1512 giftguide

HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide E UID G IFT IDAY G 5 201 T HOL HO GIFTS

PRESENTS FOR ALL AT EVERY PRICE

HOLIDAY RECIPES

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

SHOPPING LOCAL WHERE & WHEN

HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide

Publisher RICHARD J. WARREN Managing Editor AIMEE THIBODEAU Staff Writer EMILY BURNHAM Sales Manager LAURIE CATES Advertising Sales LAURIE TRIFOSO BARB MOWER Art Director AMY ALLEN

Subscription & Promotions Manager FRED STEWART To advertise in our next edition, please call 990-8149 or email lcates@bangordailynews.com.

Wilson Electronics

Cell Phone Signal Booster

Improve signal to your cell phone or cellular data card, giving you maximum signal performance for rural or remote locations. Boosters available for use in car, boat, or in-building.

Systems utilize outside antenna, inside antenna, power adapter, and cellular amplifier.

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HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide CONTENTS

MAGIC REINDEER FOOD .......... 4 Don’t forget Santa’s helpers this holiday

KEEP IT LOCAL ............................... 6 The benefits of buying local

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2015 .... 11 Great gift ideas for everyone on your list

PLEASE, MISTER POSTMAN .... 18 Shipping tips and deadlines

SHOPPING SMARTER ................ 20 Get a handle on holiday credit

FAVORITE RECIPES ..................... 25 From our family to yours

CHOOSING YOUR TREE ........... 30 Minimize live Christmas tree mess

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HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide

MAGIC REINDEER FOOD

W

e always remember

milk and cookies for Santa, but what about the reindeer? The team of four-legged, hoofed creatures who fly through the night, carrying a heavy sleigh, the Jolly Big Man, and piles of presents.

We might think to leave them some carrots, but they deserve more. After all, they do all the really heavy lifting. This Christmas, leave them with a treat that’s sure to keep them going and bring a little flair to their flight.

Recipe

Magic Reindeer Food Recipe A cup full of oatmeal to help them fly fast mixed with red and green sprinkles to make their energy last.

Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donder and Blitzen will report back to Rudolph just how happy they are that there’s more than just carrots to help them fly far.

4 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

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PHOTOS: POPOVAPHOTO & SHIRONOSOV/THINKSTOCK.COM

HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide

Keep it LOCAL

Courtesy of Metro News Service

S

a bevy of options at their disposal as they embark on holiday shopping season. Traditional in-store retailers are still around, and online shopping continues to grow in popularity with each holiday season. But many holiday shoppers are looking to buy local this holiday season, and such a decision can pay a host of dividends for both shoppers and the communities they call home.

• Buying local benefits your local economy. Studies from Civic Economics, an economics and strategics planning firm, found that independent, locally-owned retailers return a far greater percentage of their revenue into their local economies than national chain stores. One such study examined the disparity between revenue recirculation among independent, locally-owned businesses in Raleigh, North Carolina, versus four major national chains in the city. The former recirculated 51.1 percent of revenue into the local economy, while the latter recirculated less than 14 percent. Similar results were discovered in many cities, indicating that buying local not only benefits local business owners, but also the communities those owners and their customers call home.

• Buying local creates jobs in your community. One of the biggest ways local business owners in Raleigh recirculated their revenue in the local economy was job creation. While national chains also create jobs, such jobs only benefit your community if the chains are located within your community. If your local mall is a considerable drive away, chances are the chains within that mall are not employing many of your fellow community members. Local businesses in your community are more likely to employ residents of your town.

• Shopping local may provide access to more unique gifts. In addition to the economic benefits of buying local, shoppers may find merchandise made by local craftsmen is more unique than mass-produced items found on the shelves of national retailers. Recipients may cherish more unique items that they cannot find on their own, and that appreciation may even spur them to visit more local retailers after the holiday season has come and gone, benefiting their own communities in so doing.

• Local business may provide a more personal touch. Buying from national chains has its advantages, but customer service is not always one of them. Should your loved ones encounter problems with their gift that requires assistance, they might be forced to wait on the phone for extended periods of time as they and thousands of others wait for customer service representatives to answer their calls. Local businesses do not deal with nearly the volume of customers as national retailers and, therefore, are capable of addressing concerns more quickly and personally than large chains.

Buying local not only benefits small business owners, but it also pays dividends for their customers and the communities they call home.

6 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

PHOTOS: BDN FILE

The benefits to buying local this holiday season.

hoppers now have

Conklin’s Maine Mercantile Cotton Placemats & Napkins Wood Bowls

Everything is Made in the USA

Wooden Tools & Pottery

145 High Street, Belfast, ME ph 207-218-4040 www.conklinsmainemercantile.com We ship!

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Shop Downtown

Bangor!

8 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

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A Gift That Keeps On Giving

Bangor Daily News Gift Subscription

Call 207-990-8040 today!

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HOLIDAY GIFT 1 3

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Guide

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On the hunt for the perfect holiday gift this season?

We can help!

Check out our holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list!

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Richard Parks Rocker

Maine-made solid cherry 1842 rocker.

Handcrafted by W.A Mitchell. Available in different woods and stains.

BUY IT: Prices vary AVAILABLE AT: Richard Parks Furniture 132 High St., Ellsworth (888) 973-4827 • richardparks.com

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Maine Made Wreath

Start a tradition of giving or sending a Maine made wreath from Sprague’s Nursery in Bangor to your loved ones or loyal customers this season. Order online – multiple options and prices available.

BUY IT: Maine Made Wreath, $39.99 shipped AVAILABLE AT: Sprague’s Nursery 1664 Union St., Bangor 942-1394 • spraguesnursery.com

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Maine Mug & Ornament

Make it a Maine holiday with a special mug or ornament from Perry’s Nut House – or purchase them together and receive a 20% discount.

BUY IT: Maine Mug & Ornament, prices vary AVAILABLE AT: Perry’s Nut House 45 Searsport Ave. (Route 1), Belfast 888-673-7797 perrysnuthouse.com

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Unique Jewelry

Create your own love story...design your own jewelry! Or WOW her with one of our truly unique designs!

We offer traditional and one-of-akind designs, as well as rare and mainstream gemstones/diamonds.

BUY IT: From only $15 AVAILABLE AT: Striking Gold Jewelers 67 Pine St., Ellsworth (207) 667-5855 strikinggoldjewelers.com bangormetro.com / bangordailynews.com • 11

HOLIDAY GIFT

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Gourmet Goodies

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Maine Salsa

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Festive Table Goods

Enjoy all natural pantry staples from the Northwoods Gourmet Girl. Organic field cookies make a delicious holiday treat, sent in a beautiful wooden box and whimsically wrapped. Send a taste of Maine this holiday season.

Small batch, handcrafted salsa like no other salsa you have ever tried. Made with the freshest, all natural ingredients. Great texture, consistency and fantastic flavor set us apart from all other salsas. Best part?

It’s made right here in MAINE!

Tablecloths, placemats, runners, and napkins are loomed with the finest USA grown cotton, and made in the mountains of Vermont. All sizes are available in 25 color combinations for every decor and occasion. Special orders arrive in 3 days.

BUY IT: Variety of products, prices vary

BUY IT: Find a list of local retailers at toddsoriginalsalsa.com

BUY IT: Prices vary

AVAILABLE AT: Northwoods Gourmet Girl 203 Pritham Ave., Greenville (207) 570-8112 northwoodsgourmetgirl.com

AVAILABLE AT: Todd’s Salsa & Inner Beauty Hot Sauce toddsoriginalsalsa.com

12 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

AVAILABLE AT: Conklin’s Maine Mercantile 145 High St., Belfast (207) 218-4040 conklinsmainemercantile.com

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Exquisite Jewelry

It’s not the hand-selected, exquisite pieces of jewelry that will bring you back as a repeat customer at Designs

by Aaron. It’s the professionalism, customer service, diligence to detail and personal attention.

BUY IT: Prices vary AVAILABLE AT: Designs by Aaron 8 Merchants Plaza, Broad Street, Bangor (207) 941-9760 5

Puppet Theater

Featuring the best gifts for all the 0-4 year olds and parents on your list.

Online gift registry available. Let us help you make your holiday special.

Free gift wrapping!

BUY IT: Doorway Puppet Theater, $49.99 AVAILABLE AT: Maine Cloth Diaper Company 35 Main St., Bangor • (207) 907-4205 maineclothdiaper.com

Fun Footwear

Find the perfect gift for her at Valentine Footwear, a classic women’s footwear boutique with a modern twist. We offer gift cards, free gift wrapping, and holiday wish list services.

BUY IT: Socks, shoes, and accessories, prices vary AVAILABLE AT: Valentine Footwear 115 Main St., Downtown Bangor (207) 907-2128 valentinefootwear.com

Skating Equipment

Whether they’re a pro or just starting out, ice skating in Maine is a fun way to enjoy a chilly Maine winter.

BUY IT: Skates and equipment for all skill levels and ages, prices vary AVAILABLE AT: Gunn’s Sport Shop 32 Green Point Road, Brewer (207) 989-9838 • gunnshockey.com bangormetro.com / bangordailynews.com • 13

HOLIDAY GIFT

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Something for Everyone

A small collection of what the shop has to offer: Real Horn Jewelry , Butterflies, Stone Shave Set, Glass Jellyfish, Amethyst Jewelry, Chestnut Clock, Artisan Made Leather Flask, Small Batch Cologne, Bob Cat Skull with Air Plant, and Gem Druzy Jewelry.

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BUY IT: Perfect gifts for everyone on your list, prices vary.

AVAILABLE AT: The Rock & Art Shop 36 Central St., Downtown Bangor (207) 947-2205 therockandartshop.com

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Homemade Holiday

Amplify your creativity with the Pfaff Performance 5.0. A fabulous machine at a fabulous price – the perfect gift for the modern, inspired sewist.

BUY IT: Pfaff Performance 5.0 AVAILABLE AT: Sewing By The Sea 11 Periwinkle Lane, Trenton (207) 664-2558 • sewmaine.com

14 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

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Kitchen Tools

Collins Center Tickets

BUY IT: Prices vary

BUY IT: Ticket prices vary

AVAILABLE AT: Rooster Brother 29 Main St., Ellsworth (207) 667-8675 • roosterbrother.com

AVAILABLE AT: The Collins Center for the Arts Box Office University of Maine campus, Orono (207) 581-1755 • collinscenterforthearts.com

Accuracy counts for passionate cooks. Weigh it, time it, test it with your digital scale, your TimeStick and your Thermopen instant-read chef’s thermometer.

Get it right the first time and every time with the right tools for the job.

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Eclectic Gifts

An eclectic collection of unique and mindful goods, from batiks and tie-dyes to silver and gemstone jewelry, from exotic gifts to Eastern-inspired décor.

BUY IT: Jewelry box, $14; Bracelets, $7; Earrings, $7; Scarf, $14 AVAILABLE AT: Mexicali Blues Six locations including: 1 West Market Square, Downtown Bangor (207) 990-4113 • mexicaliblues.com

Enjoy the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, comprising 15 of the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players today, with Wynton Marsalis Dec. 3, or gift friends and family members with tickets for the CCA Maine Stage, Chamber Music and Broadcast Series.

Gems & Jewelry

"The Most Unusual Jewelry Store in Maine," Bennett's Gems & Jewelry is a must see on the mid coast. We specialize in rare and colorful Maine Tourmaline and other Maine gems, such as purple Amethyst and cool blue Aquamarine.

BUY IT: Prices vary AVAILABLE AT: Bennett’s Gems & Jewelry 45 Searsport Avenue, Belfast (207) 338-5530 • bennettsgems.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT

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Yarn & Knitting Supplies

One Lupine and Maine Yarn & Fiber Supply specializes in a wide range of American made and locally sourced gifts for everyone on your holiday list. And we offer free gift wrapping too!

BUY IT: Items sold separately, prices vary AVAILABLE AT: One Lupine 170 Park St., Bangor • (207) 992-4140 • onelupine.com

Seasonal Loan

Warm up with low rates and handcrafted service with a seasonal loan from Changing Seasons FCU. Money for gifts, heating oil or even a vacation in warmer climes-we’ve got you covered. Changing Seasons FCU – Here for what tomorrow brings.

BUY IT: Various loan options available AVAILABLE AT: Changing Seasons FCU 115 Mecaw Road, Hampden • (207) 945-6264 • changingseasonsfcu.com

Gracie Theatre Tickets

Show tickets make a great holiday gift! Coming soon to Husson University’s Gracie Theatre: Home Free, the nation’s only country a capella vocal band; “Gruff,” the new family musical with goats; and more!

BUY IT: Show tickets, prices vary AVAILABLE AT: Gracie Theatre • Husson University Campus, Bangor gracietheatre.com • (207) 941-7888

16 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide

PLEASE,

C

Mister Postman

Make sure gifts arrive on time. Courtesy of Metro News Service

ome the holiday

season, shipping companies work around the clock to ensure packages, merchandise and more make it to their destinations on time. What would December holidays be without gifts under the tree?

In 2013, overtaxed carriers failed to meet Christmas deadlines for many packages. Some analysts say big retailers and carriers may have underestimated consumers’ growing reliance on online shopping – especially for last-minute presents.

Since those mishaps, both UPS and FedEx have spent millions on upgrades. More fuel-efficient planes, upgrades to air cargo networks and improved infrastructure and ground shipping operations have helped shipping companies better handle the increased volume.

As shipping companies work harder to ensure holiday packages arrive at their destinations on time, there also are things consumers can do to increase the chances that gifts make it under the tree before the big day.

• Shop as early as possible. If you plan to buy online or ship gifts to family and friends, shop early so the gifts have time to make it to their destinations. Make a list of all the people whose gifts you will need to mail, then shop for their gifts first so you will have ample time for them to arrive on time.

• Double-check all mailing addresses. Make sure you have the correct addresses for all friends or family members you will be sending gifts to. An incorrect address can result in packages

2015 Holiday Shipping

CUT OFF DATES Calculated for Dec. 25, 2015 First-Class Mail® Service – Dec. 19 Priority Mail® Service – Dec. 21 Priority Mail Express® Service1 – Dec. 23

Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship – Dec. 19 Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship – Dec. 22 For more information on international and military mail holiday deadlines, visit usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.

18 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

PHOTO: FERLISTOCKPHOTO/THINKSTOCK.COM

Standard Post™ – Dec. 15

being returned to sender or floating around in shipping limbo. All of this only decreases the likelihood that gifts will arrive on time.

• Consider a ship-to-store option. A number of big retailers now offer various options that allow customers to purchase items online and pick them up in a nearby store. In-stock items may be available the same day, while others may have to be shipped to the store for a later pickup.

• Enter shipping parameters.

Signing up for either My FedEx or MyUPS gives you a little extra control over how packages are sent to you. For example, you can request that packages be held at a delivery center or you can pre-sign for deliveries. These perks can help limit some lost or delayed packages.

• Use proper postage. Bulky envelopes or large packages are better off brought to the post office for shipping instead of mailing them from home. Inadequate postage could stall delivery of your items and have them returned to you.

• Research shipping cutoff dates. Shipping carriers often list the “last days to ship” for their services so that packages will arrive by the date you need them. This way you can plan around the cutoffs.

• Sign up for membership programs. Online retailers, such as Amazon, offer expedited shipping on many products as part of their membership programs. For example, Amazon Prime-eligible products will generally arrive within two business days as part of your annual membership fee. The added cost may be well worth the peace of mind fast shipping provides.

An increase in online shopping as well as families living further apart has led to a high volume of gifts being shipped around the holidays. Plan accordingly so that gifts will arrive on time.

bangormetro.com / bangordailynews.com • 19

HOLIDAY GIFT

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SHOPPING How to manage credit this holiday season. Courtesy of

Metro News Service

H

Smarter

oliday shopping

takes up a considerable amount of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Shoppers who scour in-store and online retailers in the hunt for the perfect gift annually spend hundreds of billions of dollars during such pursuits, and what they swipe when making purchases could go a long way toward how their new years begin.

Overreliance on credit cards to make holiday purchases can prove crippling once the calendar turns to January. According to an analysis of statistics from the Federal Reserve, the average household consumer debt in the United States was more than $15,700 as of June of 2015. That’s roughly one-tenth the average mortgage debt, suggesting that many consumers are relying too heavily on credit cards when making their purchases.

Overreliance on credit cards to make holiday purchases can prove crippling once the calendar turns to January.

This holiday season, consumers concerned about swiping their credit cards too often can take the following steps to more effectively manage their credit.

• Know what you can afford. Swiping now and dealing with the consequences in January is a recipe for a rocky new year. In some cases, it can benefit consumers to make purchases with their credit cards as opposed to their debit cards. For instance, when making purchases online, it’s often safer to use

20 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

PHOTO: LUANATEUTZI/THINKSTOCK.COM

a credit card rather than a debit card linked to your checking and savings accounts, as using the latter can make your life’s savings vulnerable to hackers. But don’t start swiping your credit cards until you know what you can afford. Examine your finances and only use your credit card if you know you can repay the balance before it incurs any interest. If you can’t pay the balance in full at the time the payment is due, use a debit card so you are only spending money you already have and not taking out what amounts to a high-interest loan on your holiday purchases.

• Resist retailer cards. When making in-store purchases, chances are the cashier will invite you to sign up for a retailer credit card, even offering an immediate discount if you do so at the registers. While this discount may seem too tempting to ignore, keep in mind that many retailer credit cards come with considerably higher interest fees on balances that are not paid off in full. So that discount at the register may end up costing you more money if you get to January and can’t pay the balance in its entirety.

• Try not to juggle cards. Many shoppers juggle multiple cards to avoid building up too big a balance on one particular card during the holiday season. But that’s an easy way to lose track of how much you have spent. Rather than juggling cards, use only the one with the lowest interest rate.

• Monitor your balances. Swiping a credit card is easy and hasslefree, and many retailers now accept various types of cards. Keep a close eye on your balances, checking them online after each shopping trip. This can help you control your spending and also can alert you to any fraudulent activity.

Shoppers who must use their credit cards this season can employ several strategies to ensure they don’t dig themselves into a financial hole by the end of December. bangormetro.com / bangordailynews.com • 21

Small Business Saturday comes to the Moosehead Lake Region

On November 28, show your support for your community and shop locally!

Discover all the Moosehead Lake Region has to offer this holiday season!

22 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

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HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide

Favorite Recipes FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

There’s never a shortage of delicious treats around our office.

And the holidays bring out favorite recipes like no other time of year.

Here are a few favs from the Bangor Metro staff... dessert

My Sister's Peanut Butter Fudge PHOTOS: A_NAMENKO & EVE_EVE01GENESIS/THINKSTOCK.COM

from the kitchen of Laurie Cates

3 cups sugar 2/3 cup milk 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup Fluff 1 teaspoon vanilla In a saucepan, mix 3 cups sugar and 2/3 cup milk.

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes.

Stir in 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup Fluff and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour into 8­-inch by 8-­inch pan and let sit for awhile before putting in the fridge to harden.

bangormetro.com / bangordailynews.com • 25

HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide

appetizer

Crab Meat Mold

from the kitchen of Emily Burnham

Serves a crowd (about 24) 1 8-oz. package cream cheese 1 can Campbell’s Cream of Shrimp soup (accept no substitutes) 1/2 cup diced onion 1 cup mayonnaise (you can use light mayo, makes no difference) 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin 1 cup cold water 1 cup diced celery 1/2 pound crab meat Heat large saucepan on medium.

Quickly spray the bottom of the pan with cooking spray and add the onions. After just a minute, add the soup

and the cream cheese and stir until everything is thoroughly melted and mixed. Add the cup of mayonnaise, mix thoroughly and remove from heat. Heat a small saucepan on low heat and add one cup of cold water and both envelopes of gelatin and stir until fully dissolved. Stir the gelatin into the soup and cheese mixture, and then stir in the crab and the celery. Pour the mixture into one sixcup or two three-cup molds, and refrigerate for two to three hours. Serve with Ritz crackers.

Cash for your Old Gold

Look for our Pink Dinosaur at Perry’s Nut House!

Route 1 • Searsport Ave. • Belfast, Maine • www.bennetsgems.com Open All Year • Since 1989

26 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

PHOTOS: VIKIF & SUNSTOCK/THINKSTOCK.COM

Beautiful Jewelry she will love to wear!

dessert

Oreo Balls

from the kitchen of Aimee Thibodeau

2 packages of Oreos (Double Stuff work best) One 12-ounce package cream cheese (softened) 16-ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate Put the Oreos in a gallon-sized Ziplock bag. Place the bag on the counter with a towel over it and use a meat tenderizer to smash the Oreos (the finer you smash them the smoother the texture of the end result). Put in a bowl and use a mixer to blend the Oreos and cream cheese together. Roll into roughly 1-inch balls, place on wax paper on a cookie sheet and chill for 10 minutes. It works best if you chill them in the freezer, not the refrigerator.

Melt the semi-sweet baking chocolate and dip each Oreo ball to cover. If you want to decorate them with sprinkles or cookie crumbs, now’s the time before the chocolate cools and sets. Place them back on the wax paper and in the refrigerator to set for about an hour.

bangormetro.com / bangordailynews.com • 27

appetizers

Crabmeat Canapes

from the kitchen of Barb Mower 1 jar Old English Cheese ½ teaspoon Lawry’s salt ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1 stick butter, softened 1 Tablespoon mayo 1 can Alaskan crabmeat, drained 3 English muffins Mix cheese, salt, garlic powder, butter & mayo. Fold in crabmeat.

Spread on the 6 English muffin halves. Place on baking sheet & cover with foil. Freeze until ready to use. When ready, cut each muffin into quarters when frozen. Place under broiler until bubbly and brown.

Great Holiday Shopping at 2 Locations BANGOR 36 Central Street

ELLSWORTH 163 Main Street

28 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News

HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide SKATING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY • All Levels • Competitive • Pond or Ice rink • Skate Sharpening

The Skating Specialist

PHOTO: (CRAB) ANTPKR/ THINKSTOCK.COM

Hockey – Figure – Inline We offer a full range of services gunnshockey.com • (207) 989-9838 • 1-800-639-1574 32 Green Point Rd., Brewer, ME 04412

Need a

Gift Idea?

Send some love with

a subscription to

Bangor Metro!

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HOLIDAY GIFT

Guide

Choosing your

CHRISTMAS TREE Minimize live Christmas tree mess.

A

Courtesy of Metro News Service

Christmas tree

is often the centerpiece of holiday decorating. Trees come in many shapes and sizes, both real and artificial. Those looking for a more authentic tree gravitate toward real trees, with their rich, earthy smell and beautiful boughs of green.

While the sights and smells of real trees are what draw many people in, live trees do require more maintenance than their artificial alternatives. Falling pine needles and sap are part of the live-tree package, as is regular watering and some initial tree preparation. However, those who have their hearts set on a real tree can employ some strategies to minimize the mess.

Buy a fresh tree

Christmas tree lots may begin to crop up before Thanksgiving, meaning trees will have been cut and shipped weeks before. The tree you put up in your home may be at least two months old by Christmas Day. Also, trees that are open to full sunlight at tree lots can dry out prematurely.

When shopping, look for trees that seem freshly cut and have good needle retention. Grab a branch and see if the needles remain intact. Give the tree trunk a bump on the ground and assess how many needles drop to the ground.

Look at the color of the tree and determine if it is wilting.

These may be signs that the tree is old and on its last legs.

Choose the right variety Sponsored by

Some varieties of tree have more staying power after being cut than others. So-called “true firs,” such as noble, Fraser, Nordmann, and Turkish, usually last the longest. Douglas fir, Scotch pine, balsam, and grand fir trees also last long after being cut. Spruce trees, which are usually the least expensive variety on lots, may only last two to three weeks.

Wrap and transport

Ask the tree seller to freshly cut the bottom of the tree and wrap the entire tree in twine so it will be easier to move. Place the tree on the roof of your car with the trunk facing the front of the car. This way the wind will not fan out the branches and loosen up needles.

With locations in Wilton, Rumford, South Paris, Dixfield, Bangor, Hampden, Bangor, Orono, Old Town, Veazie, Lincoln and Orono 30 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News Paid Advertisement for Dunkin’ Donuts.

Choose the right location

It may seem like a good idea to put the tree right in front of a picture window, but if that window receives ample sunlight, the tree may dry out more quickly, leading to falling needles. The same can be said for putting a tree too close to a heating source, like a fireplace, radiator or heating vent. A cool, shaded area is best for keeping trees fresher longer. Fit the tree in the stand while it is still outdoors and wrapped up and then move the entire product inside to the right spot. This helps minimize dirt, bark and needles getting all over the room.

Time your removal

Removing a dried-out tree can be a cleaning disaster. It's better for the tree to make its exit before it withers. A tree can drink a gallon of water per day, so make sure the stand reservoir is adequately filled. Over time, though, the tree may stop taking in water. When this happens, it is best to take down the decorations and get ready for removal. Hiding a tree disposal bag under the tree skirt can make it easier to get the tree out to the curb. Some people find there's less mess by clipping off the branches and removing them in one lump, rather than navigating a full tree through small doorways.

With the right care and prep work, homeowners can cut down on the mess associated with fresh trees

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32 • 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by Bangor Metro & Bangor Daily News