Home for the Holidays - 2013

Sunday, November 3, 2013 An Advertising Supplement to the

Gwinnett Daily Post gwinnettdailypost.com

Home for the Holidays Win some awesome prizes made possible by our sponsors. See pages 8 & 9 for details.

Andrea Bocelli

Home for the

Holidays

How to get your home ready for holiday guests Family gatherings are synonymous with the holiday season. Even those families who have spread out far and wide often manage to come together at least once at the end of the year.

When families include members who don’t live within driving distance of one another, those who aren’t hosting the holiday festivities must plan an overnight stay.

Lodging costs can be considerable during the holiday season because hotels can quickly fill to capacity. Holiday hosts who want to go the extra mile can invite guests to forgo hotels and stay overnight at their homes, where guests can spend more time with hosts and won’t have to worry about finding lodging they can afford.

Though it’s a nice gesture to host overnight guests during the holiday season, it’s also one that requires a little work on the part of the hosts, who must take time ouf of the often hectic holiday schedule to prepare their homes for guests. The following are a few pointers for hosts who want to ensure everything is ready and accommodating for overnight guests.

Take inventory of household linens. Depending on how many guests you’ll be hosting, you may need to stock up on extra linens. If only one or two people

will be staying overnight, you should be able to make due with what you have. However, if you’ll be hosting a second family for the holidays, whether it’s one night or a full week, then you will likely need to buy more linens, including bedding, pillows and blankets. Take inventory of what you have and make sure you have adequate bedding for each guest, as well as some extra bedding in case of emergency.

Discuss pet allergies. Holiday hosts who have pets should discuss pet allergies with potential overnight guests well in advance of the season. If guests are allergic to your pets, then it might not be comfortable for them to stay overnight at your home. While most families would not want to shelter their pets on a holiday, doing so is an option but one that may not even be worth it. Pet hair and dander around the house might be enough to trigger an allergic attack even when the pet isn’t in or around the home, so sheltering the pet may not be a solution after all.

Discuss this issue with prospective guests well in advance of the season so they have time to find affordable lodging in the event that any of them do have a pet allergy.

Stock up on toiletries. Toiletries are bound to run out if you’re hosting guests for the holidays. Before guests

arrive, stock up on these items, including toilet and facial tissue, hand soap, bath soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and extra toothbrushes in case guests forgot to pack their own. These items have no expiration date, so even if you end up buying more than you need you can always use them down the road when guests have long since returned home.

Clear the house of clutter. Clutter can make a home seem even more crowded when guests are staying overnight. Clutter can accumulate anywhere in the house, from bathrooms to a living room to the kitchen.

When hosting guests for the holidays, you will need all the space you can get, so clear the house of as much clutter as possible. Put all toys away and clear the common areas of items like shoes and clothing that can make a space seem more cramped. In addition, clear the dining room table of any items that aren’t needed at mealtime and choose festive centerpieces that don’t take up much space.

Don’t be caught off guard by a storm. If guests will be staying multiple nights, it’s safe to assume everyone, hosts and guests included, will want to get out of the house, be it to enjoy local holiday celebrations or simply

This special offer courtesy of Gwinnett Daily Post

156517-1

2 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

to avoid cabin fever by getting some fresh air. But the holiday season gets its fair share of inclement weather, including snowstorms. Hosts should not be caught off guard by a snowstorm, stocking up on items like a snow shovel, a snow blower and salt or a de-icing product for walkways and driveways before guests arrive. This will ensure everyone won’t feel trapped inside the house should a storm arrive unexpectedly.

Hosting guests for the holidays is no small task.

But hosts who prepare in advance can ensure everyone makes the most of their time together.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • 3

Home for the

Holidays

Cook ahead of the holidays to save time Holiday hosts and hostesses may want to put a storage freezer on their wish list this year. Having the ability to prepare meals in advance and store them easily for later use could prove invaluable -- especially for those who are opening their homes for the holidays.

Food and celebrations are unequivocally intertwined. While presents and decorations may be important parts of holiday festivities, food is just as important for hosts who want to throw a successful holiday party. Those who are welcoming guests to their homes for the holidays may fret over what to serve and how long preparation will take, especially when they’re busy with other tasks.

However, stretching out food shopping, preparation and cooking over a few weeks can make the process much more manageable.

A freezer can be a party host’s best friend come the holiday season. Many foods can be prepared in advance and then frozen until the celebration. Also, having small portions of pre-made foods can be helpful when visitors pop in unexpectedly and may be hungry for a meal. Just take something out of the freezer and heat it.

Certain tips can ensure foods made in advance are

stored properly and heat up quickly.

Casseroles, baked pasta dishes and vegetables can be prepared in advance and frozen. Be sure to consult with any recipes to see if items can indeed be frozen if you are unsure how they will fare in the freezer.

Instead of preparing food and storing it in one large container, separate it into two smaller containers so dishes defrost quickly and dinner time isn’t delayed.

Use packaging specifically designed for use in the freezer. These products will offer extra insulation against freezer burn, which dehydrates food. Keeping air out of the packaging will help to alleviate cases of freezer burn and potential waste of good food.

Mark packages with the date the foods were packaged as well as what is inside. This makes it easy to keep inventory of what is in the freezer.

Defrost foods in the refrigerator the night before the holiday meal will be served. Heating foods that aren’t still frozen considerably cuts down on cook times.

If food cannot be defrosted before cooking, keep in mind that you may have to cook foods longer than normal.

Don’t feel shy about cutting corners when Many desserts also can be frozen. Freeze pies before they are cooked. Cakes can be frozen if you freeze possible. If you’re cooking the entire meal, invest in the layers separately. Then assemble and frost the cakes pre-made frozen appetizers to save time. Go ahead, before serving. Cream pies cannot be frozen, but you cheat just a little ... no one will ever know. can use pudding in place of cream in many recipes and be able to freeze them.

Brownies and other “bar” recipes will freeze and carry well.

If you don’t want to have everything prepped in advance and enjoy the taste of a freshly cooked meal, consider preparing side dishes in advance and then leave the roast or turkey to cook. Any steps you can take ahead of time will dramatically cut out the time you have to spend in the kitchen while guests are around.

4 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

for the

Home

Holidays

Gifts for your holiday host or hostess

Entertaining is part of the holiday season when hosts and hostesses open their homes to many friends and family to celebrate a time of giving and togetherness.

Gifts for the host and/or hostess can show appreciation to the men and women who go above and beyond.

A hostess gift can be as simple or as extravagant as your budget allows. Many people tend to gravitate toward food-related gifts because of their simplicity and the idea that they can be served at the gathering of friends and family. But conventional etiquette suggests that hosts and hostesses are not obligated to serve the beverages or foods guests bring and should not feel ashamed to reserve them for their own private use. So guests may want to think outside the box when gifting holiday hosts this season. Here are some ideas to consider.

Flavored dipping oils: Herb-infused oils lend a different taste to prepared foods and also can be used as a bread garnish in lieu of butter. Pair a flavored oil with a loaf of gourmet bread and include a decorative, shallow bowl that can be used for the oil.

Wine caddy: The number of restaurants that enable you to bring your own beverages has multiplied.

This means that diners can benefit from practical ways to transport their favorite vintage from home to the table. Wine caddies and holders come in many different designs, from some that resemble a woman’s clutch to suitcase-inspired designs.

After-dinner treat: Put together a basket of foods that can be served after dinner. A citrusy palate cleanser, like lemon-infused butter cookies, fresh fruit and a sparkling beverage may fit the bill perfectly. Specialty stores often sell gift “towers” this time of year that package together delicious treats.

Scented sugars: Oil isn’t the only condiment that can be infused with aroma and additional flavor. Purchase canning jars and fill them with your favorite brand of granulated sugar. Add flavorings, such as cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, mint leaves, or hazelnuts, to give foods a subtle essence of flavor. Tie a bow around the jar and present it as a thoughtful gift.

Garden gift basket: Although the cold weather is here, a garden gift basket can still make a welcome gift.

Include flower seeds, fertilizer sticks, a garden trowel, a pair of gardening gloves and any other essentials you can think of.

Spa gift certificate: Entertaining is hard work and a hostess may enjoy some time to recuperate once the holidays have come and gone. A gift certificate for a facial or massage will provide at least an hour of pampering.

Homemade treats: Much in the way a handwritten thank-you note can convey how much you appreciate a gift, a handmade gift can tell a host that you were thankful to be invited to an event. If you prepare a signature dish, whip it up and bring it along. It’s also easy to create some simple garnishes and package them in a decorative tin or jar. Think homemade salsa or a homemade chocolate ganache sauce.

Breakfast in bed: Enable the host and hostess to sleep in the next day by having breakfast all ready to go. Put together a basket or tray with individual bottles of juice, packets of tea or instant coffee and some gourmet muffins or scones. Add a jar of jam and some small spreading knives so breakfast can be served with minimal hassle.

There are many gifts that can treat a host or hostess to something special as a token of appreciation for opening up his or her home during the holiday season.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • 5

Home for the

Holidays

Maximize time spent on holiday shopping The holiday season encompasses several weeks of frenetic activity, as men and women look to juggle abnormally busy social schedules with holiday shopping.

While you might not be able to add hours to the day, there are certain measures anyone can take to make the hustle and bustle of the holiday season more efficient.

Shopping swallows up a significant amount of time come the holiday season. According to the latest Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll, the average person will spend 15 hours shopping for presents.

Women tend to spend twice as long as men in stores and online, with women logging 20 hours of holiday shopping compared to the 10 hours the average male spends shopping for holiday gifts. Making the most of holiday shopping trips can free up moments and reduce overall stress during the holidays.

Condense your gift list How much time you spend on holiday shopping depends largely on the number of people on your gift list. Shortening that list can save time and money. This may be the year for adults to collectively decide to forego exchanging gifts in lieu of devoting more funds toward gifts for youngsters. Distant friends may no longer need to feel obligated to buy presents for one another. Opting to do a “Secret Santa” or another grab-bag style gift exchange can reduce the number of gifts you need to buy, saving time along the way.

Keep a spreadsheet of your shopping list stored on your computer or smartphone so it can be easily modified year-to-year.

Create a shopping strategy Millions of shoppers flock to stores on Black Friday to take advantage of doorbuster deals, and some even get all of their holiday shopping finished on this one afternoon. Others prefer to divide and conquer over a

few weeks. Decide how you would like to economize your shopping so you won’t be traveling from store to store wasting precious time.

Organize your shopping list into certain categories. Then match up those categories according to the stores that cater to these items. For example, if your list mentions bedding for a new college student’s dorm room, curtains for an aunt and a set of beach towels for a friend who will be doing some postholiday travel, group these purchases together and head to a bed-and-bath store. Such a plan in place can greatly cut down on your time spent shopping.

Shop off-hours Consumer Reports says shoppers expect to wait in store check-out lines for an average of 3.5 to 4 hours this holiday season. Avoiding such situations can save you a significant amount of time, so shop during off-peak hours when you won’t be elbow-to-elbow with fellow shoppers.

Take advantage of stores’ extended hours and shop later in the evening, when parents and their children will likely be preparing for bed and not waiting in line at the mall. Some retailers entice shoppers with early bird specials and open their doors very early, so shoppers looking to save time can make an effort to be the first person at the door when the store opens.

Split up the shopping Spouses, family members and even friends can pool their shopping time and help others by tackling some of their purchases. Dividing the work shortens the time spent in stores, and a third party may have a keen eye to a deal or a unique gift when he or she is emotionally removed from the purchase.

The average person finds time is of the essence come the holiday season. Prioritizing and economizing shopping is one way to make the season less hectic.

6 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

for the

Home

Holidays

Local businesses help make holiday gatherings festive

Time is in short supply during the holiday season. Between the shopping, cooking, baking and wrapping, there seems to be precious few hours to tackle anything else. Those who desire an oldfashioned, homemade holiday can still experience all of the seasonal magic by deferring some of the work to local businesses.

Decorating Much of the splendor of the holiday season comes directly from the intricately decorated houses and storefronts. Twinkling lights and garlands of fresh pine boughs can instantly transform any building. Decorating a home can take an entire day or more, but delegating the work to a decorating service will provide you with professional-looking results as well as free time to tackle other obligations. Decorators can work outdoors stringing lights and creating a winter wonderland in the fraction of the time it takes homeowners to decorate their homes.

Baking What would the holiday season be without the sweet treats and inviting smells of freshly baked goods?

The cooler weather is an ideal time to turn on the oven and whip up a batch of cookies or cakes with the aroma of pungent cinnamon and nutmeg. Others would prefer desserts that provide homemade flair without the effort.

Local bakeries experience an upswing in business this time of year as shoppers flock to choose among the pastries, cookies and pies in display cases. Whether a dessert comes directly from your kitchen or that of a local confectionary shop, chances are guests will enjoy each delectable bite.

If you have a custom-order dessert in mind, consult with

the bakery well in advance to ensure your dessert will be available when hosting friends and family.

Catering Roasts and lavish tables are part of the holiday season, but so are the corporate parties and cocktail events that comprise a social season. Catering a party is an easy way to offer guests delicious food with minimal work. Local caterers can provide everything from sitdown dinners to buffet spreads. Some restaurants that do not normally cater events may offer special packages this time of year. Different customers are vying for the services of caterers within a small window of time. Contract with a preferred caterer early on to guarantee you can benefit from their services.

Parties Social calendars fill up come November and December. When hosting a gathering of coworkers, family or friends, choose local venues for social events so travel to and from the party is easier on guests. Parties can take place anywhere, including movie theaters, bowling alleys, wine stores, and indoor floral nurseries.

Gifting Shopping at local vendors often means more personalized service and a less stressful experience.

Develop a rapport with a favorite shop owner so that he or she can alert you to private sales or put coveted items on the side. A specialty store may have that unique gift not easily found elsewhere, and shop owners may be able to special-order bulk gifts. Smaller retailers may also offer specialized services, such as gift-wrapping or personal shopping.

Shopping locally can help holiday shoppers save time and support their communities.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • 7

REGISTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN GREAT PRIZES! WIN THE BEST GIFT OF THE SEASON!

Four Seats With A Feast!

Two tickets to Atlanta Ballet’s

NUTCRACKER

Fabulous Home Plate Club Seats including the 2-hr. all-you-can-eat buffet one hour prior to the game ... for the 2014 season

at The Fox Theatre December 6-29 Plus $25 Gordon Biersch gift card

www.AtlantaBallet.com

GwinnettBraves.com

Andrea Bocelli For tickets call 800-745-3000 or www.TicketMaster.com

ENTER TO WIN 4 TICKETS TO THE SUNDAY, NOV. 17TH, 6 P.M. PERFORMANCE

PLUS...a $100 gift certificate to Olive Bistro *NOTE: This winner will be drawn early and notified November 13th.

Coming to Atlanta for the First Time Ever!

Voucher for four tickets to the Alliance Theatre’s

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Dec. 15 at Philips Arena

November 29 - December 29 Plus $50 Gordon Biersch gift card

Win 4 tickets & $100 gift card to Gordon Biersch

AllianceTheatre.org

Seats With A View

Four (4) Luxury Club-Level Seats to a December Game!

Eight tickets to THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS CONTEST RULES:

WIN TEN PASSES PLUS SANTA PHOTO and $50 Gordon Biersch Gift Card

MedievalTimes.com

www.PhilipsArena.com

ChildrensMuseumAtlanta.org

Featuring giant illuminated lanterns depicting incredible features and scenes plus live entertainment & more!

Nov. 21-Jan. 5 • Turner Field • GlobalWonderland.com

Medieval Times Win 4 Passes and Prize Pack

Win 4 incredible seats to Hawks vs Lakers on Dec. 16th, plus a $100 gift certificate to:

Hawks.com

No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Sponsors and Gwinnett Daily Post employees and their families are not eligible. Limit one winner per household. All entries must be received by November 19, 2013. Winners will be notified by November 22, 2013 (except RCCS which will be chosen earlier from entries received and notified on November 13, 2013). All winners will have TWO business days to claim their prize and all prizes must be picked up at the Gwinnett Daily Post. If, after two days, the Gwinnett Daily Post has not received confirmation of prize acceptance, another winner will be chosen for that prize. No exchanges and prizes are not permitted to be resold in any way. All decisions are final.

GDP reserves the right to cancel the contest or any prize distribution for any reason without notice. Only fully completed entries will be eligible.

Don’t forget to post your holiday photos at....

GwinnettGladiators.com

MAIL COMPLETED ENTRY TO: GDP/Holiday Prizes P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or visit gwinnettdailypost.com to enter at Name _____________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________________________ Email ______________________________________________________________ YES! I read and accept the contest rules. (This MUST be marked to be eligible) YES! Please send me more information on these exciting events!

159014-1

8 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com 8 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 4, 2012 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • 9

Home for the

Holidays

Prevent identity theft during the holidays As the holiday shopping season approaches, consumers are once again preparing to do a significant amount of their holiday shopping online, while many others will rely on debit and credit cards to make their in-store purchases. Though banks and online retailers have made holiday shopping easier in many ways, that convenience has also made shoppers more vulnerable to identity theft.

The hectic nature of the holidays season can make it harder for holiday shoppers to recognize if their personal information has been compromised. As a result, many men and women do not realize that they have been victimized by identity thieves until after the season has come and gone.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, identity theft affects 10 million Americans each year, costing individuals and businesses $52 billion. But Americans aren’t the only ones at risk of identity theft, which can victimize holiday shoppers whether they’re shopping at the nearby mall or from the comforts of home. When shopping this holiday season, shoppers should consider the following safety measures to reduce their risk of identity theft.

Confirm the legitimacy of online retailers.

Many online scammers masquerade as legitimate businesses. Some may even steal logos or information from real businesses to make their scam appear more legitimate. When shopping online, stick to well-known retailers or verify with the Better Business Bureau or another watchdog organization that a Web site is operated by a reputable business.

Check for a secured browser. Reputable online retailers encrypt their customers’ personal information.

Look for a “locked” icon on the browser before entering payment information, or check to see if the URL has an “https” prefix, which means the site is secured.

Beware of credit card skimmers. Skimmers are devices that read the information on the magnetic strip of a credit or debit card. Some are planted on ATM machines or self-service kiosks at stores. They can be hard to detect. Certain skimmers can even skim the information off a card while it is still in a wallet or purse.

Some devices can block the capture of signals from the cards. But even consumers who have such devices should still check their bank and credit card statements to determine if their cards have been skimmed.

Promptly check credit and debit balances for accuracy. Routinely check purchases against the records of credit card companies and banks. Log into online accounts to verify any purchases and report any inaccuracies immediately. Recognizing fraudulent activity early on can help consumers recover their money quickly and prevent any further problems.

Opt for credit over debit. Credit cards come with zero liability policies, which means consumers will not be held responsible for fraudulent purchases. Debit cards do not always offer the same level of protection, and debit cards linked directly to a bank account could put consumers at greater risk.

Keep receipts. Being cautious with receipts doesn’t just facilitate potential returns. Receipts often include a lot of personal information, including the shopper’s name, signature and credit card number. These receipts could be the doorway to identity theft.

Password protect everything. A lost smartphone or tablet could provide a thief with a lot of personal information if it is not locked down with a password.

Also, always use a secured wireless signal when shopping online or accessing personal account information.

10 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Don’t carry extraneous information in a wallet. A lost wallet is less problematic when it isn’t filled with scores of credit cards and a social security card. Consumers should limit the amount of personal information stored in their wallets.

for the

Home

Holidays

Gift ideas for the food fanatic on your list

Some people are a cinch to shop for come the holiday season, while others can be more of an enigma.

When it comes to the latter, shoppers should determine what tickles their mysterious friend or family member’s fancy, such as a favorite hobby or even something to do with his or her profession.

Food is a passion for many people and provides holiday shoppers with a great opportunity to make a loved one’s holiday season even more special. Perhaps thanks to the increase in cable networks focusing on food, foodies, those people with an appreciation and passion for cuisine, have grown in number in recent years, and holiday shoppers with foodies on their lists have a host of potential gift options at their disposal.

Cooking class: Many foodies don’t just like eating food but cooking their favorite cuisine as well.

For those who like to get their hands dirty before filling their bellies, consider paying for a cooking class. Many communities have cooking classics for various types of cuisine, so consult your friend or family member, asking them which cuisine they’d like to learn and when they’re available. Or let them find their own class and then pay for the class. This can be a great way for foodies to learn something new and meet fellow food afficionados along the way.

Specialty spices: Spices can make the difference between an ordinary meal that’s void of flavor and a meal that’s so flavorful it won’t soon be forgotten. When spicing things up for a foodie this holiday season, don’t just buy regular spices at the grocery store. For example, instead of standard cinnamon, buy a specialty spice like Mexican or Vietnamese cinnamon. Such specialty spices can add extra flavor to a meal while becoming the go-to

spice for the home chef among your friends and family members.

Pressure cooker: Many foodies are fawning over pressure cooking, which can cut down on cooking times without sacrificing nutrition. Some recipes may take half the time to prepare with a pressure cooker as they might with a more traditional cooking method, an important time saving element that’s attractive to foodies who want to enjoy their favorite foods but feel pressed for time on weeknights. And while pressure cookers employ steam to cook foods quickly, that steam also traps flavor, whereas boiling can wash flavor out.

Many foodies also laud pressure cookers for their nutritional benefits. Steaming certain foods can intensify their flavor, which allows cooks to rely less on potentially unhealthy additions like salt or butter to ensure a meal is flavorful.

Serving dishes: Of course, many foodies want to share the fruits of their labors with friends and family. For the person who loves throwing dinner parties, consider some serving dishes this holiday season. Serving dishes can range from casual (for the foodie who can’t wait to fire up the grill) to formal (for the gourmet foodie), so get a feel of your friend or family member’s preferences before purchasing a set of serving dishes.

Cookbook: The ideal fallback item for holiday shoppers who can’t seem to find anything for their favorite foodies, cookbooks filled with recipes for dishes from their favorite type of cuisine (i.e., Italian, Thai, Cajun, etc.) are sure to please. When gifting with a cookbook, peruse a few of its recipes to determine if there are any special ingredients that appear throughout. If there are, purchase these ingredients and gift them as well.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • 11

Home for the

gwinnettcounty celebrates

Holidays

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY

Easy ways to be ‘green’ for the holidays

While the holiday season is a time of joy, giving and religious reflection, it also can be a time of excess.

Holiday parties, meals brimming with more food than the average person can consume, wrapping paper tossed aside after minimal usage, and shoppers venturing for miles in cars in search of presents can all prove wasteful.

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

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

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

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

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

Cut back on holiday decor. Most people love showcasing their Christmas spirit with decorations.

However, many decorative products are produced overseas and shipped over to North America on large vessels that require a lot of fuel. Think about reducing your decorations or replacing plastic and metal decorations for all-natural options. Branches of holly or twigs tied with ribbon to form a natural wreath are just as decorative as store-bought plastic decorations.

Don’t leave lights on for extended periods of time. Homes and businesses bedecked in holiday lights are staples of the season. However, extra lights, inflatable lawn Santas and other accessories consume substantial amounts of energy. Instead of leaving lights and other decorative items running for hours each night, turn them off after a little while to save energy.

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

Consider giving a gift card. Then your recipient can choose a gift that they will certain like and appreciate.

Donate unused gifts. Nearly everyone gets an unwanted gift come the holiday season. Instead of putting items in the trash or taking them back to the store, donate gifts you’ll never use to a charity or a thrift shop.

Wrap gifts with wrapping paper alternatives. Wrapping paper is a luxury item and one that tends to be wasteful. There are many items around the house that can be recycled into decorative gift wrap.

Sew scraps of fabric together for a patchwork bag or use glossy photos from a fashion magazine to papier mache a box. When you think creatively, you’re bound to come up with some very usable and eco-friendly ideas.

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

Free to the public!

Saturday November 23 9:00am - noon

Coolray Field

Home of the Gwinnett Braves 1500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville Tire Recycling (limit 8 tires per vehicle, no dealer tires) Electronics Recycling ($10 cash fee for TVs) Battery Recycling • Touch-a Truck Kids’ Activities • Giveaways Food (while supplies last) For more information or to volunteer, visit www.sustainablegwinnett.com

159206-1

12 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

for the

Home

Holidays

Don’t be deterred by special diets when entertaining

Entertaining a crowd with various dietary restrictions nowadays may mean more than simply having a vegetarian alternative or avoiding peanut products. Food and beverage allergies vary, and some people steer clear of certain foods not because they have made a lifestyle choice, but because their health depends on it. As a result, party hosts should be mindful of any food restrictions and try to be as accommodating as possible.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that approximately 6 percent of allergy sufferers have food allergies as their primary allergy. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology offers similar findings while noting that 38.7 percent of food-allergic children have a history of severe reactions. Milk, soy, eggs, wheat, tree nuts, fish ,and shellfish are the foods most likely to cause a reaction among food allergy sufferers.

Each year allergies account for millions of outpatient office visits and hospitalizations. For some, allergies may be so severe that they result in extreme swelling and anaphylaxis. To ensure that dinner guests are not subject to uncomfortable or potentially fatal reactions, be sure to take into consideration food restrictions when preparing a meal and consider the following tips before and during the party.

Speak to guests. The best way to learn of any food restrictions your guests may have is to ask them if they have any such restrictions. Some guests may only eat kosher foods while others may have a gluten intolerance. Knowing what to expect and being able to research proper preparation methods can make the process go more smoothly.

Read labels carefully. Certain foods, especially premade items, may be hiding certain ingredients that

can be dangerous to those with a food allergy or a dietary restriction. Foods that contain gelatin may be inappropriate for those on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Some items that are wheat-free may be produced in factories that also process wheat products. You have to be careful with all foods you serve.

Consider kosher foods for all of your guests.

Kosher foods tend to be made of simple ingredients and packaged in strict adherence to religious practices. Kosher foods are now easier to find than ever, as a substantial percentage of the packaged goods available in the supermarket are certified kosher. People with food allergies may appreciate the simplicity of kosher foods, and you can rely on these items when preparing meals.

Label foods clearly. Your mother’s recipe for turkey casserole may be a fan-favorite, but those with food allergies may shy away from items they can’t easily recognize. Attach tags to buffet-style items that indicate their ingredients so guests with dietary restrictions can still enjoy a good meal like everyone else.

Prepare foods separately. When cooking, be mindful of kitchen hygiene by using separate dishes, bowls and utensils for preparing foods to avoid crosscontamination. If you will be preparing something with a known allergen, such as dairy or wheat, keep it separate from other foods and do not use mixing bowls or spoons for the different foods.

It may take some extra effort, but making guests who have dietary restrictions feel comfortable at your next party means having menu items that are compatible with their personal diets.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • 13

Home for the

Holidays

Create professional looking desserts

Dessert makes the perfect finishing touch to a special event. Hosts and hostesses frequently fret over which foods to serve at their parties, and that includes dessert.

But hosts won’t need a professional pastry chef to serve some imaginative and impressive desserts. In fact, it’s easy for even novice foodies to make their own delicious desserts.

Invest in a star decorator’s tip and pastry bag. There’s no limit to what you can do with a simple pastry bag, icing and a decorative tip. Instead of slathering frosting on cupcakes, use the tip to pipe on individual stars or swirls so the cupcakes look dressed up. The same concept can be applied when baking a cake in a molded pan-and-pipe on the frosting to create the design. You can also use it to add a dab of homemade whipped cream to a serving plate aside a slice of pie. Get creative with your pastry tip and explore different possibilities.

Make garnish sauces. Professional chefs understand that many people eat with their eyes. That means guests may be more inclined to “ooh and ahh” over desserts if they are presented in a special way. Take a cue from restaurants and garnish the plate prior to

adding the dessert. Create simple sauces from cookeddown strawberries or raspberries with sugar and water. Or look to premade syrups. Grab that bottle of chocolate sauce and create a design on a dish and then place the dessert on top.

Use leaves or flowers. In addition to sauces on the plate, you may want to add a few mint leaves or an edible flower to cleanse the palate. This adds a touch of class to the presentation and makes guests feel special.

Create individual servings. A dessert served in an individual ramekin or tin can be a nice presentation in itself. Plus, guests may feel like you individually created each dessert with them in mind. Individual servings look and serve well, rather than having a larger dessert demolished by slices or scoops.

Go for the wow factor. Certain desserts lend themselves to dramatic display. Creme brule or flambe desserts will catch attention. Simply lighting a meringue-topped pudding on fire for a few minutes also can create a memorable moment. Use a goodquality liqueur for fire-enhanced desserts, so the alcohol can burn off quickly and evenly.

Embrace the use of fondant or gum paste.

These pastry art materials are frequently used by professional pastry chefs. They’re essentially a moldable dough made out of sugar. Fondant can be rolled to cover cakes, cut to turn into intricate shapes or hand-molded to be turned into figurines or other edible pieces. Just about any dessert can be enhanced with a fondant trinket. Make a flower or a heart out of fondant and lay it aside a slice of cake. Give in to a child’s sense of whimsy by molding edible cartoon characters for them to enjoy at a birthday party.

Fondant-covered petit fours may be delicious and eye-catching.

Use cookie cutters to create different shapes. Instead of a standard layer cake, use cookie cutters to cut out cake pieces and then layer them with frosting

in between. Think about baking a pie and cutting out a piece of the pre-baked top crust with a cookie cutter that gives a clue to the filling inside (i.e., an apple cutout for an apple pie). Place on top of the crust before baking.

Creating special desserts doesn’t require much effort or any specialized skills.

Holiday 2013 Gift Guides Holiday

Gift Guide

Hot Gifts!

The Gwinnett Daily Post will offer you and your family ideas for gifts, shopping and entertainment, holiday cooking and baking, and decorating tips in the upcoming Gift Guides.

Look for them on Thanksgiving Day as a stand-alone tabloid section and Sunday, December 8 as part of Community.

Have a business you want to advertise during the holiday season? Reach more prospective customers with a print and/or online ad with the Gwinnett Daily Post. Call 770-963-9205 x1209.

159996-1

14 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

for the

ren … d il h c e h t g in h c Tea ive.” e c e r o t n a h t e “…better to giv

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 better citizens. By helping others, especially during the holidays, 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. The entire family can get together and spend time working at a community-sponsored

Home

Holidays

Tips for an economical, safe holiday season

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.

• Make charitable donations. 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, involve 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.

• Match kids’ charitable fundraising. 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.

• Set up a giving policy. 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.

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. Just a little thought and planning will allow you to celebrate, save money and stay safe at the same time.

Go LED – When you’re buying lights, remember that 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. While a string of LED lights can cost two to three times more than traditional string lights, they will last up to ten times longer. Just remember that cheap LED lamps may appear dim compared to more expensive LEDs or traditional lighting, so view the lights plugged in at the store.

Timing is everything – All holiday lights, LED or incandescent, should be placed on a timer. Simple timers cost $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 – Under the Christmas tree you may find a vampire – an energy vampire. Many gifts are energy vampires that use electricity 24 hours a day, even when they are supposedly turned off. On average home entertainment products such as TVs, stereos and video game consoles account for 7% of a home’s annual electric bill. Computers and their related equipment account for another 5% of the yearly electric bill. So unplug these devices when they are not being used or place them on a smart power strip.

Entertain for efficiency – The holidays usually involve lots of guests and lots of cooking. 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.

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 times, the holiday season is marred by reports of electrical shocks and house fire. Take just a few safety precautions to ensure your holidays are worry-free: • Make sure the 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. Be sure not to run the 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.

• Don’t leave candles unattended, and be sure they’re out before going to bed or leaving the house.

• Examine lights each year, discarding any that have frayed cords or broken light sockets. Remember, ‘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. 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 • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • 15

16 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • Sunday, November 3, 2013 • www.gwinnettdailypost.com