Christmas on the Square

Christmas Square On The

˜ ursday, December 10, 2015

2015

Springtown Epigraph

2 · Christmas on the Square

Thursday, December 10, 2015· The Springtown Epigraph

Annual Springtown Christmas celebration returns for 14th year to the downtown Square Holiday event continues to grow every year For 14 years, locals and lots of folks from out of town flock to Springtown to get a major dose of Christmas cheer.

For many, the holiday season just wouldn’t be the same without the festive gathering in our small town.

Since 2002, thousands have migrated downtown every December for Christmas on the Square.

This year’s joyous holiday gathering is set for Saturday, Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

There’s a ton of things to do around the Square.

If you’re looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift, you have come to the right place.

Scores of vendors will be sprinkled around the Square offering everything from candles Much of the Christmas on the Square activity takes place on the historic Square that houses the Tabernacle (above), and jewelry to a slew of other including music and dancing on the stage inside and the awarding of the coveted Bonus Bucks. Photo by Mark K. Campbell handmade goods like toys, stockings, ornaments, plush animals, critter clothing, spices, leather goods, cookbooks, glass mosaics, and ceramics.

Kids will find plenty of activities scattered around the Square 11:00 a.m.

SHS Dance – including bounce houses and a 11:30 a.m.

All City Choir petting zoo.

12:00 p.m.

SIS 5th-6th Grade Honor Choir And if you work up a hunger 12:30 p.m.

FUMC Azle Upper Room Ringers During this busy while investigating the large 1:00 p.m.

Klassy Kloggers variety of options, you can find Holiday Season, 1:30 p.m.

Reno Rockets Choir plenty to eat.

1:45 p.m.

RES 3rd Grade There’ll be a big crowd gathStop by and let us 2:00 p.m.

BONUS BUCKS ering around the Tabernacle at 2 serve you!

2:30 p.m.

SHS Colorguard p.m. – for Bonus Bucks.

2:45 p.m.

Faye Rowell Lucky folks who have reg3:15 p.m.

FBC Praise Team and Solos istered are eligible to win vari3:30 p.m.

FBC Celebration Choir ous amounts of “funny money” Gift 4:00 p.m.

SMS and SHS Choirs to spend with Springtown merCer chants.

Ava tificate s ilab Present winners over 18 can le win one of five $100 amounts, a $200 ducat, or the grand prize of $300.

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All of it adds up to a very merNorth Side of Square ry time – an opportunity to bask Friday & Saturday 6 a.m. - midnight Springtown, TX 76082 • 817-220-5570 in the spirit of the season!

Christmas on the Square Entertainment Performance Schedule

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The Springtown Epigraph · Thursday, December 10, 2015

Christmas on the Square · 3

Bonus Bucks: encouraging customers

to shop local at Christmastime for 22 years

Photo by Natalie Gentry

by Natalie GeNtry The 22nd Annual Springtown Area Chamber of Commerce Bonus Bucks campaign has been ongoing since Nov. 2 as part of Christmas on the Square.

Everyone who entered will have a chance to win during the drawing at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, on the Tabernacle stage during Christmas on the Square.

One $300 winner, one $200 winner, and five $100 winners will be awarded those amounts in Bonus Bucks.

This “funny money” can be redeemed for merchandise at any of the participating merchants in return for items or services just like regular money.

Cashing in This campaign is another way the Chamber of Commerce encourages people to “Shop Springtown First,” and Springtown businesses have enjoyed its success for the last 22 years.

The idea of “Bonus Bucks” was created by longtime chamber director Judy Smerud, who

passed away in 2005.

She believed that the event would help promote local shopping during the Christmas season.

The original notion of awarding money drew a lot of interest, but there was no way to guarantee that money would be spent at Springtown area businesses.

So the concept of “Bonus

Bucks” was born to ensure the money was used locally Buying in Springtown This year, more than 45 Springtown area businesses are involved in the program – in-

cluding some Azle merchants who are also chamber members.

While some businesses host Bonus Bucks boxes which allow shoppers to register for the program, others simply make a donation to the worthy cause.

Chamber Director Amy Walker said the $25 investment for businesses to participate in the program is well worth it.

“Most of the time businesses more than get their money back from shoppers who come in to register and then stay to buy something else,” she said.

“The program helps promote shopping in Springtown,” Walker continued.

“It works.”

Winners must be present to win.

Those lucky people have through Feb. 2016 to use the Bonus Bucks at participating locations to purchase gifts, pay bills, or buy services.

For additional information, call the Chamber office at 817220-7828.

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4 · Christmas on the Square

How to avoid the holiday shopping rush Holiday shopping can be both fun and hectic. While it’s fun to scour stores looking for can’tmiss gifts for your loved ones, shopping amongst the crowds also can prove hectic.

While online shopping has made department stores somewhat less crowded come the holiday season, the National Retail Federation notes that online shopping during the 2014 holiday season accounted for just one-sixth of all holiday shopping. The opportunity to see and feel potential gifts in person compels many people to do the majority of their holiday shopping in-store, and there are ways for such shoppers to avoid the holiday shopping rush as they begin their quests for the perfect gifts.

• Shop during off-peak hours. Weekends and weeknight evenings tend to be the busiest times to go holiday shopping.

Professionals who have weekends off may put off their shopping during the week, choosing to do so on Saturday and Sunday afternoons when they have extra time to browse and comparison shop.

Shopping offpeak hours, such as during weekday mornings or even early mornings on weekends, is a great way to avoid crowds. Parents of young children might want to take a morning or even a full day off of work to get their holiday shopping done so they can avoid shopping with their kids in tow.

You can probably move around more quickly if you choose to shop while the kids are in school, and this also affords you time to find gifts for the kids.

• Make a list. Knowing what you want to buy online can decrease the amount of time you spend wandering around malls and stores. The longer you linger without an idea of what to buy, the greater the chance you will be joined by fellow shoppers. If possible, call stores before you leave the house to confirm if they have certain items in stock, or buy items online from retailers who offer an in-store pickup option. Checkout lines for in-store pickup items are often separated from more traditional checkout lines, further reducing your risk of waiting in long lines.

• Shop local businesses. Small local businesses may not boast the inventory of larger retailers you’re liable to encounter at the mall, but local small businesses tend to deal with thinner crowds than national stores during the holiday season.

Items in such businesses may be more unique than items sold at nationwide retailers, and when you shop at smaller businesses, you likely won’t be forced to hunt for parking spots or wait on long checkout lines.

• Start shopping early. Crowds only grow bigger and more impatient between Black Friday and the final days before Christmas, so shoppers who can find the time to shop before the height of the shopping season might find parking lots and checkout lines more to their liking. In addition, shopping early affords shoppers more time to find the best deals.

The holiday shopping rush hits full swing in the weeks before Christmas Day, but there are many ways shoppers can get their shopping done and avoid the crowds at the same time.

Thursday, December 10, 2015· The Springtown Epigraph

The advantages of lastminute holiday shopping Tackling tasks well in advance has many advantages, and often it is in one’s best interest to be ahead of the game, including when the game at hand is holiday shopping.

But men and women who simply can’t get a head start on their holiday shopping need not fear, as waiting until the eleventh hour to do the bulk of your shopping can have some distinct advantages, too.

Consumer Reports’ 2012 Holiday Poll found 9 percent of shoppers (an estimated 17 million people) planned to shop in stores on Christmas Eve in 2012.

Many stores are still open on Christmas Eve, even if the doors are only unlocked for a limited number of hours. That gives shoppers one last chance to find

the perfect presents. In addition to having more time to decide on gifts, here are some other benefits to shopping later in the season.

• Smaller crowds: As the holiday season winds down, many shoppers have already completed their shopping. Fewer people tend to be in stores in the final days before Christmas, as they are readying their homes for company or making travel plans. This can be a prime time for shopping and getting through malls or other retailers in less time.

• Discounted prices: Anxious to reduce inventory and make the most of end-of-the-year profits, stores may discount merchandise even further for fast sale. Shoppers anxious to save a

little bit more or come in under budget may find waiting to shop is to their financial advantage.

• Lower chance of discovery: One difficulty of shopping early is keeping all of the gifts hidden for the duration of the month.

Waiting until later to shop means only having to camouflage gifts for a few days. When you wait, curious kids are less likely to find their gifts before the big day.

• Last-minute specials: Some online retailers offer (doorbuster) sales at various times during the holiday shopping season. These sales may offer additional discounts or even free shipping. Just be sure to balance the benefits of the discount against the shipping price. If it means having to pay a premium for overnight shipping, it may not be worth the investment.

• More time to plan: By the end of the holiday season you may have a better idea of what you need to purchase. You also may have polled others regarding what they are giving, reducing the chances of giving duplicate gifts.

• Gift cards galore: Some people prefer to give gift cards, which are available all season long. Consumer Reports says 62 percent of last-minute shoppers grab gift cards. If you fall into that category, waiting to buy the cards won’t be an issue so long as you make it to the stores before they close.

Last-minute shopping has its advantages. If time is ticking away, there are still deals to be had.

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The Springtown Epigraph · Thursday, December 10, 2015

Christmas on the Square · 5

The benefits to buying gifts locally this holiday season Holiday shopping dominates many people’s free time between the day after Thanksgiving and the final days before Christmas.

While many people may shop util they drop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, those days still account for a relatively small amount of the hundreds of billions of dollars that are spent each holiday season.

Shoppers now have a bevy of options at their disposal as they embark on holiday shopping season. Traditional in-store retailers are still around, and online shopping continues to grow in popularity with each holiday season. But many holiday shoppers are looking to buy local this holiday season, and such a decision can pay a host of dividends for both shoppers and the communities they call home.

• Buying local benefits your local economy. Studies from Civic Economics, an economics and strategics planning firm, found that independent, locally-owned retailers return a far greater percentage of their revenue into their local economies than national chain stores.

One such study examined the disparity between revenue recirculation among independent, locally-owned businesses in Raleigh, North Carolina, versus four major national chains in the city. The former recirculated 51.1 percent of revenue into the local economy, while the latter recirculated less than 14 percent.

Similar results were discovered in many cities, indicating that buying local not only benefits local business owners, but also the communities those owners and their customers call home.

• Buying local creates jobs in your community. One of the biggest ways local business owners in Raleigh recirculated their revenue in the local economy was job creation. While national chains also create jobs, such jobs only benefit your community if the chains are located within your community. If your local mall is a considerable drive away, chances are the chains within that mall are not employing many of your fellow community members. Local busi-

nesses in your community are more likely to employ residents of your town.

• Shopping local may provide access to more unique gifts. In addition to the economic benefits of buying local, shoppers may find merchandise made by local craftsmen is more unique than mass-produced items found on the shelves of national retailers.

Recipients may cherish more unique items that they cannot find on their own, and that appreciation may even spur them to visit more local retailers after the holiday season has come and gone, benefiting their own communities in so doing.

• Local business may provide a more personal touch. Buying from national chains has its advantages, but customer service is not always one of them. Should your loved ones encounter problems with their gift that requires assistance, they might be forced to wait on the phone for extended periods of time as they and thousands of others wait for customer service representatives to answer their calls. Local businesses do not deal with nearly the volume of customers as national retailers and, therefore, are capable of addressing concerns more quickly and personally than large chains.

Buying local not only benefits small business owners, but it also pays dividends for their customers and the communities Shopping local this holiday season can benefit your community in various ways. they call home.

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6 · Christmas on the Square

Thursday, December 10, 2015· The Springtown Epigraph

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Christmas on the Square · 7

The Springtown Epigraph · Thursday, December 10, 2015

Kids love Christmas on the Square.

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Photos by Natalie Gentry

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8 · Christmas on the Square

Thursday, December 10, 2015· The Springtown Epigraph

The holiday spending season by the numbers The holiday season is significant for a variety of reasons. In addition to its religious significance, the holiday season is when many retailers enjoy their greatest successes. To understand just how much business Christmas and Chanukah can bring in, consider the following figures.

20: The percentage of annual sales jewelry stores indicate are made during the month of December.

150,205: The number of clothing and accessories stores open in the United States as of 2009.

27.2: The amount, in billions of dollars, spent during the December 2010 holiday retail season.

983: The amount, in millions, of Christmas tree ornaments imported from China between January and September 2011.

34.87: The average cost of real Christmas trees as of 2011, Artificial trees sell for an average of $70.55.

4.0: The percentage the National Retail Federation expects retail sales to increase this year.

2012: The year when holiday retail sales were the weakest since 2008.

According MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, sales in the last two months of 2012 i n creased by just 0.7 percent from

Did you know?

Though there is no official data that declares the best-selling holiday toy for children of all-time, it’s fair to assume the lovable (Sesame Street) figure Elmo is high on the list of most popular holiday toys. Much of that popularity can be traced to the introduction of Tickle Me Elmo in 1996. Though not the first Elmo doll, Tickle Me Elmo became the must-have gift of 1996, when parents searched far and wide for the doll that laughed when users

the previous year. Some financial analysts blamed Hurricane Sandy, an epic storm that caused billions of dollars in damage along the eastern coast of the United States, for the small increase in consumer spending.

24: The percentage of U.S. retail sales made by only the Northeast and midAtlantic states.

8.4: The percentage growth of online sales from 2011 to 2012. Online sales generally make up about 10 percent of total holiday business.

70: The number, in millions, of poinsettia plants sold in the United States each year.

107,000: The projected cost, adjusted for inflation, of all of the gifts in “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

74: The percentage of adults who say the female head of the household is most likely to wrap all of the family’s gifts.

3: The number of years a storebought Christmas

T-N-T

(1999), Tickle Me Elmo Surprise (2001), Chicken Dance Elmo (2002), and SHOUT Elmo (2005). In 2006, Mattel, the company that produces the Elmo dolls, announced a special commemorative Elmo to mark the 10-year anniversary of the introduction of Tickle Me Elmo. That, too, sparked a buying frenzy, as some reports indicated private sellers were selling the latest Elmo, known as TMX Elmo, for thousands of dollars.

tickled its stomach. During the holiday season of 1996, many people paid far beyond market price just so their children could wake up on Christmas or Chanukah and have a Tickle Me Elmo doll to call their own.

Since 1996, Elmo has been reincarnated many times over, and each Elmo doll seems to inspire its own craze come the holiday season. Released in 1998, Walk “N” Talk Elmo was a popular children’s gift, as was Rock “N” Roll Elmo

Did you know?

Online shopping has expanded considerably in the last several years. Although Black Friday and its online counterpart, Cyber Monday, may seem like the best times to gain the lowest prices on merchandise, it actually could pay to wait a little longer. Merchants may offer deep discounts on

premium items that haven't moved during the last days of the holiday shopping season, typically between December 21 and 24. This includes bigticket products, such as fine jewelry, furniture and televisions. It is possible to take advantage of deep price cuts the closer you get to Christmas

Day. Keep in mind that you may have to pay a premium for getting those gifts delivered on time, which could offset the savings. Therefore, it might be a wise idea to present gift recipients with a photo of what they will be getting for the holidays and deliver the item a day or two later.

Did you know?

Many people begin their holiday shopping around the end of summer, when retailers first begin to roll out new clothing lines and mark down existing items to make way for new inventory.

Beginning holiday shopping near the end of summer or the beginning of fall may seem a little early, but early shoppers often find that starting earlier affords them more time to find fruit cake can be kept fresh if it is refrigerated.

the right gifts at the right prices.

Early shoppers can comparison shop without the specter of the fast-approaching holiday hanging over their heads, and comparison shopping helps consumers feel more confident that they are getting the best deals possible. Starting early with regard to holiday shopping also allows shoppers avoid the financial crunch that shoppers who wait

until the holiday season begins often feel. Spreading out spending over several months as opposed to the handful of weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a great way for shoppers to avoid buying too many gifts on credit, which can make for a penny-pinching start to the new year when bills come due in early–to mid-January.

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The Springtown Epigraph · Thursday, December 10, 2015

Give your Christmas a country feel Christmas decorations can range from grandiose lighting displays to more subtle adornments. Some families may prefer more traditional holiday decor, while others might like the look of modern trimmings.

Holiday decorations can also be used to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a certain type of locale, giving a home a holiday in the city vibe or a more rustic feel. For those who prefer a rustic look reminiscent of a country Christmas, consider the following tips.

• Start with the tree. The Christmas tree is the center of many a home’s holiday decor, and those who want to create a country Christmas can start with their tree. Instead of traditional holiday lights, choose lights that look like candles while adorning the tree with wooden ornaments and strands of popcorn.

• Forgo traditional wrapping paper. Instead of flashy, storebought wrapping paper, wrap presents in brown paper and put presents under the tree as early as possible. Instead of storebought gift tags, create your own and attach a candy cane or another candy to the gift.

• Think nature with decorations. Items gathered from nature can give a home a rustic ap-

peal during the holidays. Hang a homemade wreath on the front door and include pine cones and clippings from evergreen trees when adding decorative accents around the house. Tuck a few decorative woven baskets in corners to further emphasize a rustic look.

• Create homemade ornaments. Homemade ornaments can also give a home a more rustic look come the holiday season. Spend an afternoon creating holiday crafts with the kids and use these instead of store-bought ornaments. For those who are especially gifted craftsmen, put your woodworking skills to the test to create decorative wooden stockings that, if not functional, can be replaced with more traditional stockings come Christmas Eve. • Don’t forget the music.

Another way to create a country Christmas is to play country Christmas albums instead of classical or more traditional Christmas records. Nearly every country music star of the past and present has recorded a Christmas song or album, so create a master playlist of country Christmas songs on your digital music player and play it throughout the season to set the holiday mood in your household.

Christmas on the Square · 9

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10 · Christmas on the Square

Thursday, December 10, 2015· The Springtown Epigraph

Easy ways to be ‘green’ for the holidays While the holiday season is a time of joy, giving and religious reflection, it also can be a time of excess. Holiday parties, meals brimming with more food than the average person can consume, wrapping paper tossed aside after minimal usage, and shoppers venturing for miles in cars in search of presents can all prove wasteful.

For the environmentally conscious, the holiday season is a great opportunity to put your ideals to use.

Although it may seem like a challenging task, going green for the holidays is easier than you might think.

• Get a live Christmas tree.

Christmas trees are planted expressly for the purpose of being cut down and turned into holiday decor. Responsible tree farms will plant many more trees than is needed for the purpose of Christmas trees. Be a good steward for the environment and recycle your tree once the holidays are over. Some recycling centers will pick them up for free or a small fee.

• Consider giving food as a gift. Food is consumable, doesn’t take up space, and locally grown food does not require shipping or wasteful packaging.

It’s an ideal gift for those who already have everything.

• Cut back on holiday decor.

Most people love showcasing their Christmas spirit with decorations. However, many decorative products are produced overseas and shipped over to North

America on large vessels that require a lot of fuel. Think about reducing your decorations or replacing plastic and metal decorations for all-natural options.

Branches of holly or twigs tied with ribbon to form a natural wreath are just as decorative as store-bought plastic decorations.

• Don’t leave lights on for extended periods of time. Homes and businesses bedecked in holiday lights are staples of the

taking them back to the store, donate gifts you’ll never use to a charity or a thrift shop.

• Wrap gifts with wrapping paper alternatives. Wrapping paper is a luxury item and one that tends to be wasteful. There are many items around the house that can be recycled into decorative gift wrap. Sew scraps of fabric together for a patchwork bag or use glossy photos from a fashion magazine to papier mache a box. When you think creatively, you’re bound to come up with some very usable and eco-friendly ideas.

Although many people tend to go overboard for the holidays, getting into the holiday spirit does not have to be unfriendly to the environment.

season. However, extra lights, inflatable lawn Santas and other accessories consume substantial amounts of energy. Instead of leaving lights and other decorative items running for hours each night, turn them off after a little while to save energy.

• Donate money in lieu of gifts. Choose environmentally responsible charities and donate funds to their efforts in the name of people who do not need another package of pajamas.

• Use decomposable shipping peanuts. Shipping peanuts are environmentally friendly packing products that are made from cornstarch. When they come in contact with water, they dissolve – making for easy clean-up and less trash.

• Donate unused gifts. Nearly everyone gets an unwanted gift come the holiday season. Instead of putting items in the trash or

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The Springtown Epigraph · Thursday, December 10, 2015

Christmas on the Square · 11

Potted Christmas trees produce holiday cheer all year long Christmas trees are the quintessential decoration of the holiday season, often erected in front windows gleaming with decorations, trinkets and lights.

Much thought goes into selecting a tree and turning it into the centerpiece of a celebration.

Holiday celebrants with no personal preference may struggle with the decision to buy an artificial or real tree. Those who opt for a real tree may think their only options are the cut trees available at local tree lots. But those interested in a tree that will last far beyond the holiday season can select a potted Christmas tree, all the while adding an eco-conscious element to their holiday celebrations.

Selecting a live tree is an environmentally sound choice.

Trees that have their roots intact can be transplanted outdoors after Christmas. This reduces the waste associated with tree disposal and provides various benefits to the environment, as the trees act as a natural air filter while providing shade and wind barriers.

An evergreen tree, which remains lush and green all year long, is also an ideal habitat for backyard creatures. Trees help control excessive moisture issues in the soil by drawing up water for survival, and can help prevent erosion of soil in more arid climates.

Caring for a potted tree takes a bit more effort than a standard cut tree. There are a few steps that need to be taken to ensure its post-Christmas survival. You can purchase the tree several weeks in advance of the holidays, provided you water the tree frequently and keep it outdoors in the cool weather in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

Select a tree variety that is hardy to the specific zone in which you live and will acclimate to the climate and soil conditions. A local nursery should be able to guide you to the right evergreen.

Because you intend to plant this tree after the holidays, it is a good idea to choose the location

where the tree will eventually grow and dig the hole as early as possible before the ground freezes and becomes difficult to excavate. Consider digging the hole in the autumn and then filling it with leaves or a tarp until the time comes to plant the tree.

Roughly two weeks before Christmas, you will need to transition the tree for indoor use. Neglecting this step may result in shock to the tree, which can cause it to wilt or die.

Place the tree inside of a garage or a shed where it is generally warmer than outside but not yet room temperature.

After this two-week period, move the tree inside where it will have a place of honor for festivities. Do not leave the tree inside the house for more than 10 days. It will need to be moved back into the garage and then outside before planting.

Many evergreens are durable, and the majority of the decorations you use on the tree should not harm it. But be careful not to tug or break branches. Use small lights that do not generate much heat; otherwise, you risk damaging the boughs with burns. When the tree is indoors, it’s also essential to keep it in an

A live, potted Christmas tree can be planted outdoors after the holidays where it can be enjoyed for years and years to come. area that gets filtered sunlight be the best location.

Potted Christmas trees make and is away from heating vents that may dry it out. A spot in an eco-friendly addition to front of the front window may holiday traditions. They can be

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12 · Christmas on the Square

Thursday, December 10, 2015· The Springtown Epigraph

Don’t just have happy holidays, have healthy ones as well.

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle wishes you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season. We’re here for all of your health care needs now and throughout the year. From Emergency Services to Heart & Vascular to Women’s Services and more, we’re committed to you. And to bringing nationally recognized health care to Azle and our surrounding communities. So here’s to a year filled with good tidings and good health.

1-877-THR-WELL | TexasHealth.org/Azle

Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital. © 2015

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