Reporter Herald Holiday Book 2019

VOLUME ONE

Book A R EA P OTRI M T EE R PU S -- H CE AR LA L LPDU B L IBCLAI C T IAOTNI O N

NORTH 622 N College Ave Ft Collins, 80524 (970) 482-2741

SOUTH 6204 S College Ave Ft Collins, 80525 (970) 225-1255

EAST 2601 S Lemay #18 Ft Collins, 80525 (970) 226-0277

WEST 2100 W Drake Rd #6 Ft Collins, 80526 (970) 682-2585

WINDSOR 516 Main St Windsor, 80550 (970) 686-5547

LOVELAND 2400 N Lincoln Ave Loveland, 80538 (970) 800-3967

www.poudrefeed.com

Book

Not Another Gift Card Christmas ................................4 Great Reads for the Young Bibliophile..........................6 Gift Ideas that are good enough to eat (and drink) ...................................................................8 What to Cook When You’re Hosting Family for the Holidays .........................................................12 The Best Housewares this Season ...............................15 3 Best Cocktail Books.................................................17 Gifts That Keep Giving..............................................20 Best Toys for 2019 .....................................................22 This Year’s Hot New Toys ..........................................24 Smart Gifts ................................................................26 Gifts To Go................................................................28 Prep For the Party ......................................................30 Home Office Hits ......................................................32 Holiday Happenings ..................................................33

November 2019

A RE POR TE R -H ERALD PUBLICATION

Special Features Coordinator

Misty Kaiser, 303-473-1425 kaiserm@timescall.com

Contributing Writers

Misty Kaiser, Shelley Widhalm, Judy Finman, Wendy McMillan, Lisa Iannucci, Erik J. Martin, Nancy Mattia, Lisa Futterman Robin Gibson, Denise K. James, Armin Brott, Samantha Feuss, Barry Waldman, Cheryl Jackson Check out our digital edition at reporterherald.com/magazines

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Holiday Gift Book 3

Gift Card Christmas

WHAT TO BUY FOR THE LET-ME-PICK-IT-OUT GENERATION

By Lisa Iannucci, CTW Features

Ask any pre-teen, tween and teen what they want for the holidays and most will probably respond, “a gift card.”

In 2018, consumers spent more than $130 billion on gift cards per year, according to advisory company CEB TowerGroup, but it said roughly $1 billion went unspent. Sometime those gift cards get lost in your wallet.

If you’re tired of buying such an impersonal gift, but want to please the youngster in your life, there are alternatives.

1. Give an experience

“Buying gifts for the gift card generation requires a little thought,” says Cherie Corso, parenting expert. “Teens today like ‘experience gifts’ so instead of a gift card, buy them tickets to a concert or show or event.”

Corso also explains that many parents are remembering to include the friends as well, organizing groups of children to go to concerts as holiday gifts instead of just purchasing one ticket for the child.

4 Holiday Gift Book

2. Think out-of-the-box.

Well, out of their room, that is. Kids don’t typically buy things that mom and dad supply such as pictures and bedding, etc.

“Teens like these items because it’s fun to do a mini-bedroom makeover,” Corso says. “Some gift examples include a fuzzy pillow, picture, bean bag, a cool makeup mirror and artwork for their wall.”

Corso says to remember that today’s teens also enjoy status items they can post photos of on Instagram.

“Gift cards are fun but not as much fun as seeing Justin Bieber or posting a photo with your new designer purse,” Corso says.

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November 2019

3. Think charitable

“Instead of going holiday shopping this year, go holiday ‘giving’ by choosing gifts that benefit children and families in need from around the world,” says Christine Connolly Bell, Public Relations Manager at World Vision. “A retail gift card gives a pre-teen, teen or college student pleasure for a short period of time, but a charitable gift, like a child sponsorship through World Vision, ensures that the young person learns about and stays connected with important global issues.”

Through World Vision’s #GenerosityEffect movement, your teen will go online and send a stuffed goat to a friend. “We’ll match that gift with a real goat sent to a family in need,” Bell says. “The chain reaction of generosity will be viewable online through a tracking tool — truly bringing the gift’s impact to life and showing each individual’s influence.”

World Vision also offers a gift catalog on their website.

4. Think indie

Despite the perception that nobody — especially young people — reads today, Nicole Brinkley, an independent bookseller and founder of YA Interrobang, says kids and teens today are reading more than ever, between the stories available on their phones and the hardcovers they collect for their shelves.

“We see this in the success of events like BookCon and subscription boxes like Parnassus’s ParnassusNext book box,” she says. “ParnassusNext sends a first-edition signed YA hardcover to its teen subscribers once a month.”

She also suggests that if you have to buy a gift card, buy one to an independent bookstore, where they can use the card in-person or online. “With this and ParnassusNext subscriptions, it keeps kids and teens actively reading and excited to build their own little library.”

5. Think gift cards Wait, what? We just said to think about ideas other than gift cards, but it is still OK to give some out.

“These days, gift cards and eGifts are the norm, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring,” says Elisabeth Vezzani, the CEO and co-founder of Sugarwish, an online candy store where recipients purchase the candy they want with their gift card.

Vezzani explains that many e-gifts and some gift cards provide an interactive experience, not just a purchase.

“This allows them to compete with traditional gifts in a way that they never could before,” she said. “This gifting trend is all about keeping it simple for the buyer while delighting the recipient in unexpected ways … and these are exactly the types of gifts that today’s teens are looking for.”

© CTW Features

November 2019

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Holiday Gift Book 5

Great Reads for theYoungBibliophile Books make a great gift for the young adults on your shopping list. Not sure what to buy?

Anything from the Young Adult Library Services Association’s suggested list of 2019’s Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults is sure to please.

The Poet X

What If It’s Us

Elizabeth Acevedo // 2018 // Harper Teen Xiomara Batista struggles with, well, most things in her life- her mother, her twin, and her place in the Catholic church. In the past, she’s used her fists to solve problems, as well as secretly writing poetry, but now it may be time to use those poems to fight back.

Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera // 2018 // Harper Teen After the universe brings Arthur and Ben together outside the post office, neither make a move and both leave wondering if they missed a chance at love. What if they were meant to be?

A Heart in a Body in the World

The Cruel Prince

Holly Black // 2018 // Little, Brown and Company Violently taken from her human home, Jude has struggled to navigate the dark world of the Fae. Jaded from years of being viewed as inferior for being human, she publicly challenges the wicked Prince Cardan and his friends, unleashingg the prince’s wrath upon her and her sisters.

Dread Nation

Deb Caletti // 2018 // Simon Pulse After a traumatic incident, Annabelle manages to finish her senior year with the support of her friends and family and the comfort of routine: school, work, cross-country. One night, she reaches her breaking point and she begins to run — across the US. Along the way she becomes a reluctant activist.

Justina Ireland // 2018 // Balzer + Bray In post-Civil War America where the dead have refused to stay buried, Jane has spent her entire life training in a special combat school for African American children, preparing to save the lives of the wealthy.

When entire families go missing, she learns her combat skills are a incrediblyy useful- against g both the dead and the living.

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Monday’s Not Coming

Tiffany D Jackson // 2018 // Katherine Tegen Books When Claudia’s best friend Monday suddenly disappears without a trace, Claudia knows something is up and will not stop until she uncovers the possible horrifying truth.

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November 2019

Darius the Great is Not N Okay

Adib Khorram // 2018 // Dial A B Books Darius is not okay with his D im mpossible-to-please father, his mother and sister’s shared Farsi m siisterhood, and his “Fractional Persian” heritage. A family trip to o his mother’s homeland means leearning more about his family, hi himself, lf and d the h many fforms love can take.

Foolish Hearts

E Emma Mills // 2017 // Henry Holt & Co. H When Claudia finds herself W eensnared in a school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, o she must also navigate the politics of her private girls’ school, her o budding friendship with prickly b Irris, and a charming, tentative ro omance in addition to family d drama iin thi this funny, f ffeel-good contemporary novel.

FFrankie

N Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe D

S Shivaun Plozza // 2017 // Flatiron Books.

Frankie Vega’s half-brother suddenly presents himself, and just as she begins to get to know him, he disappears.

Frankie is the only one who seems worried about his whereabouts so she sets out to find him.

P Preston Norton // 2018 // Disney Hyperion H Aaron is the star of Happy Valley High School until he suffers a concussion after a boating accident, or receives a visit from God, depending on who you believe. God gives him a to-do list and tells him he will need the help of Cliff Hubbard (a.k.a. Neanderthal).

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Holiday Gift Book 7

that are good enough to eat (and drink)

By Shelley Widhalm for Holiday Book When the holidays come, what do you think of? Prettily wrapped gifts with bows and sparkles? Stockings with more gifts? Santa with his sleigh of gifts?

Umm, what about food and drink?

One of the best gifts for the 2019 holidays is a combination of the two, or gifts that are good enough to eat and drink. The list of yummy presents can start with the traditional sparkling beverages and delectable chocolates from all over the world to edible pot and special treats for the cat or dog.

European Chocolate

Choice City Drug imports dark, milk and flavored chocolates from places like Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Poland and Switzerland.

“You can taste the chocolate more. It’s not so disguised with beeswax,” Wilkins said. “American chocolates are usually with higher amounts of sugar.”

The variety of flavors of the imported chocolates is one of the store’s draws, said Bernie Wilkins, owner of Choice City Drug. The choices include an assortment of Belgium truffles and chocolate with raisins and rum, almonds and oranges, peppermint, corn flakes and shortbread. (Available at Choice City Drug, 209 N. College Ave., Fort Collins)

Confections and Cookies

Stollen

Stollen, a traditional German bread served during the Christmas season, has nuts, spices and dried or candied fruit and is coated with powdered sugar or icing sugar. Some varieties have marzipan, a confection made of sugar or honey and almond meal.

(Available at Choice City Drug, 209 N. College Ave., Fort Collins)

8 Holiday Gift Book

Chocolatecovered marzipan is another Christmas treat Choice City Drug offers. The Italian confection has an almond flavor and can come in various shapes, like fruits and vegetables or horseshoes.

“It’s kind of a festive thing,” Wilkins said. “It’s kind of nice to have when you’re enjoying an event or coffee.”

Gingerbread is always a holiday favorite; cover it in chocolate and you have a certain crowd pleaser.

(Available at Choice City Drug, 209 N. College Ave., Fort Collins)

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November 2019

Natale Verga Prosecco

Natale Verga has a Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine made from Prosecco grapes with citrus notes and a nutty overtone, that can be served straight or in a mimosa.

“The reason I like it is it has a touch of sweetness, but it is also a great gift during the holidays,” said Mat Dinsmore, managing partner of Wilbur’s Total Beverage, adding that the wine works well for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. “Sparkling wine is a nice thing to have around whether it’s for parties or dinner. … It’s really refreshing and fun.”

A seasonal item in its second year, Dinsmore ordered more bottles since he sold out of it within the first week last year. The packaging isn’t festive but includes foil and a cork just like a bottle of champagne, plus it’s less expensive Dinsmore said.

“It’s not the most serious thing, but it’s fun, refreshing and it’s really versatile,” Dinsmore said.

(Available at Wilbur’s Total Beverage, 2201 S. College Ave., Fort Collins)

Pleasures Pinot Noir

A great drinkable gift — Pleasures Pinot Noir is an affordable and flexible red wine out of California. Best served at room temperature, it makes a great hostess gift or accompaniment to your holiday meal.

“It’s a very soft, subtle type of wine. … It’s got a little bit of black currant and raspberry to it. It’s a crowd pleaser,” Dinsmore said.

“Pinot Noir goes excellent with holiday fair. It goes great with ham.

It goes great with turkey.” (Available at Wilbur’s Total Beverage, 2201 S. College Ave., Fort Collins)

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Crown Royal Salted Caramel is a 70-proof Canadian whiskey infused with the salty-sweet taste of salted caramels. It comes in a velvet version of the iconic purple bag with drawstrings. Serve it simply, on the rocks, or use it as a flavorful mixer for a new take on eggnog or hot cider.

“It goes well with holiday parties,” Dinsmore said.

(Available at Wilbur’s Total Beverage, 2201 S. College Ave., Fort Collins)

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Holiday Gift Book 9

Tremenda Sticks

Animals love treats and they like to be included in the festive fun!

For dogs, try Tremenda Sticks by Loveland-based, The Natural Dog Company.

Large or small, doggies will devour these delectable treats. The treat sticks are made out of beef bladder sourced from free-ranging, grass-fed cattle and have a palatable, soft texture.

“These sticks are a great long-lasting chew for puppies, small breeds or seniors, and they make a delicious snack for bigger dogs,” Boothe said.

Stuff them in your pooch’s own stocking or let them enjoy their snack during your holiday meal.

(Available at six Poudre Pet & Feed Supply locations, Loveland Location: 2400 N. Lincoln Ave.)

Tiki Cat Stix

“If you aren’t sure what to get the person who has everything, giving them a gift for their pet can be just as meaningful as if it were for them,” said Ashley Boothe, marketing director at Poudre Pet & Feed Supply.

“Someone who understands how beloved my cat is to me, and who is thoughtful enough to buy her a gift, is giving me love and joy, too.”

Cats might like Tiki Cat Stix by Wet Treats, which contain a creamy, high-quality protein mousse that comes in a variety of meaty flavors.

The treat can be served as a dry-food topping or as a lickable treat straight from the single-serve tube.

“What cat wouldn’t love to indulge in some salmon mousse?” Boothe said, adding that the flavors are those “that even a finicky feline should find favorable.”

(Available at six Poudre Pet & Feed Supply locations, Loveland Location: 2400 N. Lincoln Ave.)

10 Holiday Gift Book

Sweet Harvest Papaya Treats

Let’s not leave out the little guys (and gals!)

For pet birds, rabbits and rodents, a great option is the Sweet Harvest Papaya Bird & Small Animal Treats by Greeley-based ,Kaylor of Colorado.

The treats are bite-sized and help promote healthy skin for small mammals and for the birds, bright feathers.

“Pet birds, rabbits or rodents alike will find these high-quality, natural papaya bites to be a wonderful treat,” Booth said. “Mix them in with their food or hide them away and stimulate a parrot’s or rat’s natural instincts or foraging habits.”

(Available at six Poudre Pet & Feed Supply locations, Loveland Location: 2400 N. Lincoln Ave.)

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November 2019

Vida CBD Tincture

Vida comes in three measurements and three flavors of cherry pie, citrus and peppermint. Create your own CBD beverage with mixers such as coffee, kombucha, soda water or a cocktail mix.

“All of these options make great gift ideas because they are an alternative to tobacco or alcohol, but they are still in the spirit category for enjoying over the holidays,” said Amanda Macaulay, marketing manager of CBDeport and Kind Kare of Colorado, a dispensary in Fort Collins.

The tincture and beverages are infused with CBD to provide painrelieving, anti-inflammatory and anxiety-reducing qualities.

“A lot of people find that’s it a really easy way to get their daily dose of CBD,” Macaulay said. “CBD drinks as a whole are a great option because there are so many flavors, and it’s easy to ingest and get a good dose.” (Available at CBDepot, 6617 S. College Ave., Fort Collins and new location 1505 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland.)

Ripple Dissolvables

Ripple Dissolvables with THC is a powder that dissolves in liquids and that can be mixed in everything from holiday cocktails to gravy.

“It’s extremely versatile. It can turn anything liquid that you’re eating into a cannabis-type product,” Macauley said.

“It’s extremely accurate for dosing. With this powder, you can specify accurately to whatever level you’d prefer to be at.”

(Available at KindCare of Colorado, 6617 S. College Ave., Fort Collins)

M erry Christmas!

May the peace of Christ be with you now and throughout the coming year.

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

November 2019

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Holiday Gift Book 11

to

when you’re hosting family for the holidays

By Erik J. Martin, CTW Features You’ve decided to take one for the team and summon the entire clan over for dinner and festivities on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

The invite was the easy part. Now you’ve got to figure out what will be on the menu — not an easy task, you deduce, considering your kin’s different palates and preferences.

But prepping, cooking and serving the holiday meal doesn’t have to be a dreaded or frustrating endeavor.

With the right food planning and ample lead time, you can ace this banquet, sidestep the stress, and conquer the kitchen with culinary cleverness. This positive process starts with the right mindset.

“This is a chance to be creative, to brainstorm, to really think about

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what you want the experience of a holiday meal to be. This is a chance to make a memorable gathering for your friends and family, to create a day worth reminiscing about,” says Quelcy Kogel, Pittsburgh-based author of “The Gluten-Free Grains Cookbook” and a freelance food stylist.

Jamie McFadden, executive chef for Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Events in Winter Park, Florida, agrees.

“All too often, we find ourselves in a panic because we procrastinate on projects that can alleviate entertaining stress and kitchen nightmares,” he says. “Advanced meal planning, recipe research, prepping items that can be frozen or refrigerated a few weeks prior to an event,

November 2019

as well as utilizing detailed shopping lists that can be delegated are just a few examples of proper planning techniques that will reduce stress and anxiety.”

Allison Stowell, a Bethel, Connecti-cut-based registered dietitian for the Guiding Stars Licensing Co.,

suggests that the key to holiday meal success — and taste bud and gastrointestinal congruence — is to start planning at least a few weeks ahead of time and communicate with guests about the foods you plan to serve.

“No one wants to visit a host who seems overwhelmed. You also

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want to ensure your menu allows for adequate cooking time and that your kitchen can support your menu,” notes Stowell.

“Planning menus that have something for everyone is crucial for keeping harmony. When hosting others, it’s nice to take traditional foods into consideration, as well as any food-related concerns such as allergies or certain eating styles.”

Once you’ve ruled out any ingredients that could disagree with guests, it’s time to narrow down the dishes.

Kogel recommends a menu filled with classic cuisine choices as well as a few unique flavors. Her ideal holiday meal starts with an appetizer cheese board with savory parmesanherb granola. The latter “pairs best with a soft cheese like burrata, and the granola can also be used as salad topper instead of croutons. Be sure to include vegetarian options on the board such as nuts, olives, and artichoke hearts.”

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Holiday Gift Book 13

Next up is a fall harvest soup with quinoa and crispy sage, which is “easy to make — it’s creamy and comforting with fall spices, so it’s especially amenable to feeding a crowd,” adds Kogel.

For her main course, Kogel opts for roasted turkey, surrounded by a perimeter of root vegetables like golden beets, turnips, carrots, rutabaga, and sweet potatoes. Side dishes on Kogel’s

table also includes a roasted squash and grape salad with bacon and burnt honey vinaigrette; mashed potatoes; garlic green beans; stuffing; cranberry sauce; and roasted carrot cheesecake with a ginger oat crust for dessert.

McFadden’s menu, meanwhile, forgoes the gobble in exchange for a main course of beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce. He would preface that with roasted butternut

squash soup with cinnamon churros and escarole Caesar salad with gingerbread croutons, and fill out the sides with green bean casserole, twice baked potatoes, and a palate-pleasing chocolate Kahlua cake.

Kitty Broihier, a South Portland, Maine-based registered dietitian and adjunct faculty member of Southern Maine Community College’s Nutrition Department, recommends spotlighting fall colors and healthy food choices on your holiday table. She suggests kicking off the eating event with a grand salad loaded with baby arugula, sliced fennel, grapefruit or orange segments, and thinly sliced red onion — served with a citrus-based dressing on the side.

Broihier’s prime entrée is either beef rib roast or ham, complemented by a vegetable lasagna; sautéed garlicky green beans or sliced Brussels sprouts with slivered almonds and dried cranberries; oven-roasted beets tossed in olive oil and garnished with chopped pistachios and goat cheese; and a pumpkin cake roll for dessert.

CTW Features

Timesaving Tips To make your big day run more smoothly, don’t be afraid to cut a few corners. Try these suggestions: • Prep and freeze a few dishes well ahead of time.

• You don’t have to start from scratch, but you can make it look like you did. “Start with some prepackaged foods, like a can of cranberry sauce that you top with a bit of orange zest and a sprig of rosemary,” says food stylist Quelcy Kogel.

• Ask family for help. Get volunteers to make some of the side dishes and bring a bottle of wine.

• When in doubt, trust a pro. Get a quote from a local caterer, “because it’s often more affordable than you’d think,” Kogel adds.

• Set the table the day prior to avoid feeling rushed.

• Keep your guests out of the kitchen before the meal. “Give them something to do, like grab a lite bite at an appetizer station or indulge in a drink while you put the last dish in the oven,” says Kogel.

CTW Features

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November 2019

The Best Housewares This Season THESE GIFTS HELP YOU PEEL A BOILED EGG, FRY WITHOUT GUILT AND COOK IN PEACE

By Nancy Mattia, CTW Features Buying a loved one a kitchen-related gift is a great idea for many people. Who doesn’t want a new gadget or small appliance to make cooking easier or more fun? Here are five that anyone would be thrilled to unwrap:

Cuisinart Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven, $270

How can you not love cookware that makes eating fried chicken wings or French fries a non-guilty pleasure? Besides the usual toaster-oven capabilities — toasting, baking, broiling, and warming — this updated appliance air-fries foods, meaning it uses air instead of oil to make the crispy magic happen. It also proofs bread and dehydrates food and can handle up to three pounds of food or six bagel halves at once. A large viewing window, interior light, and digital readout are handy extras; cuisinart.com.

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November 2019

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Holiday Gift Book 15

Le Creuset New Calm Collection Skillet, $150 and up

Cooking will be a relaxing endeavor when you give a special someone a skillet or other cookware from LeCreuset’s New Calm Collection. The muted colors underscore the chill vibe: Sea Salt (a soft blue-green), Meringue (a rich ivory), and Fig (an earthy violet-brown); the popular Coastal Blue (a powdery blue) is also in the grouping. Besides the skillet, the Collection includes a Dutch oven, casserole, and salt and pepper mill; lecreuset.com.

OXO Good Grips Punctual Egg Timer with Piercer, $20

Braun MultiQuick Spiralizer and Hand Blender, $100

Do you know someone who’s trying to eat fewer carbs and more vegetables? If so, help them in their quest for a better diet with Braun’s new spiralizer and hand blender which will, among other tasks, julienne zucchini to look like pasta. It promises speedy results since there’s no laborious handcranking needed—it slices at 21 different speeds and in three thickness levels. Using the extra blade provided, the multipurpose spiralizer can turn into a chopper, ice crusher, or blender; braunhousehold.com.

An egg-cellent stocking stuffer!

OXO Punctual Piercer Egg Timer eliminates the horror of overcooking or undercooking soft- or hard-boiled eggs ever again.

Based on the eater’s doneness preference and the egg’s size, it’s a cinch figuring out what setting to use to cook the egg with.

The progress bar tells how much longer it’ll be. The timer has a builtin piercer, which helps avoid making a mess when peeling off the shell; oxo.com.

S’nack (containers) by S’well, from $20

A longtime crusader against single-use plastic consumption and best known for its reusable water bottles with graphic designs, S’well has the perfect gift for the friend who takes food to work every day: S’nack, a line of stylish food containers. These environment-friendly storage keepers are double-layered and vacuum insulated, which ensures that hot food stays hot and cold food stays cold. You can get them in two sizes: 10 ounces for nibbles like nuts and grapes and 24 ounces for more substantial sustenance like soup or last night’s leftovers. And there’s no shortage of fun designs, like cute avocados and gummi bears; swellbottle.com.

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November 2019

3 Cocktailof Books for Home Bartenders All Ability Levels

By Lisa Futterman, Chicago Tribune (TNS)

Making cocktails at home, while an elegant treat for your guests and yourself, can be a bit overwhelming. To help, we chose three new books to aid those of different levels of bartending skill and aspiration. Whether your goal is to stir up a quick after-work gimlet, to perfect your Sazerac or to master the classic mai tai, each of these books will help build your cocktail crafting.

BASIC SIP: 100 Gin Cocktails with only 3 ingredients

The “Know-How” chapter of this satisfying new book from the founders of London’s Sipsmith Distillery starts like this: “One of the secrets of great drinks … is balance … balancing strong against weak (spirit against dilution), sour against sweet (usually citrus against sugar), and modifying these further with spice (bitters or vermouth).” Following those simple guidelines, the founders offer loads of doable recipes for imaginative yet approachable gin cocktails. Sipsmith’s Master Distiller Jared Brown also has a passion for reviving lost drinks, like the bijou, a 19th century cocktail that resembles a Negroni made with green chartreuse. Reach for this book when you want to put together a simple drink for a simple situation: “I have gin, I have chartreuse, what shall I make?”

INTERMEDIATE How to Cocktail

America’s Test Kitchen has finally come out with an encouraging bar manual that’s as trustworthy as its cookbooks.

Packed with straightforward, unromantic, nononsense information, this technique-driven tome offers perfect clarity for the home bartender.

As with ATK’s cookbooks, each drink has a “why this recipe works” column that explains the process. If you want to make your own tonic syrup, vermouth, clear ice or bitters, they’ve got thoughtful recipes for those. (I am tempted to make the “fruits of the forest” berry liqueur for everyone on my holiday gift list this year. Cleverly, it calls for freeze-dried fruit.) But for those who just want to craft a well-tested margarita with no pretense, this is the book. Unsurprisingly, all the classics appear, but the addition of lesser-known cocktails adds whimsy — check out the Bichon Frise, a cuter version of the classic greyhound. Plus there’s a unique recipe for clarified milk punch that sounds completely doable, and completely delicious.

November 2019

ADVANCED “The NoMad Cocktail Book”

Taken straight from Manhattan’s renowned NoMad Bar, these recipes from author and award winning bar director Leo Robitschek keep no secrets — he offers exact formulas, complete with all the brands specified, so that home mixologists can replicate the 300 complex cocktails within. Most of the drinks contain numerous ingredients — when I first paged through the book I found only one recipe I could mix without going to the liquor store (and I have a wellstocked drink writer’s liquor cabinet). And many call for elaborate syrups, tinctures and the like, whose recipes are also provided, for maximum precision of flavor. The cocktails are credited to each NoMad employee by name, where appropriate, and, true to form, specify the proper glassware and ice size for success.

NoMad staffs a busy bar prep team to prepare the fresh juices, garnishes and syrups detailed in the book, which feature ingredients like kumquats, kombucha squash, chicken jus, olive oil washed tequila and rum infused with raisins. You may need to hire a crew, or at least plan ahead, to recreate drinks like the spiced carrot colada or the topanga, a tequila Tiki concoction that features a chai yogurt syrup. But the rewards are great. This book exists for the adventurous barkeep, the exacting bar scientist or the armchair mixologist who wants to read and dream about drinks they may never mix up.

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Holiday Gift Book 17

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18 Holiday Gift Book

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November 2019

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Holiday Gift Book 19

Gifts that As beautiful as it is, the season of giving often results in excess stuff; things that may used once and forgotten, or never used at all. It can be hard to predict someone’s individual tastes even if you know them well. If that sounds like someone on your list, consider giving something they can use throughout the year and possibly even into the future.

Movie Nights + Snacks

Metropolitan Theatres is offering a gift card promotion this holiday season for moviegoers.

Natalie Eig, Director of Marketing and Communications, says, “Metropolitan Theatres’ gift cards make the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Gift card buyers will receive a free $5 concession voucher for every $50 in gift cards purchased.”

The offer runs November 25 through December 31.

Metropolitan Theatre gift cards are available at metrotheatres.com and at the box office at both MetroLux 14 Theatres at the Promenade Shops Centerra (located at 6085 Sky Pond Drive) and at MetroLux Dine-In Theatres at The Foundry (located at 285 E. 3rd Street in Downtown Loveland).

Colorado Eagles

Experience gifts are some of the best gifts. Whether your gift list includes a die-hard Eagles fan, or perhaps someone who has never even been to a hockey game, a ticket package for the Colorado Eagles is sure to excite them. The Eagles’ 10-game ticket package starts at $190 per seat and includes several rivalry games and promotional nights.

There are also several games from January through April that qualify for the Pepsi 4-Pack ticket package.

This package includes 4 corner seats and $40 worth of concessions for just $96. Whichever package you choose, the recipient is sure to enjoy the thrill of a full-fledged hockey game experience.

Tickets can be purchased online at coloradoeagles.com, by phone at 970.686.7568, or in person at the Budweiser Events Center Box Office at 5290 Arena Circle in Loveland.

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November 2019

An Investment In a Bright Future

There’s a magic window of childhood when the holidays are all about toys, toys, toys, but for the first couple of years when they’re too small to understand the gift giving aspect of the holiday, you might be at a loss for a meaningful gift. Then again, when they grow into their teen years, it becomes harder and harder to find gifts that will mean something and hold their value.

Consider giving your children or grandchildren the gift of a brighter future in the form of a college fund.

Starting a college fund now and including it in your annual financial planning will lessen the financial impact of attending school when the college years roll around.

Wine Not?

Subscriptions and monthly box gifts are still hot, and wine clubs, one of the original “subscriptions,” will please any wine lover on your list. Local purveyor, Sweetheart winery offers members 12 bottles per year (four releases of three varietals each) and includes some of their Signature Series wines as well as some well-earned favorites. Members also receive 15% off glasses of wine and bottle purchases throughout the year, invitations to exclusive wine release parties and club events, as well as the first opportunity to taste and purchase new releases. (Sweetheart Winery, 5500 West Highway 34, Loveland, https://sweetheartwinery.com/)

Fine Art • Handmades • Vintage • Take-Home Foods

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www.applewoodfestivals.com November 2019

Kevin Dunnigan CFP®, MBA

290 E 25th Street Loveland, CO 80538

(970) 622-2366

www.HelpWithMyInvestments.com Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Center Advisor Group (ICAG) is not affiliated with National Planning Holdings, Inc. or with Investment Centers of America, Inc.

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Holiday Gift Book 21

for

Toy Experts note that Unicorns, Barbie in Space and Retro Toys are the big news for the holidays PRNewswire/ -- The independent consumer organization, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, launches their annual awards today for the most outstanding toys of 2019 on their website, toyportfolio.com. Co-founder Stephanie Oppenheim will appear on NBC’s TODAY Show on November 8th, 2019.

“While there are many outstanding toys on our top list this year for all ages, it was not a year of great innovation in Toyland,” notes child development expert and co-founder Joanne Oppenheim.”Perhaps because of the contraction in the marketplace, toy makers are playing it safe with variations on known winners.”

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Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Center Advisor Group (ICAG) is not affiliated with National Planning Holdings, Inc. or with Investment Centers of America, Inc.

22 Holiday Gift Book

Call 303.473.1402 to get started.

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November 2019

Trends to Watch (Good and Bad):

Unicorns are Everywhere.

Each year there’s one animal that captures the imagination of toy makers. This year is absolutely the year of the unicorn.

You’ll find it on all types of toys for every age group.

Retro Toys Are Back.

Whether it’s Spin Art, Pinball Machines or Colorforms, Oppenheim saw a real push for retro toys that were enjoyed by many parents when they were kids. Some with a twist for a new generation – like Monopoly for Millennials.

Coding continues to be a theme.

Toys geared to teaching kids the concept of coding continue to be a strong trend - some are more successful than others.

STEM toys are everywhere and for all ages.

Oppenheim found, however, that a STEM label is no guarantee of real learning content.

Games and Puzzles.

Once again these are the toys that got the highest marks from our testers.

Parents and kids are both looking for non-electronic ways of connecting as a family.

Blind Reveal Novelty Toys.

So that you’ll always be “buying more” many toy companies have jumped on the blind reveal toy packaging.

These novelty toys can be both fun and disappointing (if you don’t get what you’re looking for) and not big on lasting play value.

The final frontier.

Space was a huge theme in both pretend settings, games and puzzles this year. And happily many featured both men and women in space including Playmobil’s Mars Mission and Mattel’s Astronaut Barbie.

November 2019

The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Awards are given to the most outstanding and innovative products of the year. Other notable awards: the Gold Seal Award is given to highly recommended products; Blue Chip Award honors classic products; and the Special Needs Adaptable Product Award recognizes toys most appropriate for kids with special needs. Complete reviews of all winners are online at toyportfolio.com.

Reporter-Herald—ReporterHerald.com

Holiday Gift Book 23

This year s’

By Nancy Mattia, CTW Features

Toys and the holidays go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. It’s a sweet moment when your child rips the wrapping paper off a box and starts grinning when he sees what he’s inside — hopefully he’ll have many hours of fun playing with this much-longed-for toy.

In case you don’t know what the children on your to-buy-for list are pining for, take a look below at some of the hottest toys for the upcoming holiday season:

Fingerling Light Up Narwhals, from $15

The latest incarnation of Fingerlings, the interactive collectible toy you wear on your finger, is a narwhal, and there are five in pretty colors: Nelly (purple), Nikki (turquoise), Raya (green), Nori (periwinkle blue), and Rachel (pink). The narwhals, made by WowWee, contain sensors and respond to motion and touch with blinking eyes, flapping tails, and cute noises. Each has a mood horn that lights up in a different color that tells you how they’re feeling. Hold a narwhal on your cheek and it’ll give you a sweet kiss! For ages 5 and up; kohls.com.

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November 2019

Imaginext DC Super Friends Transforming Batmobile R/C, $80

Gotham City has no shortage of notorious criminals wreaking havoc everywhere. It’s Batman to the rescue in his tricked out Batmobile! Boys and girls can use their imaginations and use the remote control to send the vehicle left, right, and in circles. With the push of a button, it transforms to full battle mode, complete with lights, sound effects, and projectiles, to catch the bad guys and throw them behind bars. For ages 3-8; fisher-price.com.

Love to Hug Elmo, $30

Who needs a hug? Elmo does, and he’s ready for a good squeeze. This beloved Sesame Street character with the plush red fur raises his arms when you squeeze his belly and asks for a hug in either English or Spanish. When someone gives him a hug, the cuddly creature from Playskool responds with a phrase, song, or kiss. For ages 18 months and up; target. com.

Treasure X Aliens, $15

Looking for buried treasure takes on a whole new meaning when the hoped-for riches may be hidden in the body of a slimy alien. Kids become treasure hunters/autopsy technicians with collectible Treasure X Aliens, which involves opening the alien’s stomach, removing the rib cage, and digging through the gooey innards to unbox the goods—a mystery figure or prize. The gross-but-good fun from Moose Toys comes with a bag of reusable ooze. For ages 5 and up; target.com.

Nerf Fortnite RL MicroShots Dart-Firing Toy Blaster, $10

If your kids are into the popular Fortnite video game, tempt them into some non-screen-based play with these mini blasters.

Inspired by the video version’s rocket launcher, the Fortnite RL MicroShots Dart-Firing Toy Blaster, part of a collectible series, comes with two darts that fire one at a time. Bonus for parents: The blaster is hand-powered — no batteries required. For ages 8 and up; hasbro.com.

CTW Features

November 2019

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Holiday Gift Book 25

That s’ brilliant!

Looking for a smart gift? Put these popular 2019 voice-assistance accessories at the top of your list

By Nancy Mattia, CTW Features If any of your family members or friends think they couldn’t live without Alexa or Google Assistant, give them a voice-activated accessory to be used in tandem. From enhancing thermostats to security systems, voice assistants are getting busier and busier! Check out the gift-worthy products below:

Ninety7’s Sky Tote Portable Battery Base, $60

Do you know someone who doesn’t like to be too far from his Alexa-assisted Echo smart speaker?

Be a pal and surprise him with a rechargeable battery base that works with the second-generation Echo, essentially making the speaker portable — it even has a handle.

Not only can it be moved from room to room but if the WiFi connection is strong enough, it also works outside.

Expect up to eight hours of battery life, which means there’s plenty of time to ask Alexa important questions like “Where can I get pork dumplings for dinner tonight?” ninety7.com.

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Ninety7’s Sky Tote Portable Battery Base

© CTW Features

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November 2019

Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control, $249

What’s so special about this fifthgeneration smart thermostat?

The SmartSensor, which detects a room’s temperature and number of occupants to manage hot and cold spots. Besides improved range, the battery lasts longer—up to five years. It now also supports Spotify, joining other streaming services like SiriusXM, Pandora, and iHeartRadio. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri; ecobee.com.

Ring Door View Cam, $199

Let’s say a friend just moved into a new apartment building. She loves it there but wishes the security could be beefed up. Be proactive and give her the gift of safety. Ring Door View Cam is a compact video doorbell equipped with a smart HD camera, which replaces a door’s peephole. When someone rings the bell or knocks on the door, Alexa sends the apartment dweller an alert on their phone, tablet, or PC, and they can see and speak to visitors at their discretion. Another safety feature: a motion detector that can be aimed exactly where it’s needed most; ring.com.

Philips Hue White LED, $15

Your voice assistants can even enable light bulbs! Now with Bluetooth, these smart bulbs — a great stocking stuffer — fortunately don’t require a Philips automation hub for them to work. They connect with your phone and follow Alexa voice commands, as well as Google Assistant and Siri, whether you want the lights lowered in your home (“Alexa, dim the lights by 10 percent”) or if you’re looking for special effects (“Turn the bedroom pink.”); meethue. com.

Amazon Smart Plug, $25

Giving a loved one a plug for a holiday gift might sound rather underwhelming but this isn’t any old plug. The sleek WiFi-connected Amazon Smart Plug goes into an electrical outlet and can power up all your home appliances.

Alexa or Google Assistant will automatically detect them if they’re online and then follow your voice instructions to turn a lamp, air conditioner, or other electrical device on or off; amazon.com.

CTW Features

November 2019

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Holiday Gift Book 27

To Go

By Misty Kaiser, Holiday Book If you live in Colorado, odds are you have a ton of gear on hand for a wide array of outdoor fun. Hiking, camping, hunting, fishing (or even just your run of the mill holiday road trip) can leave you with quite the load to carry. This year, make sure you can get it all where you’re going, safely and securely with cargo solutions from S-Cargo Truck Caps (1954 14th St. SE, Loveland, scargotruckcaps.co/)

Rhino Rack Ski/Snowboard Racks

Snow is already falling and slope enthusiasts are getting antsy to get out in it, but skis and snowboards aren’t small. Help your favorite powder hound save the inside of their car with a ski and snowboard rack by Rhino. Available in sizes ranging from two pairs of skis or two snowboards up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards. ($105-$152)

WeatherTech CupFone

GPS, music, Google or Siri...travel is easier with it all at your fingertips.

This cell phone holder from WeatherTech fits easily in your car’s cup holder and makes a great stocking stuffer. Now available in XL. (CupFone $34, CupFone XL $37)

28 Holiday Gift Book

Riversmith River Quiver

Summer may seem a distant memory at this point, but it’ll be around again before you know it. Give your beloved angler a way to transport their quiver of rods to their favorite spot—rooftop fly rod carriers. Available in two and four rod versions. Also now available in black and XL 11’4”. Free assembly and installation in store. ($399.99 - $719.99)

UnderCover SwingCase

Tired of hearing loose gear rattle around in the back of your truck? This roomy box attaches to the side of the bed and stays put, swinging out for easy access when you need it. Perfect for the truck owner that needs a little organization in their lives. ($195)

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WeatherTech PetRamp

Make it easy for the pet lover in your life to load up their best buddy in high vehicles with this pet ramp. It’s sturdy, light weight and folds to fit in the car for every adventure with their fourlegged friend. Made in the USA. ($95)

November 2019

scargotruckcaps.com • 1954 14th St. SE Loveland, CO 80537

970-669-3164

November 2019

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Holiday Gift Book 29

for the

Tips for wowing your guests with less stress

By Wendy McMillan, Reporter-Herald Holiday Book ‘Tis the season for celebration! Festive fireside gatherings are as trademark to the holidays as magic and mistletoe. But between all the holiday bustle and seemingly endless errands, entertaining can be stressful. There’s not much time to whip your home into shape, let alone yourself. Before you succumb to feelings of overwhelm, take a step back and consider a feel-good shortcut or two. Here are a few ideas to help you get ready, while offering a little holiday TLC to self and home as well.

Get your furnace serviced.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...as long as we have a haven to comfortably keep warm. Whether you’re hosting throughout the holidays or stuffing those gifts into travel bags, the last thing you need is a broken furnace. Luckily, keeping your heating system in excellent, reliable condition comes largely down to a simple proactive phone call. At Northern Colorado Air, Inc., (ncagriff.com) NATE-certified technicians work tirelessly to help you save time and money, while enjoying superior comfort throughout the year.

Having a qualified, dependable professional drop by to perform preventative maintenance service before the holidays really get underway is key to ensuring cozy comfort for all.

Arrange for maid service.

Why stop at the carpet? Holiday cleaning sure can put a damper on joyful celebrations all around. Who really wants to pause the party planning to scrub toilets? The timing couldn’t be better for investing in a gift for yourself that will your home gleaming thanks to a professional cleaning.

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November 2019

Call up the carpet cleaners.

Refresh your home with a new area rug.

A new area rug can go a long way in making your home bright and welcoming, and can handle a whole bunch of foot traffic to boot (pun intended). Not only does it offer a simple way to make a big impact, you’ll get to enjoy the reenergized feel it adds to your home for the long haul. Meanwhile Back at the Ranch at 3 Old Town Square in Fort Collins offers a beautiful selection of Navajo rugs that capture the spirit of the art within with stunning southwestern flair. From traditional to intricate, unique designs and a wide range of sizes, there is something to suit every room and mood.

Before visitors arrive, take steps to make sure that your guests aren’t distracted from all your beautiful décor by unpleasantness underfoot. A thorough carpet cleaning can restore your carpets to like-new condition. A solid steam cleaning will remove soil from deep down in the carpet, but will likely require up to a full twenty-four hours of drying time. If time is of the essence, the dry cleaning method, by which a specialty cleaning agent is spread over and worked through carpet fibers the rotating brushes, takes roughly just twenty minutes before the carpet is ready for action.

While the latter method is less thorough than the former, both and other methods can successfully give your carpets a fresh clean look and eliminate pet and other odors, clearing the air for aromas of gingerbread and evergreen.

Light up your smile with teeth whitening.

A smile can warm up any day, and the holidays offer endless reasons to bring out great grins. Make the season brighter with your best! If your teeth are stained, dark, or discolored, the quality cosmetic dental procedures at Steven J. Hood, DMD (3013 N. Taft Ave., Ste. 1, Loveland) will make your smile shine. Dr. Hood has been a practicing dentist for coming up on 22 years, and has had extensive training and experience in virtually all areas of dental treatment. Dr. Hood and his caring, compassionate team provide skillful, expert care that sets all who visit at ease, sending them home smiling.

Get your glow on.

Baby, it may be cold outside, but that doesn’t matter when it comes to much of women’s holiday attire. An even, all-over glow will get you sporting bare shoulders and open backs with confidence. Plus, that sun-kissed look doesn’t require exposure prolonged exposure to damaging UV-rays. Experts suggest spray tanning two to three days before a big event, allowing time for the tan to settle to a radiant, natural look.

Head into style.

If you’re thinking about a fancy updo or other style, consider getting your hair in place well before guests arrive. A professional stylist can make all the difference when it comes to feeling ready for guests. If you’re not sure what you want, a stylist can offer suggestions galore. If you do have something in mind, however, bring in pictures if possible to make the whole process smoother and more satisfying. From curls and braids to bobby pins and bling, a sensational style can really cap off the party prep with sparkle.

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Holiday Gift Book 31

Home Office

By Nancy Mattia, CTW Features If you’ve run out of gift ideas for your sports-loving family member or foodie friend, what can you get them? If they work remotely — as millions of others now do — gift them with a stylish something for their home office that will make doing their business a little easier.

Kate Spade Grass Cloth File Folder Organizer, $28

Design Ideas Pencil Cup, $18

You don’t have to be an uber-declutterer to appreciate this handsome organizer covered with grass cloth and a metal detail. Instead of receipts and notes scattered all over the desk and piles of folders on the floor, everything will have a place within this three-compartment file folder organizer that sits neatly on a desk; perigold.com.

Sonos Move Smart Portable Wifi and Bluetooth Speaker, $399 Though most desktop computers and laptops are equipped with a built-in speaker, having a separate one can make a world of difference if good sound is paramount to doing a good job, like it would be if someone works with audio files. Good sound may also be essential to motivate someone as the work day progresses.

You can find a portable speaker in various sizes and shapes. One to consider: the Move portable Bluetooth speaker. It comes with a hefty price tag but its audio quality and ease-of-use make it an especially nice gift for someone on your holiday list; sonos.com.

Don’t laugh: Your loved one may be living the digital life but sometimes there’s nothing better than using a pen to jot down a quick reminder, to-do list, or phone number.

That means he’ll need a place to keep some pens neatly organized on his desk.

Try a matte black holder from the Rebrilliant collection. These have a simplicity that will look good with any office decorating style, no matter if it’s traditional, contemporary, or somewhere in between; wayfair.com.

TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp, $40

Overhead lighting isn’t enough for someone who sits at a desk all day — she also needs a desk lamp to provide more concentrated light. The TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp is attractive, affordable, and gentle on the eyes while you’re working. Your friend or family member will appreciate the customizable brightness level and color setting (white, cool, natural, yellow, warm yellow). The lamp’s arm can be adjusted too so its light is exactly where you want it to be. It has charging USB output for recharging a smartphone while keeping it within reach; amazon.com.

West Elm Fluted Planter, from $39

An office with only a tidy desk, chair, and computer needs to be livened up, and that’s where a tabletop plant in a pretty planter comes into play. This elegant earthenware fluted crystal gold planter comes in four sizes (small to large) including a cute windowsill version. Add an easy-to-grow plant like a succulent or philodendron and you’ve got a gift that will thrive as much as the gift’s recipient (plant not included); westelm.com.

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November 2019

Holiday Happenings

REALITIES FOR CHILDREN NIGHTLIGHTS December 1

Each year Realities for Children lights up holiday nights with their big blue NightLights tree to draw awareness to the issues of child abuse and neglect.

On Sunday, December 1, from 6 to 7 p.m., the Tree Lighting Celebration will be held at First Presbyterian Church, (531 S. College Ave, Fort Collins).The event is always free and the public is warmly welcomed to witness the lighting of the tree as well as enjoy an inspirational program, delicious soup provided by Z Catering, hot drinks from Sam’s Club, Star of India, and Wander Coffee, homemade cookies, live holiday music and visits with Santa.

Children can also enter to win a 33 lb. chocolate Santa from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Santa’s Workshop Toy Drive collection boxes will also be on site accepting new toys to be distributed to the kids served by Realities For Children.

This year marks their 25th Anniversary and they will be celebrating with a brand new NightLights tree, made possible by Blue Federal Credit Union. Guests at the Tree Lighting event will be able to take home a piece of NightLights history with a NightLights Legacy Lights ornament.

Not only will the event be an evening of family fun, it also helps raise funds for Realities for Children.

They’ve set a goal of $250,000 that

November 2019

Photo courtesy Realities for Children

goes directly toward helping children in this community who have been abused, neglected or are at-risk.

Every contribution helps children impacted by abuse know they are not alone.

If you would like to sponsor a light or make a donation visit realitiesforchildren.com/events/nightlights/ and help “take a child out of the darkness of abuse.”

BERTHOUD SNOWFEST December 11-14

Next month, Berthoud will be hosting a four-day Snowfest at Fickel Park, featuring everything snow from snow making, stomping and sculpting.

Alongside this snowtacular event, the Colorado Snow Sculpting Championship, a state-wide competition for snow artists will be held and is a sanctioned, qualifying event. You do not want to miss this!

Mark your calendar and prepare yourself for the best Snowfest yet.

The kick-off event will be held on Wednesday, December 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at New Freedom Outreach Center.

Depending on the weather, snow making will begin several weeks before Snowfest. The snow will be moved to Fickel Park during the week of December 8 when they’ll be building cylinders of snow to be sculpted. The snow stomping will be held on Monday, December 9 and Tuesday, December 10. If you’d like to participate in climbing into these cylinders to tamp and stomp down the snow, please let the Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce know by calling 970-532-4200.

The Colorado Snow Sculpting Championship will be held Wednesday, December 11 through Saturday, December 14. All carving stops at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Fickel Park, 620 Mountain Ave. There will be professional snow carving teams participating (including a couple of high school teams).

There will also be a free Kids’ Fun Snow Sculpting Contest on Thursday, December 12 – sign-up online at berthoudcolorado.com.

A unique holiday shopping opportunity will be set up in downtown Berthoud with an Artisan Market on Saturday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at New Freedom Outreach Center, 250 Mountain Avenue, Berthoud.

To wrap everything up, there will

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Holiday Gift Book 33

be a spectacular Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 14, beginning at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to enter! Go to BerthoudSnowfest.com for an electronic version sign up. Or, just enjoy the parade on Mountain Avenue as it passes by.

This year’s Colorado winner of the snow sculpting championship will travel to the US Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva, WI in early 2020. Everyone attending Berthoud Snowfest can vote by purchasing stickers to place on posters near their favorite snow sculpture. The poster with the most stickers collected will determine who wins the People’s Choice Award.

A special committee will be judging the sculptures to determine which team will qualify for nationals. The event’s activities will take place in Fickel Park, the New Freedom Outreach Center and along the streets of downtown Berthoud with the snow sculptures being lit at night. There will be a home and business holiday decorating contest.

Deanne Mulvihill, Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, sings the praises of this holiday community event and encourages everyone to come out and see and experience snow art, “The festival has something for everyone, no matter what they celebrate during this time of year!”

More information about Berthoud’s 2019 Snowfest can be found at BerthoudSnowfest.com and by calling the Berthoud Chamber at 970532-4200.

LOVELAND WINTER WONDERLIGHTS Now - January 1

Celebrate the holidays in a new

34 Holiday Gift Book

(Josh Hardin/Winter Wonderlights)

light at Loveland’s Winter Wonderlights, a unique, walkable holiday lighting attraction at Chapungu Sculpture Park. Guests will be mesmerized as they stroll through the north end of the sculpture park, transformed for the holidays. Each night, enjoy holiday string lights, twinkling bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes, illuminated African stone sculptures and 30-minute music and light show every night from 5-9 p.m. now through Jan. 1, 2020. The light and music show features six total songs and moving lights on the 20’ LED mappable Christmas Tree.

New in 2019:

More lights and new lit love tunnels for attendees to walk through.

Winter Wonderlights is going to the movies - all musical light show songs are from memorable holiday movies and one will be chosen from social media fans and unveiled on opening night.

Winter Wonderlights LIVE! Weekend Celebrations: This year, there will be three larger WWLIVE! weekend celebrations, which will feature live entertainment, activities, Colorado’s largest inflatable igloo, giveaways and

Reporter-Herald—ReporterHerald.com

more. For the weekend of Nov. 29-30, visit Santa and his LIVE reindeer!

The reindeer is provided

by Jessen Reindeer Ranch in Loveland and they will have an antique sleigh for photo opportunities.

Bring your own camera.

WWLIVE! will also run Dec. 13-14. The sparkulars will be on display with the musical light show on WWLive! weekends only.

Zimbabwe drumming group Kutandara will join the celebration for the opening night and complete listing and schedule of weekend event performances will be available on the website, visitlovelandco.org/winterwonderlights.

Holiday shopping is right around the corner. Winter Wonderlights is within walking distance to northern Colorado’s shopping hub with more than 70 shops and restaurants located at The Promenade Shops at Centerra, the MetroLux Movie Theatre and the outdoor Ice Rink. Just minutes away, on the west side of I-25, additional holiday shopping can be found at The Marketplace at Centerra, the Outlets at Loveland and historic downtown Loveland. Park behind the Macy’s at The Promenade Shops at Centerra for easy access.

This holiday lighting event is free and open to the public. Canned food donations to support the Loveland Food Bank will be accepted on weekend and will help feed families in need this holiday season.

ICE SKATING

What says winter fun more than ice skating with the family? At the Promenade Shops at Centerra in Loveland the outdoor ice skating rink is open now through late February. Admission includes skates, all-day entry and skate assistants for little ones (if available).

November 2019

FRONT RANGE Pool Table Company

Everything for the Game Room!

• Pool Tables • Cues • Darts • Games & More! • All services available

1600 E. Mulberry St. | Fort Collins 970.419.0816 | Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm • www.frontrangepooltables.com

Wilbur’s Gift-Giving Ideas for Holiday Season 2019 Rose All Day

Spanish Super Stars

Retail $74.99 • Sale $44.99 • Save $30

Retail $69.99 • Sale $44.99 • Save $25

“Treat yourself and friends with these delectable roses from France, Spain and California”

“Indulge in the greatness of these unique Spanish wines”

2017 Lagar del Ray Verdejo 2018 Serra da Estrela Albarino 2014 Marques de Valparaiso Crianza 2015 Punt I… Granatxa Negra + Syrah

2017 Chevalier Tropez Provence Rose 2018 Chateau de Corcelles Beaujolais Rose 2018 Corona D’Aragon Spanish Rose 2017 Hahn Family Vineyards Californian Rose

French Favorites

Iconic Italy

Retail $79.99 • Sale $49.99 • Save $20

Retail $59.99 • Sale $39.99 • Save $20

“Taste an array of different varietals and regions of France that truly showcase the country”

“Entice your senses with these fantastic features from Italy”

2018 Viaggio Pinot Grigio 2017 I Magredi Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Ink Monster Zinfandel 2016 Natale Verga Barbera d’Alba

2016 La Perliere Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2017 Domaine Santa Giulietta Rose 2018 Florian Mollet Sauvignon Blanc 2015 La Ferme Du Mont Cotes du Rhone Rouge

Best of Bordeaux

California Collection

Retail $69.99 • Sale $44.99 • Save $25

Retail $79.99 • Sale $49.99 • Save $30

“Enhance your knowledge with wines from the most well known region in France”

“Revel in the New World wine of California where these varietals shine bright”

2015 Chateau Chene-Vieux Puisseguin-St. Emilion 2017 Chateau Gantonnet Bordeaux Blanc 2015 Chateau La Chandelliere Medoc 2018 Chateau Sainte-Marie Reserve Entre Deux Mers

2013 Broadway Vineyards Merlot 2013 Doce Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Baus Family Chardonnay 2018 707 Sauvignon Blanc

Perfect Pinots

Robust Reds

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Retail $89.99 • Sale $54.99 • Save $35

“Please your palate with these pretty Pinots from around the world”

“These rich reds will excite your mind, body, and soul”

2014 Harvest Moon Sangiovese 2018 Lyeth Red Blend 2014 Salcis Tempranillo Roble 2017 Spokesman Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Clay Pigeon, Willamette Valley 2018 Ocaso, Mendoza 2014 Ernest, Sonoma Coast 2017 Delatour, Languedoc

Whimsical Whites

Other Half Happiness

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Retail $59.99 • Sale $34.99 • Save $25

“Drink outside the box with these fanciful whites”

2018 Weinwurms Gruner Veltliner 2017 Charles Sparr Pinot Blanc 2016 Coyote Canyon Viognier 2016 Vila Nova Vinho Verde

“Explore delicious wines from the Southern Hemisphere including ones from New Zealand, Argentina, and Chile”

2017 Caliterra Carmenere 2018 Ocaso Torrontes 2018 Silver Beach Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Spice Block Malbec

2201 South College • Open Mon-Sat 9-10 • Sun 9-7 • (970) 226-8662 • www.WilbursTotalBeverage.com