December 13, 2012

December 2012

Alberni Valley News

Au Natural Great Gifts for New Homeowners

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Make Your Own holiday ornaments

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Thursday , Dec.13, 2012 Alberni Valley News

TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 | EASY WAYS to be ‘green’ for the holidays 05 | MAKE-YOUR-OWN holiday ornaments 06 | CREATE YOUR OWN gift wrapping station 07 | GREAT GIFTS for new homeowners 10 | TABLET COMPUTER shopping tips 11 | CHRISTMAS TREE sap clean up 12 | TAKE THE HASSLE OUT of gift returns 13 | TIPS for families dining out for the holidays 14 | TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE of popular Christmas movies 15 | ECO-FRIENDLY WAYS to ring in the New Year

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

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Thursday , Dec. 13, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Easy ways

to be ‘green’ for the holidays Get a live Christmas tree. Christmas trees are planted expressly for the purpose of being cut down and turned into holiday decor. Responsible tree farms will plant many more trees than is needed for the purpose of Christmas trees. Be a good steward for the environment and recycle your tree once the holidays are over. Some recycling centers will pick them up free or for a small fee.

Consider giving food as a gift. Food is consumable and doesn’t take up space, and locally grown food does not require shipping or wasteful packaging. It’s an ideal gift for those who already have everything.

Cut back on holiday décor. Most people love showcasing their Christmas spirit with decorations.

However, many decorative products are produced overseas and shipped to North America on large vessels that require a lot of fuel. Think about reducing your decorations or replacing plastic and metal decorations for all-natural options. Branches of holly or twigs tied with ribbon to form a natural wreath are just as decorative as store-bought plastic decorations.

Wrap gifts with wrapping paper alternatives.

Wrapping paper is a luxury item that tends to be wasteful. There are many items around the house that can be recycled into decorative gift wrap. Sew scraps of fabric together for a patchwork bag or use glossy photos from a fashion magazine to papier mâché a box. When you think creatively, you’re bound to come up with some very usable and eco-friendly ideas.

Although many people tend to go overboard for the holidays, getting into the holiday spirit does not have to be unfriendly to the environment.

Don’t leave lights on for extended periods of time. Homes and businesses bedecked in holiday lights are staples of the season. However, extra lights, inflatable lawn Santas and other accessories consume substantial amounts of energy. Instead of leaving lights and other decorative items running for hours each night, turn them off after a little while to save energy.

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Donate money in lieu of gifts. Choose environmentally responsible charities and donate funds to their efforts in the name of people who do not need another package of pajamas.

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While the holiday season is a time of joy, giving and religious reflection, it also can be a time of excess. Holiday parties, meals brimming with more food than the average person can consume, wrapping paper tossed aside after minimal usage and shoppers venturing for miles in cars in search of presents can all prove wasteful.

For the environmentally conscious, the holiday season is a great opportunity to put your ideals to use. Although it may seem like a challenging task, going green for the holidays is easier than you might think.

environmentally friendly packing products that are made from cornstarch. When they come in contact with water, they dissolve, making for easy clean-up and less trash.

Donate unused gifts. Nearly everyone gets an unwanted gift come the holiday season. Instead of putting items in the trash or taking them back to the store, donate gifts you’ll never use to a charity or a thrift shop.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012 Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 13, 2012

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Make-your-own holiday ornaments Ceramic ornaments The popularity of paint-it-yourself pottery has led to an increase in ceramic and crafts shops across the country. During the holiday season such shops offer many holiday items that can be painted. Often the store will then fire the pieces after they are painted so that they are shiny and hardened for display.

Those who want to do their painting at home can visit their local craft or hobby shop, where typically there are unfinished ceramic ornaments that can be painted with acrylic paints found right in the next aisle. A finishing coat of clear glaze will help protect the ornaments from year to year.

Holiday decorating is a big part of the holiday season. Bins are taken out of the attic or garage, and decorations are once again given their opportunity to shine for several weeks before being packed away again.

Among the many decorations families use to deck the halls are ornaments that were made by hand. This year creating homemade ornaments can be a crafty project that helps families make new holiday memories.

Christmas tree ornaments come in all shapes and sizes and often tell the stories of holiday traditions.

There are several different ways to create personalized, do-it-yourself ornaments and leave the cheap, easily broken ornaments from the dollar stores behind.

Photo ornaments Fun photo ornaments showcase how a family has changed and grown over the years. Experiment with different ways to create these ornaments.

You can glue a photo to a ceramic ornament and cover it with decoupage glaze to set it permanently. Try purchasing clear, glass ornaments, then remove the top of the ornament, which is usually spring-loaded, before slipping a photo inside and replacing the top. You also can laminate a photo, punch a hole in the top and affix a ribbon.

Wood crafts Many of today’s craft centers have expanded to include sections devoted to unfinished wood items. Everything from letters to animal cutouts to boxes and rocking horses can be purchased and finished. Turn keepsake boxes into painted and ribbon-adorned gift boxes. Stain a treasure chest that can be used to store reindeer snacks for Santa’s crew. Turn small decorative pieces into ornaments for the tree. Paint and affix wood initials onto stocking holders to identify to whom each stocking belongs. Crafty individuals also can turn plain wood plaques into signs with clever sayings, such as “Park your sleigh here.”

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Thursday , Dec. 3, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Create your own gift wrapping station Messy wrapping paper and ribbon can make it a chore to wrap gifts.

Santa’s workshop likely devotes an entire floor to gift wrap, ribbon, bows and bags. Intricately wrapped presents sustain the suspense of the treasure beneath the paper. In addition, there’s something special for recipients when a gift is adorned in ribbon and bows. However, the average gift giver cannot recreate Santa’s wrapping room when the time comes to wrap gifts. But a person may be able to fashion a compact wrapping station in a seldom-used corner.

Many people long to have

an area where they can create wrapping magic for holiday gifts, birthday presents and other tokens of appreciation throughout the year. However, with limited space, tall rolls of gift paper may have been stashed in the back of a closet or tucked under a bed, making them inconvenient to use once it is time to wrap gifts. With just a few feet of space, anyone can create a compact gift wrapping station that, while free of fancy bells and whistles, has all that’s needed to get the job done.

The first step in creating your wrapping station is to find a spot that is out of the way but enables you to easily keep inventory of paper and ribbons. The back of a door or behind the door often provides adequate space to store supplies, and the width of a door might be the right size for the average roll of wrapping paper. If the door is too narrow, the rolls can be hung vertically instead of horizontally.

Fortunately, gift wrap is narrow and doesn’t take up much space on its own.

Therefore, it usually can be tucked into a corner. Also, you just may have enough scrap materials around the house to use to build your wrapping station. If not, a trip to the hardware store or home improvement center can generally yield what you need.

Wooden dowels are an inexpensive yet valuable supply. Rolls of wrapping paper can be slid on the dowels and hung horizontally on hooks protruding from a door or wall. For a vertical installation, make a wooden frame the width and length that will be needed. Drill holes in the frame on the top and bottom through which the dowels can be fed. Then drill small holes on the ends of the dowels. Use cabinet door handles or drawer pulls on the end that are

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wider than the holes made in the wooden frame. This way the drawer pulls can be unscrewed at the top to remove the dowels and refill with a fresh roll of paper.

Then the knobs can be screwed back on to prevent the dowels from falling through the wooden frame.

Those who are a bit more handy may want to paint and attach a piece of plywood to the door on hinges that can be folded up and locked into place with a hook when not needed, but then put down to serve as a shelf on which the wrapping can be done. Be sure to have a shallow ledge that protrudes somewhat under the shelf to offer support when the shelf is in the open position.

A separate dowel can be used to keep rolls of ribbon neat and within reach. A scissor hung on a hook or attached to a string will ensure that you’re never hunting for a scissor under rolls of wrapping paper.

It also keeps the scissor safely out of reach of young children.

If desired, a tape dispenser can be mounted on the wall or door as well, enabling one-handed measuring and cutting of the tape.

Get creative with your homemade wrapping station and then enjoy how efficiently you can wrap gifts.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

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Great gifts for new homeowners

Buying a home can be one of the most rewarding experiences in a person’s life. It also can be one of the most stressful.

New homeowners are faced with many expenses after buying a home, and the holiday season is a great time to help them out with a thoughtful gift for the place they now call home. The following are some great gift ideas for the new homeowner on your holiday shopping list.

How-to books: Owning a home presents many opportunities for repairs and renovations. Oftentimes, this is a homeowner’s initial foray into do-ityourself projects, so consider giving a

library of instructional books that walk homeowners through some basics, like plumbing, electrical work or basic construction.

Personalized key chains: A new home means a new set of keys to the front door.

Have key chains monogrammed and gift with a bottle of champagne to toast the new residence.

Welcome mat: Welcome mats can be customized with the owner’s last name, and some customizing services also can print an image on a door mat or a quirky saying.

Door knocker: Although door bells have replaced door knockers for practical use, a nice metal door knocker still makes a decorative statement on the front door.

Have the door knocker engraved with the family name.

Gift certificate: A new home means new projects large and small. Homeowners will be making frequent trips to the home improvement center, and such trips can

get costly. A gift card will help lessen that financial burden.

Home warranty: Third-party companies sell home warranties that can cover the costs of repairs on major home systems.

To new homeowners, the peace of mind of knowing the HVAC system or a major appliance can be repaired or replaced at minimal cost could make this gift invaluable.

Portrait: Give the gift of memories by setting up a photo session with a photographer that enables the new homeowners to have a print made that can be hung up and enjoyed.

Tool gift basket: Homeowners can always use nails, screws, hammers, picture-hanging kits, painter’s tape, and the other odds and ends that go into making repairs.

Furniture: Ask the homeowner what room needs furnishing and offer to purchase one or more pieces for the space.

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Linens: Guests might be stopping by to see the new house, so a gift of sheets for the guest room or hand towels will ensure the place is stocked for anyone who drops by.

Dining out certificates: People who have just moved into a home may be so busy with projects that they don’t have time to make sit-down meals. Therefore, a gift card to a favorite restaurant can provide a welcome respite from takeout.

Security system: Homeowners who want to protect their new asset may appreciate a home security system.

Money: Buying a home is an expensive endeavor, and new homeowners may be feeling the pinch of an overextended budget. Sometimes cash makes the most thoughtful gift.

New homeowners are faced with many situations that can be both exciting and stressful as they move into new homes.

Many gifts can make the process of settling in that much easier.

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Thursday , Dec. 13, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Guide 2012

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

JOY TO THE WORLD Popularly thought to have been written

by Handel, the tune may or may not actually have been written by him. The words were written by Isaac Watts in 1719.

They are an adaptation of psalm 98.

THE FIRST NOEL The words and music of this carol were first printed

by William Sandys in his famous "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern" in 1833.

This compilation really was one of the first to bring folk melodies back into common circulation and to start the tradition of Christmas-carol singing.

This well-known Christmas song comes from the wonderful, vibrant, and still very alive tradition of Christmas-season singing in the pubs of West Yorkshire. The song has been recorded there “on location”, with the local people singing lustily and the good cheer flowing.

The song has many verses, but it is usually only the chorus that we sing in North America today.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

The first Noel, the angel did say, Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

❆ Refrain ❆

We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains; Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East, beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.

❆ Refrain ❆ Oh, bring us some figgy pudding; Oh, bring us some figgy pudding; Oh, bring us some figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessing flow; far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.

❆ Refrain ❆

And by the light of that same star, Three wise men came from country far; To seek for a King was their intent, And to follow the star wherever itwent.

❆ Refrain ❆

❆ Refrain ❆

We won’t go until we get some; We won’t go until we get some; We won’t go until we get some, so bring some out here.

This star drew night to the northwest, O'er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the place where Jesus lay.

❆ Refrain ❆

❆ Refrain ❆ Then entered in those wise men three, Full reverently upon their knee; And offered there in his presence, Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

DECK THE HALLS Deck the Hall is probably the most popular Welsh carol. According to tradition, the Yule log should never be bought, but should be found, but not on one's own property. It should be lit with a fragment from last year's log, which should be kept all year to protect the house from fire.

❆ Deck the halls with boughs of holly, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA. Tis the season to be jolly, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA. Don we now our gay apparel, FA LA LA, LA LA LA, LA LA LA. Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA. See the blazing Yule before us, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA. Strike the harp and join the chorus.

FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA. Follow me in merry measure, FA LA LA, LA LA LA, LA LA LA. While I tell of Yuletide treasure, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA. Fast away the old year pass ES, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA. Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA. Sing we joyous, all together, FA LA LA, LA LA LA, LA LA LA. Heedless of the wind and weather, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA.

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THE FIRST NOEL

SILVER BELLS

The words and music of this carol were first printed

by William Sandys in his famous "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern" in 1833.

This compilation really was one of the first to bring folk melodies back into common circulation and to start the tradition of Christmas-carol singing.

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks Dressed in holiday style In the air There's a feeling of Christmas

The first Noel, the angel did say, Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Children laughing People passing Meeting smile after smile And on every street corner you'll hear

❆ Refrain ❆ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East, beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.

❆ Refrain ❆ And by the light of that same star, Three wise men came from country far; To seek for a King was their intent, And to follow the star wherever itwent.

Silver bells, silver bells It's Christmas time in the city Ring-a-ling, hear them ring Soon it will be Christmas day Strings of street lights Even stop lights Blink a bright red and green As the shoppers rush Home with their treasures

❆ Refrain ❆ This star drew night to the northwest, O'er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the place where Jesus lay.

❆ Refrain ❆ Then entered in those wise men three, Full reverently upon their knee; And offered there in his presence, Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

Hear the snow crunch See the kids bunch This is Santa's big scene And above all this bustle you'll hear Silver bells, silver bells It's Christmas time in the city Ring-a-ling, hear them ring Soon it will be Christmas day

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Tablet computer shopping tips Tablets are the must-have portable computing device of the moment, making them a top holiday gift. In just a few short years, the number of people with tablets has increased dramatically.

Within a year of the iPad’s introduction into the technological lexicon, 11 percent of Americans already owned one. As other tablets and upgraded versions of the iPad entered the market,

tablets became more and more popular.

A study from the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism in collaboration with The Economist Group found that the majority of tablet owners (77 percent) use their tablets every day, using them for an average of about 90 minutes.

When shopping for a tablet, there are many different features to consider.

Size Tablets come in different sizes, weights and screen offerings. When the iPad was released, it set the standard screen size at around 10 inches, weighing slightly more than a pound. Tablets made by other manufacturers range in sizes from 12-inch screens to 5-inch screens, giving shoppers the ability to choose a device that is as mobile as they need it to be.

Battery Life Many tablet users are interested in the portability of the device. Battery operation makes that portability possible, so it makes sense that battery life is a big draw for consumers. Many tablet reviews cite Android products and the iPad as the best for battery life.

and may be better buys for those who need to save a large number of apps or photos and video.

Price As with any purchase, price is often a big component of decision-making.

Therefore, the tablet that offers the most features at the most affordable price may win out.

Flexibility Flexibility is also important to prospective tablet buyers. Tablets that are only able to connect to the Internet via a Wi-Fi service will be much more limited in use. Many tablets now come with 3G or Wi-Fi capabilities, enabling the device to work even when you are away from home or a Wi-Fi connection.

Storage Some consumers are interested in the amount of data they can store on their tablets. Some reviewers have complained about the inability to add more storage space to the Apple iPad, forcing consumers to purchase a more expensive device just to add more storage. Android and Windows-based tablets have removable storage options

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Christmas tree sap clean up Allow the alcohol to sit on the stain for 30 minutes and then wash as usual.

• Make a paste of laundry detergent and water and apply it to the stain.

• Ammonia also may remove a sap stain. Just test an inconspicuous part of the clothing to determine if applying ammonia changes its color.

Wrestling with a Christmas tree can mean getting covered with sap.

Decorating is one of the many traditions associated with the holiday season. The family Christmas tree is arguably the most prominent decoration. Having a live tree inside the home can be aweinspiring, but it can also be quite messy.

The idea of bringing a formerly live tree inside a home as a decoration may seem odd, especially when individuals are faced with the aftermath, which is often a trail of pine needles and very sticky sap. A freshly cut pine tree will ooze sap, which tends to be quite sticky and messy and notoriously difficult to remove.

Even a Christmas tree that is average in stature can generate a fair amount of sap, and it takes just a few drops of sap to make a mess.

If sap has you stuck for clean-up ideas, consider these home remedies.

On clothing: • Use rubbing alcohol on the sap stain.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

On carpeting: • Freeze the sap with ice cubes and then carefully pick out the hardened pieces.

• Try vodka as an adhesive remover on the sap stain.

• Rubbing alcohol also may be able to break up sap in carpet fibers.

On hands: • Any greasy, oil-based product can work, such as olive oil or even vegetable shortening. Rub on the skin, and the sap should come right off.

• A lubricant like WD-40 has also been known to remove sap.

• Hand sanitizer, which is comprised mainly of alcohol, can help dissolve sap so it can be rinsed off.

• Make a paste of mineral oil (baby oil) and baking soda. This should help dissolve the sap and make your hands soft in the process.

In hair: • Sap can be notoriously difficult to get out of human hair or animal fur. Try coating the sap in natural peanut butter or mayonnaise, both of which have a high oil content. Allow to sit for a while and then comb out the sap with a finetoothed comb.

• If tree sap cannot be removed, cutting it out may be the only option.

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The magic of the holiday season is hard to replicate. Gatherings with friends and family members can put smiles on many people’s faces, especially for those people who only see their loved ones once a year.

But the smiles and laughter may dim when faced with the prospect of returning unwanted gifts. Few people haven’t had to return a holiday gift once or twice in their lifetimes. In fact, a survey from Consumer Reports indicates that 1 in 5 Americans will return a holiday present this year, while retail merchants expect about 10 percent of all holiday purchases to be returned.

Part of the difficulty of returning items is a result of stores cracking down on merchandise fraud. While there are scores of honest customers simply looking to exchange that paw print set of pajamas for something a little more stylish, there are plenty others who are interested in taking advantage of the holiday season to return items that may have been used, such as a cocktail dress that livened up Christmas festivities just as much as the spiked egg nog, only to be returned December 26. With the desire to curtail fraud, retailers have tightened the reigns on

Guide 2012

Thursday , Dec. 13, 2012 Alberni Valley News

return policies.

Keeping this in mind and being prepared for a conversation with a store’s customer service employee can make the return process go more smoothly.

sometimes honor a return for store credit when you present your driver’s license. Keep in mind that there may be a strict limit on how many items you can return without a receipt, and many stores keep track of this information by utilizing the unique scan code on your license. If you are a serial returner, you may find your efforts are for naught.

Know the store’s return policy. It pays to go online or call the store to find out about its specific return policy.

Being armed with this knowledge could help you avoid a trip to the store and waiting in line only to be turned away.

Return policies may vary depending on the item being returned, so be sure to check about the item you have.

Requirements often are more stringent on electronics.

Use a receipt whenever possible.

Receipts speed up the return process considerably. Whether it is the actual receipt or a gift receipt, this small slip of paper is evidence that the item being returned actually was purchased at the particular store on a particular date.

Bring identification. Stores will

Keep boxes closed. Restocking fees are charges exacted for items returned that have been opened. Generally they are applied to electronics and appliances — sometimes 15 to 30 percent of the total purchase price. To get the most value for your return, be sure to keep the box closed.

Cut down on the stress and hassle of holiday returns by knowing store policies and only returning items that are unopened and unused. And whenever possible, bring a receipt, even if it’s just a gift receipt.

Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 13, 2012

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Tips for families dining out for the holidays

Dining out for the holidays is a tradition for many families. Dining out has many advantages, including no cleanup once the meal is over and a more varied menu that provides guests more choices than the standard holiday fare.

Dining out can also prove less expensive for the holiday host. The tab at the end of a night on the town can be split among the guests, whereas the food bill when hosting a holiday dinner at home is often left to the host and the host alone.

But dining out for the holidays does require some work, even if none of that work involves scrubbing dirty dishes or finding extra seats for guests. When planning a holiday dinner at a restaurant, consider the following tips.

Do your homework. A favorite restaurant might be tops on your list, but do some comparison shopping before settling on a restaurant. Prices can vary greatly when it comes to private parties, and some might not even be capable of accommodating the kind of large party that might accompany you for a holiday dinner.

Start shopping well before the holiday season to see who offers the best menu, the most affordable prices and the best accommodations.

Choose a restaurant that’s accessible to everyone. Guests can stay overnight when a holiday dinner is at a relative’s house. However, guests will almost certainly be driving home after a holiday dinner at a restaurant. Make everyone’s post-meal commute home as easy

as possible by choosing a centrally located restaurant that’s equidistant from everyone’s home. Consider the proximity of public transportation to the restaurant as well, as some guests might prefer to avoid holiday traffic by taking public transportation.

Inquire about a restaurant’s pricing flexibility. There might be room for negotiation regarding the menu, including choices on the food and beverages being offered, but you’ll never know if you don’t ask.

Traditional holiday fare will likely be available, but discuss alternatives to such menu items, including if there is anything for vegetarians or if there is a gluten-free meal option. In addition, some restaurants might be willing to negotiate price, especially for large parties.

Sign a contract if your party will be especially large. Contracts can ensure that especially large dinner parties don’t go awry. This may require a deposit in advance of the holiday, but the contract should spell out the menu, including food and beverages that will be offered, and the final price of the meal.

Be an early bird. If the responsibility of planning or hosting the dinner has fallen on your shoulders, then get to the restaurant before your guests. This gives you time to ensure everything is ready and increases the chances your holiday dinner will go according to plan.

Don’t forget invitations. Treat the holiday dinner like you might treat a wedding reception or a birthday party, inviting guests several weeks in advance so everyone has time to plan their trip. Include directions to the restaurant in your invitations, and remind guests that holiday traffic might require they leave earlier to make it to the restaurant on time for the start of the meal.

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Thursday , Dec. 13, 2012 Alberni Valley News

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Test your knowledge of popular Christmas movies What would the holidays be without snowflakes falling outside, a mug of hot cocoa in hand and a favorite Christmas movie on television?

Television is full of feel-good movies come the holiday season. Choose from among classic flicks you have watched year after year or new movies vying for spots as soon-to-be favorites.

Watching Christmas movies is a holiday tradition for many families. So much so that lines from popular movies are easily remembered and recognized. Those who can recite movies verbatim might enjoy testing their mettle with the following Christmas quiz loaded with memorable quotes from some holiday classics.

Movie Quotes Quiz 1. “It came without ribbons. It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags.”

2. “Uh, since the United States Government declares this man to be Santa Claus, this court

will not dispute it. Case dismissed.”

3. “If TV has taught me anything, it’s that miracles always happen to poor kids at Christmas. It happened to Tiny Tim, it happened to Charlie Brown, it happened to The Smurfs, and it’s gonna happen to us!”

4. “I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200 shot range model air rifle.”

5. “Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen.”

6. “Iris, in the movies, we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason, you’re behaving like the best friend.”

7. “Who gave you permission to tell Charlie there was no Santa Claus? I think if we’re going to destroy our son’s delusions, I should be a part of it.”

8. “I want to wash my hands, my face, my hair with snow.”

9. “We’re not just doing this for us. We’re doing it for the kids. For every kid who ever sat on Santa’s lap.

For every little girl who left cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas night. For every little boy who opens a package Christmas morning and finds clothes instead of toys. It breaks my heart.”

10. “We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It’s run by a big Eastern syndicate you know.”

11. “I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear your company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?”

12. “Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real

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things in the world are the things we can’t see.”

13. “Light the lamp, not the rat, light the lamp, not the rat! Put me out, put me out, put me out!”

14. “Tell me something, Billy. How come a cute little guy like this can turn into a thousand ugly monsters?”

15. “Wanna see some magic? OK, let’s watch you disappear!”

16. “That’s not ‘my’ Christmas! ‘My’ Christmas is filled with laughter, and joy... and this: my Sandy Claws outfit. I want you to make it.”

17. “That’s neither pig nor pork, it’s beef.”

18. “I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.”

1. “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” 2. “Miracle on 34th Street” 3. “The Simpson’s Christmas” 4. “A Christmas Story” 5. “Home Alone” 6. “The Holiday” 7. “The Santa Clause” 8. “White Christmas” 9. “Jingle All the Way” 10. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” 11. “A Christmas Carol” 12. “The Polar Express” 13. “The Muppets Christmas Carol” 14. “Gremlins” 15. “Bad Santa” 16. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” 17. “Babes in Toyland” 18. “Elf”

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Alberni Valley News Thursday , Dec. 13, 2012

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Eco-friendly ways to ring in the New Year

Replacing traditional champagne with an organic alternative is one way for hosts to throw an ecofriendly New Year’s Eve party this year.

A new year is on the horizon and men and women across the globe are readying their New Year’s resolutions. In recent years, more and more men and women have resolved to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle in the year ahead.

But you don’t have to wait until the new calendar year to go green. In fact, New Year’s revelers can turn their New Year’s Eve party into an eco-friendly affair in a variety of ways.

Forgo paper products. New Year’s Eve festivities typically feature lots of food and beverages, and hosts can use this to get a head start on their resolutions.

Instead of serving food on paper plates and beverages in disposable paper, plastic or foam cups, use reusable glassware or even plastic cups and plates that can be washed and reused. In addition, replace paper napkins with cloth napkins that can be used more than once.

When forgoing paper products, don’t forget to abandon traditional invitations for e-vites. Invite guests via e-mail or through social networking sites instead of sending out traditional paper invitations that needlessly use paper and need to be transported.

Embrace eco-friendly beverages. Adult beverages are a big part of many New Year’s Eve parties, and even these beverages can be eco-friendly. The growing popularity of craft breweries, or microbreweries, has made it easy for party hosts to serve ecofriendly drinks. Purchase your party’s beer supply from a local microbrewery to cut down on the beer’s carbon footprint. Buying locally reduces reliance on transportation to get items from the manufacturer into your refrigerator, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and pollution.

But beer isn’t the only way to make your beverage menu more eco-friendly. Hosts can replace traditional

vodka with organic vodka and traditional wine with biodynamic wine. When the time comes to toast the past year and ring in the new one, do so with champagne or sparkling wine made from organic grapes.

Encourage guests to recycle throughout the night.

When guests arrive, explain to them that the night will be an eco-friendly affair. Set up a separate trash receptacle for recyclable items, including bottles and cans. Think of ways to use discarded wine and champagne bottles as decorative items, be it for table settings or vases to hold fresh flowers. And when recycling, don’t overlook the smaller items. Corks from wine bottles can be recycled and reused for a variety of products, including flooring tiles, building insulation and sports equipment.

Donate food at the end of the night. Hosts often have food leftover at the end of the night. Rather than discarding all those leftovers, donate them to a local food bank or homeless shelter. Make these arrangements in advance so the following morning you can donate the leftovers before they spoil.

New Year’s Eve is one of the most festive nights of the year. And with a few simple steps, hosts can make their gathering as eco-friendly as it is enjoyable.

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Thursday , Dec. 13, 2012 Alberni Valley News

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