OTT_Holiday Gift Guide_120618

Holiday Gift Guide

A Special Section of the Thursday, December 6, 2018

2 Thursday, December 6, 2018

Gift Guide

The Times - Delivering Your Community

STREATOR ACE HARDWARE... Jim Pellino is shown at The Custom Framing center located inside Ace Hardware in Downtown Streator. Custom framed photos and art make the best gifts and right now through January 31st, Ace Hardware is offering 15% off all your custom frame orders.

So if you’re giving a gift or thinking about getting something for yourself now is the time! Come in and let Jim use his expert framing experience to turn those photos and artwork into beautiful framed accessories for your home that you will cherish forever. Streator Ace Hardware, 404 E. Main St., Streator - 815-672-2439

LG UK6090 4K HDR Smart LED UHD 55" TV

Holiday Priced

49995

$

Shanley’s SM-CL1607801

TV & Appliance Center

Great Holiday Gift Ideas!

From appliances, to mattresses, TV’s and more.

Wrap up your shopping.

515 W. Main Street, Ottawa 815-434-0308

HOURS: TUES, WED, FRI & SAT 9-5, MON & THUR TIL 7

shanleysonline.com

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Gift Guide

Thursday, December 6, 2018 3

We have gifts for EVERYONE on your list!

FETCHING FRIEDA’S DOG AND CAT EMPORIUM…Stop in and check out our showroom at 238 3rd Street in LaSalle where pampering pets is what we do best! Let us customize the perfect stocking filled with the treats and toys your pet will love and the choices you will want. Make sure your BFF look their holiday best by calling to book an appointment for grooming today! We offer full service grooming to fit your pet’s breed and lifestyle. Fetching Frieda’s is the Reader’s Choice for~ #1~ Grooming and Boarding in the News Tribune. You will also want to check out our great selection of winter coats.

Season’s Greetings from the entire staff. Seated front: Nikki Fredericksen (manager), Susan Crawford (owner) and (back) retail team Sheila Leitz and Beth Struthers.

Streator Drugs 109 E. MAIN, STREATOR • 815-672-2968

SM-CL1610180

Gift Guide

4 Thursday, December 6, 2018

The Times - Delivering Your Community

STREATOR DRUGS... Pictured here are Shaelyn and Jared Groesbeck. They’ve picked some great gifts for the #1 sports fan on your list! Streator Drugs newly expanded gift shop also has beautiful frames, home & holiday decor, jewelry & accessories, Fannie May Candy and much more! Stop in and be pleasantly surprised when you see that Streator Drugs is not only the area’s favorite pharmacy and liquor store, but also one of the best gift shops around! Streator Drugs 109 E. Main St., Streator, IL - 815-672-2968.

Open 9am-9pm, 7 days a week. Merry Christmas from everyone at Streator Drugs.

Hot Tubs and Kitchens

LARGE GROUP STREATOR & WOODLAND T-SHIRTS SWEATSHIRTS

20% OFF

NIKE AND ADIDAS APPAREL

20% OFF

VARSITY SPORTS Open Daily til 5:30 Fri. til 8; Sat. til 4 Sun. Noon till 4:00 SM-CL1608492

DOWNTOWN STREATOR 815-672-1426

See us for all your in-ground and above ground pool needs.

SM-CL1606784

301 W. Etna Rd. • Ottawa, IL

815-434-7362 815 434 7362 Your Family Fun is www.anderson-pools.com Our Priority #1!

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Gift Guide

Thursday, December 6, 2018 5

Make Sure They Look Their Holiday Best!

STREATOR FAMILY YMCA...The photo shows an image of one of many new members at the Streator Family YMCA. The Y recently completed a $1.2 million dollar facility expansion including a 24 hour wellness center and a state of the art kid’s Action Arcade. Just completed, the Y also finished a $70k renovation to an existing part of the facility creating a larger second gym complete with new basketball hoops, flooring, and a speaker system for group exercise. This space will allow the Y and it’s members to expand their offerings to the community. A Y membership is all inclusive. Included in a membership are over 25 group exercises, babysitting, wellness coaching, 24 hour gym access, equipment orientations, member only events, and much more!

Don’t be left out in the cold, call now to book HOLIDAY GROOMING and BOARDING.

Voted #1 Grooming and Boarding in the News Tribune Stop in and let us suggest the gifts they really want!

CUSTOM PET STOCKINGS Filled with your four legged friend’s favorite treats and toys.

Make your pet’s Christmas warm & cozy while you SAVE 25% on a select line of our winter coats.

The ultimate in pet pampering and grooming

Fetching Frieda’s Dog & Cat Emporium

238 Street • LaSalle • 815-220-8300 SM-CL1606394

fetchingfrieda.com

6 Thursday, December 6, 2018

Gift Guide

The Times - Delivering Your Community

ANDERSON POOLS...Warm up your Holiday Season with a Simple, Therapeutic, Affordable, and Reliable Nordic Hot Tub. The Summerbrook outdoor Kitchen that features a fire bowl in the seating area is also an inviting gift idea! Our showroom is full of awesome gifts for pool and spa owners. Don’t know what to buy? An Anderson Pool Supply gift card is a great option. Our knowledgeable and dedicated staff will assist you in picking out the perfect gift! Happy Holidays from all of us at Anderson Pool Supply located at 301 W. Etna Rd., Ottawa.

Bromley & Brown

BOUTIQUE 3 0 8 E M A I N S T. S T R E ATO R FOLLOW US ON

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

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Gift Guide

Thursday, December 6, 2018 7

COMMUNITY PLAYERS OF STREATOR, INC. is proud to be presenting “ALADDIN JR.” for our second Penguin Project production April 12, 13 & 14 at Engle Lane Theatre. Gift Certificates are currently available for the 2019 season. Gift Certificates make a wonderful present that will be enjoyed all year long. The productions for 5he 62nd season include “THE MARX BROS. A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE” a comedy musical, “LOSING PATIENCE” a comedy, MAMMA MIA! the jukebox musical, BABES IN TOYLAND a youth musical, “CHARLEY’S AUNT a comedy, BRIGHT STAR a musical. Sean tickets are available at great prices for Super Saver or Reserved Seating string at just 10 per show. To order please call 815-672-4066 or purchase your Super Savor ticket online at englelane.org.

Best Christmas Gift EVER!

YMCA MEMBERSHIPS Join the Y and become a member of a community that’s committed every day helping you and your family learn, grow and thrive. Here you’ll live healthier, kids will develop to their fullest potential and everyone connects as a community.

“The Gift that Keeps on Giving All Year Long!”

Streator YMCA

710 Oakley Ave • Streator 815.672.2148 www.streatorymca.org SM-CL1603299

8 Thursday, December 6, 2018

Gift Guide

The Times - Delivering Your Community

SHANLEY’S TV AND APPLIANCE CENTER...515 W. Main Street in Ottawa. Nothing says Merry Christmas to the whole family like a new Smart HD TV. Skeeter, Mickey and Rocky invite you to stop by our 15,000 sq. ft. showroom and talk to our knowledgable staff. Whether your looking for the hottest TV, some brand new appliances, a top of the line grill or a new mattress Shanley’s has you covered!

We’re the Reader’s Choice for Electronic and Appliance Store for a reason. Shanley’s has the experience and the knowledge the area has come to know and trust. All the best this holiday season from everyone at Shanley’s TV and Appliance.

THINK

For the person who has everything:

BIG!

Deli Dollars!

for

CHRISTMAS

Grant Street Grocery 402 W. Grant St., Streator

815-672-2167

201 W. Stevenson Rd. Ottawa

SM-CL1608239

www.furnituresellersottawa.com

815-434-9344

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Gift Guide

Thursday, December 6, 2018 9

This year brought many new and exciting changes to Bromley & Brown Boutique. If you haven’t checked out their new storefront location yet, swing by 308 E. Main St. today! The larger space has allowed for more inventory including a handbag line and a new shoe line featuring styles from casual to formal. Bromley & Brown Boutique is also still happy to provide downtown Streator with the latest trends in women’s fashion and accessories. Owners Mary Zavada and Abbey Brown are so grateful to their community for shopping small and always showing support for their boutique on Main St. Stop by the shop Tuesday through Saturday to find that perfect gift for someone or to treat yourself to something pretty. Also be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on specials and new arrivals.

Hours of Operation Tuesday 10-5 Wednesday 10-7 Thursday 10-5 Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-3

Quality Christmas Decor • Prelit Wreaths & Garlands • Ornaments & Home Decor • Unlit and Prelit Trees • Flameless Candles • String Lights & More!

SM-CL1611480

Streator Lawn & Garden 212 W. Main • Streator • 815-673-5544

Mon. - Fri. 8-5:30, Sat. 8-4, CLOSED SUNDAY

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404 E. Main Street • Streator • 815-672-2439

10 Thursday, December 6, 2018

Gift Guide

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Set and stick to your holiday budget

The chance to give gifts and spend time with loved ones makes the holiday season a special time of year. But for many people, the holiday season often leads to overspending.

A 2016 survey from the American Research Group found that American shoppers anticipated spending an average of $930 on gifts that holiday season. Data from T. Rowe Price confirms that parents are spending between $400 and $500 per child each year. In 2015, CPA Canada conducted a random phone survey of 1,004 adult Canadians and found the average adult planned to spend $766 on holiday gifts.

Although these numbers can reflect an overwhelming sense of generosity, many times excessive spending is based on a desire to outdo gifting from the year prior — sometimes at the risk of personal finances. Some people are taking drastic measures to make holidays over-the-top, with some delving into emergency savings while others withdraw prematurely from retirement accounts. Budgeting for the holiday season can help shoppers keep their finances in check.

Determine spending patterns An examination of receipts and spending habits from previous holiday seasons can help individuals establish budgets for the current year.

Make a list of all expenses — even the ones that extend beyond holiday giving. These may include expenses such as gym service fees, homeowner’s insurance, traveling expenses, gift exchanges at work, and more.

Extra costs can add up and should be factored into holiday budgets.

Try to recall if your spending last year felt comfortable or if you were paying off credit cards long after the holiday season had ended. If it’s the latter, resolve to make adjustments.

Establish a budget that fits There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all budget. Figure out if there is extra money this season or if times are tight. This will help you plan

accordingly and avoid overspending. Shifting priorities can help free up some cash. If children are interested in this year’s hot (and likely expensive) gift, cut back on holiday travel or entertaining. Instead of buying gifts for coworkers, buy a drink during a night out.

Use the holidays as an opportunity to sell Collectibles, gently used toys, video games, action figures — all of these items may be collecting dust at your home, but they might be coveted by other shoppers. Rely on the season for spending to make some extra income that can be cashed in for your own holiday purchases.

Set up an account and track spending Establish a separate account strictly for holiday spending. This can include a credit card only used for gifts and entertaining or a savings account at a bank or credit union. You won’t know what is going out of your account unless you keep careful tabs on it. Tracking spending is the biggest key to sticking with a budget, according to the financial advice group The Balance.

Holiday budgeting can be challenging. But with some effort, it is possible to avoid debt and still enjoy a happy holiday season.

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Gift Guide

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Gift Guide

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

Dos and don’ts of holiday safety It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as long as holiday happenings go as planned.

Celebrants can ensure that this joyous time of year is not marred by injury, theft or accidents by always keeping safety in mind.

DO turn off Christmas lights before going to bed or leaving home. Lights left on can overheat and cause fires. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in two of every five home Christmas tree fires between 2011 and 2015, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

DON’T keep purchases in view of potential thieves. Resist putting presents under the tree until the night before Christmas. Hide large product boxes so they’re not visible in the trash or recycling pickups, where thieves might look to see what’s inside the house.

DO wait until after your holiday excursion to take to social media about it. Otherwise, you’re simply advertising that you are not home and risking a break-in.

DON’T drive distracted or under the influence. This is a busy time of year when more people are out and about, so keep your eyes on the road at all times.

DON’T locate a Christmas tree too close to a heating source, fireplace or lit candles, as trees can dry out and ignite.

DO keep poisonous plants out of reach of pets and children. These can include Jerusalem cherry, mistletoe berries and holly berries.

DO extinguish candles before retiring for the night.

DON’T locate breakable ornaments close to the bottom of the tree in reach of young children. Glass can shatter and cause serious injuries.

DON’T gift without doing research into whether or not toys are age-appropriate. Pay attention to toy recalls as well. The Consumer Product Safety Commission provides lists of recalled items.

DO roast rather than fry the holiday turkey. Burns, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning are some of the dangers associated with turkey fryers. The CPSC, which discourages the use of fryers, says there have been 168 turkey-fryer related incidents since 2002.

DO tie the Christmas tree to the car securely after purchasing it to avoid lift-off while taking it home from the lot. At home, secure the tree to the ceiling or a wall with a piece of invisible fishing line for extra security against tip overs.

DON’T underestimate the things that can and will go wrong when hosting for the holidays. Take a deep breath, assess the situation and stay calm through any hiccups.