Holiday gift and party guide 12 16 16

HOLIDAY Gift & Party Guide

a blank slate media / litmor publications special section • december 16, 2016

36 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Last-minute holiday shopping tips

H

oliday shopping season typically begins the day after Thanksgiving and extends all the way to Christmas Eve. While that’s a considerable amount of time for shoppers to find gifts for everyone on their shopping list, many people will still find themselves putting holiday shopping off until the last minute.

In certain ways, last-minute holiday shopping is easier than ever. Thanks to online retailers who can ship products overnight, men and women who delay their holiday shopping have more options at their disposal than they did before the arrival of the Internet. And unlike the days of yore when the best deals were largely exclusive to Black Friday, some shoppers find that competition between online retailers and traditional brick-and-mortar stores is so great that deals can be found regardless of when they begin shopping. But while waiting until the last minute to begin holiday shopping may not be as risky as it used to be, shoppers may still benefit by sticking to certain strategies so they can find the perfect gifts without breaking the bank.

Stay within your budget. Even last-minute shoppers have holiday shopping budgets. But it can be harder for last-minute shoppers to stick to their budgets because they have less time to comparison shop and hunt for deals. As the holiday shopping season winds down, resist the temptation to go over budget. If a gift you had in mind is available but more than you can spend, look for something else. Overspending on holiday shopping in December is a recipe for debt in January, and no shopper wants to begin the new year weighed down by consumer debt.

Shop local. National chains and big box retailers are renowned for rolling out great deals during the holiday season, but such stores may have

very limited or unimpressive inventory left by the time last-minute shoppers begin shopping. Local retailers are often incapable of slashing prices as significantly as their larger competitors, and that may mean they have more extensive inventories available throughout the holiday shopping season.

In addition, shoppers who stick with local retailers won’t have to pay shipping costs to ensure items arrive on time.

Shop during off-peak hours. Shopping during off-peak hours can help last-minute shoppers make efficient use of the limited time they have to buy gifts for their loved ones. Visit stores early in the morning or late at night, or schedule a midweek afternoon shopping trip so you aren’t spending what little time you have left waiting on lines or hunting for parking.

Give something less traditional. Holiday gifts need not come from stores. Rather than spending their time shopping for gifts for loved ones who seemingly have it all, last-minute shoppers can give the gift of a donation in their loved one’s name. Last-minute shoppers who want to give something more tangible can create a homemade gift that’s both unique and heartfelt. If your DIY skills are lacking, give a loved one the gift of a night out on the town at your expense.

Shoppers who wait until the end of the holiday shopping season to begin their searches for holiday gifts can still find great gifts without going broke.

News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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38 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Eco-friendly gift ideas for ‘green’ giving the eco-conscious people on your holiday shopping list.

Locally made products Locally made products make great holiday gifts. Such gifts are not produced halfway around the world, meaning they don’t contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming like products that need to be flown or driven across the globe. Craft fairs and artisan shops are good sources for locally made gifts, which also are a great way to support businesses in your community.

Music lessons and other gifts of service do not require a great deal of natural resources, making them ideal eco-friendly gifts.

G

iving eco-friendly gifts is now easier than ever before. As more and more people are conscious of reducing their impact on the planet, the demand for environmentally conscious products and services has

grown.

Choosing earth-friendly gifts is not only generous, but giftgivers also can rest assured they’re doing their part to safeguard natural resources for future generations. The following are some gift ideas for

Gifts of service A massage or music or tutoring sessions are examples of gifts of service. These gifts do not require much use of natural resources, and recipients find their personal nature very thoughtful. Gifts of service also can include tasks you do yourself for the gift recipient, rather than paying another person to handle. For example, teach a senior member of your family how to navigate their

new smartphone or agree to help them shop for groceries.

Recycled goods When many people think of recycling, they tend to picture piles of discarded plastic bottles, glass jars and aluminum cans. While the end product of many of these recycled pieces is new cans, bottles and jars, recycled materials also can be turned into new and unique pieces.

Trivets and spoon rests made from recycled and melted wine bottles make for clever and attractive gifts. Recycled fire extinguishers have been turned into vases, and you can even find bike parts that have been used to make wind chimes and belts if you know where to shop.

Natural gifts Natural gifts are among the most environmentally friendly ones you can give. Foodies may appreciate an herbgrowing kit that enables them to

experiment with freshly picked basil or thyme in the kitchen, while tree-growing kits and flower seed packets are nice stocking stuffers for budding gardeners. Offer to purchase a living Christmas tree for a relative, so that he or she can plant the evergreen after the holidays have come and gone.

Antiques New, shiny gifts are not the only ones that have appeal. Gifting a sentimental piece of family history is an earth-friendly way to share the holidays. Pass down a cherished piece of jewelry or, if you do not have anything in your own collection, browse antique shops for items that have interesting histories.

The holiday season is often a time of excess, but giving doesn’t have to be detrimental to the environment. Givers can seek out earth-friendly gifts and share even more this time of year.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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40 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Easy ideas for holiday wreaths W

reaths are synonymous with the holiday season, and they can range from intricate to simple to flashy to rustic. Creating festive wreaths does not necessarily require a lot of skill, and wreaths can be fashioned from a variety of different materials.

The first step to crafting wreaths is to gather the foundation pieces.

This usually involves a sturdy material that will serve as the wreath round. It can be vine, foam, branches, or even wire.

You’ll also need decorative items that fit the theme of your wreath.

These may be berries, ornaments, ribbons, bows, and other trinkets that will be attached to the wreath.

Florist wire and tape can be used to attach the ornaments to the wreath.

“Say cheese” wreath Purchase a premade evergreen wreath or wrap boughs of pine around a wreath frame to make your own. Glue or tie on small wooden frames with photos of the family to the wreath. Fill in the barren spots with small bows and ornaments.

Fruitful wreath Instead of an evergreen wreath, create something festive and edible. Fruit and vegetables in vibrant colors can be used to fashion a wreath. Use picks or wire to attach oranges, lemons, limes, clementines, and any other produce desired to a foam wreath.

Use leaves to fill in sparse areas and a thick ribbon to hang the wreath.

Holly vine wreath Purchase a plain grapevine wreath and decorate it with sprigs of holly leaves and stems with berries. Simple and festive, this wreath should take only a few minutes to make and then hang.

Metallic wreath Add a glamorous touch to an evergreen wreath with faux fruit and pine cones that you paint with glimmering metallic colors.

Intersperse items in gold, copper and silver for an eye-catching piece that can adorn any spot in your home. Add a few twinkling lights to reflect off of the metallic elements to add even more appeal.

Bells or glass ornament wreath

Use flexible wire to string a wreath of metal bells or glass ornaments together in a ring shape. Bells not only look nice but also lend a gentle twinkling sound anytime the door is opened.

Floral wreath Make a fresh flower wreath from a florist’s wreath and fresh blooms. Soak the foam wreath in water according to the packaged directions. Trim flower stems (carnations are durable) and insert the stems into the wreath. Attach a bow to the bottom of the wreath and then hang. This is one wreath that is best displayed the day of the festivities because it has a short shelf life.

Cinnamon wreath This wreath looks beautiful and gives off that quintessential holiday aroma. Begin with a foam wreath and wrap with a two-inch wide ribbon to cover. Use hot glue to secure cinnamon sticks all around the wreath. For more color, add sprigs of holly, bows or mistletoe.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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42 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Steps to take before giving pets as gifts some people may be allergic to certain animals or simply not have the time or energy to devote to pet ownership.

No one wants to return an animal to a kennel, and forcing a loved to take on the unwanted responsibility of pet ownership does not make much of a gift.

I

t’s not uncommon for families to welcome a new pet into their homes during the holiday season. Parents may give their children their first pet during the holidays, but those who choose to give a pet to someone outside their immediate family or to someone they don’t live with should consider the following advice before going through with that decision.

Consult the eventual recipient first The element of surprise is part of what makes the holiday season of giving so special, and few things may inspire more enthusiastic responses than new pets under the tree. But however appealing you may find such reactions, it’s still best to first consult the intended recipient before buying or adopting the pet. Pets make wonderful additions to a home, but

Let the recipient choose the pet Aunts or uncles may think a cute puppy is an ideal holiday gift for their nieces and nephews, but it’s best to let those youngsters’ parents choose the pet rather than going it alone. Once mom and dad have given you the greenlight to gift their kids a pet, let them decide which type of pet will become the newest member of their households.

Parents may not feel their children are ready to handle the significant responsibility of dog ownership, and they may prefer their kids first receive a more low-maintenance pet, such as a fish.

Pay for everything Pets are expensive, even those that are adopted from nearby shelters. Cats and dogs adopted from local shelters or even animals bought directly from breeders will need some immediate

medical care, including shots and initial examinations at the veterinarian’s office, as well as food, dishes, leashes (if giving a dog), and bedding. When giving pets as a gift, men and women should fit the bill for these additional expenses, which can be significant. Recipients may not be able to afford these additional expenses, especially during the holiday season, nor did they ask to take on such a financial burden. So men and women giving pets as gifts should be capable of handling the oft-overlooked costs of adopting or buying a new pet.

Be willing to take the pet Some households simply are not a good match for pets. Men and women looking to give pets as holiday gifts should be willing to take the pet into their own homes if things are not working out with the recipient. This does not mean gift-givers have to keep the pet forever, but they should be willing to temporarily care for the animal until it finds a new home.

Pets sometimes make wonderful gifts, but men and women who are considering giving pets as gifts this holiday season should not approach such gestures lightly.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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44 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Great gifts for food fanatics F

who love fresh, homemade bread may appreciate a bread-making kit that includes flour, a pan, some recipes, and other items necessary to make the perfect homemade loaf of bread. Cooking kit options are vast so find a food your loved one can’t go without and purchase the appropriate kit.

Gardening tools: While the holiday season might not seem like the ideal time to buy your favorite foodie some gardening tools, such items make the perfect gift for your loved one who wants to grow his or her own fruits and vegetables. Locally grown produce has become increasingly popular among foodies focused on eco-conscious cooking practices, and it does not get much more local than home cooks’ own backyards.

Cutlery set: Though it’s easy to overlook, cutlery goes a long way toward making home cooks’ jobs easier. The right cutlery set, which may include one or two chef’s knives, a vegetable knife, a santoku knife, a bread knife, and other knives home cooks will appreciate, can make preparing a meal easier and

more efficient than cooking without a set. High-end cutlery sets can cost several hundred dollars, but shoppers on more limited budgets can still find quality cutlery sets for less money.

Food getaway: Many foodies love to travel so they can experience cuisines popular overseas or in different regions of the country.

Men and women whose spouses love food can plan a food-themed getaway weekend to a locale that specializes in a type of food their significant others enjoy or have always wanted to try. For example, men and women who love lobster may enjoy a trip to Maine’s annual Lobster Festival, while those who can’t get enough barbecue may appreciate a trip to one of the country’s more notable barbecue spots, such as Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina or Texas.

Food-themed gifts make the perfect holiday present for food fanatics, and shoppers have an endless array of options to satisfy their favorite foodies’ appetites.

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ood plays a big role come the holiday season, when friends and family tend to gather around the dinner table to share good meals and catch up on the year’s happenings. But while food plays an integral role at holiday gatherings, food also makes a great gift for that friend or family member on your holiday list who loves to savor a good meal no matter the time of year.

Thanks in part to celebrity chefs and television shows that teach viewers how to make gourmet meals at home, it’s now easier than ever before for food lovers to expand their culinary horizons. Gifting such food fanatics can be fun and may even inspire a love of unique cuisine in holiday shoppers, especially those who consider the following gift ideas.

Cooking kit: Ingredients and other essential elements of good meals were once taken for granted. But more and more foodies are now creating their own foods from scratch. Bacon fans may fall in love with a kit that helps them cure and smoke their own bacon, while those

News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

45

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46 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Avoid holiday-related weight gain

Holiday buffets and eating out can contribute to unwanted weight gain during the holiday season.

T

he holiday season is a busy time of year dominated by social engagements. Many people find the hectic pace of the holiday season makes it challenging to eat healthy, especially since so many holiday parties include desserts and high-calorie foods.

Various studies suggest holiday weight gain is common, though holiday revelers may not be gaining as much weight as they think they

are. The New England Journal of Medicine found that while people’s perceived holiday weight gain hovers between zero and 6.7 pounds, in reality most people gain just under 1 pound during the holiday season. Though that may not seem like a lot, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, many people never lose the weight they gain during the winter holidays. The pounds add up year after year, making holiday weight gain a significant contributor to adult obesity.

The holiday season does not need to derail a healthy lifestyle. Consider these tips to avoid extra pounds come the holiday season.

Eat before you go shopping.

Leaving the house hungry may tempt you to make impulse food purchases that can compromise healthy diets. It’s easy to grab a quick convenience item at the food court or from a vending machine.

However, eating a snack before you leave will alleviate hunger and you can control the foods that go into your body.

Make smarter food choices. When visiting a holiday party buffet line or grabbing an on-the-go snack, think about the foods you choose.

Look for low-calorie items that will still fill you up. Proteins, complex carbohydrates and vegetables are good choices. Avoid creamy dips and dressings, and if you want to try something fried or cheese-laden, do so only sparingly.

Be selective with sweets. Sweets are readily available during the holiday season. Rather than filling up your plate with a little “bite” of each dessert you want to try, select your favorite and then enjoy a reasonable portion.

Limit sampling while cooking.

If you are entertaining others, cut down on tasting while you prepare the meal. Those calories can add up without you knowing it, and soon you’ve eaten an entire portion even before the festivities begin.

Pack healthy snacks. It’s always a good idea to have healthy snacks at the ready to tame random hunger pangs. Bring a favorite treat with

you while shopping or if you will be visiting others. This helps you control your portion size and can keep you from overeating.

Mind your drinks, too. Many beverages, including alcoholic beverages and sweetened soft drinks, are high in calories. A single serving of wine can have anywhere from 100 to 300 calories. It’s easy to lose count of caloric intake when indulging, but opt for low-calorie drinks or water whenever possible.

Increase your level of physical activity. Find ways to remain physically active during the holiday season. Park further away from mall entrances so you can walk a greater distance and burn more calories.

Take a few extra laps around the mall. Opt for the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. If you’re at a party with upbeat music, get on the dance floor and work off some calories.

Holiday weight gain may seem like an inevitability. However, with some forward thinking and smart choices, holiday celebrants can prevent weight gain this holiday season.

Here’s to making special memories with those you love this holiday season Cheers!

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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48 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Be safe when holiday shopping on your smartphone

H

oliday shopping is an annual tradition for many people. But while it may be customary to exchange gifts with loved ones during the holiday season, how those gifts are purchased has changed dramatically over the last decade and a half.

Thanks to advancements in technology, many holiday shoppers get their shopping done without ever setting foot in malls or shopping centers. And data indicates more and more shoppers are using their

smartphones to do their holiday shopping. According to Nielsen Mobile Measurement, the number of mobile shoppers in December 2014 rose to 138.1 million users, an increase of nearly 14 million users from the same period just a year earlier. And mobile shoppers averaged nearly a full hour more shopping on the Web from their mobile phones in 2014 than in 2013.

Convenience often drives shoppers’ decisions to use their mobile phones during the holiday season. But it’s important that shoppers not sacrifice security for the sake of convenience.

Those who want the best of both worlds this holiday season can take several steps to protect their personal information while shopping on their smartphones.

Only use shopping apps with which you’re comfortable. Downloading an app only takes a few seconds, and some shoppers are so used to downloading apps they may not realize just what they’re downloading.

Before installing an app on your phone, familiarize yourself with the app

and what it requests of its user. Some apps ask users for a considerable amount of personal information, even though there is no legitimate reason for them to have that information. If you’re uncomfortable with apps that require you to allow access to your location and other potentially sensitive information, don’t download the app.

Sign out when you stop using an app. It may be convenient to stay signed in to an app at all times, but that can leave you vulnerable to hackers and/or thieves. Many apps store users’ credit card numbers so shoppers don’t have to enter such information each time they make a purchase. If you stay signed in to an app at all times, hackers who access your smartphone can then access your credit card information, as can thieves should your phone be stolen. Signing out when you finish using an app provides an extra measure of protection.

Turn off automatic connections.

Many smartphones enable users to automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi

networks so they can seamlessly access the Internet regardless of where they are. However, some Wi-Fi networks are fraudulent, and you may unknowingly be transmitting sensitive data through such networks when you automatically log on. Disable automatic connections, only logging on to secure Wi-Fi networks when out in public.

Browse but don’t buy. Shoppers who are especially concerned about smartphone security may want to use apps and their smartphone’s Internet connections to browse rather than buy.

Avoid logging into apps or websites when using your smartphone, instead browsing deals and jotting them down on the phone’s notes app. You can then make purchases once you gain access to a secure network, such as the one at your home or office.

Holiday shoppers are increasingly turning to their smartphones to do their holiday shopping. While the convenience of such devices may be unrivaled, consumers must prioritize security over expediency.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

Wishing All Of Our Customers Happy Holidays & a Healthy New Year!

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50 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Are cash gifts tacky or ideal?

W

hen faced with a gift list a mile long and no idea what to get certain individuals on that list, many holiday shoppers opt to give cash as a present. Cash gifts are easy, one-size-fits all and no one will request a receipt to return a cash gift. Still, some people are not quite sure if it is socially acceptable to give a gift of cash.

There are many pros and cons to giving cash as a gift. Once a person weighs the advantages and the disadvantages to giving cold hard cash as a gift, then he or she can decide if cash is an ideal present or one that’s best avoided.

Advantages One of the advantages to giving cash is it eliminates waste. Unlike gifts that will never be used and simply take up space, cash will be used sooner or later. How often have you received a sweater you won’t wear or a trinket you won’t use? Sometimes people return these gifts, but very often they get relegated to a pile of belongings that will end up in the garbage or stashed in the back of a closet. Cash eliminates

this waste by giving a person the opportunity to buy exactly what he or she wants.

Cash gifts may be ideal for older people to give because they have limited mobility and cannot get out to the store to shop for presents. And grandparents unaware of the latest trends can give cash in a card and instruct grandchildren to purchase something they like.

Some people overextend themselves during the holiday season, and a cash gift can soften the blow of holiday spending.

Cash is very portable, which can make it easier for those who travel for the holidays to avoid shipping costs or extra baggage fees to take gifts on airlines.

People are inundated with a lot of stuff already, and a cash gift might be just what the doctor ordered.

Disadvantages Cash gifts may be considered impersonal and lacking in creativity. It does not take much effort to stash a dollar amount inside of an envelope and present it, so gift recipients may question their relationships with gift givers who give cash.

For many people, the excitement of the holidays has a lot to do with seeing a giant pile of gifts waiting to be unwrapped. Gifting cash removes that excitement of presents under the tree.

Although items can be purchased later on, the immediate gratification of tearing through boxes and bags simply is not there.

Some people find it awkward to receive cash because the value of the gift is right there in black and white. It puts both people on the spot and may create some uncomfortable moments if the value of a cash gift does not match up to what the cash recipient spent on the cash giver. When gifting standard gifts, many people are unaware of what the other spent and if the item was purchased on a discount. If you gift with cash, there is no hiding the value.

Another disadvantage is if a person gives cash and receives cash in return. Do the two gifts cancel each other out? What if the amounts are different? Dealing in cash alone can be awkward.

There are ways to make giving cash a little more acceptable. If you get creative when handing over the money, this may take away from the fact that cash does not make a very dramatic gift.

• Try pairing the cash with a wallet or purse to make the presentation a little more interesting.

• Send the recipient on a scavenger hunt for the money, writing clues and hiding them around the house.

• Create a money tree or wreath that displays the cash in an interesting way.

• Fold bills into bows or tape together to make wrapping paper for a small token gift.

• For children, roll up bills and put it into a crayon box or pencil case.

• Fill up a large box with a lot of filler and hide the cash inside of a smaller box tucked inside.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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52 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

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s they fulfill the social obligations of the holiday season, many people find themselves spending less time at home. Consumer Reports notes that individuals spend a great deal of time shopping for gifts come the holiday season. Americans engage in 15 hours of shopping on average, with women spending twice as long as their male counterparts (20 hours versus 10). In addition, the average person devotes 10 or more hours to wrapping and returning gifts.

Holiday shopping can monopolize people’s time away from home during the months of November and December, and some shoppers wonder how they become so disconnected from other activities, including family time, that they cherish throughout the rest of the year. One way to tackle holiday shopping without sacrificing time with family and friends is to make holiday shopping a social event.

Invite friends or family along.

Recreate the days of your youth when it was fun to meet friends at the mall and scour the shops. Plan a meeting location and have an itinerary in place. Divide shopping lists so that everyone shares the task of shopping and fatigue doesn’t set in prematurely.

Make lunch or dinner part of the day. Incorporate refueling into your shopping plans. Failure to eat or

drink can lead to hunger pangs and test shoppers’ patience, two factors that are seldom conducive to successful shopping. Having an end goal to meet friends or family at a nearby restaurant — even a dining location right within the mall — can inspire intrepid shoppers to get their work done promptly. Reward yourself for a job well done over a tasty meal and maybe a cocktail. Just be sure to indulge responsibly.

Break up the day with a flick.

Many malls also play home to movie theaters. Plan your shopping around the movie schedule so you can take a two-hour break to rest and relax in the theater. Chances are you’ll come out of the film relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your shopping list.

Make it a date night. The thought of shopping may not conjure up ideas of romance, but if time is short, couples can use shopping excursions as an opportunity to spend time together.

Visit a coffee shop or a bar for a nightcap afterward and enjoy some one-on-one time. Parents can enlist the help of a babysitter to keep children entertained while they enjoy some uninterrupted time with each other.

Shopping fills the days leading to the holidays. Make the most of such excursions by inviting friends and family along.

News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

HERE, YOU'RE ALWAYS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Join us for worship, religious kinship and spiritual encouragement.

“Let There Be Light” Holiday Family Service Nativity Play and Hanukkah Story Sunday, Dec. 18 at 11 a.m.

Winter Solstice Service Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

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Christmas Eve and First Night of Hanukkah Saturday, Dec. 24 Family Service, 5 p.m.

Candlelight Service, 7 p.m.

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54 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Catch the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT at The Congregational Church.

We have angels, shepherds, sheep, and a place for you this Christmas.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Dec. 24 5PM Children’s Christmas Pageant and Family Service 10:30 PM Candlelight Harp and Organ Prelude 11 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

The Congregational Church of Manhasset (UCC) 1845 Northern Blvd. (Across from the Americana) 516-627-4911 www.uccmanhasset.org Ministers: Jimmy Only and Lori Burgess

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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56 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Serving the Community for over 20 Years!

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

57

Hanging stockings with care

M

antles adorned with garland and other holiday trinkets make fireplaces come alive for Christmas. That magic is only enhanced by hanging Christmas stockings, which are just waiting to be filled with goodies for good girls and boys. Those without a fireplace often hang stockings from windowsills and stairway banisters.

No written record exists to explain the origin of hanging stockings on fireplace mantles. Despite this, many people link the tradition to a tale about St. Nicholas. As that story goes, St. Nicholas was traveling through a village when he overheard the plight of three women. They were poor, and their father could not afford an ample dowry to marry them off. Rather than have them end up spinsters, St. Nicholas secretly tossed bags of coins through a window (or down the chimney, depending on which version of the story you read or hear), and they were captured in the girls’ stockings hanging

to dry by the fire. The family was overjoyed to have received such riches.

Soon news traveled about the mysterious money in stockings, and other children left out stockings for St. Nicholas to capture their own gifts.

The tradition has transformed over the years, and now many children hang stockings by the chimney with the expectation that the stockings will be filled with gifts from Santa. Traditions once suggested that only gifts from Santa were left in stockings, while gifts placed beneath the tree were from family, but that has since changed.

Stockings are now meant to hold small gifts while larger items are placed under the tree.

Stockings should be hung away from the flames of the fire as a safety precaution. Some children even like to hang individual stockings on their bedposts instead of on a fireplace mantle.

Come Join Us For Our Traditional Candlelight Worship Service on Christmas Eve at 7:30 pm Featuring Hallelujah Chorus

and on Christmas Day at 10 am “A Very Special” Christmas Worship & Concert.

Refreshments will be served following worship.

Christ Lutheran Church 300 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park 516-746-4889 • www.christchurchnhp.org

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58 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

Tips to prolong the life of your Christmas tree place it atop your vehicle. If possible, lay the tree in the bed of a pickup truck and close the cover over the bed. If you don’t have access to a pickup truck but can use a minivan or SUV to transport your tree, see if the tree fits inside your vehicle. If it doesn’t, wrap it tightly in a blanket or another form of cover, making sure the cover won’t blow off in the wind when you hit the open road.

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN MANHASSET CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2016 Holy Communion & Candlelight Service December 24th 4:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

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1901 Northern Blvd.

Manhasset • 516- 627-2430 www.manhassetlutheran.org Parking in rear of Church

Have the tree cut before you take it off the lot. If you typically purchase your tree from a florist or tree lot instead of a tree farm, then remember to ask the seller to recut the stem of the tree before you take it home. Tree farm trees are freshly cut, but trees sold away from the farm might have been chopped down weeks before they are ultimately sold. During the interval between being cut down and sold, trees’ vascular systems can clog and prevent the tree from getting the water it needs to survive the season. A fresh cut of the stem unclogs the system and ensures the tree will be able to consume water.

C

hristmas trees are symbols of the holiday season and the spirit of giving that the season champions. Choosing and decorating a Christmas tree is a tradition for many families, and depending on the trees they choose, families may have some work to do to keep their trees glowing all season long.

Artificial Christmas trees require little, if any, maintenance. But live Christmas trees, which some people feel are more authentic and welcoming than their artificial counterparts, require daily maintenance. In addition to supplying the tree with water at least once per day, live Christmas tree owners can take these steps to prolong the life of their trees.

Protect the tree on the way home.

Your tree might be vulnerable to damage as you transport it from the farm to your living room. Unwrapped trees placed atop vehicles can be dried out by the wind. Prevent wind damage by wrapping the tree if you plan to

Avoid placing the tree near heaters or drafty windows. Many people know that placing a live tree near a potentially hot heating vent poses a fire hazard. But doing so also can dry out the tree, decreasing the chances it will make it through the season. Placing the tree near drafty windows also can dry out the tree, so try to find a spot in your home with a consistent temperature.

Water the tree often. Christmas trees need lots of water to make it through the season. You may notice the water in the tree stand disappears quickly when you first bring the tree home.

That’s because freshly cut trees will consume more water than trees that were cut several weeks ago. As the season goes on and the tree’s vascular system begins to clog, you might not need to water the tree as much as you did when you first brought it home.

But check the tree’s water stand twice per day when you first bring it home, refilling the stand with water whenever necessary.

A few tricks of the trade can help holiday celebrants maintain lush, aweinspiring Christmas trees throughout the holiday season.

News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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60 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all our patrons for all their support throughout the year, along with our warm wishes for a blessed holiday and a happy and healthy New Year.

The history of holiday lights

Eric & Tina MOLINARI

JEWELERS

———— Manhasset ———— 148 Plandome Road 516-365-3275

H

oliday celebrants employ holiday lights in various ways. Certain individuals may be content to hang lights on their Christmas trees and call their decorating complete.

Others may get their holiday jollies by making sure each square inch of their home is covered in twinkling lights. Still, other people prefer the more subdued effect of lights framing one picture window of the house.

The tradition of Christmas lights stretches back to early modern Germany when people used candles to decorate Christmas trees in Christian homes. Those candles were harbingers of what would come when electric lights replaced gas and other open flame illuminating devices that were commonplace prior to the 20th century.

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Thomas Edison, the inventor of the first successful practical light bulb, also created the first strand of electric lights that would be used in holiday decorating. By 1880, Edison had standard incandescent light bulbs well sorted out and desired a way to better advertise his invention, so he decided to make the most of the holiday season and put his light bulbs on display.

According to a 2003 article in American Heritage magazine titled “The Wizard of Your Christmas Tree,” Edison strung incandescent bulbs all around the compound of his Menlo Park, NJ, laboratory. Edison constructed an eight-mile underground wiring system in order to power this grand light display. Because the laboratory was

situated along the railroad that passed between Manhattan and Philadelphia, thousands of people were able to see the display.

The concept of electric holiday lights took a bit of time to catch on. Edison’s friend and associate Edward Johnson was tasked with stringing together colored lights in 1882 and placing them on an evergreen tree. Johnson handwired 80 red, white and blue light bulbs.

In 1895, President Grover Cleveland requested the White House family Christmas tree be illuminated by multicolored electric light bulbs.

In 1903, when General Electric began to offer pre-assembled kits of holiday lights, stringed lights were reserved for the wealthy and electrically savvy.

For example, in 1903 a single string of electric lights cost $12, or around $300 today.

It would take several more years before holiday lights became a national tradition. On Christmas Eve 1923, President Calvin Coolidge began the country’s celebration of Christmas by lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse located south of the White House with 3,000 electric lights.

Today, illuminated strands of lights have become a large part of holiday celebrations and have even been adopted for use during various yearround events. Such lights can be a beautiful and festive addition to many celebrations.

News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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62 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • News Times Newspapers, Friday, December 16, 2016

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