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2 TIS THE SEASON - Cadillac News www.cadillacnews.com | Friday, December 13, 2013

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Friday, December 13, 2013 | www.cadillacnews.com Cadillac News - TIS THE SEASON 3

ERIC CHRISTENSEN

Many of us have friends or family members who lovethe outdoors. They disappear for days at a time to hike,climb or camp. For those of us who are unfamiliar withthat lifestyle, buying gifts for them can be difficult. A tripto an outdoor supply store can overwhelm us with space-age materials, clothes for every climate and technical gearthat looks downright alien. But if you think small, focuson the fundamentals and get creative this holiday season,gift giving will be easy.

The first tip is to think small: Focus on the small butuseful accessories fans of the outdoors use. BrendanLeonard, who has written for Backpacker, Outsideand Mens Journal and runs the website semi-rad.com,recommends water bottles, headlamps and multi-tools.Specifically, he recommends the CamelBak PodiumChill insulated squeeze bike bottle ($12), Hydro Flaskstandard-mouth vacuum bottle ($26) or the KleanKanteen insulated stainless steel wide-mouth Bottle($30). Leonard suggests the Petzl Tikka Plus 2 ($40) orthe Princeton Tec Vizz ($50) headlamps, saying, A good,basic headlamp is useful for trail runners and hikers who

stay out after sunset or start before sunrise, anyone whocamps, and when youre not outdoors, you can use themwhen fixing things around the house. For multi-tools,he suggests the Gerber Suspension Multi-Pliers ($35) orthe Leatherman Skeletool ($65).

The second tip is to focus on the fundamentals: Look

for highly rated gear and clothing that are light, compactand waterproof, such as tents, backpacks, compressionsacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and clothes. Thesetend to be more expensive because of the high-techmaterials and activity-specific modifications. And manyusers can be picky when it comes to gear or clothing, soit helps if the person youre buying for can provide youwith a list of specific items. But if you dont have such alist, Geoffrey Conner, a gear expert, or gearhead, forthe outdoor gear site Backcountry.com, says, Dontbe afraid to call and pick a gearheads brain. We all

love to help people get the right gear for their trips andactivities.

If the site youre using doesnt employ similar experts,Conner says, Quality is key. Generally, if you spend alittle bit more, you will get a product that will last muchlonger and perform much better. But this is not alwaysthe case, so doing research and checking out gear reviewsites before purchasing can go a long way. In regard toclothing, Conner advises, Probably the most importantthing when buying for others is knowing that personsmeasurements beforehand. I would say a majority of thereturns we see are because the wrong size was ordered.

... Important measurements would be chest size, sleevelength, waist, inseam, torso length and foot size. ... AtBackcountry, we can set up orders for multiple sizes andset up free returns so that a customer can check out avariety of options.

The final tip is to get creative: Instead of buying an

item, buy an experience. Leonard suggests state parkspasses or national parks passes ($80), saying, A nationalparks pass gives the holder access to all of Americasnational parks and monuments for a year. State parkspasses can be just as expensive, but give the holder accessto lots of wild terrain closer to home. If youre going to

state parks more than two or three times a year, theyrea value. He also suggests guided adventures, such aswhitewater rafting ($100-$200 per person) or mountainclimbing. And many rock climbing gyms sell day passesif you want to give the gift of a first climbing lesson.Outdoor supply stores such as REI also sell once-in-a-lifetime travel packages such as a Mount Kilimanjaroclimb and safari or a cycling trip in Vietnam. However,some of these trips also come with once-in-a-lifetimeprice tags.

Buying outdoor gear for a loved one shouldnt beabout getting the shiniest or most complex gadget. It

should be about keeping your friends and family safe,warm and dry when outdoors. Whether you providethem with a critical accessory or the tent that keeps themout of the rain, if you use these tips, theyll definitely behappy campers.

COPYRIGHT 2013 CREATORS.COM

CHRISTMASOUTDOORSBuying gifts for the camper,

climber or hiker in your life

Creators.com photo courtesy of PatitucciPhotoOutdoors expert Brendan Leonard recommends focusing

on small but useful items, such as water bottles, when youare shopping for the outdoorsman on your list.


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CHELLE CORDERO

Preparing for the Christmas holiday usuallyinvolves making a list and checking it twice (atleast), and lots of trips to shopping centers. Allof that money changing hands and bundles ofexpensive merchandise just waiting to be gift-wrapped can prove to be a huge temptation for thenaughty people on Santas list and potential danger

for the shopper intent on holiday merriment.From the FBI to local police departments, manyof the cautionary tips for holiday shoppers are thesame: Park your car in well traveled and well lighted

areas. Always lock your car doors and trunk,and set the alarm if you have one. Be aware ofyour surroundings. When returning to your car,have your car keys ready in your hand. Do notuse a clicker to unlock your car before youreach it.

Visit the shopping centers during the day ifpossible and preferably with a shopping partner,especially if you shop in the evening. Carry awhistle with you to use for attention if needed

Dress casually and comfortably; wear shoes youcan easily walk or even run in. If you are carryinga purse, hold it close to your body. Avoid wearingflashy jewelry or wearing headphones.

Dont carry a lot of cash; do most of yourshopping with a credit card or check. If you docarry cash, put it in your front pocket and dont

flash it around. Ensure that only your salesclerkcan see any necessary ID you need when makinga purchase and do not toss sales receipts withcredit card numbers.

Dont overload on packages to the point whereyour view or movement is seriously encumbered.Several stores offer assistance to escort shoppersand help carry your packages to the car.

Do not load your car with packages and then goback into the stores to do more shopping. Evenif you put your packages out of sight, such as inthe trunk, thieves may be watching and can breakinto your car as soon as you are out of sight.

Be wary of strangers who approach you to ask thetime, directions or to start up a conversation. Donot give any strangers access into your vehicle.

Carry a cell phone and call for professional helpif your car is disabled. Lock your car doors frominside once you enter your vehicle.

Shopping with children in a crowded storeadds another level of danger. Children are easilyfascinated by bright decorations and displays and

can easily wander off. A parent, intent on fulfillingspecial holiday wishes, may get distracted for justthat one moment and suddenly lose the child. If thishappens, immediately notify both law enforcementand the store manager. Many stores have trainedtheir employees to follow Code Adam steps: Obtain a detailed description of the child,

including what he or she is wearing. Page Code Adam. Describe the childs physical

features and clothing. Designated employees will immediately stop

working, look for the child and monitor frontentrances to ensure the child does not leave thepremises.

Ensure that law enforcement is notified. If the child is found and appears to have been

lost and unharmed, reunite the child with thesearching family member.

If the child is found accompanied by someoneother than a parent or legal guardian, makereasonable efforts to delay their departurewithout putting the child, staff or visitors at risk.Immediately notify law enforcement and give

details about the person accompanying the child. Cancel the Code Adam page after the child isfound.

Shoppers are also cautioned to be carefulwhen shopping online. Do not click on links orattachments in unsolicited emails. Go to the retailerwebsite directly to conduct any transactions. Dontsend any personal information via email and dontsupply credit card numbers by phone unless youinitiated the phone call. Verify the Website URLwith every step of the transaction to make sure

you havent been redirected. If you believe thatyouve been scammed, contact the Internet CrimeComplaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.


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The holidays are hectic, and gift-wrapping may seemlike a chore. Sure, you could cover the gifts in store-boughtpaper or slip them into gift bags, but think again. This is agreat opportunity to get creative in wrapping your gifts.

"Creatively wrapping a holiday gift shows the recipientthat you took time to prepare their gift, that this wasn't alast-minute gift," says Alyson Dias, consumer experiencedirector for iLoveToCreate.

"With life so often running at warp-speed, it's nice toremind family and friends that you took time to carefullycraft something just for them. It is often the wrapping thatis more appreciated than the gift itself. If the gift inside isalso hand-crafted, that just makes it even more special.Happiness is handmade."

Creative wrapping usually takes a little (or a lot) moretime than traditional wrapping, but it's not always veryexpensive. Plus, you can involve the kids because manywrapping projects are family-friendly.KID CREATIONS. For Malia Britton, an

environmentally conscious mother of two young children,holiday gift wrap is as simple as recycling her children'sartwork.

"That way, the recipient gets unique, one-of-a-kindgift wrap, my kids get to share their art, and I get tooffload the ever-increasing stack of paintings. It's an all-around win!" says Britton, noting her solution is bothgreen and a cost saver.

Gift recipients love the artwork-as-gift-wrap, too."By using my kids art on the outside of their gift, they

get a little glimpse into my kids' creativity and can elect tosave it for their walls or keepsake folder if they so choose,"says Britton.

SWEET INSPIRATION.Add some holiday flairto your gift giving by adding some sweets to the top ofthe package. Tie different candies to the gifts' bows andribbons. Candy choices include candy canes, lollipops,Pez dispensers or mesh bags filled with small chocolates orgummy bears.

COOKIE-CUTTER CREATIONS.While you don'twant "cookie cutter" holiday wrap, it's fun and creative tomake gift tags by tracing cookie cutter designs onto cardstock or plain gift wrap. Consider using cookie cutterdesigns like stars, trees, snowmen and angels. Then cut,

glue, layer and decorate the cutouts any way you wantbefore affixing them to the present.

SEASON'S GREETINGS.Got a stack of last year'sused or unused Christmas cards? Give those festivedesigns a new purpose by trimming the wording, imagesor characters from the cards and turning them into gifttags. For example, cut out a card's sparkly tree and gluethe cutout to the wrap. From the texture of the cardstockto the color of the images, this form of upcycling can reallydress up a gift.ADD SOME SHINE.Tie a Christmas ornament to

the top of the gift or tuck one onto the handles of a giftbag. The ornaments can be standard fare or personalized.

Either way, they'll look great on the gift and can be reusedon the tree, year after year.

GET SCRAPPY. Use Christmas scrapbook paperand stickers to create your own gift labels or to decoratewrapping paper and gift bags. Since scrapbook paper isgenerally made of a thicker cardstock, it holds up wellwhen used alone, or glued or taped to wrapping paper.PICK A THEME.Choose one color, texture or pattern

as a gift-wrap look with maximum impact. For example,wrap gifts in one color like festive red; focus on the feelof your wrap using smooth paper and satin ribbons; orchoose a pattern such as snowmen or reindeer to unifyyour gifts.

GET INSPIRED ONLINE.Search craft websites forideas on ways to create memorable holiday wrap. Forexample, you can make iLoveToCreate's "Glitter Gift

Boxes" using gift boxes, glitter, foil, glue and a few othersupplies.

Dana Byerwalter, editor of All Free Christmas Crafts,shares her holiday wrap ideas, including finger-paintedgift wrap, which is easy for kids to create using theirthumbprints as lights, and making gift boxes out ofChristmas card boxes you already have at home.

ECO-FRIENDLY. "Since I don't get to wrap giftsoften, I like to be creative and eco-friendly by using eitherchic, reusable tote bags, colorful scarves or old, patternedshirts," says DIY fashion blogger Tanya Thamkruphat.


Creative ideas for wrapping


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Being a gifted gift giver is no easy task. Giving is an art form,

and like all other forms of art, not everyone is good at it. While the

toenail clipper you bought your sig-o and the Starbucks card yougot your best friend last season may be gifts they needed (we all

know foot hygiene can go unchecked and people need their lattesin the morning), they probably weren't something they wanted.

This year, some innocent cyberstalking and a few caffeinated con-versations might be in order to unearth what your loved ones love.

Up your gift ante by getting ideas for "The Godfather" fans and

the "Dexter"-obsessed cooks in your life.

1)For the overeager wilderness pragmatist: the Wenger

16999 giant Swiss army knife. Weighing more than 7pounds, this Swiss army knife will not fit in your pocket.

It has more than 140 functions and 87 implements. Tools includea telescopic pointer, a golf-club cleaner, a cigar cutter, a universal

wrench, and a fish scaler, as well as the more traditional pocketknife functions of a corkscrew and a 2.5-inch blade.

ECLECTIC CHRISTMAS GIFTS

10 random presents for 10 random people

Creators.com photo courtesyof Amazon.com

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2)For the I-have-pets-not-kids person: a

petcam. While there are lots of options outthere, with simple to elaborate solutions,

Netgears VueZone systems allow for remote videomonitoring. Owners can record their pets most

adorable moments for later playback, take pictures and

view any of their friends shared cameras for hours offurry fun. Pet lovers can also create their own personal

pet monitoring network that is viewable from mostsmartphones, tablets and Internet browsers.

3)For The Godfather enthusiast: a horse headpillow case. Let your favorite Godfather

fan re-create going to the mattresses bywaking up next to a bloody horse head. While this may

be a gruesome wake-up call, it will also probably makeyour friends and family early risers.

4)For the dirt-loving shower-hater: a noseshower gel dispenser. Usually, if it drips from

a nose, you shouldnt rub it all over yourbody. However, these giant nostrils ooze shower gel,

not snot. Mini suction cups stick this big sniffer to the

wall in your shower, and the device offers good cleanfun for the dirty rascal in your life.

5)For the wine-guzzling sommelier: the wine

bottle wine glass. Part bottle, part glass,this cheeky product offers a bigger, bolder

sampling for the budding wine taster. No longer mustthe wine lover in your life limit him or herself to a mere

glass. They had a tough day at work? Bottles up.

6)For the avid nudist swimmer: The Skinny

Dipping Report. Exhibitionism, while stillscandalous, has become an art form. If

you like to swim and be naked at the same time, then

this calendar is for you. The Skinny Dipping Reportshowcases a photo each month of a skinny dipping

adventure. Half social experiment, half commercialproduct, every image in (the) calendar is of a real

person from a real place with a real story. Each imagewas captured and presented for public consumption on

Flickr and ended up in The Skinny Dipping Reportto communicate what the person in the photograph isfeeling, to understand the particularity of the place and

the moment through the lens of skinny dipping.

7)For the Dexter-obsessed cook: the person-

piercing knife holder. It sounds dangerousand slightly criminal, but this five-piece

knife set by Italian industrial designer Raffaele Iannellois actually quite nice. It boasts five different kitchen

knives, including 8-inch chefs, bread and carver knives.

8)For the bacon-crazed hog addict: a baconair freshener. Bacon-wrapped chocolate

and bacon cocktails exist, so why not baconair freshener? If your bacon lover cant get enough of

those crispy, greasy morsels, then keeping that fresh

bacon smell with him or her at all times is the next bestsolution.

9)For the Yoda impersonator: the Yoda

bathrobe. Yes, they never got over their

obsession with Star Wars, but at this point,why should they? Fuel the passion and youll have your

Yoda soothsayer not only speaking but also looking thepart.

10)For the beer drinker: the Beerbelly

stealth drink cooler. The companyCooler Fun invented the Beerbelly.

Made for hot or cold beverages, the Beerbelly holds up

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Sharon Naylor

What to give to the guys on your list? Men cansometimes be vague when you ask them what they want,and you might get a sweet reply of I have you, and thatsenough from your sweetheart. But youll still need towrap something fantastic to make him smile when heopens his gift from you, and you might want to showerhim with multiple presents if you know hes giving youa collection of goodies. And there are likely other men

on your list: your dad, your brother and your best guyfriend.

Chris Easter, founder of The Man Registry, includesamong the top gifts for men a variety of items featuringthe top trend: personalizing. The mans name or initialsappear on an enormous variety of guy gifts this year,including personalized barbecue toolsets, personalizedpilsner glass collections and items with a dream lifestyletwist, such as the personalized surfboard-shaped bamboocutting board. Also big in the personalized gift picks atThe Man Registry is the customized wooden bar or grillsign to hang above the space he considers his domain.

Because beer is such a hot trend, top gift picks this

year include beer recipe kits for the home brewinghobbyist. Add a fun FYI to his gift by printing out theWhite House-shared recipes of what may have been thefirst beers ever brewed at their location a honey porterand honey ale found at the website AskMen. An extralittle factoid gift adds interest to his beer recipe or beerglass gift, and it gives him an FYI to share with companyduring your next get-together with friends or during thefamily holiday dinner.

Scotch and bourbon are also hot gift picks thisyear, especially small-batch distillery liquorsfrom a well-known brand. A collection ofthose bottles in his bar would give him extrastatus by having them to serve to friends.

For your sports fan, there are alwayspro-style jerseys of his favorite player,especially if the player has just beentraded to a new team and your guysentire jersey and T-shirt collection isoutdated. Load him up with NFL, NBA,NHL or FIFA gear such as team logocoasters, drink cozies and coolers for hissports-watching fandom. Speaking ofsports watching, you might get him anupgrade in your cable television plan tothe full sports package or NFL plan thatexpands his game-viewing access.

And then there are always tickets to aprofessional game, which hell appreciatewhen he knows how hard these are to

come by. You might buy themthrough the teams official ticket

purchase site, or acquirethose two great seats via a

colleague or relative whoowns season tickets.(Be wary of onlineauction sites, since adisreputable sellercould be hawkingfake tickets!)

G a d g e t s a r ealways a hot categoryfor mens gifts, froman upgraded heart

monitor for yourrunner guy, to a GPS

golf watch giving the golferin your life the edge on the

links. A gadget timing hisgrilling will help him pull those

filet mignons (which you can

give him with the grill timer!) off the fire at the perfecttime. And home improvement-type guys love laser levelsand other tools that help them get weekend projectsdone faster. In that category, a gift card to the home

improvement store never fails, but these tech toys areoften something guys wouldnt indulge in when theyvegone to the store for fertilizer, furnace filters and lightbulbs. Your gift adds some kick to their to-do list andmaybe even inspires your guy to paint a few more roomsor hang those photo frames sooner rather than later.

Wed fallen into a rut of giving each other purelypractical gifts every year, Evangeline Descarte, who hasbeen married for a long time. So in the bag of new whiteT-shirts and new white socks that he gets every year asone of his gifts, I added some top designer dress socks inbright colors to really stand out. They were just a littlesomething indulgent for him, and he was happier about

those than he was about the new speaker I bought for hiscomputer.


GUY GIFTSThe top Christmas gifts for men

Gadgets give guys better game. Creators.com photo courtesy of Garmin


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Diane Schlindwein

Barbies moving up in the world, and Elmos backin a big way, as is Furby, according to toy expertswho are predicting what kids across America willbe listing on their letters to Santa this holidayseason.

You know, everyone always asks, Whats thenext Elmo? says Christopher Byrne, known

internationally as The Toy Guy. This year, there isone: Big Hugs Elmo. Im not sure if its going to thecultural phenomenon that it was in 1996, but this isthe most interactive Elmo ever.

Hug Elmo to have him hug back. Move him tosee him dance. Lay him down to hear a lullaby andsleeping sound effects. Kids will love him, Byrnepredicts.

This year, a big box store let a team of kids picktheir top-20 favorite toys and Big Hugs Elmo cameout a winner there, too, as well as the new robotic

pet Furby and a new Barbie Dreamhouse play set,among others.Barbies newly renovated, three-story

Dreamhouse will debut as every girls dream, saysMargaux Vega, public relations representative forFisher Price and Mattel. The new house featuressix fabulous rooms and luxury details that any dollwill appreciate with pink stainless steel appliancesand not one but two elevators. It also features theultimate closet and a bathroom for quick outfitchanges.

For older girls, Monster High continues to be abig hit in the form of Monster High 13 Wishes dollassortment, she says. Among the dolls are Twyla,Gigi Grant and Howleen Wolf. Dolls come with apet, diary, brush, doll stand and character-specificaccessories.

For girls who want to craft their own fun, Byrnesays the Shimmer n Sparkle Cra-Z Loom rubberband bracelet maker is totally popular. This isprobably the hottest arts and craft toy out there,he says. Rubber band looms are huge!

Little girls are going to request Doc McStuffinstoys, he predicts. Doc McStuffins continues to bethe it girl for the preschool set, says Byrne, whois director of content for TimetoPlayMag.com. TheDoc McStuffins Get Better Check-up Center willbe extremely popular, so get it early.

Batman continues to be fun forboys ages 3-8, says Vega. Thebest-selling Imaginext Batcavehas been fully redesigned for2013, she says. The set features aBat computer, a Bat pole, a secretbutton to open the jail door andtwo turn disks one that opens theBat door so that Batman can ride

out on the Batcycle. The set comeswith Batman, Robin, a Bat flightsuit, a Batwing, a Batcycle and twoprojectiles.

Younger boys who liked theDisney movie Planes willhave fun recreating the moviesaction with Wing Control DustyCrophopper Radio ControlPlane. The plane moves whenthey do just push the button

to set its propeller spinning andmove it forward. Then use the twocontrollers one for each wing to tilt the wings and control itsmovement through mimicry.

For another flying toy thatreally takes off, Byrne suggests EBBrands Iron Man Flying Remote-Controlled Extreme Hero. Thisis a real innovation in flying toys,he says. Its a tad expensive and for

outdoor use only, but we were reallyimpressed by how easy is it to fly.Of course, it wouldnt be a modern Christmas

season if kids didnt ask Santa for electronic games.Byrne suggests the LeapPad Ultra tablet. Therehave been lots of tablets for kids, and LeapFrogreally invested heavily in updating theirs for thisyear, he says. Its a bit more expensive, but foryounger kids, I think its definitely worth it. Twovideo games to watch are Disney Infinity andSkylanders Swap Force, he adds.

And who says toys are just for kids? ForChristmas, Byrne always picks a game that afamily can play together. For 2013, hes suggestingSpin Masters Boom Boom Balloon, which allowseach player to take turns throwing a dice while

attempting to keep a balloon from popping. Theperson who pops the balloon loses.

This is my favorite game of the year, he says.It is so classic and fun. Also, it has been a hit inmore than 35 countries before finding its way here.Be sure to order extra balloons, which are availablethrough Spin Master.

Finally, if you know an adult that is still a kidat heart, help him or her remember a favoriteChristmas past. Byrne recently published a book

called Toy Time: A Look Back at the MostBeloved Toys of Decades Past (Crown PublishingGroup) that he has written for the grown-up whohas never seemed to grow out of his or her toys.


TOP TOYS FOR TOTSThe hottest toys for your family this season

Creators.com photo courtesy of MattelBarbies Dreamhouse features six rooms and many luxury details.


13/20


As smartphones and tablets are more frequentlyfinding their way into kids hands, many parentsmay wonder about the implications of increased

screen time, and question what role traditional toysshould play in their childrens lives.

While there is no denying the benefits of digitaldevices and it is becoming commonplace for parentsto pass their tablets to Junior, research shows manywant to limit the time their kids spend on screens,large and small. Parents also actively encouragetheir kids to play with toys that may help themreach critical developmental milestones. So howhave traditional toys stood the test of time?

The various ways in which children play have

remained largely unchanged throughout time. Inmany cases, technology can help amplify play byhelping to introduce characters or tell a compellingstory. When Mattel, the worlds largest toymaker,asked moms their opinions about toys andtechnology, it found that even in a digital age, momscontinue to place a high value on traditional toys.

Kids today are digital natives and are immersedin digital experiences, says Dr. Michael Shore, vicepresident of Global Consumer Insights for Mattel.However, when you walk into a childs room

and see what is visibly present and displayed onthe shelves, you wont see an app on the wall as anexpression of who the child is, what he or she loves,or as markers of the childhood experience. Forthat, toys will continue to endure as ideal gifts for

children. After all, you cant wrap an app.However, as experts and media debate whether

digital devices will one day replace dolls, cars,

trains and action figures, most moms do not thinksmart digital devices and traditional toys directlycompete with one another as a source of kidsentertainment. Rather, each category remainsfundamentally different. While 75 percent of kidstoday play with devices like smartphones andtablets, Mattels research found the time they spendwith these devices actually competes with the timethey spend with other screens, such as televisionsand computers. In fact, 59 percent of moms felt thatsmart portable devices will one day replace other

electronic devices, not traditional toys.According to Mattels findings, moms frequently

associate toys with social activities since toys areoften used to play with others, whereas digitaldevices are generally associated with solo play (forexample, keeping a child entertained when waitingat the doctors office or on a long car ride). Momsalso credit toys with providing opportunities foractive play that allow kids to exercise and burnoff energy. Further, moms see toys as a great wayto help kids spark their imaginations and flex their

creative muscles.Knowing that the leaders of tomorrow will bethose who think differently and solve problems innew ways, imagination is more important than everbefore. Dr. Shore offers some tips for using play as

a catalyst for fostering imagination and creativity:

Make sure your kids have time to play.In an increasingly overscheduled world with a

variety of things competing for kids time, it is easyto overlook the importance of dedicating time justfor play. Give your child the time and space to play,

and watch his or her imagination soar.

Provide a safe place to play and toolsfor play. Consider starting a play group in yourneighborhood or hosting play dates at your homeor local playground. Bring out the toy chest andsee what games the kids can create when they playtogether.

Encourage your kids to play withall thats available - including theirimaginations.Two of the most important toolsfor play are toys and an imagination. Help yourchildren dream beyond what they see on screen andencourage them to bring those cartoon characters

to life using their toys and imaginations.

Get involved and play with your kids.Dont forget that play is good for grown-ups too.

Everyone loves a good old-fashioned tea party or

toy car race down the hall. Playing together is oneof the most fun and meaningful ways for parentsand children to bond and foster creative thinkingfor both of you.

BPT

Moms champion traditional toys

even in a digital age


14/20


From decking the halls to trimming the tree,everyone loves the tradition of decorating theirhome for the holiday season. Its a time to pullout heirloom pieces and blend them with modernelements to make your home truly one of a kind.This year, refresh your holiday motif with a few top

decor trends for a look guaranteed to impress.Design expert Kate Law, who has designed

flowers for the likes of Ellen and Jennifer Lopez,lends insight into the top holiday decor trends andhow you can easily integrate them into your home:

Relaxed rusticTaking cues from classic holiday stories set in

the countryside, beautiful rustic decor sets the tone

for a festive season whether you live in the city, asuburb or rural area. Rustic elements can be easyto incorporate into your homes holiday look.Start with a centerpiece that features live greenery.A quilted table runner and stockings in appliquedfelt complete the rustic design.

PersonalizationPersonalizing your holiday designs can help

make your home decor special. Unique touchesenhance your enjoyment of the holidays and canserve as conversation starters when guests visit.The easiest way to add a personal touch to yourholiday decor is through customized items, likemonogrammed pillows and towels, personalizedwall hangings that feature a special message, and

ornaments and figurines that highlight the familyname.

Bold patternsThe holiday season is full of colors and designs

that delight the senses, and bold patterns havenever been more popular. Polka dots and chevronsare trending for the year and bring personality toany homes holiday celebrations. Welcome guestsin style with a chevron monogram doormat. Try

your hand at homemade polka dot and chevronornaments. Make your time baking even morespecial by treating yourself to a whimsical polkadot sugar cookie apron.

Mason jars One of the most affordable and accessible

holiday trends of the season is mason jars. Youcan find these at your local craft store, grocerystore or even at second-hand stores. Try using jarsas candle sleeves and place tea lights within for a

warm holiday centerpiece. Fill with various shadesof holiday candy for colorful decor throughoutthe house. Complete your punch or eggnogdrink station with mason drinking jars for a funalternative to traditional glasses.

SucculentsThe thick and fleshy skin of succulent plantslike aloe, jade plant and echeveria varieties make

them great indoor ornamental plants. During theholidays, succulents can be a beautiful alternativeor complement to traditional evergreens. Eventhe whitest of winters can benefit from a dashof greenery, so add succulents throughout yourholiday home. A candle or wreath are stunningadditions to any holiday decor.

Feeling as jolly as Santa and his elves starts with

creating a festive environment in your home. Thesetop trends for seasonal decor will ensure you andyour guests have a very merry holiday and start thenew year in style.

BPT

Expert tips for addingTOP HOME DESIGN TRENDSTO YOUR HOLIDAY DECOR


15/20

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16/20


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Have A Beautiful Holiday!

Want to give the special someone special inyour life a gift that they truly want? Buy them

a gift of beauty this holiday season!

The holidays are that special time of year when we open our homes andwelcome guests from far and wide. It is a chance for us to connect with old

friends and family we may not have seen since the previous holiday season.If youll be hosting holiday guests this year, you know there are plenty of

preparations to be made. While the main course and the sleeping arrangementsmay require some additional thought, you dont need to get bogged down inthe decorations. Follow these tips to create a beautiful holiday motif in just amatter of moments.

Dress up the curtains.Wrapping paper and Christmasprint ribbon only appear once a year, so when they do make the most of them.Use some of that print ribbon and wrap it around your curtains to make festive,holiday bows. This will bring your furnishings into the holiday spirit and givethe room a more complete look.

Serve a festive snack. The main course may beextravagant, but theres no reason the snacks have to be laborious. This year,offer your guests Wheat Thins Holiday snacks. These better-for-you hexagon-shaped snacks feature festive imprints, including snowflakes, a gingerbread man,a bell and a candy cane. Plate them on a holiday platter and serve them with agarlic dip, a spinach artichoke dip or another of your own creation for a fun,unique snack. Share your entertaining ideas for Wheat Thins Holiday snacks onTwitter @WheatThins.

Quick, simple holiday entertaining tricks


17/20


Dress up your house plants.Why should thetree get all the attention? If you have plants in your home, decorate them withfestive ornaments of their own.

Create a sparkling centerpiece.A cen-terpiece doesnt have to be a large, dramatic thing. For a simple, yet elegantcenterpiece, place vintage ornaments on a cake stand and surround them withholly leaves or evergreen twigs.

Place your wishes in a wreath.Create atouching piece that will engage and entertain your guests. Hang an unadornedtwig wreath from a wall. Then supply your guests with small, blank cards andmarkers to write on and ask them to write a message about the season or theupcoming year on the card before adding it to the wreath. Your guests willenjoy creating their own messages as well as reading the messages of their fel-low event attendees.

Create decorations from candy.If yourelooking for simple decorations to adorn your house with, fill tall, slim drink-ing glasses with candy canes for a festive, yet elegant appearance. Tie a red rib-bon around each glass to complete the look.

Preparing your home for that holiday get-together doesnt have to meanhours of decorating. With these simple tips youll be able to showcase yourChristmas spirit and spend your newly-found free time enjoying the season.

BPT

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Nothing says home for the holidays like the smell of treats baking inthe oven and a crowded kitchen filled with loved ones. Whether makingdecades-old family favorites or starting new holiday baking traditions, youcan create homemade holiday goodies in a (ginger) snap.

The holidays are a time when families are in the kitchen at record rates tobake cookies, build gingerbread houses and create a wide variety of sweettreats, says Nancy Siler, vice president of consumer affairs at Wilton. Thegood news is, even if you only have 30 minutes to spare during this hectictime, you can make amazing desserts for gatherings or gifting.

Try these easy treat ideas from Wilton to spread holiday cheer:

Holiday Helpers: Invite family and friends for a cookie decorating dayto help prepare gifts for upcoming events. You provide the SparklingSugars and Sprinkles, Peppermint Twisted Sticks and red and greenicing ... everyone else provides the creativity.

Miracle on Your Street: Crunched for time with a party to attend? Pickup ready-to-eat cookies and artfully dip them in red and green CandyMelts candy for an elegant upgrade. No one has to know how simple itwas to create a customized dessert.

Instant Snowman: Coat peanut butter sandwich cookies in white CandyMelts candy to create instant snowmen. Decorate with hats, scarvesand, of course, carrot noses.

Its a Wrap: Turn your homemade treats into gourmet gifts. Stock up onholiday-themed gift bags and boxes, colorful tissue paper, ribbons andtags to transform made-from-the-heart goodies into extra special gifts.

For more holiday ideas and inspiration, visit www.wilton.com.FAMILY FEATURES

Sweet Snowmen Cookies

White, Red, Green, Black and Orange

Candy Melts Candy Peanut butter sandwich cookies Holiday Confetti, Holiday and Snowake

Mix Sprinkles Cinnamon Drops Black Sugar Pearls Silver Pearlized Sugar

Melt white Candy Melts candy followingpackage instructions. Place cookies oncooling grid positioned over parchment-linedcookie sheet. Spoon melted candy over topsurface of cookie; chill 5 to 10 minutes or untilset. Turn cookies over, candy side down, oncooling grid. Completely cover cookies with

melted candy; chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set.Repeat, if needed, to completely cover cookie.

To decorate snowmen, melt Candy Meltscandy following package instructions asneeded. Using red, green and white candy incandy or disposable decorating bag, pipe hats,

ear muff band and scarves, adding coloredsugar trim to candy before it sets. For ball cap,cut a Candy Melt candy wafer in half; attach

with melted candy. Attach sprinkles for buttons,ear muffs and decorative accents using dots ofmelted candy. Using melted black candy anddecorating bag, pipe facial features. Usingmelted orange candy and decorating bag, pipenose.

Festive Peppermint Twists Dark Cocoa, Light Cocoa, Green or White Candy Melts Candy Peppermint Twisted Sticks Candy Assorted Holiday Sprinkles, including Holiday Nonpareils,

Confetti and Jimmies, Red and Green Colored Sugars

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In Disposable DippingContainer or bowl, separately melt Candy Melts candy in microwavefollowing package instructions.

Dip peppermint sticks into melted candy; tap stick lightly to smoothsurface. Immediately add sprinkles. Set on prepared cookie sheet; chilluntil set, 5 to 10 minutes.

Cheery Cereal Tree TreatsMakes about 12 treats

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 4 cups mini marshmallows 6 cups crisp rice cereal Juniper or Leaf Green Icing Color White Cookie Icing Jumbo Rainbow Nonpareils, Sprinkles or Sugars, as desired

Prepare 3D Silicone Tree Mold and silicone spatula or wooden spoonwith vegetable pan spray.

In large saucepan, melt butter. Add marshmallows; cook and stir until

melted. Tint with icing color. Remove from heat and add cereal; mix well.Press into prepared mold. When cool to touch, remove from mold. (Ifmixture becomes hard to work with, microwave at 50 percent power for30 to 60 seconds to soften.)

Heat Cookie Icing following label directions. Squeeze snow andgarlands on trees; add sprinkles and sugars as desired. Let dry.

HO, HOHoliday TreatsMake the Season Simple and Sweet


19/20


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Fast and Festive ChristmasCookies Green, Red, White, Light and Dark CocoaCandy Melts Candy

Assorted purchased ready-to-eat cookies Holiday Confetti, Nonpareils, Holly Mix,Colored Sugars and Sprinkles

In Disposable Dipping Container or bowl, meltCandy Melts candy separately following packageinstructions. Partially or completely dip cookiesin melted candy. Place cookies on cooling gridpositioned over parchment-lined cookie sheet. Ifdesired, sprinkle with sugars and sprinkles. Chill 5

to 10 minutes or until set.Additional decorating ideas:n Drizzle with melted candy in a contrasting color.

Chill 3 to 5 minutes or until set.n Attach sprinkles with dots of melted candy. Chill 3

to 5 minutes or until set.n Pipe melted candy bows & other decorations.

Merry MarshmallowSticks White, Red, Green and Dark

Cocoa Candy Melts candy Large Marshmallows Holiday Confetti, Nonpareils

and Colored Sugars

In Disposable Dipping Containeror bowl, melt Candy Melts candyseparately following packageinstructions. Dip marshmallowsin melted candy and place oncooling grid positioned overparchment-lined cookie sheet. Ifdesired, sprinkle with sugars andsprinkles. Chill 5 to 10 minutesor until set.

Using candy decorating bagor disposable decorating bag,drizzle melted candy or pipeoutlines, if desired; immediately

sprinkle with sugars ornonpareils. Attach confettiwith dots of melted candy.Chill 2 to 3 minutes or until set.

With point of sharp knife,carefully cut through candyon the marshmallow wherestick will be inserted. Insertthree marshmallows ontoeach Colored Lollipop Stick,securing with melted candy.

Jolly Santas Treat CookiesMakes about 3 dozen cookies

2-3/4 cups all-purpose our 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 egg

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extractRed, Green & White Cookie IcingRed & Dark Green Colored SugarsWhite Sparkling or Pearlized SugarWhite Sugar Pearls

Preheat oven to 350F.In small bowl, combine our, baking

powder and salt. In large bowl, beat butter

and sugar with electric mixer until lightand uffy. Add egg and extracts; mix well.Add our mixture, 1 cup at a time, mixingafter each addition. Do not chill dough.Divide dough into 2 balls.

On oured surface, roll each ball into acircle approximately 12 inches diameterand 1/8 inch thick. Dip Cookie Huggeror Ho-Ho Word cookie cutters in ourbefore each use.

Bake cookies on ungreased cookiesheet 8 to 11 minutes or until cookies arelightly browned. Cool cookies completely.

Outline and ll-in cooled cookies with

Cookie Icing. For Ho-Ho cookies,sprinkle with sugars; let set until icing iscompletely dry. For snowake cookie, addwhite Cookie Icing detail to dried cookie;attach Sugar Pearls with dots of icing.


20/20

Looking for an innovative gift that will make a lasting difference in our community?

Give the gift of health...Last year Mercy Hospital served 65,000 patients and provided nearly $7 million in communitybenefits and uncompensated care to your family, neighbors and friends in the Cadillac area.

Over 22,000 were served in the emergency room alone, often in times of medical crisis.

Health care is about providing for basic human need. Your tax deductible gift helps to ensurepeople who need Mercys medical care will receive it, each and every day. With your gift, Mercycan also reinvest in state-of-the-art, life-saving medical equipment and facilities that keep ourhospital current with rapidly changing technology. And if youd like to make your gift on behalfof someone special, please fill out the form below and a holiday card will be mailed to them.

CONTRIBUTOR:

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________ City: ______________________ State: ______ Zip: ________

E-mail: ____________________________ Phone: ___________________ Gift Amount: _____________

Please complete this section for a holiday card mailing to your selected person of honor:

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________ City: ______________________ State: ______ Zip: ________

Thank you for your generosity and support of Mercys healing mission.

Foundation

Please send to:Mercy Hospital Cadillac Foundationc/o Mercy Hospital Cadillac400 Hobart Street, Cadillac, MI 49601

Documents

Tis the Season 2013