dec. 12 by Indiana Trip to Shop & Blue Spruce Light Regional Medical Center, Display 10 a.m.-Noon Sign up in advance! Only so Breakfast many spots are available to Mondays from 9:30-11 a.m. go and see the lights and do Closed Dec. 24 and 31 Christmas Shopping Dec. 26 Open Acoustic Jam Session Ring in the New Year with Us Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Monday, Dec. 31 - New Year’s If you play an instrument, like Eve Party 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join to sing or just like music, plan to us for a daytime celebration come and join in on the fun! If and ring in the New Year with you’d like to stay for lunch, be friends, food and fun! sure to call a day ahead & make
Promoting and Preserving Independence and Healthy Living for Older Americans Today - Tomorrow - Always
Happy Holidays to You and Yours!
QUESTIONS? Call the center at (724) 286-3099 or AGING SERVICES, INC. at (724) 349-4509 or 1-800-442-8016
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At light in Grampian 236-2670 or 1-800-834-1615
We stock appliance parts for all brands Serving the area for over 35 years in sales and service
Gift Certificates Available
Dairy Queen® Exit 97 North Off I-80 Between DuBois and Brockway
253 Madison Ave. Unit E Brookville, PA
Happy Holidays!
256 Allegheny Blvd. Brookville
849-2900
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849-4400
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814-371-7022
Get Into The Christmas Spirit Sample Wine While You Shop Gourmet Food Baskets • Wine and Beer-Making Kits • Holiday Wine labels open extra days in deceMBer, call For dates
laurel Mountain wine is available at carriage House creations in reynoldsville.
8 - Last Minute Gift Guide, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, December 2012
Out of the box themes for a party