DESIGN BY ANNA N. YANG
Holiday gift guide
Voted by Gwinnett Magazine’s readers as one of the Best of Gwinnett 2015 11/26/15 thru 01/2/2015 and get a Gift Card up to $100 back. Spend $500 and get a Free Tablet. And, if that doesn’t get you excited, Gwinnett Place Mall is randomly giving away gift cards and gifts during our
Voted by Gwinnett Magazine’s readers as one of the Best of Gwinnett 2015, Gwinnett
Place
Mall is ready to offer you the best shopping experience
for
the
holiday season! Macy’s, Sears,
Foot
Locker,
to make your shopping
25
more enjoyable. And
Kindness-Customer
speaking of enjoyment,
Appreciation Month.
Gwinnett Place Mall is decked out and ready to kick off the season with
the
arrival
of
Santa on December 21, block buster deals on Black gifts
Friday, from
unique
our
businesses
Bath & Body Works are
Business
just a few of our stores
AND our Bonus Back
offering special sales
program - spend $100
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We
feel
Acts
of
Gwinnett
Place Mall is one of the best...and we hope you do as well.v
Happy Shopping at Gwinnett Place Mall
local
Victoria’s Secret and
on
Random
Small
Saturday,
2100 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth, GA 30096 | www.shopgwinnettmall.com
2 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
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www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 3
Holiday gift guide
3 Great Reasons to Give Homemade Gifts 2
sonal. But in lieu of tradiHomemade gifts tional store-bought gifts, won’t break the shoppers stuck on what bank. to buy should consider the many great reasons Holiday shoppers workto give homemade gifts. ing on tight budgets likely won’t have to break the Homemade gifts bank to create a homemade show your loved gift. The Internet is a great resource for inexpensive one how much they mean to you. homemade gift ideas. Nearly every holiday shopper has at least You can control Gift cards are pracone person on their list tical, but they rarely quality with who seemingly has ev- elicit the warm feelings homemade gifts. erything. When shop- holiday shoppers want ping for such loved ones, their gifts to produce. Store-bought items are shoppers often find the A homemade gift will not always of the highest perfect gift to be espe- show your loved one quality, and no shopper cially elusive. that you put time and wants to give a gift that
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3
While gift cards are a go-to fallback option when shopping for the person who has it all, many gift givers feel such cards are a tad too imper-
effort into making their holiday season special, and that’s something they will appreciate when they use or see the gift.
falls apart within a few days. By creating the gift yourself, you can ensure it’s made with the highest quality materials so it will withstand the test of time.
4 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Holiday gift guide
Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt is a Dazzling Theatrical Experience for the Entire Family Coming to Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Dec. 12 & 13 Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy guide audiences on a journey through the timeless tales of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast
DEC. 12 & 13
COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE 339485
Buy Tickets: ticketmaster.com • 800-745-3000 • Venue Box Office Groups of 10 or more, call 770-578-5125 DisneyLive.com #DisneyLive 290297-1
Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales begins when Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy embark on an unexpected quest and find a magical storybook hidden in Mickey’s attic. Upon discovery the four pals curiously turn the pages and discover Snow White as she searches for her one true love, Cinderella getting ready for her magical night at the ball and Belle as she finds happiness in the most unusual place. Along the way, the audience will be invited to join in on the fun by solving clues, clapping along and singing time-honored songs, such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, Heigh Ho and Be Our Guest. “The interactive nature of this show and the connection the audience will have with real Disney stars is unlike anything we’ve done before,” says Producer Alana Feld. “We wanted to create a show that evokes different emotions and, in the end, leaves moms, dads, kids and even grandparents with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts.” For more information, go to www.feldentertainment.com/threeclassicfairytales or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. . To learn more about Disney Live!, go to www.disneylive.com.
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Tickets On Sale NOW!
When the curtains are drawn back to reveal the all-new stage show experience Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt Yogurt, audiences will find themselves on an enchanted adventure journeying through the awe-inspiring stories of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Mickey, Minnie and more than 25 of their Disney pals make appearances throughout the show where scenes from each story magically come alive to create an unforgettable experience for kids and adults, alike. Produced by Feld Entertainment®, Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales is anchored amidst a transforming set, with captivating choreography, innovative lighting and breathtaking costumes; all created to treat families to an authentically woven tale of “happily ever after.”
www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 5
Holiday gift guide
Holiday Gift Guide Mitsubishi Electric Classic Mitsubishi Gives Electric
Classic Gives Back Back to the to the community community
Give the gift of golf this holiday season by purchasing tickets to the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, an official event on the PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour. This year’s golf tournament will take place the week of April 11-17, 2016 at the prestigious TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, GA. There are a variety of ticket options to choose from with grounds admission starting at just $20 and 2-for-1 Weekly Badges on sale for $55 through January 31st. You could also enjoy a higher order of golf viewing in the groovy Mellow Mushroom Chill Club. Tickets in this open-air tent on the par-three 16th hole include a meal provided by Mellow Mushroom
and one alcoholic beverage or CocaCola product. Be a gift giving hero by purchasing an amateur playing position in the State Bank Pro-Am. Participants in the Pro-Am will have the opportunity of a lifetime as they play alongside a Champions Tour professional. The memories created by playing with the likes of Fred Couples and Tom Watson will not be forgotten. Whether purchasing tickets or gifting a spot in the State Bank ProAm you are doing more than providing a great experience for your family and friends; you are making a difference in the community. Proceeds from the 2016 Mitsubishi Electric Classic will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation. For more information and to purchase visit MitsubishiElectricClassic.com or call 770-232-7872. BENEFITING
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6 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
By Charles DiCkens AdApted By DaviD h. Bell directed By rosemary newCott
This Broadway-scale production will warm your heart whether you’re coming again or for the first time.
Nov. 19–Dec. 27
Holiday gift guide
Family ks Four Pac 9 only $m1o c4ode* with pro
FAMILY
tickets as low as $20 @ 404.733.5000 alliancetheatre.org/christmas
Santa Claus is public enemy #1. When Santa’s gift-giving mania destabilizes the world economy and global warming threatens to reduce Frosty to a puddle, an unlikely duo must team up to save Christmas.
By arlen konopaki And kevin gillese directed By kevin gillese
Nov. 27–Dec. 19
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tickets as low as $15 @ 404.733.5000 alliancetheatre.org/dadsgarage
*Not to be combined with other offers. Offer based upon availability. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Excludes sections A & B.
www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 7
GWINNETT COUNTY CANATHON Infinite Energy Center (formerly Gwinnett Center)
Friday, December 4 5:00am - 1:00pm Drop off your donations ahead of time at:
3699 Buford Drive Buford
1000 University Center Ln. Lawrenceville
293373-1
Gwinnett Daily Post 725 Old Norcross Road, Lawrenceville
8 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Free Lanier Islands’ Magical Nights of Lights or Winter Adventure ticket to the first 100 donating vehicles
Holiday gift guide
Atlanta Ballet to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Artistic Director John McFall’s “Nutcracker” at the Fox Theatre Celebration to be first in series of events to honor McFall before his retirement from the organization in June 2016 When John McFall joined Atlanta Ballet as only its third artistic director in 1994, one of his first orders of business was to create a new “Nutcracker” production for the city of Atlanta. This December, Atlanta Ballet will celebrate the 20th anniversary of McFall’s production, which has not only become an Atlanta Ballet staple, but a centerpiece of the city’s holiday festivities. For more than 35 years prior, Atlanta Ballet had been performing the famed George Balanchine version, making it one of the first in the country to ever present the holiday classic. But despite the long-standing tradition, McFall felt it was important to have a signature production that was reflective of the city’s culture and its people. What he created was a “Nutcracker” that, in his own words, was “traditional yet new, familiar yet different, classic yet contemporary and 290279-1
above all, magical.” Every year since then he has added a special touch to the production in an effort to keep it vibrant and fresh, which over the years has included dancing pink pigs (in tribute to the Rich’s Pink Pig, another Atlanta holiday tradition) falling snow, pyro displays, and even actual magic by famed illusionist Drew Thomas, which remains in the production today. Set in the elaborate Moorish décor of the historic Fox Theatre, this unique production of the beloved “Nutcracker” tale takes 20 pounds of snow, eight tons of scenery, lighting, and props, and a 38-foot-tall Christmas tree to make the magic of Marya’s unbelievable story come to life. Each year, Atlanta Ballet invites more than 200 Atlanta area school children to perform alongside 23 professional company members and four company appren-
tices in this holiday spectacular. “For five decades now, Atlanta Ballet has been presenting Nutcracker, and we’ve become a holiday tradition for many families in Atlanta,” said McFall. “It’s an honor, but also a great responsibility. Each year we want to make sure we preserve the tradition, but also keep the magic and the mystery alive. We are thoughtful about each change we make and confident that it will ultimately make for a more enchanting experience.” “Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker” runs for 19 performances Dec. 11 - 27 at the Fox Theatre. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary, the Company will kick-off of the “Nutcracker” season with a celebratory red carpet opening night, the first in a series of special events to honor McFall and his contributions to the organization before he steps down at the end of the 2015-16 season.
www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 9
Holiday gift guide
Atlanta Monster Jam® Tickets Now Available Don’t miss a minute of the excitement with TWO dates in 2016!
ATLANTA – Oct.19, 2015 – Feld Motor Sports® has announced that tickets for Monster Jam®, the world’s premier Monster Jam truck series, are now on sale. Monster Jam events are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at $20*. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Venue:
Georgia Dome 1 Georgia Dome Dr., Atlanta, GA 30313
Date and Time of Performance:
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 – 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016 – 7 p.m.
Each event will feature sixteen different trucks including Avenger, Crusader, El Toro Loco, Gravedigger, Max D, Monster Energy and Solider Fortune in January; Alien, Gravedigger, Mohawk Warrior, Monster Mutt Rottweiler, Scooby and Son Uva Digger will showcase their talents in March. Approximately 12-feet-tall and about 12-feet-wide, Monster Jam trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, these trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster Jam trucks can fly up to 130 feet over 14 cars side-by-side and up to 35 feet in the air. The Party in the Pits on January 9 and March 5 from 2 – 5 p.m. gives fans the opportunity to get a view of the trucks up close and meet the drivers of the massive Monster Jam trucks. To find out more about Monster Jam, visit www.monsterjam.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter @ MonsterJam. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Members of the media should visit www.feldentertainment.com for more information.
Tickets On Sale Now!
Ticket pricing is subject to change based on market demand.
GEORGIA DOME
JAN. 9 & MAR. 5 Buy Tickets: Ticketmaster.com 800-745-3000 • Venue Box Office
10 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
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326977
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Groups of 10 or more, call 770-578-5125
MONSTERJAM.COM
© 2015 Feld Motor Sports, Inc. Competitors shown are subject to change.
Holiday gift guide
Celebrate the Season at Fernbank Museum
GIVE THE GIFT OF FERNBANK MUSEUM Fernbank Museum of Natural History features several ways to celebrate the holidays! Your family will ooh and aah over two floors beautifully decorated trees in the enchanting Winter Wonderland exhibition, on view November 20 - January 10. Twinkling with lights, glimmering with color and shining with a variety of cultural objects, more than 30 trees and other displays recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events from around the world.
CELEBRATION DAYS Join us every Saturday from November 21 - December 19 for Winter Wonderland Celebration Days. A variety of festive activities will be offered and include live performances-including ballet, theatre and carols-as well as holiday films, hands-on activities and more.
NOON YEAR’S EVE Families are invited to celebrate the New Year well before bedtime on December 31 with a fun daytime party, featuring a kids’ DJ, games and balloon drop at Noon.
Share the joy and wonder of Fernbank Museum this holiday season! Give a gift membership, gift certificate or find the perfect present in the Museum Store. For tickets and details, visit FernbankMuseum.org/Holidays or call 404.929.6300. Fernbank Museum is conveniently located near Emory University. Parking is free. Fernbank Museum will be closed on November 26 and December 25 but will be open during normal business hours throughout the remaining holiday season.
www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 11
Holiday gift guide
How to Approach Your Holiday Spending Many shoppers run into financial trouble come the holiday season when the temptation to overspend on holiday gifts can be tough to resist. But the following are a handful of ways shoppers can stretch their budgets and avoid going broke this holiday season.
Agree to spending limits. Come the holiday season, many people overspend on gifts for their immediate family members. Before shopping season begins, speak with members of your immediate family to discuss spending limits on gifts, agreeing that you each won’t spend more than an agreed upon amount of dollars on gifts
for any one person. Come Start early. to a consensus on a reasonIf your holiday shopable limit and urge family members not to exceed that ping list is long or if you know money will be tight limit no matter what. come the holiday season, begin your holiday shopGo shopping with a ping early. Doing so alplan. lows you to stretch your Visiting the mall or spending out over several a town shopping center months as opposed to without any idea of what several weeks. Shopping you’re looking for is a early also gives you more recipe for overspending. time to comparison shop Put some thought and re- and find the best price. search into your holiday shopping so you aren’t Resist the temptation spending time wandering to put it all on plastic. around and buying on imCredit and debit cards pulse, which can increase your chance of overspend- are more convenient ing. The more thought you than cash, especially now put into your shopping, that you can buy everythe more you can compar- thing from cups of coffee ison shop and find the best to big-ticket items with the swipe of a card. But price for each gift.
cash can be your friend when holiday shopping, especially if you have a history of overspending during the holiday season. Leave cards at home when holiday shopping, spending only the cash you have in your pocket. While this may be a less convenient way to shop than you’ve grown accustomed to, it will save you the grief of large credit card bills come January. Holiday shopping can easily get out of hand. But shoppers who commit to spending only what they can afford before their first shopping trip can make it through the season with their finances intact. 294782-1
Jacks Creek
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM & NURSERY
®
2291 Price Mill Road, Bostwick, GA 30623
$5 OFF TRUE BREW AND HONEST FOOD.
Green Giant • Virginia Pine Leyland Cypress • Cedars Fresh Cut Fraser Firs • Arizona Cypress
Nov. 21st - Dec. 19th, 2015 9:00 am to 5:30 pm 7 days a week!
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Call or visit our website for info on Photos w/Santa!
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Clip this coupon for savings at GB. Valid for 30 days. Void where prohibited by law. No cash value. For promotional purposes only. Not valid towards gift card purchases. One per table. Valid at participating restaurants only. Not valid at airport locations. Alcohol purchase may be prohibited. Not valid with any other offer or discount. No stored value. Must be used in a single visit. A printed copy of this offer or a digital copy via mobile device must be presented to your server to qualify for this discount. Excludes tax and gratuity. Must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol. Promo to 5off20ATL. Offer Expires 1/31/16. 283902-1
12 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
®
www.jackscreekfarm.com • 706.343.1855
Saturday, December 5 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Sunday, December 6 • Noon - 5 p.m. | Infinite Energy Forum (formerly Gwinnett Center) | 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth
Gwinnett Daily Post presents
TWO DAYS OF ONE-STOP HOLIDAY SHOPPING PLUS FAMILY FUN! KIDS 12 $5.00 ADVANCE TICKETS | $8.00 DAY OF SHOW
& UNDER
FREE
FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA OVER 125 VENDORS (50+ HANDMADE CRAFTERS & SPECIALTY) Proudly sponsored by:
HomeForTheHolidayExpo.com
Samples of
some of the great items you’ll find at the expo
Proud to support the Gwinnett County Canathon
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Drop off your donations to support local food banks during the month of November to Honda Mall of Georgia 2E • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY EXPO • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
3699 Buford Drive, Buford
ONE-STOP
HOLIDAY SHOPPING Over 125 vendors
SEE GUNSLINGER MONSTER TRUCK on Sunday In the Kringle’s Kids Korner at
Including 50 Handmade Crafters & Specialty Items
Gwinnett Daily Post presents
FREE JAM STER MON CKET TI 200 IRST AY F O T UND ON S
December 5 & 6 Infinite Energy Forum (formerly Gwinnett Center)
Georgia Dome JAN 9 & MAR 5, 2016 monsterjam.com PROUD SPONSOR
HomefortheHolidayExpo.com 292860-1
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Kids 12 & Under Free
www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY EXPO • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 3E
Saturday, December 5 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Sund
Entertainment Stage
Saturday, 12/5 10:30am Honey Bee Records Music School P 11:30am Norcross High School Master’s Chor 12:30pm Dance Warehouse 1:00pm Duluth Middle School Chamber Orch 2:00pm Paris Dancers 3:30pm Mill Creek High School Show Choir
LOUNGE
Watch College & Pro Football All Weekend
Free Gift Wrapping
Sunday, 12/6 12:30pm Lucille Roberts - Standing Yoga Dem 1:30pm The North Atlanta Trombone Quartet 2:00pm Dance Warehouse 3:00pm Reid Soria w/ Autism Sings
by Santa’s Elves
Junior League of Gwinnett County & North Fulton
DOOR GIVEAWAYS AND REGISTER FOR RAFFLE PRIZES Saturday — First 200 adults receive a tickets to Disney On Ice Frozen or Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus (up to a $25 value) Sunday — First 400 attendees receive a Monster Jam or Supercross ticket (value $20)
Kringle’s Kids Korner Free photos with Santa
Write your letter to Santa & personally deliver GUNSLINGER Monster Truck (on Sunday) Mascot Appearances Ornament Making Face Painting
HomeForTheHo 4E • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY EXPO • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
day, December 6 • Noon - 5 p.m. | Infinite Energy Forum (formerly Gwinnett Center) | 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth
Performers rus
hestra
monstration t
EXHIBITOR ................................BOOTH # Annie Greene Artist ..............................108 Artifactis................................................420 Atlanta Dream.......................................437 Aurora Theatre .....................................319 B. Watts & Company ............................625 Bamboo Sleeper...................................718 Bath Fitter of Tennessee.......................431 Belk ......................................................203 Blue Ribbon Foods ...............................414 Brenda’s Fused Glass ........................1028 Brookwood Co. .....................................122 bswitched Jewelry ................................521 C4 Belts ................................................313 Charmingly Fun ....................................424 Choices To You ...................................204 Christina Steward Handcrafted Jewelry .....418 Clear Captions......................................321 Colonial Wagon & Wheel......................535 Costco ..................................................103 Couture Recycle .....................................52 Cravens Design Studio.........................120 Crusader Hobbies.................................112 Discovery Toys .....................................426 Divine Icy Wine.....................................523 doTerra .................................................633 Entourage / Jolly Christmas Shop ........618 Equitrade ..............................................315 Everdry Waterproofing..........................538 Exploria Resorts ...................................325 Family Affair..........................................531 Feld Entertainment .............................208 Flint River Outdoor Center....................720 For the Love of Missions ......................421 Furkids..................................................100 Gallerita Studio .....................................427 Georgia Aquarium.................................119 Georgia Swarm.....................................217 Gift Exchange Game Kit .......................422 Girlfriend Crafters .................................116 Go Touch Down Travel & Tours ............222 GoSwing ...............................................524 Gutterdome...........................................640 Guzel Accessories & Home Decor .......526 Gwinnett Daily Post ...........................209 Gwinnett Place Mall..............................105 HealthSource........................................125 Heaven’s Sweet Tooth..........................525 Home Appetit ........................................438 I9 Sports.com ............................ Kids Zone Infinite Energy Center...........................206 J Southern Boutique .............................317 J.R. Watkins .........................................128 Jr League of Gwinnett County/North Fulton ... 337 KAM by Design.....................................126 L’dara....................................................110 Lanier Islands - Magical Nights of Lights & Winter Adventure ............214 LeafFilter Gutter Protection ..................617 LeAnn’s Gourmet Foods.......................428 Lemon-Aid Organics.............................419 Lorraine’s Creative Designs ...................50 Lucille Roberts, The Women’s Gym .....324 Luvin My Soaps ....................................519 Madaris Siding & Windows...................534 Mall of Georgia....................................314 Mary Kay Cometics ..............................102 Max PR 35 - All Natural Pain Relief......104 Mitsubishi Electric Classic ....................212 Mix It Up ...............................................417 Nectar of the Vine.................................115
1028
1012 1014 1016 1018 1020 1022
GUNSLINGER Monster Truck
SANTA Stage
(Sunday Only)
740
837 835 833
837 835
ENTERTAINMENT Stage
738
637
736
635
734 732
833
740 738 736
633 631
734
638 531
632
635
631
624
621
625 622
626
619
623
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724
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437
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536
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537534
538
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532
617
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621618
622
619
620
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531
632
623
720
538
433 431
534
724
819
817
640
626
722
819
639 637
625
726
821
535
726
821
817
638
633
732
ENTERTAINMENT Stage
1028
1012 1014 1016 1018 1020 1022 639 640 537
618
435
432
433
532
432
431
528
427
428
525
526
425
426
521 519 517
527 525
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523 521
528 526 524
518
522
519 517
FREE Gift 337 438 Wrapping Zone FREE 436 331 Gift Wrapping Zone
437
527
523
337
423 421 419 417
427 425 423 421
424
518
Crafters / Independent Booths = Red Booths Retail / Commercial Booths = Black Booths Crafters / Independent Booths = Red Booths Retail / Commercial Booths = Black Booths
417
225
323
324
223
224
321
325 322
326
221
225222
319
323320
324
219
223220
224
317
321 318
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217
221218
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420
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220
418
Mall of 317 GA318
215
312
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422
419 414
315
412
313 414
408
412
309
MALL OF GEORGIA 307 406 LOUNGE
404
408
305
314
313
309
MALL OF GEORGIA 406 303 307 404
305
52
303 56
50
50
54
52
130
125
Lanier Islands 218 217
Mall of
126
121
125 124
119
123 122
117
121
115
212
Lanier113
312
54
209
213208
120 118
119
214
Feld Ent.
128
123
GA SECTIONIslands SPONSOR 315 314 214 215
116
117
130 128 126 124 122 120 118
114
116
115 112
212
109
113 110
206
103
107
114
SPONSOR Infinite SECTION 108 Energy 112 107 206 ChoicesFeld 106 Ent. 110 To You 209204 208 105 109 104 Infinite 108 Energy 203
LOUNGE
TICKET WINDOW
KIDS KORNER
326
424
418
(Sunday Only)
331
426
420
KRINGLE’S SANTA Stage KIDS KORNER KRINGLE’S
325
428
422
GUNSLINGER Monster Truck
Choices To You 204
60
56
203
66
68
ENTRANCE 60 66
102
106
105 100
104
103
102 100
68
ENTRANCE
TICKET WINDOW North Georgia Canopy Tours................532 NYR Organic ..........................................56 Oh Jewelry..............................................68 Origami Owl..........................................631 Painfreepillow.com................................318 PeachDish ............................................522 PeachSkinSheets .................................432 Photomat4U..........................................118 Piece of Cake .......................................109 Pine Designs ........................................632 Pinnacle Home Improvement ...............433 Power Home Remodeling Group..........107 Renewal by Andersen...........................223 Ritzy Gal ...............................................117 Sassy Classy Monogram......................518 Scentsy Wickless Candles & Gifts........527 Shaston Wear.com ...............................130 Smack Yo Mama Gourmet BBQ Sauce ....620 South Hill Design ..................................114 Southern Remodeling...........................123
Springfree Trampoline ..........................224 State Farm............................................218 Sugar Island Essentials ........................425 Sugarloaf Spine & Rehab .....................726 Sunglasses Diva & Gifts .........................66 Super Peeler.........................................219 Suzseams Millinery...............................106 Tainos Hidden Treasures......................517 Taylor Construction...............................320 The Beautiful Shoes .............................113 The Juice Plus & Company ....................54 The Lona Gallery ..................................220 The Vintage Magnolia...........................423 Thermal Heating & Air Conditioning .....626 Traveling Chic Boutique .......................724 Tupperware ..........................................124 Usborne Book & More ..........................225 Variety of Crafts ......................................54 Wicked Jack’s Tavern ...........................326 YIP and More........................................528
olidayExpo.com www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY EXPO • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 5E
Drop off your donations until 12/3 at
3699 Buford Drive Buford
1000 University Center Ln. Lawrenceville Gwinnett Daily Post 725 Old Norcross Road, Lawrenceville
6E • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY EXPO • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
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December 4: 5am-1pm • Infinite Energy Center (formerly Gwinnett Center)
69-1
TAKE YOUR FREE PHOTOS W/ SANTA Kids of any age! SANTA STAGE 12/5: 11-12:30 & 1-3pm 12/6: 12:30-2pm & 2:30-3:30pm
Russell Howland Owner/Operator
Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.
(770) 614-9318
Sales * Service * Installation
Licensed & Insured GA Reg # CR109094
www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY EXPO • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 7E
Kids - Naughty or Nice...Santa is waiting to read your letters! Mail it, Email it or Bring it!
Mail your letter to: Letters to Santa, Gwinnett Daily Post, PO Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 Email your letter to SANTA@GwinnettDailyPost.com or Bring it in person to Santa at the Gwinnett Daily Post presents
Dear Santa,
December 5 & 6 at Infinite Energy Forum (formerly Gwinnett Center)
Santa Hours: SAT. 12/5 11:00am - 12:30pm, 1:00pm - 3:00pm SUN. 12/6 12:30pm - 2:00pm, 2:30pm - 3:30pm All letters will be posted at the Holiday Expo Santa Stage and a select number of letters will be drawn to win prizes. (Write your letter inside Santa’s beard and make sure to let us know your name, age and contact information.)
HomefortheHolidayExpo.com
NAME: ___________________ AGE: _________ EMAIL: ___________________ 293098-1
8E • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY EXPO • www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Holiday gift guide Fifth Third Bank Broadway In Atlanta’s
Don’t Miss Events this Holiday Season! What better gift is there this holiday season than spending time with friends and family at broadway performances at the Fox Theatre! Here are two you won’t want to miss.
ELF December The 2-6, Musical 2015 ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF. Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF The Musical features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). The production will feature direction by Sam Scalamoni and choreography by Connor Gallagher.
DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST February 2-7, 2016 Looking into the heart of an all-new ‘Beauty’ By Brendan Lemon
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, now embarked on a lavish and visually re-imagined new tour presented by NETworks, is one of best-loved of all musicals. It’s easy to understand why. Its classic story -- of a beautiful village girl, Belle, who is first repelled by, then attracted to a gruff yet big-hearted Beast --is indeed, as one of the show’s numbers has it, “a tale as old as time.” The songs (music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice) are almost criminally tuneful. And the musical’s appeal crosses age barriers: truly, “Beauty” is an experience that can be enjoyed by child and adult alike. Many of the songs – the charming “Belle,” the infectious “Something There,” and the spectacular hospitality anthem “Be Our Guest” – were written for the 1991 animated movie, which was the first – and until 2010, the only – animated film ever to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. The movie’s status not just in cinematic history but in critical lore was cemented when the New York Times’ then-theater critic Frank Rich, called Beauty and the Beast the best musical of the year – in any format. Disney took the cue, and soon started things rolling for the live adaptation. Several new songs, as well as the book by Linda Woolverton, were written for the stage version, which opened on Broadway at the Palace Theater on April 18, 1994, and went on to become the seventh-longest running production in Broadway history. Rob Roth, who directed the Broadway premiere and is back at the helm for the new tour, says that the “story of the show is about seeing past the exterior of a person and into his or her heart.” He says that conveying that feeling is key to any production of “Beauty.” What’s fresh about the tour, he adds, is not just the timeless moral but a new approach to the visuals. “So few directors have the opportunity to work on a show several years later in a new form,” Roth says. “I’m lucky that way, and I’m also lucky because I never get bored with ‘Beauty.’” Stan Meyer, the scenic designer both for the 1994 Broadway version and for the new production, says that the former staging was, essentially, the 1991 movie made live. The latter is “a departure from that.” He explains: “We did a lot of research that involved eastern-European wood carving and gilded manuscripts. The new version is an illuminated manuscript come to life.” Audiences will delight in the eye-popping storybook shapes and colors that Meyer and the other original-version designers (Ann Hould-Ward: costumes; Natasha Katz: lighting) have re-imagined. The production’s look, adds Meyer, “is more evocative of whimsy and very, very romantic.”
For tickets to both of these visit
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2 TICKETS AND A STADIUM BLANKET FOR $50.00 To purchase visit cfbhall.com or call 404-880-4800
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Don’t Miss This Special Display Dec. 19-Jan. 1!
Holiday gift guide
Family Fun at The Woodruff Arts Center, every Sunday 1-4pm Every Sunday, from 1-4pm, The Woodruff Arts Center transforms into a cultural destination where families can explore, play, learn, and create art in an interactive family-friendly environment including FREE ACTIVITIES. Children of all ages engage in activities which include interactive story-times, art-making workshops, and music discovery zones, to name a few. All programming is led by the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art. In addition, every second Sunday of the month the High Museum of Art offers FREE admission to the public. In addition, two large-scale Family Festivals are planned for February 14th and March 13th . The Family Festivals offer Alliance Theatre and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performances, entrance into the High Museum and a multitude of hands-on activities for FREE. To make a reservation or find out more about the free activities happening each week, visit woodruffcreateATL.org.
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Holiday gift guide
Teach Children to be
Charitable It is often during times of extreme devastation when children first see how communities can join together to help one another. Such efforts may be a child’s initial exposure to charity while highlighting the importance of putting another person’s needs before your own. But children need not be exposed charity solely during times of tragedy. Teaching children to be charitable is one of the ways to help them become good citizens of the world. By helping others, parents can instill early on lessons of kindness, empathy and compassion into their sons and daughters. Children who are ready and willing to lend a helping hand may grow up to be more appreciative of what they have in their own lives. What’s more, they may learn to be selfless while assigning less value to material things. Youngsters who repeatedly see their own parents and other role models doing good and lending a helping hand may be more inclined to repeat that behavior, and giving will be the norm for them rather than the exception. To mold charitable children, families can employ the following techniques.
START LOCALLY There are people right in your own community or on the street where you live who can benefit from a helping
hand. Ask an elderly neighbor if he or she needs assistance with shopping for groceries or could benefit from your child taking in the garbage cans after pickup. Children can help shovel snow from sidewalks or do other age-appropriate tasks, such as place a carelessly strewn newspaper closer to a neighbor’s door.
VOLUNTEER AS A FAMILY
volve them in the donation process. They can assist with sorting clothing and toys they may no longer need and then help bag it up and donate it to an agency that takes collected items.
GIVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Charity need not be limited to the holiday season. Inform children that many people need throughout the year, and that volunteering is a year-round activity.
The entire family can get together and spend time working at a communitysponsored carnival or cleaning debris from an area beach. Volunteer work may be available at your child’s school, where families can plant gardens around the property. When volunteering as a family, not only is your entire family helping to do good, but you’re spending quality time together as well.
Encourage children to start their own fundraising efforts and match the funds they raise. Find companies that will also match the amount your children have raised.
MAKE CHARITABLE DONATIONS
SET UP A GIVING POLICY
Let children see the solicitations for monetary donations that come in the mail. Read aloud the pleas for funds to help children and adults who may not have enough to eat or who may require medical care. This is an important lesson in humility and helps show children that not every person in the world is comfortable. Once kids have read about the needs of others, in-
Children can learn the importance of giving at an early age by dividing their allowances and financial gifts into different categories. They can put one-third toward savings, one-third toward spending and one-third toward donations. If children do not have a lot of money in a piggy bank, they can donate their time, which many charities need as much as money.
MATCH THE KIDS’ CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING
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Holiday gift guide
Holiday Season Meal Tips When You’re Pinched for Time During the busy holiday season, men and women pressed for time may be tempted to turn to the convenience of fast food come mealtime. While these fast foods may be convenient, the cost of dining out each night and the lack of adequate nutrition may not justify the convenience. But no matter how busy men and women may be during the holiday season, there are still ways to eat healthy meals that don’t take much time to prepare.
PREP WORK Meal preparation can take a lot of time. But buying ingredients in advance, and saving the trouble of lastminute trips to the grocery
store, can make prep work go much more smoothly and quickly. Devote some time on the weekend to stocking up on ingredients you will need for the week ahead. Stock up on storage containers so that food can be packaged into the refrigerator or freezer. Prepare rice and parboil pasta to use as a starchy and filling base to some recipes. Peel, dice and chop vegetables and store in containers for later use during the week. Separate meat and poultry into smaller, meal-sized containers so you only thaw out what you need for a given meal.
HAVE A PLAN Create a menu plan so
you will know which recipes to create and when. Build room into your meal plan for really quick meals, such as a soup and sandwich night or breakfast for dinner. Planning a meal weekly meal schedule saves you time because you won’t be searching for recipes each weeknight. Such planning also helps you to ensure there’s plenty of variety in your weekly meals.
SEEK HELP FROM SLOW COOKERS A slow cooker can be a real time-saver during the holiday season. Slow cookers can be set to cook while you’re out of the house. When you return, you will find the meal ready and waiting.
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Slow cookers are very popular, and as a result it’s easy to find recipes both online and in cookbooks. Slow cookers can be used to prepare sauces, soups, roasts, casseroles, and so much more. To make slow cookers even more convenient, prepackage ingredients for recipes in advance, storing them in a plastic zip-top bag. Then simply pour the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning before leaving for work.
EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS A meal need not always be a three-course offering. On days you expect to be particularly busy, plan for a no-heat meal. Cold cut
sandwiches and salad can fit the bill. A platter of finger foods, such as cheeses and crackers, fruit, and vegetable sticks with dips, can be filling as well. If the kids are requesting a bowl of cereal, let them have it and save time. Eggs and reheated leftovers are quick and easy to prepare. A slow cooker is a valuable asset for home cooks pressed for time during the busy holiday season.
Holiday gift guide
Make Sure Gifts Arrive on Time Come the holiday season, shipping companies work around the clock to ensure packages, merchandise and more make it to their destinations on time. What would December holidays be without gifts under the tree?
For example, you can request that packages be held at a delivery center or you can presign for deliveries. These perks can help limit some lost or delayed packages.
In 2013, overtaxed carriers failed to meet Christmas deadlines for many packages. Some analysts say big retailers and carriers may have underestimated consumers’ growing reliance on online shopping — especially for lastminute presents. Since those mishaps, both UPS and FedEx have spent millions on upgrades. More fuel-efficient planes, upgrades to air cargo networks and improved infrastructure and ground shipping operations have helped shipping companies better handle the increased volume.
Bulky envelopes or large packages are better off brought to the post office for shipping instead of mailing them from home. Inadequate postage could stall delivery of your items and have them returned to you.
Use proper postage.
Make sure you have the correct addresses for all friends or family members you will be sending gifts to. An incorrect address can result in packages being returned to sender or floating around in shipping limbo. All of this only decreases the likelihood that gifts will arrive on time.
As shipping companies work harder to ensure holiday packages arrive at their destina- Consider a ship-totions on time, there also store option. are things consumers A number of big recan do to increase the chances that gifts make tailers now offer various it under the tree before options that allow customers to purchase items the big day. online and pick them up Shop as early as in a nearby store. Instock items may be availpossible. able the same day, while If you plan to buy onothers may have to be line or ship gifts to famishipped to the store for ly and friends, shop eara later pickup. ly so the gifts have time to make it to their desti- Enter shipping nations. Make a list of all parameters. the people whose gifts Signing up for either you will need to mail, then shop for their gifts My FedEx or MyUPS first so you will have gives you a little extra ample time for them to control over how packages are sent to you. arrive on time.
Research shipping cut-off dates. Shipping carriers often list the “last days to ship” for their services so that packages will arrive by the date you need them. This way you can plan around the cutoffs.
Sign up for membership programs. Online retailers, such as Amazon, offer expedited shipping on many products as part of their membership programs. For example, Amazon Prime-eligible products will generally arrive within two business days as part of your annual membership fee. The added cost may be well worth the peace of mind fast shipping provides. An increase in online shopping as well as families living further apart has led to a high volume of gifts being shipped around the holidays. Plan accordingly so that gifts will arrive on time.
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Double-check all mailing addresses.
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Holiday gift guide
The Benefits to Buying Local this Holiday Season Shopping local may provide access to more unique gifts.
Shoppers now have a bevy of options at their disposal as they embark on holiday shopping season. Traditional in-store retailers are still around, and online shopping continues to grow in popularity with each holiday season. But many holiday shoppers are looking to buy local this holiday season, and such a decision can pay a host of dividends for both shoppers and the communities they call home.
Buying local benefits your local economy. Studies from Civic Economics, an economics and strategics planning firm, found that independent, locally-owned retailers return a far greater percentage of their revenue into their local economies than national chain stores. One such study examined the disparity between revenue recirculation among independent, locally-owned businesses in Raleigh, North Carolina, versus four major national chains in the city. The for-
In addition to the economic benefits of buying local, shoppers may find merchandise made by local craftsmen is more unique than mass-produced items found on the shelves of national retailers. Recipients may cherish more unique items that they cannot find on their own, and that appreciation may even spur them to visit more local retailers after the holiday season has come and gone, mer recirculated 51.1 perbenefiting their own comcent of revenue into the munities in so doing. local economy, while the latter recirculated less than Local business may 14 percent. Similar results were discovered in many provide a more cities, indicating that buy- personal touch. ing local not only benefits Buying from national local business owners, but chains has its advantages, also the communities those but customer service is not owners and their customers always one of them. Should call home. your loved ones encounter
Buying local creates jobs in your community. One of the biggest ways local business owners in Raleigh recirculated their revenue in the local economy was job creation. While national chains also create jobs, such jobs only benefit your community if the chains are located within your community. If your local mall is a considerable drive away, chances are the chains within that mall are not employing many of your fellow community members. Local businesses in your community are more likely to employ residents of your town.
problems with their gift that requires assistance, they might be forced to wait on the phone for extended periods of time as they and thousands of others wait for customer service representatives to answer their calls. Local businesses do not deal with nearly the volume of customers as national retailers and, therefore, are capable of addressing concerns more quickly and personally than large chains. Buying local not only benefits small business owners, but it also pays dividends for their customers and the communities they call home.
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Tips for an economical, safe holiday season The holidays are an occasion for family, friends and joy. Unfortunately, those celebrations and decorations can have unpleasant results – high electric bills, shocks and fires. With a little thought and planning, you can celebrate, save money and stay safe at the same time. Go LED – Traditional mini lights use 36 watts of power compared to only 5 watts for a string of LED lights, and many are brighter than traditional mini lights. In addition to saving energy, LED lights are generally made of plastic and will not break, and will last up to ten times longer. Timing is everything – All holiday lights, LED or incandescent, should be placed on a timer. Simple timers cost less than $20 and can be set to turn on at sunset and off after a set number of hours. A good rule of thumb is to have lights on from sunset until bedtime. Avoid holiday vampires – Many holiday gifts can become energy vampires that use electricity 24 hours a day, even when they are supposedly turned off, and can account for 5-10 percent of your yearly electric bill. Unplug electric devices and chargers when they are not being used or plug them into a smart power strip. Entertain for efficiency – Before your guests arrive, turn down the thermostat. It may be cold outside, but once your home begins to fill with people the temperature will begin to rise, and cooking will only add to your home’s warmth.
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Skip the preheat -- Most recipes begin with the words “preheat the oven to…” Large pieces of meat such as ham, turkey or a roast do not require a preheated oven. Preheating simply wastes energy. The exceptions to this rule are baked goods. Make the holidays safe – Too many holidays are marred by electrical shocks and house fires. Take just a few safety precautions to ensure your holidays are worry-free: • Make sure holiday lights are certified by an independent testing lab such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories). • Turn off all lights before leaving home or going to bed. • If you’re using an extension cord, be sure not to overload it. Don’t use more than three sets of lights per cord. Do not run cords under rugs or near appliances where they can overheat and cause a fire. If you have a live tree, keep extension cords away from where you water it. • Do not overload electrical outlets. • Make sure all outdoor lighting is plugged into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles. • Be sure candles are out before going to bed or leaving the house. • Examine lights each year, discarding any that have frayed cords or broken light sockets. “When in doubt, throw them out.” • Before replacing a bulb, unplug the string of lights and make sure to use a replacement bulb of the same voltage and wattage as the original. • Never use electric lights on metallic trees. • Use only outdoor lights that are marked for outdoor use. Make sure the power is off when stringing outdoor lights, and attach them to the house with insulated hangers - not metal staples, nails, or tacks. Be sure to keep the light plugs above ground and out of water. • Examine trees you intend to string lights on and make sure no limbs have grown into or near power lines. This can lead to electrical shock. • Make sure ladders are safe and secure before climbing on them. www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 • 23
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