Holiday Guide - Cebrate 2011

A S P E C I A L S U P P L E M E N T T O T H E

REPORTERCENTRAL KITSAP

PATRIOTBREMERTON Kitsap

PAGE 2 HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011 NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Lend a hand close to homeGive to United Way of Kitsap County.

www.unitedwaykitsap.org

During this holiday season please remember those who have been less fortunate during this past year.

We CanDo More

UnitedThan

We Ever Can

Alone

(ARA) - If you’re like most Americans, you’ll be approaching this year’s biggest gift-buying season a bit more cautiously. With ongoing economic uncertainties, shoppers are expected to take a different approach to holiday shopping this year, preferring gifts that provide long-term real value versus those that provide an imme-diate, but short-lived “wow” effect.

So what types of gifts deliver the most bang for the buck? Homemade gifts, wheth-er they are baked goods, crafts, artwork or are knitted or embroidered, rank high on the list of favorites. They deliver a strong message that you care enough to give of your time and not just your money. Personalized gifts also send a strong mes-sage, even though they don’t require a lot of money. Simple gifts can easily be made to appear extra special with just a few added touches. For example, why not give a pic-ture frame with a favorite picture inside? Or consider including a DVD of the per-son’s favorite actor, or a big box of candy or even a special book with an added gift of a bookmark.

Another highly economical gifting approach is the purchase of a single larger item that can be shared and enjoyed by multiple family members, such as a gam-ing system, electronics or a ride-on vehicle. Smaller, less-expensive items that can be enjoyed by the whole family include board games, candles and flowers.

Educational gifts, especially when pur-chased for children, also provide a real long-term value. With the high cost of books and school supplies, it’s sometimes hard to keep up with just the basics for school-aged kids, so the holidays provide an ideal time to purchase those tools that give students an added edge in school. A mark-my-time digital book light is just one example of an educational gift that provides immediate appeal and continues to benefit the student throughout the school year and even through summer reading programs. A bookmark, timer and book light in one, it helps kids track their required reading time - day or night - and, in the process, encourages them to build strong reading habits. Available at retail stores or through

mark-my-time.com in a number of eye-catching colors, including blue, pink and green camouflage, it actually makes reading fun. It’s an affordable stocking stuffer idea that will be appreciated and used long after the holidays are over.

Other affordable, but equally attractive educational gifts designed for short- and long-term appeal include books, puzzles and word games. Even traditional school supplies can be jazzed up to create attractive gift ideas when they’re purchased in today’s hot colors, gel textures and stylish designs. And, since the holidays hit right before the start of the second school semester, it might be an ideal time to replenish supplies in an attractive and fun way.

Of course the ultimate in gift frugal-ity is the recycled gift. Re-gifting, as it has become known, once frowned upon is now viewed as acceptable by many, and there are even websites devoted to discussing proper re-gifting etiquette. An eBay survey found that 83 percent of adults have received an unwanted gift. Of those, 46 percent say they have resold or re-gifted items.

Beyond the selection of value-oriented gifts, the makers of the mark-my-time digi-tal book light offer the following tips to help keep holiday shopping budgets man-ageable.

make a commitment to stick with it. Some financial experts recommend a budget of 1 to 2 percent of your annual income to cover all holiday-related expenses, including gifts, entertainment and travel expenses.

house. Wandering aimlessly through the stores can lead to overspending.

impromptu purchasing decisions. Be cer-tain to include all related expenses, includ-ing shipping and installation expenses, if appropriate.

prices. Don’t be fooled by sales that pro-mote double-digit discounts on extrava-gantly priced items. It’s the bottom-line price that counts.

instead of buying online this year. Not only

will you be doing your part to help support the local economy, but you might actually find some great deals as brick-and-mortar retailers are becoming more aggressive in combating online sales strategies.

The current economic climate is causing

people to change the way they do a lot of things in life, including the way they cel-ebrate and shop for the holidays. But with some careful planning and creative think-ing, it’s still possible to find the perfect gift that fits your budget and needs exactly.

NOVEMBER 18, 2011 HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011 PAGE 3

Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center

The TraditionalNUTCRACKERPresented by

Peninsula Dance TheatreAccompanied by

Peninsula Ballet Orchestra

Dec. 2nd, 7:30pm rd, 7:30pm th, 3pm NUTCRACKER

TEA PARTY

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If you’re ready to make a change, we’re ready to help. Visit any of our branches or open your account online at kitsapcu.org.

Corner of Bucklin Hill Rd. And Silverdale Way

Get Your Gift Certifi catesNow for the Holidays!

Mediterranean Style Pizza with a Water View!

Shopping smarter this holiday season

PAGE 4 HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011 NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Celebrate the season!Please join us for FREE, family-fun events:

At the Dragonfly Cinema at 6:30 pm & a Holiday classic,

at 12:10, 2:15 & 4:20 pm

Jingle All The Way

13th Annual

Saturday, December 3, 201112:00 - 8:00 pm

City Hall &Downtown Port Orchard

(ARA) - The holidays are a time for celebrating, reflecting on the past year and exchanging gifts with friends and family. However, unique and mean-ingful ideas can be a daunting task. Gifts that keep giving and growing are a perfect solution. Plants are not just beautiful, but also cheer up any space and even improve air quality in a home or office space.

Give with careAlways include care instructions for

the plant gift. Even the most experi-enced indoor plant grower appreciates a little help. Most live goods come with suggested light feeding and watering recommendations. If the plant select-ed does not have these care instruc-tions, ask before leaving the nursery so the recipient can keep this lovely gift green.

Customize the plant to the person

Flowers, succulents, cacti, tropicals and even bulbs can make great presents. The varieties and combinations are as endless as the personalities on your gift list. It is important to match the plant to the recipient. For instance, a plant needing daily watering would not make a good gift for a constant traveler. Instead, give them an interesting cactus or succulent, which needs less frequent care. For an artistic friend, try a ter-rarium that can be customized to their tastes. The more sophisticated giftee may appreciate a colorful and delicate orchid. For those with asthma or aller-gies, plants like palms, peace lilies and ferns do an excellent job of improving air quality and filtering out toxins.

Containers make a difference

Those boring, plastic pots that house most plants are not very attractive or personal. Pop your plants into color-ful ceramic, glass, wood or even metal containers for a more interesting and personal touch. Inexpensive terra cotta pots can be painted in bright or metal-lic-colored paint, large coffee cups as containers can add a quirky element or baskets can be lined with plastic and used to hold small pots. When repotting plants yourself, make sure to use a high-quality potting mix such as

Miracle-Gro Potting Mix or Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix. Also, keep in mind that specialty plants like cacti, African violets and orchids may perform better in special potting mixes. When in doubt, ask the nursery for rec-ommendations. For presentation, wrap foil, paper or cellophane around the outside of the container and use fabric bows or raffia to add a finishing touch.

Plants at the partyLittle gifts from nature go a long

way in spreading the holiday cheer to friends, family and neighbors. When hosting a party, offer little mementos for your guests to take home. Try a small terra cotta pot painted gold and planted with rosemary or thyme and tied with a lovely ribbon Or, maybe small, colorful pots filled with soil and a bulb to add a pop of spring to the winter months. Add a photo of the f lower your guest can expect and directions on forcing the bulb to the gift tag. Whether paying a call on friends or attending a party, host or hostess gifts are another fun way to spread holiday cheer. Poinsettia, ama-ryllis and Christmas cactus are seasonal favorites.

Plants make excellent gifts and will be a reminder of the good times you shared friends and love ones.

Natural ways to spread holiday cheer, gifts that grow

NOVEMBER 18, 2011 HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011 PAGE 5

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(ARA) - Finding that perfect holiday gift for friends and family is always challenging. Clothes are difficult unless you know the perfect size and style. You can miss the mark on books and music if you’re not intimately familiar with the genres that interest the recipient. One type of gift that will never go out of style is the personal, handmade present.

While that may sound cliche, the fact is, something heartfelt - created from memories new and old - will almost always be more valuable to someone than something store-

bought and mass-produced. The hard part is narrowing down the list of things you can make. A good start is to recall all your favorite memories by looking through the pictures you’ve taken throughout the year. After all, clothes may go out of style, but photos never will - so you will want pictures that will last for years to come.

How many photos do you and your fam-ily take each year? Hundreds? Thousands? Unfortunately, many of those photos end up staying stored indefinitely on your camera or smartphone, your hard drive or in email attachments. Creating great gifts with those photos - right from home - is a snap, and the key is to start with great-looking photos.

Printing a high-quality image in the con-venience of your home has never been easi-er. With Kodak printers you are guaranteed exceptional lab-quality photos that will last a lifetime. Kodak has always been trusted with capturing and preserving life’s memories. And with photos that dry instantly and are smudge and fade resistant, they’re ready for any project right off the printer! Learn more at Kodak.com/go/aio.

get your kids involved in the gift making is frames. Start with Popsicle sticks - either col-ored sticks or the plain wood ones that they can color or paint on their own, and decide what size frame you want to make. You can also buy a frame with a large solid-colored mat around it so your children can decorate it, and you can simply put their photo in the middle - either are great gift ideas for parents and grandparents.

family memories from the year, picking just one picture to highlight can be a challenge. One great way to put more of those memories in the spotlight is by making a collage. It can serve as a wrap-up of your year and a perfect complement to your family’s annual holiday card. Pick several really fun photos to cut out and lay the parts you want to use on a sheet of

photos careful consideration before gluing it down to the paper or you’ll have to start over.

from afar. We all have friends and relatives who aren’t close by. Take photos of your holi-day dinner, your family opening gifts or deco-rating your home, and send them to your out of town loved ones so they can still be a part of your holiday festivities. After all, a picture is

worth a thousand words.Holiday gifts don’t need to be costly or store

bought to have that real, warm impact. Bright, quality pictures and a little creativity are usu-ally all you need to get the job done - right at home.

(ARA) - Shopping for the perfect gift for kids and teenagers can be tough. It’s hard to know what they’re going to like, especially without a “wish list” in hand as you head out to the stores.

Get ahead of the crowds and make sure you come home with a gift they are sure to love this holiday season using these simple tips.

your list is unique, and just because your kids like something, doesn’t mean your niece or nephew will. Talk with parents, look at their hobbies and listen for special interests. You can get a better idea of what they like by simply paying attention.

is the best gift. But if you want to be a little more personal in your gift, consider turning that cash into a gift card to a favorite store, to purchase music online, or for a hobby shop. If the teen has their driver’s license, consider gifting a gas card. With a gift card, teens can select their own gifts and you can still claim ownership of the present. An added step would be to schedule a shopping date with the teen so the two of you can spend some time together, and they can pick out that perfect gift.

are extremely popular gift items with 72 per-cent of American households have members

Software Association. But, at $60 a piece, you want to be sure the title you buy is one they’ll really like. Before spending all that cash, rent the game from a local Redbox kiosk for just $2 a night and let them try it first. A recent Redbox survey found that 72 percent of respondents wish gift recipients could test video games before adding them to their gift lists.

Reserve games in advance online at redbox.com or through your iPhone or Android-enabled device. If you don’t have a gaming sys-tem, get together with friends or neighbors and organize a game night to preview several gift options at once. Not only will you please the teen on your list, but you’ll make an informed and fun purchase.

And if you’re still in need of an idea, just ask.

for a surprise - they’d rather receive a really cool gift, even if they know it in advance. Open lines of communication will give you all the insight you need into becoming a gold-star gift giver this holiday season.

PAGE 6 HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011 NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Holiday Guide 2011Publisher: Sean McDonaldProject Coordinator: Wayne NelsonCover & Page Design: Bryon Kempf, Kelsie DammAd Staff: Rita Nicholson, Wayne Nelson, Chris OlsonProduction Artists: Bryon Kempf, Kelsie DammCopyright 2011© Sound Publishing Inc.

Use your photos to make holiday gifts that last a lifetime

Between cash and gift cards, the perfect gift for teens

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(ARA) - ‘Tis the season for wrapping, sending and giving holiday gifts to family and friends. This year, make your wrap-ping and packaging as memorable as the gift itself. With these simple, easy tips, you can add extra-special touches to your presents and have fun doing it.

Add charisma to plain packaging by dec-orating with printed packaging tapes and unique package fillers. In a variety of new designs, EZ Start Printed Packaging Tapes from Duck brand (duckbrand.com) can transform the ordinary exterior of a brown or white box into an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind present.

Match the style of the box’s exterior with creative fillers on the interior. The fillers will hold the gift in place and add an ele-ment of surprise. Use your imagination to pick packaging fillers that will help build the anticipation of opening the gift. Fillers can range from housewares to edibles.

Not sure how to combine these ideas to create the most appealing package? Try the following suggestions to make your own unique holiday gift wrapping:

theme of your present. Wrap a box holding a stuffed animal with EZ Start’s Pink Zebra print or send a nostalgic present decorated with the Tie Dye print ... the options are endless.

loved one in the military or a long distance

friend? Help it stand out among the rest by sealing it with EZ Start’s Cinnamon Snow or Reindeer Games seasonal packaging tape prints. They’ll be sure to open yours first.

baby blanket can cover a new toy or book. A decorative dishtowel can conceal a piece of new cookware and an inexpensive scarf can beautifully disguise a jewelry box. It’s two presents in one.

magazine or newspaper to help a student away at school stay current on the latest news, styles or their favorite celebrities.

colorful buttons, felt cutouts or crinkle fab-ric. A quick trip to a DIY home center or craft store can help spark your imagination and add sparkle to your gifts.

Colorful M&Ms or Skittles will be an added bonus for any gift recipient with a sweet tooth.

givers, go green and wrap your presents using eco-friendly shipping products such as recycled boxes made from renewable resources and biodegradable peanuts.

Don’t be afraid to use your imagination, take risks and be bold when decorating holiday packages this season. The added creativity is simple, fun, exciting and always appreciated.

NOVEMBER 18, 2011 HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011 PAGE 7

Creative packaging delivers the holiday spirit

AFTER THANKSGIVINGSALE

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PAGE 8 HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011 NOVEMBER 18, 2011

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