Gift Guide

Pointers for Procrastinators

Last-minute holiday shopping tips

The Art of the Gift Return How to navigate return policies

Gift a Subscription Monthly subscriptions offer much more than magazines

Friday, December 9, 2016

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Friday, December 9, 2016

Harrisonburg, Va.

Give The Gift Of A Subscription Story by SHELBY MERTENS / DN-R

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or those who love getting mail and find the element of surprise thrilling, the gift of a subscription service will bring a smile to their face on Christmas morning.

Purchasing a subscription these days doesn’t necessarily mean buying a subscription to People Magazine. Monthly subscriptions for goods ranging from makeup to jewelry, goodies for your pets and even family meals can be shipped to your front door.

Millennials, in particular, have taken to the subscription trend as a convenient way of receiving goods with a click of a button and without having to step foot in a store. It’s a simple gift that will save you the time and hassle of rummaging through store after store for the perfect gift.

Here’s seven suggestions based on an array of interests. You can find a subscription service for just about anything these days.

Birchbox For that loved one who’s obsessed with makeup tutorials on YouTube, you can buy them a subscription to receive five high-end beauty products from brands like Smashbox, Marcelle, philosophy and Oribe, each month for only $10 with free shipping. You can purchase subscriptions in either three-month, six-month or 12-month increments.

Birchbox Cou

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Birchbox also has a subscription service for men in which a box of four grooming supplies and style accessories are mailed monthly. A three month subscription is $60 or $110 for six months.

Fandom Of The Month Ideal for that special someone who geeks out over “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars,” or “Dr. Who.” A subscription will get them three to four pieces of jewelry inspired by popular fandoms each month, which the club keeps a surprise. Items include necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, pins and keychains that arrive in a muslin drawstring bag with a handmade screen printed design. You can pay $13 month-to-month, but for giving as a gift, a three month’s subscription can be purchased for $36, $66 for six months and

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$120 for a year.

SnackCrate Not everyone has the means to travel around the world, but you can help bring a taste of the world to their doorstep.

SnackCrate allows you to choose a different size crate that will hold four, eight or 16 snacks. You get to pick the first country. They’ll receive snacks from countries like Australia, Germany, France, U.K., Brazil, Japan and Sweden. A mini crate is $4 for the first and $14 thereafter. The medium size crate is $16 for the first one and $26 subsequently. The premium crate is $39 initially and $49 thereafter.

Mouth.com Bless your boyfriend, brother or father

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box

with a monthly bottle of Bourbon courtesy of Mouth.com. They’ll get a bottle of Bourbon from a different craft distiller each month. But this subscription is a bit pricey: $222 for three months, $414 for six months or $576 for nine months, and so on.

Sock Club Everyone needs socks. Everyone loves socks, right? Sock Club is a subscription service that sends a new pair of colorfully designed socks each month. It’s a great gift for that quirky friend of yours who loves wearing different styles of socks. Sizes are available for adult men and women, and girls and boys. It’s $12 per month, $36 for three months, $72 for six months or $132 for a year. The socks are made in America and come wrapped perfectly. They’ll never run out of socks again.

Harrisonburg, Va.

If you know a person, or a family, who hates cooking, a Blue Apron subscription could be a lifesaver.

Cooking is not everyone’s forte, but you’ve got to put food on the table. A Blue Apron subscription is also ideal for a young person who wants to curb their restaurant habit. Blue Apron says it sends “farmfresh” produce, “sustainably-sourced seafood,” and meat that has no added hormones. You can choose between a two-person plan or a family plan. Some of the menu items include roast turkey with cranberry sauce, fried catfish, cavatelli pasta, Italian wedding soup and sweet potato, kale and mushroom gratin. Three recipes per week for two serving meals cost $59.94 a week or $69.92 for two recipes per week serving four people.

Four meals per week for four people is $139.84. The plans can be personalized to a person’s dietary preferences. Blue Apron will also send you six wines a month for $65.99, or $10 per bottle.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Blue Apron

Fruit Of The Month Club If you’re looking for something local, look no further than Turkey Knob Growers in Timberville.

The orchard has a subscription service so you or a loved one can receive a different type of apple or fruit each month, from gold delicious, red Gala to Fuji in either 10 pound or 20 pound boxes. The service cost $25 for 10 pound boxes or $39 for 20 pound boxes each month.

Contact Shelby Mertens at 574-6274, @DNR_smertens or smertens@dnronline.com

Courtesy of Blue Apron

Blue Apron

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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Make Holiday Shopping Excursions Special

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s they fulfill the social obligations of the holiday season, many people find themselves spending less time at home. Consumer Reports notes that individuals spend a great deal of time shopping for gifts come the holiday season.

Americans engage in 15 hours of shopping on average, with women spending twice as long as their male counterparts (20 hours versus 10). In addition, the average person devotes 10 or more hours to wrapping and returning gifts.

Holiday shopping can monopolize people’s time away from home during the months of November and December, and some shoppers wonder how they become so disconnected from other activities, including family time, that they cherish throughout the rest of the year. One way to tackle holiday shopping without sacrificing time

with family and friends is to make holiday shopping a social event.

Invite friends or family along. Recreate the days of your youth when it was fun to meet friends at the mall and scour the shops. Plan a meeting location and have an itinerary in place. Divide shopping lists so that everyone shares the task of shopping and fatigue doesn’t set in prematurely.

Make lunch or dinner part of the day.

Incorporate refueling into your shopping plans. Failure to eat or drink can lead to hunger pangs and test shoppers’ patience, two factors that are seldom conducive to successful shopping. Having an end goal to meet friends or family at a nearby restaurant — even a dining location right within the mall — can inspire intrepid shoppers to get their work done promptly. Reward yourself for a job well done over a tasty meal and

Holiday shopping can be even more fun when it takes place with a group of girlfriends.

maybe a cocktail. Just be sure to indulge responsibly.

Break up the day with a flick. Many malls also play home to movie theaters. Plan your shopping around the movie schedule so you can take a two-hour break to rest and relax in the theater. Chances are you’ll come out of the film relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your shopping list.

Make it a date night. The thought of shopping may not conjure up ideas of

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romance, but if time is short, couples can use shopping excursions as an opportunity to spend time together. Visit a coffee shop or a bar for a nightcap afterward and enjoy some one-on-one time. Parents can enlist the help of a babysitter to keep children entertained while they enjoy some uninterrupted time with each other.

Shopping fills the days leading to the holidays. Make the most of such excursions by inviting friends and family along.

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Friday, December 9, 2016

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How to Navigate Return Policies

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some retailers only offer non-receipt refunds that are equivalent to the lowest recent sale price.

Consumers can arm themselves with this information and take a proactive approach to holiday shopping.

Visit the customer service desk and ask for the complete return and exchange policy. Study the policy to understand how exchanges or refunds are handled.

Think about purchases before making them, which may cut down on the number of exchanges or returns necessary.

Keep all receipts in a safe place. Opt for emailed receipts whenever possible, as such receipts may be easier to catalog and less likely to go missing.

Ask for gift receipts if you are uncertain if the gift recipient will like the gift or you aren’t sure on sizing or fit. Attach this receipt to a

tag so it does not get lost during wrapping.

Visit the return desk during off-peak hours, such as dinnertime or early in the morning, when employees will be less harried and better able to work with you on facilitating exchanges.

Make purchases on store credit cards or other credit cards. Doing so may make the purchases easier to track Be sure to understand a store’s return and exchange if the receipt goes missing. policy before making a holiday gift purchase.

Shop at retailers with notoriously Returns and exchanges are a part of holiday good return policies.

Money giving. Consumers who educate themselves magazine and GOBankingRates say that Nordstrom; L.L. Bean; Bed, on stores’ return policies can make the Bath & Beyond; JC Penney; and Costco holiday season easier for themselves and their have the most generous return policies. loved ones.

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he holiday season is rife with merriment and gift-giving. Shoppers flock to stores in an effort to find the ideal gifts for everyone on their lists. While shoppers hope the presents they select will be well-liked, many know that not every gift will be the perfect fit.

It’s in shoppers’ best interests to familiarize themselves with store return policies to avoid being stuck with unwanted purchases or losing money on exchanges. Knowledge of store policies also is useful information to pass on to gift recipients, so that they will be able to realize the full benefit of their gifts should something need to be replaced.

Shoppers who anticipate a loved one returning their gift would be wise to always include a gift receipt with gifts. Some stores offer only store credit to people who return gifts without receipts, while others may not allow non-receipt returns at all. In addition,

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Friday, December 9, 2016

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Tips

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oliday shopping season typically begins the day after Thanksgiving and extends all the way to Christmas Eve. While that’s a considerable amount of time for shoppers to find gifts for everyone on their shopping list, many people will still find themselves putting holiday shopping off until the last minute.

In certain ways, last-minute holiday shopping is easier than ever. Thanks to online retailers who can ship products overnight, men and women who delay their holiday shopping have more options at their disposal than they did before the arrival of the Internet. And unlike the days of yore when the best deals were largely exclusive

Gift Ideas for Last-Minute Shoppers Early bird shoppers may purchase and even wrap gifts before December, but eleventh-hour shoppers may need some help come the holiday season. For those last-minute folks, there still are plenty of ways to ensure your shopping list is checked off. The following gifts are quick to purchase and can still make for thoughtful presents.

Liquor or wine basket: Prepackaged spirits often come with decorative glasses and other accoutrements for entertaining. What’s more, they’re convenient to purchase if you’re on a time crunch.

Fueling station gift card: Drivers will appreciate a gift card to their favorite fueling station. Such cards suit anyone who has a car and frequently travels or commutes.

Food basket: A visit to the supermarket or a convenience center can yield many tasty finds that can be packaged together into a gift basket. Pair foods with a gift card to that retailer.

Streaming service: Offer to treat a loved one to a month or two of their favorite streaming television or movie service. If they already have streaming subscriptions, offer to cover the cost of the subscription for a few months.

Premade gifts: Don’t overlook your local pharmacy as a place to find convenient gifts.

Look for unique items in the seasonal aisle, where you might be able to find stockingstuffer toiletries or cosmetic gifts that suit several people on your shopping list.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Harrisonburg, Va.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Tips to Black Friday, some shoppers find that competition between online retailers and traditional brick-and-mortar stores is so great that deals can be found regardless of when they begin shopping. But while waiting until the last minute to begin holiday shopping may not be as risky as it used to be, shoppers may still benefit by sticking to certain strategies so they can find the perfect gifts without breaking the bank.

Stay within your budget. Even lastminute shoppers have holiday shopping budgets. But it can be harder for lastminute shoppers to stick to their budgets because they have less time to comparison shop and hunt for deals. As the holiday shopping season winds down, resist the temptation to go over budget. If a gift you had in mind is available but more than you can spend, look for something else.

Overspending on holiday shopping in December is a recipe for debt in January, and no shopper wants to begin the new year weighed down by consumer debt.

Shop local. National chains and big box retailers are renowned for rolling out great deals during the holiday season, but such stores may have very limited or unimpressive inventory left by the time last-minute shoppers begin shopping.

Local retailers are often incapable of slashing prices as significantly as their larger competitors, and that may mean they have more extensive inventories available throughout the holiday shopping season. In addition, shoppers who stick with local retailers won’t have to pay shipping costs to ensure items arrive on time.

Shop during off-peak hours. Shopping during off-peak hours can help last-minute shoppers make efficient use of the limited time they have to buy gifts for their loved ones. Visit stores early in the morning or late at night, or schedule a midweek afternoon shopping trip so you aren’t spending what little time you have left waiting on lines or hunting for parking.

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Give something less traditional. Holiday gifts need not come from stores. Rather than spending their time shopping for gifts for loved ones who seemingly have it all, last-minute shoppers can give the gift of a donation in their loved one’s name. Last-minute shoppers who want to give something more tangible can create a homemade gift that’s both unique and

heartfelt. If your DIY skills are lacking, give a loved one the gift of a night out on the town at your expense.

Shoppers who wait until the end of the holiday shopping season to begin their searches for holiday gifts can still find great gifts without going broke.

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to e d i u G r o f g n i shopp

tech s ft i g

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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 record-setting 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.

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 ageappropriate. 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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Friday, December 9, 2016

How to Make Gift Wrapping Easier

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hile holiday shoppers are often enthusiastic about finding great gifts for their loved ones, many are decidedly less excited about wrapping those gifts. Many holiday shoppers spend hours wrapping gifts each year, and as gift lists grow, so does the amount of time needed to get all of those presents wrapped, hidden, packaged and/or shipped. Shoppers can employ the following strategies to make the process go much more smoothly and to reduce gift wrap-related anxiety.

Relearn the basics. Some people may think they know how to wrap gifts, only to realize it’s harder than it looks once the paper, scissors and Scotch tape comes out. Relearn the basics by viewing online tutorials prior to wrapping gifts so the lessons learned remain fresh in your mind. Learn how to wrap standard clothing gift boxes and recognize that such boxes can often be used to house oddly-shaped items.

Wrap as you buy. Instead of getting bogged down with wrapping all in one evening, wrap presents as you purchase them. This ensures that you don’t leave everything for the last

minute and reduces the likelihood that curious kids or inquisitive spouses discover gifts before the big day.

Work on a hard surface. It may be tempting to lay everything out on your bed and wrap gifts while you’re binge-watching the latest Netflix series. But hard surfaces make the best places to wrap gifts. This ensures there won’t be any wrinkles in the paper and that you won’t lose supplies in the bedspread.

Rely on double-sided tape.

For that professional look, invest in some double-sized tape so you will not have any unsightly tape lines.

Keep all of your supplies together. Store wrapping paper, scissors, tags, tape, ribbons, and whatever else you may need to wrap gifts in one convenient location. This cuts down on time wasted hunting for supplies around the house.

Draw on plain gift boxes. Make your own “wrapped gifts” by drawing or stenciling on plain gift boxes if you’re short on time.

Identify recipients by gift wrap. Designate one gift wrap for each person on your

shopping list. This way you can easily distinguish one person’s gifts from another’s.

This can keep things more organized when sorting and visiting with friends and relatives later on.

Keep gift bags on hand. Gift bags work in a pinch and make it easy to conceal gifts that are hard to wrap. Curious loved ones can easily peak inside gift bags, so be sure to wrap gifts in tissue paper before placing them in the bags.

Less is usually more. Do not use too much paper when wrapping; otherwise, you will be left with bulky, sloppy folds. Before trimming the gift wrap from the roll, check that it overlaps the ends of the box by just a couple of inches. A sturdy paper will help you achieve crisper folds and prevent tears when wrapping. For the simplest wrapping design, try kraft paper (brown mailing paper), which can be dressed up with ribbons, cutouts or stamps.

The process of wrapping holiday gifts can go more smoothly when applying some timetested tips and tricks.

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Stocking Stuffers for athletes

and sports enthusiasts

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ifts 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

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Harrisonburg, Va.

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 include 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

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Friday, December 9, 2016

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.

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Harrisonburg, Va.

Service Gifts Can Be Unique, Relaxing

By ALEDA JOHNSON Daily News-Record

When hunting for the perfect gift for a loved one during the holiday season, a lot of focus is put on material things.

But this year, maybe it would be better to step outside the box — literally — and give that special someone something they can’t buy for themselves: “Me time.”

Be it relaxation, pampering or just checking something off their to-do list, everyone is in need of some downtime.

Stress from everyday tasks like working long hours and maneuvering rush hour traffic are compounded during a hectic season of braving shopping malls, cooking for small armies and shoveling heaps of snow.

The American Psychological Association found in a study that while 78 percent of participants often felt happiness and love during the holidays, 61 percent also expressed feelings of stress and 68 percent often felt fatigue.

To combat the negative feelings, below are four ways you can give someone the gift of warm fuzzies and relaxation.

Spa Services When thinking relaxation, usually the first thing that pops into your head is a day spent wrapped in a fluffy, white robe with cucumbers adorning your eyes. Gift certificates for a massage, facial or pedicure can be just what the doctor ordered.

Local spas such as The Healing Touch Wellness Spa & Laser Center and Blue-

MetroCreative

stone Bodyworks in Harrisonburg offer massages for between $30 and $100, depending on the length. Anti-Aging, exfoliating and aromatherapy facials can range from $45 to $75, and body scrubs and wraps go for between $55 and $85. Bonus points for playing taxi to the giftee before and after their appointment. To schedule an appointment, call The Healing Touch at 434-8892 or Bluestone Bodyworks at 434-5000. For those who can’t afford to

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drop $100 for a gift, bring the spa home with new nail polish, body scrub or the latest trend in Korean skincare, the sheet mask. Sheet masks can be purchased at most beauty retailers for between $4 and $15 a pop, focusing on acne relief, anti-aging or moisturizing.

Salon Services Starting in the fall, planning for the holidays can be time consuming. Everyone has that one aunt or cousin who is making Halloween costumes, scheduling family plans for Thanksgiving, navigating shopping crowds, wrapping presents and visiting Santa and before they know it, their roots are showing and their cuticles need some major TLC. Gift them a trip to the salon to catch up on grooming.

The Studio Hair Salon & Day Spa and Foilz Hair Studio in Harrisonburg offer an array of shampoo, cut, style, color and chemical treatments to get your loved one

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Friday, December 9, 2016

feeling glam again. Haircuts at Foilz start at $20 and go up with an added shampoo or style. Color services start at $60 and go up depending on how much color is done and hair length and thickness.

The Studio is a teaching salon, so services vary depending on the expertise of your stylist. For a Level 1 stylist, color can start at $28 and cuts can start at $25. But for the experience of a Level 4A, color can start at $54 and cuts can start at $50. To schedule an appointment, call The Studio at 434-8188 and Foilz at 4336459.

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After the final present has been opened, the final slice of apple pie consumed and the family has all left, the house can look like a whirlwind of filth. Schedule a carpet cleaning through Green Solutions Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning in Harrisonburg or a full home cleanse by Merry Maids in Weyers Cave to get everything back in it’s place. Green Solutions uses environmentally-safe cleaning products to clean, carpet and area rugs, including spot removal, odor control and pet stains. Merry Maids attacks the biggest problem areas in homes, in-

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405 N. Main St., Bridgewater, Va. • (540) 828-4949 • Mon.-Sat. 10-5 • Plenty Off Street Parking

cluding kitchens, bathrooms and even specialty cleaning such as appliances, windows and walls. Price estimates for Merry Maids depend on the size of the home, frequency of cleaning, number of pets, level of clutter and the floor surfaces. To receive an estimate, call Green Solutions at 705-6171 or Merry Maids at 296-4062.

Home Care Perhaps seasonal stress revolves around Aunt Marge’s rose bushes or whether Grandpa Jerry will be able to clear the driveway of snow.

J&J Landscaping in Harrisonburg and Paradise Landscapes in Harrisonburg offer lawn maintenance, tree cutting, flower planting, mulching and leaf and snow removal to alleviate outdoor stresses.

J&J typically charges $100 an hour for residential snow removal, but will stop by your home for an estimate. For an estimate, call J&J Landscaping at 335-2755 or Paradise Landscapes at 908-1415. Too pricey to pay for the services for a loved one? Lend some of your own time to shovel a sidewalk or pull some weeds.

Contact Aleda Johnson at 574-6275, @DNR_ajohnson or ajohnson@dnronline.com

GREAT GIFTS ARE ALWAYS IN STOCK!

“Selling

451 University Blvd. (near Costco)

(540) 433-2359

www.KatesNaturalProducts.com HOURS: MON –SAT 9AM –6PM CLOSED SUNDAY

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• Quality Supplements • Essential Oils & Diff users • Gift Cards Local Items: • Wine • Coffee • Honey • Maple Syrup “Still the Best for Quality, Service, & Value”

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Friday, December 9, 2016

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Harrisonburg, Va.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Harrisonburg, Va.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Select Educational Gifts for Children When shopping for holiday gifts for children, shoppers can easily be overwhelmed by the many toys, electronics, apparel and other items available for kids. Those who may not be up-to-date on the latest trends may even find shopping for kids a bit like solving a difficult puzzle.

While some shoppers may want to get kids the flashiest toy, others may prefer gifts that are both fun and mentally stimulating. Developmental toys and educational games for kids make for popular gifts. Toy and game manufacturers continue to develop products that integrate logic, reasoning, language stimulation, and motor skill development. Shoppers looking for fun, educational toys and games for the kids on their shopping lists have a host of items to choose from.

Building blocks: Blocks that enable children to design and construct are popular among youngsters of various ages. Blocks come in many different forms, from early education wooden blocks that fill nursery floors to the more intricate, interlocking building sets that are coveted by older children.

STEM toys: Some of the latest trends in children’s toys veer away from regular video games and apps and cater to the rising interest

in STEM. STEM is an acronym for science, technology and math. Early introduction to STEM-related skills can pay dividends later in life, considering students who have an emphasis on STEM knowledge are highly coveted among employers. STEM toys may include robotbuilding kits, toys that help young learners test the boundaries of physics, apps that help kids learn computer programing, and even scientific experiment kits that illustrate cause and effect.

Sensory toys: Young children can benefit from toys that stimulate the senses. Items to consider include water toys, sands (including the newer kinetic varieties), playdoughs, musical instruments, and bubbles. Even food-related toys, such as those that encourage baking or cooking, will appeal to various senses and can help kids learn valuable skills.

Imaginative play toys: Imaginative play is an effective way to stimulate creative thinking and may help children become better learners.

The Creativity Institute, specializing in toys for creative play, says playing is important to children and the way they practice growing up.

According to an article by Dr. Scott Kaufman that appeared in Psychology Today, “Systematic research has increasingly demonstrated a series of clear benefits of children’s engagement in

FOR HIM • Spotlight with color filters • Alkaline Battery Bonus Pack with Kyle Bush Matchbox Car • Interstate All Battery Hat

pretend games from the ages of about two and one half through ages six or seven.” Dress-up toys, puppets, dolls, action figures, and toys that mimic real-life activities are all examples of products that promote imaginative play.

Educational toys can be included on holiday gifting lists. Not only will they encourage children to play and have fun, but they’ll serve as building blocks to a lifetime of learning as well.

BUY AN EXCALIBUR CROSSBOW, get a FREE bow case OR C2 crank, your choice

FREE Accessory Package with any Traditional Recurve or Long Bow Purchase

$10 OFF Any WileyX sunglasses

PSE Momentum Bow Package $399 (regularly $599)

Prices good December 1-31, 2016; in stock only.

340 Mason Street Dayton, Va. 540-879-2705

www.heartlandoutfittersva.com Monday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-3, Closed Sunday

Gift Certificates • Lots of Trapping Supplies

Merry Christmas Best wishes for a

and a Happy New Year

$25.00 Retails for $43.97

Open Now – Dec 18TH Find something special for everyone on your list – all up to 90% off retail prices

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 10TH 10AM – 1PM

FOR HER • Nebo Pink Work Light • Lumore Key Chain Light • Alkaline Battery Bonus Pack with Kyle Bush Matchbox Car • Interstate All Battery Hat

$25.00 Retails for $38.96

540-209-9837

1645 Reservoir Street, Suite 160 Harrisonburg Forbes Crossing Shopping Center

540-941-1025

1702 Jefferson Hwy., Fishersville

We’re just off I-81 at exit 240, turn east, 1.5 miles.

HOURS Mon. – Thurs.

10AM – 5PM

Fri. – Sat. 10AM – 6PM

Sun. NOON – 5PM

2192 Green Valley Ln., Mt. Crawford, VA 22841

GoBookFair.com

800.385.0099

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Friday, December 9, 2016

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Harrisonburg, Va.