McKnight's Holiday 2017

HOLIDAY 2017

FreshFLOWERS UNBELIEVABLE

FLAVOUR

MUST HAVE

FASHION TRENDS What Makes a

Great Tree

12

14

10

CONTENTS

41 Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough, ON K9J 1X8 705-749-1530 www.mcknights.ca

4

Must-Have Fashion Trends

6

What Makes a Great Artificial Tree

9

Easy Peasy Holiday Entertaining

10

Put the Voilà in Your Christmas Decorating

12

Best Hostess Gifts For the Holidays

14

Spruce Them Up

16

Holiday Gifts We Love

22

Pet Friendly Indoor Plants and Tropicals for the Holidays

This publication may not be reproduced, all or in part, without written consent from the publisher and McKnight’s Fashion Floral Gift. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in the publication, however, the publisher will not be held accountable for omissions or errors. Note that products may vary between retailers and regions, and supplies may be limited. Pricing is subject to change and is not valid with any other offer. Home & Garden Showplace is a registered trade mark for use by its members, of which the Garden Centre Group Co-Op is an alliance member.

HOLIDAY 2017 • 3

MUST-HAVE FASHION TRENDS A

peek into this fall and winter season reveals collections that are unique and fashion forward, yet maintain a perfect balance between style and comfort. Focused around luxurious, rich fabrics and vibrant hues, this season’s trends still retain their sense of fun, colour and self-assuredness.

Jackets hold the fashion spotlight, from classic suits, Jacquards or velvets to bomber and denim styles. Selecting a piece that reflects your taste shouldn’t be a difficult task this year since the pattern and colour choices are endless. As a new and upcoming trend in the high-end fashion industry, the Jacquard coat offers a stylishly bold uplifted design on a soft stretch knit. These Jacquard coats transition well from season to season: they can be enjoyed as a light jacket in the fall and early spring or as an extra, cozy layer for warmth during our cold Canadian winters.

Fall is a great time to showcase the Canadian tuxedo, so be ready to wear denim from your head to your snazzy boots.

From embroidered jeans to sweaters and tunics, denim is a perfect fabric for women of all shapes, and sizes. You’ll see accents of Marigold and Gloxinia flowers adorning jeans with the accompaniment of sequin jewels and distressed rips, a great fit for any occasion.

Cozy cable knit sweaters and tunics are a standout addition to jeans and leggings since their rich feel and appearance never go out of style. Bold, dark and romantic floral patterns and vintage plaid patterns are also a mainstay for this fashion season. And continuing strong this fall is the layered look: think turtle necks almost hidden underneath a long blouse topped off with a funky poncho or shrug. Don’t be afraid to mix and match florals, plaids or edgy accents of leather and fringe.

When it comes to your fashion sense and trends, it really is “anything goes” this year.

Clothing featured by Orange Fashion Village

4 • MCKNIGHT’S FASHION FLORAL GIFT - 705-749-1530 - www.mcknights.ca

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Foot & Leg Massager

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Soften & help soothe feet with these super comfortable socks infused with nourishing essential oils.

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Country Home Candle Small Batch Candles Made in Ontario 16 oz - burns 75 hours or longer!

Body Brushes 10 Good Reasons to Start Dry Brushing Today!

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Christmas room with thousands of unique decorations to choose from in 10 different themes ...plus unique Christmas home decor.

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Purchase this beautiful hummingbird and the proceeds go directly to the Peterborough Food Bank… helping all families in need this Christmas.

HOLIDAY 2017 • 5

WHAT

MAKES A

GREAT TREE LOOKS •

Simply put, the thicker the vinyl, the more memory it has.

This determines how quickly and fully it springs back into shape. If you can fold over a needle and it creases, this tree will look pretty tired in only a few seasons.

•

The thickness of the wire used to form the branches and twigs. The heavier the gauge, the stronger and better to hold up your ornaments!

•

The quantity of tips will vary with the style of the tree, but how densely they are woven changes how realistic they look. New technology is presenting fully molded tips that look very realistic but not all of them have wire in them so you need to bend them to see if they will hold an ornament!

DURABILITY

A

•

Are the branches hinged? Clearly, it’s a lot more convenient to stick a couple of sections together and let the branches fall into place than search for the right number or colour to go into a certain socket, if you can find that number or see that colour after a few years!

•

Are the hinges metal or plastic? Plastic normally gets brittle over time. What is also obvious is that we never get our tree back in the nice box it came in. When we try to compress it to make it fit (or pull them apart during set up) we stress the hinges and this is normally when we break one or tear a lighting wire…ruining the tree.

good artificial tree should look like the first year you set it up…for as long as you own it!

1. What determines a quality artificial tree?

2. Should I buy pre-lit or unlit?

3. How long should it last?

Let’s start with the fact that artificial trees are normally designed by the manufacturer to meet a specific retail price point. To do this they vary the key components that are not normally listed on the box but are critical to the life of the tree and how it will look in future years.

STABILITY •

6 • MCKNIGHT’S FASHION FLORAL GIFT - 705-749-1530 - www.mcknights.ca

Is the stand metal or plastic and is it large enough to properly hold the tree upright under the load of all the decorations and quite often the family cat or kids!

LIGHTS This subject more than any other seems to be the deciding factor when customers make tree decisions. The old rule of thumb when using incandescent mini-lights used to be 100 lights per vertical foot (i.e. 7 ft tree = 700 lights). LED lights are much more expensive than the old mini lights so manufacturers try to use less of them to bring down the costs. The bigger issue is when a strand goes dark (broken wire, loose socket, pinched connector, or failed transformer). Because “white” LED lights are made up of three primary colours (Red, Blue, Yellow), the colour and brightness of light they produce can be very different and hard to match when you need to (remember those first BMW bluish LED lights?).

GUARANTEES All trees come with some kind of guarantee but like tools, the best ones are those you never need. Quality manufacturers often offer 5 and 10 years on the manufactured components BUT only a couple years on the lights if the tree is pre-lit! (they can’t control how the tree is handled so this is just to deal with defects).

SUGGESTIONS Buy a tree that has metal hinges, centre post and stand. This normally will only occur with trees that have a reasonable heavy grade of vinyl. You should not be able to see the wire if you look closely at a branch.

If the tree is a specialty tree (unique colour, flocked (white snowy stuff on the branches), iced (hard acrylic bits that look icy) you should probably buy a pre-lit tree if two choices are offered. It is really hard to put lights on these types of trees and blend in the wires.

If you are on a budget, consider buying the best unlit tree you can afford and then add on your own lights. If you need to buy lights and they are LED, buy one extra package and put it in the box with the tree so you have a spare when you lose a strand (and you will at some point). This tree will last until you are sick of it! This also gives you the option to change your lights as technology and trends dictate.

BRAND NEW LED LIGHT TECHNOLOGIES Powered Centre Posts – the tree lights are plugged into a centre post. Each tree section actually plugs into each other and the only plug you have comes out the bottom (yep…no spaghetti mess of wires and plugs).

Rice lights – picture a thin wire, almost invisible with an acrylic drop the size of a droplet of water molded onto this thin wire.

This wire is then woven onto the tree and is virtually invisible.

We have a new tree this year (as shown in picture on previous page) that has over 6,600 lights in a 7 foot tree and yes they are bright. The effect is spectacular and needs to be seen to be believed!

Single Strand Lighting – LED has changed everything. We now sell a single strand of lights from Europe that is 75 feet long and you can wrap it around your tree like a garland. The lights are tough enough that we suggest you try jumping on them…literally!

SET UP My final tip is to put your tree up section by section and start primping it from the bottom up and test the lights as you go.

When you finally get to the top…you are good to go and are not crawling around trying to reach in and under all the work you have done and now can’t see what you are doing!

NEW LED LIGHTING – FANTASTIC DURABLE NEW LED LOOKS THAT NEED TO BE SEEN TO BE APPRECIATED! 1. String Lights: just a really long strand of durable LED lights 2. Cluster Lights: A strand of multibranching lights…..string a few of these together for an amazing look.

3. Outdoor Tree Top Starburst: Finally, a LED tree topper for OUTDOORS 4. Spheres for Outdoors: A new, lightweight acrylic ornament for outdoors with battery operated LED rice lights inside.

The stem even has a built in timer to turn them on and off automatically to make the batteries really last. Finally, a simple but effective way to give some pop to any outdoor tree or structure without needing to run electrical cords! We carry them in both Silver and Red this year! See the 8” (200mm) silver one on page 17!

5. Cascade Lights: A new way to create impact at your front door or on any of your evergreen trees in the yard!

HOLIDAY 2017 • 7

GREAT COLLECTIONS at

T R I B A L

Easy Peasy Holiday Entertaining...

With a simple-to-arrange charcuterie board Pick a cheese board

Some salty things

Condiments to accent

Add some cheese!

Soft, hard and crumbly, different strengths, and different colours and shapes

Add some lovely crackers

The finishing touches

Fill the spaces

Add a little sweet

For complete article and step by step directions, please go to: https://wholefully.com/awesome-cheese-board-minutes/ HOLIDAY 2017 • 9

voilĂ

PUT THE

IN YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATING

By Carla Hrycyna

D

ecorating brings the spirit of the holiday season alive.

Adding decorative touches to the interior and exterior of your home creates an ambiance of cheerfulness and merriment and brings together family and friends.

Traditionally, decorating starts with the tree which then sets the tone for the rest of the home. The character of the decorated tree is established either by theme or colour and is instrumental in shaping your overall design. Ask yourself: Are you creating a design with a classic, traditional or formal look? How about a whimsical or character-focused tree? Which style suits you the best? It may be possible that one design compliments one area of the home, while another room takes on a totally different feel.

In a more formal area like the living room, you may feature coordinating decorations while using themed ornaments and more rustic accents in the family room. You can use colour to tie rooms together and lend visual harmony. Choose a focal colour to be the unifying factor, and then accent with secondary colours. Reds can be complemented with golds and silvers, and whites look wonderful accented with copper and rust tones. How about lavenders with a hint of blue? The potential colour combinations are endless, and can look even more striking when a third accent colour is added. For example, a dominant red can be paired with frosted white and a splash of silver or even lime green.

10

This year in colour trends, red continues to hold sway since it is a stable, traditional colour reminiscent of Christmas past and childhood memories. Coming up strong are blues and lavenders blending into purples. Also showing this year are hues of copper, rust and amber since these colours work well with natural themes.

Textures such as plaids, woods, florals and foliage are also evident. Silk flowers enter back into the scene with floral poinsettias and magnolias in rich red and burgundy tones. Enticing blues and lavenders will take centre stage complementary to decorative ornaments. The influence of succulents carries through to holiday decor, seen as accents in winter arrangements and decorative touches.

CHRISTMAS TREES It is easiest to approach decorating your tree by working in layers. Start with the lighting, which can be obtained by either using a pre-lit artificial tree or placing lights on your freshly cut evergreen.

Trending this year are various styles of LED micro lights, in various shades of white or multiple colours, with multi-function settings. When calculating how many to use, bank on using at least 100 lights per foot height of your tree.

Ribbons should be your next step, and can be hung in either a vertical or horizontal application. As a wavy dramatic overlay, they bring a visually appealing flow to the tree, or can be hung vertically to give the illusion of added height.

fancy an extra little touch for the room. A pleasing arrangement can be formed with sprigs of artificial greenery blended with glossy berries and accented with a favourite coloured flower. Place it on a crystal platter with glossy Christmas ball ornaments on it and “voila,” your creation is complete.

WREATHS

Next, add silk flowers and holiday picks to create texture.

Place silks such as poinsettias, magnolias and boughs evenly throughout the tree. If the tree is visible from all sides, generally 12-14 pieces work well for coverage; adjust to 6-8 if your tree is placed in the corner of your room. If you are coordinating the top of the tree, 3-5 pieces may be paired with a traditional angel or Christmas star. Boost the effect by layering your poinsettias or florals with a silk spray of pine, leaf or berries.

Silks have flexible wiring from flower to stem which can be adjusted to create graceful curves.

Adding ornaments is the final step. Place collections of past treasures and newly found gems gently on the tree. Family room trees can be home to whimsical collectibles that have been carefully selected through the years while more formal areas such as living rooms call for an elegant theme.

BANNISTERS

Decorating bannisters and newel posts can be a favourite part of the process. Key your colours off the closest tree and bring some of those thematic elements to the bannister. Tie gentle curves of garlands to the railings as a focal point for garnishing.

Just imagine large red poinsettias with sprigs of cherry red berries paired with bow accents complementary in colour. Envision ice blue poinsettias with flowing silver-white ribbon mimicking the swoop of a mixed cedar garland, or even snowy white flocked garlands adorned with crisp white snowflake ornaments and dangling clear crystal icicles.

There is an abundance of creative recipes and ideas to draw from. As a finishing touch, dress up sideboards and centrepieces for your table. Florals and silks are useful if you

Greet guests with a beautifully accented wreath set in the colour tone of your decorating style. Its welcoming effect announces your colour scheme as they enter the home. Weave twists and loops of ribbon through the circle of greenery if you like, or as an alternative use a glorious bow of ribbon with tails for a simple, elegant finish. Perhaps a bright red cardinal nestled in a twig nest could become the accenting focus touch.

One element of holiday decoration still requires mention: Lighting. With reduced daylight hours, real candles as well as LED or battery operated alternatives create dramatic effect.

There are many types of lighting available, from tabletop pieces to lit ornaments that draw your eye to the Christmas tree.

Let your adventure into decorating begin. Decorating your home’s interior creates a festive atmosphere to be enjoyed by all who visit throughout the holiday season.

HOLIDAY 2017 • 11

hostess, as you would give a different gift to a close friend than your boss. You might consider a couples gift or something the whole family can enjoy.

When arriving at the party, remember to be discrete when you present it as not everyone will have brought one. When giving flowers, ensure that they are arranged in a vase or mason jar so as not to make additional work for your host. Better yet, a potted plant or arrangement that is delivered the day before the party gives the host time to incorporate it into their decor.

Since your host is busy preparing, don’t expect them to open your present right away. Bring a gift that can be set aside for another time, which you can mention when you give the gift. Say something like “Enjoy this after we all go home,” or “This is just for you so hide it for later.”

Another great idea is to bring something that can be used at future gatherings like tidbit plates, designer napkins and candles, fancy cheese knives and spreaders, coasters, or scented hot pads.

BEST

Hostess Gifts For the Holidays

By Dianne Visser

Seasonal hosts gifts that will get you invited back again and again.

I

love this time of year. It is the season of giving, and a holiday party is the perfect occasion to say “thank you” to your host by bringing a unique gift.

Those who give the best gifts do a little research into the traits and likes of the recipient as well as reflecting on the tone and nature of the party. Keep in mind your relationship to the 12

Kitchen gifts are a wonderful idea as most hosts appreciate and enjoy items that can be used every day, such as bamboo cutting boards, oven mitts filled with utensils, bamboo spoons or whimsical tea towels. If you know the host well enough you could pamper them with more personal items like bath bombs, face masks and specialty soaps.

For your friends with a green thumb, rosemary trees, amaryllis, paperwhites or orchids go well with any decor. Tasty treats could include local honey, maple syrup, baked goods, some truly awesome hot sauces, specialty olive oils, and particularly balsamic vinegars and flavoured salts since a little of these goes a long way. I am a chocoholic and therefore I cannot call this list complete without suggesting some excellent quality chocolate. I would rather have one or two pieces of good chocolate than a whole box of the less expensive stuff.

If you are going to bring wine, try to find something

exceptional and then add a cute wine stopper, bottle opener, set of stainless steel wine glasses, wine charms or themed Christmas ornaments.

Overnight stays call for a larger gift than a casual dinner, as your host will have sheets and towels to wash and a few more meals to prepare. I like the element of surprise and usually leave presents such as Christmas pillows, lavender sachets or a basket filled with teas and tea accessories in the guest room for the host to find after I have gone home.

Running late or forget to pick up a gift? Write a nice thank you note and send or drop off the gift within seven days of the event. Don’t be offended if you don’t see your gift on display or served the next time you visit. Remember, it is a thank you to your hosts and not about you. Lastly, don’t forget to offer to help with the dishes but don’t push as some people like to decompress on their own after their event.

My advice to the host is to enjoy the occasion and the people, don’t expect gifts, and receive each present graciously and thankfully.

Happy holidays!

HOLIDAY 2017 • 13

SPRUCE

Them Up

By Will Heeman

C

hristmas urns, those bunches of potted green boughs adorned with shiny red balls, are a beloved sign that Christmas is approaching, festive displays ready to greet the holiday celebrations. Think of most urns you might see on porches (maybe yours!) during this time of year and this image might come to mind: cut pine or cedar greens, arranged in a pot and adorned with shiny red or gold ornaments. It’s all wrapped in burlap, festooned with a reindeer or snowman, topped off with a red bow and looks fantastic!

ADDING ‘PIZZAZZ’ TO THE PORCH

It’s hard to top the classic Christmas urn, but if you’re after a unique look this year, winterscaping is a bold new way to aproach your seasonal decorating. Traditionalists and innovators alike can take some fairly simple steps to add pizzazz to the porch. Here are some ideas for what’s hot and interesting in urns:

FOR FOLIAGE:

Use evergreens as anchors of the piece, but feature other natural elements. The idea here is to present a diverse arrangement that showcases natural diversity. Try adding some “upscale green” such as magnolia, seeded eucalyptus, or oregonia. The combination of different textures and shapes adds natural contrast that can turn an ordinary arrangement into something extraordinary.

FOR COLOUR:

Think natural! Add brown pine cones or lotus pods, which will bring new shaping to the piece and add interest. For a bit of “pop,” introduce metallic accents like pine cone picks in frosted silver or burgundy.

Champagne, silver and copper-coloured pieces will add timeless beauty to any piece.

The essence of winterscaping is to create something of timeless beauty, something that provides months of value and enjoyment.

Lime green and purple are also interesting enough to draw the eye. If you want to showcase the whimsical side of your personality, you can even add some hot pink. Don’t be afraid to test-drive some unconventional colour choices — it’s still going to be a powerful presentation, it’s just not going to scream “Christmas” when you’re into February.

14

FOR ACCENTS:

You’ll be surprised by how effective wood ornaments, either unpainted or in a soft whitewash, can be if used sparingly and strategically. Pop in some classy whites or copper-coloured accents.

Yes, reindeer are the animals of the season, but try moose instead. Small toboggans, skis and snowflake patterns all say “welcome, winter” and can inject a jaunty flair.

THE CONTAINER:

Containers come in a myriad of sizes and shapes so you’ll want to make sure yours is well in proportion with what’s inside and atop it. If you have an urn you love, continue to love it. But if its original black has faded to grey, give it new life with a coat of spray paint. Consider classic black, red or burgundy. You can also try urns of different sizes and shapes, made into an attractive set by using the same colour for all.

BRING OUT THE 3D ‘WOW’ FACTOR

Even with your best efforts to replicate the beautiful arrangement you see in your mind’s eye, reality can sometimes fall short… literally short. You have beautiful greenery, some lovely accents and colours and there’s just some “wow” factor you’re missing.

Chances are, you’ve been focusing on what’s in the urn rather than what’s above and around it. Instead, envision a fully three-dimensional urn, a piece with height, depth and breadth that can elevate ordinary to extraordinary.

Often, the missing element is as simple as bringing in some height with vertical sticks of white birch – always a lovely, classic look – and adding a graceful flaring of Western red cedar that cascades downwards. It’s a simple step but one that can elevate an ordinary urn to an extraordinary one.

Remember to add lots of water to your urn display until it is completely frozen, as this helps keep the greenery lush throughout the holiday season.

We suggest people envision a “filler,” a “spiller” and a “thriller” as they design their urns.

Many of the items used in these Christmas Containers are provided

by Second Nature. Available at select Garden Centres.

Winter urn arrangements can be one of the most strikingly beautiful ways to make your home a welcoming place. With the right materials, a bit of guidance and some imagination, they can add months of colour, class and a real spark of joy to our homes.

HOLIDAY 2017 • 15

HOLIDAY GIFTS WE To keep us warm...

Cozy Hat, Scarf & Mitt Set

Love

Fashionable and functional, a great stocking stuffer.

Boot Socks that are Fashionable AND Warm A variety of colours and styles to choose from.

Royal Stewart Tartan Wool Blanket

Adding that touch of Sparkle and Glam...

A luxurious throw that is a festive accent to any room.

Crystal Angel and Mistletoe to Decorate Christmas Trees & Windows

Add a touch of sparkle to your tree.

Jolly Santa & His Flying Reindeer A statement piece, perfect for the mantel.

16

Swirling Acrylic Christmas Tree

Back by popular demand, this is a perfect holiday gift.

Making the Holidays Glow...

Silver Acrylic 200mm Ball with Lights on Timer Perfect for your outdoor evergreen planters.

ITEMS SHOWN IN ARTICLE: AVAILABLE AT

Micro LED Lights in Warm White for Indoor & Outdoor Use To light up lanterns, wreaths, garlands and fresh arrangements.

41 Lansdowne St W, Peterborough, ON K9J 1X8 705-749-1530 www.mcknights.ca

Royal Stewart Tartan Wool Blanket - $79.99 Cozy Hat, Scarf & Mitt Set - $29.99 Boot Socks - Various sizes and prices.

Crystal Angel - Starting at $17.99 Crystal Snowflake - Starting at $17.99 Jolly Santa & His Flying Reindeer - $89.99 Swirling Acrylic Christmas Tree - $69.99 Silver Acrylic Ball with Lights on Timer - $29.99 ea OR two for $50 Micro LED Lights in Warm White for Indoor & Outdoor Use - Various sizes and prices.

Reg. $49.99

Reg. $59.99

Featured $39.99

Featured $49.99 Available at McKnight’s Fashion Floral Gift.

While supplies last.

HOLIDAY 2017 • 17

NOT ALL CROCS ARE CREATED UGLY!

Y

es, we agree the first clogs were less than pretty but the Croslite material they are made from is so light and comfortable that they spawned a billion-dollar company. Today, there are styles for every look and function designed by real shoe designers! Of the 200 style choices, most now look like normal shoes but still have that same comfort on the inside! McKnight’s carries over 3000 pairs in all the top styles year-round so come and enjoy browsing the different choices!

The unique technology is now combined with fashionable looks! This unique foam material (Croslite) goes into every pair of crocs and makes them one of the most comfortable shoes in the world… copies don’t even come close:

1.

2.

3.

PLUS 3000 PAIReveSry styMle befOoreRweE! We try McKnight’s stock it so drop in to and find your fit!

18 • MCKNIGHT’S FASHION FLORAL GIFT - 705-749-1530 - www.mcknights.ca

The sole molds to your foot to re-distribute weight evenly making it unbelievably comfortable with good arch support.

The foam is a closed cell resin meaning there are no nooks and crannies for bacteria to live so there is never any odour… well unless you step in something nasty that is.

They never lose their bounce so they cushion your joints while you walk for the entire life of the shoe! (We have men buying the Santa Cruz style just to take the Croslite insoles out to wear in their work boots!)

Freshowers Fl

How long should my Fresh Flowers last?

The simple answer is two weeks in most cases but there are a few things that can shorten that to only a few days!

F

irst and foremost, cut flowers hate warm temperatures and fruit and vegetables. The clear, odourless ethylene gas given off by ripening produce acts as a growth accelerant (put an apple in brown paper bag with a green banana and watch how fast it ripens!) In fact, levels of 250 ppb (parts per billion) can cause damage in as little as 12 hours.

Let’s put the above numbers in perspective, 1 drop of food colouring in 265 gallons of water equates to 250 ppb! So it is safe to say a little ethylene goes a long way when it comes to damaging flowers.

Some of the effects of ethylene on flowers include: •

Leaf yellowing, transparency

•

Loss of deep colour

•

Flower or petal drop /Bud and leaf abscission ( falling off)

•

Irregular bud opening (“sleepy carnations” are the classic example)

•

Premature death

Some simple rules to follow are: •

Never place flowers near fruit or vegetables! A lot of stores put fresh flowers in the produce section…the worst place possible when you think about it.

•

Avoid placing flowers in areas where they will be exposed to heavy cigarette smoke or vehicle exhaust

•

As flowers age, remove dying or older flowers right away!

•

Keep flowers as cool as possible and out of direct sunlight. Fresh flowers think that your comfortable room temperature is too high! While it is not practical to keep your flowers at less than 40°F / 4°C, placing them in a very warm area will shorten their life overall. This also means that just like fresh produce, flowers need to be purchased directly from a proper cooler and not a bucket sitting out at room temperature.

The FTD Holiday Cheer Bouquet FROM $59.99 *Premium selection shown.

Floral Preservatives!

They really work but home recipes such as Aspirin, Sprite and pennies don’t! However, the preservatives that you get with your flowers need to be mixed in the right ratio. We suggest you mix them first in a jug and then The FTD Holiday Delights Bouquet and set aside the water you don’t use FROM $54.99 to add to your vase as water levels *Premium selection shown. drop. If you don’t have extra water with preservative, top up your vase using tap water and if you chose to dump your vase you need to start the process from scratch.

Water Temperature: Use warm water of approximately 110°F / 43°C in your vase when you first arrange your flowers.

This causes the flowers to maximize water uptake very quickly (a process called hardening).

Making the Cut: Turn on your tap and put the end of the stems under running water and cut at least 1 inch off of the stem then place it directly into the vase (already filled with preservative water). This process stops some flowers from wilting, especially roses. Make sure your knife and vase are very clean. Flowers such as Roses, Gerbera, Hydrangea and Gypsophilia (Baby’s Breath) are also susceptible to wilting if they come into contact with bacteria.

Fresh Arrangements:

A florist knows all the above information when they create your arrangement. Your job is to add water regularly and keep them out of direct sunlight or hot drafts. At McKnight’s we even soak our floral foam in water dosed with preservatives to help you get the longest life possible from your investment!

HOLIDAY 2017 • 19

Unbelievable Flavour

H

ave you ever tasted olive oils or Balsamics side by side to discover your favourites? Have you ever sampled a good balsamic or oil and experienced a flavour explosion that caused you to think “OMG”!? Olive oils and Balsamics are very much like wine in that you need to go to a tasting bar to sample from a range to discover your preferences. Drop in to McKnight’s, and explore your pallet with a visit to our Oil and Balsamic Vinegar tasting bar (all samples are free!)

Did you know that Olive oils are produced all over the world in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and like wine, the same varietal of plant produces a different flavour depending on the climate and soil. When you combine that with all the different varietals, you have a range of oils that stretch from very mild to very robust. The biggest challenge in the industry is that many olive oils have been adulterated (mixed with other oils). At McKnight’s, every oil we carry comes with a third-party laboratory certificate proving that they are 100% pure, cold pressed and extra virgin. When you sample one, like wine, you need to slurp it to coat your tongue and get all the flavour notes ending with a peppery finish or a bit of an urge to cough (This urge is caused by the polyphenols or the healthy components of the oil).

Balsamics start their life with different types and qualities of vinegars combined with grape “must”. (Must - from the Latin vinum mustum, “young wine”) Must is freshly pressed grape juice that contains the skins, seeds, and stems of the fruit.

The type of vinegar and the ratio to the Must is what produces different qualities of Balsamics. Where many Balsamics use under 20% must, ours contain 80% Must to produce a balsamic that is thicker and naturally sweeter. When you marry

this with a variety of natural flavours, the first thing you notice is an explosion of flavour on the pallet. This also makes our Balsamics perfect for pairing with everything from fruit salad to asparagus. Once you understand this, you are off and running on the journey to explore how they can be used in different recipes and for different purposes. (See our suggested pairing list on the next page!)

The McKnight’s O/V Tasting Bar features 45 stainless steel fusti (Italian for “keg”) containing 5 varieties of Extra Virgin olive oils, from two pressings per year, plus 17 flavours of olive oil and 22 balsamic vinegars. Sources of our olive oil include Italy, Greece, Spain, Australia and California. A sign on each fusto lists the product name, taste and flavour information, as well as suggested pairings with other products. Our olive oils are NonGMO, vegan and also gluten free.

Costs are very reasonable; a 200-millilitre bottle of oil or vinegar is $12.99, a 375-ml size is $18.00 and 750-ml is $28.99.

We have tried almost all the products that are out there and we think ours are the best we have ever tasted. It is wonderful to watch the expression of shock and wonder on the face of someone trying our Balsamics for the first time. The next comments are normally how they are going to use them and who they want to buy a bottle for to see their expression when they try it.

Come explore for yourself and go home with some wonderful new taste ideas that will have your family and guests raving this season and remove a few checkboxes on your gift buying list.

McKnight’s Signature Brand

“Crave” Mulling Spice and Dips

If you like a mulling spice… this is the one to try!

We actually sampled every one we could find in the industry and then went to a food laboratory and had them make one for us! Add fresh apple cider and maybe a cinnamon stick… or rum and you have Christmas in a cup! People who have tried it return year after year for it.

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Dips are one of the hallmarks of Christmas entertaining so why not offer something that stands out (for less money!). Our dips are custom formulated to offer great flavours in easy to use hot and cold recipes.

OLIVE OIL

SUGGESTED PAIRINGS

Basil Infused Olive Oil

Strawberry Balsamic or Lemon Balsamic, Lemongrass Mint Balsamic

Garlic Infused Olive Oil

Fig Balsamic, or Pomegranate Balsamic, or Peach Balsamic

Garlic Mushroom Fused Olive Oil

25 Star Dark or White Balsamic, Fig Balsamic or Strawberry Balsamic

Blood Orange Naturally Flavoured EVOO

Honey Ginger Balsamic, Jalapeno Lime Balsamic or Blueberry Balsamic

Classic Italy Fused Olive Oil

25star Dark Balsamic, Blueberry Balsamic or Garlic Cilantro Balsamic

Roasted Chili Infused Olive Oil

On it’s own for cooking or Garlic Balsamic, or Garlic Cilantro Balsamic

Meyer Lemon Naturally Flavoured EVOO

Pomegranate Balsamic, Strawberry Balsamic, Raspberry Balsamic, or Blackberry Ginger Balsamic or Lemongrass Mint Balsamic or Tuscan Herb Fused Olive Oil.

Persian Lime Naturally Flavoured EVOO

Blackberry Ginger Balsamic, Pomegranate Balsamic, Lemongrass Mint

Spanish Signature Blend EVOO

Plum Balsamic, Raspberry Balsamic or Cranberry Orange Balsamic

Sage Onion Naturally Flavoured EVOO

Lemon Balsamic or Garlic Balsamic

GOURMET TREATS for the Holidays

Buitmean Biscuits from the Netherlands TOP SELLER!

Hand-kneaded for perfect consistency creates a perfectly flaky biscuit that has to be tried first hand.

Belgian Hot Chocolate – TOP SELLER!

Made with real spices, vanilla bean and rich Belgian chocolatecontains a small chocolate figurine for an extra hint of fun!

Contains Fluffy, Puffy all-natural Marshmallows – perfect for the young at heart: pair with a shot of Espresso for special Mochaccino.

The Ultimate in luxurious pairings of sweet and salty-Authentic Belgian Chocolate in a special recipe …to die for!

MacKays Authentic Scottish Marmalades Scallion Infused Olive Oil

Lemon Balsamic

Tuscan Herb Fused Olive Oil

Lemon Balsamic, Peach Balsamic or Bordeaux Cherry Balsamic

Tandoori Naturally Flavoured EVOO

Bordeaux Cherry Balsamic, Mandarin Orange Balsamic, Plum Balsamic

Sundried Tomato Naturally Flavoured EVOO

Fig Balsamic, Lemon Balsamic or Hickory Balsamic

Black Truffle Naturally Flavoured EVOO

25star Dark Balsamic

Experience the moment of amazement and delight when you taste the very best for the first time. MacKays - Authentic Scottish Marmalades from the home of marmalades – Dundee, Scotland. Still crafted in small batches for that authentic homemade taste.

A thick cut dark marmalade made richer with the addition of treacle.

3% pure Scottish whiskey for a great morning kick.

A new top seller! An impressive marmalade made with whole fruit and only available at this time of year.

HOLIDAY 2017 • 21

Pet Friendly INDOOR PLANTS AND TROPICALS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

By Tanya Olsen

W

ith the holidays fast approaching, we love to decorate with beautiful bright poinsettias, seasonal cacti and tropical plants. However, it is easy to forget that some of the plants that adorn our homes throughout this festive season may not be the best choice for our pets.

Although many plants and decorations will not injure pets in any way, there are some tropical plants that can be harmful to our furry family members. If putting the Amaryllis or Poinsettia on a high shelf or table is not an option, try these ideas for a stressfree, pet-friendly holiday season.

With its unique texture, small dark green needles and bright new growth, this staple houseplant is a great substitute for a cut Christmas tree! Keep away from drafts and decorate minimally for a great effect. Mini rice lights and small shiny red balls will provide a very elegant focal point. Don’t forget that this plant is also an excellent air purifier for your home.

Christmas Cactus A staple holiday plant!

Norfolk Island Pine A tropical Christmas idea!

With all the attention succulents have been receiving this past year, the Christmas or Easter cactus is a unique, easy-tocare-for succulent that thrives in bright light and dry air. It will brighten up any room with its rich green leaves and delicate red, pink or white flowers. You can also use it as a teaching tool for the kids, as the leaves are an easy propagation project for tiny hands.

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Blue Echeveria Succulent A trendy plant alternative!

The staple succulent in most fairy gardens, the Blue Echeveria won’t hurt pets either. With fleshy blue-green leaves growing in a neat rosette pattern, you can safely plant and decorate a miniature garden to continue the holiday magic for even the tiniest of your family members. Try adding a touch of glitter sparkle or a soft spray of metallic paint to match your holiday decor.

Boston Fern

The tropical queen of texture!

Boston ferns not only help purify the air in our homes, they are also non-toxic to our furry friends. With generous lime green fronds, a large Boston fern can be quite the statement piece in any home. Consider using a Boston fern in an indoor arrangement with some white or green Phalaenopsis orchids or using a Boston fern on a glass candleholder to lift your centrepiece off the table with dramatic effect. Add a bit of holiday glitz with shimmery picks or berries and your centrepiece will dazzle throughout the season. When the holidays are over, take the glitzy picks out and your Boston fern will continue to purify the air in your home! They also thrive in the summer months in shady outdoor locations.

White Phalaenopsis Orchids

An elegant choice!

When giving a plant gift this year, why not give a potted White Phalaenopsis orchid? With a slight fragrance and delicate, unique, long-lasting blooms, these beauties are safe for both cats and dogs. This orchid’s easy-to-care-for attitude makes it a perfect choice as a holiday centrepiece or as a stunning single stem in a glass vase. Since you need to water it only

once a week, it is a low-maintenance option for an area in your home that needs some plant attention.

If you are giving a cut orchid as a gift, pair its delicate blooms with the pet friendly Areca palm leaf for an elegant background. While we may not think of palms as being pet friendly, they most assuredly are!

Areca, Butterfly, Bamboo and Dragon palms are among the many plants safe for our furry friends. To get the best health, height or drama in your living room, mist your palm on a regular basis to ensure the leaf tips don’t dry out.

Always Play It Safe

If you do choose to have any of these plants in your home, opt for a location that is safely out of reach of your pets – even your high-jumping feline friend. As a bonus, many of these plant alternatives will lend colour and visual impact long past the Christmas season. Some of these plants, when ingested or chewed, can cause mild indigestion and discomfort. When in doubt, you can always contact your local veterinarian or refer to the “Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List” provided by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Another great idea is to familiarize yourself with the names and origins of any houseplants that you currently have, so you can provide the correct information to your veterinarian should a problem occur. Artificial plants are another safe option that you could consider, as they will continue to beautify your home for many years to come.

As we look forward to the holiday season, there is nothing more important than having our loved ones by our side. With a little pre-planning and a visit to your local independent garden centre, the entire family can be safe and sound – not just during the holidays, but all year long!

Honourable Mentions •

African violets

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Haworthia Succulent

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Rose plants

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Polka Dot plants

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Peperomia plants

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Prayer plants

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Spider plants HOLIDAY 2017 • 23

SALE

$499.99 Reg. $699.99

OPEN 7 DAYS (Daily 8:30am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm) 41 Lansdowne St W, Peterborough, ON K9J 1X8

705-749-1530 www.mcknights.ca