Celebrate the Season 2013

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

Partying

Outside the Box

Creative themes for your seasonal soiree

Gifting the Songs for Family Foodie the Season Gift ideas for the food fanatic on your list

Holiday music for the next generation

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December 4, 2013 • Edwardsville Intelligencer • theintelligencer.com

A Supplement of

117 N. Second Street, Edwardsville 618.656.4700 PUBLISHER Denise Vonder Haar, Ext. 14 dvonderhaar@hearstnp.com EDITOR Bill Tucker, Ext. 47 btucker@edwpub.net ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Amy Schaake, Ext. 35 aschaake@edwpub.net

3 Christmas Word Search 5 Last-minute shopping for the holidays 6 Gift ideas for the food fanatic on your list 8 Gift wrapping tricks and tips

AD DESIGN MANAGER Jennifer Dyer, Ext. 32 jdyer@edwpub.net

9 Holiday music for the next generation 10 Out-of-the-box themes for your holiday party 11 Holiday decorating not bound to strict schedules

CIRCULATION OPERATIONS MANAGER Amy Burchett, Ext. 20 aburchett@edwpub.net

12 Secrets to holiday baking success 15 Travel tips for holiday visits

www.theintelligencer.com Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department

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theintelligencer.com • Edwardsville Intelligencer • December 4, 2013

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December 4, 2013 • Edwardsville Intelligencer • theintelligencer.com

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theintelligencer.com • Edwardsville Intelligencer • December 4, 2013

Last-minute shopping for the holidays Many people wait until the last minute for Christmas shopping, when there are still gifts and deals to be had.

I

heading to the mall in droves, you can be stepping inside of a gourmet food or spirits store. Splurge on fine cheeses or that trendy bottle of liquor that a gift recipient has mentioned but not yet purchased for him- or herself.

t’s December 22 and you’ve just barely made it through half of your holiday shopping list. The panic may have set in that you just don’t have enough time to get everything done.

This is a common scenario around the holidays. Shoppers have the best intentions to get their gifts early, but whether because of work obligations or social events, the task seems to get pushed further and further into December. Soon many are staring down the calendar experiencing sweaty palms. Many others may be putting off holiday shopping simply because of the current state of the economy and affordability.

• Magazine subscription: A magazine subscription is an easy fix as a last-minute gift. Purchase one copy of the magazine at the newsstand and wrap it up nicely. Put a note that a year’s worth of this periodical is on the way. No one will suspect that the gift was a last-minute thought.

• E-certificates: Retailers like music or book sellers will e-mail a gift certificate code to the person of your choice on a selected date. For those who are never without an e-reader or mp3 player, digital gifts could fit the bill.

For the scores of shoppers who consciously or subconsciously wait until the last possible minute to shop, there are ways to survive and surprise friends and family with great gifts.

• Gift cards: They may not have sentimental meaning behind them, but gift cards are fast and easy. Chances are you can run into a store and be out with a handful of gift cards in less than 15 minutes, depending on lines at the checkout counter. Also,

many supermarkets, bookstores and other retailers offer gift card kiosks enabling you to shop for different gift cards all in one place.

• Food and beverages: While everyone is

• Gas card: It may sound funny and tacky, but a gas card from a brand-name station is a universally acceptable gift for anyone who drives regularly. With fluctuating gas prices, filling up the tank can be an expensive venture. Having a pre-paid gift card can help.

Online retailers are also there to help lastminute shoppers. Many online retailers guarantee in-time-for-Christmas shipping even on gifts ordered as late as December 23. However, overnight shipping charges will cost more. But it’s all worth it to get the item in time.

Waiting until the last minute for shopping can induce some anxiety. But knowing about easy gifts for procrastinators can take the stress out of this type of shopping.

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December 4, 2013 • Edwardsville Intelligencer • theintelligencer.com

Gift ideas for the food fanatic on your list Gift the foodie on your holiday shopping list with something that encourages their love of cuisine.

Many communities have cooking classics for various types of cuisine, so consult your friend or family member, asking them which cuisine they’d like to learn and when they’re available. Or let them find their own class and then pay for the class. This can be a great way for foodies to learn something new and meet fellow food afficionados along the way.

S

ome people are a cinch to shop for come the holiday season, while others can be more of an enigma.

When it comes to the latter, shoppers should determine what tickles their mysterious friend or family member’s fancy, such as a favorite hobby or even something to do with his or her profession.

Food is a passion for many people and provides holiday shoppers with a great opportunity to make a loved one’s holiday season even more special. Perhaps

thanks to the increase in cable networks focusing on food, foodies, those people with an appreciation and passion for cuisine, have grown in number in recent years, and holiday shoppers with foodies on their lists have a host of potential gift options at their disposal.

• Cooking class: Many foodies don’t just like eating food but cooking their favorite cuisine as well. For those who like to get their hands dirty before filling their bellies, consider paying for a cooking class.

• Specialty spices: Spices can make the difference between an ordinary meal that’s void of flavor and a meal that’s so flavorful it won’t soon be forgotten. When spicing things up for a foodie this holiday season, don’t just buy regular spices at the grocery store. For example, instead of standard cinnamon, buy a specialty spice like Mexican or Vietnamese cinnamon.

Such specialty spices can add extra flavor to a meal while becoming the go-to spice for the home chef among your friends and family members.

• Pressure cooker: Many foodies are fawning over pressure cooking, which can cut down on cooking times without sacrificing nutrition. Some recipes may take half the time to prepare with a pressure cooker as they might with a more traditional cooking method, an important time saving element that’s attractive to foodies who want to enjoy their favorite foods but feel pressed for time on weeknights. And while pressure

theintelligencer.com • Edwardsville Intelligencer • December 4, 2013 cookers employ steam to cook foods quickly, that steam also traps flavor, whereas boiling can wash flavor out.

Fun Food, Happy People, Great Drinks!

Many foodies also laud pressure cookers for their nutritional benefits. Steaming certain foods can intensify their flavor, which allows cooks to rely less on potentially unhealthy additions like salt or butter to ensure a meal is flavorful.

• Serving dishes: Of course, many foodies want to share the fruits of their labors with friends and family. For the person who loves throwing dinner parties, consider some serving dishes this holiday season. Serving dishes can range from casual (for the foodie who can’t wait to fire up the grill) to formal (for the gourmet foodie), so get a feel of your friend or family member’s preferences before purchasing a set of serving dishes.

• Cookbook: The ideal fallback item for holiday shoppers who can’t seem to find anything for their favorite foodies, cookbooks filled with recipes for dishes from their favorite type of cuisine (i.e., Italian, Thai, Cajun, etc.) are sure to please.

When gifting with a cookbook, peruse a few of its recipes to determine if there are any special ingredients that appear throughout. If there are, purchase these ingredients and gift them as well.

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December 4, 2013 • Edwardsville Intelligencer • theintelligencer.com

Gift wrapping tricks and tips

wrap up with the gift.

Other Tips

Wrap at a time when there are no distractions and you can devote your attention to the task at hand, like after children have gone to bed or during the day when no one is home.

There are different tips that can help with wrapping.

Paper or Bags?

When purchasing wrapping paper, it may be tempting to skimp on the quality of the paper to save money. However, a thicker, higher quality paper will make wrapping go more smoothly. That’s because it will be less likely to tear on boxes or when you’re rolling out and cutting it.

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he holidays are here and that means shoppers have started to stockpile gifts for those they love.

Once the shopping rush is over, the time to wrap all of those great finds and treasures has come.

Although some people are gift-wrap gurus, there are many others who feel that their wrapping skills are lacking.

Regardless, anyone can create delightful wrapped gifts with a little know-how.

Prepare The first step to wrapping is to have all of the supplies in one place. There are some people who have actually dedicated small rooms as gift-wrap stations.

While you don’t have to go this far, find a large table and keep your tape, tags, paper, ribbon, scissor, pen, and other accessories nearby.

Also, sort out the gifts according to recipient and have any gift receipts handy to

Thicker paper means you’ll also be able to achieve more intricate folds and better creasing around boxes. It also may be more forgivable around oddly shaped items.

Gift bags are the go-to wrapping medium when you’re short on time or have items that are not easily wrapped with paper.

Because they come in a variety of sizes -- and even giant plastic bags to contain large gifts -- they are often more convenient.

• Buy neutral-patterned wrapping paper that coordinates with other papers. This way if you run out of one type of paper you can stagger other pieces and make a collage of papers so there’s no waste.

• Use ribbon to dress up a gift and direct the eye away from any imperfections.

• Keep a stack of paper scraps and use it instead of tissue paper to fill in gift bags.

• Keep scissors sharp for clean cuts.

• Pack smaller items or oddly shaped things into a different container that is easier to wrap.

• Roll up clothing and place into a paper towel tube to turn the wrapping into a candy cane shaped gift.

Practice often makes perfect when it comes to wrapping gifts. Having the right paper, a few decorative supplies and some patience can ensure that gifts look festive this year.

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While certain holiday albums have become classics, younger artists have begun to embrace holiday music as well. For example, Universal Music Group Nashville has announced that “Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas,” will be available for purchase this holiday season.

The Robertson family is based out of Louisiana and are the stars of the A&E reality show “Duck Dynasty.” In addition to being prolific duck hunters, the Robertsons also grew up singing in church, and members of the family will be showcasing those talents on their holiday album.

Former “X Factor” winner Leona Lewis has revealed she is going to be recording a Motown-inspired Christmas album, while R&B superstar Mary J. Blige will put her soulful spin on holiday classics with her first-ever Christmas album. “A Mary Christmas” will be released through Interscope Records.

Blige is working with acclaimed composer and arranger David Foster.

In addition to those forthcoming albums, holiday enthusiasts can choose from many recent holiday albums from seasons past.

“American Idol” alum Scotty McCreery put some serious country twang into his “Christmas With Scotty McCreery” album.

“Christmas in the Sand” is Colbie Caillat’s nontraditional Christmas album for those who may not live in cold or snowy locales.

“Cheers, It’s Christmas” is the first Christmas collection from country star Blake Shelton. Guest artists include Miranda Lambert, Kelly Clarkson and Michael Buble.

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December 4, 2013 • Edwardsville Intelligencer • theintelligencer.com

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arties are an integral part of the holiday season, when friends and family gather to celebrate and give thanks. For holiday hosts, parties are a great opportunity to make the season even more festive with an event that guests won’t soon forget. The following are just a few themes to make your holiday party as memorable as it is merry.

• Christmas sweater party: Christmas sweater parties have grown in popularity over the last decade, when revelers have tried to outdo one another with the most outrageous holiday-themed sweater. Give prizes for the most outlandish sweater and let guests know early on so they can begin their hunt for a holiday sweater that’s so ugly or outrageous you can’t help but love it.

• Christmas costume party: Costume parties aren’t just for Halloween. This holiday season, consider making your holiday bash a costume party, encouraging guests to dress up as their favorite characters from holiday tales like “Frosty the Snowman,” “A Christmas Carol” or any of the host of beloved holiday legends.

• Caribbean Christmas: The weather come the holiday season may be the one thing to put a damper on the festivities. To combat blue feelings from potentially inclement weather, consider a Caribbean theme for your holiday party this season. Rather than wearing sweaters and long pants, wear beach attire and give the party a touch of the Caribbean. Outfit your home in beach decor and serve food and drinks reminiscent of the Caribbean instead of more traditional holiday fare like eggnog and gingerbread cookies.

• Film festival: Holiday movies are another tradition of the season, so why not invite friends and family over for a holiday film marathon? Include classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Story” and encourage guests to submit their own favorites for consideration.

• Christmas karaoke: For those who love to belt out their favorite holiday tunes, consider throwing a Christmas karaoke party that allows guests to perform their own renditions of their favorite Christmas carols. Purchase a home karaoke set and ask guests in advance of the party if there are any particular songs they’d like to perform.

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theintelligencer.com • Edwardsville Intelligencer • December 4, 2013

Holiday decorating not bound to strict schedules

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ome people are so eager for Christmas to arrive that they simply cannot wait long to transform their homes from the traditional decor into a holiday wonderland. Others prefer to build up the suspense of the season and wait until mid-December before decking the halls. There is no right or wrong time to start decorating, but there are some tips to make that process easier.

Christmas items can sometimes be found on store shelves as early as September, and even those homeowners who intend to decorate when the season is in full swing can purchase items now and then bring them out when the time comes to

decorate. Shopping early allows holiday enthusiasts to be more choosy about their decorations.

Many families start their holiday decorating on the day after Thanksgiving. Such families should know there are benefits to using artificial greenery in the decor.

A real Christmas tree or wreath may dry out and present a fire hazard if purchased too early. If you want the tree in the window for a full month or more, an artificial tree is a safer choice. Decorating before December also allows families to enjoy their decorations much longer. It can be hard work to decorate the house, and equally arduous to remove those decora-

tions, so decorating earlier allows homeowners to enjoy the fruits of their labors a lot longer than they would if they decorate in December.

Those who prefer to a more religious

Some people feel that decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving is a tad too early, and there are advantages to decorating in early or mid-December, when stores have a wider selection of decorations at shoppers’ disposal. Some stores do not display all of their merchandise until after Thanksgiving. If you have your heart set on a natural Christmas tree, decorating later helps to ensure the tree remains fresh, fragrant and safe with the right care. Homeowners who delay their decorations also can take inventory of what neighbors are doing and design a decorating scheme that blends with the neighborhood or stands out.

prefer to decorate later and keep their

Some families even prefer to save their decorating until right before Christmas, choosing to decorate on Christmas Eve.

ing until Christmas Eve, there is no wrong

them to their holiday decorations may

decorations on display until the celebration of the Epiphany, when the magi are said to have arrived bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.

Whether families enjoy stringing up lights as soon as Thanksgiving is over or wait-

way to embrace the spirit of the season.

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December 4, 2013 • Edwardsville Intelligencer • theintelligencer.com

Secrets to holiday baking success Certain tips can ensure your holiday baking is successful.

B

aking is popular come the holiday season, when baked goods are often gifted or shared with family and friends at holiday gatherings.

Individuals turn out sweet treats left and right, and these treats are often gobbled up by appreciative holiday revelers.

Although some people have mastered baked goods, others can benefit from a few tricks of the trade. Utilize these tips to make holiday baking that much easier.

• Overworked cookie dough may result in dry cookies. Try not to handle dough more than is necessary to roll it out to desired thickness. When rolling the dough, put it between two pieces of waxed paper to reduce flour usage on the rolling pin.

• When baking brownies or other bartype cookies, line the inside of the pan with greased aluminum foil. This way you can lift out the dessert and cut it neatly instead of risking sticking.

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• The same technique can be used when baking cookies. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and bake as directed. The cookies should slide right off when done, and you won’t have messy pans to wash afterward.

• Double-check your oven temperature with a reliable thermometer to make sure it is accurate. This will help you bake more efficiently and adjust the time or temperature accordingly.

• Many cookie doughs can be refrigerated or even frozen, so you can make a big batch and then spread out your baking as needed throughout the season.

theintelligencer.com • Edwardsville Intelligencer • December 4, 2013

December�1st���21st�

WINTER MARKET December�7th�� 9am���1pm��

Winter�Market�in�downtown�Edwardsville�will�features� ar�sans,�baked�goods,�cra�ers,��locally�grown�items,�&� unique,�bou�que�gi�s�&�products�from�our�community.� �

Santa�will�visit�from�9am�10am�&�at�his�home�1pm�4pm� All�Day�Downtown�Business’s�Open�House�� All�Day�Caroling�through�downtown�&�the�Winter�Market�

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��Wednesdays�&�Thursdays�un�l�7pm�*�Saturdays�un�l�6pm�

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��Along�parts�of�Main�St.�&�Vandalia�St.�during�extended�downtown�hours�

Downtown�Window�Decora�ng�Contest���������� ���Vote�at�www.cityofedwardsville.com�

Santa�House� ��Wednesdays�5:30pm�8:30pm�and�Saturdays�1pm�4pm�at�City�Park� Elves�Workshop�

��December�12th�6pm�8pm�or�December�14th�2pm�4pm�at�the�Wildey�Theatre� ��for�ages�5�12�to�make�gi�s�for�the�holiday�season.�Cost�$10�per�child.�� ��Pre�registra�on�is�required.��

Holiday�Art�Contest�for�K�6th�grade����������������������

��Art�work�must�be�turned�in�to�the�Park’s�O�ce�by�Thursday,�December�12th� For more informa�on contact the Park’s O�ce at 692�7538 or visit our website at www.cityofedwardsville.com

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December 4, 2013 • Edwardsville Intelligencer • theintelligencer.com

theintelligencer.com • Edwardsville Intelligencer • December 4, 2013

Travel tips for holiday visits

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housands of people take to the skies come the holiday season.

High fares do doubt await holiday travelers, who also can count on higher baggage fees and fuel surcharges.

Buying tickets early can help offset some of those costs, but many travelers may not know where they’ll be spending the holidays until the last minute, leaving them at the mercy of the airlines.

Waiting for last-minute airline sales can be tricky, especially during the holidays when everyone needs to travel in a specific date range. Airlines continually evaluate just how many seats they have already sold to determine prices on reduced-fare seating. Getting a good deal or being gouged may come down to a variety of factors, but buying early when flying during a heavy travel season is often the best way to go.

Airlines rarely discount tickets during the holiday season, when demand is especially high. Therefore, booking as soon as you know your travel plans increases the liklihood you can get the flight you want and not have to make concessions.

In addition to booking early, there are other ways to save some money and arrive relatively jolly for a holiday visit.

• Travel midweek. Flying on a weekday is often less expensive than flying on a weekend. Some travel experts say flights on a Tuesday or Wednesday traditionally offer the lowest fares.

• Consider an alternate route.

Choosing connecting flights in travel hub cities may cost less than direct, nonstop flights. While from flight to flight may be less convenient, it’s likely to cost less

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• Ship your gifts. Rather than paying high fees for extra checked baggage, ship your gifts or have them directly shipped to your loved ones when buying online.

• Book in mid-November. Some travel experts say that Christmas travel is at its cheapest during the middle of November.

If you can arrive early at your destination then you can also save. Experts suggest flying before December 17 can earn travelers the best deals.

• Choose an unpopular flight time.

Early-morning, overnight and dinnertime flights are less expensive than more popular travel times.

• Arrive on Christmas. It’s often less expensive to travel on Christmas, when surcharges may be waived and flights may be less packed.

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December 4, 2013 • Edwardsville Intelligencer • theintelligencer.com

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