2016
LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
Last Minute
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
PAGE 3 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
Happy Falalala-llamakkah: Holidays have a new face NEW YORK (AP) — Happy Falalala-llamakkah, one and all. With Hanukkah and Christmas bumping together this year, a holiday theme for the ages is ready to go — llamas. What do we mean? We mean cute and funky sweaters, T-shirts, holiday cards, wrapping paper and more showing off the cud-chewing pack animal for Christmas and Hanukkah, which begins the night of Dec. 24 this time around. Oddly, the long-necked beast lends itself to holiday catch phrases for both: Happy Llamadays on a Christmas tree ornament with a little white one in a Santa cap, for instance, or Fa-La-La Llama on cards. Looking to keep this quirky celebrant simple? Jews can enjoy Happy Llamakah! instead on paper products and sweaters. How about the Hanukkah-blue sweater with a brown llama in black hat, ear holes included. Also, he’s sporting Hasidic sidelocks. These festive outfits are definitely of the
ugly sweater ilk, with a side order of hipster. And lest you wonder the difference between a llama and an alpaca, look no further than the Christmas T-shirt with tree and a beast apparently named Larry declaring “Not a llama (alpaca).” Dude, you’re both camelids. Just sayin’. Online sellers from Amazon to Zazzle are awash in holiday llamas ho-ho-ho-ing it up with antlers and Christmas lights, wreaths around their necks and wearing ugly sweaters of their own. For Hanukkah, they’re also in yarmulke, urging fans to belt Llamakah, oh Llamakah, like the holiday classic. The Paper Source is selling blue-and-white Llamakah gift wrap with the animals in scarves toting menorahs and wrapped presents. So where does all this lead? Well, directly to Barry Sellers in Manchester, England, for one.
He’s a 34-year-old artist who used to do street graffiti under the tag “llamaphish” using llamas or a goldfish in an Army helmet, depending on his mood. Now, he’s selling a T-shirt of his own design in — count ‘em — 40 different colours with a goofy, bug-eyed llama as a Christmas tree itself, a topper star on his head, lights and garland wrapped around him, wishing all: Fa lla lla lla llama. Why, Barry, why? “To be honest I have no idea. I’ve always drawn llamas,” he said. “I think it’s their facial expression. They’ve got a really funny face, almost condescending, like they’re laughing at you.” He’s selling through the DIY site Teepublic at the moment, where designers upload their images for use on all sorts of stuff, including shirts, mugs, baby onesies and phone cases. He’s got plenty of company from others doing llamas.
“They’re just a funny animal,” Sellers said. “Even the name. It’s one of those words that’s just nice to say. It makes you laugh.” Yasmeen Eldahan, 29, is a school teacher by day, a New Yorker living in Cairo, and a seller of all things llama at Zazzle on her own time. Why? Because they sell, she said via email. “I suppose it has something to do with the quirky nature of llamas themselves,” Eldahan said. “They’re not traditionally cute, nor are they particularly cool. They’re unusual and humorous. And I think that appeals to people.” She said she hasn’t branched out into Llamakkah items yet, “but I might consider it for future llamas!” Andrew Sutton, head of operations for the site TipsyElves, where the sidelocked-llama sweater is sold, said one characteristic sets the animals apart: indifference. “People absolutely love llamas because they live a carefree lifestyle,” he said. “They don’t desire any love in the first place.”
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PAGE 4 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
Wacky tech gifts for the ultra-tech who has everything NEW YORK (AP) — The latest tech can make for an easy holiday gift, but when it comes to the ultra-tech-savvy people in your life, finding a cool technology they don’t already own can be tough. Fear not! From Star Wars-themed speakers to radiation-blocking boxer briefs, there’s a lot to pick from for all the super geeks in your life. DEATH STAR LEVITATING SPEAKER That’s no moon. It’s a $180 wireless speaker shaped like the Death Star from Star Wars. It’s a little tricky to set up, but once you get the Death Star positioned correctly over its base, it floats in the air thanks to well-placed magnets and a little help from the Force. The Death Star rotates with a tap. The sound quality is pretty good, and the rechargeable battery will give you five hours of sound. Just keep it away from rebel fighter pilots. ANTI-RADIATION UNDERWEAR It’s a Faraday cage for your, um, crown jewels. Silver fibers woven into Spartan’s boxer briefs are designed to block radiation from electronics.
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That’s good news for men who might be worried about their laptops spending too much time on their laps. But while recent research has pointed to a possible link between radiation from wireless devices and decreased sperm count, studies are far from conclusive, so there’s no reason to panic just yet. Until January, the underwear is available only on Spartan’s website for about $45. 3-D IMAGING Got a friend with mice or termites in their house? WalabotDIY is a 3-D-imaging tool that lets you see deep into your walls. The device attaches to an Android phone (sorry, iPhone users) and lets you see up to four inches through drywall, cement and other materials, just like Superman’s X-ray vision. How? Sensors pick up heat from mice motion and termite nests. At a recent demonstration, heat from hiding rodents could easily be seen in glowing red on a device screen. The sensors also will let you know the depth and location of pipes, wires and other objects to avoid if your next home improveThis photo provided by Plox shows the Star Wars Death Star levitating bluetooth speaker. ment project calls for drilling into your walls. It’s a little tricky to set up, but once you get the Death Star positioned correctly over its base, it floats in the air thanks to well-placed magnets and a little help from The Force.The Death Star rotates with a tap. The sound quality is pretty good, and the rechargeable battery will give you five hours of sound. Below: A Lego phone case. The WalabotDIY is available online for $200. LEGO PHONE CASES Ever wish your smartphone or tablet could keep your fussy children entertained long after it runs out of battery? Belkin’s Lego cases offer hands-on play, bringing new meaning to the term “screen time.” The back sides are covered with those familiar Lego dots, giving kids something to attach their creations to during long road trips and painful visits to grandma’s house with no Wi-Fi. Of course, they help protect the devices when dropped, too. Cases are available for the iPhone 6 and 6S ($45), 6 Plus and 6S Plus ($50), and the iPad Mini ($60). There’s no version yet for the iPhone 7 or Android. Belkin makes these under license from Lego, so they should work fine with standard Lego bricks. RETRO VIDEO GAMES The $60 NES Classic Edition includes all your childhood favourites, assuming you came of age in the late 1980s or 1990s.
If not, think of them as the horribly dated, super-pixellated games you sometimes see in the back of dive bars. To amp up the nostalgia even more, the system looks just like a miniature version of the one you remember, complete with a cord-connected black and grey controller. But there’s no stack of cartridges to clutter your room. All 30 games are stored in the system. Before you get too excited about getting on your “Donkey Kong” or finally saving Princess Zelda, be warned that these systems are very hard to find. They’re selling on eBay and other sites for well over their retail price. You’re probably going to have to collect a lot of gold coins if you want to land one of these for your favourite child — or more likely, the adult child in your life. Online: Gift guide for high-tech toys: http://apne.ws/2ghurjt
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PAGE 6 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
A guide to shopping for tech gifts Tech gifts are popular, but do some research before swiping your card at the checkout
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adgets make great gifts come the holiday season. Children may want the latest must-have video games, and many adults scour store advertisements for the newest televisions, tablets, smartphones, and other gadgets to include among their own most wanted lists. According to the Consumer
Electronics Association, the holiday season is typically a recordsetting time for consumer spending on tech gifts. The CEA notes that roughly $34 billion was spent in 2015 on tech gifts, and that number figures to grow during the 2016 holiday season. The holiday season is a time when consumers buy tech gifts for their loved ones, but it’s also a time when they splurge on items for themselves. Continued on page 7
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
PAGE 7 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
A guide Continued from page 6
Technology gifts are popular, but these purchases require some research prior to swiping a card at the checkout counter. Consider this advice before gifting any gadgets this holiday season. • Check product reviews. Use resources such as Consumer Reports to read up on the reputations of certain products and brands. Avoid purchasing products that have no established track record. Also try to read reviews from third-party sites rather than those posted on manufacturer websites. Independent reviews may be more forthcoming than customer testimonials. • Speak with an educated retailer. Visit a store before making any purchases to learn more about the inner workings of the product you plan to buy. Discover its attributes, advantages, disadvantages, and what others are saying about it. The salesperson may have his or her own opinion on the item and may calm any nerves you have. Niche retailers tend to have knowledgeable sales staff and can be assets when comparison shopping. • Determine if the gift is age-appropriate. It may be tempting to purchase children the latest and greatest tech gifts because all of their peers may be getting similar items. But first determine if certain items are age-appropriate. Remember, many tech gifts, such as tablets and smartphones, open children up to the world of social media. So if you buy such products, make sure you have turned on the privacy and safety features available before giving the item to your loved one. If you are purchasing a gift for a young person who is not your child, check with his or her parents to see if the gift will be appropriate or even permitted. • Compare prices across various retailers. While popular gifts may be similarly priced because of the level of demand, it is still a worthy effort to comparison shop before making a rash purchase. In addition, consider that new generations of certain tech products come out quite frequently, and the previous generation may become obsolete rather quickly. Know when manufacturers are releasing new products so you can time your purchases accordingly. • Put the product through your own test run. Try a product out for yourself to get a feel for it and its attributes. Hands-on knowledge may be the best type when gifting tech items. Just keep in mind that many retailers have a reboxing or restocking fee on tech products. If the item fails to meet your expectations and you plan to return it, it may cost you a percentage of the price. The popularity of tech gifts makes them one of the most widely exchanged categories of presents during the holiday gift-giving season. With research and knowledge, consumers can find the perfect gifts to light up their loved ones’ faces.
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PAGE 8 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
Hunting for a Hatchimal? Technology can help NEW YORK (AP) — Does your little girl have her heart set on finding a Hatchimal under the tree? Good luck — the animatronic bird-like creatures that “hatch” from eggs are one of the toughest toys to find this holiday season. And it’s not the only hot toy in short supply this year. Nostalgic Gen Xers looking to introduce their own kids to the classic Nintendo games of their youth have made finding an NES Classic a tough task as well. But with the help of technology, along with a few phone calls and a decent amount of shoe leather, your quest for a Hatchimal, NES, or other tough finds on your little one’s list, may not be in vain. Here are some tips to help you along the way. BE SOCIAL Companies and retailers post information about what’s newly in stock on their Facebook and Twitter feeds. They’re great places to find out about promotions and giveaways too, says Jackie Breyer, editor in chief of The Toy Insider. For instance, Target recently tweeted that that more Hatchimals were on their way to stores. But be wary of tweets and posts that
don’t come from well-known retailers — they could be scams. Going hyperlocal can pay off too. Neighborhood Facebook pages and internet mailing lists geared toward parents can be good sources of intel as well, Breyer says. BURN UP THE PHONES Don’t be afraid to go old school and call the stores. Ask for the manager and get him or her to tell you when the next shipment is coming in. Back in the 1980s, when parents were on the hunt for Cabbage Patch Kids, this was often how things were done. Parents who knew when the trucks were coming in sometimes bought the dolls straight off the pallets, Breyer says. Toys R Us will also have more Hatchimals in stock before Santa’s big day, air freighting them in from China, when they would normally bring them in by sea, says Richard Barry, the company’s executive vice-president and global chief merchandising officer. The hype surrounding Hatchimals, which started before their fall launch, combined with the complicated manufacturing process used to produce them, makes it tough to get enough of them into stores fast enough, he says. The Associated Press
Searching for the season’s hot holiday toys doesn’t have to end in disappointment.With the help of technology, some phone calls and shoe leather, hard-to-find holiday toys such as Hatchimals and NES Classic don’t have to remain elusive.
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Meanwhile, high demand from adult collectors has depleted NES supplies. “Keep checking with us. That’s really the way,” Barry says, adding that any news of new stock quickly results in lines outside his stores. Can’t get the information you need over the phone? Head to the store and do some schmoozing. Take it from a reporter: It’s amazing how much information you can get out of people with a friendly smile and a few good questions. WHAT ABOUT THE WEB? There are websites that specialize in tracking online inventories, but they’re probably not going to be much help. Because the available stock is so low, most Hatchimals will be skipping the web and going straight to stores. If money is truly no object, you can always buy from a reseller, but beware. Stick with someone that’s vetted and selling through Amazon or other resale sites. And be prepared to pony up: Hatchimals and the NES, which both retail for $60, are currently selling on those sites for more than $200. EBay can be safe, too, so long as you pick a seller with a long history of sales and good reviews, Breyer says.
I GIVE UP. AM I A BAD PARENT? No. Reality check: It’s just a toy. Your kid will get over it — and maybe they’ll learn something, too. And while Hatchimals may be grabbing headlines, demand for them isn’t nearly the craziest Barry says he’s seen in his 30 years in the toy business. “People have short memories,” he says, noting that in the past parents have also scrambled for the original Tickle Me Elmo, Zhu Zhu Pets and Pokemon toys. If all else fails, you can give your child an IOU. Hatchimal supplies are expected to bounce back in January. And SpinMaster, the company that makes Hatchimals, has a nifty certificate of ownership you can print off their website. Either way, it’s best to keep things in perspective. After all, the holidays aren’t just about gifts. Right? Breyer says that while Hatchimals may be the “it” toy this holiday season, for most kids they’d just be one of several they’ll ultimately receive. “I think parents get wrapped up in a craze and think they have to have it, but the kids may not feel as strongly about it as they do,” she says.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
PAGE 9 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
Making the most of holiday charitable giving The holiday season is a great time to give presents to loved ones, but also to charities that help others. Donations of money or goods to a charity by the end of the year can also help you on your federal income tax return. Before you give, here are a few tips for making sure you make the most of your donation: ENSURE: To make sure your gift is going to a good cause, research the organization and find out how it uses its money and how it’s led. Charity Navigator, a non-profit that rates and ranks charities, says charities that are an open book and follow good governance practices are less likely to engage in unethical or irresponsible activities. Its free online database at charitynavigator.org can give you an assessment of the financial health, accountability and transparency of 8,000 of the country’s best-known charities. It’s also a source of information on more than 1.5 million nonprofits. VERIFY: The IRS reminds taxpayers that only donations to certain eligible organizations are tax-deductible. To find out if your donation applies, use the “Select Check” tool on the IRS.gov website to search a database of eligible organizations. Most churches, synagogues, temples,
mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations even if they are not listed in this database, the IRS says. ITEMIZE: In order to deduct your charitable donation, you must itemize on your federal tax return. That means people who choose the standard deduction or file using simplified forms such as 1040A or 1040EZ may miss out on this tax perk. Most tax software will alert you to the tax savings available if you itemize versus using standard deductions. JUSTIFY: If you donate money, you need a bank record or written statement from the charity to prove the amount. This could include a cancelled check, credit card statement or more. If a payroll deduction was made, the taxpayer should hold on to a copy of the pay stub, a form W-2 or other document from the employer showing the amount donated to the charity. ASSESS: The rules are slightly different when you donate goods instead of money. Deductions for clothing and other household items are limited to the item’s fair market value, which you can find out more about on IRS.gov. Items must be in good or better condition to be tax-deductible. If the donation is worth $250 or more, you must also get a written acknowledgment
The Associated Press
Salvation Army bell ringer Esther Rahenkamp, of Avon Park, Fla., stands next to a 700-pound donation kettle.The holiday season is a great time to give, not just presents to loved ones but also to charities to help others.
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PAGE 10 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
SHORTCUT MOUSSAKA
Big on flavour, small on labour By KATIE WORKMAN The Associated Press
A friend recently became a firsttime grandmother, and when we went out to lunch she was exhausted. She had been cooking meals for the new parents, and collapsed into her chair saying she hadn’t finished making a moussaka before she had to leave. “You,” she said, “could do the world a big service by coming up with a quick and easy moussaka.” Moussaka is, in short, an eggplant and meat casserole, one of Greece’s national dishes. I did ask why she picked such a labour-intensive dish to make the young couple, who probably would have been grateful with a baked ziti. But the notion of a simple moussaka stuck in my mind. I started looking at moussaka
recipes, and remembered why I never make it. The bechamel sauce; the slow-simmered tomato sauce; the thinly sliced, salted and fried eggplant (in some cases lining the casserole pan!); the sliced, sauteed or mashed potatoes; the finely chopped lamb shoulder. I started to feel tired just thinking about it. But I owed my friend a recipe. Traditional Greek cooks will probably flinch and shake their heads when they see some of the shortcuts I’ve taken. The potatoes are diced and baked, and then get a casual mush in the casserole pan. I used Japanese eggplants, which have few seeds and less bitterness, thus eliminating the need to salt them, and they are diced and baked alongside the potatoes (less oil, less hands on time). The tomato sauce is created right into
the sauteed lamb, which is bought pre-ground. And the bechamel is replaced with a quickly stirred-together sauce made from eggs, creme fraiche and yogurt. A sprinkle of kashkaval cheese (a Greek sheep’s milk cheese) finishes it off, but if you can’t find that, grated Parmesan will do just fine. You can make all the components a day ahead and then assemble and bake. This is a nice dish for holiday entertaining — comforting and indulgent at the same time — and you can assemble the casserole early in the day and bake it just before dinner. Serve with a big, leafy, green salad. I can’t yet picture the day I am cooking as a grandmother. But for the first time, I can envision making moussaka without needing a vacation afterward.
The Associated Press
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1 1/2 pounds Japanese eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 or 5 eggplants) 2 pounds Yukon golden potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 pounds ground lamb 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch nutmeg (optional) Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 bay leaf 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar (optional) 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 8-ounce tub creme fraiche or 1 cup Greek yogurt, preferably whole milk 1/2 cup half and half 1/3 cup grated kashkaval cheese or Parmesan ——— Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease a 2- or 3-quart shallow baking dish. Spray two rimmed baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray and places the cubed eggplant on one of the baking sheets, the potatoes on the other. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over each of the sheets and toss well. Spread out
the vegetables in a single layer, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for about 40 minutes, until golden and tender. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 more tablespoon olive oil, and saute the onion and garlic until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the ground lamb and saute until the lamb is completely browned, about 6 minutes. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg (if using) and season with salt and pepper. Add the crushed tomatoes and bay leaf, bring to a simmer (there won’t be much liquid, but enough to bubble slightly), and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and chopped parsley. While the lamb sauce is simmering, in a small bowl combine the eggs, creme fraiche or yogurt and half and half. Season with salt and pepper and stir to blend well. Place the cooked potatoes in the prepared baking dish, spreading them out over the bottom, and use a fork or potato masher to lightly crush them. Remove the bay leaf and discard, then distribute the lamb in the tomato sauce over the potatoes. Finish with an even layer of the baked eggplant. Evenly pour the cream mixture over the casserole, then sprinkle the grated cheese over it. Bake for about 45 minutes, until bubbly and browned on top. Serve hot. ——— Nutrition information per serving: 516 calories; 262 calories from fat; 29 g fat 11 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 33 mg cholesterol; 498 mg sodium; 33 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 33 g protein.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
PAGE 11 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
Gifts that add zest to cooking, baking and entertaining
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Rachael Ray Porcelain II Nonstick Cookware in Marine Blue, Rachael Ray Cucina Stoneware Ramekins 4-Piece Set, Bonjour Ami Matin 8-Cup French Press, Anolon Vesta Cast Iron 12-Inch Skillet, Farberware Purecook Ceramic Nonstick Cookware 12-Piece Set, Circulon Symmetry Chocolate Bakeware 5-Piece Set, Paula Deen 3-Piece Striped Mixing Bowl Set.
By Metro Creative Functional and practical, culinary gifts are always welcomed by cooks, bakers and frequent entertainers. Fortunately, for friends and family members who also covet great design and fashion trends, there’s a plethora of quality kitchen products available today with beautiful styling that’s too fun and vibrant to hide away in cabinets. Here’s a short list of colorful gift options to consider this season. Circulon Symmetry Chocolate Bakeware 5-Piece Set — Add a sophisticated pop of color when baking savory and sweet treats with durable steel bakeware enrobed in
a decadently rich dark chocolate hue inside and out. The set includes a versatile cookie pan (can double as a sheet pan), two round cake pans, a loaf pan, and rectangular cake pan. Anolon Vesta Cast Iron 12-inch Skillet — Crafted in new Cobalt Blue and holiday-ready Paprika Red, this hard-working skillet with double pouring spouts and a long handle for added stability when lifting features a matte black enamel interior that doesn’t need seasoning and a gleaming porcelain enamel exterior that adds a punch of color and is easy to clean. BonJour Ami Matin 8-Cup French Press — Sure to brighten up
every coffee-lover’s morning, this classic, bistro-style coffee brewer is now offered in mood-boosting Lavender and Aqua Blue. Constructed from unbreakable BPA-free Tritan™ plastic, this durable French Press boasts a patented shutoff control built into its plunger to lock in flavor and prevent over-brewing. Farberware Purecook Ceramic Nonstick Cookware 12-Piece Set — Go stylish with Lavender and Aqua or classic with Gray and Blue with this well-designed, dishwasher safe collection offered in four attractive shades. The high-heat safe ceramic nonstick surface is white and contrasts beautifully with the glossy porcelain exterior. Rachael Ray Porcelain II Nonstick Cookware in Marine Blue — Reflecting the positive energy and refreshed feeling that’s often experienced during seaside vacations, Marine Blue is the newest hue in this colorful collection, which also offers six other choices crafted in a gradient style: Rachael’s signature Orange, Red, Blue, Green, Purple, and Dark Green. Rachael Ray Cucina Stoneware Ramekins 4-Piece Set — For a softer color palette, this set of organically shaped, oven-to-table ramekins are glazed in four Tuscanstyle hues: Cranberry Red, Agave Blue, Mushroom Brown, and Lavender. Offering endless possibilities for cooking, baking and serving, the oven-safe ramekins are also microwave-, dishwasher- and freezer-safe. Paula Deen 3-Piece Striped Mixing Bowl Set — This charming, red-striped set of small, medium and large mixing bowls, made of lightweight and durable melamine,
instantly brightens up spirits when prepping breakfast, lunch or dinner. Each bowl features a sturdy lip to ensure a secure grip and a rubberized base ring for stability. Circulon Ultimum Cookware 11Piece Set — This new collection of dishwasher-safe and inductionready gourmet cookware features sophisticated brushed metal lids
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PAGE 12 • LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
Stocking stuffers for athletes and sports fans By Metro Creative Gifts comes in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes the best gifts are those that come in small packages. Though some people pore over their holiday shopping lists for weeks, it’s not uncommon for even the most devoted holiday shopper to overlook stocking stuffers, which can be just as difficult to find as larger gifts. When shopping for stocking stuffers, consider the recipient’s interests. For example, athletes and sports enthusiasts would undoubtedly love a gift that reflects their loyalty to a favorite team or their devotion to a particular sport. Holiday shoppers who have a sports-crazed superfan or accomplished athlete on their shopping lists may want to consider the following items when looking for stocking stuffers this holiday season. • Sports memorabilia: Sports fanatics sometimes double as collectors who are always on the lookout for new memorabilia to display. Such collectibles may in-
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clude bobbleheads, cards, ticket stubs and signed photographs or equipment. Rare memorabilia may be beyond many gift-givers’ means, but there are still plenty of impressive items that can fit into any holiday gifting budget. • Game tickets: Give sports fans a chance to cheer on their favorite teams in person. Find a home game that will not require the recipient to travel too far, or if you want to splurge, include transportation with the tickets to an away game. Secondary market ticket-seller StubHub is a reliable resource that guarantees tickets sold on its site are legitimate, removing any doubt ticket market buyers may have. • Fan gear: Sports fans can never have enough gear to show off their team pride. Everything from mugs to hats to authentic team jerseys makes for great stocking stuffers. In addition, look for pennants or t-shirts that feature team names or logos. Today just about any item comes emblazoned with sports team names. If you can’t find a particular item, it may be
possible to order it directly from a team or retailer or have it customized. • Sports equipment: Athletes may benefit from updated equipment. Determine if the athletes on your gift list have any gear that needs replacing. Parents, coaches or even teammates may offer recommendations regarding which equipment your loved one needs. If you don’t know a catcher’s mitt from a tennis racket, stuff the stocking with a gift card to a sporting goods store. • Magazine subscription: Sports fans often enjoy reading up on their favorite players and keeping abreast of team or industry news. Magazine subscriptions are generally inexpensive and new subscriptions often come with free gifts as well. • Winner’s trophy: For the sports fan who has missed out on getting his or her own trophy, have one made up as a stocking stuffer gag gift. It is certain to bring a laugh and hold a prime spot on the shelf with other sports memorabilia.
Gift cards aren’t really gifts By LIZ WESTON
The Associated Press
If it’s the thought that counts, then gift cards don’t count much at all. They’re popular, granted. Six out of 10 people responding to National Retail Federation surveys this year said they wanted to receive gift cards for the holidays, and more than half said they planned to give them. The rest of us may think of gift cards as a cop-out. Gift cards are what you give when you don’t have a clue what makes the recipient tick and can’t trouble
yourself to find out. OK, that’s not totally fair. Gift cards may seem like the only reasonable solution when you’re dealing with, say, the ever-changing whims of your teenage nieces and nephews. But why bother with plastic? Just give ‘em cash. Cash gets spent. A big chunk of what’s sunk on gift cards — about $1 billion per year, according to market research firm CEB — remains unspent. Ill-considered gifts are an even bigger waste of money, of course. Everybody has stories of epic fails: The etiquette book (extra points if it’s from your mother-in-law). The box of chocolates to someone who’s
allergic, on a diet or both. Getting back the gift you gave to the oblivious person the year before. Good gifts can be all over the map as well, but they share a similar trait. They universally say, “I get you.” Giving good gifts can be incredibly hard. It takes time, energy and some sleuthing. You have to stop thinking about yourself — what you want, what you think the recipient should have or be or do — and think in depth about the other person: How do they like to spend their time? Continued on page 14
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
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How well do you know your special someone? Whether you want her to look super sexy, or just feel warm and comfortable, everything at Fashion Foundations will fit properly which will make her look and feel fabulous and leave you feeling like the holiday gift-giving genius you are. Knowing what the woman in your life wants isn’t always easy information to obtain. She may expect you to know and perhaps, you are too afraid to admit that you have no idea where to start.
While most women love to feel that the special someone in their life has always paid attention to their wish list, they don’t usually leave it to chance. Women tend to drop a lot of hints and when the hints aren’t obvious, here are a lot of questions to help narrow it down. Have you been paying attention? If you can answer any of these questions, than yes, you have been. Has she mentioned wishing she had something sexy in her lingerie drawer that is currently filled with oversized flannels that hide her body Does she “Ohhhhhh and Ahhhhhh” every night when she gets home while slipping into something warm, baggy and likely 100 per cent cotton? Is she always complaining about being “warm” or “cold”? Has she just lost or gained weight and has been complaining about not having anything to wear? Does she love staying on top of the latest fashion trends? How would you like to see her? Whether you think she deserves a delicate piece of luxurious sexy lingerie or you know she would rather crawl into some warm pjs after a hot bubble bath (that you poured her, of course), the gift you choose will tell her you have noticed her needs first. Sometimes, the woman in your life just wants you to pick something you think she would like and surprise her. If this is the case, let’s start here: Have you ever noticed if her panties match her bra? Have you even noticed her bra before? Would you like to? What does she sleep in, satin or flannel? Are you about to go on a romantic getaway or a holiday date night? Does she ask you how she looks after dressing up for an event? What colour does she often wear? Or is she always wearing black or grey?
Something nice to wear under your clothing goes a long way in helping a woman’s confidence flow on the outside and the proper fit can lift and curve a figure giving her the fresh new appearance that will leave her friends and family asking what her new weight loss secrets are. There are a lot of questions you can ask yourself before picking out the perfect gift of lingerie or pajamas and yes, if you have been paying attention, this process will be a lot easier. Saying that, if you know deep down that you have not been listening, you are not alone and we are here to help. Whether this thoughtful gift is all about ‘you’ or all about ‘her,’ a nice note to accompany the gift, to explain why you chose this item, will earn you some major brownie points and increase the thoughtfulness tenfold. Even if you have selected a gift certificate, accompany it with another one for a date night out and write a letter to tell her to surprise you with something fabulous and how excited you are to see it on her beautiful body.
Don’t worry about this being a lastminute gift or stocking stuffer. With our exceptional service and attention to detail, this purchase will be in very good hands and you will come out looking like you had it all under control from the beginning! So many questions, right?! Don’t worry, if you can answer one or two, you are well on your way to picking a perfect gift. Or? Just say help, and we will take it from there! We at Fashion Foundations strive to cater to every age and body type. We educate on sizing while making your shopping experience fun and for the men…painless, right down to the gift wrapping! You won’t need to guess, because if she is already a customer here, we know her history, her taste and her size! Once we know the answers to some of these questions above, we can help supply you with the wow factor present or help to fill in the gaps on your stocking stuffer list. We look forward to seeing you in the store and wish you and yours a very merry holiday season.
A few original gift ideas Min Ma 9x12 “Fall”, Rod Charlesworth 14x11 “The Northern Way”, Louise Lauzon 8x10 “On the Ice” #9 3045 Tutt Street Kelowna
www.tuttartgalleries.ca
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
Sorry I couldn’t wrap your present, but I bought you a moose! By The Canadian Press As Canadians focus on the upcoming holiday season and consider shopping for gifts the Nature Conservancy of Canada is trying to relieve the pressure and stress. For shoppers looking for practical items to give the nature lovers on their list, NCC has you covered. NCC is launching its 22nd annual Gifts of Canadian Nature. The alternative gift-giving program, offers shoppers a chance to plan meaningful gifts for their loved ones while also helping to help conserve critical habitat for native Canadian species. It’s the perfect gift this holiday season. “These are great gifts for anyone on your list, especially the nature lover and the outdoor enthusiast,” said Aaron Bilyea, Director of
Marketing, Nature Conservancy of Canada. “Here is a way for people to ensure the gifts they give and receive are unique and memorable. We are offering green ideas to conserve habitat for many species, while saving people time and frustration. Avoid mall line ups, buy local and help the Nature Conservancy of Canada care for our natural spaces and wildlife.” The on-line catalogue makes it easy. Choose from one of nine different species you would like to symbolically protect. Your symbolic gift will help the Nature Conservancy of Canada protect our country’s natural spaces and the species they sustain. Native species available this year include: wolf, swift fox, snowy owl, moose, Canada lynx, American badger, and bald eagle. With any
purchase of a Gift of Canadian Nature, you will receive a package that includes a full-colour certificate, an impressive 2017 Nature Conservancy of Canada wall calendar showcasing some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, and an eight-page booklet about the species of your choice. New this year, is a paperless gift option. Gifts range from $40.00 to $1,000.00. Charitable tax receipts are issued for all gift purchases. Learn more at www.giftsofnature.ca or by calling toll-free 1-800-465-8005. Facts: A member of the weasel family, the American badger is equipped with extremely long front paws for digging dens and burrows. The subspecies found in British Columbia and Ontario are endangered, and thought to contain between 100 and 200 individuals. — Among the largest birds of prey and one of the largest birds in North America, the bald eagle currently enjoys a healthy population across its range. But 40 years ago this species faced extinction in some parts of Canada.
Gift Continued from page 12
What are they passionate about? What would make their lives easier or more fun? It’s an exercise in empathy that takes us out of ourselves and brings us closer to the people we love. The ultimate gifts are the ones that are unexpected. They’re something the recipients wouldn’t think of or buy for themselves. They can surprise and delight. This is why “gift guides” that magazines and websites like to feature are ultimately disappointing. There’s no one-size-fits-all good gift. The shiny chef’s knife that would be nirvana for a budding cook would be a horrible gift for someone who stores books in the oven. On the other hand, who would think an old, battered lunchbox would be a good gift? Yet a friend of mine counts that as one of her best. Her husband searched thrift stores,
The Canadian Press
— More than 80 per cent of all funds raised by NCC go directly to on-the-ground conservation work. — For the seventh year in a row, NCC has been ranked the top environmental charity on MoneySense magazine’s Charity 100 list. About: The Nature Conservancy
of Canada is Canada’s leading notfor-profit private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain. Since 1962, NCC has helped to protect 2.8 million acres (more than 1.1 million hectares) across the country.
vintage shops and auction sites for months to find the lunchpail she loved, and lost, in childhood. Money just complicates matters. Do we budget or splurge? For the thrifty, getting a great deal on an awesome gift is the holy grail. Too often, though, the bargain isn’t awesome, and the awesome is no bargain. I’m not great at gift-giving, but I’m trying to get better. I’m learning to splurge more often, because I’d rather delight the people I love than fritter money away on other stuff that brings less joy. I also pay attention to the people around me who are good givers. Here’s what they have in common: —They listen and take notes. Some of the best gift-givers keep a running list of ideas in a notebook or on their smartphone. —They consult. Friends and loved ones can be a great source of ideas, plus they can let you know what the recipient already has. —They don’t wait for Black Friday. It’s more likely to stumble
across a great gift the other 11 months of the year. —They don’t just give stuff. Experiences bring more happiness than possessions, research shows. —They fail sometimes. Selecting a gift means taking a risk, and no one gets it right every time. Early in our marriage, my husband, who normally is an excellent gift-giver, gave me a waffle iron. I hadn’t even fully unwrapped the present before I blurted out, “We’re going to nip this in the bud.” (A note to spouses everywhere: Don’t give anything with a plug unless it’s been specifically requested. Even then, think twice.) Speaking of specific requests, those of us who aren’t great giftgivers still have one great option: wish lists. We don’t get the thrill of the out-of-the-park hit, but at least we listened. What if the other person really wants gift cards? By all means, give them. But we shouldn’t give up on trying to find real gifts for the people we love.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
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Make room for dense, sweet stollen By The Associated Press
Jeweled breads, studded with candied fruits and nuts, are hallmarks of the Christmas holiday, traditions brought by European immigrants as they settled across the United States. Fruitcake, panettone, and julekake are favourites, but for many, the Christmas stollen is king. Christmas stollen, known in Germany as Christollen, is a rich, dense, sweet bread filled with dried fruit, candied citrus peel,
marzipan or almond paste, and nuts. It hails from the city of Dresden, Germany, where it was first produced in the late 1500s. Stollen is enjoyed throughout the year, but at the holidays, it is loaded with more fruits and nuts, items that were historically only available through importation from Italy, and therefore very expensive. Christmas stollen is rich in history, and in Germany, the recipe and ratio of ingredients is considered an important matter of tradition.
CHRISTMAS STOLEN Start to finish: 11 hours (Active time: 30 minutes) Makes 2 loaves, each 8-10 servings 1 cup golden raisins 1 tablespoon candied lemon peel 1 tablespoon candied orange peel (see note) 2 tablespoons dark rum 1 1/2 cups bread flour (divided use) 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk, warmed (about 80 degrees F) 2 1/2 teaspoons (1 packet) instant dry yeast 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1 tablespoon almond paste 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon citrus zest (lemon, orange, or a combination of both) 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon ground clove 1/2 cup whole blanched almonds 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 cups sugar (or vanilla sugar), for rolling The day before preparing the bread, combine the raisins, lemon peel, orange peel, and rum in a small bowl. Cover and rest at room temperature overnight. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine 3/4 cup bread flour, milk and yeast. Mix on medium speed until a dough forms, about 4 minutes. Depending on the size of your mixer, you may need to hand-knead the dough for a moment, just to incorporate all of the dry ingredients. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside to rest in a warm place (ideally around 75 degrees F) until doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Uncover the bowl and add the remaining flour. Add the butter, almond paste, sugar, salt, zest, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and clove. Mix on medium-high speed, scraping the bowl as needed, until the mixture is smooth, but still slightly sticky, about 6 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and rest in a warm environment until nearly doubled in size, about 35 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl and gently pat into a flat circle. Add the almonds to the soaked raisin mix-
Though stollen tradition runs deep, there are many variations, and ingredients can be substituted to suit your tastes. Our recipe offers a simplified version that will mimic the shape of a classic Christmas stollen, without the anxiety of a 600-year tradition. Stollen is not difficult to make, but it is also not a quick holiday recipe; much of the experience is in the time it takes to create it. Like any bread, there is a good deal of waiting time, but none more challenging than the aging
ture and spread on top of the dough. Gently fold the sides of the dough over the raisins, to enclose them in the mixture. Continue to fold the dough over itself until the raisins and almonds are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and rest for an additional 10 minutes. Transfer the dough to a clean work surface. Divide into two equal pieces, and use the side of your hand to lightly round the dough into balls against your counter. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Working with one piece of dough at a time, use your hands to gently flatten the dough into a rough square. Fold the first top third of the dough toward the centre of the square, and then again toward the bottom, forming a loose cylinder. Using the palms of your hands, roll the dough into a log that is about 7 inches long. With the dough parallel to the edge of counter, place a rolling pin in the centre of the dough and gently roll upwards, to flatten the top half of the dough (until it is about 3/4-inch thick). Fold the top of the dough toward the centre, to meet the thicker, bottom portion of dough. Press it down lightly with the side of your hand to seal the seam, and transfer to a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the second piece of dough. Rest the dough, uncovered, until it has puffed up slightly, about 30 minutes. Transfer to the oven and bake until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a rack to cool slightly. When the bread is still hot, but cool enough to handle, brush each loaf with melted butter. Roll in sugar and return to a cooling rack until fully cooled. You can serve the bread now, or, for a fuller flavour, wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 weeks. Note: If you cannot find candied citrus peel in your grocery store, you can substitute an equal amount of another dried fruit, like dark raisins, dried cranberries, or dried currants. Nutrition information per serving: 252 calories; 108 calories from fat; 12 g fat (6 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 24 mg cholesterol; 130 mg sodium; 35 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 24 g sugar; 3 g protein.
process. Once your stollen is baked (and after it has filled your home with the smell of Christmas), it should be left to cool, then wrapped tightly and rested for three weeks. Before mixing the dough, we soak our dried fruits in rum or other spirits. Later, while the bread ages, that flavourful liquid soaks into the bread, providing its characteristic richness and depth of flavour. If you don’t have the time to age the bread, don’t despair — it will still be delicious. Next year, you can add it to your after-Thanksgiving tradition, and your stollen will be ready just in time to unwrap with your other Christmas gifts.
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017 - 7 PM KELOWNA COMMUNITY THEATRE
Stollen
MAKES A S GREAT CHRISTMA GIFT
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