2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Shopping Statistics

PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The number of consumers planning to shop online for the holidays fell from 85% last year to 80% this year, which is the largest ever shift favoring stores, according to the annual holiday purchase intentions survey from The NPD Group.

This is also the first year, since before the pandemic, that consumers expect to make more of their holiday purchases in stores (46%) than online (45%). Checkout receipt-based insights from NPD also support these new findings, as in-store sales rev enue grew 1% in September compared to last year, while online sales were flat.

“After more than two years of heavy online shopping, consumers are ready to get back to the sport of shopping,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry advisor for NPD.

Despite saying they plan on

scaling back holiday spending this year, sales revenue through October fell 1% below last year’s levels, which shows that shoppers are still willing to spend money on general merchandise, even as prices continue to rise.

With last year’s Black Friday sales drawing 66.5 million Americans to shop in person and 88 million to shop online, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its report on 2022’s Best Places to Shop on Black Friday. WalletHub surveyed nearly 4,000 deals from 16 of the biggest U.S. retailers’ 2022 Black Friday ad scans to identify the stores offering the biggest discounts in various product categories such as “Appliances,” “Jewelry” and “Toys.”

•JCPenney has the highest overall discount rate at 64.71 percent, whereas Costco has the lowest at 16.80 percent.

•The overall average discount for Black Friday is 37 percent. Consumers should aim for this discount amount or higher to avoid Black-Friday traps.

•The “Apparel & Accessories” category has one of the biggest shares of discounted items, 21.09 percent of all offers, whereas the “Furniture” category has the smallest at 3.73 percent.

Top Ten Black Friday Retailers

1.JCPenney (64.71%) 2.Belk (64.23%)

(53.05%)

Depot/ OfficeMax (49.93%) 5.Kohl’s (44.23%) 6.Lenovo (40.67%) 7.Target (32.87%) 8.Big Lots (32.86%) 9.Academy Sports + Outdoors (31.10%) 10.The Home Depot (30.90%)

New Hendricks County Event Features Unique Shopping Experience Nov. 19

BROWNSBURG, IN

–More than 50 artists, makers, and vintage collectors will descend on Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on Nov. 19, for the first annual Uptown Common: The Market shopping event, where buyers will be able to purchase unique items and kick off the gift-giving season in style.

Uptown Common: The Market was designed by husband-and-wife team, Grant and Jennifer Anderson, to showcase

small businesses that focus on handmade and vintage items. Hamilton, Hendricks, and Marion County vendors will be strongly represented at the show while other vendors will travel from several hours away to participate in this exciting event! In addition to handmade and vintage items, there are a variety of food vendors including food trucks for lunch cravings and prepackaged items that shoppers can take with them to enjoy later.

For more information or to purchase discounted tickets in advance for Uptown Common: The Market, go to www. uptowncommonhandmade.com. Vendor spotlights can be seen at Uptown Common: The Market on Instagram and Facebook.

To learn more about other activities to do around Hendricks County, visit www.VisitHendricksCounty.com.

For more holiday events in Indiana

Christkindlemarkt

CINCINNATTI - Christkindlmarkt is the Cincinnati region’s oldest and most authentic German Christmas market. Based on traditional Christmas markets that are popular throughout Germany, our Christkindlmarkt is mostly under our covered pavilion and heated tents, with some booths and attrac tions outdoors.

Sip on a cold German bier, or enjoy a cup of Glühwein, hot mulled wine while shopping for unique gifts from Germany and from local crafters, and listen to music that will get you in the holiday spirit!

Popular imported German items include: bier steins, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, linens, glass-blown ornaments, candle arches called “Schwibbogen” and “pyramid” candle holders with

beautiful carousels that rotate when the candles are lit. We also have a nice selection of high-quality items from local artisans.

Food choices include our ever-popular homemade cabbage rolls, tasty mock turtle soup and other savory German fare—finished off with some sinful pastries and candies. Grab some extra to take home!

For the kids, we have Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Christkind, St. Nikolaus, a lantern parade and petting zoo. (Check our schedule on this page for details.)

So come get your Christmas shopping done EARLY— the fun, German way—at Christkindlmarkt, a Cincinnati tradition since 1998.

Payment Methods: All Germania Society-operated booths are cashless, meaning that the ONLY payments we can accept are: credit, debit or our reloadable Germania geld cards. Some outside vendors MAY be taking cash only. So please come prepared to pay either way. No ATM is available on the grounds.

Hours Friday, Nov 4, 2022 5pm-10pm Saturday, Nov 5, 2022 11am-10pm Sunday, Nov 6, 2022 12pm-5pm Admission $5 per person, credit/debit ONLY. FREE admission for 12-under & active or retired military with current ID. https://germaniasociety.com/ christkindlmarkt/

While shopping this year for all those on your list, blend in a little fun to spark more enjoyment on your venture. Adding the possibility of winning a bonus gift for yourself is a special bonus. Head to Hocking Hills and make it an extended weekend getaway by joining in the annual Holiday Treasure Hunt. You have until Dec. 12 to participate.

The first step is to download a map from the Explore Hocking Hills website. After visiting and getting stamps from six of the 27 participating shops, participants must submit their map to the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center (13178 state Route 664 South, Logan) to be eligible for a prize. The grand prize includes two nights in a cabin for four, canopy tours for four, canoe tours for four, dinner for four and more.

However, participants have multiple chances to win because participating shops are also giving away a prize. For example, Homegrown on Main at 65 W. Main St. in Logan is giving a $50 gift certificate.

“So many people are moving away from

giving mass produced of gifts and instead giving locally made presents and gifts of unforgettable experiences,” said Hocking Hills Tourism Association Executive Director Karen Raymore in a press release. “The Hocking Hills is the perfect place to find both. There really is no better gift than one-of-a-kind artwork. It’s a purchase that supports small business and artists. Gift certificates for the assorted attractions, cabins, campgrounds and Inns are also appreciated by all. A getaway to a cozy cottage with a private hot tub is the perfect cure for wintertime cabin fever.”

Official Rules

•No purchase necessary. You must visit six different shops to be eligible.

•Drawing will take place on Monday, December 13.

•Entries must be received at the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center in Logan (13178 State Route 664 South, Logan, OH 43138) by mail or in person by 5 p.m. on Monday, December 12. Hours are 9 a.m. -5 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday.

I t’s P lay

It’s All Me! ® Dolls

From the Madame Alexander Doll Company.

Made with quality craftsmanship, these 8’’ dolls are highly posable and engaging, so the fun never stops! Since children can have very different interests, the dolls are a mash-up of kids’ favorite activities. They come with accessories for two different activities— for example, art and cheerleading or basketball and paddleboarding. There are six individual dolls to collect.

Price: $49.95 each

Available on Amazon

Minis-In-Minis

Series one is confectionery themed and includes the most beloved brands such as Toxic Waste, Chupa Chups, Pez, Peeps, Mike and Ike, Warheads, and more. Complete the collection with 66 minis to collect, including three levels of rare colors. Discover 8 inside each cup, including 2 Minis and 6 Minis-In-Minis. The clear top reveals one mini toy and the other is hidden below. It’s sure to give mini collectors a kick, bring back sweet memories, and make you feel like a kid in a candy store!

PRICE: $6.99

Available at Walmart

https://superimpulse.com/minis-in-minis/

lay T ime!

Swingly Doorway Storefronts

Help your kids play “pretend” by turning their room into a play store or play house. Encourage them to be creative and mature with an entrepreneurial mindset. This sturdy machine washable fabric hanging doorway is easy-to-install with display printed on both sides. Interactive with roll up windows/doors. It doesn’t take up space because it hangs right in the doorway. Peel the removable velcro hanging strip, center it on the doorframe and you are set to play! There are four different storefronts available.

PRICE: $99.00 https://www.swinglytoys.com/

Popdarts

The hottest game on TikTok that you can’t put down! The suction darts stick to any smooth surfaces like a table or a solid flat door. It’s a dart game with a twist! The compact sets can be played wherever you go, indoors or outdoors.

Price: $24.99

Amazon

I t’s Game

Zillionaires Road Game Zillionaires Road Game

Get ready for the ultimate road trip! Zillionaires: Road Trip USA is an auction party game, where you bid, bluff and buy 49 legendary American roadside attractions when they’re up for sale! The highest bidder whacks the gavel, pays the bank, and puts their colored Sold Chip on the board. Buy 4 properties in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line and you win.

Game T ime!

The Magical World of Disney Trivia

Go on an adventure through time, with 2,000 trivia questions spanning nearly 100 years of Disney history. Play as iconic Disney and Pixar characters while visiting 3D points of interest from the movies, and race toward the finish line to be named the game’s Ultimate Disney Trivia Master. There are five detailed, iconic story scenes that serve as destinations which players can travel to in order to complete their journey through time. PRICE: $39.99 https://www.playmonster.com/

Sink N’ Sand

A board game from Spin Master featuring Kinetic sand for kids, ages four and up. Watch out! Don’t fall in the quicksand. While exploring the jungle, you find a mysterious substance... Before you can even say “quicksand”, you’re falling in! Kinetic Sand never dries out & is non-toxic, allowing your child to safely enjoy hours of independent play This activity game is mess-free sensory fun.

PRICE: $21.97 Walmart, Target

I t’s Reading

It’s a Mystery & a Love Story

Gift Experiences with Travel Packages and Tours

With so many festivities to choose from, Experience Columbus has created an easy way to give the gift of travel with curated travel packages and experiential tours that can be purchased for friends and family. Options include build-yourown experiences, with everything from museum tickets to themed walking and food tours to free experiential tours. Make it a fun holiday weekend Price $16.95 Amazon.com

Based on True Story

Inspired by a true story of Salomon Kool, a Duth teenager. After hiding behind the door of his bedroom as Nazis searched his house, he was soon on the run, terrified and never sure who we could trust or if he was safe. The young Jewish boy is forced to survive in hiding in the Netherlands, alone. Imagine what this child had to endure. His survival shows how narrow the distance is between life and death.

Price: $12.95 Paperback $22.95 Hardcover https://www.theboybehindthedoor.org/

Tackling Life’s Struggles

Set in the 1950s and ’60s Mississippi, where young Myra struggles with complex feelings of guilt, loss and segregation. By age 12, she has persevered through a lifetime of experiences — from watching a housefire consume her parents, through enduring prejudices of being born biracial, to the supernatural religious experiences in the Piney Woods. Can she find a natural sense of place in the grand scheme of life?

Reading T ime!

Historical Fiction

In Kansas and Missouri, the War Between the States started long before Fort Sumter. Daniel Fitzgerald, a Southerner who tries to settle Kansas and leave behind his tormented Louisiana roots, soon finds that in Kansas Territory you have to take sides or die. Taking sides doesn’t lessen the chances of a violent death, it just determines who is going to try and kill you It is a blend of history, action and romance.

Price $13.99 Amazon.com

For the Kids

Cloopsey wants to be in the circus but learns it’s harder than he thought. After trying but failing, Cloopsey learns all have different talents. If he is the best he can be using his own, he will succeed. He doesn’t have to pretend to be like the others.”

Dexter, the sheep, wants to make friends with the other farm animals at his new home in the big blue barn. Will he make the right choices to fit in with the other farm animals?

Suitable for ages 3-8. Price $7.99 Each Amazon and Walmart online

Celebrate 35 years of musical magic with this new anniversary edition. Chip has remastered Mannheim Steamroller Christmas — his very first holiday album — in a special green vinyl version! The remastered Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 35th Anniversary vinyl classic makes a great Christmas gift. Produced on 180 gram virgin vinyl for maximum fidelity. Available wherever vinyl is sold plus a special white/red “spatter” vinyl exclusively at Barnes & Noble.

Price: $19.98

I t’s Music

New Holiday Single

It evokes the joys of Christmas decorations, shimmering lights and strolling arm in arm with the one you love to the town square and the promise of a beautiful night by the warmth of a fireplace! The award-winning members of Exile will reach a major milestone in 2023, as it marks their 60th year together, making them the longest-running American band. Available now for streaming on all digital music platforms.

https://vere.lnk.to/ExileLLCN

Mannheim Steamroller

Music T ime!

For the Women

Silk Celestial Pillowcases

Every woman needs better sleep, and silk pillowcases are a luxe way to help improve beauty sleep. These are thicker and more substantial than most. Because of their smooth texture and natural sleekness, tresses stay tame and skin stays moisturized. 25 colors and designs available. An added bonus, they come gift-wrapped.

Price: $38.99

https://celestialsilk.com/

Upcycled Fashion Bags

Find the perfect spot to stash your essentials with the Vaan & Co. trend of upcycling genuine leather remants.

•Vela - The cross body is elegant, simple and practical—everything a go-to bag requires. Wear it as a streamlined clutch or attach the strap for hands-free wear.

•Hardy Tan Duffel Bag - Look chic on your extended weekend getaway while keeping everything neatly packed.

Vaan & Co aims to redefine fashion while putting nature first. Various styles.

Price: $39 and up

https://www.vaanandco.com/

Frette Microfiber Robe

Bring the spa experience home with thisRitz-Carlton Frette Microfiber Robe. Perfect to lounge in with an adjustable self-tie belt and front patch pockets. Stay stylish and warm with the luxurious microfiber and coral fleece mix that features charming details of white piping on the pockets and cuffs.

Price: $148.75

https://www.ritzcarltonshops.com/

Women on Your List

The Rise Fingerprint Necklace

By Love Talla. It’s the perfect gift to shine light on the care, love and joy that moms, grandmas and fur mamas bring into our lives! Fingerprint necklaces are unique, personalized, and incredibly meaningful to the person who receives them as a gift. Available in yellow gold, silver, and rose gold

Chain Length: Options from 18”-24”

The Compass measurements: ~21mm diameter (Same size as a Nickel) Price: $225 and up https://www.lovetalla.com/

Diamond Hoop Earrings

When it comes to gifting something new and unique to give the jewelry lover in your life, Jedora, the jewelry marketplace for luxury accessories, watches, and loose gemstones has endless styles ranging from edgy to the classics, creating an unforgettable holiday memory in the process. Prices vary depending on diamond size https://www.jedora.com/

Natural Care Holiday Kit

A healthier and planet-friendly alternative for skin care needs. Thrive Natural Care is effective, plant-based skincare that empowers and regenerates both your skin and the planet naturally, without depleting or degrading communities or ecosystems. Thrive’s limited-edition holiday kit features their three best sellers, Daily Defense SPF30, Face Scrub, and Face Wash, in festive Costa Rican-inspired holiday packaging.

Pricing $40.95 ($52.85 value - 20% off!)

https://ThriveCare.co

For the Gentlemen

Battery Storage Case & Tester

What do you get for the handyman who has everything? Something to store them in. This ultimate storage system helps organize and protect all his batteries. Double sided, it stores up to 180 batteries with only the space of a laptop. It will fit in a cabinet, drawer or shelf and is easy to carry. A battery tester is included with the case. Price: $19.99

https://www.batterydaddy.com/

2-in-1 Crown Stapler

The new WORX® Nitro Power Share™ 20V 2-in-1 3/8 in. Crown Stapler is engineered with Air Impact Technology using the tool’s sealed compressed air cylinder to drive up to 80 3/8 in. crown staples or 18 gauge brad nails per minute. The time saving, productive stapler speeds project construction making 2,000 shots on a single charge. Prices: $89.99 Lowes.com, Walmart.com Target.com, Michaels.com and Amazon.

Beard Brush & Comb

A gentleman takes pride in his beard and so he should. Like other aspects of his appearance, it is important for him to use the proper tools to ensure health and upkeep. Oval Shaped Pear Wood With Natural Bristles. Can order choice of boar firm, soft, or vegan sisal firm. Ensures better beard health and appearance. Price: 19.99

https://sevenpotions.com/

Gentlemen on Your List

Starscope Monocular

Experience the World through an advanced monocular telescopic lens. With military-grade magnification, these monoculars offer you comparable picture quality as full-sized telescopes that run $3000 or more. It fits in the palm of your hand. Its weather-proof and fogproof, making it the perfect companion for any outdoor excursion. Price: $49.00 https://www.monostarscope.com/

Bondic

This patented liquid plastic welder that hardens in seconds when exposed to UV light is a perfect gift for all the handy people out there who love to fix everything. Each kit comes with a plastic welder, UV light and a shaping tool that gets the job done every time. It is 50 times more powerful than glue. Price; $19.99 https://getbondic.io/

Rover Luggage

Luxury leather and travel goods company, Carl Friedrik, launches a new collection of premium bags designed for the modern traveler. The City-Hopper Backpack makes every type of travel stylish yet convenient with its expandable volume and hidden passport & laptop compartments. There are five pieces for the traveler including a getaway weekender. ($601)

Backpack (shown) Price: $398 https://www.carlfriedrik.com/collections/ the-rover-collection

For the Photographer

By Julie Diebolt Price https:// phototravelwrite.com/

Christmas shopping for a photographer? Here are some suggestions that are sure to please. There aren’t many photography gifts under $50, and gift cards for photographers are always a safe bet. If you want to impress with some photography gear, here are some essentials that can’t miss the mark. But first:

•Ask them what camera brand (manufacturer) they use or which one they would buy (cam eras are a big-ticket item, and they may have a preference)

•Find out what equipment they already own •Ask what is on their gear Wish List

Camera manufacturers are pushing the envelope with new technology and improvements in mirrorless cameras. The move towards mirrorless is the trend in photography today. Mirrorless cameras are suitable for video recordings; still images are crisp and colorful. Skin tones are accurate. Mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter than DSLRs and are weather resistant.

Camera with Kit Lens

Camera bodies are sold separately or as a kit. A kit typically includes the 18-55mm lens and sometimes the 70-300mm lens. These lenses are good starting points.

Once the photographer is more experienced, better-quality lenses will make it onto their Christ mas gift list.

The camera comes with a battery charger, one battery, and a strap. I recommend you get a second battery immediately as insurance against a dead power supply.

Memory Cards

A memory card is required. It’s like film in old-fashioned cameras. Memory is cheap. Buy more cards. If you run out of space on your memory card, there are a couple of techniques to eke out a few more pictures. Memory cards come in a variety of sizes.

Camera Cleaning Kit

Clean your lens is the first way to get sharper, crisper photos. Avoid getting fingerprints, dust, dirt, sand, or salt spray on the lens. While this happens to all photographers, you must have the right tools to remove the offending particles.

A good lens cleaning kit

should have a soft brush to whisk off the dirt and dust gently; an air blower for the outside and (carefully) on the inside to remove dust from the sensor (never, ever used canned air); lens cleaning fluid with tissue papers; microfiber cloth.

Camera Bag

While you can photograph without a camera bag, it is good to have one to protect your investment. I’m a bag lady and have bought countless camera bags over the years, thinking it was the perfect one. It ended up not being perfect. But this is something very personal to the photographer. I recommend that you DO NOT gift this but give a photographer a gift card instead so they can decide what is best for them.

IPhone/Android/

With the advancements in hand-held devices, I’ve made my iPhone an essential component of my photography gear. I can attach it to a gimbal to give

Photographer on Your List

added stability and creativity. I don’t travel without it and create all my videos on my iPhone.

While I haven’t used any other brand of a hand-held camera phone, a colleague swears by the Google phone. I’ve seen night photography on her device, and the results are remarkable.

Enhancements are easy with the native iPhone Photos app. Many third-party apps are free or lowcost in the Apple Apps Store or Google Play for Android. Gift cards for either of these stores would be a welcome holiday gift.

Tripod

A tripod is high on the list of photography gear. There are many good options out there. Keep in mind, however, that it:

•Must be stable

•Must support the weight of the camera

•Must be lightweight enough to be carried easily

Card Holder

A memory card holder will keep all those pesky memory cards in order and protected.

Not touching the metal on a memory card with your fingers is essential. The oils on our fingers can adhere to the metal and attract dirt and dust. It will impact the performance of your camera. Avoid scratching the metal, too, for the same reason.

Adobe Lightroom

All digital images must be en hanced. While free programs are available, Adobe Photoshop and

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (yes, that’s not a typo) are the industry standard for enhancing and manipulating your images. It’s a subscription and can be purchased online from Adobe.

Photography Lessons

Many students tell me they want to take better pictures and get out of Auto mode (see below for my best tip). When YouTube videos are not enough, live, online, and private lessons make a great holiday gift.

have a day job?

•Can you ask the teacher questions before the first lesson?

“No

More Auto”

Photography Tip

Select the P mode–Programmed Auto Exposure–it’s almost like point-and-shoot, but you control it by changing the ISO. Think of ISO like film speed (for those baby boomers who know and used film). You don’t have to know any other settings or what they do.

Since I’ve been teaching online for more than seven years, I’ve learned that most students love the convenience of learning in the comfort of their homes or office and how it fits into their work and family schedule.

Things to look for when select ing an online teacher for your giftee:

•Does the service provider guarantee your satisfaction?

•Can you choose the teacher you want?

•Can you arrange your lesson times and are they convenient if I

However, your pictures are in stantly better and more in your control. How great is that?!

After producing better pictures, the photographer will get more satisfaction from experience and gain confidence to explore the craft of photography further.

Photography training may be the second most important gift to give a photography newbie for Christmas. It’s personal, thoughtful, and oh, so welcome!

For the Homebodies

MyFakKit

With the holidays approaching, here is a great gift for anyone on your list, whether they have their hearts set on adventure, keeping their family safe, or stocking their at-home emergency kits. Give the gift of peace of mind with a MyFak kit created by MyMedic. Over 100 first aid and trauma supplies. Includes supplies for bleeding, airway, burns, hydration, meds, sprain and fractures, topical, and more.

•Snag resistant zipper

•MOLLE system compatible Price: $50 and up https://mymedic.com/

Drinkmate

Carbonate any beverage by use of patented Fizz Infuser: Water, Juices, Iced tea or coffee, wine, cocktails, or add bubbles back to flat beverages Drinkmate is the first and only home carbonator with a multi-stage pressure release valve - called the Fizz Infuser. It is easy to operate and easy to clean. No electricity or batteries are needed. Four different colors available to blend with your kitchen decor.

Price: $142.99 www.idrinkProducts.com

Storage Dividers

For the organizer in your family. Simple, beautiful, and functional. Toko’s modular design adapts to fit your drawer. From wide cabinets and closets to narrow desks and dressers you can use the system to meet the need anywhere. Minimize with Torays to keep all neat and tidy It’s simple to customize and you can adjust the layout at any time. Price varies. https://www.tokodesign.com/

Homebodies on Your List

Bring home a little of the unexpected. Lounge in luxury and cozy up in one of the EDITION Hotels iconic throws. The luxurious feel and signature style of our stunning throws are the stuff of dreams.

There is no better place to be than cozied up in the Times Square Faux Fur Throw. Relax in style with our luxurious faux fur throw with extra soft beige suede-like lining, made exclusively for The Times Square EDITION. Staying in bed never felt so good when you have one of our oh-so-comfortable faux fur throws as your companion.

Faux fox fur; Beige faux suede back 60” x 70”; Machine Washable Price $318.75 and up https://www.shopedition.com/product.aspx Aroma evokes an emotion, sparks a memory,

Scents of the Open Road

Christmas ornaments are all so unique, especially when they can be personalized with names, dates, brief messages, or images. If you are looking for a gift to help capture and reflect on these times over the holiday season, this ornament is an ideal one. The recipient is sure to cherish it forever.

Ornament details:

1-sided design Made of ceramic. Measures just under 3” in

diameter.

Dye-sublimation printing. White ceramic produces vibrant full-color images.

Gold hanging cord included.

Plastic ornament details: 1-sided design

Crafted from durable MDF with a high-gloss plastic finish 2.75” tall, 1/8 thick, 0.5 oz

Vibrantly printed from edgeto-edge via Sublimation Personalization: Please fill in the required fields

and carefully double-check the spelling To ensure the best looking, please use standard English only and exclude special characters.

The last step, click “Preview Your Personalization” to get a glimpse of the wonderful cretion you’ve just made.

To order, go to https://trend ingcustom.com/products Let’s create your own Ornament and click “Add To Cart” NOW to get one!

Stocking

Heart Beauty Lotion

Botanically infused inspirational beauty lotion is adorned with positive and uplifting affirmations, with a focus on scent, and memory. Made for people looking for emotional support and growth.

Perfect for moisturizing the skin during the winter months, while uplifting and warming the spirit when it’s cold outside.In support mental wellness. We donate 10% of all profits to MHA (Mental Health America).

Price: $16.95

https://www.positiveintentbeauty.com

Photostick Movile

Don’t take the chance of losing our precious photo memories due to unforeseen accidents. This sleek, simple device is capable of instantly downloading thousands of images for safekeeping and then it sorts and organizes them. Don’t miss capturing that magical moment again due to the dreaded “Storage Full” error! 32 GB Price: $64.99

https://getphotostickmobile.io/offer-01/

ZumBar Goat’s Milk Soap

Natural Soap Bar: A cleansing bar soap with goat’s milk to help moisturize and soften skin. The seasonal fragrance, Frankincense and Myrrh is now available. Made with essential oils and phthalate-free fragrance oil, coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, goat milk, and more Price: $6.50 per bar

https://www.indigowild.com/

Stuffers

Sensate

Jet lag? This palm-sized stress-busting wearable and audio app use infrasonic waves to resonate through the body, targeting the vagus nerve and strengthening the nervous system which is much needed while traveling.

•Infrasonic waves encourage relaxation and improve resilience to stress over time.

•Soundscapes are intended to cater for personal goals; whether that’s winding down for sleep, an energy boost in the morning or a much-needed daytime break.

•Users can adjust both the volume and intensity of the sounds and resonating vibrations, respectively, for a customized experience.

Price $299.00 getsensate.com, Amazon, Skimlinks

EZQuest GaN Fast Charger

Instead of trying to cram six different chargers and cables in your bag when going anywhere, pack just one that can be used for an USB Type-C products. It is built for durability and is of stylish design. Either as a wall or car charger, EZQuest is available in 20W, 30W, 65W, 90W and 120W. Safety features include over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, and short-circuit protection.

Price: $9.00 and up https://ezq.com/wall-chargers.html

Recipe for:

You will be amazed at how simple these cinnamon sugar nuts are to make. All of the nuts are roasted and sweetened to perfection. Your house will have the most beautiful aroma! We love to make these throughout the year, but always make huge batches for the Holidays to add into jars for gifts.

Ingredients: 12 cups mixed nuts unsalted pecans, almonds, cashews

4 egg whites

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp cinnamon

Instructions

In a large bowl add your nuts.

In a medium bowl whisk together the egg whites and vanilla extract until just frothy.

Toss the egg whites into the nuts until all coated.

Next mix together both sugars, salt, and cinnamon.

Toss until all is mixed and coated.

Step 1. Place the nuts into a large bowl. Add the egg whites and vanilla into a medium bowl and whisk to combine until frothy. Add the egg mixture into the nuts and toss to combine until coated. Put the sugars, salt, and cinnamon into a small bowl and combine before adding to the nuts and tossing to coat again.

Step 2. Use non-stick spray to lightly grease the slow cooker. Put in the prepared nuts and cover with a lid before cooking for 3 hours on low. Stir the mixture regularly while cooking. When the nuts are done cooking, you can add them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow them to cook on the tray and set before placing them in an airtight container and storing or eating right away enjoy!

Baking Method:

Pour nuts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake at 325°F for about 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so.

Remove pan from oven and let cool completely.

Tips & Tricks For The Best Candied Nuts:

Instead of just using cinnamon, I like to add some pumpkin pie spice.

To make this recipe a little sweet and spicy, I like to add a dash of cayenne.

I love using all kinds of nuts for this recipe, just make sure you have enough to equal 12 cups.

Make little care packages or holiday gifts by adding them into little jars or clear bags and tie them with a bow! If you are a fan of charcuterie boards, this will make a great addition.

How To Store Candied Nuts?

Place the leftovers into an airtight container for the best storage method. You can store them in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Five Affordable With A Personalized

guin. SmashUps can check the box for holiday greetings, or you can include a digital gift card to fulfill your gift giving needs. With a subscription, you’ll unlock access to all of American Greetings’ digital offerings, meaning you can send unlimited SmashUps year-round. Subscriptions are $6.99 per month or $29.99 per year.

(StatePoint) Are you struggling to find thoughtful gifts for everyone as you make your holiday shopping list? Well, it’s time to get personal! By giving a personalized gift, the recipient will feel special knowing it was created and picked just for them. Here are a few customized gift ideas that they’re sure to love that won’t break the bank.

2.Photo Finish. Photos are a simple and affordable way to personalize gifts. Start by choosing your favorite pic with the recipient and then determine how you’d like to deliver it. Whether it’s in a unique frame, or printed on a personal item, such as a mug, blanket, keychain, phone cover or even an ornament for their tree, the recipient will know how much they mean to you each time they view it.

1.Make Their Holidays Magical with Video Greetings. Perfect for spreading holiday cheer, SmashUps from American Greetings are highly personalized, smile-inducing, shareable videos. There are options for everyone, like a message from Santa that calls the recipient out by name and location, or a customized winter greeting delivered by a talking pen-

3.Initial Thoughts. While not everyone wants to be in pictures, adding personalization to a gift item by using your recipient’s name, initials or monogram, can be a great alternative. And with a wealth of online sites, from boutique

Affordable Gift Ideas Personalized Touch

stores like Marley Lilly to major retailers like Amazon offering this ser vice, you’ll have endless options—at various price points—to meet your shopping needs.

4.Eat, Drink and Be Merry. They often say the way to the heart is through the stomach. So, whether it’s a foodie friend or a family member who has it all, making their favorite meal, treat, drink or dessert can be the ultimate thoughtful gift. Plus, it can provide you quality time together as you deliver the delicious treats to their home or host them at yours -- that is… if they’ll share!

Editor’s Note:

When all out of ideas, a gift certificate is always an option. Better yet, hand-written ones can make them even more personable and unique.

5.Write a Message by Hand. In an age where everything is digital, seeing a loved one’s handwriting— whether it’s scribbled by a child or printed by a grandparent—can be a special memento and unique way to customize a gift. Gift ideas could be handwritten messages and affirmations; a recipe book of your family favorites; or your handwriting could be inscribed onto a gift item like a keychain, picture frame or necklace.

Just remember, it’s the thought that counts. And luckily many personalized gifts don’t have to be costly to be remembered.

Great Wolf Lodge is a Great Gift Idea For the Whole Family

The holiday shopping season is here! From the latest dolls to the greatest gadgets, parents are on the hunt for “the” gift at the top of their children’s wish list.

We all know the pressure of finding the perfect gift, especially with current supply chain issues. In fact, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) tells consumers that electronics, toys and other products “will be (or already are) in short supply.”

But Great Wolf Lodge, the largest family of indoor waterparks in North America, is here to help ease the shopping stress this year with an opportunity to create family moments!

Great Wolf Lodge, with a resort location in Sandusky (4600 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870), is offering families who can’t find that “hot holiday toy” on their list this season the chance to receive a gift that brings the whole Pack together. They’ll be giving away 250 free onenight stay vouchers, chosen at random, to

any of their 18 locations across the U.S. (T&Cs apply, below) to families who share a photo of the empty shelf in-store of the holiday item they were hoping to buy, or screengrab showing their desired holiday gift is sold-out online with @ GreatWolfLodge on Twitter using hashtag #GWLHolidayHelp between 12 a.m. EST on November 25 and 11:59 p.m. EST on December 15.

Great Wolf Lodge knows the importance of families creating lasting memories and wants to spread holiday cheer with a chance for families to enjoy a getaway and strengthen the Pack.

• Can’t find a popular toy this hol iday season you’ve been trying to snag? On Twitter, Tweet @GreatWolfLodge a photo of the out-of-stock/empty shelf in store or screengrab the sold-out toy online with hashtag #GWLHoliday help between 12AM EST on November 25, 2022, and 11:59PM EST on December 15, 2022.