Decorate
Her Jewelry Box... CATHERINE RYDER
AVIS’
Jewelry
FINE
709 Randolph Street, Thomasville
476-9220 • Open Monday through Saturday
Comfy Your guide to comfortable living
EDITORial EDITOR Mary Leslie English Contributing writerS Lisa Wall ART ART DIRECTOR Mary Leslie English advertisinG ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Lynn Wagner 336.888.3545 • lwagner@hpe.com ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Elizabeth Hyde 336.888.3567 • ehyde@hpe.com
C
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
ontents
Holiday Edition DEC 2010
Volume 4
Issue 2
04 GAME CHANGERS Why less is more when decorating this year for the holidays
08 A FAIRY TALE CHRISTMAS Castle McCulloch’s Christmas Castle lights up the season with music, entertainment and Santa - a must-do family adventure
ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Annissia Beal 336.888.3524 • abeal@hpe.com Susan Childress 336.888.3564 • schildress@hpe.com
10 SIMPLE AND GREEN ENTERTAINING Simple tips to make your holiday gathering ‘green’ without spending a lot of green
Kim Hayes 336.888.3563 • kimhayes@hpe.com Donna Prawel 336.888.3596 • dprawel@hpe.com Roger Boyd
12 Get personal Personalized gifts are all the rage for those special people on your shopping list this year
336.888.3597 • rboyd @hpe.com Sandy Southards 336.888.3587 • sksouthards@hpe.com Amy Loflin 336.888.3592 • aloflin@hpe.com Amy Reed
14 dynamic duo This year’s tantalizing flavors aren’t exclusive to the dishes you prepare - the cocktails that accompany each course have their own zing
336.888.3591 • areed@hpe.com
16 Christmas Tree 101 The anatomy of the perfect Christmas tree
Comfy is a specialty publication of The High Point Enterprise, and is published semiannually Questions or Comments about Comfy? Comfy Magazine
14
12
P.O. Box 1009, High Point, N.C. 27261 To submit articles & features for consideration, email: mlenglish@hpe.com
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
Game Ch angers
Why less is more this Christmas...
Text & Images Chuck Ross, CTW Features
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
H
oliday decorations can create great backdrops for seasonal parties, but daily life with all those Santas, snowmen and miniature Victorian villages can wear on the nerves of someone who just wants an unobstructed view of the TV. So, instead of trying to find a spot for every last ornament, some home decorators are finding advantages in a simpler approach that still speaks to the season, but in a more understated tone of voice. Such plans might begin with choosing one or two favored colors. (Newsflash: They don’t have to be the classic red and green.) Then, add a few choice candles or tabletop pieces to help emphasize the season. A hall closet can hold special dishes or linens that can be brought out for last-minute entertaining and then easily put away. With this kind of simplified plan, seasonal decorations can still be Not so mellow yellow: Get bold with this year’s “it” color. Spice up a tabletop with yellow comfortable, instead of cloying, even candles; pair pale yellow ornaments with gold ribbon; and use well-placed mirrors to beyond New Year’s Day. reflect light throughout a room. Decorating maven Chris Madden is a proponent of such holiday schemes, which warm up winter spaces without requiring days of packing and unpacking (not to mention dustatmosphere,” he says, “rather than one that’s focused on religion.” ing). To her, the urge to simplify represents the solution to a very Surmellis’ plans generally begin with a color theme, which can vary basic lifestyle equation. from year to year and often draws on hues he sees in retailers’ color “For me, stuff equals stress,” she says. This philosophy also is the palettes. This year, for example, yellow has shown up in many stores’ basis for her new book, “The Soul of a Home: Decorating with schemes. So, what’s the best way to give yellow, the classic Warmth, Style and Comfort” (Rizzoli, 2010). springtime room brightener, a holiday appeal? Surmellis says, it’s all Instead of hauling out an attic’s worth of decorations, Madden in what the sunny color is paired with. draws on the “serene,” “adventurous” and “romantic” themes that “You can make any color feel more festive just by adding silver or have guided development of her various home-furnishings lines. gold to it,” he says, noting the added impact a little bit of luster can Each room’s plans are geared toward these ideas, drawing on some have on even today’s popular amber fall-like tones. “If you add a very down-to-earth resources for realizing her vision. Madden says little gold to them, they feel really festive.” anyone can achieve her lived-in, layered look with silver-sprayed Using this rule of thumb, Surmellis suggests adding silver or gold pinecones, stacks of holiday-themed,coffee-table books, throws of drapery panels to window coverings, or giving bare branches or tartan plaids and sofa pillows wrapped in fabric remnants. “The laypinecones a quick coat of metallic spray paint. That reflective ering consists of things you’ve purchased, things you’ve inherited sparkle also can come from crystal or mirrors. In fact, a mirror as a and things you’ve gathered as curbside treasures,” she explains. centerpiece can serve double duty, catching and reflecting Angelo Surmellis grew up in a Greek Orthodox household in surrounding candlelight and doubling the colorful, visual impact of which seasonal decorating was anything but holiday-neutral, with a the holiday goodies being served up. Decking out the dining table is strong emphasis on nativity scenes and other religious imagery. The a breeze with Surmellis’ guidance. He prefers china in white, longtime HGTV designer, whose angelo:HOME line of home another favorite goes-with-anything hue, paired with silver or gold furnishings just hit QVC home shopping, has since opened his chargers. Add a swag of holiday greenery and, perhaps, an ornament winter-décor plans to ideas that might be less off-putting to friends or two from a table-topping chandelier to create an elegant setting from other backgrounds. worthy of any holiday feast. If even this pared-down approach is “The best way to do that for me was to create a festive pushing holiday-themed design talents to the edge, he suggests
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
The Lighter O Side
By Denise DiFulco CTW Features
Color, technology and hippos help the holidays shine bright this year
falling back on the power of pleasant aromas to tease out festive feelings. “If you’re ever in doubt, even if you can’t bake, get some slice-and-bake cookies and throw them in the oven,” he says. “Nothing says the holidays like walking into a home to the scent of freshly baked cookies.” Party planner extraordinaire Preston Bailey doesn’t have much time to host his own gatherings once the season begins; he’s usually too busy decking the halls of his high-end clients, including Oprah, Donald Trump and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Like Madden and Surmellis, he uses color as a starting point for party décor, regardless of the size of the gathering. “I think this gives a cohesion, and every year it looks completely different,” he says. Use a color theme to help breathe new life and a longer display lifespan into an otherwise cliché holiday display, Bailey says. Simple twig wreaths can become something special when sprayed this year’s color – and could remain a fresh seasonal adornment until the springtime sun returns. The one caveat this otherwise more-is-more designer offers is to give the decorations plenty of room to breathe. “Whatever you design should have space around it, so people can appreciate it,” Bailey says. “That way the elements are much more effective.” © CTW Features
ne of the great pleasures of the holiday season is driving around the neighborhood taking in display upon display of festive lights. Decorating one’s home is a pleasure all its own, an annual activity made all the brighter with a quick stroll through some local seasonal shop aisles.
LEDs are hot The market for LED lights has grown steadily in recent years, despite the fact that they generally are pricier than traditional incandescent bulbs. Not only do LEDs use less electricity and last longer than their incandescent counterparts, they also don’t get as hot to the touch. But the big news in LEDs this year is the arrival of “warm white.” “It’s a white that doesn’t have a bluish tint and looks more like an incandescent bulb,” explains Gwyneth Lodge, an associate merchant for Home Depot. Retailers also are expecting solar-powered LEDs to gain interest. String lights shed their stigma The inadequacies of string lights could launch 1,000 punch lines, but there are some improvements that consumers should look for this holiday season including “continuous-on” LED strands, where the energy flow is better regulated to avoid pesky flickering. Another is better weather resistance. “In the past, the fault with the LED string was the two-piece construction that allowed moisture inside the bulb,” says Paul Sessel, owner of Creative Displays, Overland Park, Kan. Underwriters Laboratories Inc., an independent product safety certification organization, recently changed its standards and now requires copper contact points for the bulbs, which should make them more reliable. Also, a number of manufacturers are now offering sealed husks to protect those contacts from the elements, Sessel says. Light Shows Shine Unlike the icicle lights of a decade ago or the inflatables that have popped up over the past few years, there isn’t one, big breakout holiday décor item this year, but there is more movement, such as icicle lights that appear to drip and displays that change color. For the do-it-yourselfer, using software to coordinate light strands and even setting a light show to music is becoming more popular. Companies such as Light-O-Rama provide equipment and advice to create a Vegas-worthy display at home. Also, after years of elegant, all-white lights gaining market share, multi-colored strands are making a comeback, says Brad Finkle, owner of Omaha, Neb.based Creative Decorating. “Everyone wants to be a little unique and different so their home stands out in the neighborhood,” he says. Tradition takes a trendy turn This year, stores are adding to their inventory softer-hued light strands in fun, fashionable colors, including pink. Lawn décor also is expanding beyond traditional winter themes. Target spokeswoman Tara Schlosser says the pink flamingo was so popular last year that the company has decided to add more novelty items this season, including a hippo and a pig. “Another unique trend this year are lighted twig stakes,” she says. “Add them to trees or greenery pots for a chic holiday update.” © CTW Features
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
Awesome Christmas Gifts
SEASON’S GREETINGS
ECONOMY PLUMBING
“The Repair Specialists�
Lic.
#04239
Water Heaters
Busted
Pipes Running Commodes
Clogged Drains
We Answer Our Phones
*Gift CertifiCates *spa serviCes * Chanel *Clarins *bareescentuals *LonGChamp & *hobo The lisT goes on and on...
24/7
www.thebarefootplumber.com
883-4491
1107 N. Main St. High Point, NC
aboutfacedayspa.com
889-0400
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
A Fairy Tale Christmas Visit Christmas Castle at Castle McCulloch this season for magical holiday memories Text LISA WALL | IMAGES CASTLE MCCULLOCH
W
hat better way to get into the holiday spirit than to spend an evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Castle McCulloch will give visitors that opportunity as the Christmas Castle returns this year to the delight of young and old alike. From Dec. 11-23, the Christmas Castle invites families to join the Claus family in an illuminating holiday experience. Visitors will be awed from the moment of entering the property as more than one million lights flicker in the December sky. See Santa’s reindeer and sleigh fly through the air just before entering the Crystal Garden. From there, in groups departing every four minutes, the journey begins into an enchanted forest of Christmas magic, with many surprises along the way. Stops along the path to the castle bring a variety of entertainment from carolers, choruses and performing acts representing countries and traditions from around the world.
flame-shooting archers, polar bears, computer-driven light displays and, of course, Santa’s team of elves. Enjoy fresh, elf-baked cookies or let the little ones make their own smores, with a little supervision. Children have the chance to sit on Santa’s lap and whisper their wish list and parents can purchase a keepsake photo. Stocking stuffers and other small gifts will be available in the Crystal Garden. The events at the Christmas Castle combine to offer a night of holiday splendor and a lifetime of family memories. “It’s a magical family adventure, enjoying an evening with Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends,” Harris said. “To me it has become a family experience with Santa’s family, like coming to his house for the evening. It’s a great way to start a family tradition.”
“We have well over one million lights on 10 acres,” says owner and designer Richard Harris. “It’s not a light show, however, it’s a theatrical performance. There will be English carolers singing classic Christmas songs, gospel singers and a Feliz Navidad band — a Latino band that light up when they play. We wanted an international flavor for Christmas, because Christ is very international.”
Located at 3925 Kivett Drive in Jamestown, the Christmas Castle opens nightly at dusk (5:30-6 p.m.) Dec. 11-23. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $8 for children and are available at the door or online at www.christmascastlenc.com or www. castlemcculloch.com. Half-price tickets also are available online for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night shows. With more than 17,000 visitors each year, visitors can avoid long lines by purchasing VIP passes on the website for $3. VIP ticket holders will move to the front of the line upon arrival. Santa photos are $9 each.
Actors from the Greensboro Theatre, along with the top three winners of Triad Idol, will give performances, along with a host of holiday favorites including the Grinch,
For more information on the Christmas Castle or other events at Castle McCulloch, visit them online or call (336) 724-4277.
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
CLOCKWISE: Be entertained by dancing elves. Get a special glimpse of Santa in the Castle surrounded by beautiful decorations. Enjoy English carolers as they sing all the favorites.
More lights and sounds of the season... Tanglewood Festival of Lights
Tanglewood’s rolling countryside will be transformed into a winter wonderland of giant snowflakes and whimsical scenes as one of the largest and most spectacular light shows in the southeast returns for its 19th year. From storybook scenes to holiday themes, more than 100 displays and a million lights fill Tanglewood Park with the splendor and joy of the holiday season. The display runs from Nov. 20 to Jan. 7 from 6 to 11 p.m. Admission for Friday through Sunday and on all holidays is $15 for cars, vans and trucks, $25 for commercial vans, limos and mini-buses and $90 for motor coaches and buses. Monday through Thursday the cost is $10, $20 and $90, respectively. Only cash and check are accepted. Tanglewood Park is located at 4201 Manor House Circle in Clemmons. For more information or directions, call (336) 778-6300 or visit www.forsyth. cc/parks/tanglewood/festival_of_lights.aspx.
Thomasville Medical Center’s Festival of Trees
See the beauty of Christmas and find the joy of the holiday season as Thomasville Medical Center lights more than 60 hand-decorated trees to the delight of patients and visitors alike. Local businesses, organizations and church groups individually decorate a tree to create a Christmas light extravaganza. Trees will be lit on Nov. 30 and will stay on display throughout December until 9 p.m. nightly in the hospital lobby. On Dec. 10 only, the lobby will close at 4 p.m. for a special event. Admission is free. The hospital is located at 207 Old Lexington Road in Thomasville. For more information on Thomasville Medical Center or their events, visit www.thomasvillemedicalcenter. org or call (336) 472-2000.
Christmas Castle
Enjoy a magical journey with Santa & his friends while enjoying fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate! A new adventure starts every 10 minutes.
50% Off
Mon, Tues, Wed with coupon We are open Dec 10-Dec 23rd every night from 6pm until 9pm.
www.christmascastlenc.com to purchase tickets and for more info.
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
Simple and Green
entertaining Throwing a party doesn’t have to be expensive or wasteful. Here, some simple tips to make a holiday shindig ‘green’ without spending a lot of green Text DAWN KLINGENSMITH, CTW FEATURES
A
rriving at Pat Smith’s home for her holiday party, one might think her little tree, perched on a table and adorned with a delicate strand of lights, is an homage to “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” But actually, the little tree makes a big statement about Smith’s commitment to the environment. Buying and disposing of both real and artificial Christmas trees is wasteful, she says. Her eco-friendly substitute is a potted Norfolk Island pine that thrives year-round in a sunny room until Christmastime, when Smith moves it to a place of honor and drapes it with energyefficient LED lights and hand-tied straw ornaments made of renewable materials. Smith is a firm believer that holiday entertaining need not be wasteful or expensive. She and other eco-conscious hosts share tips on how to throw a stylish, spirited party while saving money and protecting the environment. Keep it Simple “Not having a big fancy dinner and lots of preparation minimizes driving all over for food and party supplies,” says Smith, principal of OnTarget Public Relations, Denver. For a gathering of close friends and family she suggests potluck or a big pot of hearty soup, salad and a simple, light dessert. The lack of excess “is a relief from an already indulgent, calorie-intensive holiday,” Smith says. “People are generally grateful not to be pressed with food.” Paper or Pixels Some folks feel that sending e-mail invitations via www.evite.com is impersonal, but Andrea Woroch champions online invitation platforms because they’re fast, free and paperless. “Attendees can even arrange to carpool together through the invitation site,” saving on gas and emissions, says Woroch, a Santa Barbara, Calif.based consumer finance expert by day and a party planner by night.
10
Lose the Envelope If you prefer to send invitations the old-fashioned way, print them on recycled paper with soy-based inks. Send a postcard invitation instead of a card to save on paper and postage, says event planner Meghan Andalman, owner of Lovebird Events in Chicago. Forgo the Flowers Typically, “Cut flowers are grown with pesticides under less-thansustainable circumstances” and their importation raises ecological issues, says Los Angeles-based writer Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, who publishes an online magazine, EcoStiletto.com, about eco-friendly living. She likes to decorate with groupings of living plants that her guests can take home as party favors. ’Tis the Season Deck the halls with seasonal, plentiful items like evergreen boughs and holly. “Red apples, winter squashes, even pinecones look beautiful as centerpieces when placed in large glass bowls or vases,” Andalman says. For the ultimate eco-friendly feast, seasonality should extend to the menu. “Support local businesses and reduce your carbon footprint by planning a menu around locally grown, in-season foods,” she adds. Dust Off the China Using glassware and cloth napkins means more cleanup, but think of it in terms of cleaning a small space now as opposed to an overburdened planet later. “If you have to go disposable, use biodegradable veggie plastic from GreenWare or EarthShell,” Sarnoff suggests. If using plastic cups, have guests write their name on theirs with permanent marker so they don’t keep “losing”
their drink and using new glasses. Make sure recycle bins for bottles and cans are located beside each trash can and are clearly marked so your guests will know to sort.
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010 intended to be a focal point. Conceal the table with fabric that drapes nicely. • Ornaments must be lightweight, such as strung popcorn. And of course your tree topper can’t be too heavy or your tree will break or be forced into a backbend. • Tell kids that while there’s not a lot of room for presents directly underneath the tree, they will get two stories, or levels, of gifts come Christmas day. Place small gifts on the tabletop and larger ones at the base of the table. You can even place one or two surprise gifts underneath the table drape and see how long it takes before they’re discovered.
Unplugged Entertainment Dim or turn off overhead lighting and use eco-friendly, paraffin-free candles to save electricity and set the mood. Also consider hiring a piano player or a quartet to play acoustical music instead of using your stereo system, Andalman suggests.
Š CTW Features Bring in this ad for your mix and match special
Style Resta ur
er
Fa
t an
The PepperMill Cafe Di ak fa
nn
e
since you’ll probably drape the base with a tree skirt just like a regular Christmas tree. • When not decorated and displayed for Christmas, a Norfolk Island pine like Smith’s prefers a sunny room that’s free of drafts. In certain regions, these trees will thrive outside in the summertime. Read up on how to care for roots and whether periodic re-potting is needed, because the roots need to grow and spread out in order for your tree to gain height. • When it’s just a shorty, your tree will need to be elevated on a table if it’s
ly mi
Br
Adopt a Year-round Christmas Tree Rather than buying a live tree every year or a fake one that will eventually end up in a landfill, consider raising an indoor potted evergreen that thrives year-round and does double-duty as a Christmas tree. Plus, it will grow right alongside you and your loved ones. “Mine has grown a foot-and-a-half since I got it,â€? says Smith, who shares the following tips for adopting a tree of your own: • Consult a local nursery for suitable species. Conifers look the most like miniature Christmas trees. Smith’s is a Norfolk Island pine. • Choose a pot that is not so heavy you can’t move it at Christmastime and that also allows the tree and its root system room to grow. It’s possible to choose a color, such as a muted metallic or white, that enhances both everyday and Christmas dĂŠcor, but that’s not necessary,
st ‡ L u nc h ‡
*5((. ‡ $0(5,&$1 ‡ ,7$/,$1 ‡ &20)257 )22'6 Mix and Match Spaghetti Special 2 for $10 After 4pm 2600 South Main St. High Point, NC
336-885-8101
Corner of South Main & Fraley Road Near Super WalMart www.peppermillcafe.com
Interest Free Financing Available
Classes Fabrics Notions Books Patterns Sew Original
2OBINHOOD 2D s 7INSTON 3ALEM .# s WWW SEWORIGINAL ORG
Visit our sister store in Boone! # (WY 3OUTH s "OONE .#
11
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
Get
Personal
A gift for a special someone calls for, well, something special. Personalized gifts are all the rage. Here’s how to look – and what to look for By Danielle Cadet CTW Features
T
rends come and go, but the hallmark of a great gift remains the same: it’s personal. The gift that goes down in history, the one they’ll remember, is often the one that distinctively captures someone’s passions, taste and style. These days personalization goes way beyond oldschool monogrammed shirts and towels. Think flirty flip-flops designed with interchangeable straps that Velcro on and off, to reflect a mood or a whim. A favorite phrase, icon or nickname creatively placed on a protective cover for an electronic device. A prepster’s initials or name, emblazoned on a plastic plate. “With personalization comes a sense of pride, and that’s a gift that everybody wants,” says Robyn Spizman, gift expert and founder of TheGiftionary.com. Thanks to technology, it’s simpler than ever to purchase a gift that’s personalized with a name or initials. “The online world has taught retailers a lot more about their customers, and is making it easier than ever to give to customers what they want,” says Claire Hamilton, retail trend analyst at WGSN, a Londonbased trend forecasting firm. “The natural outcome of that is to actually offer more personalization services.” The purchase of a personalized gift demands serious thought. Take some time to consider the recipient’s personality. “You want to start looking at their interests: children, pets, their favorite colors, their style,” says Spizman. She advises purchasing a present the recipient is sure to use. “When you think personalization you want to think about the personal use of a gift. Make sure the person is going to enjoy it,” she says. Pigeonholing friends may not be a polite practice most times of the year, but when it comes to holiday gift giving, it’s one of the keys to success. “When you know you’re buying a gift for a traveler, an entertainer, a music or sports lover, then you can really pinpoint the perfect gift,” Spizman says. Monogramming is a classic personalizing detail that never seems to go out of style. “People like to see their names,” says Roseanne Mor-
12
Eat it up: monogrammed plastic plates for the modern prepster, from La Plates
rison, fashion director for trend forecaster Doneger Group, New York. “The more personalization that’s involved, the more it makes someone feel like this [gift] is designed for me.” The trend is to bigger monograms with fresh fonts, styles and twists on tradition. And be selective about the item you choose to monogram. “Monogramming clothes is totally out,” says Jess Zaino, celebrity stylist and former co-host of the Style Network’s “Modern Girl’s Guide to Life.” She suggests monogramming a small item and pairing it with a useful, related gift.
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010 Here are some bright ideas for holiday gifts that might be perfect for someone you know. If they’re not, you won’t have to look far to find the perfect gift. This season, personalization is everywhere. Lindsay Phillips’ Switchflops are fashionable flip-flops that can be customized to individual taste with a monogram button, name or favorite phrase, or a message embroidered on the strap. More than 70 styles of straps, attached with Velcro, can be changed out on a whim. The line has been expanded to include customizable ballet flats, clogs and accessories. Zaino suggests pairing a pair of the flip-flops with a beach bag full of vacation goodies. “It’s so much more thoughtful when you take the person into consideration without being cheesy or tacky,” Zaino says ($30 and up, department and specialty stores; switchflops.com) A personalized cover for the proud new owner of an iPad, Kindle or new smartphone can add to their techno-joy and help them stand out in a crowd. Since so many people have these devices, “the more that you can do to create that level of originality makes it special,” says Morrison. Power Support USA offers a range of products aimed to protect and personalize wireless devices. Graphically smart City Cases star iconic images from cities around the globe, perfect for a globetrotter wannabe. Or, create a custom design by uploading original art or choosing designs from their library and adding words and effects for a one-of-a-kind gift (custom designs about $50, electronics retailers nationwide;www.powersupportUSA.com). Brightly colored melamine plates from La Plates are a big hit with celebrity parents, including the Obamas. Customers can choose design, background color, font style and color when creating their plates, which range in size from 7 inches (sold individually) to 10 inches (available in sets of four). The bright, fanciful plates are durable
enough to withstand horseplay at a barbeque but elegant enough for an adult luncheon. ($22, specialty stores; www.laplates.com ) Custom-monogrammed Butterscotch Blankees have been spied swaddling the babes of celebrity moms like Sarah Jessica Parker. Company founder Jodie Roth says her products make a long-lasting gift that can follow the owner from crib to dorm room. The handmade blankets would make a great gift for a newborn, young child or parents who want to add flare to a nursery or bedroom. The handmade blankets range in size, style and color. ($125, specialty stores and boutiques). Personalized stationery is a classic gift. But for a new twist for a relative or friend who loves to wrap and give gifts try wrapping paper personalized with her name and special message. Custom gift wrap from online stationer Erin Condren can be imprinted with the message you choose – “Happy Birthday! With love from Grammie,” for example. “It’s a functional thing to give that is still so personal and so much fun,” Zaino says. “It will make them smile every time they use it”(10-ft. length for $45). The “Everything Book,” a monthly calendar for tracking family activities, can be customized with a name and photo on the covers. It comes with matching personalized labels, tab stickers and note pads ($45, erincondren.com) Monogram a leather wallet or a tote for a trendy friend or relative with simple tastes. “There are people who just like to keep it simple but still want personal things that look beautiful,” says Morrison. And, to heck with trendmeisters who say monogrammed clothing is out, out, out. For those with a considerably larger gift budget, a wool or a fur coat with an understated initials inside “would be wonderful,” WGSN’s Clair Hamilton says. © CTW Features
13
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
This year’s tantalizing flavors aren’t exclusive to the dishes you prepare. The cocktails that accompany each course have their own special zing.
A
Dynamic Duo
hint of peppercorns; the sweet-tart tang of a Meyer lemon. That’s right. The before-dinner drinks are headed to the dining room table. Pairing food with mixed drinks is this season’s holiday trend, according to Colin Cowie, expert on wedding and event planning. Why cocktails and courses? “It’s fun, different and can be creative,” says Cameron Bogue, mixologist at some of New York’s finest restaurants. It can be inspired.” However, the goal isn’t to ply everyone with liquor, but to stimulate the senses. To accomplish this, imagine the wine that’s traditionally served with the course. Then create a cocktail to emulate the wine’s characteristics, including acidity, body and fruitiness, says Bogue, who works with chef Daniel Boulud’s establishments. He offers an example of an appetizer of vodka- and beet-cured salmon with a little dill. If Bogue were pairing that with wine, he’d choose sauvignon blanc, which is “bright, acidic, lighter bodied
14
Text BEV BENNETT, CTW FEATURES
and a little oak.” Then think of a cocktail that embodies those qualities. Bogue’s match is an Aviation, an elegant drink with gin, maraschino liqueur and lemon juice – and sometimes crème de violette. You can play with the recipe by adding garnishes or other spirits. Here’s the recipe: Aviation Adapted from “The Essential Cocktail” by Dale DeGroff (Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2008) ingredients 2 ounces gin 3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur 1/2 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice method Combine the gin, liqueur and lemon juice in a mixing glass with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Serves one. © CTW Features
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
... Then Comes Cocktails If you serve cocktails with dinner, opt for champagne beforehand, says Cameron Bogue, a cocktails expert. Prepare a pitcher of cocktails or the base in advance so you’re not juggling bottles at the dinner table. Vary drink colors. Use liqueurs to tint drinks blue, green or red. Offer a variety of glass shapes. “You want them to appear different,” Bogue says. For some added flair, try the following recipe for Chocolate and Cranberry Martini, used with permission from “Difford’s Encyclopedia of Cocktails: 2,600 Recipes” by Simon Difford (Firefly Books, 2009).
Chocolate & Cranberry Martini ingredients 2 shots Vanilla-infused Ketel One vodka 1/2 shot White crème de cacao liqueur 1/2 shot Noilly Prat dry vermouth 1 shot Ocean Spray cranberry juice
Spice up your wardrobe with Something From Our Exciting Holiday Collection!
glass: Martini garnish Wipe rim with cacao liqueur and dust with cocoa powder. method Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain into chilled, rimmed glass. © CTW Features
1501 NORTH MAIN ST . HIGH POINT 885-8500 1616 BATTLEGROUND AVE . GREENSBORO 275-2224
15
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
Bring Home the Perfect Christmas Tree By Anna Sachse CTW Features
TOPPER Stars and angels are classic tree toppers. For something more unique, consider faux antlers or a thick satin ribbon tied in a bow, Sforza says. Think birds, too. Workman uses a colorful faux peacock to top off her tree.
TREE Before buying a tree, touch the branches. The needles should feel soft and supple, Sforza says. It’s also important that the overall color isn’t faded, the bark of the outer twigs isn’t wrinkled and the exterior needles stay intact when the tree gets gently bounced. Fraser firs are one of the most popular options, Sforza says. “They shed minimally and have a classic, conical shape and strong branches that won’t droop under the weight of heavy ornaments.”
LIGHTS “When stringing lights, start at the bottom of the tree and work up,” Sforza says. To make taking down the lights easier, she recommends dividing the tree into three vertical sections, and then running the lights through the interior and exterior of the branches to add depth to the design. Consider using LED lights, which burn up to 80-percent less energy and give off less heat.
GARLAND An average-sized tree (6 to 7 feet) will typically use 60 feet of garland, Sforza says. She suggests creating homemade garland out of beads, faux pearls, knotted twine or rope, colorful buttons and satin ribbon. Keep the garland approximately half an inch thick for an elegant look that won’t overwhelm the tree, Workman advises . ORNAMENTS To give the tree depth, ornaments should be hung toward the inside of the tree and on the branch ends, Workman says. Place them where they won’t touch the branch below. Keep from overcrowding by exercising restraint and occasionally stepping back to see the tree as a whole. Use ornaments that match the theme or color scheme, or personalize the tree with homemade decorations. Sforza likes to create ornaments using a glue gun and string to hang origami, family photos, baby shoes or old toys like Matchbox cars and wooden blocks. STAND An average-size tree requires a stand with a base of about 20 inches in diameter, Sforza says, and it should hold at least a gallon of water. Only plain tap water is needed; do not add bleach, aspirin or fertilizer, which can actually reduce moisture retention and increase needle loss. Before securing the tree in its stand, cut one-half inch off the base. A fresh cut reopens the pores that take up water, Workman says. Check the water level daily to ensure it stays above the tree’s base. “If the tree looks dry, adding hot tap water to the stand can speed up intake,” Sforza says. FLOOR DECOR Embellish the base of a tree (and catch wayward needles) by draping the floor with an array of silk scarves in different patterns. Try luxurious velvet, silver organza or gold lamé fabric, Sforza suggests. Don’t forget that presents are the best Christmas tree accessory. “Wrap them in fun colors that coordinate with the tree and incorporate 16 pretty satin ribbons and dangly bits to make them extra special,” Workman says.
Comf y M arke t pl ac e
Is Your CAR ready for the Winter and the Holidays?
POTHOLE PROBLEMS Alignment Service
7 -AIN 3T 3UITE s 4HOMASVILLE
*Expires 12/30/10.
Winterizing Service
Inspect all hoses and belts, replace antifreesze, check heating system.
$39.95 *Expires 12/30/10.
Oil Change, Lube & Filter U.S. REHAB SERVICES 1022 Hutton Lane, Suite 110 High Point
A Physical Therapy Center Did you miss your chance to be in Market Place? Make your mark in the next edition of Comfy. Call 888-3567 to reserve your space in Market Place.
$10 OFF
WInTER SPECIAL
We offer physical therapy, massage therapy, manual therapy and much more!
$19.99*
*Most cars, additional cost for some oil ďŹ lter types. Up to 6 quarts of stock oil included. Add for any oil over 6 qts. Synthetic oil additional charge. Expires 12/30/10. No oil disposal fee.
We Sell All Major Brands of Tires FREE Diagnostic Check Engine Light DISCOUNT Tire Prices NO Disposal Oil Fees NC State Inspections
We can see patients within 24 hours We accept most insurance
Call us today for an appointment
336-886-1111
%AST 0ARRIS !VENUE (IGH 0OINT s
Comfy Magazine • Holiday 2010
the finishing touch
Holdiay Wishes I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
18
- Longfellow
The Finest for
Your Finest! Specializing in Wedding Gown Cleaning, Preservation, Alteration and Restoration FREE EVALUATION HAND CLEANING ANTI- SUGAR STAIN TREATMENT PERSONAL INSPECTION AVAILABLE EVIRONMENTALLY-PURE LASTING PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE INSURED SHIPPING
1651 NEW GARDEN ROAD, GREENSBORO 336.218.8285 159 SOUTH STRATFORD ROAD, WINSTON-SALEM
336.725.0077
804 WESTCHESTER DRIVE, HIGH POINT 336.886.4009
Come Home for Christmas Visit your hometown jewelry and gift store for those special people on your shopping list Fine Jewelry Watches Crystal & Fine China Holiday Decor Gifts
High Point Jewelers and Fine Gifts
800 N. Main Street Suite 104 High Point • 882-1011 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:30 - 6:00 Sat. 9:30 - 4:00 Closed Sunday