American News • 2014 Holiday Gift Guide Thursday, November 27, …bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/aberdeennews.com/... · 2014-12-05 · 2 Thursday, November 27, 2014 American

aberdeennews.comAmerican News • 2014 Holiday Gift GuideThursday, November 27, 2014PB aberdeennews.com American News • 2014 Holiday Gift Guide Thursday, November 27, 2014 1

aberdeennews.comAmerican News • 2014 Holiday Gift GuideThursday, November 27, 20142 aberdeennews.com American News • 2014 Holiday Gift Guide Thursday, November 27, 2014 3

Have some lit lovers in your life? Want to make stocking

stuffers extra special for them this year? Here are a few great ideas:

Personalized Book-marks Outfit bibliophiles with some cool new reading gear. Encourage them to scrap the scrap paper with a personalized book-mark. Consider cross stitching or engraving a message onto wood or metal. If you aren’t crafty, many artisans make per-sonalized bookmarks, and their wares are available online. Just be sure to place your order ahead of time! Consider a message that includes a favorite literary quote.

Postcard Books Postcard books make perfect gifts. Check out two new titles borne out of Wilhelm Staehle’s web comic, “Sihouette Mas-terpiece Theater.” Book lovers may recognize his signature style, as he’s illustrated jackets for top authors like Michael Chabon and Michael Crichton. “Hugs and Misses,” is perfect for romantics with a sense of humor,

featuring lovelorn ladies, roguish gentleman, ren-egade Cupids and inde-cent proposals. “Stars and Swipes,” offers a hilarious vision of classic Americana, with farcical frontiersman, prattling presidents and other all-American oddities.

Book Lamp For night owls, a read-ing lamp can keep the party going. The ideal lamp will have focused, task lighting and a flexi-ble neck to illuminate the page without disturbing bedfellows or room-mates. Some book lights even attach directly to the book, making noctur-nal reading simple.

A Little Humor Serve up some laugh-ter in book format with comedian Carol Leifer’s new collection of essays “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying,” which charts her three-decade journey through show business, illuminating her many triumphs and some missteps along the way – and offering valuable lessons for women and men in any profession. Part memoir, part guide to life, it offers tips and tricks for getting ahead.

Some Inspiration For readers who are

also aspiring writers, be a patron of their art. Con-sider gifting a beautiful journal and fountain pen. Or make an I.O.U. certif-icate to fund a class at a local or online creative writing school. Don’t fret, when it comes to avid readers, there are plenty of ways to make the holiday sea-son merry.

While check-ing

those big ticket items off your hol-iday shopping list can be stressful, don’t let stocking stuffers bog you down. Simple gifts that show you care about your recipi-ent and their hob-bies work great. For those that love the garage and the great

outdoors, here are a few cool

stocking stuffer ideas that serve a useful pur-

pose and are easy to find.

Glasses, Secured For those with pre-scription glasses, consid-er clip-on sunglasses with UV protection. These are handy for those who don’t wear contacts but still want the same pro-tection from the sun for their eyes. And don’t forget that keeping one’s glasses

or sunglasses secured is a must – whether out on the water for a day white water rafting or in the yard on the riding mower. A glasses retainer is just the tool to do the trick. This inexpensive item can be found at most optical retailers and sporting goods stores and usually come in a variety of colors and styles.

Light it Up No one appreciates powerful, long-lasting light more than campers and DIY-ers. Go beyond a standard flashlight, however, and check out the new line of Energizer lights with Light Fu-sion Technology which includes flashlights, a pop-up lantern and a folding lantern that are easy-to-operate, water-re-sistant and lightweight enough to take anywhere. Energizer also offers a variety of headlights that are especially handy, as they are comfortable to wear and completely hands-free. Make sure to include high-quality batteries,

such as Energizer MAX batteries with Power Seal Technology. Energizer MAX AA batteries pro-tect from leakage better than the other leading battery for up to two years, after fully used, in low-powered devices. Leaking batteries are a common problem and can cause corrosion, ru-ining a great device when you need it most. More information can be found at www.Energizer.com.

Knife Sharpener No hunter, angler or camper should leave home for an adventure without a knife sharpen-er. Additionally, every garage should have this tool, as well. Gift this essential gear this season for happier trails and DIY-ing. Stocking stuffers are an easy way to be extra thoughtful. You don’t need to spend a fortune to include items that will be invaluable to your gift recipients during their next projects or outdoor adventures.

...book lovers

‘Tools’ for getting a gift she’ll love

Statepoint

...outdoor enthusiasts

and DIYers

Great stocking stuffers for ...

The holiday season is here. Amid decorating your

home, planning holiday parties and baking cook-ies for Santa, you might find yourself with very little time (and cash) for holiday shopping. Luckily, savings experts have a few gift ideas that are easy and fun to get you in the spirit this year.

DIY Canning Jar Recipes For an affordable

and person-able gift, try

pick-ing up a bag of cookie

mix, a canning jar, rib-bon, and a holiday gift tag.

Place the cookie mix in-side the canning jar, dec-orate with a ribbon and attach the directions for preparing the cookie mix on the holiday gift tag. With endless choices for cookie flavors, decorative gift tags and ribbons, you can create a one-of-a-kind and tasty gift for all of your friends, teachers and service providers.

Gift Cards If you’ve ever struggled to find a gift for someone that has everything, con-sider giving a gift card. Dress it up with a one dollar ornament or let your kids make a hand-made holiday card for a unique twist. While the recipient enjoys choosing their own gift, you can celebrate with the time you saved! See page 4 for more on how to give a gift card.

Auto-Renewal Options Give the gift that keeps on giving this holiday season by signing your friends and family up for auto-renewal items. At stores such as na-tion-wide retailer, Dollar General, you can sched-ule items like diapers, cleaning products, coffee and more to be delivered on a weekly or monthly basis. This way, you can keep the spirit of the holidays going all year long and provide conve-nient helpful products to those who mean the most to you. This season, giving meaningful gifts doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of time or money. You can easily, and cheaply, gift a magazine subscrip-tion or a monthly treat delivery program – from your loved one or their dog.

Do your children love arts and crafts? Take ad-

vantage of their enthusi-asm and make some beau-tiful home decorations for the holidays.

A wreath of buttons Thread buttons of dif-ferent sizes on a wire to make a beautiful wreath. Use multicolored buttons for a festive style, pastel colors for a softer look, or different shades of the same color for an elegant effect. Complete the fes-tive look by decorating it with a huge ribbon bow.

A Christmas pine cone tree Find a large pine cone and paste some ball dec-orations on it. You could also use tassels, beads, buttons, or crunched up

balls of tissue paper. A small box, an empty thread spool, or a toilet paper roll makes an ideal base. Ap-ply a coat of paint and some ribbons or glit-ter to give it a festive air.

Bulb penguins Light bulbs and paint—that’s all you need to make some cute chilly-weather penguins. A stubby round bulb is the ideal shape for making one. Add a touch of black and a hint of white for a little penguin tuxedo, and then all you’ll have to do is give him or her a funny face.

An indoors snowman Make a snowman that will last, no matter what the weather is like outside. Start with three boxes of various sizes, which you can paint or cover with paper. Affix some felt, buttons, cardboard, or pompoms as coat buttons, mouth, and eyes. For the nose, use a piece of cardboard or wood painted orange. And don’t forget the scarf!

Time and money-saving holiday gift ideas

Statepoint

Christmas decorationsto make with children

Newspaper Toolbox


My daughter-in-law recently asked ‘Santa’ for

a cordless electric drill for Christmas. ‘Santa,’ – in this case her husband -– gave her that “what-now?” confused look that men produce when they have absolutely no clue what their wives are thinking. Of course she wants a drill, and here’s why. While many husbands are handy around the house and more than willing to fix whatever needs fixing or hang whatever needs hanging, some wom-en would rather do these tasks themselves because: a) It’s easier. We generally know ex-actly what we want. But if we have to rely on our spouse to do it, the first and most difficult step is to communicate our vi-sion. “I want this picture hung just above the sofa, but slightly to the left and about four feet from the ceiling.” Sometimes our hus-bands try to talk us into doing something we already con-sidered and discarded and we have to explain that as well. “Because in May, June and July the sun hits that exact spot and will fade the photo and reflects off the glass and I have a sconce that will go on the right side centered be-

tween the sofa and the wall and five feet from the ceiling.” I mean, we have thought the project out thoroughly and now it is simply a matter of getting it done. b) Time. We want it done now. Hubby may not have the time or ener-gy for several days. c) Independence. We like the feeling of accom-

plishment when we do things for ourselves. However, we also need to remember that some men also feel good being able to help – and may even enjoy having input into whether the sconce should

be on the left or right side – or not at all. If in doubt as to wheth-er the female in your life would appreciate getting a screwdriver instead of jewelry, look in the kitchen drawer – if the tips of the butter knives are chewed up from being used to tighten screws, then she’s ready. Here are a few gift sug-

gestions for your mother, daughter, grandmother, girlfriend, or spouse: • Hammer, screw-driver, and pliers. While these basic tools seem ob-vious, keep in mind that a woman’s hand may not be as large and as strong as a man’s hand. A 12-inch construction hammer will be cumbersome and generally unnecessary for most in-house tasks. • Stud finder • Dremel

• Woman-size staple gun – and staples

• Volt-meter• Heavy-duty tape

measure• Heavy-duty extension

cord• Wrench set• Flashlight• Pry bar• Small level• Finishing saw• Assortment of nails

and screws• Canvas tool tote• Duct tape, Gorilla

glue• Sander, sand paper• A gift card to the

local hardware store• And, of course, a

cordless electric drill Think about it, guys. Now you can shop for Christmas presents in your comfort zone – the hardware store, which may just beat shopping the lingerie department for both you and her.

There are the iPads and the Xbox One gaming consoles.

The blenders and mixers and wildly expensive vacuum cleaners. And the 60-inch, flat screen, smart TVs – Does anyone else find it completely insane how many adjectives a television can have? Be-yond the dimensions, the list runs long: 720p. Hz. Flat. Smart. LED. HD. Perhaps what is more insane is how many peo-ple think that all of those adjectives are everything they need in life. To-night, many people will stand in a line weathering the cold to save a few (or a few hundred) dollars on TVs – among other things. Don’t get me wrong: I’m all for sup-porting the economy and our communi-ty. One of my best qualities is my ability to spend money. I like to have nice things. I even have a TV. Scratch that. If we’re being honest here – and we are – I have two TVs, a spot for a third, and the capability of watching TV shows on my iPad or one of two laptops in our household. Yes, that’s right. I’m a hypocrite. But I’m a hypocrite with a point. All electronics, as well as other frequently gifted items, have expiration dates. Next year – maybe even next month – anoth-er newer, shiner version with even more adjec-tives and capabilities will come out. And next Black Friday, people will line up for it. It is a hunger that, for some, can never actually be satisfied. Shopping on Black Fri-day is no easy feat. There are ads to look through – often more than once. There are deals to com-pare. Store maps need to be studied. Research needs to be done to eval-uate product value and if the deal is worth frozen toes and taking a chance in the crowd. If people put as much time into giving gifts that last as they do planning their Black Friday shop-

ping, we would all have something that could be treasured for a lifetime. Yes, albeit it would still be a material possession – but some things mean more than others.

Every year, the Aber-deen Amer-ican News collects Letters to

Santa Claus before sending them off to the big guy at the North Pole. There are the commonal-ities. Electronics always seem to rank high, followed by the newest of the new toys and movies. As for last year’s, I real-ly do hope Santa brought Abigail the live pig she requested and that some-one made Aspen eggs and pancakes. Those are things that have the power to create lasting memories that cannot be replaced with next year’s model. I have one nephew. He is almost seven, but he matches up pretty well with the rest of us. And by that I mean if it doesn’t need to be plugged in or charged, it is probably not on the top of his Santa wish list. His birthday is just five days after the big holiday so on top of being the only little one and already spoiled – he quickly gets more gifts. Last year, I committed the crime of electronic gift giving for Christmas and then refused to buy anything else. Why? He gets so much, how do I know he’ll remember my

gift? What kind of memo-ry am I creating for him? Opening a box and play-ing with something for a month or a year doesn’t leave the kind of lasting impression I’m going for. So, instead, a month later we went to the Mall of America. I drained every last bit of energy I had watching him tool around in Nickelodeon Universe and we then built more things with Legos than anyone ever should in

one day. We made mem-ories. We did something real – something that couldn’t be shoved in a box in gift-wrapped. I learned from the best. Every year since my nephew was born, my mom has given him a different Christmas orna-ment. Each ornament has been handpicked – and some times handmade – for something that hap-pened during the year. Even if she is shoving it in a box and wrapping it, she is still taking a memo-ry and making it last. I do not imagine he will be asking any time soon what ornament Grandma will get him this year but, down the line, when he’s older and his tree is full of ornaments from every year of his childhood on . . . well, I cannot imagine that there is anything better to be thankful for during the holidays than the love of family and the memories that have been created. In 2011, my mother gave us all ornaments. When I opened my box, I assumed the truth was finally out. As the middle (and best) child, I am my mother’s favorite. Orna-ments, after all, simply cannot lie – right? Right. So this year, would I like a new TV? Uh, sure. I can hang my ornament from its corner.

Columns: ‘Thoughtful’ gift giving means moreAn ornament for every year‘Tools’ for getting a gift she’ll love

Gretchen Mayer American News

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Statepoint

An indoors snowman Make a snowman that will last, no matter what the weather is like outside. Start with three boxes of various sizes, which you can paint or cover with paper. Affix some felt, buttons, cardboard, or pompoms as coat buttons, mouth, and eyes. For the nose, use a piece of cardboard or wood painted orange. And don’t forget the scarf!

Christmas decorationsto make with children

Victoria LuskAmerican News


Nearly every man or woman has hit that all too

familiar wall when holi-day shopping for friends and family. While many people might be a cinch to shop for, there always seems to be one stickler on holiday shopping lists, and finding the right gift for that person can be an exercise in patience and perseverance. But even the most patient shopper has his or her limits, and many people find themselves giving gift cards to those friends or family mem-bers who seemingly have everything already. Such cards make great gifts, but only when gift givers employ a few tricks of the gift card trade.

• Buy directly from the retailer. It’s easy to

be duped by a counterfeit gift card, which can be embarrassing for both the gift giver and its eventual recipient. Counterfeit gift cards are big business for criminals who prey on gift givers during the holiday season. Only buy gift cards directly from the re-tailer, as cards sold by other sources, such as an online auction site, may be stolen or counterfeit. You don’t want to be the person who gave a stolen or counterfeit card, and your friend or family member does not want to be subjected to an inquiry as to why he or she is attempting to use a stolen or counter-feit card.

• Examine the card before leaving the store. Once a cashier or customer service employ-ee hands you a gift card,

examine it for tampering before leaving the store. Some criminals gain access to gift cards, even those that appear to be behind lock and key, to learn the PIN number associated with the card.

Once they have the PIN, recipients can then recre-ate their own card, using the stolen PIN to activate and make purchases on their counterfeit cards long before the real card

is sold to you. If you de-tect any damage, ask for a new card before leaving the store.

• Include a gift receipt with the card. When giving a gift card, don’t

forget to include the gift receipt. The gift receipt not only verifies the value of the gift card, but also includes the date the card was purchased. That’s important information,

as many companies begin to charge fees, some of which may be exorbitant, on unused cards after a predetermined period of time. Recipients who have the gift receipt won’t have to haggle with retailers about the value of the card should that ever be in dispute, and the receipt also can serve as a reminder that the recipient needs to use the card before a given date to avoid fees.

•Consider a general purpose gift card. If that stickler on your hol-iday shopping list is es-pecially difficult to shop for, then you might want to consider a general pur-pose gift card issued by a company such as Ameri-can Express, MasterCard or Visa. These cards generally allow recipients to use their gift wherever

they choose, whether it’s to put gas in their tank or buy groceries. That ver-satility is valuable if you truly have no idea what your friend or family member needs or where he or she likes to shop. One notable disadvan-tage to general purpose gift cards is that they tend to come with more fees than more tradition-al gift cards purchased directly from specific re-tailers. Investigate these fees and find a card that charges no fees or only minimal fees. Gift cards make great gifts and can bail out frus-trated holiday shoppers who simply can’t find that perfect gift for a friend or family member. But when shopping for gift cards, be sure to exercise caution before buying a card so your loved one is not put in an embarrassing or costly situation.

How to give holiday gift cardsMetro Creative

Brandpoint

Amidst the gifts, meals and parties of the holiday

season, one word takes precedence -- family. There’s no better time to begin learning about family roots, especially as you’re gathered together in celebration. And doing so is easier than ever. While researching family history or explor-ing ethnic roots was once a task-heavy chore, filled with hours of library visits, interviews or public records inquiries, now you can conveniently traverse the genealogical landscape thanks to new technology tools, such as mobile apps, social media and even affordable Ancestral DNA tests that enable you to find family stories you may not have

known about. Liven up the holidays and connect with those who mean the most by sitting down and chatting about family history. Here are some pointers to get started: • Start with what you know: Using a website like Ancestry.com, or the Ancestry app (available on iOS and Android), enter the information you know into your family tree. Upload photos to preserve memories. Don’t have all the facts? Don’t worry. This is just the start of your quest. • Take a DNA test: DNA isn’t just for TV shows and professional detectives. You now can be your own detective. Get your ethnic break-down by percentage, such as 50 percent Irish and 50 percent Native American,

and find out who else may be related to you with tools such as An-cestryDNA. On average, folks taking the test have 60 matches to 4th -- or closer -- cousins in their results. • Chat with relatives at family gatherings: Over the holidays, dive into your family history with relatives. Consider gifting them family history re-sources like a DNA test. Record any interviews, particularly with the elderly, and take detailed notes. Ask everyone to bring photo albums and heirlooms. Any doc-uments you create or collect you can attach to your online family tree for preservation. • Look at the ancestry hints in your family tree: Ancestry provides hints

about possi-ble relatives to populate your family tree. These clues could give valuable insight into your family’s legacy and connect you with lost relatives. • Share your find-ings: Wheth-er it’s at the next family reunion, or as a belated holiday gift wrapped and framed, share your findings with your family for a better understanding of your collective heritage. Plenty of websites offer printing services, so con-sider the perfect stocking

stuffer: a calendar, book, poster or other gift that will bring more meaning to the holidays. Encour-age family to try the app and fill in their own family tree. For more researching tips, or to get started on your own search, visit www.Ancestry.com.

Whether it’s confirming a family legend, discov-ering an old yearbook photo of a grandfather be-fore he left for World War II, or meeting a family you never knew existed, it’s never been easier to create memories and family traditions during the holiday season.

Spread holiday cheer with the gift of family historyStatepoint

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The winning ticket Newspaper Toolbox


they choose, whether it’s to put gas in their tank or buy groceries. That ver-satility is valuable if you truly have no idea what your friend or family member needs or where he or she likes to shop. One notable disadvan-tage to general purpose gift cards is that they tend to come with more fees than more tradition-al gift cards purchased directly from specific re-tailers. Investigate these fees and find a card that charges no fees or only minimal fees. Gift cards make great gifts and can bail out frus-trated holiday shoppers who simply can’t find that perfect gift for a friend or family member. But when shopping for gift cards, be sure to exercise caution before buying a card so your loved one is not put in an embarrassing or costly situation.

How to give holiday gift cards

Popular wisdom would have you believe that the best

holiday gift must have a battery, a touch screen and wireless capability. Technology gifts, howev-er, rarely stand the test of time. Give your loved one a smartphone or tablet in December and it may already be obsolete by spring. What’s more, mar-ket research firm Market-Tools found 14 percent of us return consumer electronic gifts after the holidays. “There’s a reason why certain types of gifts and accessories become thought of as ‘tradition-al,’” says Karen Smith, senior buyer for Crack-er Barrel Old Country Store. “Their appeal and usefulness endure long after the holiday season ends. They speak to the recipient’s heart. They may create a warm sense of nostalgia and comfort by reminding the gift-re-ceiver of a simpler time in their lives.” Need another reason to go traditional, rather than tech? Consider this: a Stanford University study of gift-givers and recipi-ents found that the price

of a gift had no influence on the recipient’s level of appreciation. How much the gift cost actually meant more to the giver than it did the receiver. For far less than you might spend on the latest technology gift, you could give a wide range of no-tech, traditional and nostalgic gifts, such as:

*Delightful holiday decorations – Giving holiday decorations is a great way to make the season even more festive for everyone on your gift list – and give something that will be used for years to come. Personalized ornaments or ones that celebrate a hobby, occu-pation or favorite sports team gently remind recipients that you know – and love – who they are. Unique holiday decor items such as items made from all-natural materials, a beautiful wreath for the front door, or hand-craft-ed lanterns with a winter theme make memorable, affordable and useful gifts.

*Home decor – Many people agonize over how to personalize a gift, yet if you’ve ever visited some-one’s home, you probably

already have an idea of their home decorating style. Look for home decor pieces that mesh with items already in their home. For example, if your sister-in-law has decorated her home in a rustic style, she might welcome some rooster tableware or a beautifully crafted quilt.

*Bed and bath – Every-one sleeps and everyone bathes, but does every-one on your holiday list already do both in style? Gift items that make for a more luxurious bathing experience – or even just put a touch of lux into everyday hand washing – can deliver a sense of caring, comfort and relaxation. Companies like J.R. Watkins, which has been around for more than 100 years, offer products that are practical and pamper-ing, such as Lemon Mint Cream moisturizer. In the bedroom, accent pillows and quilts can remind the recipient of your care all year long.

*Timeless toys – Shop-ping for kids can be a challenge, especially if the child on your list has

everything from a tablet to a battery-powered scooter. While last year’s tech toy may already be collecting dust on the shelf or broken beyond repair, traditional toys like old-fashioned musical instruments and simple dolls are timeless. This year, why not give a classic doll like Raggedy Ann or Andy, or a stuffed lovely like Sock Monkey? Or, try games that are as challenging now as they were decades ago, such as Simon, or those that travel well like mini Foosball or air hockey. Cracker Barrel stores

are known for their wide variety of nostalgic toys, many of which are avail-able on their website, www.crackerbarrel.com.

*Food favorites – Food can be a deeply personal gift, especially if you opt for something that not only tickles the recipi-ents’ taste buds but his or her sense of nostalgia as well. Childhood favorites like Necco Wafers, salt water taffy, peppermints or traditional root beer are flavorful reminders of a simpler time. Pantry staples such as gourmet pancake mix

and syrup or premium vanilla extracts feed the recipients’ body as well as their sense of creativity. Or, save someone a step on her holiday meal prep by providing dessert; a homemade pie or other baked goodies will be a welcome addition to any host’s holiday table. “Some gifts will fade in favor just as winter fades into spring,” says Smith. “Everyone wants to give a gift that will be loved, used and remembered – and nothing accomplishes that better than a gift that appeals to our sense of nostalgia and tradition.”

Looking for holiday gifts they’ll still love next year?Brandpoint

Go traditional, not tech

Spread holiday cheer with the gift of family history

The winning ticket

If you have no idea what to give people this Christmas, how

about offering them tick-ets? That’s right, tickets! But what kind of tickets? Well, there are all sorts of different ones; there is something to suit every-one on your gift list.

For sports enthusiasts Many adults and chil-

dren are sports lovers. Formula 1, hockey, baseball, tennis, boxing, figure skating—there are as many possibilities as there are exciting sports. You’re sure to find tickets to suit your favorite sports fan.

For music fans There’s nothing like a great concert to make a music fan happy. You probably already know

the groups or favorite artists of your loved ones, so all you have to do is find a show that will be put on in your area and buy some tickets before they all disappear.

For generous hearts For all those who like to help people, tickets to a benefit concert or charity gala could be the perfect gift during the Christmas season.

For art lovers A trip to the theater to enjoy a comedy or a dra-

ma, a classical or modern ballet, a grand opera, a symphony concert—

there’s definitely some-thing for everyone.

For those with Lady Luck on their side Why not a lottery ticket? It’s always fun and who knows, you may be offering someone a gift of enormous value. Consider giving pairs of tickets as a gift. A hockey game or a concert is so much more fun when you’re with someone else. Oh, one last detail: make sure the person you’re offering the tickets to is free on the day of the event!

Newspaper Toolbox


December 15:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation The Griswolds spend the holiday in a garish way, especially when a country cousin pulls up in an RV.

HALLMARK The Most Wonderful Time of the Year A snow-bound stranger bright-ens the holidays for a retired police officer and his niece.HM&M Ms. Scrooge A contemporary version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” features a female Ebenita Scrooge.

6:00 p.m. UP Christmas in Palm Springs With help from a guardian angel, siblings hatch a plan to reunite their separated parents for the holidays.

7:00 p.m. ABC CMA Country Christmas Music stars – including Carrie Underwood, Lucy Hale, Idina Menzel, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town and Hunter Hayes – get into the Christmas spirit by performing holiday songs; Jennifer Nettles hosts.CW Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer A youth embarks on a journey to find his missing grandmother and prove that Santa Claus is real.ABC FAMILY Elf Adopted as a baby by one of Santa’s elves, a man leaves the workshop to search for his family in New York.HALLMARK Angels and Ornaments Three suitors pursue a hopeless romantic after she makes a wish to find true love before Christmas.HM&M A Grandpa for Christmas The estranged grandfather of a 9-year-old quickly forms a bond with the child when, suddenly, they must take care of each other.

Three simple ways to kick the stress out of holiday shopping

Traveling, cooking large meals, plan-ning and surviving

holiday office parties, and managing relatives – the holidays are stressful. Add in the time and mon-ey demands of holiday shopping, and you may be tempted to keep a thera-pist on speed dial. While you may not be able to avoid difficult relatives or the annual

end-of-year trip to a client you’d rather not see, it is possible to reduce holiday shopping stress. “In my opinion, the best deals are post- Black Friday,” says Peggy Blum, a former retail trends forecaster, past Seven-teen Magazine editor, and current lead instructor for the Fashion Retail & Management program at The Art Institute of Austin, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston.

“Black Friday will have some deals, but it won’t be the end-all of sales through the season.” With that in mind, here are three holiday shop-ping tips that are sure to help. You have no idea where to start or what to buy: Kate Campbell, a for-mer buyer for Dillard’s, suggests starting with a search of hot lists or top-pick lists. Campbell currently serves as the

director of the Fashion Marketing & Management program at The Art Institute of Tampa, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design. Whether it is toys, apparel or electron-ics, major retailers and brand-specif-ic websites are pub-lishing “hot holiday lists”

and top picks for almost anything. “I’ve seen top picks by Amazon, Toys R Us, and PC Magazine for electronics,” says Camp-bell. “There are even top pick lists for cosmetics and best buys for kitchen ware.” Blum adds that novelty gifts are also a great way to make an impact and a good place to start. She challenges shoppers to step away from the large retail stores and buy from privately owned business-es like local boutiques and mom and pop stores. “People really respond to unique gifts, and it puts the magic back into gift-giving,” she says. “Think outside the box, anything from craft beers, to personalized yoga mats, to craft jewelry could all make great gifts.” Looking to save time and money: If you’re constantly on the go and prefer to rely on some preliminary shopping via your cellphone or mobile tablet, many apps can make shopping a bit more organized and conve-nient. “There are apps for ap-parel such as Wanelo and

Wish, and major retailers or brands also have their own apps such as Pink Nation for Victoria’s Secret,” Campbell says. Need to keep track of all your online purchases? There’s an app for that! The larger shipping services like UPS and FedEx have their own apps, but you can also try the Slice app or the Post-ed app depending on your needs. Campbell warns that shoppers should plan for extra time on their delivery schedule when purchasing online or via an app. “Online and app shop-ping will save you the hassle and time, but you need to plan for shipping delays,” she says. “Some of your items could easily be coming from China and take a whole month to arrive.” Blum recommends surfing products online for a cost difference from store prices. If you print out the shopping cart you intended to purchase, and bring it in store, the re-tailer will often honor the price savings. Knowing and shopping the promo-tions before you go to the store is a different way of

couponing. Want additional sav-ings? Blum recommends the Amazon app for your smartphone. Just scan the in-store item’s barcode and the app will tell you if Amazon has the same item for less. She cau-tions that the Amazon app doesn’t work with generic brand items. Complete your shop-ping in one place or in one day: Pick and choose where you think you may spend the majority of your holiday budget, and join the loyalty programs for coupons and reduc-tions. “Be choosy and make sure you register with the loyalty programs that will really deliv-er savings and unique purchases as opposed to spam mail,” Campbell says. The key to holiday shopping is to avoid im-pulse buying. Make a list, and start early. Go online or ask your loved ones and friends about their hobbies. Stress relief and savings are the result of doing the homework. If you don’t, the worst will happen – you’ll force yourself to buy out of desperation.

Brandpoint

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Save money on your holiday shopping list

The holidays can get expensive, espe-cially if you have

a large list of family and friends to shop for, or if you are planning to host a party or two. There are some ways, however, that you can save money this year and potentially make your planning for the sea-son a bit easier as well. Be sure to start early so you can take advantage of as many money-saving opportunities as possible. And while you’re at it, try some of these ideas to keep more money in your pocket: *Keep an eye on your email. Click on the promotional emails from your favorite retailers letting you know about special holiday discounts. If you have your shop-ping list – and gift ideas – already planned out, you can take advantage of these special promotions. *With your list in hand, use your comput-er to compare prices quickly on those items. You can search several stores in a matter of min-

utes, and also discover coupon codes or cash-back options through Ebates.com, resulting in additional savings. Plus, you don’t need to drive all over town wasting time and gas money! *Thanks to the Inter-net and shipping, you can shop at almost any store in the nation. Use Ebates to find specialty stores and boutiques all across the country that may offer an item at a cheaper price than if you were to shop at a retail store with a middleman markup. *Take advantage of holiday free-shipping offers, and have those gifts or decorating sup-plies for your upcoming parties delivered to your home or office – or the recipient’s house. Some stores also will have gift wrapping available for a minimal cost, helping you to save additional time and money on wrapping supplies. *Get some money back when you’re all finished. Ebates not only

provides you with free shipping discounts or coupon codes, but also will give you a check back in the mail for a percent-age of your purchases. It’s a nice way to celebrate the holiday season, know-ing that you’ve saved money and have some extra funds left when you’re all done with your shopping. With these money-sav-ing tips, you’ll be able to stick to your budget. This holiday season, you’ll be the family member who’s relaxed and enjoying the festivities happening all around you, because you will have accomplished everything on your to-do list and saved some mon-ey in the process.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Looking for a way to save money locally? Download the Access Aberdeen app to get coupons to local restau-rants and retailers. The app can be down-loaded for free from Google Play or iTunes.

Brandpoint

Gift exchange dos and don’ts

Chanukah, Christ-mas and New Year’s Eve are

right around the corner. That means neighbor-hoods, buildings and stores will soon be awash in holiday splendor. Social schedules will be full, and men and women everywhere will hustle to complete their holiday shopping. Grab bags are a staple of this season of giving, and the following are a few dos and don’ts to ensure participation in gift exchanges is fun and friendly for all involved. DO set a gift amount limit. Holiday grab bags are more about having fun and exchanging a little something with friends and family mem-bers than walking away with amazing prizes. Es-tablish a spending limit so everyone receives a gift of roughly the same value and no one feels slighted or left out. DON’T exceed the spending limit. It can be tempting to spend more to make your gift appear more impressive. But overspending defeats the purpose of the gift exchange. Grab bags typically are anonymous,

so being overly generous will not win you any style points. DO make it a game. Tossing gifts in a bag only to have others reach in and grab one is certainly effective. But the concept can be even more fun if you make a game out of it. Try passing wrapped gifts around in a circle to a holiday song. When the music stops, the gift you are holding is the one you open. Experiment with your own variations to make gift exchanges more fun. DON’T let anyone see the gift you bring. The idea is to keep things as secretive as possible so as not to sway the selection of presents. DO ensure your gift is unisex. Unless you know specifically that only men or women will be open-ing the presents, select items that will appeal to both genders. Food, gift cards, music, or home staples make great grab bag gifts. DON’T forget to con-sider ages as well. Gift exchanges may include both children and adults, so include gifts that appeal to all ages when necessary. When the ex-change has ended, allow

participants to swap gifts if they want to. DO expect some grab bag gifts to be gag gifts. Such gifts are entertain-ing and may make up the majority of the grab bag gifts. Keep your sense of humor and you’re likely to enjoy grab bags a lot more. DON’T regift items to use as grab bag picks. Should the person who gave you the gift partic-ipate in the grab bag, he or she can trace that gift back to you and may be offended. DO make sure every-one is aware that there will be a grab bag gift exchange, as there needs to be an equal number of gifts to participants so everyone gets a treat. Hosts may want to have a few extra wrapped gifts around just in case some-one forgets to bring their contribution. Gift exchanges in the form of grab bags, auctions, swaps, and other games make for fun additions to holiday festivities. They also can be a part of any family or friends gathering to add excitement and entertain-ment to the occasion.

Metro Creative


There’s time like family time

December 15:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation The Griswolds spend the holiday in a garish way, especially when a country cousin pulls up in an RV.

HALLMARK The Most Wonderful Time of the Year A snow-bound stranger bright-ens the holidays for a retired police officer and his niece.HM&M Ms. Scrooge A contemporary version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” features a female Ebenita Scrooge.

6:00 p.m. UP Christmas in Palm Springs With help from a guardian angel, siblings hatch a plan to reunite their separated parents for the holidays.

7:00 p.m. ABC CMA Country Christmas Music stars – including Carrie Underwood, Lucy Hale, Idina Menzel, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town and Hunter Hayes – get into the Christmas spirit by performing holiday songs; Jennifer Nettles hosts.CW Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer A youth embarks on a journey to find his missing grandmother and prove that Santa Claus is real.ABC FAMILY Elf Adopted as a baby by one of Santa’s elves, a man leaves the workshop to search for his family in New York.HALLMARK Angels and Ornaments Three suitors pursue a hopeless romantic after she makes a wish to find true love before Christmas.HM&M A Grandpa for Christmas The estranged grandfather of a 9-year-old quickly forms a bond with the child when, suddenly, they must take care of each other.

8:00 p.m. UP All I Want for Christmas A Christmas pin magically allows an executive to hear the unspoken thoughts of others.

9:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY The Santa Clause An adman takes over for the bearded, big-bellied fellow after a rooftop mishap on Christmas Eve.HALLMARK All I Want for Christmas A boy asks contest organizers to find a new husband for his widowed mother.HM&M A Christmas Visitor Grieving over a son’s death in the Gulf War, a family meets a stranger who rekindles the holiday spirit.

December 2 5:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY

Elf Adopted as a baby by one of Santa’s elves, a man leaves the workshop to search for his family in New York.HALLMARK One Christmas Eve A series of mishaps disturbs the plans of a recently divorced mom for her two kids on their first Christmas without dad.HM&M A Christmas Visitor Grieving over a son’s death in the Gulf War, a family meets a stranger who rekindles the holiday spirit.

6:00 p.m. UP A Christmas Snow Stuck inside her home during a blizzard, a bitter restaurateur learns about the true meaning of Christmas with the help of an old man and a youngster.

7:00 p.m. ABC Toy Story That Time Forgot While at a post-Christmas play date, the gang finds itself in uncharted territory after some cool new action figures turn out to be delusional, leaving it up to Trixie to save the day.ABC FAMILY The Santa Clause An adman takes over for the bearded, big-bellied

fellow after a rooftop mishap on Christmas Eve.AMC The Santa Clause 2 Santa must get married by Christmas Eve in order to save the holiday and keep his job.HALLMARK The Nine Lives of Christmas After a stray cat adopts Zachary, he meets Marilee and realizes single life is not as fulfilling as he thought it was.HM&M The Christmas Gift An architect and his daughter visit a Colorado town where everyone believes in Santa Claus.

8:00 p.m. UP A Christmas Wedding Date Fired from her job, a woman returns home to see her mother and attend a Christmas Eve wedding.

9:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Scott Calvin, aka Santa, contends with visiting in-laws and a scheme by mischievous Jack Frost to freeze him out of Christmas.HALLMARK The Christmas Shepherd Sally is heartbroken when her dog runs away during a thunderstorm. When she learns he was found by Mark, a widower, she travels to Boston to get him. Sally and Mark are given the best Christmas gifts of their lives when they fall in love.HM&M The Christmas Heart Parents become desperate for a Christmas miracle when their son suffers heart failure and needs a transplant to survive.

10:30 p.m. AMC The Santa Clause 2 Santa must get married by Christmas Eve in order to save the holiday and keep his job.

December 3 5:00 p.m. HALLMARK

Northpole Santa Claus and his wife prepare to

bring joy to the world on Christmas.HM&M Christmas Comes Home to Canaan A man bonds with a woman who helps his son recover from surgery.

6:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Scott Calvin, aka Santa, contends with visiting in-laws and a scheme by mischievous Jack Frost to freeze him out of Christmas.UP Christmas for a Dollar During the Great Depression, the Kamp family struggles to get by after Mrs. Kamp passes away. The children expect another Christmas without presents until their father brings home one dollar for them to spend on gifts.

7:00 p.m. NBC Christmas in Rockefeller Center The 82nd-annual tree-lighting ceremony in New York; musical guests perform.HALLMARK A Royal Christmas Queen Isadora, the ruler of Cordinia, interferes with Prince Leopold’s plans to marry a humble seamstress from Philadelphia.HM&M A Season for Miracles A woman tries to save her sister’s children from foster care by taking them to a small town where she is mistaken for a missing heiress.

8:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY The Polar Express Animated. The conductor of a train to the North Pole guides a boy who questions the existence of Santa Claus.UP The Homecoming: A Christmas Story Olivia, John-Boy and the rest of the Waltons spend Christmas Eve 1933 anxiously awaiting the safe return of dad.

9:00 p.m. HALLMARK Hitched for the Holidays A man and a

woman pose as a couple to fool their respective families.HM&M The Christmas Card Home on leave, a soldier visits a small town and falls for the woman who wrote a well-wishing card to the troops.


The Year Without a Santa Claus Feeling sad and unwanted, Santa takes the day off before Christmas; voices: Mickey Rooney, Shirley Booth; animated.HALLMARK A Boyfriend for Christmas A strangely familiar man may be the answer to a 33-year-old woman’s long-ago holiday wish for true love.

6:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY The Polar Express Animated. The conductor of a train to the North Pole guides a boy who questions the existence of Santa Claus.UP Christmas Angel Wishes are coming true in Olivia’s class and she wishes for a dad of her own. She thinks a mysterious woman is an angel granting the wishes – but she learns she is a normal person who knows how the wishes come true.

HM&M It Happened on 5th Avenue A hobo shares a New York mansion with a veteran and others who need a wintertime place to stay.

7:00 p.m. AMC The Santa Clause 2 Santa must get married by Christmas Eve in order to save the holiday and keep his job.HALLMARK One Christmas Eve A series of mishaps disturbs the plans of a recently divorced mom for her two kids on their first Christmas without dad.TCM Remember the Night Love blooms between a sympathetic attorney and the comely shoplifter he has taken home for the Christmas holiday.

8:00 p.m. PBS Renée Fleming – Christmas in New York The American soprano celebrates the Christmas season in New York; guests include Rufus Wainwright, Gregory

Porter, Kelli O’Hara and Kurt Elling.ABC FAMILY Disney’s A Christmas Carol Animated. Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge must face uncomfortable truths when three Christmas spirits take him on a journey through his past, present and future.UP Marry Me for Christmas To appease her family during the holidays, a single woman pretends to be engaged to her employee.

8:30 p.m. HM&M The Bishop’s Wife A suave angel saves a woman and her Episcopal husband from spiritual doubt and marital woe.

9:00 p.m. HALLMARK Matchmaker Santa Stranded during the holidays, a young baker discovers the magic of Christmas and love.

9:31 p.m. AMC The Santa Clause 2 Santa must get married by Christmas Eve in order to save the holiday and keep his job.

10:00 p.m. UP KLOVE Music City Christmas Interviews and performances of Christmas songs; TobyMac, Newsboys with for King & Country, Mandisa, Colton Dixon, Kari Jobe and more.


Disney’s A Christmas Carol Animated. Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge must face uncomfortable truths when three Christmas spirits take him on a journey through his past, present and future.HALLMARK The Christmas Shepherd Sally is heartbroken when her dog runs away during a thunderstorm. When she learns he was found by Mark, a widower, she travels to Boston to get him. Sally and Mark are given the best Christmas gifts of their lives when they fall in love.HM&M Our First Christmas Complications arise when two widowed people and their children spend their first Christmas together.

TV programming listing continued on next page

SN WThe stockings are hung by the chimney with care. The tree is glistening. Gifts for family and

friends are wrapped. Cookies are baked. Plans have been made. Santa letters have been written – signed, sealed and delivered.

For many people the holidays are often packed with busy schedules and to-do lists that seem to never end. But even in life’s busiest times, the best moments can be the ones when people slow down and take a minute – or a few hours – to spend time with their loved ones and truly appreciate what they have.

What better way to celebrate the season than to nestle up on the couch and share in the holiday spirit. From classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty to new hit favorites like Disney’s Fro-zen, the following line up offers opportunities for plenty of family-friendly TV nights.

Heat up some hot chocolate and butter some popcorn. Cuddle up under a blanket and – Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it Snow!

Introduction by Victoria Lusk, Special Sections LeadTV Holiday Preview courtesy of Gracenote

“Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” (Thursday, Dec. 25, ABC):For many years, Mickey Mouse and friends have been present in a lot of homes on Christmas morning. That’s likely to be the case again as California’s Disneyland and Florida’s Walt Disney World serve as the principal, very festive settings for production numbers and musical performances celebrating the holiday … on the holiday.

Three simple ways to kick the stress out of holiday shoppingcouponing. Want additional sav-ings? Blum recommends the Amazon app for your smartphone. Just scan the in-store item’s barcode and the app will tell you if Amazon has the same item for less. She cau-tions that the Amazon app doesn’t work with generic brand items. Complete your shop-ping in one place or in one day: Pick and choose where you think you may spend the majority of your holiday budget, and join the loyalty programs for coupons and reduc-tions. “Be choosy and make sure you register with the loyalty programs that will really deliv-er savings and unique purchases as opposed to spam mail,” Campbell says. The key to holiday shopping is to avoid im-pulse buying. Make a list, and start early. Go online or ask your loved ones and friends about their hobbies. Stress relief and savings are the result of doing the homework. If you don’t, the worst will happen – you’ll force yourself to buy out of desperation.

aberdeennews.comAmerican News • 2014 Holiday Gift GuideThursday, November 27, 20148 aberdeennews.com American News • 2014 Holiday Gift Guide Thursday, November 27, 2014 9There’s SNOW time like

family time, continued from previous page

7:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas A curmudgeon living atop Mount Crumpit sets out to quash the yuletide preparations of the Christmas-loving Whos of Whoville. Anthony Hopkins narrates.AMC The Nativity Story King Herod’s obsession with an ancient prophecy threatens Mary and Joseph as they await the birth of Jesus.HALLMARK Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle A single man hires a nanny to help him care for his 6-year-old twins.HM&M Ms. Scrooge A contemporary version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” features a female Ebenita Scrooge.

8:00 p.m. CBS A Very Grammy Christmas Performances of holiday songs and current hits; artists share holiday memories; Album of the Year nominees are announced; scheduled performers include Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Tim McGraw and Pharrell Williams.UP The Tree That Saved Christmas A woman travels to her Vermont hometown to save her family’s Christmas tree farm from foreclosure.

9:00 p.m. HALLMARK Christmas Under Wraps After unexpectedly moving to Alaska, an ambitious doctor starts a new romance and learns that her small town is hiding a holiday secret.HM&M Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas Postal detectives delay their own travel plans to help a little girl who wrote an urgent letter to God.

9:30 p.m. ABC FAMILY Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town A mailman (the voice of Fred Astaire) explains why Santa has whiskers, lives at the North Pole and brings presents once a year. Animated.

10:00 p.m. UP The Tree That Saved Christmas A woman travels to her Vermont hometown to save her family’s Christmas tree farm from foreclosure.

December 69:00 a.m. EWTN Saints

and Heroes Nicholas was still a young boy when he discovered the love of Jesus and the gift of giving that changed the world.HM&M Ms. Scrooge A contemporary version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” features a female Ebenita Scrooge.

10:00 a.m. ABC FAMILY Fred Claus The yuletide season brings headaches for Santa Claus, who bails his ne’er-do-well brother Fred out of trouble and puts him to work in his factory.UP Ebbie The ghosts of Christmases past, present and future visit a heartless businesswoman in a version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

11:00 a.m. HALLMARK Christmas Under Wraps After unexpectedly moving to Alaska, an ambitious doctor starts a new romance and learns that her small town is hiding a holiday secret.HM&M Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas Postal detectives delay their own travel plans to help a little girl who wrote an urgent letter to God.

12:00 p.m. UP Christmas Town A woman discovers the spirit of Christmas while visiting her estranged father in a

town that is decked out for the holidays.

12:30 p.m. ABC FAMILY Frosty’s Winter Wonderland The magic snowman marries; Andy Griffith narrates the animated story.

1:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Scott Calvin, aka Santa, contends with visiting in-laws and a scheme by mischievous Jack Frost to freeze him out of Christmas.HALLMARK Debbie Macomber’s Trading Christmas Holiday travel leads to cross-country romances when a man and a woman temporarily swap houses.HM&M A Grandpa for Christmas The estranged grandfather of a 9-year-old quickly forms a bond with the child when, suddenly, they must take care of each other.

2:00 p.m. UP A Christmas Wedding Date Fired from her job, a woman returns home to see her mother and attend a Christmas Eve wedding.

3:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas A curmudgeon living atop Mount Crumpit sets out to quash the yuletide preparations of the Christmas-loving Whos of Whoville. Anthony Hopkins narrates.HALLMARK Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle A single man hires a nanny to help him care for his 6-year-old twins.HM&M The Christmas Gift An architect and his daughter visit a Colorado town where everyone believes in Santa Claus.

4:00 p.m. UP All I Want for Christmas A Christmas pin magically allows an executive

to hear the unspoken thoughts of others.

5:00 p.m. HALLMARK Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle A new employee saves a department store in trouble during the Christmas season.HM&M A Dog Named Christmas A mentally challenged man embarks on a mission to find homes for dogs during the holidays.

6:00 p.m. AMC The Santa Clause 2 Santa must get married by Christmas Eve in order to save the holiday and keep his job.UP 12 Wishes of Christmas A woman must set things right when her wishes magically come true for Christmas.

7:00 p.m. HALLMARK Debbie Macomber’s Mr. Miracle At Christmastime, angel-in-training Harry Mills helps an insecure college student realize her purpose in life.HM&M Christmas With Tucker In the months following his father’s death, a boy learns about responsibility, the loyalty of friends and the power of love through his bond with a special dog.TLC Untold Stories of the E.R.: Holiday ER A man dressed as Santa is near death; a man swallows something strange at a party; a woman dressed as an elf passes out; a blue leg.

8:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY Arthur Christmas Animated. Santa’s youngest son sets out on an urgent mission to deliver a present to a forgotten child before Christmas morning dawns.FOOD Outrageous Christmas Outrageous Christmas creations including a 1,000 pound chocolate Santa

sculpture, a life-size Christmas tree cake, eight-feet tall handmade candy canes, and the world’s biggest gingerbread village.UP Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas To repair his tarnished image, a rock star must spend one week with a reverend and his family during the holidays.

8:30 p.m. AMC The Santa Clause 2 Santa must get married by Christmas Eve in order to save the holiday and keep his job.BET This Christmas A matriarch assembles her brood for their first holiday reunion in four years, but secrets come to light and family ties become strained.

9:00 p.m. HALLMARK One Christmas Eve A series of mishaps disturbs the plans of a recently divorced mom for her two kids on their first Christmas without dad.HM&M A Christmas Wish The owner of a diner helps a homeless woman and her children during the holidays.

10:00 p.m. ABC FAMILY The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Scott Calvin, aka Santa, contends with visiting in-laws and a scheme by mischievous Jack Frost to freeze him out of Christmas.UP 12 Wishes of Christmas A woman must set things right when her wishes magically come true for Christmas.

Of course holiday programming doesn’t end on Dec. 6 – See our second Gift Guide for a continued list of your favorite family holiday shows! To&From2: Your guide to getting it right this holiday season publishes Sunday, Dec. 7 in the Aberdeen American News.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEERDecember 9, CBS

THE SANTA CLAUSEDecember 18, ABC FAMILY

THE POLAR EXPRESSDecember 3, ABC FAMILY

ELFDecember 7, ABC FAMILY

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMASDecember 20, ABC FAMILY


The pressure to find the perfect gift when shopping

for men this holiday season can easily become a daunting endeavor, but with online retail-ers, shoppers can better search for the perfect gift with these simple tips. “It’s important to remember that a well thought-out gift often leaves the greatest, lasting impression,” says Denis Daly Wood, found-er of fourth-generation luxury men’s designer and online retailer Dalys 1895. Well-versed in luxu-ry menswear, founder Denis Daly Wood curates innovative and exclusive accessories from around

the world for Dalys 1895 each season. He offers the follow tips to help ease the gift buying process: • Hone in on what he loves. Keep the recipi-ent’s interests in mind while shopping. If the recipient spends his free time sailing or by the beach, nautical-themed cufflinks or Caravaggio pocket squares are taste-ful ways to incorporate his interests into a useful gift. • Think outside the box. Everyone loves receiving thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts. Engravable items, such as sterling silver money clips, are not only useful, but should be personal-ized to make the gift even more heartfelt. • Make practical

purchases. If the recipi-ent is a frequent traveler, an overnight tote or weekender bag from Jack Spade, Troubadour, or the British Belt Company makes for a stylish and useful gift. While every-one loves a good gag gift every now and then, the most well-received gifts are tasteful and practical. • Set a spending cap. It may be tempting to overspend, but it is important to set a rea-sonable budget and stick to it. Many online sites al-low you to filter products by price. Shoppers should use these price sorting filters to ensure you shop smart.• Find versatile gifts. Finding a gift that satisfies a number of the recipients’ interests

can be difficult, but will ultimately prove to be gratifying. Wearable technology, like sterling silver 16GB USB cufflinks, are a great gift that comple-ment style and function allowing him to store his favorite movies, music and more on-the-go.• Build in extra time. Consider reputable online retailers to avoid mall traffic, but be sure to take shipping time into account. If an item needs to be engraved or embroidered, build in ample time to ensure the gift arrives in time for the holidays. • Find a retailer with a generous return pol-icy. Even with the best intentions, gifts may need to be exchanged. Seek

out a retailer which offers free returns and other customer service perks. For more holiday gift ideas for men, visit www.Dalys1895.com where you can find a bevy of op-

tions for the men on your holiday shopping list. By being a savvy shop-per this holiday season, you can ease the gift-giv-ing process and make a lasting impression.

Shop smart: Guide for finding perfect holiday gifts for menStatepoint

Americans have a lot on their minds during the holiday

season, and the stress of ballooning budgets and crowded calendars can be enough to affect almost anyone’s well-being. With that in mind, why not use

the holidays as an oppor-tunity to give the most important gift of all? That gift, of course, is health. Here are a few ways to make your health-conscious friend or family member smile from ear to ear.

The Gift of Fitness

Whether buying for a fitness buff or a begin-ner, options abound. Exercise balls, kettlebells and resistance bands are inexpensive gifts that can help budding fitness gurus build their home gyms. If the DIY option isn’t right for the person you

have in mind, try a pre-paid gym membership, trainer session or package of yoga classes. Losing weight is the most popu-lar New Year’s resolution, so spread the health.

Healthy Tech Many health enthusi-asts like to monitor their progress and chart their results. These days, there are a number of gad-gets that can help keep track of your fitness and dietary goals. From wristbands that log daily activity to wire-less heart monitors and interval timers, technol-ogy can supercharge any regimen.

Culinary Inspiration Whether you’re shop-ping for a vegetarian, a Paleo enthusiast, or just someone looking to build a healthier kitchen, culinary gifts are always a sure bet.

Healthy cookbooks and kitchenware will help them stick to their healthy habits, and you might even get a deli-cious meal in the bargain.

Charitable Donations Donating to a health- promoting charity on another person’s behalf can be a great way to support his or her health-conscious cause. Giving Tuesday is Dec. 2 – a nationwide event that marks the perfect time for such a gesture. If you’re looking for a unique way to give back, check out Action for Healthy Kids, an orga-nization that works to make schools healthier places for kids to learn. In its online gift cata-log, you’ll find a host of charitable options, scaled to fit almost any budget. From a physical activity classroom kit to school breakfast for a child for

the entire year (students who eat school breakfast score 17.5 percent higher on standardized math tests), Action for Healthy Kids provides an easy way to make an impact with healthy gifts. “Everyone is looking for the perfect gift for kids this time of year, and it’s hard to beat the gift of a healthier life,” said Rob Bisceglie CEO of Action for Healthy Kids. “It’s es-timated that one-third of U.S. kids are overweight or obese. That’s a statistic that needs to change.” For more information, visit www.actionfor-healthykids.org. Staying healthy and fit is important year-round, so don’t hesitate to give your friends and family holiday gifts that will help enrich their mind, body and soul. While other gifts might be used and discarded, yours will keep on giving.

Holiday gift ideas for the health consciousStatepoint

(c) Andres Rodriguez - Fotolia.com

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