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HOLIDAY gifts & lifestyle DECEMBER 2012

SHOPNI ALBER

Valley Job s

Life y e ll

lley People a V

Y T S R R A P POINTEmorable e M a or arty a special supplement to

F P s y p a i T Holid

Alberni Valley News & Parksville/Qualicum Beach News

Go Online to view this section! www.albernivalleynews.com

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Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

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Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012

Survive the parking lot this holiday season Holiday shopping can quickly devolve into mayhem when there are too many aggressive drivers competing for spots in the lot.

he holiday season has its share of highs and lows. Battling for a spot in the store parking lot could be as low as it gets. Oftentimes shoppers dread buying their presents not for the crowds inside, but for the chaos outside in the parking lot. Parking lot accidents and violence are nothing new, but things can escalate during the holiday season. In 2010, an employee in the Lehigh Valley Mall going home on his 30-minute lunch break killed a New Jersey woman when he crashed his car into her.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

The employee was said to be speeding. Shoppers often back into carts or even people in crowded lots. Fighting over limited spaces sometimes causes people to park illegally or get into confrontations with other shoppers who made it to the same spot first. The spirt of the season can bring out the best and the worst in people. Stress and a strict deadline for shopping can cause tempers to flare and road rage to ensue in the small areas of mall parking lots. But there are ways to avoid some of the pitfalls of parking if you follow some guidelines.

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Shop during off-peak hours. The weekends, lunch time and weeknights tend to be the busiest shopping times at area malls and stores. Choose to shop when the store first opens or in between lunch and when work lets out at 5 p.m. Crowds will be much thinner, and there will be more parking spots available. If possible, take a day off of work to do the bulk of your holiday shopping early in the morning. Carpool. Get together with a few friends and drive to the store in the same car. The more people who do this, the fewer cars on the road and in the lot. Take the first spot you see. Some shoppers drive around endlessly trying to find that magical spot right near the store entrance. Instead, take the first spot you can find even if it’s on the far side of the lot. This way you park quickly and your stress levels stay low. If you will be leaving the store after dark, ask a security guard to escort you to your car if you feel uncomfortable walking so far alone. Take your baby along. While this advice may seem counterintuitive to reducing stress, it can actually work to your advantage. Some stores now offer courtesy parking for parents with infants or toddlers in tow. Bringing baby with you could help you land a spot a stone’s throw from the entrance. Bring Grandma or Grandpa shopping. Along the same vein as shopping with baby,

having an elderly person with you in a car with handicapped placards could entitle you to a reserved handicapped space. However, don’t make the experience simply about getting a reserved spot. Use it to help the person shop or spend time with an elderly or disabled friend or family member. Keep the spirit of the season in mind. Shop at local, smaller stores. While everyone is at the mall stressing over lines and parking spaces, you can visit small specialty shops. Chances are they will have no crowds, and the parking may be easier. Plus, you can find unique gifts that are not the cookie-cutter items at the mall or big-box store. Take the bus. If mass transit is available in your area, use it to your advantage. Some bus companies offer shuttle services between city hubs and malls or outlet centers. Leave the car at home and shop at your leisure. Just be sure to know the schedule of the last departing bus. Keep purchases out of sight. Another hassle of parking lots is the break-ins. What’s out of sight is often out of mind. Therefore, don’t leave packages or bags in plain sight in the car. Keep them in a locked trunk or hidden in the cargo area of the SUV for safety. Store parking lots can be a challenge that adds stress to holiday shopping. Use tips to avoid crowds and extra aggravation.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Host a merry, memorable

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MakeSeaWench it a themedNaturals party. The holiday Lamps season Crystal is filled with festivities, from office parties Daylight to neighborhood Lamps gatherings to gatherings with family. For more casual Bosu Balls affairs, set your party apart with a theme. Balance Boards sweater party, For example, a Christmas where each guest wears a Christmas Bath Salts sweater,Exercise can be a Balls fun way to excite guests and inspire a few laughs. Give a tubs prize to theHot guest with the most ornate sweater. If sweaters aren’t your thing, then encourage guests to dress up like some favorite holiday characters, including Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman or even Rudolph.

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Don’t forget the holiday fare. Just Prearrange transportation home for like parties are a staple of the holiday guests. A successful holiday party is season, so, too, are certain foods and one that is safe, so be sure to prearrange And much much more. Or maybe a gift certificate? types of music. Few people indulge in travel home for guests just in case some eggnog outside of the holiday anyone overindulges in holiday cheer. season, so make sure there’s plenty of When sending out invitations, seek eggnog on hand. And don’t forget the volunteers to be designated drivers, and gingerbread cookies, either. As people avoid drinking alcohol yourself. For larger enjoy holiday goodies, make sure they parties, call a local taxi service and do so with holiday music playing in arrange for a couple of cabs to be on call the background. songs •that 4408 ChinaChoose Creek Road 250-724-4477 albernicomfortzone.com guests know and to which they can sing when the party ends.

Thursday , Dec.6, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Host a merry, memorable

holiday party The holidays are the most festive time of the year, and no holiday season is complete without a party or two with family and friends. Be it to celebrate a religious holiday or to ring in the New Year, a holiday party is an essential element to the holiday season. While it’s always great to be a guest, hosting a holiday party is a great way to show friends and family how much they mean to you. This holiday season, consider the following tips to ensure your holiday party is as memorable as the season is merry. Make it a themed party. The holiday season is filled with festivities, from office parties to neighborhood gatherings to gatherings with family. For more casual affairs, set your party apart with a theme. For example, a Christmas sweater party, where each guest wears a Christmas sweater, can be a fun way to excite guests and inspire a few laughs. Give a prize to the guest with the most ornate sweater. If sweaters aren’t your thing, then encourage guests to dress up like some favorite holiday characters, including Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman or even Rudolph. Don’t forget the holiday fare. Just like parties are a staple of the holiday season, so, too, are certain foods and types of music. Few people indulge in some eggnog outside of the holiday season, so make sure there’s plenty of eggnog on hand. And don’t forget the gingerbread cookies, either. As people enjoy holiday goodies, make sure they do so with holiday music playing in the background. Choose songs that guests know and to which they can sing

along. Such sing-alongs might become especially memorable once guests have a glass or two of eggnog in them. Host a holiday giveaway. Though it can be fun to do a Secret Santa, chances are guests already have enough gifts to buy. But hosts can spice things up with a holiday giveaway that rewards guests. Host a holiday-themed round of Trivial Pursuit or a holiday movie trivia game that encourages guests to compete for prizes. Prizes can be small and inexpensive, but guests will be sure to enjoy some friendly competition for holiday-themed prizes. Don’t be afraid to take it outside. For those who live in regions with significant snowfall, consider inviting guests outside to have some fun in the snow. While fun in the snow is often left to the kids, don’t assume adults won’t enjoy building some snowmen or a good old fashioned snowball fight in the backyard. If outdoor fun is going to be on the docket, be sure to remind guests to dress appropriately. And make sure there’s plenty of hot chocolate ready once everyone goes back inside to warm up. Prearrange transportation home for guests. A successful holiday party is one that is safe, so be sure to prearrange travel home for guests just in case anyone overindulges in holiday cheer. When sending out invitations, seek volunteers to be designated drivers, and avoid drinking alcohol yourself. For larger parties, call a local taxi service and arrange for a couple of cabs to be on call when the party ends.

Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012

www.albernivalleynews.com

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Throw a successful office party Recent findings show a trend toward downsizing the annual holiday office party due to poor economic times. But this may be a mistake on the part of employers. According to a recent CareerThink readers survey called “What Do YOU Think,” 84 percent of respondents believe that a holiday office party is good for employee morale. Some survey participants said that they would not miss an office party, though most agree that’s it is a good thing to have. Keeping the office party tradition going is one thing employers can do to boost employee morale — which often translates into better business. Party planners dusting off their eventplanning skills may need a refresher course in how to throw a successful (and appropriate) office party. Here are some tips to do just that. • Throw the party off-premises. Most employees spend 8 to 10 hours a day at their places of employment. Hosting a party at the office, factory or place of business can seem like just an extension of the regular working day. Instead, plan a location that’s nearby but won’t seem like work itself. There are plenty of restaurants, hotels, catering halls and even public parks that rent rooms. Just be sure to book it well in advance because reservations fill up quickly during the holidays. • Invite employees’ spouses and children. Opening up the invitation to the family members means employees won’t need to feel torn about attending the party or spending time at home. Plus, this is a good opportunity for spouses and children to interact. • Leave little room for shop talk. Plan a host of activities, from dancing to fun trivia to more creative ideas (like making ornaments), so that employees are not simply left talking about business. • Treat it like your own party. Employers or the party planner can greet guests by the door so they feel immediately warm and welcomed. Create a mood with inviting decor and mood lighting that is completely opposite of the stark fluorescent lights of the office. • Remember food often makes the bash. Instead of cafeteria fare or brownbag lunches, treat employees to some delicious dishes. Work with a caterer to have a variety of offerings. If money is an issue, make it a pot luck theme where everyone gets to bring one dish and then everyone enjoys it buffet-style.

• Go sparingly on the alcohol. Experts agree to disagree on the topic of alcoholic beverages at office functions. While some say it is perfectly OK, others argue that alcohol can lead to reduced inhibitions and thusly embarrassing situations, including confessing crushes on coworkers or speaking one’s mind about the boss. If alcohol is served, hosts should realize they are responsible for the safety of employees heading home. Have Locally owned and operated transportation ready for those who have • www. TheBrick.com imbibed too much. • Hire a photographer. Enlist the services of a professional photographer to capture the night’s festivities. Then these photos can be put together in a collage or a photo book passed out later as a favor. Hiring an unbiased photographer means everyone will be photographed and amateurs simply won’t be snapping shots of friends. • Enlist the help of a party planning team. Let the coworkers decide what type of event toFlagship have. Get feedback from – This brand/item helps to set Pet Valu apart from the competition – it’s a MUST HAVE PACIFIC RIM CENTRE #203Santa - 3555 Johnston employees to pick something they will Dear Paws CampaignRoad PetRageous Stoneware MUGS - Show your love for your favorite pet with a Cat Lover enjoy. or Dog Lover mug from PetRageous. Made from hand-craftedMugs 100% stoneware, it meets • Keep it neutral. Although theand party may than other ceramic dishes. FDA standards is stronger starting at be taking place during the holiday season, •Features & Benefits – Stoneware 20oz mugs for both the dog and cat lover. there’s no need to slant it toward any one -Hand Crafted 100% Stoneware holiday theme. This way everyone feels -Made to FDA Standards -Dishwasher Safe of included in the festivities, regardless -Unique Designs add to home décor religious beliefs. -Microwave Safe • Nix the gift-sharing. Many employees •Selling Tips do not want to feel obligated giftstarget customer already coming into your -You haveto thebuy perfect %store, they can buy for oFF HoNEsT KITCHEN raw dehydrated foods themselves as a gift for coworkers, especially whenorthey’re •In-store Merchandising strapped for time and funds for gifts Direction for Choose from Port Alberni's for the Holiday Season, display with the matching City Pets bowls or a great their own friends and-Perfect family.gift However, largest selection of on counter display. employees may like something from the Premium and Holistic dog and cat supplies boss saying that they are appreciated. If Item Description Cost Retail Margin • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee bonuses aren’t in the cards, employers 51% 844534006158 City Pets Dog Lover Mug 4.88 9.99 can consider smaller financial gifts, Store HourS: 51% 844534006165 City Pets Cat Lover Mug 4.88 9.99 gift cards to a restaurant, boxes of • Monday to Wednesday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm chocolate, or something else that shows • Thursday & Friday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm • Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm appreciation. • Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm The holidays are a fun time of year to boost employee morale. Throwing an 250-736-1156 Locally Owned & Operated • bosleys.com • office party is still one of the easiest ways to show workers they are appreciated.

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Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Gift Cards

not always the best option

e rds ar Gift cvaenient, con illions but mollars of d h of wor t go them ed unus ear. y ever y

As people gear up to do their holiday shopping this year, gift cards figure to remain a popular choice for gifting. But the hidden pitfalls of gift cards may make giving cash or a check a better bet. Eight out of 10 people include gift cards in their holiday purchases, offers information from Statistics Canada. About $65 billion is spent in the U.S. annually on gift card purchases, many around the holiday season. Convenience and ease of use is what lures many shoppers to the gift card rack. Just about every major retailer out there has its own gift card for sale, which can make it even more enticing to pick one up. Furthermore, many supermarkets and big box retailers sell gift cards for other merchants right at the check-out line. So if you’re shopping for supper you can also get a gift

card to a restaurant or home improvement store. Despite the convenience of gift cards and their presumed utility, financial experts estimate that about $7 million in gift cards go unused each year. The Wall Street Journal has reported that states are supposed to track down gift card purchasers and try to get them their money back on unclaimed cards. But many cannot be found because they paid in cash and that money just goes to the state as unclaimed funds/abandoned property, which sets in after two years of non use. New York collected $9.6 million in unused gift cards in 2008. Another thing to note about gift cards is that some retailers impose fees on the cards if they are not used in a timely manner. Penalties are placed on the card that reduce the value for a time period they are not used.

Expiration dates on the gift cards can render them useless if they are not used by a particular time as well. Another lesser-known problem is gift cards activated by thirdparty retailers, such as those restaurant cards purchased at the supermarket. In some instances, the activation does not work correctly and the issued gift card does not have the paid value when the gift recipient goes to use it to dine out. Third-party sellers are often not responsible for issuing a refund on malfunctioning gift cards, even if you have the receipt; you must call the service line on the back of the card. As an alternative to gift cards, plain old cash or check might be a more viable option. Gift recipients are less likely to be lax in cashing a check or spending cash — and it can be put to use for the same purchases

as a gift card. Cash is also a greener option, as it doesn’t require the production and use of a plastic gift card. Should a check go uncashed, there’s little chance you spent your money for naught, as it simply won’t be deducted from your account and you can cancel or write-off that check number. Individuals who are crafty can make their own cash or check holders so that the monetary gift is presented in a creative way. Checks are safer than cash if mailing the gift because cash can’t be cancelled if it’s lost in the mail. Although the lure of gift cards can be very enticing, they do have some disadvantages, including expiration dates, fees for failing to use the card promptly, and even lost or buried cards that are never used. Cold hard cash never goes out of style and is seldom overlooked.

Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

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Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Sports fans are a unique breed of people who range from avid devotees to casual observers. Come the holiday season, perhaps no gift is more appropriate for a sports fan than something that makes the big game that much better. This holiday season, shoppers searching for the right gift for their sports-crazed love ones might consider the following gift ideas. Take tailgating to new heights Though the games themselves are important, sports fans will admit the camaraderie they feel with their fellow fans is a big part of their love of sports. And nowhere makes a better place to build those bonds with fellow fans than the pregame tailgate. This holiday season, make that tailgate even more enjoyable for your favorite sports fan with a new grill or deep fryer. Deep fryers come in many shapes and sizes, be it ones best suited to side dishes and smaller meals, or larger fryers that enable tailgaters to cook up some fried chicken or even a popular staple like deep fried turkey the whole parking lot can enjoy. For those who tailgate and have all the tools and gadgets they need, don’t overlook food for your favorite tailgater. A box of gourmet steaks can go a long way on a cold afternoon before the big game, and any veteran tailgater knows there’s no such thing as too much food. Tickets to the big game For those sports nuts routinely relegated to the couch during their favorite team’s games, perhaps no gift is more appropriate than tickets to a sports arena. Even if money is tight and tickets seem costly, shoppers can take advantage of a host of ways to purchase tickets at below-market costs. For example, many professional teams now allow their season ticket holders to sell their tickets to games right through the team’s Web site. Tickets might be

discounted as ticket holders attempt to recoup some of their money for games they simply can’t attend. Another option when looking for affordable tickets is to peruse the Internet for Web sites like www. StubHub.com, where ticket seekers can often find discounted tickets to some of their favorite sporting events. In addition, peruse the local newspaper classifieds to see if anyone in your area is selling tickets. It’s often not as difficult as it might seem to find discounted tickets to even the most popular sporting events. Get personal Sports apparel has never been more popular, and no true fan can do without some gear that professes his or her love for a favorite team. This holiday season go the extra mile by personalizing a jersey for the sports fan in your life. His or her first or last name embroidered across the back of a favorite team’s jersey is the ultimate way for sports fans to show just how connected they are to their favorite team. For those who want to go even further, contact a loved one’s favorite team to see if there’s any way to make the connection even more personal. For example, some teams sell bricks on walkways outside their home stadium and fans can engrave a personal message on the bricks, forever connecting them with their favorite teams. Bring it home Nowadays, many sports fans find themselves living far away from their favorite teams. New York natives living in California might have no way to watch their favorite Big Apple teams do battle and might be relegated to reading about their favorite players’ exploits in the morning newspaper. For shoppers who truly want to please their favorite sports fans this holiday season, consider purchasing them a subscription package that enables them to see their favorite team play regardless of where they live. MLB Extra Innings® and NFL Sunday TicketTM are just two of the more popular options that allow sports fans to see every game their favorite sport has to offer. This holiday season, make your favorite sports fan that much more enthusiastic with a gift that further strengthens his or her bond with a favorite team.

Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012

www.albernivalleynews.com

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Gifts to make

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Cooking class Know a foodie who is just beginning a love affair with food? Or one who has recently discovered a particular type of cuisine, such as Thai or Indian? Help cultivate this newfound love by treating them to a cooking class that helps them learn all about the cuisine and how to make certain dishes for themselves. Such classes are not too difficult to find, and you might even be treated to a delicious, homecooked meal once your loved one has completed the class. Club membership Monthly clubs, such as pastry-of-themonth or coffee-of-the-month, are wildly popular among foodies. Memberships are relatively inexpensive, and each month your loved one will receive a new item, whether it’s an old favorite or a new one they have never tried before. This is a great way for foodies to try new things, and it truly is the gift that keeps on giving, as most memberships last a full year. Gadgets Not all foodies love to cook, but those who do may love to unwrap some gadgets that can help around the kitchen. A digital kitchen scale makes measuring ingredients a snap, while an electric wine opener makes it easier than ever before to uncork a bottle of wine to serve with dinner. Whatever a foodie’s taste or personal preference, chances are there’s a corresponding gadget that can make a meal that much easier to prepare.

Cooking is a rewarding hobby and meals, when shared with friends and family, are a great opportunity to sit down and stay abreast of all the goings-on in the lives of your loved ones. For some, however, food is more than just a hobby, it’s a passion. Those especially passionate about their food are affectionately known as “foodies.” Foodies can be meat lovers, vegetarians or even vegans. All it really takes is a love of food. This holiday season, gift the foodie in your life with any of the following food-oriented gift ideas.

A night out Of course, some foodies love to eat but aren’t so enamored with cooking. For those who prefer the restaurant route, peruse the local Sunday newspaper to learn about the newest culinary hotspots. Then purchase a gift certificate for two so your loved one can indulge his or her love of food without having to worry about who’s washing the dishes. Get your hands dirty Perhaps nothing will delight a foodie more than a homecooked meal, especially after the hectic holiday season when most people want nothing more than to kick their heels up and spend a night in. Once the holiday season has come and gone, invite your favorite foodie over for a homecooked meal of his or her choosing. Unless he or she insists, don’t let the night’s guest of honor do any of the work.

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Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Gift Ideas for the

“Home Care Specialists” Tools With Clout

Give your friends and family members who handle home improvement and maintenance projects gifts to help them work efficiently, successfully and safely. Woodcraft offers the following holiday gift suggestions.

Whether repairing a cabinet door, mounting a picture, building or installing cabinets, or remodeling an entire room, DIYers will likely be drilling, driving, cutting, and possibly joining wood. A Festool CXS Lithium-Ion 10.8V Cordless Drill Multi-Chuck Set can handle all these drilling and driving challenges, from maneuvering in tight spaces to installing cabinets. A belt clip keeps the lightweight (2 lb.) drill/driver handy, and an ultra-bright LED light illuminates dark corners. The Rockwell BladeRunner is a multipurpose, precision cutter that uses any T-shank jigsaw blade and can easily cut wood, metal, ceramic tile, aluminum, and plastic. Operate it attached to the wall or on a benchtop. Put wood together effortlessly with the Kreg Jig Jr., a complete kit for pocket-hole joinery. Nine depth settings make it easy to join materials from 1⁄2” to 11⁄2” thick in 1⁄8” increments. The WoodRiver Low Angle Block Plane with Adjustable Mouth is perfect for finessing trim (miters and back bevels, for example) and for use anywhere you need to remove a controlled amount of material (trim, molding, doors, shims, etc.). For building projects, the 12” Pinnacle Combination Square includes a blade, square head and center finder — all the tools needed for virtually any layout.

The Vika Twofold offers a convenient scaffold (21.7” high) for above the ground work and a handy 47.6” long, 18.7” deep, 31.8” high workbench for other tasks — all with a simple rotation and extension of the legs.

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(horizontal low and high and inline) are handy helpers for the workbench projects. Each lamp has a spring-balanced arm for variable positioning of the head and can be clamped to a workbench or tabletop. The toggle clamps eliminate time-consuming manual adjustment to correct clamping force by automatically adjusting to variations in workpiece dimensions, all the while maintaining constant clamping force with a maximum vertical opening distance of 2”. The 16” Versa Spin 360, when used with Painter’s Pyramids and Grabbers, is a versatile support (25 lb. capacity) that allows the user to securely and effortlessly rotate projects for sanding, light machining, painting and crafts for better results in less time. Storage, Safety & Stocking Stuffers ToughBuilt Mega, Project, Universal, Utility and Tape Measure Pouches range from very large to small and provide temporary storage for tools in the interior pockets. Each can be easily attached to a belt if desired. For personal comfort and safety, give your workers a Woodcraft 22-Pocket Apron, FastCap MXV-Pocket Dust Masks (N95 rating), and YGC General Utility Gloves (medium to extra large). Stocking stuffer ideas: WERA Kraftform Kompakt 26 7-in-1 Bayonet Screwdriver that conceals six driver bits in the handle and can be used with cordless drill drivers via a quick release locking chuck and spinner stored in the shaft, a Snappy 5-Piece Countersinking Drill Set, a Cutting Board Kit (milled domestic and exotic hardwood pieces), a Woodcraft Magazine subscription and a Woodcraft Gift Card. To learn more about these products and others, visit your local Woodcraft store, call (800) 535-4482 or visit www.woodcraft.com.

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Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

E-cards an alternative, not replacement to paper Christmas greetings Estimates say that 2.65 billion Christmas cards are sold in the United States each year. That’s

Although many people use e-cards because they’re free, convenient and eco-friendly, it’s unlikely that e-cards will replace paper Christmas cards entirely. That’s because the tradition and the sentiment of sending greetings through the mail has been in place for centuries.

enough paper to fill a football field 10 stories high. Most of these cards end up in a trash can come the end of the year, which contributes to the millions of pounds of extra trash generated during the holidays. As an alternative, many environmentally conscious, or just cost-conscious, people turn to e-cards.

Add a few personalized sentiments to the greeting so it’s not just a bland, mass e-mailed sentiment.

Those who send out e-cards can establish a list of recipients by compiling the most current e-mail addresses of friends and family. Individual e-greetings are more personal. However, some people choose to post one universal greeting online through a social networking site, like Facebook.

E-cards are digital cards either sent through e-mail or an online card service. Many e-cards are available at no cost if you know where to look. Other retailers offer e-cards at a minimal cost, or some enable shoppers to

Consider designing your own greeting card as another option. Use either design or wordprocessing software to create a card and then save it as a PDF file, which can be opened with a program like Acrobat® Reader. It can then be e-mailed as an attachment.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

8 Holiday traditions are fun. This year it may be time to begin some new ones to add even more enjoyment. Much of what makes the holiday season so special is the traditions that people hold dear. While families have traditions that stretch back decades, there is plenty of opportunity to embrace new means of celebration to breathe new life into Christmas, Chanukkah or the season’s other holidays. Chances are you’re already hanging stockings or going caroling this year. You can add some of these and modify as they fit for your family. 1. Feed the wildlife. During the cold days of winter, birds and small animals that don’t hibernate may find it difficult to forage for food. By trimming an outdoor pine tree in edible snacks you’ll have a beautiful tree and one that benefits the wildlife as well. String peanuts and other nuts for the

Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012 Alberni Valley News

ways to create new holiday traditions

squirrels. Make little ornaments out of suet and string for the birds. Berries and corn can be enjoyed by all. Be sure to choose a tree that is far enough away from the home, so you don’t have too many scavengers hunting and pecking around the house. 2. Create a photo Advent calendar. Make your own Advent calendar that has small doors that open up to photos of different family members. Or use a collection of children’s pictures that showcase how they’ve changed as they’ve grown older. 3. “Adopt” a child for holiday gifts. Each year you can bring a smile to a child in need by purchasing a present for an underprivileged kid. Some post offices sponsor “Letters from Santa” events where participants can respond to one of the thousands of letters mailed to The North Pole. Or work with a local charity that organizes events to bring gifts to children in hospitals or in foster care. 4. Holiday story countdown. Every night in December watch a movie or read a story that tells an uplifting holiday tale. Use this as a method of counting down until Christmas. On the night prior, reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” should suffice. 5. Remember someone who has passed on. The holiday season is one made beautiful by lit candles and twinkling lights. Remember a loved one or a friend who has passed away by lighting a remembrance candle in his or her honor.

It’s a way this person can still be part of the festivities. 6. Have a holiday sing-a-long. Sure it may be tradition to go around the neighborhood singing carols, but it’s just as fun indoors. Have a singing party where guests are given lyrics to popular tunes they can sing around the piano or karaoke machine. 7. Bring some joy to a public servant. Police officers, firefighters, military personnel ... many of these workers do not get off for the holidays. There are a certain number of public servants who must remain on call in the event of an emergency. Treat these people to something enjoyable when they may be missing their own festivities. Cook or cater a meal for a fire house, deliver cookies to the police station or put together care packages for people living on a military base. 8. Banish the holiday blues. When the holidays are set to go for another year, many people find they become a little down. After all, a home that was once filled with merry trinkets may now go back to the bare essentials. Create a tradition where everyone in the family receives one more gift — a personalized ornament that can be packed away for use next year — that’s given in January before the decorations are packed away. It’s another opportunity to open a present, and it symbolizes looking forward to the joy of next year.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012

These gifts are music to music lovers’ ears

Taste in music is a topic of eternal debate. Whether a person’s interests lean toward the Beatles or the Beastie Boys, there’s no denying most people love listening to music. Music can lift our moods and help us through difficult times, and it can also make the good times that much more enjoyable. Come the holiday season, many people look to music when gifting friends and family. Though it’s wise to avoid

getting too specific with a musical gift for fear of offending personal taste, there are more general gifts shoppers can give that are sure to please. Gift certificate to an online music store: Most of today’s music fans purchase their music digitally via a handful of online music retailers, be it iTunes, Amazon, etc. Find out which digital music retailer your loved one prefers and purchase a gift certificate to that retailer. This ensures loved ones will get the music they like, and all but guarantees the gift won’t be returned. Protective headphones: The popularity of digital music has increased the popularity of personal digital music players that are often listened to via headphones. One significant disadvantage to such players is the longterm side effects they can have on hearing. Over time, if music lovers spend lots of time listening to players with poorly designed headphones, they can do substantial and possibly irreparable damage to their ears. Protect your loved one’s

www.albernivalleynews.com hearing with headphones that promise great sound quality without putting a person’s hearing at risk. Protective headphones can reduce the risk of hearing loss and often provide superior sound quality than the headphones that come standard with some of the most popular digital music players. Music lessons: Younger music fans might want to try their hand at a favorite musical instrument or join a choir. For such youngsters, music lessons might be the ideal gift to encourage a hobby that’s both healthy and educational. Those considering such lessons for nieces or nephews should consult the youngster’s parents first, as Mom and Dad will ultimately have to deal with the consequences of having a young rocker around the house. For especially young kids, consider musical toys that are fun and educational. Concert tickets: Music lovers almost universally agree seeing a favorite band or performer live in concert is even better than listening in the car or at home. This holiday season, consider going the extra mile and buying a loved one concert tickets to see a favorite performer. When doing so, include a little extra money so they can purchase a T-shirt to commemorate the night.

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Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

What to do with all those

holiday leftovers

With a few creative ideas, anyone can turn leftover holiday foods into new meals.

The food cooked during the holidays is often enough to feed an army. Too often, hosts and hostesses prepare and serve much too much food, only to find themselves left with a refrigerator full of leftovers when guests don’t eat as much as hosts had suspected. In order to avoid wasting food, many people attempt to create new meals from their excess holiday ingredients. Putting leftovers to good use can take a little ingenuity to disguise the

reality that you’re eating turkey or ham for the third consecutive night. All it may take is a little inspiration to create delicious meals with repurposed holiday foods. The first thing to keep in mind when using leftovers is food safety. Any food remaining after the holiday meal should be packed into storage containers and refrigerated or frozen no more than 2 hours after the meal has ended. This ensures that bacteria are not able to proliferate in the food and cause foodborne illnesses. Choose shallow containers, which will enable the food to chill more uniformly and not create warmer spots that take longer to reach a safe storage temperature. Do not save any foods that have remained at room temperature for too long or seem questionable, especially dairy products. It is adviseable to discard leftovers (even if refrigerated) after 4 days. Use it or lose it! Now that leftovers are properly stored, you can think up some creative menu ideas for using them in the next few days. • Turn stuffing into croquettes or burgers by mixing chopped turkey with stuffing or adding a new meat to the equation, like sausage. • Dice ham and potatoes and add to the morning helping of eggs for a country-style omelette. • Promptly boil the turkey carcass to make homemade stock for soups and stews. • Turn leftover mashed potatoes into a creamy potato soup, with the addition of cream, bacon and scallions.

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• Use cranberry sauce in place of butter on bagels or toast. • Mash up leftover sweet potatoes and bake into a moist and delicious sweet potato loaf bread. • Create open-faced sandwiches for lunch by layering ham or turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy on top of a thick slice of bread. • Diced meats, vegetables and onion can be added to a batter of pancake mix and turned into an easy quiche. • Host Mexican night and use leftover turkey meat to make spicy fajitas, complete with sour cream and salsa. • Use stale bread to make homemade croutons for salad or use in a bread pudding recipe. • Add cranberry sauce to boxed muffin mixes for a tart treat. • Turn leftover holiday meats into an Asian stir-fry with the addition of water chestnuts, bean sprouts, soy sauce, and mixed vegetables. • Grind meats to make a hearty meat loaf. • Make leftover potatoes into hash browns. • Cube leftover cake and serve on skewers and fruit for dipping into chocolate fondue. • Use pie crust and small ramekins to turn turkey or ham into savory pot pies. There are so many ideas for using leftover holiday foods this season. Experiment with flavors your family will enjoy.

Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Prevent home break-ins any time of the year Keeping lights on and shrubbery trimmed around entryways helps dissuade burglars from attempting a break-in. no better way to tell thieves about all the new presents you received than by advertising them at the curbside. Burglars will see that empty television box or other expensive gadget boxes put out for pickup and have a clue about the new goodies inside the home. Instead, cut up the boxes and bundle them with newspapers so they are inconspicuous. Lock every door and window all the time — including the garage. Many people fail to realize that the garage presents a great point of entry to the house, one that is private and away from the eyes of concerned neighbors. Once inside the garage, a thief can use tools in the garage to pick at the lock on an inside door to the home. The joys of the holidays are many: Sharing eggnog, exchanging presents, trimming the tree, contacting the police to report a robbery. The last one certainly isn’t a joy, but it’s an all-too common reality of the season. But the holidays aren’t the only times that home breakins take place. There’s no telling what goes through the minds of thieves, and preparing for any situation is the way to avoid loss due to theft. In the U.S., a home is robbed every 14.6 seconds, and the average dollar loss per burglary is $2,119, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Statistics

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Canada offers that break-ins are not only the most serious type of property crime committed in Canada, but they are also one of the most common. In 2009, there were more than 205,000 break-ins reported to the police, accounting for 15 percent of all property crimes. Despite burglaries being down overall in numbers in both the U.S. and Canada, homeowners can still be diligent in their efforts to prevent break-ins and property loss. Here are some strategies for thwarting would-be thieves. Break down cardboard boxes. There’s

Forget about hiding keys. Thieves know about all the places homeowners hide spare keys. You’re not fooling anyone with faux rocks or a key taped over the door. If you’re prone to forgetting your keys, leave a spare pair with a trusted neighbor instead. Don’t advertise your status on social network sites. You may be excited to share your vacation adventures with friends, but posting pictures of your vacation or telling others about when you’re planning to leave the house can be dangerous. Even if you have your

security settings locked down to only friends, the fewer people who know about your whereabouts the better. Your list of 200 friends may not be the closest friends anymore. Trim bushes and fix lighting. Darkness and camouflage are a thief’s best friends. Being able to hide behind shrubs to jimmy a window or lock hides him or her from others who may witness suspicious activity. Keep landscaping neat around doorways and windows, and promptly replenish any burned-out bulbs. Don’t give burglars easy access. Leaving ladders or items that can turn into stepping stools enables thieves to reach any window or door of the house — even upstairs windows that may be unlocked. Keep things out of easy view. Some people love the open look of drape-free windows. However, giving outsiders a clear view of the interior of your home can set you up for trouble, as it gives thieves a view of your valuables. Close the blinds after dark and especially when you’re leaving the home for a time. There are many tactics to take to help protect your home and belongings from being stolen. Employ these tips during the holidays and year-round.

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Thursday , Dec. 6, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Guide 2012

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