2018 Last Minute Gift Guide

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Last Minute Gift Guide

Roswell Daily Record

Shopping local in the stretch run before Christmas

I

magine how different the local business landscape would be if all the products and services on offer here were the same as in any other community around the country — if the same grouping of stores could be found city to city, state to state.

Sounds boring, doesn’t it? And limiting, without much in the way of options — especially during this time of year, the holiday gift-giving season, when so many of us are looking for something a little more thoughtful, maybe even truly unique for that special someone on our Christmas shopping list.

Certainly there are stores — we can all name them — that can be found in most American cities, and many of them are excellent places to get a little shopping done. Or a lot of shopping done.

So what keeps that one-

John Dilmore Editor’s Notes size-fits-all situation from developing — not just here in Roswell and southeast New Mexico, but elsewhere?

Everywhere, it’s local businesses, establishments that might have begun as entrepreneurial visions — for a jewelry store, a gift shop, a place to get one’s tires rotated, what have you — that give a local retail community its unique flavor. Their signs may or may not be the biggest and brightest, but without them, a large part of what makes any city unique would truly go dark.

But truth be told, a

local economy needs both — the local, stand-alone businesses as well as the larger chain stores — to have its best shot at being healthy and thriving. That includes providing money in the form of sales taxes collected, to help pay for services from which we all benefit; and providing many jobs for our friends, neighbors and families.

A lot of a community’s image can also be tied up in how its local economy is perceived — it matters in a way not unlike the presence of a strong school system or a wide range of recreational opportunities matter. A strong retail community is one of those important aspects of any strong city.

All of that being said, it’s up to us as individual consumers to do our part in making all that work.

That’s why, at this time of year especially, so many tout the benefits of

shopping with local businesses. The holidays are among the most important times of year for many of them, and their success can have a trickle-down effect throughout the community year-round, and not just in the ways already mentioned.

It’s the local business, not the online mega-retailer, that will sponsor a community’s youth sports teams, participate in a toy drive or a canned food drive, perhaps even help build a ramp so an elderly or disabled person can access their home more easily. Local businesses and their employees contribute to their communities in ways both large and small. It’s their community, after all — not just some ZIP code from which purchases are being made.

Big picture — a stronger, more vibrant community, jobs — the support

Last-minute gift ideas guaranteed to please Metro Creative Services Tradition is a hallmark of the holiday season.

Religious services, family gatherings and trips to see Santa Claus are just a few of the many traditions people adhere to during the holiday season.

Many holiday shoppers also adhere to the time-honored tradition of last-minute shopping. The perfect gift can sometimes prove elusive, especially as the sand in the holiday hourglass keeps dwindling.

These last-minute gift ideas may be just what shoppers need to put smiles on the faces of their loved ones this holiday season.

• Books: Books are often

overlooked, especially now that so many readers use e-readers. But books can be an ideal gift and especially convenient for last-minute shoppers, who can even gift e-books. For example, Amazon, which has thousands of e-books in its online library, makes it easy for shoppers to gift e-books to Kindle users, who will simply receive an email on Christmas morning informing them that their books are ready to be downloaded to their devices.

• Experiences: A 2017 survey by the global research firm NPD Group found that roughly 40 percent of holiday shoppers planned to give experiences

as gifts last year. Experience gifts open up a host of possibilities for last-minute shoppers stuck on what to give those loved ones who seemingly have it all.

• Food/beverage: Television channels such as The Food Network have changed the way many people look at food. When gifting the family foodie, last-minute shoppers may not need to look further than the latest hotspot restaurant or specialty grocery store for the perfect gift. Take them out for a night on the town or give a gift card they can use at their convenience. The craft beer boom has created a host of devoted and knowledgeable beer drinkers, so

a gift card or growler from a local craft brewery is sure to please people who love hoisting frosty pints.

• Streaming service subscriptions: Many people are cutting the cord with their cable companies in favor of streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. Subscriptions to such services can make ideal and affordable holiday gifts. A six-month or yearlong subscription likely won’t break shoppers’ budgets and will provide months of entertainment to loved ones.

Last-minute holiday shopping is easier than ever, especially for shoppers willing to think outside the box.

we give local businesses comes back to all of us, making the place we call home a better place to live.

But going on a local shopping excursion can also be felt more directly, more personally. That excursion can be an activity shared by friends or family members, part of an outing that includes taking in other aspects of the city. A group of people can make a day of it, discovering who knows what hidden treasures. And among the familiar faces encountered may very well be the merchants themselves. Again, the people behind the counters of local businesses are our fellow Roswell and Chaves County residents. You might already know them — but even if that’s not the case, they’ll be more than happy to help you find that perfect gift just before the biggest gift-giv-

ing holiday of the year.

Of course, if you’re reading this, you’re holding in your hands the Roswell Daily Record’s “Last Minute” Gift Guide.

Time is of the essence, and shopping locally allows you to walk out of the store with the package under your arm — no need to sweat bullets wondering whether something will be shipped on time.

This is indeed the stretch run, with Christmas and all that winds up under the tree right around the corner.

Remember local businesses and all they have to offer over the next couple of weeks — and then keep that going year-round.

That support can be a gift that keeps on giving.

John Dilmore is editor of the Roswell Daily Record.

He can be reached at editor@rdrnews.com.

Last Minute Gift Guide Roswell Daily Record Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara Beck General Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SaraLei Fajardo Ad Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manny Gonzalez Composing Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aric Loomis Circulation Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Dishman Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Dilmore Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Misty Choy Advertising Sales

Manny Gonzalez, Melanie Page, Melissa Page Cover Design

Aric Loomis Ad Design

Aric Loomis, Sandra Martinez, Mary Morgan Layout Design

Misty Choy Contributing Writers/Photographers John Dilmore, Lisa Dunlap, Alex Ross, Christina Stock

Roswell Daily Record

Last Minute Gift Guide

Friday, December 14, 2018

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Last Minute Gift Guide

Roswell Daily Record

Salvation Army mobilizes for the holidays

By Alex Ross Roswell Daily Record

The local chapter of the Salvation Army has received an outpouring of support for two of its annual holiday fundraisers: the Angel Tree Project and the Red Kettle Drive.

“We put out the ask and people see the red kettles and they see the angel trees and they have just shown themselves to be really, really generous this year and really caring this year,” said Lt. Joe West, a corp officer with the Salvation Army.

“We want to help people and its wonderful to know there are other people who want to come alongside us and give us a little boost in doing that,” he added.

The Angel Tree Project is the Salvation Army’s annual toy drive for families unable to afford gifts for their children. Christmas trees adorned with paper angels are placed at various locations.

Each angel tag has on it the name, age and gender of a specific child, along with their shirt, pant and shoe sizes and some suggestions for what to buy the child.

A tag is taken off a tree by a person who purchases a gift for the child and attaches the tag to the gift.

Gifts are later matched with children and delivered to them.

The Salvation Army typically gives gifts to about 500 children annually in Chaves County, West said.

People often buy extra gifts and donate them to the drive, so if there is a child whose angel tag is not taken, that child will receive one of the surplus gifts.

“We give everything away, we don’t hold anything back for the next year. What people buy to be given out this year, is what gets given out,” West said.

West said he does not know when the project began, but that he often hears stories from people with grandmothers who received toys as children from the Angel Tree Project.

The biggest challenge organizers of the Angel Tree Project face is not gathering enough gifts — but getting people to drop them off on time to be delivered, he said.

All gifts must be delivered unwrapped by Dec. 17 to one of the drop-off boxes, that are usually at all locations where there is an angel tree, West said.

Gifts can also be dropped off at the local Salvation Army office at 612 West College Boulevard Mon-

Daily Record Photos

Above: Lt. Joe West with the Salvation Army is shown with this year’s Angel Tree in the lobby of the Roswell Daily Record. Inset photo: each tag placed on the tree represents a local child, and offers gift ideas. Gifts for children can be returned unwrapped to any Angel Tree location, or 612 W. College Blvd. by Dec. 17. For more information, call 575-208-2371, or email amber.west@usw.salvationarmy.org. day through Thursday from 9 to 4 p.m.

West said he is also optimistic about this year’s Red Kettle drive.

Two years ago, a record $77,000 was raised, West said.

He added that he thinks the local Salvation Army is on track to meet or maybe break that record, but there is plenty more work to do.

“To be honest we are just fighting tooth and nail to get every last penny, every last dime into those kettles,” West said.

The campaign runs each year from the Friday after Thanksgiving to Christmas eve, when bell ringers brave the elements of cold and winter weather to solicit donations from shoppers to be dropped into the Salvation Army’s red kettles outside stores and shopping centers.

All proceeds from the Ket-

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tle drive go toward the various programs of the Salvation Army intended to help people in need, West said.

The Salvation Army website reads that Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee began the yearly fundraising campaign when in 1891 he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for those in San Fransisco who were in poverty.

The Salvation Army on a given day during the campaign will have 20 to 25 paid bell ringers out at 11 or 12 different locations throughout Roswell, but more volunteers are needed to ring the bells, especially on the weekends, West said.

He said so far organizations like the Roswell Chamber of Commerce Red Coats, Kiwanis Club of Roswell and several other service organizations have volunteered

Metro Creative Services The charity watchdog organization Charity Navigator says that total giving to charitable organizations equaled $390.05 billion in 2016. This was an increase of 2.7 percent in current dollars from 2015. In fact, giving has increased every year since 1976 with the exception of 1987, 2008 and 2009.

Historically, religious groups receive the largest share of charitable donations. However, education-based charities and human services charities also received a large percentage of donations in 2016, says Giving USA’s 2017

their time to ring bells, but more volunteers are needed.

West said individuals, families, service organizations and school groups can volunteer to ring a bell.

People and organizations interested in volunteering can contact

Annual Report on Philanthropy.

Giving can be a yearround occurrence, but philanthropy tends to rise during the holiday season when people are feeling charitable. Some people even turn their charitable efforts into gifts for loved ones.

The following are some gift ideas that can benefit the recipient, the person doing the giving and a third-party group as well.

Real estate Donating real estate can be an option for the person who has a piece of property or a home they no longer need. Rather than face taxes on the property once it’s been sold, donating it to

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Charlotte Woody, office manager at the Chaves County chapter of the Salvation Army at 575-2082370.

Breaking news reporter Alex Ross can be reached at 575-6227710, ext. 301, or at breakingnews@rdrnews.com.

an organization or individual represents a charitable offering, and in some cases, may be eligible for a tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the real estate. Giving a plot of land or transferring a deed to a home to someone worthy can make for a memorable, life-altering gift.

Educational bequest A donation to a university or other school may help pay the tuitions of future students. Some philanthropists like to fund particular renovations at their alma maters or fund scholarships for students looking to work in a particular industry.

Charitable trust or stocks A charitable trust is a

great way to transfer wealth to heirs or simply provide a stream of income over the years. Individuals can establish a period of time during which the assets are held in a trust and when those assets can be accessed.

A tax-efficient way to give is to contribute to longterm securities in a person’s name. Recipients of such gifts can choose to cash in their stocks at a later date.

Charitable giving rises during the holiday season.

Providing opportunities for friends and loved ones can make a wonderful gift. Find out which options are best for you by speaking with a financial advisor or tax professional.

Last Minute Gift Guide

Roswell Daily Record

Safety tips to prevent fires caused by decorations Submitted The holiday season is here, and the American Red Cross wants everyone to stay safe from home fires as they decorate their homes for the upcoming festivities. Decorations like trees, lights and candles increase the risk of home fires during the holidays — with Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day being the top three days for home candle fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

The Red Cross wants people to stay safe from home fires — the nation’s most frequent disaster — by testing their smoke alarms and practicing their home fire escape plan with free resources at redcross.org/homefires. In addition, you can follow these 10 simple safety tips as you put up

lights and ornaments: 1. Check all holiday light cords to make sure they aren’t frayed or broken. Don’t string too many strands of lights together—no more than three per extension cord.

2. If are buying an artificial tree, look for the fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat.

3. If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and water it to keep it fresh.

Bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.

4. If using older decorations, check their labels.

Some older tinsel is leadbased. If using angel hair, wear gloves to avoid irritation. Avoid breathing in artificial snow.

5. When decorating outside, make sure decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If

using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.

6. If using a ladder, be extra careful. Make sure to have good, stable placement and wear shoes that allow for good traction.

7. Don’t use electric lights on metallic trees.

8. Don’t forget to turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house.

9. Keep children, pets and decorations away from candles.

10. If hanging stockings on the fireplace mantel, don’t light the fireplace.

You can help save lives by making a financial donation to support our mission, signing up to become a volunteer or taking steps to protect your own family from home fires.

Visit redcross.org to learn more.

Consumer Protection warns businesses of holiday scammers Merchants urged to verify that charities are legit HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection is urging businesses to verify whether charities are legitimate before allowing them to solicit donations on their property.

Commissioner Michelle Seagull says her agency often sees people outside stores impersonating charities. She says consumers often have little to no idea if an organization asking for donations outside a mall, department store or gro-

cery store is legitimate.

Retailers can verify if a charity is registered with the state by visiting www. elicense.ct.gov and clicking on “Lookup a License” at the bottom of the page. All charities soliciting in Connecticut must be registered with the Department of Consumer Protection.

The agency also suggests retailers ask for a copy of the charity’s registration to keep on file and ask questions about the charity’s upcoming and past projects.

Friday, December 14, 2018

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The history of Christmas stockings Metro Creative Services Just when the excitement of opening presents abates after the last of the packages under the Christmas tree have been torn open, children and adults alike may discover that there are more treats to be had nestled inside of stockings hung on the mantle.

T h e hanging of Christmas stockings is a tradition with an extensive history. Several legends attribute the hanging of stockings to different people or events. Here is a look at some of the stories that have made Christmas stockings so popular.

St. Nicholas Day

Rather than hanging stockings on Christmas, many countries celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on December 6, and this is when stockings are proudly left out for treats. The small, inexpensive trinkets are later unwrapped and enjoyed on Christmas Day.

Dutch heritage

One tradition says that, in 16th century Holland, children kept their clogs filled with straw in front of the hearth for Santa’s reindeer to find. They also left treats for Santa Claus. In return, Santa would leave gifts in the clogs. Over time, stockings were swapped out for clogs.

Merchant’s family story

A popular tale tells the story of a merchant, his wife and three daughters.

After the wife falls ill and dies, the man becomes devastated and squanders all of his wealth on frivolous things to mask his sadness. When it comes time for the daughters to marry, the man does not have money for a dowry. St. Nicholas hears of the plight and knows the man would be too proud to accept charity. Therefore, St. Nicholas anonymously tosses three bags of gold coins down the chimney. The man’s daughters had done the laundry prior and left their stockings hanging by the fireplace to dry.

The gold landed in the stockings, thus starting the Christmas stocking tradition.

Italian good witch

One stocking story does not attribute the tradition to Santa, but to a kind-hearted Italian witch named “La Befana.”

La Befana arrives on a broomstick the night of January 5 and fills the stockings of good children with sweet treats and toys. Bad children are awarded lumps of coal.

La Befana is also credited with being the old woman who the wise men ask for directions to Christ’s manger in the Christ child’s story. After turning down an offer to accompany them, La Befana later carried gifts in search of Christ.

Christmas stockings have become part of holiday traditions, and this beloved tradition has its own unique history.

Give the gift of RDR Give the gift of daily news, entertainment, and sports with a subscription to the Roswell Daily Record.

Find out about events going on in your town as well as neighboring events in our weekly Vision section.

Enjoy sitting with the family laughing with your favorite comics featured every day on the comics page.

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Last Minute Gift Guide

Make your list ...

And check it twice

Christina Stock Photos

Local holiday events, top and center right photos: HeART of Winter Arts and Language Arts Extravaganza. The wings were a project of all 300 participating children. Center left photo: Christmas Fantasy arts and crafts show. Bottom right: Fraternal Order of Eagles Breakfast with Santa (Submitted Photo).

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What big data can tell us about how a book becomes a best-seller The Associated Press

The average American reads 12 or 13 books a year, but with over 3 million books in print, the choices they face are staggering.

Despite the introduction of 100,000 new titles each year, only a tiny fraction of these attract a large enough readership to make The New York Times best-seller list.

Which raises the questions: How does a book become a best-seller, and which types of books are more likely to make the list?

I’m a data scientist.

Recently, with help of Burcu Yucesoy, a postdoc in my lab, I put the reading habits of Americans under our data microscope.

We did so by analyzing the sales patterns of the 2,468 fiction and 2,025 nonfiction titles that made The New York Times best-seller list for hardcovers during the last decade.

Real lives, imaginary action

The first thing the data reminded me is just how few books in my favorite category, science, become best-sellers — a paltry 1.1 percent. Science books compete for a spot on the nonfiction list with everything from business to history, sports to religion.

Yet, on the whole, hardcovers in these categories don’t fly off the shelves, either.

Which nonfiction titles do? Memoir and biographies, with almost half of the 2,025 nonfiction best-sellers falling into this category.

Then we examined the fiction list. Much of the press focuses on literary fiction — books we see debated by critics, lauded as important and culturally relevant, and eventually taught in schools.

But in the past decade, only 800 books categorized as literary fiction made the best-seller list.

Most best-sellers — 67 percent of all fiction titles — represent plot-driven genres like mystery or romance or the kind

of thrillers that Danielle Steel and Clive Cussler write.

Action sells — there’s no surprise there.

But it was unexpected the degree to which only a handful of authors repeatedly appear: Eightfive percent of best-selling novelists have landed multiple books on the list. Mystery and thriller novelist James Patterson, for example, had 51 books on the best-seller list in the period we explored.

By contrast, only 14 percent of nonfiction authors had more than one best-selling book.

Perhaps this is because the genre often requires expertise on a specific subject matter. If an author primarily writes about football, or neuroscience, or even her own life, it’s difficult to generate 10 books on the topic.

A universal sales curve

Publishers eagerly slap “New York Times Bestseller” stickers on each book that appears on the list’s 15 slots.

A quarter of those, however, have only a cameo appearance, briefly grabbing a spot at the bottom of the list and dropping out after a single week. Only 37 percent have some staying power and spend more than four weeks on the best-seller list. Even fewer — 8 percent — attain the number one spot.

Some rare exceptions can lease out a spot for years: “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett lingered on the fiction list for an astonishing 131 weeks, while Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken” stayed on the nonfiction list for a record 203 weeks.

One big misconception is that you have to write a mega-seller to make the list. The majority of titles on The New York Times best-seller list only sell between 10,000 and 100,000 copies in their first year. “The Slippery Year,” a 2009 memoir by Melanie Gideon, made the list with a yearly sale of fewer than 5,000 copies.

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Friday, December 14, 2018

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Finish off your shopping list at Books Again

Lisa Dunlap Photo

Books Again has a large selection of children’s books available for the holidays, says Sandra Shanks, the Saturday chairman for the bookstore run by the nonprofit Friends of the Roswell Public Library. A variety of adult fiction and nonfiction, teen’s books, DVDs and CDs also are on sale at the store at 200 W. Second St., which is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 22. Shanks says most items are priced between $3 and 25 cents, with special deals available to educators.

Christmas music origins are diverse

Metro Creative Services

Scores of artists have released Christmas albums or holiday-infused singles during their careers.

Christmas music can be broken down into two distinct categories: traditional hymns and carols and popular secular songs.

Some believe that the religious standards have been passed down since the earliest days of Christianity. However, that is not so. Before the 12th century, music wasn’t typically included in religious services, and even then music was included only sporadically. In present day, religious tunes identified as Christ-

mas music typically are not sung until Christmas Eve and thereafter until the Epiphany.

Many of the oldest Christmas songs are not old at all. Many popular carols sung today are less than 200 years old. The world’s most popular Christmas carol was originally a poem penned in 1816 by Austrian Catholic priest Josef Mohr.

Two years later, Mohr asked Franz Xaver Gruber, an organist and local schoolteacher, to put his words to music. The resulting song, “Silent Night,” was not translated into English for 40 years.

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” also originated from a poem and

had the original opening line of, “Hark how all the welkin rings.”

The subsequent version was more catchy, and the faster-paced accompaniment was courtesy of Felix Mendelssohn, added 100 years after the poem was written.

“Jingle Bells,” a nonreligious tune that has become synonymous with Christmas, was not originally written as a Christmas tune. In fact, the song was intended to celebrate Thanksgiving. Christmas music is diverse, with lively tunes, modern interpretations and religious classics enjoyed through the years.

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Last Minute Gift Guide

Workplace gifting etiquette: Get giving right Metro Creative Services Gift giving in the workplace can be challenging territory to navigate.

Too often it’s up to workers to navigate the etiquette minefields on their own, but the following tips can help the process go smoothly.

• Keep it impersonal.

Impersonal doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to grab anything off the shelf. But the gift should not be something that would offend tastes or sentiments. Avoid clothing, perfume, jewelry, or accessories. Lotions and other scented items are also ill-advised.

• Skip your boss. Etiquette experts say that gifts should flow downward not upward in the realm of employment ranking. That means it’s best to stick with gifting colleagues who are on the same level as you. Buying a gift for the boss may look like you’re simply trying to score brownie points instead of offering a meaningful gift.

• Give group gifts. Rather than gifting individuals, it can be safer to give a group gift from which many can benefit. This can include coffee and pastries from a nearby bakery, or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up the office environment.

• Keep prices modest.

Office giving is not about illustrating who can afford the most expensive gift.

Remember, some people will not be able to reciprocate, and they shouldn’t feel uncomfortable for being on the receiving end of a lavish gift.

• Follow the rules. Gift exchanges should be cleared with supervisors or human resources professionals. It pays to check if there are rules in place for gifting others.

• Avoid cash gifts. Giving cash or checks is not a good idea. Money should only come by way of bonuses from higher-ups.

If you’re stuck on what to give, a gift card to a store that a coworker visits is acceptable.

Roswell Daily Record

A unique work of art for that last-minute gift

Christina Stock Photo

The organizers of the Christmas Fantasy Arts & Crafts Fair, Paul and Jane Nevarez, are seen here at their booth during Friday’s fair at the Roswell Mall. Shoppers could find unique art pieces on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit jusropenkreations.com.

Finding the right gifts for beloved seniors on your shopping list Metro Creative Services

on their shopping lists.

By the time they reach senior status, many adults have amassed a ton of stuff along with their irreplaceable knowledge. Come their golden years, grandparents and other aging loved ones probably don’t need much in the way of material possessions, which can make it challenging to find them holiday gifts.

Finding great gifts for seniors may take a little more effort, but with these ideas at the ready, it’s likely gift-givers can make this holiday merry for everyone

Family photo memories

Many seniors love to talk about their life histories. What better way to be the catalyst for conversation than to create a photo album that chronicles their lives? Photos can be included alongside historical documents, such as old school projects, military discharge papers, awards, and even genealogical information. Photo puzzles, photo calendars and any home decor with a photo printed

on it are variations on this theme.

Assistance gifts

Seniors want to remain as independent as possible. By giving items that help them do just that, you can bring smiles to their faces.

One idea is motion-sensing light switches and fixtures. If and when nature calls in the middle of the night, hallways or bathrooms can be illuminated effortlessly.

Shower and bathroom grab bars are another idea.

These provide extra security and stability when getting

in and out of the shower or when using the toilet.

For seniors who just need a little extra reach, a grab tool can easily snag packages from a top shelf or pick up items that may have dropped to the floor, eliminating bending or straining.

Practical technology

Seniors may not be as immersed in technology as young people, but they purchase their share of gadgets and increasingly rely on tech to get through the day. To free up more time for rest and relaxation, invest in an iRobot Roomba Robot Vacu-

Someone on your list have a sweet tooth?

um. This simple device will clean floors easily, moving from room to room without the need for a bulky canister or upright vacuum.

Consider an easy-to-use tablet, pre-loaded with handy applications. Grandparents can use video chatting to keep in touch with grandchildren living across the country. Easily refill prescription medication with a pharmacy app just a click away. Stream favorite movies or channels through video streaming sites, like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Tablets tend to be lightweight, portable and user-friendly.

The 36th annual Christmas Fantasy Arts & Crafts Fair that took place Friday and Saturday at the Roswell Mall wouldn’t be complete without the chocolate and candy of Whitfield Farms, the place to get the historic Roswell Fours. This little Christmas elf is getting a sample of the treat during the event. For more information, visit whitfieldfarmscandy.com.

See solution, page C12.

Even independent seniors may benefit from a little extra companionship and assistance when family members are not able to make frequent visits. Hiring a visiting care worker, who can do everything from organizing pills to making dinner to tackling some laundry, can provide the help seniors need with their daily errands.

Seniors are a thriving and growing demographic.

It may seem challenging to purchase gifts for older loved ones, but with a little knowhow, it’s easy to find the right present.

Gift ideas for fitness fans

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Personal care

The fitness industry is booming and attracting new devotees every day.

Research from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association says 2017 was a strong year for the health and fitness industry, and several health clubs have built on that success in 2018.

There are plenty of gifts that will appeal to those who embrace fitness as part of their lifestyle.

• Bluetooth headphones: Music can inspire and get fitness buffs motivated. Bluetooth headphones connect wirelessly to most devices, and such headphones won’t get tangled up while running or hitting the elliptical at the gym. Select a pair that are lightweight and comfortable and securely fit in the ears for ultimate convenience.

• Reversible yoga mat: Active yogis know just how much a stretch session can work up a sweat. Throw in an hour of hot yoga, and perspiration will certainly be flowing. Everyone recognizes Lululemon for

their comfortable workout attire, but the company also has a reversible yoga mat that wicks away moisture during yoga sessions. When gifting yoga mats, throw in a yoga mat carrier as well.

• Fitness tracker: Active people often like to track their progress during a workout or to see just how much they’ve been moving during the day. Fitness trackers are ideal for this. Different brands come at various price points to make giving easier on the budget.

• Personal blender: Diet plays a big role in fitness, and many fitness enthusiasts enjoy protein shakes and smoothies as part of their daily regimen. A personal blender makes enough for a single bottle at a time.

Some are designed so the blender tube is actually the receptacle that can be carried on the go.

• Dumbbell set: Weight training can boost metabolism and strengthen bones and muscles. When athletes can’t make it to the gym, a home set of dumbbells can ensure they still get their strength-training sessions in.

Last Minute Gift Guide

Roswell Daily Record

Friday, December 14, 2018

C9

Holiday films to Behind the scenes of 2 holiday films lift your spirits Metro Creative Services

Metro Creative Services

Many families have their own unique holiday traditions, but some traditions transcend familial lines to become an integral part of many people’s holiday celebrations. One of the more popular traditions during this festive time of year is to watch a favorite holiday film with family and friends. With that in mind, the following are some of the most beloved holiday movies ever to make it onto the big screen.

• “It’s a Wonderful Life”: Perhaps no holiday film is more beloved than this 1946 Frank Capra-directed classic.

Screen legend Jimmy Stewart plays a desperate businessman contemplating suicide during the holiday season. But a guardian angel helps him realize all the good fortune in his life by showing him what life might have been like if he had never existed.

• “White Christmas”: This 1954 song-anddance film stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as a pair of longtime friends and ex-military men who fall in love with a sister act team that includes famous singer (and aunt to George Clooney) Rosemary Clooney. Crosby and Kaye join forces to save the failing Vermont inn of their beloved former commander.

• “Miracle on 34th Street”: Natalie Wood stars in this 1947 classic that follows the trial of Kris Kringle, who claims to be Santa Claus and must prove otherwise to avoid being institutionalized. Nominated for Best Picture at the 1948 Academy Awards, “Miracle on 34th Street” won three of the prestigious statuettes, including a Best Supporting Actor Oscar® for Edmund Gwenn, who played the jolly old man in the red suit.

• “Bad Santa”: Though not quite as heartwarming as many holiday films, this 2003 black comedy stars Billy Bob Thornton as miserable, alcoholic con man “Willie,” who poses as a mall Santa Claus so he can rob a department store safe on Christmas Eve. But in spite of its rather raunchy take on the holiday season, the film is ultimately a story of redemption as Willie befriends a bullied youngster and begins to turn his life around.

• “A Christmas Carol”: Those looking for a more traditional take on holiday films need look no further than this 1951 adaptation of the Charles Dickens novella, which tells the tale of bitter miser Ebenezer Scrooge as he is haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.

Holiday movies have a way of making audiences laugh and cry while inspiring those warm and fuzzy feelings that perfectly complement the season of family and giving. Depending on the individual, favorite movies may include old classics or new releases.

A lot of work goes into making movies, and holiday films are no exception. Fans may be surprised by some of the events that went on behind the scenes of their favorite holiday films, as well as background information about the actors and settings of the movies.

Get into the festive spirit by learning about the following beloved holiday films.

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

Anyone who has ever wondered what life would be like if they took a different path or made different decisions can relate to this classic Christmas film. It’s difficult to make it through the holiday season without seeing “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and many people make it a point of to view it every year. The following are some interesting tidbits about George Bailey and the film that put savings-and-loan managers on the map.

• The movie began as a short story titled “The Greatest Gift.” Writer Philip Van Dornen Stern was unsuccessful at shopping the story and turned it into a Christmas card for 200 friends and family. A producer at RKO pictures got a copy and purchased the movie rights for $10,000.

• Many now agree that Jimmy Stewart was the perfect choice to play lead character George Bailey, but studio heads originally had Carey Grant in mind for the lead. The role went to Stewart when Frank Capra signed on to the film and named Stewart his leading man.

• Although Donna Reed

Photo courtesy Flixster

A Christmas Story has enshrined the phrase “You’ll shoot your eye out kid” for posterity. was a seasoned actress prior to the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” marked her first starring role.

• Bedford Falls, the fictional town in the movie, is reportedly based on upstate New York towns Bedford Hills and Seneca Falls. Nearby cities like Rochester and Buffalo are referenced in the movie. However, the movie was not filmed on location.

It was filmed in the summertime on a back lot in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles.

• The movie received a technical Academy Award for the snow effects, which were created by using a “snow” mixture of water, soap and a fire-fighting chemical called Foamite.

• The movie was not well received upon its release in 1946. The film received mixed reviews, which might

surprise those who consider it a cinematic classic.

“A Christmas Story”

An equally beloved holiday film and a cult favorite, “A Christmas Story” follows a 1940’s Indiana family anchored by Ralphie, the cynical but lovable schoolboy played by actor Peter Billingsley. The movie was based on autobiographical tales penned by author and radio personality Jean Shepherd, who narrates the film.

• The movie was a low-budget film that used virtually no special effects.

It also used tracking shots instead of Steadicam.

• The setting for the movie is based on Shepherd’s hometown of Hammond, Indiana. Shepherd grew up on Cleveland Street and went to Warren G. Harding

Elementary School. However, the movie was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The house from the movie still stands in Cleveland. Part of the decision to film in Cleveland stems from the willingness of Higbee’s department store to allow crews to film inside the store.

• Darren McGavin played Ralphie’s father, a role he won over Jack Nicholson.

McGavin might have won the role because of Nicholson’s typically large salary demands.

• For the scene in which “Flick’s” tongue sticks to the flagpole, a hidden suction tube was used to safely create the illusion that his tongue had frozen to the metal.

• Three leg lamps were made for the movie, and all three broke during filming.

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Last Minute Gift Guide

Roswell Daily Record

Holiday gift ideas perfect for avid gamers Metro Creative Services Video games have a strong and enduring fanbase. Since their inception in the early 1970s, video games have been a popular component of personal recreation and culture.

The Entertainment Software Association’s annual report says 65 percent of homes in the United States own a gaming device, while 48 percent own “a dedicated game console.” The report also indicates consumers spent $25.5 billion

on gaming in 2015, with $16.5 billion on gaming content alone.

Although video games originated as arcade entertainment and one- or two-player games that were enjoyed exclusively in one’s home, they’ve expanded to be technical wonders that can connect gamers with other fans from all around the globe. Today’s multiplayer online games feature participants from all walks of life who connect via their gaming consoles, computers, tablets, and smart-

How to cut back on holiday waste Metro Creative Services The holiday season is a joyful time of year. But the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day also tend to be very wasteful. Reducing waste come the holiday season does not mean celebrants have to forgo big family meals or beautifully wrapped gifts.

In fact, there are several ways to reduce waste without spoiling the spirit of the season.

• Give eco-conscious gifts. The environment may not be the first thing that comes to mind when holiday shoppers are looking for gifts for their loved ones. ... Shoppers also can look for items made from recycled materials, which run the gamut from home furnishings to calendars to clothing, as eco-friendly alternatives to gifts produced without the environment in mind.

• Reuse holiday-specific items. Many people only use gift wrap, gift boxes and gift bags during the holiday season. Such items are oftentimes discarded after Christmas morning. But

these items can be reused to cut back on holiday waste. ... Reusing wrapping paper, purchasing only recyclable paper or wrapping gifts in old newspapers or magazines can help holiday celebrants reduce their carbon footprints.

• Prepare less food and donate any leftovers. ...

Consider how much guests are likely to eat and plan meals accordingly instead of buying enough food to feed a small army. Donate leftovers to nearby shelters so nothing goes to waste.

• Recycle live Christmas trees. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 25.9 million real trees were sold in the United States in 2015.

Trees put out on the curb for collection after the holiday season has ended typically end up in landfills, but some communities recycle Christmas trees each year.

The holiday season is a wasteful time of year, but there are ways for celebrants to dramatically reduce their carbon footprints between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

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The holiday season is a prime time to outfit gamers with new gear. When shopping for gifts for gamers, keep these suggestions in mind.

• New console: Gamers have more console options than ever before. Shoppers can choose between the ultra-portable Nintendo Switch; the Xbox One X, which boasts 4K capability; and the PS4. For those who don’t know where to start, a console upgrade can be the way to go.

• Controller charger: Video game controller chargers and docks can give renewed power to controllers. Thanks to a charger, controllers will always be powered up and at the ready when it’s time for hardcore play.

• Content gift card: Gift-givers can offer gift cards to favorite video game stores and online gaming content, including Steam.

Steam is a digital distributor platform for PC gaming that also features social networking services.

• Gaming headsets: The right headset can immerse gamers more fully in the sounds and actions of their favorite games. An attached microphone enables gamers to keep in contact with multiplayers.

• Classic game cartridge system: Retro game systems enable classic game enthusiasts to plug in their old cartridges and output them to the TV over HDMI. • Wireless controllers: If the console didn’t come with a wireless controller, it’s time to upgrade. Wire-

less versions enable players to move wherever they need to and not be restricted by the length of a cable.

• Gaming keyboards: A gaming keyboard puts those who do the bulk of their gaming on PCs or streaming computer displays over TV in greater control.

• Sound bar: Turn that action into impressive sound with a sound bar hooked up to the television.

Built-in bass or a separate subwoofer can amplify the tone even further.

Learning how ancestors celebrated Christmas

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During the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico’s open house extravaganza, children and adults could learn about how our ancestors celebrated Christmas.

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Roswell Daily Record

Last Minute Gift Guide

Friday, December 14, 2018

C11

Plan your smart home while weighing privacy risks sure to do so regularly.

And think twice about smart locks and their digital keys. In a child-custody dispute, for instance, your ex might subpoena the records to learn that you’ve been staying out late on school nights. If you rent, a landlord might suspect an unauthorized occupant if you create a guest key that’s used daily.

By Anick Jesdanun AP Technology Writer NEW YORK (AP) — You might have heard of lights that turn off with an app or voice command. Or window shades that magically rise every morning.

Technology companies are pushing the “smart home” hard, selling appliances and gadgets that offer internet-connected conveniences you didn’t know you needed.

But before you succumb to the temptation — for yourself or others — consider that these devices might also give companies and hackers a key to your homes.

Here’s how to get started on your smart home and what to worry about along the way.

Choosing a system

Starting that smart home

A smart home can encompass features as simple as remote-controlled lamps and as sophisticated as thermostats that know when you’re home and turn up the heat automatically. Down the line, you may want to mix and match these tasks into routines, such as a wake-up ritual that automatically starts the coffee maker, lifts the window shades and plays the news.

With the right tools, you can check remotely whether you remembered to lock the doors — and lock them if you forgot. Some systems can also create temporary digital keys for guests and contractors.

Many people start thinking about a smart home when they get a voice-activated speaker such as Amazon’s Echo or Google Home, although such gadgets aren’t strictly necessary. Nor do you even need actual smart lights and appliances, as you can buy smart plugs, adapters that control existing lights

AP File Photo

This Nov. 11 photo shows an Ecobee smart thermostat, room sensor and connection components in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. Smart thermostats, which let consumers adjust their home temperatures remotely using any internet-connected device, are among the most popular smart home technologies, with the global smart thermostat market surpassing $1 billion in 2017, according to Research and Markets. or whatever you plug into them.

If you catch the smarthome bug, you can add appliances with the smarts already built in as you replace your existing ones.

Major remodels also offer an opportunity to make bigger smart-home plans. You probably wouldn’t want to get new window shades now only to replace them with smart ones a year later.

The risks

There are some concerns to keep in mind. Many devices are constantly listening for commands and connect to corporate servers to carry them out. Not everyone is going to be comfortable with live microphones

in their homes (though your phone may already be doing the same thing, if you had enabled assistive features such as “Hey Siri” and “OK Google”).

For the most part, recordings will leave home only when you trigger the device, such as by speaking a command phrase like “OK Google” or pressing a button to get the device’s attention. But an Amazon device mistakenly recorded and sent a family’s private conversation to an acquaintance after the device mistakenly thought it heard the trigger word followed by a “send message” request.

Check what safeguards a device offers before buying.

Smart speakers, for instance,

typically have a mute button to disable the microphone completely. Mozilla’s Privacy Not Included project seeks to warn consumers about products with security or privacy problems. A general web search also might turn up complaints.

In general, it helps to stick with major brands, as their corporate reputations are at stake if they’re caught taking shortcuts. Bigger companies can also quickly fix security holes that crop up. Gadgets from startups and no-name brands may offer little or no protection; those companies may be more concerned with rushing a product to market.

Bigger companies, however, are also more likely to use

your data for marketing. So consider the trade-offs.

Leaving a digital trail

Even if a product works as intended, it may be leaving a record that can resurface after hacks, lawsuits or investigations.

Manufacturers, for instance, typically store the voice commands their gadget send over the internet and use that data to help them personalize their services — and, potentially, advertisements. These voice snippets may include music or conversations in the background. Reputable brands let you review and delete your voice history; be

As cable and internet services become commodities, the companies behind them are turning to smart homes for new sources of revenue.

AT&T’s Digital Life and Comcast’s Xfinity Home offer cameras, door controls and other smart-home devices.

The packages are good for those who prefer one-stop shopping, though you might save money and get more choices by shopping around.

For the do-it-yourself approach, consider which company’s services you’re already using heavily.

If it’s Amazon, then devices powered by its Alexa digital assistant might work best. There’s a range of Alexa products, including refrigerators and washing machines.

You can command an Alexa microwave oven to “reheat one potato” instead of having to look up how many seconds. It’ll also reorder popcorn with a command — from Amazon, of course.

Likewise, if you’re a heavy Google user, choose devices that support Google’s Assistant. Apple has products under the umbrella of HomeKit, while Samsung has SmartThings. Some products will work with more than one digital assistant.

Some devices, especially cameras, come with extra fees for extended storage and other features. But in most cases, you have to pay only for the product.

C12 Friday, December 14, 2018

Last Minute Gift Guide

Roswell Daily Record

Almond macaroons

By Christina Stock Roswell Daily Record Most of the sweet recipes that include nuts have a long history. This is true with macaroons, who — like so many other delicacies that include nuts — originate in the orient. It was brought by Persian and Arabian traders to Sicily where it was first documented in the ninth century. From there it went through several variations, the oldest in the United States was written down in Martha Washington’s family cook book from the beginning of the 17th century.

I made this recipe for the first time with my mother when I was 9 years old. If you are planning on including your kids and grandkids, you better have water and a washcloth nearby. It can get very sticky.

Ingredients for 45 cookies: 5 egg white

1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup almonds (finely ground) 45 whole almonds (with or without peel) 1/2 tsp cinnamon a pinch of salt Preheat oven to 320 F. Prepare two nonstick baking sheets (either out of nonstick aluminum, paper or silicon).

Mix the powdered sugar with the salt.

Mix the cinnamon with the almonds.

Beat the egg whites in a very clean and dry bowl until they form soft peaks.

Fold in the powdered sugar and salt, a little at a time until everything is incorporated.

These cookies will not rise, but they might spread a little.

With a table spoon put little heaps of the almond mix on the baking sheets, leaving about an inch between each.

Put the cookies into the oven. At this point it is not rally baking, but rather drying the cookies for 15

minutes, depending on the size of the cookies. Check after 10 minutes so they don’t burn. If their outsides feel firm and look no longer sticky and have a nice caramel color, they are done.

Remove the cookies from the oven and (with the paper/foil or silicon) move carefully on a wire rack.

Let the cookies cool completely. Resist the temptation to remove them from the paper until they are fully cool, or they’ll break. there is a trick: These cookies are best after one to two days in an airtight cookie jar, so they keep a soft center. If you like them crunchy, leave them in a jar that lets air in.

If you want to make these cookies a little more yummy, warm chocolate chips until they are liquid — see description on the package — and dunk the bottom of the cold cookies one at a time in the chocolate before putting them to on a wire rack to cool the chocolate.

Easy Christmas morning breakfast Metro Creative Services Christmas morning is an exciting and joyous time for families. Children are anxious to rush downstairs and see what Santa has left under the tree, and parents are eager to see the looks on youngsters’ happy faces.

Having a fast and easy breakfast at the ready on Christmas morning allows families to jump right into the festivities rather than spending too much time in the kitchen.

This recipe for “Spiced Yogurt Muffins,” courtesy of the National Dairy Council, Dannon and McCormick, can be made in advance and then enjoyed while peeking into

Christmas stockings or watching holiday parades on television. This bigbatch recipe is ideal for feeding a houseful of overnight holiday guests.

Or it can be prepared in advance and doled out as needed throughout the week. The muffins also can be made as a treat for holiday office luncheons.

Cut the recipe in half for smaller yields.

Spiced Yogurt Muffins

(Yield: 50 servings) 61⁄2 cups Dannon plain fat-free Greek yogurt 4 cups water, room temperature 1 box (5 lbs) Gold Medal® Muffin Mix,

Whole Grain Variety 3 tablespoons McCormick pumpkin pie spice 2 tablespoons McCormick

Chipotle cinnamon

Combine yogurt and water in mixing bowl.

Whisk until blended. Set aside.

Add spices to dry muffin mix in a large bowl.

Add yogurt and water mixture to the muffin mixture. Mix until just blended. Don’t overmix.

Using a scoop, portion into greased or lined muffin pans. Bake at 350 F for 24 minutes, or 17 to 20 minutes in a convection oven, until the tops are golden brown.