Chronicle christmas shopping 12 10 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10,2015

Game Xpress: The ultimate gamers’ paradise

GAME Xpress on North Road, Bourda is where it’s at where party making and gaming are concerned.

Their products are, without a doubt, the best that North America has to offer in terms of quality. And when it comes to price and service, the place to be is: Game Xpress.

They have the latest in gaming for Play Station, Xbox, Wii among other gaming consoles, such as: Assasin’s Creed Syndicate; Call of Duty: Black Ops 3; and Need for Speed, just to name a few from the hundreds of games available and at excellent prices.

It’s like stepping into a

virtual world of The Twilight Zone where you are the hero waiting to be hailed.

One toy that is sure to catch the eye is Indominus Rex, the new mean feature in the latest Jurassic Park flick.

There are lots of toys to choose from, and the “Early Learners” section is a wonderful opportunity for parents

to get their toddlers hooked on educational games. These ‘brand- name’ stocks include: V-tech, Leap Pad, Leap Frog and many more.

Also in stock and on sale are the latest Ninja Turtle action figures, along with all the DC Comics characters.

Every toy in this store is of guaranteed quality.

Game Xpress is also known for their party decorations and paraphernalia.

Helium-filled balloons are

always available for every occasion, whether it be a wedding, birthday or anniversary. And, speaking of weddings, Game Xpress has in stock the Wilton line of products for making the best wedding cakes in town.

It was disclosed that for the Christmas holidays, Game Express is planning to roll out its “Gifts For You” promotion, whereby instead of having a grand drawing,

which will produce only a few winners, it will now be done after every purchase of $10,000.

This means that customers will now be entitled to take a card from a Christmas Tree, which will have inside the gift that that purchaser has won.

So, head on down to Game Express today and leave with more than just the joy of Christmas.

‘Feel the crunch in every bite’ - at D. Singh Trading

Employees of game express explain the features of an item to a customer.

FRESH Fruits and vegetables galore! D. Singh Trading is the place to be for juicy fresh fruits this holiday. You are guaranteed to “feel the crunch in every bite” of a Gala Red Apple.

Speaking to Mr. Shivnarine Singh (Vinod), the proprietor of D. Singh Trading, he said that “massive shipments of the best quality foreign fruits and vegetables are coming in for the season of merryment”.

It was a buzz yesterday, as Guyana Chronicle visted the business premises, wholesalers were busy getting in orders for the holidays and Mr. Singh says his “prices are unbeatable”.

D. Singh Trading has also seen a niche in the market for canned beverages and has now stocked Coca Cola, Mountain Dew, Xcell and

other beverages. And nothing completes that holiday cheer like a tin of Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies, along with all the nuts you ever wanted. For that black cake on Christmas morning – they have a variety of dried fruits.

“Its a huge rush on the last days before Christmas” Mr. Singh said, so he asking customers to get there as early as possible to “get your products before they run out”. “We sell quality products year round, but, as you know fruits, such as the ones we have, make the

holidays – the season of joy!

So make sure that D. Singh Trading is the place that you will be for the best price and quality products and how can we forget the most corteous and helpful staff that will ensure that you are taken care of. Visit them today to see whats coming for the holidays and what they have in stock right now. They are located at 36 Deplh Street and Campbell Avenue in Campbell ville or give them a call on Tel: 225-9052, 231-6763.

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

The origin of certain Christmas trends

THERE are certain things in life we’ve always tended to take for granted without ever pausing for a moment to ponder how they came about and why. Take for instance the habit of sending out postcards at Christmastime, which, like letter-writing seems to be on the wane here with the advent of such marvels of modern technology as e-mailing, and instant and text messaging.

Well, according to those in the know, this little practice dates back to 1843 when a certain British nobleman by the name of Sir Henry Cole and his friend John Horsley, who was an artist by profession, joined forces to manufacture a batch of what was to become the world’s first Christmas cards which they sold for a shilling apiece, or 5p by today’s standards.

A civil servant by profession, it is said that Cole was the one who first came up with the idea and that it was initially intended as a ploy to encourage the poorer class to make more use of the newly-established postal service, called ‘the penny post’, which was first introduced in early 1940. What this meant, in essence, was that the cost of sending a mail by post, which was initially settled by the recipient and not the sender, now stood at one penny per half ounce regardless of distance.

ONLY THE RICH Before that, only the very rich could have afforded to use the postal service, which then comprised of horsedrawn carriages called stagecoaches. With the coming of the trains, however, which were not just faster but more capacious to boot, and the aid of radical reforms in the postal system, an exercise with which Cole was integrally involved, the British government was able to bring down the price for postage significantly thus giving the poor a

chance to take advantage of the service.

Further postal incentives, such as a 50 per cent drop in the price for postage if the mail was being sent in an unsealed envelope and improved printing methods, saw to an increase in popularity for the Christmas card, which was being produced in large quantities by 1860. By the turn of the century, the custom of sending out Christmas cards had spread all across Europe, becoming especially popular in Germany.

In terms of style, the earlier versions seem to have been influenced by the nativity but were quickly replaced by etchings of the robin, the red-breasted national bird of Great Britain, and snowy scenes which latter served as a poignant reminder of the bitter winter of 1836.

By the 1920s, however, homemade cards became the in thing, but because of their delicacy, since they were largely made of such items as foil and ribbon, they could not be sent through the post and had to be delivered by hand.

THE SEAL This brings us to the seal, another item that is closely associated with Christmas and inextricably linked to the Christmas card in particular, on which it is affixed during the course of the Christmas holidays so as to give it that special festive look. This tradition, which is said to be relatively new, originated in Denmark in 1904 with a postal clerk named Einar Holboell who saw these pretty little thingummies as a good way of raising money for charity as well as making mails more attractive.

Though they cost a bit more than the regular postage stamp, the trend soon caught on that by the end of the first year it was found that more than four million of them had been sold. Pretty soon, not only was the custom adopted

by neighbouring Sweden and Norway, but it was just a matter of time before it spread all across Europe and subsequently across the Atlantic to North America.

And while no one seems to know how the use of the colours red, green and white came to be associated with Christmas, you will agree that they do tend to lend a certain pizzazz and mystique to the whole affair.

Red, the color of greatest excitement, is said to represent fire, blood, and charity, while green is symbolic of nature, youth, and the hope for eternal life. White, as you no doubt may have guessed, stands for light, purity, joy, and glory.

ORNAMENTS As for the practice of hanging ornaments on Christmas trees, no one seems to know either when this custom first started, but what we do know for sure is that the very first attempts were made at home of whatever happened to be available at the time such items as fruits, gilded nuts, gingerbread figures, and paper roses. These were later replaced by beautifully colored glass balls.

THE STOCKINGS L a s t l y, t h e c u s t o m of hanging stockings on Christmas Eve began in 300AD with a young bishop in Asia Minor who was to become famous for his kindness to others. Later known as Saint Nicholas, he often left gifts for people, but didn’t wait to be thanked. One night, he climbed onto a rooftop and dropped a gift down the chimney. The gift fell into a stocking that had been hung there to dry. Through the years, children began leaving things, from wooden shoes to stockings, to be filled with goodies on Christmas Eve by the generous fellow who is known to us today as Santa Claus.

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Marics & Co: For the latest in SUVs

THINKING of buying a new car? Then Marics & Co. Ltd, located at 186-7 Charlotte and Oronoque Streets, could provide the best for you, and certainly in time for Christmas.

Marics & Company Ltd, the exclusive distributor of Honda Automobiles in Guyana, is pleased to announce that within the next two weeks, they will be introducing to the Guyanese public the all-new top-of-the-line Honda CRV 2016.

The CR-V has a reputation for being one of the best-selling SUVs. With a redesigned exterior, features like brilliant LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), push-button start and audio-touch screen, the CRV is more stylish than ever. It could be just the kind of car you’ve been waiting for.

Additionally, Marics has 2015 Honda HR-Vs, both vehicles being of unique and dynamic appearance; bold in look; sporty and solid. The Honda HR-V boasts functional and spacious interior, designed with driver, passengers and cargo in mind.

The advanced engineering body structure design guarantees its inner strength. It is also equipped with brake assist, vehicle stability assist, and front and side air bags uniquely built for your safety. The eco-assist feature enables car and driver to work together to help improve fuel efficiency.

In stock also are Honda Ruckus motor cycles, the fastest selling bike around town; Honda CBRs 250 R and Off-Road dirt bikes 150cc as well as a variety of Honda power equipment.

So vast is their range of equipment, that “Even if Santa needs a new ride, we’d have it here,” says Marics’ Sudesh Krishna.

Just imagine Santa on a Honda Ruckus, shouting: “Ho! Ho! Ho! And away we go!”

Meanwhile, Marics provides all documentation, except insurance, free of cost, for your vehicle, making it convenient for you.

In addition, the company offers spares and after-sales service.

Their professional technicians have been trained and certified by Honda, to repair and service your vehicle. Marics & Company represents a brand known for quality, durability, innovation and customer satisfaction and provides parts for any line of vehicles and auto equipment it sells.

Items for sale at Marics

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10,2015

Vinu’s Shoe Box: The hub of City Mall

WITHOUT a doubt, the most trendy of places in the City Mall is Vinu’s Shoe Box. The ambience is that of a high-end store of a metropolitan shopping centre. The soft music in the background make shopping feel like the joy it really should be.

When the Guyana Chronicle paid the store a visit recently, it found that after

purchasing two items, customers are entitled to a 10% discount, as well as a membership card that allows them to receive further discounts.

This discount opportunity would be valid throughout next year.

According to the manager, Mr. Vinu, he only imports and sells the best; “brandname clothing that is of the highest quality, with unbeat-

able prices.”

It was quite evident that Vinu’s has to be one of the most comfortable places to shop. The layout of the store is a shopper’s dream: No hassle whatsoever. And what was pleasantly surprising was the fact that no staff hovered over your shoulder. All they do is just answer your queries.

Shoe Heaven: The place to shop this Xmas

ANNOUNCING the opening of a brand new location of “Shoe Heaven”on the second floor of the newly opened Giftland Mall.

Shoe Heaven is the place to be for shoes for the holiday and any other occasion, whether party, casual, or work.

Step out with a shoe that makes a statement; one that says “trendy, quality, classy and stylish”.

This new addition of ‘Shoe Heaven’ will have the most fashionable ladies shoes only such as ankle straps, pumps, platforms, kitten heels, sandals slippers.

Shoes made from patent leather, suede and in designs such as florals, nudes, blacks solid colours and much more.

So Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! Make that fashion statement this holiday with shoes from Shoe Heaven, the shoe store that brings it all together!!

Official opening time: December 11, 2015 at 12:00hrs. Also get 20% off every purchase storewide!

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

How about something different this Christmas

WITH the yuletide season already upon us and food(the preparation of which, that is) being one of the foremost activities associated with this period, we thought it wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all to give you something different to chew upon when planningmeals for the family for the remainder of the holidays.

For this weturned to sister CARICOM nation, Trinidad and Tobago, a land famous these days for a far sight more than the proliferation of the hummingbird, for inspirationand came up with one of their very finest savoury dishes: Thepastelle, no less, which, incidentally, is a must-have at this time of year.

As any true-blooded ‘Trinbagonian’ would tell you, no ‘Trini’ home worth its salt would be caught napping without this delectable little morsel at Christmas-

time. To do so would be tantamount to committing anunpardonable sin, as almost happened a few Christmases ago to Trinidad Express’sAnne Cazeau.

She tried ordering hers from her regular supplier since early November, only to be told by “the little old lady”,in no uncertain terms, mind you, that she was too late; that all her stocks were already gone.

Disappointed but determined that “there was no way” she and her family “were going to be pastelle-less” over the holidays, Cazeau was eventually able“to cajole” another caterer into makingher some.

The only trouble was, she said,was that these little babies are so tempting that were she not careful, she could have well found herself in the same plight she was in before. “The major problem with getting pastelles early,” she griped, “is that we will

THE ORIGIN OF THE PASTELLE

FROM the way it is spelt, one can immediately tell that the word has its origins in the romance languages, that is, languages which were derived from Latin,notably French and Spanish (the influences of which are noticeably evident in Trinidad & Tobago due to prolonged periods of colonisation by France and Spain), but also Italian, Portuguese, Rumanian, Romanshand the Romany grouping spoken by gypsies the world over.

On this occasion, however, even though the word is French in origin, it is from neighbouring Venezuela and its Spanish influences that the dish itself was actually borrowed.

Like most Caribbean and Latin American foods, the pastelle, which is actually a kind of finger-food, is influenced ingredient-wise by a number of cultures. For instance, the nuts... and raisins… and capers… and olives used in the preparation of this scrumptious dish are reflective of the Spanish side of our roots, while the cornmeal is definitely a throwback to our Amerindianheritage. The African influence is self-evident in the banana or plantain leaf used to hold the ingredients together in much the same way that we in Guyana use it to make‘conkie’, though today, it is steadily being replaced by foil paper.

As with all ‘Latin’ countries, the making of pastelles (or hallacas, as they are called in Venezuela) is a joyous occasion that is looked forward to all year, and invariably involves the entire family as well as those of their close friends who care to join them in this time-consuming exercise which can last all day. see page X

probably greedily devour every single one of them before December even comes around. And then we will need a new supply to rally us out until the end of the year.”

And, while we’re on the subject of temptation, we’ve

also thrown in for good measure the recipe for falernum, that delightful little homemade concoction your grandmother used to watch over like a hawk every time you pretended to go to the refrigerator to get some water, you

naughty little thing you.

Now you’ll have the opportunity of making it for yourself, and finding out just how granny felt every time one of you kids as much as passed by the refrigerator. And just for the heck

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of it, we’ve also included recipes for ponche de crema, another favourite with Trinbagonians this time of year, and a little something for the kids called fruity eggnog.

Bon Appetit!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10,2015

It’s curtains galore at Ariel’s

ARIEL’S Enterprise is rocking the holiday season this year with oodles of goodies that will surely make your home feel like a palace and your neighbours green with envy.

A visit to Ariel’s yesterday was like walking into a store with a Black Friday sale in full swing, as customers busied themselves, shopping for the best and most exquisite of curtain materials. And there, smack dab in the thick of things was Managing Director, Mr. Dharam, offering his prized charges that deal of a lifetime they all crave at this time of year, as they helped themselves to that which they desired.

Between attending to their needs, and generally keeping an eye on things, Mr Dharam said, “Ariel’s Enterprise has been in business for decades, and is still going strong. As a matter of

Customers checking out some curtains at Ariel Enterprise.

fact, it has gotten even stronger as the years go by.”

Not wanting to miss out on the action, the Guyana Chronicle seized the opportunity to speak to an enthusiastic customer; and she said, “Christmas is not Christmas unless that home has the curtains to make it sparkle.”

It was easy to see why she said that: The curtains at Ariel’s are of the look and quality that says they should be draped on the windows of a palace, their rich embroidery in shimmering gold, silver and bronze threads shining like finished diamonds. It was quite a sight to behold!

Apart from the curtains, which are undoubtedly the main draw this season, Ariel’s also has in stock a number of decorative curtain rods with a certain medieval feel to them.

Also on sale are bed spreads, pouffes, and a wide array of upholstery material for both indoor and outdoor use.

So, for that certain look you crave, come on down to Ariel’s Enterprise.

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

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Nothing like a good ol’

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WHEN you hear a Guyanese person talking about Christmas, the conversation always heads in the direction of Pepperpot.

You just have to love the passionate manner in which my fellow Caribbean people speak about this lovely meat stew most Guyanese serve on Christmas morning with a thick slice of their traditional plait bread.

The tender pieces of meat

falling off the bones and the rich gravy...Oh!That rich gravy! All you want to do is just rip a piece of bread and dunk it into that lovely gravy, spiced with cinnamon, herbs and cassareep (a thick molasses-like reduction made from cassava).

Other than what goes into the making of the pepperpot, patience is key:Low and slow, and you’ll be well rewarded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10,2015

You’ll need…

4 lbs of meat (beef and/ or goat) 1 cup cassareep 2 sticks of cinnamon 2-inch piece orange peel 4 cloves garlic 4 wiri-wiri peppers ½ cup brown sugar 1½ tsp. salt 8-12 cups water 4 sprigs of thyme 6 cloves (optional) 2 small onions

*tablespoon veg oil

NOTE: I’ve seen my cousin’s in-laws, who are Guyanese, make this dish with strictly goat meat, and I know others who use a combination of meats as I did. But they also add pork, oxtail, trotters and even cow heel. So, the choice is yours.

Have your butcher cut the meats into same-size pieces and try your best to

’ Guyanese pepperpot GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

trim off as much fat as you can. I personally like using a combination of meats, with or without bone. So the goat meat had the bones, but the beef was indeed boneless.

In a large, deep pot, heat the oil and add the pieces of meat (wash and drain first) and try to brown a little.

Then add all the other ingredients (except the water) and give it a good stir. Next, add the water (make sure every-

thing is covered) and bring to a boil.

As you will have noticed, I kept the peppers whole so as to get the flavour and not the raw heat (you can remove them before serving and try your best not to break them open).

As it comes to a boil, you’ll need to skim (and discard) the sort of scum at the top of the pot; and during the three-hour braising pro-

cess, you’ll want to do the same for any oily fats you see on the surface. Now that it’s boiling, reduce to a very gentle simmer, cover the pot and let it go for about three hours. Yes, you can use a pressure cooker to help with the lengthy cooking time, but to be quite honest, you’ll loose some of that lovely flavour you ONLY get with slow cooking.

After three hours, the

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liquid would have been reduced by about three-quarters, so it will be intense in both colour and flavour, for what I believe is one of the most tasty Caribbean gravies you’ll ever enjoy. Guyanese pepperpot is something cooked a couple days before Christmas, and remains on the stove, gently heated every time you need a fix. Personally.

PASTELLES

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These are essentially stuffed cornmeal turnovers wrapped in green banana or plantain leaves and cooked by way of steaming.

For the filling ½ lb each ground (or chopped) beef and chicken 1¼ tsp salt 1 cup chopped chives 3 tbs chopped thyme 2 tbs olive oil

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10,2015

FALERNUM

3 tbs stuffed olives, sliced For the dough 2 cups yellow cornmeal ½ cup butter 1¼ tsp salt 3 cups warm water 12 pieces banana/plantainleaves,prepared, greased and each measuring 9”x 9” String to tie pastelles

2 onions, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 pimento peppers, seeded and chopped (optional)

This liqueur, by the way, has its origins in yet another sister CARICOM nation, this time around the sunny isle of Barbados.

Ingredients 1 cup lime juice 3 cups white rum 1½ - 2 lbs granulated sugar (to give it its colourless appearance) 3 cups water ½ tsp almond essence The peel of one lime with as little of its white pith intact as possible (optional)

½ Congo pepper, seeded and chopped (optional) 1 tbs chopped celery ¼ cup tomato sauce ¼ cup raisins 4 tbs capers Method • Make the filling. Combine the beef with the chicken. Add salt, black-pepper, ¼ cup chopped chives, and 1 tbs thyme.

• Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan. Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add pimento peppers, Congo pepper (if using), the celery and the remaining chives and thyme.

Add meat and cook until brown. Add tomato sauce, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.

• Add raisins, capers, and olives, and stir to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes more, taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat and leave to cool.

• In a food processor, or by hand, combine the cornmeal with the butter and salt, add water and process to make a soft pliable dough.

• Divide the dough into 12 balls. Cover with a damp cloth to prevent drying.

• Place one piece of dough on one of the banana/plantain leaves and press until it is about 8” in width. Spoon 2 tablespoons filling onto the middle of the dough and fold and seal dough edges. Repeat the process until all 12 pieces of dough and banana leaves are used up.

• Wrap banana/plantainleaf around and tie into a neat package. Steam pastelles for 45 mins until cooked. Makes 12.

To prepare banana/plantain leaves, steam them in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes until they become soft and pliable.

Method 1. Boil sugar and water to make thick syrup, and let cool completely.

2. Add lime juice, essence and rum.

3. Strain and bottle; add lime peel. (This latter is to give it more depth).

4. Let stand for three to four weeks.

5. Strain again and bottle.

6. Now you’re good to go.

7. Can be served straight, with either crushed ice or soda.

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

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LET’S TALK DOLLARS & SENSE

PONCHE DE CREMA (What the ‘Trinis’ famously call ‘poncha crema’) Ingredients 6 medium eggs 2 tbsps condensed milk 2 tbsps evaporated milk ¼ cup (60ml) rum ½ tsp lime rind (called zest) ⅛ tsp Angostura bitters ⅛ tsp nutmeg

Method 1. Blend together eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, rum, lime rind, bitters and nutmeg,then strain.

2. Put in the refrigerator to chill 20 minutes before serving.

Serving suggestions: Serve with either crushed ice or sprinkled with nutmeg.

FRUITY EGGNOG

Ingredients 2 cups milk 1 medium ripe banana, peeled and cut in chunks 4 tbsp granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla ¼ tsp nutmeg 1 medium egg 2 scoops vanilla ice cream Method 1. In a blender, blend together the milk, banana, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and egg at high speed.

2. Add ice cream to mixture in blender and whip for about a minute.

Serving Suggestions: Serve over cracked ice, sprinkle with nutmeg and decorate with cherries

CAUGHT up as we understandably are around this time of year, what with the magnetic pull of the season and its magic all around us, it’s rather easy to dig deep into our pockets and completely forget that January is just around the corner.

Rest assured, the store-owners with whom you plan spreading cheer in the spirit of the season are ever mindful of this little foible of yours, and intend to exploit it to the fullest by putting on a considerable markup on their goods. They, too, know of the hardships of hard-as-guava-season January and the months ahead, and are leaving nothing to chance.

So, too, should you.

In fact, some store-owners began raising the prices for certain commodities since late October, according to one taxi driver. And in a news item carried by one of the foreign television networks, those heavenly smells you get while shopping in some department stores and supermarkets are not at all by chance, but a deliberate attempt to get you to spend your hard-earned money on things you don’t necessarily need.

Those scents are concocted in the laboratory and sold in bottles… Just for you.There’s a smell for everyone, from new leather, to fresh-baked cookies, to the clean scent of pine.

They’ve made you a study, and know just what button to push. They even know in which direction you tend to head when you enter a store, and make the necessary arrangements to accommodate you. A little something here, where you can’t miss it… another eye-catching bit there. Man, they’ve got you made!Right down to the very last detail!

So, be on the alert! Buy only what you need, and not what you want.

And, watch out for those promotions that offer 50 per cent and more discounts, particularly if it is a store you do not frequent, and so are not familiar with the so-called

‘before’ prices. Chances are, there is no sale on after all; that it’s all just a gimmick to get you come in and buy something; anything; just as long as you make a purchase.

And, never mind that the tax ceiling has been raised significantly, that’s no licence to overindulge.

You’ll need every dime come the new year when the bills start coming in; particularly the light bill, which will undoubtedly be on the hefty side after all those fairy lights and other electrical gadgets you just had to have for Christmas.

And, while on the subject of electricity, take a cue from the late Ms Eileen Cox, doyenne of local consumer affairs: Always check on your refrigerator door to ensure that the gasket is fitted perfectly as the slightest impairment can send your meter racing, and in turn your light bill skyrocketing.

One way of doing this, she advises, is by trying to slither a sheet of typewriting paper through the refrigerator door while it’s closed. If the paper is able to go through unhindered, she says, then chances are that cool air is escaping from the ‘fridge’ all day long, resulting in a high consumption of electricity, hence your hefty light bill.

So, have your appliances checked at the earliest opportunity. Do not leave it for tomorrow! Get it done and over with today!She also suggests placing a container of ice in the freezing compartment so as to keep the appliance cool in the event of a power outage.

Did you know that the window boxes on the bedroom windows of those old colonial houses along Main Street and elsewhere were not for potted flowers at all, as we were led to believe, but for placing blocks of ice so as to keep the place cool during the course of the night?

Guess not.

Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10,2015

Check out ‘The Lingerie Shop’ -for goodies at ‘rock bottom’ prices

THE Lingerie Shop, located on Cummings Street (between Robb and Regent), Georgetown is having a big ‘Christmas Blow-

Out Sale’, and has reduced prices to ‘rock bottom’.

This, according to Manager Sarah Abrahim, is so as to make room for brand new

stocks for the new year.

Items on offer for sale include ‘bras’, which have been reduced from their original price of $5,000 to $2,500 and $1,500.

Panties, previously sold for $2,000 and $1,500 are now going for as little as $500. And lingerie, for which the store is famous, are now down from $6,500 and $5,500 to $3,500 and $1,500. Comfy girdles are $4,000.

What’s unique about The Lingerie Shop is that items are of superior quality, and come in ‘hard-to-get’ sizes and at just at the right price.

Extending a warm welcome to come in and shop, and a Peaceful and Joyous Christmas to customers, Abrahim asserts: “Come, let’s mingle together! Everything must go! We’re making way for brand new stocks.” At The Lingerie Shop, staff are pleasant, helpful and always willing to share best buys and shopping tips. Opening hours are from 09:00hrs to 18:30hrs and on Sundays from 10:00hrs to 14:00 hrs.

With Lifestyles, you can’t go wrong!

SEARCHING for that special party dress to enhance your image, and give you that look of charm and elegance for the Christmas holidays?

Then Bingo! Get ready for the party season with Lifestyles Boutique, located on Barrack Street Kingston.

At Lifestyles, there’s a wide array of fashionable and uniquely-designed dresses for almost any occasion, including: Christmas Eve Night; Christmas Day; Box-

ing Night; and Old Year’s Night as well.

There’s also a variety of evening dresses, fast-selling chiffon tops, skirts and cute little black as well as red dresses with silver and/or gold trimmings and luxurious lace and embellishments.

And to complement these, Lifestyles’ has an array of accessories, including dazzling necklaces, bracelets, hand bands and clutches.

As you browse through the astounding collection of fashion, choose also from their wide range of footwear, including stilettoes, wedges, platforms and gladiators that will make you step out in elegance.

Opening hours are: 09:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs, and after December 15, from 09:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs. Sundays: 10:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs.

With Lifestyles, you can’t go wrong!

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

Say it with flowers from Nesha’s

GET the feeling of Christmas as you step into Nesha’s wonderland of flowers, sniffing the sweet smelling fragrance of more than a dozen fresh floral types.

There are flowers for every occasion, and just about everywhere in this quaint familiar little flower shop, fresh cuts, artificial, you name it. But exerting a dominant presence is the poinsettia, that

familiar captivating flower which sends the message of peace and love, and without which, Christmas probably would not be Christmas.

And so, Nesha, Manager of Nesha’s Flowerland, asserting that she’s got flowers for every occasion, proudly highlighted the poinsettia to make your home smell as Christmassy as it can be.

Identifying other sweet-smelling cen-

terpiece fragrances she introduced the honey combs, pine combs, Norfolk pines, sweet cedar, eucalyptus, mistletoe, all cut from Christmas greenery or live pines and which can last for months.

Other than the centrepieces, there’s a wide selection of colourful artificial flower which add to the beauty of your home. The going colours Nesha says are red, cream and gold

or the blue and gold.

She recommends that you go for the vibrant colours, with glitters added which can really make for a fine decorative masterpiece.

The poinsettia, she says, all live, normally comes in red, white, pink, carrying at least three plants in the pot which has at least to nine blooms. The prices range between $8,000 to $15,000 per pot.

Apa r t fr o m he r cherished flowers Nesha also has a wide variety of Vases -decorative vases as well as vases for flowers; ornaments, handicraft and lots more- all at affordable prices.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10,2015

B r i n g i n g t h e w o r l d Christmas gift-giving to your fingertips and other traditions

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CHRISTMAS, for many people, is about giving and getting presents.

Children almost explode in anticipation on Christmas morning. Far-sighted givers start stockpiling months ahead, whereas the procrastinating multitude flocks to the stores and markets the week before Christmas.

The gift-giving tradition of Christmas has its roots in the Three Kings’ offerings to the infant Jesus when the Magi travelled to Bethlehem to present Christ with gifts. Some Eastern Orthodox churches and European countries still celebrate the traditional date of the Magi’s arrival - January 6, or Three Kings’ Day - with a Christmas-like gift exchange.

The Romans traded gifts during Saturnalia, and 13th century French nuns distributed presents to the poor on St. Nicholas Eve. Gift-giving did not become the central Christmas tradition it is today until the late 18th Century.

Gifts were ostensibly meant to remind people of the Magi’s offerings to Jesus and of God’s gift of Christ to humankind. But despite the rationalized Christian roots of gift-giving, the practice ultimately steered Christmas closer to the secularized holiday it is today.

Stores began placing Christmas-themed ads in newspapers in 1820. Santa Claus, the increasingly popular bearer of gifts, started popping up in ads and stores 20 years later.

By 1867, the Macy’s department store in New York City stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve, allowing last-minute shoppers to make their purchases.

Today, Christmas is a bona fide gift-giving bonanza. Stores bring out the tinsel and greenery in early October. Most retailers rely on the holidays to make up for previous slow months, and prepare for the slow sales of the New Year. This dependence has made Christmas, a single day in late December, swell into a three-month holiday

season. “The holidays” -- with their sales, decorations and mall Santas -- now reign through nearly a quarter of the year.

Other Christmas traditions also have ancient roots that are pre-Christian roots and originate from pagan winter-solstice celebrations or Roman festivals. Other traditions are relatively modern.

Some significant holiday traditions include decorations, activities and food.

Christmas decorations With people spending billions on decorations – yes, billions - it’s clear that tinsel, green trimmings and electric lights are an important part of most people’s holiday. Evergreen trees and garlands were used as decorative symbols of eternal life by ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Hebrews; and European pagans sometimes worshipped evergreen trees. By medieval times, western Germans used fir trees to represent the Tree of Paradise in mystery plays about Adam and Eve. They decorated the trees with apples, and later with wafers, to symbolize the host.

The trees grew increasing popular in Germany and settlers introduced them to North America in the 17th Century.

Many people also decorate with holly, mistletoe and ivy.

Decorators started lighting up their trees with electric bulbs in the 1890s. Those lights have since become an integral part of Christmas decorating.

Christmas activities Outdoor light displays and other decorating traditions have created Christmas activities of their own.

Decorators sometimes compete over the most ornate lighting displays, and spectators walk or drive through neighbourhoods to marvel at the exhibits.

Schools and churches often stage Christmas pageants that reenact the Nativity. Saint Francis of Assisi started this custom in 1223, believing a life-size staging of the Crèche would make Jesus’ sto-

ry clear and accessible.

Christmas activities might also include traditional carols, which are still sometimes sung door to door by groups of friends or neighbours in some countries.

Christmas food Traditional Christmas food constitute a delicious combination of harvest feast foods like turkey, squashes and potatoes; and winter festival foods like roasted meats and an array of baked goods that outdo any other time of year.

So this is Christmas?

Although most persons celebrate Christmas on December 25, there are still those who do not. Some are non-Christians who wish to avoid both the religious and secular aspects of Christmas, and some are Christians who simply observe Christ’s birth on a day other than the 25th , or Christians who do not believe in celebrating the Nativity at all.

Members of the Armenian Church observe Christmas on January 6, the traditional day of the Epiphany in western churches. Russian and Ethiopian Orthodox churches celebrate on January 7. Some American Christians follow their family’s European traditions and celebrate on Christmas Eve. Did You Know?

For people in Great Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the holidays do not end the day after Christmas. December 26, or Boxing Day, is a time for continued gift exchange and sport.

Boxing Day began as a holiday for servants and other working people who had to serve through Christmas. As a reward, they were relieved of their duties the following day, and given gifts by their employers.

December 26 is also the feast day of Saint Stephen, the patron saint of horses.

Source: www. howstuffworks.com

GUYANA CHRONICLE SHOPPING GUIDE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

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