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There’s nothing better than seeing thousands of twinkling lights on a cold, frosty night. Join us this holiday season by beautifying your home in our first annual Let it Glow Competition! The Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Midwest Glass, Emilie Portz of Century 21, Outdoor Design & Landscape, and The Brookings Register encourage you to deck your homes with lights, lawn ornaments, wreaths, and more to help bring holiday cheer to families in Brookings. You even have a chance of winning one of the three cash prizes!
PRIZE CATEGORIES:
Best in Show || $100 prize
REGISTRATION INFO: Deadline to register: November 30th. Homes MUST be decorated by December 9th. Free to register! Contact the Chamber to register: 605.695.6125 info@brookingschamber.org • www.brookingschamber.org
Voted on by: Mayor, Chamber President, Brookings Radio and Sponsors
Clark Griswold (most lights) || $100 prize
Voted on by: Mayor, Chamber President, Brookings Radio and Sponsors
People’s Choice || $100 prize Voted on by the public via text
VOTING INFO: Each house entry will have a number. Residents can vote via text by texting the house number (1-99) to 906-629-1697. Vote anytime from December 10th to December 28th. Winners will be contacted as well as posted on social media.
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Wishing a happy holiday!
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The Gift that Keeps on Giving Shopping local is the ultimate gift you can give your community and it is an incredibly patriotic act. By shopping local, you keep your money local, investing in the place that invests in you. Read on for some inspiring reasons to shop local.
YOU MA KE YOUR TOWN THE PLACE TO BE
Local shops and businesses are what give a town its flavor. By spending money in local shops — especially those that support local makers — you are making a statement that you appreciate those trades and would like to see them remain in the area. Supporting those businesses can even attract more people to your area. Towns and cities with vibrant downtown areas are hot spots during the shopping season, resulting in more revenue for many related businesses, organizations and tourism bureaus.
YOU HELP SHAPE YOUR COMMUNITY
A community’s small businesses are what give a town or city its heart; these are places that help shape your town’s character and personal brand. Locally owned businesses tend to stock the items and products that they know will sell well. By purchasing from small businesses, you are helping to dictate the items they sell, as well as their overall success in the community.
YOU SUPPORT YOUR NEIGHBORS
Well, maybe not technically your neighbors, but definitely others who live in your area. Not only do small businesses account for more than 99 percent of all the business in the country (that is a lot of jobs), but they support and give to local programs. One of the most popular ways small businesses give back is through sponsoring little league teams and major community events. And shopping local doesn’t stop at purchasing gifts. Consider shopping local with your groceries or opening up a savings account at a local bank to save for your Christmas shopping all year round.
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Wassail
Though it sounds like a German word, wassail is a punch from the U.K. It comes from the Old English waes hael, or be hale, referring effects of a cup of the warm, fortifying mulled cider. It’s made famous by the carol “Here We Come A Wassailing”. HISTORY The earliest versions of wassail were made from sweet mead warmed and combined with toasted crabapples that boiled in the mead until they burst. This drink, called lambswool, was traditionally consumed around Lammas Day, the first harvest festival of the year. That drink evolved into a mulled wine, cider or fruit juice concoction, spiced and sweetened. Modern recipes frequently start with fruit juices instead of wine; mulled wine is a separate but similar warming holiday drink. WASSAIL BOWLS Wassail bowls, according to craftsman and researcher Stuart King, were traditionally made of lignum vitae or guayacan, a hard and durable wood from South America. They were huge goblets, essentially, usually ornate and perched on a thick stem. Today, we can sub out a good punch bowl or, to keep the drink warm and toasty, the slow cooker.
INGREDIENTS 2 quarts apple cider 2 cups orange juice ½ cup pineapple juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice
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1 tablespoon brown sugar 2-3 cinnamon sticks Dash of ground cinnamon Dash of ground cloves, or to taste
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Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove the cinnamon sticks and transfer to a slow-cooker on low for party service. For a toasty adult beverage, add a tot of rum or bourbon to the cup.
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Did you know? Consumers may readily recognize Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the holiday shopping lexicon. But what about Super Saturday? Super Saturday, sometimes called “Panic Saturday,� refers to the final Saturday before Christmas. This can be a big day for retailers. Super Saturday deals tend to target last-minute shoppers who wait until the very end to make the majority of their purchases or pick up those final gifts. Super Saturday 2018 occurs on December 22.
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Make a Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornament YOU WILL NEED: • Straight sticks (6 inches in length) or cinnamon sticks • Ribbons (cut into 9-inch strips) • Hot glue gun • Twine • Scissors
DIRECTIONS:
1. After gathering supplies, tie the scraps of ribbon down the twig or cinnamon
stick. I’ve found that wide ribbons, tied into single loose knots, give the best coverage.
and slightly overlap. Gently tug them into place until you are satisfied with their placement. We used between 13-16 strips of ribbon for each ornament.
tree. If desired, melt the edges of the ribbons with a match so the ribbon doesn’t fray.
with a wooden star, yellow button, or primitive metal star.
2. For best results, bunch the ribbons close together. The ribbons will bend
3. Use sharp scissors to trim the ribbon scraps into the shape of a Christmas
4. Hot glue or tie a loop of twine to the top of the tree. If desired, top the tree
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Mint Cocoa Mix INGREDIENTS 7-1/2 cups instant chocolate drink mix 1 package (25.60 ounces) nonfat dry milk powder 2-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 cup powdered nondairy creamer 25 peppermint candies, crushed Miniature marshmallows DIRECTIONS Combine the first five ingredients; add miniature marshmallows. Divide into gift bags, or store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. TO PREPARE HOT COCOA: Place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug. Stir in one cup hot whole milk until blended. Add as many marshmallows as desired.
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What popular Christmas song was actually for Thanksgiving? “Jingle Bells” It was also the first song broadcast from space, in a Christmas-themed prank by Gemini 6 astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra.
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25 Days of Traditions
Everyone knows the best gift of all is the gift of time. And what better time of year than the holidays to do things with friends and family?
Here are 25 traditions you can practice this December. GAME NIGHT. There are holiday-specific games out there, but you can’t go wrong by sticking with a classic. Check out your local toy and game store for some family friendly games. CHRISTMAS MOVIE MAR ATHON. Too many choices to go wrong here. From the Griswolds to George Bailey, there’s a classic for your family. CAROLING. Through your neighborhood or through your town, caroling is always more fun with friends. HOLIDAY BA KING. There is a recipe for every taste bud and every skill level. Check out online recipes for unique options. Many local grocery stores also offer holiday baking classes. Ask around for times and options. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. Put a little twinkle on your house or on your tree. CHOOSE A TREE. Choosing a Christmas tree is a classic tradition with the added bonus of making your home smell amazing. WEAR CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS. They don’t have to match (but it’s more fun if they do). CHRISTMAS CARDS. Make them or buy them, but please send them out. ELF ON THE SHELF. Quickly becoming a cult classic. CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP. This party’s entire premise is all about you getting to sample cookies. The holiday joy is baked right in. ANGEL TREE. Be someone else’s Santa. ADVENT CALENDAR. Counting down the days can be a fun tradition for the entire family. ORNAMENTS. Give your kids or loved one a new ornament each year. Over the years, the tree itself will become a family album. MA KE HOT COCOA. Yum. There are many recipes out there to completely innovate this holiday treat. TA KE A DRIVE. Admire others’ decorations. Continued on page 25
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25 Days of Traditions
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VOLUNTEER. This is a hard time of year for others. Turn the act of kindness into a tradition. SAY THANK YOU. To your friends, to your kids, to your mom, anyone that has had an impact on you. GET A PHOTO WITH SANTA. These will amuse you for years to come. TA KE IN A SHOW. Or a second-grade Christmas pageant. Support local artists and students by showing up. GET DRESSED UP. Put on your best and walk the square. There is something special about getting your cheeks pink that sparks joy this time of year. GET A TOY, GIVE A TOY. Teach your children to donate unwanted or old toys to others.
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TREAT THOSE YOU DEPEND ON. Take cookies to the police station, the fire station and to your Post Office. MA KE A SNOWMAN. Or, if you live in a warm climate, decorate a gingerbread house. DECOR ATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE. It shouldn’t be an “either/or” situation. LEAVE COOKIES FOR SANTA. He’s got a long night. He appreciates it.
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Get Gifts There On Time
Thanks to families being more spread out than ever before, today’s holiday shoppers must figure out ways to get holiday gifts to their destination on time. The holiday season tends to be the busiest time of year for many delivery services. The following tips should help shoppers ensure their loved ones’ gifts arrive on time. SHIP DIRECTLY. Adobe Analytics reported that online shopping hit a record high of $108.2 billion in the 2017 holiday shopping season, and all indicators suggest online shopping will only increase in the years to come. Holiday shoppers who want to ensure their loved ones will receive their gifts on time can rely on online shopping. When checking out, have gifts shipped directly to loved ones’ homes. Many online retailers will even wrap gifts for a nominal fee. RESEARCH SHIPPING OPTIONS. In 2018, Christmas falls on a Tuesday. Shoppers who plan to rely on two-day or overnight shipping should keep that in mind. Some delivery services may be open throughout the weekend before Christmas, while others may only be open on Saturday. Last-minute shoppers, whether they’re shopping online or in-person, should confirm their shipping options well in advance of Christmas. Because Christmas is on a Tuesday this year, getting gifts to their destination on time may require shoppers to purchase and ship them earlier than they otherwise might. PURCHASE PACK AGE INSUR ANCE. Consumer Reports notes that UPS and FedEx shipments automatically come with declared-value coverage of up to $100. (Note: Declared value is the carrier’s maximum liability.) Purchasing additional insurance can ease shoppers’ concerns about lost or stolen packages. Just be sure to keep all invoices and receipts in case claims must be filed. Shoppers also should ask for tracking numbers on all packages so they can confirm when packages are delivered. PROPERLY SECURE THE PACK AGE. Many delivery services now have off-site drop-off boxes that can make it easy to send gifts. This is a convenient service, but shoppers who use them won’t be able to have a company employee provide in-person confirmation that their packages are secured to company standards. Poorly packaged items may never be shipped. Visit the shipping company’s website for packaging guidelines, and include a business card and duplicate label inside the package just in case it is damaged after being dropped off.
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Pets and Holiday Gifting
Furry, finned and feathered friends help make a house a home. These companions are more than just pets; they’re often cherished family members. So it should come as no surprise that, come the holidays, people want to lavish extra attention on their animals by way of presents. The American Pet Products Association says pet owners spend billions of dollars on their pets each year. The majority of pet owners plan to gift their pets on holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Christmas. DogTime.com says that pet presents are not a North American phenomenon, either. Pet owners in the United Kingdom are expected to spend the equivalent of $46 U.S. per pet on gifts. While dog owners are more likely to buy their pets gifts, cat owners have been closing that gap over the years. Some pet parents even offer Christmas cards or hang Christmas stockings for their pets. According to data from PricewaterhouseCoopers, shoppers between the ages of 17 and 21 are willing to spend more than anyone else ($70) on holiday gifts for their pets. Gifting pets has become the norm, but various animal welfare organizations advise that giving companion animals as pets should be avoided. Pets given as gifts may be at a higher risk for surrender to shelters by families who miscalculated the amount of time and money that’s necessary to care for pets. Welcoming a pet into the family is often a personal decision, and one that should be weighed carefully by all members of the household.
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Choosing Your Tree Choosing a Christmas tree for your family home is one of the most iconic of holiday traditions. Live and artificial trees are symbols of life embedded into the holiday. Here are some tips for creating a memorable tradition for your family. BRING SNACKS We all make better decisions on a full stomach. Whether you are cutting down your tree or choosing from trees that have been pre-cut in a lot, packing a Christmas cookie or two never hurts the process. A thermos of cocoa will also bring you and your family some warm holiday cheer while you shop. BRING TOOLS There are a few tools to bring when choosing your tree, the first being a measuring tape. You want to make sure your tree will fit the space. If you are buying from a lot, most trees are organized by type (pine or spruce) and then by height. But don’t forget to also measure diameter. Keep in mind that the branches will relax after the tree is set up in a stand, making it even fuller.
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LOOK FOR THE BEST Check each trees freshness before deciding on one. When you bend a needle, does it break in your hand? Fresh firs will snap while fresh pines should bend but not break. When you touch the tree, the needles should stay on. A tree that seems to be losing its needles will probably be completely bald before Christmas Day. Make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Consider a local tree farm with experts who will be able to accurately answer any questions you have on the quality and robustness of the tree.
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Easy 5-Ingredient Peppermint Fudge This Easy 5-Ingredient Peppermint Fudge features two layers of decadent fudge and is full of peppermint flavor. The perfect treat for Christmas! INGREDIENTS 1 and ½ cups (270 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 and ½ cups (270 grams) white chocolate chips 1 14-ounce can (396 grams) sweetened condensed milk, divided ½ teaspoon peppermint extract adjust to taste ½ cup (70 grams) crushed candy canes (about 5 candy canes) INSTRUCTIONS Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang for easy removal, and set aside. Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2/3 cup (198 grams) of sweetened condensed milk to a large saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring well until the mixture is completely smooth. Scoop the chocolate fudge into the prepared pan and spread around into an even layer. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill while you make the second layer. Add the white chocolate chips and remaining 2/3 cup (198 grams) of sweetened condensed milk to a large saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring well until the mixture is completely smooth. Add in the peppermint extract and half of the crushed candy canes to the white chocolate mixture and stir until well combined. Remove the chocolate fudge from the refrigerator and scoop the white chocolate peppermint fudge on top and smooth it out. Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes on top of the fudge. Transfer the baking pan back to the refrigerator and refrigerate for at least two hours, or until the fudge is set. Remove the fudge out of the pan by lifting the edges of the aluminum foil out of the pan, slice into pieces, and enjoy.
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Gingerbread Men
The term gingerbread originally referred to preserved ginger and then to a candy made with honey and spices. Now, we remember it most from the folktale “The Gingerbread Man” and from the ornate gingerbread houses we construct around the holidays. Start any of your holiday constructions with this crisp ginger cookie and a good set of cookie cutters. Pipe them with store-bought tubes of colored frosting from your grocer for a convenient, fun and beautiful holiday memory.
Gingerbread Cookies (recipe by King Arthur Flour) ¾ cup unsalted butter ¾ cup brown sugar, packed ¾ cup molasses 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground ginger ¼ teaspoon allspice or cloves 1 large egg 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1. Melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar, molasses, salt and spices. Transfer the mixture to a medium-sized bowl and let it cool before beating in the egg. 2. Whisk together the baking powder, baking soda and flour, then add to the molasses mixture. 3. Divide the dough into two thick rectangles, wrap and
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refrigerate for one hour. Make sure the dough is thoroughly chilled before rolling it out or it will be sticky. 4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Flour a work surface. 5. Roll the chilled dough to 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch thick — the thinner the dough, the crisper the cookie. Flour the top and bottom of the dough if it starts to stick or use parchment paper or plastic wrap. 6. Cut shapes with a floured cookie cutter and transfer the cookies onto the baking sheets. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until they’re set. Let cool completely before decorating.
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