An annual supplement to
Tri-County Shopper Wednesday, November 21, 2012
& Thursday, November 22, 2012
2
Tri-County Shopper • Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Christmas Gift Guide
The Daily Dispatch • Thursday, November 22, 2012
How to establish a holiday budget I
n 2010, holiday spending forecasts were bleak. Groups like that National Retail Federation were predicting that 2011 holiday spending would increase only by roughly 2.5 percent from the previous year. Such a forecast unnecessarily wor ried retailers, who ultimately had prosperous sales that exceeded expectations significantly — increasing somewhere between 5 and 6 percent. Many of the shoppers who ventured out that holiday year may have overspent despite poor economic predictions simply because they didn’t want to do without during the holidays. A 2011 study from Cardhub.com found that consumers accumulated $16.8 billion in credit card debt in the third quar ter alone. Holiday debt is a condition that can be prevented. In order to avoid joining the growing number of people accumulating massive amounts of credit card debt, holiday shoppers must establish a shopping budget. A budget helps shoppers control their spending, and the following are a few tips shoppers can employ to establish a budget that ensures this holiday season is as debt-free as it is festive. • Remember the Alamo. While the Battle of the Alamo may have nothing to do with holiday
Establishing and adhering to a holiday shopping budget is essential to making it through the season debt-free. spending, shoppers who have found themselves with a mountain of postholiday debt in the past should learn from their histor y so they aren’t doomed to repeat it. Look back on the previous year’s spending habits to determine where you could have saved money. Keep this year’s receipts so they can be examined next year. Gaining an understanding of your spending habits is a great way to discover which of those habits are unhealthy and which you can build on to become a more responsible shopper. • Take shopping year by year. Just because you spent thousands of dollars last year doesn’t mean you should do so again this year. Let the past
fts T o on pm m - 1:00 a 0 0 : ta is com from 11 November 24th
with e r u ict Fr e e p
Santa
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20% off ALL Christmas Items
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year dictate how much you can spend on holiday shopping this year. Shoppers who purchased a new home since last year, for instance, should not feel obligated to spend as much as they did last year, and neither should men and women who lost their jobs or took a pay cut since last year’s holiday season. When establishing your budget, take all of the events of the last year into consideration. If you’ve had an especially successful year financially, perhaps this year you can spend more than last year. Just remember a holiday shopping budget should always be fluid and you should not feel pressured to exceed or equal the spending of previous years.
• Don’t set a spending minimum. Many shoppers feel guilty if they don’t spend X amount of money each year on gifts for friends and family members. But shoppers should not feel guilty if they come in well under budget, nor should they keep spending if they have purchased gifts for everyone on their list and spent less than they anticipated. Do not enter the holiday shopping season feeling you have to spend a minimum amount of money to show your loved ones how much you value them. • Do set a spending maximum. Shoppers should, however, establish a maximum amount of money they can spend during the holiday season. A host of factors should be considered when determining how much you can safely spend. Those factors include your current financial situation and your job security. If you presently have a substantial amount of debt, eradicating that debt should take priority over holiday shopping. And if your working part-time or on contract or have reason to believe your job is in jeopardy, then you should, as much as possible, avoid holiday spending entirely. Once you have established a maximum amount you can spend for the holidays, do not exceed that limit and do your best to come in under budget.
Party Entertainment Platters
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Interiors & Gifts Too Cookin’ Up Down Home Cookin’
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ablets ar e the must-have portable computing device of the moment, making them a top holiday gift. In just a few short years, the number of people with tablets has increased dramatically. Within a year of the iPad’s introduction into the technological lexicon, 11 percent of Americans already owned one. As other tablets and upgraded versions of the iPad entered the market, tablets became more and more popular. A study from the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism in collaboration with The Economist Group found that the majority of tablet owners (77 percent) use their tablets ever y day, using them for an average of about 90 minutes. When shopping for a tablet, there are many different features to consider. • S i z e : Ta b l e t s come in different sizes, weights and screen offerings. When the iPad was released, it set the standard screen size at around 10 inches, weighing slightly more than a pound. Tablets made by other manufacturers range in sizes from 12-inch screens to 5-inch screens, giving shoppers the ability to choose a device that is as mobile as they need it to be. • Battery life: Many
Sun-Thurs 11-9, Fri-Sat 11-10
Antiques, Country & Traditional Home Decor Unique Gift Ideas 125 Main Street, Oxford, NC 27565 919-693-7058 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:00am-6:00pm Sat. 9:00am - 5:00pm Sun. 12:30pm-4:00pm
@
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THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS
'REETINGS !T
210 South Chestnut Street Henderson, N.C.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Saturday, December 1st 9am - 1pm • JOIN US! THE ARTS & CRAFTS SHOP Handcrafted Knitted Items, Baby and Pet Items, Etc.
THE BAKERY SHOP Homemade Cakes, Pies, Cookies, Bread, Etc.
THE FREEZER Homemade Frozen Foods: Chili, Lasagna, Soups, Casseroles, Etc.
THE GIFT SHOP Monogram Scarves and Totes.
THE GREEN HOUSE Poinsettias, Holly Kissing Balls, Wreathes, Fresh Garland, Etc.
THE COUNTRY STORE Homemade Preserves, Pickles, BBQ Sauce, Cheddar Cheese, Country Ham, Etc.
RAFFLE Country Ham, Frozen Turkey, Carrot Cake, Clinique Basket, Gift Certificates & More
- Raffle Tickets $1 each or 6 for $5 Prizes donated from local merchants & individuals.
THE BISCUIT CAFÉ & THE TEA ROOM
(Open 9 - 10:30 a.m.) (Open 10:30-1pm) Ham or Sausage Biscuits Homemade Sandwiches, freshly baked in Church Pasta, Chips, Sweets, Oven, Beverages Beverages-Eat-In or Take-Out
tablet users are interested in the portability of the device. Batter y operation makes that portability possible, so it makes sense that battery life is a big draw for consumers. Many tablet reviews citeAndroid products and the iPad as the best for battery life. • Flexibility: Flexibility is also important to prospective tablet buyers. Tablets that are only able to connect to the Internet via a Wi-Fi service will be much more limited in use. Many tablets now come with 3G or Wi-Fi capabilities, enabling the device to work even when you are away from home or a Wi-Fi connection. • Storage: Some consumers are interested in the amount of data they can store on their tablets. Some reviewers have complained about the inability to add more storage space to the Apple iPad, forcing consumers to purchase a more expensive device just to add more storage. Android and Windowsbased tablets have removable storage options and may be better buys for those who need to save a large number of applications or photos and video. • Price: As with any purchase, price is often a big component of decision-making. Therefore, the tablet that offers the most features at the most affordable price may win out.
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Tips on shopping for tablet computers
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A Sporty Little Christmas List 1. New Era Fitted Caps 2. Timberland Boots 3. Adidas Samoas 4 Nike Basketball Shorts 5. Air Jordan Apparel 6. Nike Elite Socks 7. Converse All-Stars 8. New Era Kids Caps 9. Thor-Lo Socks 10. New Balance Walking Shoes 11. New Era Snapback Caps 12. Nike Duffel Bags 13. Ralph Lauren Polo Boots 14. Air Jordan Shoes 15. Nike Shox All of this and more available at:
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Tri-County Shopper • Wednesday, November 21, 2012
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Christmas Gift Guide
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The Daily Dispatch • Thursday, November 22, 2012
Has holiday gift wrapping become a lost art?
ave we become a society that is too busy for gift wrap? When a bir thday arrives or the holidays come around in full force, where do most p e o p l e t u r n ? To t h e ultra-convenient gift bag, that’s where. Gift bags have largely taken over the par ty aisles at most stores, where rows and rows of gift bags in all shapes and sizes are not uncommon. If you’re tr ying to find a roll of wrapping paper, good luck. For bir thdays, anniversaries and even baby showers, paper designs have essentially become obsolete. It’s tr ue that wrapping paper seems to make a rebound come the holiday season, when stores begin to devote aisles of space to holiday supplies. But even when shiny foils and smiling Santas beckon customers from the tightly packed rolls, many people still choose gift bags. Gift bags do have many advantages. They are easily por table, generally inexpensive and come in some ver y clever designs. They’re also touted as a “green” product because they can be reused.
Many people have turned their backs on wrapped gifts in favor of gift bags. However, there’s something to be said for intricately wrapped presents under the tree. But there are plenty of people who feel that the elimination of intricately wrapped presents takes some of the magic out of the holidays. Carefully wrapped gifts show that a person put in time and ef for t to present a gift in a way that is sen-
timental and personal. Although it may take mer e minutes to pr y away the paper and find a treasure inside, there’s something to be said for paper-wrapped gifts. It means the gift-giver sat down, pondered the paper design and care-
fully chose the bow or ribbon with the recipient in mind. Before you eschew wrapping paper for a gift bag this holiday season, think about all of the advantages to spending some time and reacquainting yourself with
the art of gift wrapping. Here are some reasons to save the gift bag for another time. • Wrapping can be green, too. Wrapping paper can be reused if it is carefully removed from a gift. You also can create your own wrapping paper by decorating brown postal paper with a rubber stamp or having children color their own special murals. Don’t overlook newsprint as wrapping as well. • Paper is more cost-ef fective. You are bound to get more bang for your wrapping buck by choosing wrapping paper. Although there are scores of discount stores that sell lowpriced gift bags, often the quality isn’t the same, and the handles could tear after one or t w o u s e s . Wr a p p i n g paper per inch is definitely more af fordable than gift bags, par ticularly when purchased on sale. • Wrapping paper lets you be creative. Cover a box with a patchwork of dif ferent paper scraps, choose to stagger colors of paper with boxes towered one on top of another or tie on the biggest bow you can find. • Paper is traditional.
Look back to the classic stories of yuletide and you are bound to find images of Santa Claus pulling wrapped boxes out of his enormous gift sack. Also think about how depar tment stores used to (and some still do) offer complimentar y gift wrapping. • Wrapped gifts travel better. When car r ying your bounty of gifts to friends and family, carefully wrapped boxes tend to stand up to travel better than gift bags. No one wants to receive a gift bag that has been wrinkled and cr ushed into some amorphous shape. Plus, wilted tissue paper can be off-putting. • There’s something magical about wrapping paper. The anticipation, the drama, the build-up to peeling aside wrapping paper and revealing the gift has brought smiles to children’s (and adults’) faces for generations. It is hard to improve on something that has been successful for years and years. Although the public may be swept up in rushing back and forth, there are traditionalists who appreciate sitting down and spending time creating holiday magic by way of beautifully wrapped gifts.
Making a list and checking it twice (for safety) O
ne thing that should be on your holiday shopping list this year is a reminder to watch for and avoid imitation products. Fake electronics and toys can be untested, uncertified and unsafe. The Canadian Standards Association Group, a leader in anti-counterfeiting efforts,
offers gift-givers an easy checklist for safe shopping: • Check the packaging: Counter feit packaging often has poor design, misspellings and unclear printing. Ensure there is contact information for the manufacturer in the event that there is an issue with the products. • Check the name: A
By Buck Stove
product with no brand identifier or trademark may be a counterfeit. Reputable companies want you to know whose product you’re buying. Buy from reputable retailers with clear exchange or return policies. • Check the “look and feel”: Fake products are often too light and flimsy. • Check for the mark:
Avoid electrical products missing a label from a recognized cer tification organization such as The Canadian Standards Association Group. • Reality check: If a bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is. More safety tips are available online at csaholiday.com.
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GIFT CERTIFICATES GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS, LAYAWAY FREE GIFT WRAPPING • Ammo •Monoculars • Pocket Knives •Cleaning Kits & Oils • Skinning Knives •Targets • Decals •T-Shirts • Mace •Flashlights • Wallets •Key Chain Lights • Money Clips •Children’s Bow Sets • Dog Tags •Browning Jewelry • Game Calls •Ladies and Gents Hats • Binoculars •Pink Range Bags
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GUPTON’S SPORTING GOODS 324 S. Garnett St. Downtown Henderson • 492-2311 Monday - Friday 9 - 6 • Saturday 9 - 5
1250 Coble Blvd., • Henderson 492-2144
i
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Tri-County Shopper • Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Christmas Gift Guide
Ideas for the food fanatic
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ome 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 spic-
The Daily Dispatch • Thursday, November 22, 2012
Sports fan essentials
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Gift the foodie on your holiday shopping list with something that encourages their love of cuisine. ing 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 ingredi-
ew things make holiday shoppers happier than giving a gift that instantly lights up a loved one’s eyes. All the work that goes into finding and securing the perfect gift becomes worth it and then some when the recipient’s smile stretches from ear to ear. A great holiday gift often involves someone’s favorite hobby. When gifting the family sports fan, the options are endless. Spor ts fans tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves, and they’re liable to be just as vocal with appreciation if any of these gifts are waiting under the tree for them this holiday season. • Magazine subscription: Many sports fans feel they can never get enough information on their favorite teams and sports. A magazine subscription to Spor ts Illustrated or another periodical focusing on a particular sport can provide insider access for a year or longer. Magazine subscriptions are typically inexpensive, but they provide lots of bang for your gifting buck, especially weekly publications. In addition, many magazines now give print subscribers access to exclusive content online, playing to your favorite sports fan’s ever-growing desire for more knowledge. • Spor ts apparel: According to IBISWorld, a California-based market research firm, online sporting apparel sales were expected to approach $5 billion in 2012. Driving those sales are sports fans who can’t wait to don the gear of their favorite teams.
Sports fans enjoy indulging in their love of a particular sport with video games, making a new game an ideal gift for the family sports fan. Apparel makes a great holiday gift, whether it’s an authentic player jersey, a team logo hoodie or a personalized T-shirt that directly connects fans to their teams. • Memorabilia: Sports memorabilia can be costly, but shoppers can still find great deals on everything from autographed items to relics of a franchise’s fledgling days. When shopping for memorabilia, be war y of auctions, where “shill bidding” can drive up the price of coveted items. Shill bidding occurs when owners bid on their own items at auction in an attempt to drive up the sale price. And authentication can be an issue with regard to sports memorabilia. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been cracking down on fraudulent memorabilia. Shoppers without knowledge of the memorabilia industry might want to focus on less expensive items that will be a hit under the tree but won’t be a hit to their bank accounts.
• Video games: Many sports fans indulge in their love of a favorite spor t by playing video games. Like most technology, video games are consistently reinvented, so last year’s game might already be outdated, making video games an ideal holiday gift. Those who want to go the extra mile can include a new gaming console along with the latest video game. • Tickets: Of course, spor ts fans might like nothing more than tickets to see their favorite teams play. Buying directly from a sports team is a safe bet, but it can also be expensive. Savvy shoppers can explore the legal secondary market, which includes online retailers like StubHub.com or even league-affiliated programs like NFLTicket Exchange, where they might find more affordable tickets. When gifting tickets, do so far enough in advance of the game so fans have time to plan their trip and, if need be, take a day off from work.
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Beef Gravy Mix 16 oz. ..................................$4.99 Chicken Gravy Mix 16 oz. ............................$3.99 3# Frozen Collards.......................................$3.59 3# Frozen Turnips ........................................$3.69 5# Potato Salad ...........................................$7.89 Gall Cranberry Sauce ..................................$8.69 10# Rice White Uncle Bens .......................$13.50 10# White Chef Potato ................................$3.49 2# Dried Pinto Beans...................................$2.69 2# Dried Navy Beans ...................................$2.99 2# Dried Lima Beans ...................................$3.99 6# Frozen Macaroni & Cheese ...................$9.50 6# Broccoli & Cheese Casserole ..............$15.99 6# Frozen Lasagna ....................................$19.99 5 gal Cooking Oil........................................$29.99 96 ct from Corn on Cob .............................$30.70 5# Shredded Cheese .................................$17.99 56 oz. Cornbread Stuffing Mix...................$11.79 20# Elbow Macaroni Noodles ....................$22.67 Gall Green Beans .........................................$4.99 Dozen Eggs Large ........................................$1.79
2# Fresh Grated Coconut ............................$5.89 Vanilla Wafers 6 / 13.3 oz. ........................$13.43 42 oz. Quick Oats Oatmeal ..........................$3.79 64 oz. Jif Peanut Butter .............................$12.59 1 pint Vanilla Flavoring ...............................$3.69 Pint Lemon Flavoring ..................................$7.99 6# Frozen Apple Cobbler.............................$8.49 6# Frozen Peach Cobbler .........................$10.79 6# Frozen Blackberry Cobbler..................$11.99 6# Frozen Cherry Cobbler.........................$11.99 Pie Shells 9 inch 12/2 pks .........................$29.69 5# Yellow Cake Mix......................................$6.25 5# Gingerbread Cake Mix............................$6.99
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Pricingg Subject j To Change. g No Membershipp Required. q
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Assortment of Paper Products and Aluminum Pans Available
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1215 Old Norlina Road Henderson, NC 27536 • 252-492-1185
We Accept Cash, Local Checks, Major Credit Cards and Food Stamps
Mon & Tues - 8AM-5PM • Wed - 8AM-3PM | Thurs & Fri - 8AM-5PM • Sat - 9AM-1PM
Tri-County Shopper • Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Christmas Gift Guide
The Daily Dispatch • Thursday, November 22, 2012
5
The hectic nature of the holiday season can be a difficult time for a pet to grow acclimated to its new environment. He or she may be frightened to assimilate or take longer to settle down.
Think twice before giving pets as holiday gifts
M Many merchants, including jewelers, have once again instituted layaway programs to entice consumers.
Layaway has many benefits
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usiness prognosticators once said that layaway would go the way of the dinosaur. The concept would be archaic and essentially extinct, as credit cards overtook layaway plans. Although many stores dropped their layaway policies for much of the late 20th and early 21st centuries when business was booming and credit was easy to secure, layaway has since made a comeback. Many stor es have resuscitated their layaway programs in recent years. Spurred on by the poor economic climate and consumer desire to avoid postholiday debt, layaway is gaining in popularity. Polling through Frugal Living indicates that of the nearly 5,000 respondents, 87 percent plan to use layaway this year. The growing number of stores that are offering layaway serves as an indicator of how popular layaway has made a comeback. Babies ‘R Us, Toys ‘R Us, WalMart, Kmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Hallmark, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx and Sears are some of well-known retailers now offering layaway. In addition, some antique stores, jewelry stores and other merchants may offer their own layaway programs. It doesn’t hurt to ask, especially because layaway can be beneficial to merchants and consumers alike. • Better-quality merchandise: Paying incrementally enables many shoppers to afford higherquality items. Furniture,
appliances or jewelry can be put on layaway and shoppers won’t have to accrue any debt. While buyers are able to enter stores and shop for exactly what they want — without having to settle for lower-priced gifts — retailers benefit by increased profits on higher-end merchandise. Because there are penalties in place if a person defaults on their layaway order, and since merchandise is not leaving the store before it is paid for, there is a very low risk assumed by stores who offer layaway. • Disappearing layaway fees: Increased competition for layaway shoppers has led many retailers to remove traditional layaway fees. Stores may waive deposits on layaway accounts, making layaway an even more attractive option to shoppers. • No risk for credit card debt: Once the balance on a layaway account is paid in full, the merchandise can be taken out of the store. Unlike shoppers who pay for items with a credit card and get stuck paying down that holiday debt for months and years to come, consumers who choose layaway are debtfree once the account has been paid in full. Although layaway isn’t risk-free, any fees tacked on to the account for failure to pay are likely to be less expensive than fees and penalties implemented by credit card companies. • Layaway attracts shoppers: Stores looking to increase foot traffic may
want to consider instituting a layaway option. Layaway requires a shopper make several trips to a store, and each of these trips presents the opportunity for a retailer to offer new merchandise or deals for shoppers, who may be inclined to increase their layaway tally. Layaway gets shoppers into the store, increasing the likelihood they will spend more and more money. • Teaching adults and children alike: In a world where buy now/pay later has become the norm instead of the exception, layaway reinforces the fiscally responsible trend of only getting what you can pay for, a valuable lesson for kids and adults alike. Taking children along to make layaway payments can teach them the concepts of budgeting and living within your financial means. Layaway has reemerged as a sensible way to pay for holiday gifts and other bigticket items without being racked with post-holiday debt.
any people consider pets great holiday gifts. But in spite of their popularity as presents, pets do not always make the most appropriate holiday gift. Giving a pet as a present seems like a great idea, but shoppers might want to give it more consideration before giving a gift that is such a considerable responsibility. A puppy at Christmas or a bunny at Easter may be given with good intentions, but that well-meaning sentiment can easily backfire, ending with the pet being given up for adoption when recipients don’t feel up to the task of raising a pet. In such instances, the companion animal pays the steepest price. According to the Humane Society of the United States, most puppies and kittens born in the United States never reach their second birthdays. They die from being hit by cars, are euthanized by their owners, succumb to starvation, or suffer fatal injuries in fights with other animals. Though it often is, buying a pet should not be an impulse purchase. You see sad eyes looking back at you from behind a cage door and want to give that animal a new home. However, introducing an animal into a family is not a decision to take lightly. You must factor how well the pet will fit in with the family dynamic. Do
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be carefully super vised around children to see how they behave. A child may not be accustomed to handling a puppy or kitten and could injure the animal. Similarly, the pet may be skittish and lash out at the child. Adults busy with holiday obligations may be easily distracted and miss how their child is interacting with the new pet. • Once the glow of the holidays wear off, children may be disillusioned with the new responsibility that has fallen into their hands. They may not like the responsibility that comes with being a good pet owner. Reputable pet breeders and animal shelters often discourage individuals from adopting or purchasing pets as holiday gifts. Many organizations and animal businesses require a careful vetting of potential pet parents to ensure the animal will be placed with a family and in a home that is suitable. Animal welfare groups warn that an estimated 50 percent of pets adopted during the holidays end up right back at shelters. This can scar the pet. Avoid the temptation of giving a companion animal as a present. If it is your intention to gift an animal, talk to the gift recipient and discuss the pros and cons beforehand. Then you can work together and make the right decision for all parties involved, including the pet.
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schedules allow for quality time spent with the animal? Is it a financially good time to care for an animal that will cost money? Are you aware of how long the pet will live? Making those big decisions for a person on the receiving end of your wellintentioned gift may be crossing a line. Would you want to have such a lifechanging decision made for you? Furthermore, the holiday season is not one ideally suited for making careful decisions. People are often swept up in emotions and even stress, and shoppers may not be thinking rationally. The hectic nature of the holiday season can be a difficult time for a pet to grow acclimated to its new environment. He or she may be frightened to assimilate or take longer to settle down. Pets often need several weeks of quiet and constant care to become comfortable in their new environments. Here are some other reasons why the holidays are not a good time for new pets. • Holiday visitors may frighten the new pet and he or she may become weary of strangers at the outset. • The activities in the household may pose safety hazards for the young animal. An abundance of rich foods and various decorations could be ingested, potentially causing illness. • New pets should
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Tri-County Shopper • Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Christmas Gift Guide
The Daily Dispatch • Thursday, November 22, 2012
Holiday giving for special needs children E
veryone wants to get the perfect gifts for people on their holiday shopping lists. Shopping for a child with special needs can make gift-giving a bit more difficult. After all, buyers want to ensure the gift is practical as well as thoughtful. However, there are many great gift ideas for special needs children. Buying gifts for kids with a disability or other special needs make take a little more time, but shoppers who consider a child’s developmental readiness as well as personal interests can still find the perfect gift. • Consult with parents and caregivers. Parents often know best when it comes to their own children and will make the most reliable source as to which gifts to buy for special needs children. Parents may have a list of items a therapist or teacher has
Special needs children are just like others in that they look forward to the bounty of holiday gifts. But be careful to choose presents that pertain to their interests, needs and developmental readiness when shopping for them. suggested, and these learning tools could make good gifts, particularly if parents’ own budgets are stretched. If you’d like to make the gift a surprise for every-
one involved, go directly to a therapist or teacher and ask for suggestions. There may be classroom aides that can be bought to continue the learning experi-
ence at home. • Assess developmental level. When it comes to special needs children, age does not always dictate the proper
developmental level. A preteen with special needs may not be on the same level academically and socially as his or her peers, while some special needs children may be more developed in a particular area than other special needs kids their age. Assess a child’s developmental level to help you select toys that he or she can play with. For example, a nonverbal child with autism who likes marine life may benefit from a colorful picture book where he or she can point to the animals. • Think about interests. Most children gravitate to certain types of toys and have specific interests when it comes to play. A music lover may enjoy a learner’s guitar or keyboard. Those who like to build would probably like a Lego or Mega Bloks set that can be transformed into cars, trucks
or even space stations. Most children benefit from art sets where they can explore their creativity and also master greater dexterity and imaginative thinking. • Consider making a financial donation. Some children with special needs require the use of specialized equipment, such as braces or wheelchairs. Such equipment can be expensive, and the child’s family might benefit from a financial gift. A monetary gift to be put toward medical supplies, travel, gear, or even a charitable donation to an association would make fine gifts. Special needs children are just like others in that they look forward to the bounty of holiday gifts. Choosing presents that pertain to their interests, needs and developmental readiness can ensure that this holiday season is a
Save when shopping this holiday season M
any people enjoy holiday shopping, anxiously anticipating the look on their loved ones’ faces when they open their presents. But holiday shopping is even more enjoyable for shoppers who can save a little extra money. The following are a few tips for shoppers who still want to give the perfect gifts but don’t want to break the bank. • Stop paying for shipping. Many people now do their holiday shopping online. Online shopping can be more convenient and give consumers
more options. But some shoppers still shy away from online retailers for fear of high shipping costs. However, some retailers offer free shipping to consumers who spend a certain amount of money. In addition, savvy shoppers can scour the Internet for free shipping codes they can use at checkout. Some retailers even offer free shipping during the holiday season (last minute purchases might not be eligible) to entice customers. • Empty your wallet of gift cards. Gift cards are popular gifts come the holidays, but many gift
card recipients fail to use their cards prior to their expiration dates. Many cards expire 12 months after their initial purchase date. If your wallet is filled with gift cards you received last holiday season, use them to buy gifts for friends and family now before they expire. • Make a list. Santa Claus is renowned for making a list come the holiday season, and holiday shoppers should follow his lead. Prior to your first holiday shopping trip, make a list that includes the names of friends and family to buy for and what you want to
buy for each one of them. Doing so decreases the chances you’ll forget someone and be forced to drive back to the mall. Reducing the number of shopping trips you have to make will conserve fuel and save you a substantial amount of money and time. • Pay in cash. If you’re not a fan of online shopping, then use only cash when shopping at brickand-mortar stores. Paying with cash eliminates the risk of overspending with credit cards, which will come back to haunt you in January when the bills are due. Take a predetermined
amount of cash with you when shopping, and once that money is gone, then it’s time to go home. • Don’t be tempted by retailer credit cards. Retailer credit cards can be very tempting, especially when the cashier offers an immediate 20 percent discount if you sign up for the card at the register. But that discount comes at a steep price down the road. Not only will you be receiving a bill after the holiday season, but that retailer credit card will most definitely feature a high interest rate that can negate the initial discount at the reg-
ister — unless you pay off the balance in full. • Create spending parameters with your immediate family. The economy has yet to fully recover from the downturn that began nearly half a decade ago. As a result, many people still approach the holiday shopping season with a degree of trepidation. Get together with your immediate family and establish spending parameters so no person feels like he or she has to spend too much money on holiday shopping. Agree that no gift should cost more than $25.
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Tri-County Shopper • Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Christmas Gift Guide
Things to consider before buying big
J
ust because a consumer can find great deals during the holiday season does not mean he or she should jump at the first deal that comes his or her way. In fact, consumers should consider a host of factors before buying a big-ticket item during the holiday season. • Rebates: Rebates can turn a good deal into a great deal, and many electronics manufacturers offer rebates even if the merchants are unaware. Inexpensive items are not often associated with rebates, but costly items like televisions, computers and cameras may be eligible for manufacturer rebates. If you find an item on sale but the merchant knows nothing about potential rebates, contact the manufacturer prior to purchase. You might save money by purchasing a slightly more expensive item that offers a rebate instead of a heavily discounted item that does not come with a rebate. • Returns: Merchants compete for business during the holiday season, and such competition benefits the consumer. Before purchasing a big-ticket item, talk to a merchant about the company’s return policy. Some merchants will offer a full refund if an item is returned within a certain time period, while others may only offer a partial refund. But some merchants might be willing to work with you if you purchase an item only to find it is being sold for less money by another retailer. Some will match the lower price and refund you the difference. • Warranties: When
Consumers can often find great deals on big-ticket items, including washing machines, during the holiday season. purchasing a big-ticket item, a store representative will likely try to sell you an extended warranty for the item. On the surface, such a precaution seems like a worthy investment because, in theory, it’s offering added protection for an item that’s costing you a lot of money. However, most electronics and appliances already come with a standard manufacturer warranty, and the extended warranty, which can cost several hundred dollars, might just be duplicating coverage you already
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have. If you’re leaning toward purchasing an extended warranty, know exactly what it does and does not cover before buying it. Many of today’s appliances are built to last years, and the extended warranty might not cover problems that result from normal wear and tear. Research the product, including consumer reviews, so you know what problems to expect from it. If the problems are minor, then the extended warranty is probably not worth the
investment. • Price: The price of an item is the determining factor for many buyers. If the price is right, consumers will buy an item. If not, they’re likely to move on. But even if the in-store price for a big-ticket item seems like a great deal, it’s still in a consumer’s best interest to shop around. Many retailers offer better deals online than they do inside their brick-and-mor tar stores, and you might even be able to pick the item up just as you would if you bought it in-store. In-store pickup can save you the cost of shipping, which can amount to considerable savings. Don’t be too quick to purchase a big-ticket item no matter how deep the discount. Be patient and comparison shop. Doing so might save you hundreds of dollars. • Reputation: A good deal is only a good deal if you’re getting an item that’s wor th buying. Do your homework before buying a big-ticket item, researching its pros and cons. Consumer reviews can be an especially valuable resource, as consumers like you have no incentive to embellish or mislead others about a product. The product’s reputation among industry professionals and fellow consumers should bear considerable weight in your decision-making process. A heavily discounted piece of junk is still a piece of junk. The holiday season is a great time to find bargains on big-ticket items. Educated consumers can come away with a great deal and a great product.
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with the season. • Work with an or ganization: There are certain organizations that gather used or new toys and other items to give to the less fortunate. Begin with churches and synagogues and inquire if they sponsor or host a collection program. • Set limits on new gifts: Encourage family members to give back while gifting as well. While one or two new items will be appreciated, you may want to specify that donations to charities that you support, or helping to fund extracurricular activities, is your preference. • Organize storage spaces: Once clutter has been removed, use this opportunity to install new closet organizers, storage bins, shelving, and any other methods of organization that you prefer. Sort and categorize existing toys and items so that new ones can be added neatly. • Involve children in the donation process: When donating items, bring the kids along so they can see how their former toys and books will be put to use by other children who may not have the same advantages. It will ser ve as a good lesson and may help children walk away with a heartwarming experience.
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T
he holiday season is one firmly ensconced in the tradition of exchanging gifts. To address storage issues, some families choose to make charitable donations of some of their past holiday finery in preparation for the arrival of new gifts and goodies. The average person has many belongings he or she may not need. According to the Self Storage Association, there are 2.3 billion square feet designated to self-storage space in the United States, and one out of every 10 households in the country rents a unit. Many of the items relegated to selfstorage units across the nation could be holiday gifts from years past. But rather than store items that will never see the light of day, why not help a good cause and donate such items to charity? • Make it a tradition: Families can make donating items prior to the holidays a tradition so that it is something that everyone anticipates and looks forward to. Much as you would decorate the home or shop for fancy holiday clothing, you can set aside a day for sorting through infrequently used items and preparing them for donation. Doing so can teach children the benefits of generosity, which often goes hand-in-hand
• Brunch With Santa Sat., Dec. 8th • New Year’s Eve Celebration Dec. 31st
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The Daily Dispatch • Thursday, November 22, 2012
Gift certificates available
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• Providing transportation service to all citizens Monday thru Friday • Affordable fares • Service to all area hospitals including Duke, UNC, Rex, Wake Medical Center, and Durham Regional
KARTS 252-438-2573 or Toll Free 1-800-682-4329
Community contributions provide quality after school and summer programs that have a measurable impact on local youth and families. Our staff, board members and volunteers strive to inspire and enable our youth, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN DONATIONS AND AS VOLUNTEERS.
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From Your Favorite Local Businesses
Tri-County Shopper • Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Christmas Gift Guide
The Daily Dispatch • Thursday, November 22, 2012
9
Give the gift of magnetic cooking power A
room renovation is a gift the entire family can enjoy. Research indicates that kitchen and bath improvements reap the highest rewards in home value. There are many changes that can take place in a kitchen, but none that impact functionality of the space as well as upgrading appliances. Manufacturers include new features on kitchen appliances ever y year, and those upgrades are aimed at making food preparation and storage easier. An induction stove is a relatively new innovation that uses magnetic energy to induce a current and eventually heat food. It works by way of a copper wire that is underneath where you’d place the cooking pot. An alternative electric current then goes through the copper wire, creating a magnetic field. This creates an electric current in a ferromagnetic metal pot (one that a magnet would stick to). The cur-
rent flowing through the pot generates the heat in the pot and the pot alone. The food cooks, but the actual heating element of the stove remains cool to the touch. Many home cooks prefer cooking with gas instead of electricity. However, the safety, speed and cooking provided by induction cooking methods may make induction stoves more popular. Fast cooking: Heat is transferred directly within the pan’s metal when using an induction stove. That means that little energy is lost between the pan and the heating element as would be the case with other stoves. Pans heated on an induction stove heat up quickly and can cook meals much faster. Safety: Safety is another consideration with induction cooktops. There is no open flame or hot electric element. This reduces the propensity for bur ns and there is no chance that an errant
Induction stoves upgrade kitchens with new technology and can be welcome holiday gifts. towel or other item will catch fire when it is too close to the stove. Also, even if a piece of paper were between the pot
Help college students this holiday season
C
ollege is a time when many students for m friendships and make memories that last a lifetime. College is also a time when students learn to stretch a dollar, and the right gift come the holiday season can have a big impact on a college student’s life. The following are a few gift ideas that may help make your favorite student’s second semester a success. • Books and supplies: Textbooks and supplies remain one of the biggest expenses for today’s college students. According to the College Board, a not-for-profit organization aimed at helping college students be successful, the average cost for books and supplies during the 20112012 school year was roughly $1,200. Such an expense can be daunting for college students, and relatives can help them out come the holidays by paying for a portion or all of their second semester textbooks and supplies. Such a gesture might not make the most sentimental holiday gift, but it’s a practical present that will go a long way toward helping a financially struggling student pay his or her bills. • Travel: College students who want to study abroad or travel for spring
Paying for a portion or all of a student’s second semester textbooks and supplies is a practical present that will go a long way toward helping a financially struggling student pay his or her bills.
break must bankroll those travels themselves. In addition, some students struggle to pay for their travel back home during the holiday season or during other breaks from class. Adults who want to lend a college student a helping hand this holiday season can offer to help pay those travel costs. Men and women who
travel a lot for work might be able to use their airline miles to secure a free or low-cost ticket for the college student in their life. • Computer accessories and programs: Of course, not all gifts need to be financially oriented. Practical gifts like computer accessories can also make a great gift for college students. Nowadays, many colleges and universities require incoming students to have their own desktop or laptop computers. Students with their own laptops might appreciate new laptop bags that make it easier to transpor t their computers to and from classes and the library. In addition, some majors, such as graphic design, require that students use ever-evolving and expensive computer software. • Gaming consoles: Another great gift for college students is the latest video gaming console. Though such a gift might not be as virtuous as new textbooks or computer programs, a gaming console can help students unwind from the stresses of schoolwork. Today’s college students grew up with gaming consoles and many are avid gamers, so a new gaming console can also be a great way for them to make new friends who
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and the cooking element, heat would only be generated in the pot and not cause the paper to ignite. Should a child touch the
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miles and laughter may dim when faced with the prospect of returning unwanted gifts. Few people haven’t had to return a holiday gift once or twice in their lifetimes. In fact, a survey from Consumer Reports indicates that 1 in 5 Americans will return a holiday present this year, while retail merchants expect about 10 percent of all holiday purchases to be returned. Part of the difficulty of returning items is a result of stores cracking down on merchandise fraud. While there are scores of honest customers simply looking to exchange that paw print set of pajamas for something a little more stylish, there are plenty others who are interested in taking advantage of the holiday season to return items that may have been used, such as a cocktail dress that livened up Christmas festivities just as much as the spiked egg nog, only to be returned Dec. 26. With the desire to curtail fraud, retailers have tightened the reigns on return policies. Keeping this in mind and being prepared for a conversation with a store’s customer service employee can make the
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require a damp cloth to clean the cooktop surface. It is important to note that induction stoves can be three to four times more expensive than gas and electric models. That said, homeowners will recoup some of those costs thanks to lower energy bills. You will also need to purchase ferrous metal pots in order to cook with the stove. Other wise, a special ferrous disk will have to be placed between a nonfer rous metal pot and the induction cooktop in order to generate the heat. Homeowners looking to give the gift of a kitchen renovation and outfit the room with the latest in appliance technology probably won’t want to pass up on an induction stove. With fast cooking times, improved safety features and the novelty factor of cooking through magnetic energy, these cooktops have quickly become prized possessions.
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heating sur face, there would be no risk of burns. Environmentally friendly: Because of the concentrated heat deliver y, induction stoves waste less energy than their electric and gas counterpar ts. In addition, they will not heat up the kitchen while cooking, which means homeowners or professional chefs do not have to factor cooling systems into their kitchens to combat excessive heating. Almost no ambient heat is generated thr ough induction cooking. Furthermore, you are using less energy, which means lower electric and gas bills. Easy clean-up: With heat generated inside of the pan or pot, you will not have to worr y about spilled-over food bur ning and sticking to hot cooking elements. Also, there are no grates or grease traps to contend with while cooking. This means that cleaning up after a meal may only
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return process go more smoothly. • Know the store’s return policy. It pays to go online or call the store to find out about its specific return policy. Being armed with this knowledge could help you avoid a trip to the store and waiting in line only to be turned away. Return policies may vary depending on the item being returned, so be sure to check about the item you have. Requirements often are more stringent on electronics. • Use a receipt whenever possible. Receipts speed up the return process considerably. Whether it is the actual receipt or a gift receipt, this small slip of paper is evidence that the item being returned actually was purchased at the particular store on a particular date. • Bring identification. Stores will sometimes honor a return for store
credit when you present your driver’s license. Keep in mind that there may be a strict limit on how many items you can return without a receipt, and many stores keep track of this information by utilizing the unique scan code on your license. If you are a serial returner, you may find your efforts are for naught. • Keep boxes closed. Restocking fees are charges exacted for items returned that have been opened. Generally they are applied to electronics and appliances — sometimes 15 to 30 percent of the total purchase price. To get the most value for your return, be sure to keep the box closed. Cut down on the stress and hassle of holiday returns by knowing store policies and only returning items that are unopened and unused. And whenever possible, bring a receipt, even if it’s just a gift receipt.
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135 S. Garnett St. Henderson, NC 27536 www.teacherstoreonline.com
113 S. Garnett St. • Henderson, NC
Save $$$ on Cosmetically Challenged New Merchandise
Great Christmas Gift Ideas
Buck Stoves Candles • Flags
Buy and Sell Antiques, Furniture & Collectibles
The Teacher Th Teac Te ache herr St S re re The and More! More Mo e! and
Howard Miller Clocks Mailbox Covers
RECLINER BLOWOUT!
Yoga & Pilates
Group and Private Classes Available Sarah Boisvert Paynter
Warm Up With Your Favorite Holiday Latté! 119 S. Garnett St., Henderson, NC
252-431-4712
127 S. Garnett St. Henderson, NC Studio 252-438-2008 Cell 252-432-0376 info@studiomainstreet.com
M-F 9am – 3pm
Residential & Commercial Rentals 128 S. Chestnut St. Henderson, NC 27536 252-433-9222 office 252-433-6247 fax
Wifi Available
First Class Complimentary
www.earlyfalsom.com