2009 Holiday Gift Guide by Hersam Acorn

2009

 LETTERS TO SANTA  GREAT GIFT IDEAS  HOLIDAY RECIPES  AND MORE !

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GIFT GUIDE

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Inside:

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• Great Holiday Recipes • Letters to Santa • Holiday Savings • Gift Giving Ideas • Shopping On A Budget

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A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication Jen Hathaway cover design Melissa Miller, page design

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

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Spinach Dip Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

1 10 oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 16 oz. container sour cream 3⁄4 cup mayonnaise 2 tsp. Dijon style mustard 2 envelopes vegetable soup recipe blend 1 8 oz. can sliced water chestnuts, chopped 3 green onions, chopped Hollowed bread round ��

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Combine spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise and mustard in large bowl. Stir in envelopes of vegetable soup, water chestnuts and green onions. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. To serve, stir well and spread into hollowed bread round. Arrange bread cubes, crackers or fresh vegetables around bread for dipping.

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Chocolate Triple Layer Pie Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

2 cups cold milk 2 pkgs. (4 serving size) chocolate instant pudding 1 6 oz. graham cracker piecrust 1 8 oz. tub of whipped topping, thawed and divided

Pour milk into large bowl. Add pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk for 1 minute. Mixture will be thick. Spoon 11⁄2 cups of pudding into crust. Gently stir half of the whipped topping into remaining pudding. Spread over pudding in crust. Top with remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Makes 8 servings.

Party Pack

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Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

Crust: 1 1⁄2 cups flour 1 stick margarine Mix and press in bottom of 9”x13” pan. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Cool. Filling: 8 oz. cream cheese 1 1⁄2 cups confectioner’s sugar 8 oz. container whipped topping 2 pkgs. Instant pudding (any flavor) 3 cups cold milk 1⁄2 cup chopped nuts Mix cream cheese, sugar and half of the whipped topping. Spread into cooled crust. Mix pudding and milk. Layer on top of first mixture. Top with remaining half of whipped topping and chopped nuts. Refrigerate until set. Holiday Gift Guide 2009

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Peanut Butter Balls

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Submitted by Dolores Mul-

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len, Cambridge, NY

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2 cups confectioner’s sugar 2 cups peanut butter 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1⁄4 cake parafﬁn wax 2 8 oz. pkgs. Chocolate chips Mix together sugar, peanut butter and crumbs. Roll into balls. Dip into melted chocolate chips and parafﬁn wax and let cool on cookie sheet.

Garden Rhubarb Bread Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar 2/3 cups oil 1 egg 1 cup sour milk 2 3⁄4 cups ﬂour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. vanilla 1 1⁄2 cups fresh dried rhubarb Glaze: 1⁄2 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. butter 1 tsp. cinnamon

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Mix bread ingredients in order given. Pour into two greased loaf pans and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Brush on glaze and let cool. Delicious!

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

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Whipped Cream Frosting

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Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

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3 tbsp. flour 3⁄4 cup milk 6 tbsp. shortening 6 tbsp. butter 3⁄4 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla dash of salt Blend flour and milk and cook slowly, stirring constantly until thick. Let cool. Cream shortening, butter and sugar. Slowly beat for four minutes. Add flour mixture. Slowly beat for four minutes. Add vanilla and salt. Frosting should be thick but easy to spread. Good on any cake or cupcakes.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

Chocolate Chip Pie Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

2 eggs 1⁄2 cup ﬂour 1⁄2 cup sugar 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature 1 6 oz. pkg. chocolate chips 1 cup chopped nuts 1 9” unbaked pie shell Preheat oven to 325°. In bowl, beat eggs. Add ﬂour, sugar and brown sugar then beat until well blended. Blend in the melted butter. Add chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Pour into pie shell. Bake at 325° for 1 hour. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.

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Jewish Apple Cake Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

4 eggs 2 cups sugar Juice of one orange 2 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla 1 cup oil 3 cups ﬂour 3 tsp. baking powder 1⁄4 tsp. salt 4 apples 6 tbsp sugar 2 tsp cinnamon

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Mix ingredients in order given. Beat eggs, sugar, orange juice, vanilla and oil. Add ﬂour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, mix apples, sugar and cinnamon. Pour half of the batter into a greased and ﬂoured tube pan, then half of the apple mixture, the remaining batter, and then the remaining apples. Bake at 350° for 1 – 1 1⁄2 hours.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

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Lemon Gelatin Cake

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Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

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1 pkg. lemon gelatin 3⁄4 cup hot water 4 eggs 1 pkg. lemon cake mix 3⁄4 cup oil 2 cups powdered sugar 1⁄4 cup lemon juice Dissolve gelatin in hot water and let cool. Add eggs and beat. Add cake mix and beat. Add oil and beat. Pour into greased and ﬂoured tube pan. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes. While cake is baking, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice. As soon as cake is done, poke holes in cake down to bottom of pan with fork or sharp knife. Pour mixture over cake. Let cool and remove from pan.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

Roasted Garlic Lover’s Lasagna Submitted by Dolores Mullen, Cambridge, NY

1 lb. Italian sausage 1⁄2 cup onion, diced 1⁄2 cup green pepper, diced 1 32 oz. jar spaghetti sauce 1 15 oz. container ricotta cheese 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. basil 6 lasagna noodles, uncooked. 1 13 oz. pkg. roasted garlic mozzarella, shredded and divided

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Preheat oven to 375°. Cook sausage, add onion and green pepper. Cook until crisp tender and drain well. Spread 2 tbsp. of sauce in a 2 quart oblong baking dish. Stir remaining sauce into sausage mixture. In a bowl, combine ricotta and seasonings. Place 3 lasagna noodles over sauce in baking dish. Spread with half of sausage mixture and half of ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with half of the roasted garlic mozzarella. Repeat, topping with remaining roasted garlic mozzarella. Cover with foil. Bake at 375° 45-50 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

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This Holiday Give a Gift That Gives Back (ARA) - Gift cards will be the most requested gift this year, with nearly 55 percent of consumers reporting they would like to receive a gift card this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Each year, 70 percent of consumers purchase a gift card as a holiday gift and for the fifth year in a row, gift cards are expected to lead holiday purchases. The main reasons shoppers purchase gift cards, according to a study by Deloitte, are: 1. They allow recipients to select their own gift. 2. Gift cards are easier and faster to buy than traditional gifts. However, nearly one quarter of respondents stated they would be less likely to buy gift cards because they feel gift cards are impersonal. Offering the convenience of a gift card, but a more personal gift, the GiveCard is the first and only gift card that allocates $5 from every card for a donation to a charity of the recipient’s choice. Recipients have the choice of thousands of organizations that they can donate to. The sender has the option to personalize the delivery of the card through online capabilities on GiveCard.com. The rest of the money left on the card is for spending like cash, everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. It’s like two personal gifts in one. The idea for including a donation within a gift card came while founder Clayton “Nick” Nicholas was stationed overseas in the military. His mom liked to receive gift cards, but he always wanted to send her something more personal, which was often difficult with limited options and the distance separating them. A more meaningful, personal gift card that benefited a cause she believed in solved the problem - and an idea was born.

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On average, if just 1 percent of gift cards given were GiveCards, an

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

This Holiday Give a Gift That Gives Back

A STITCH IN TIME

continued from page 14 additional $50 million would be donated to charity. That’s the power of microgiving: small contributions adding up to a big impact. With the struggles charities have seen during this turbulent economy, these donations are providing a vital impact. Recipients can choose from thousands of national and local 501(c) registered charities like the American Red Cross, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Humane Society. By giving a GiveCard, one generates a small donation and joins the growing community of microgivers who realize that when a large number of people make small individual contributions, they can make a big difference. But microgiving is not just monetary; it’s the small acts of kindness and charity made by people around the world every day. Join the microgiving movement on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GiveDay. To learn more about microgiving and GiveCard, visit www.GiveCard.com.

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Great Gifts For The Holiday Season (ARA) - The holiday season is quickly approaching and your shopping list is filled with loved ones awaiting the perfect gift. However, finding the right gift can be a daunting task when each person has a unique set of qualities and interests. Shorten your shopping time with this list of products that are sure to create smiles this holiday season. After all, it’s always easier when you get a helping hand - especially at this time of year. For the snacker on your list Snacking is synonymous with the holiday season, but with the abundance of cookies and other tempting treats, healthier snacking is not always top-of-mind. This year, satisfy the snacker on your gift list with Jack Link’s Beef Jerky. Jack Link’s snacks are made with premium cuts of 100 percent beef, pork, turkey or chicken and are naturally high in protein and low in fat, calories and carbs - making them a smarter, better-for-you snacking choice.

These treats come in three flavors: The Original: Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky The Savory: Jack Link’s Teriyaki Beef Steak Nuggets The Spicy: Jack Link’s Flamin’ Buffalo Chicken Nuggets This holiday season, give your snacker’s palate what it really wants - a bag of Jack Link’s Jerky. Jack Link’s is available in grocery stores, mass retailers, convenience and drug stores nationwide. With this gift, satisfaction is in the bag. For more information, visit www.jacklinks.com. Suggested retail price: $5.99 For the angler Make sure the angler on your list has the latest go-to lure from Rapala, the Flat Rap. The Flat Rap can be cast or trolled for multiple species, making it an ideal lure for any angler. The flat sides and scooping triangular lip combine to generate a hard flashing action that is paired with a quicker, tighter, wounded-minnow display that slices through the water, tantalizing predators that lurk between the two-to-five-foot water column. The Flat Rap is a unique, hard-flashing bait that’s in a category by itself and sure to keep any angler smiling all holiday season. For more information, visit www.rapala.com. Suggested retail price: $7.99 - $8.49 continued on page 17

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

Great Gifts For The Holiday Season continued from page 16 For the pet lover Give pet lovers elegant armor to provide protection for their home, automobile or wherever life takes them and their pets. Crypton’s Throver looks like a blanket and works like a fashionable tarp. Throw it over a sofa or drape it over a car seat. Create an instant splash of style with an impenetrable layer of Crypton Super Fabric. Crypton fabric is not only eco-friendly but also stain, water, bacteria and odor resistant. The fabrics contain no toxic chemicals, heavy metals or carcinogens and are made using recycled energy. The Throver can be spot cleaned and is machine washable. Throvers are available in a number of colors and patterns. For more information, visit www. cryptonfabric.com.

Suggested retail price: $149.00 For the cooking enthusiast As winter ushers in the indoor cooking season, outdoor grilling enthusiasts are understandably reluctant to give up the grill. The Calphalon Removable Plate Grill means they don’t have to. It’s a great gift for home cooks who want year-round grilling perfection. Its oversized grilling surface makes it easy to sear large steaks, chicken and pork chops or even delectable panini sandwiches. The adjustable grill height suspends the top plate to fit thick burgers or to lightly brown more delicate foods like fish. Calphalon’s exclusive Opti-Heat system ensures even heat delivery and the high performance bronze nonstick surface allows continued on page 18

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Great Gifts For The Holiday Season ��

continued from page 17 for low-fat or nonfat cooking. And clean-up is simple; the internal drip tray and grill plates are removable and dishwasher safe. Part of Calphalon’s suite of kitchen electrics products, the Calphalon Removable Plate Grill is the perfect gift. For more information, visit www.calphalon.com. Suggested retail price: $149.99 Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

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Gift Ideas For The Fitness Fans On Your List (ARA) - What do you get the fitness fans on your holiday shopping list? Candy and fruitcake probably aren’t good gifts, since they’re likely watching their diets. Clothing is difficult, since getting the style and size right can be tricky. And you want a gift that is personalized, that pays homage to their dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Exercise-related gifts might be the perfect solution, and fortunately there are plenty of ways you can tie your gift giving into a fitness fan’s lifestyle. You don’t have to spend big bucks on expensive fitness equipment to help the fitness fan on your list stay in shape. Here are four simple gifts that blend fun and cost consciousness into an effective workout: 1. A jump rope - Jumping rope is a great workout that provides a high-calorie burn. A jump rope workout not only improves cardiovascular health, it tones some of the most challenging muscle groups, including calves, thighs and buttocks. It also gives your arms a great workout. You can purchase a quality jump rope at a sporting goods store and still have enough left over in your budget to give your fitness fan a jump rope workout video as well. Plus, jumping rope harkens us back to childhood, when physical activity was more about having fun than getting ripped. 2. A hula hoop for the arms - The Armhoop 200 does for the arms what a traditional hula hoop does for your waist. The 20-inch diameter hoops are specially made for toning the arms and strengthening the shoulders, and are convenient for workouts at home, the gym or in the park. A unique wavy design inside the hoops helps them stay on your arms for a better workout. The Armhoop can be purchased for less than

$20 at www.SportsHoop.com. 3. An exercise ball Large exercise balls are the perfect blend of fun, fitness and relaxation. You can use them to aid in stretching before a workout or incorporate them into the workout itself. The ball can be used solo for workouts or for a team workout of old-fashioned fun like dodge ball or beach ball. 4. Your time - Your fitness fan might enjoy the gift of your time the most. Is he a runner? Commit to jogging with him or putting in some treadmill time by his side one day a week. Does she love Pilates? Attend a class with her. Having you fit and healthy by their side may be the best health-minded gift you can give your loved one this year. Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

Get The Most Value Out of Your Holiday Shopping Tip 3: Buy last year’s model Skip the lines and the steep prices by buying last year’s models on electronics that have likely seen up to 30 percent price cuts. Today’s cutting-edge technological advancements in Mp3 players and digital cameras don’t come cheap, so carefully consider the added value they offer. Do your research and find out if those extra pixels or special features are essential for the person you are shopping for. If you pay close attention, you may find that last year’s model does 95 percent of the things that this year’s model does, but at 70 percent of the price. Tip 4: Comparison shop

ARA) - What is the hottest holiday gift-giving trend this season? It’s all about getting the most bang for your buck. “Shopping for the holidays this year is all about finding value and stretching your dollar to get the most out of your purchases,” says Steve Kemble, ‘America’s Sassiest Lifestyle Guru’ and General Growth Properties (GGP) gift-giving expert.“Knowing the secrets to finding the best deals and creating a successful shopping strategy will get you the most value as you shop for family and friends this holiday season.” To help make your holiday shopping experience a success, Kemble offers his top tips for a foolproof holiday shopping plan:

Being organized is crucial to developing a successful holiday shopping strategy. Start a list of items you need to purchase and watch for ads in the newspaper, on television, and in your mall subscription alerts starting in early November. Then make your purchases wherever you find the best deals or most compelling promotions. For example, participating GGP malls all over the country are offering special retail offers on Thanksgiving weekend, including $10 GGP Gift Cards with qualifying purchases, and free holiday “Mistle-Tote” giveaways full of retailer goodies, while supplies last. Check out www.MerryGiving.com for more event information. continued on page 22

Tip 1: Subscribe to your local mall’s e-mail list: Be the first to find out about the hottest deals by joining the e-mail list of your local mall. By adding yourself to these lists, you may be alerted of upcoming sales, or even receive special coupons or invitations to shopping events or promotions. Visit www.MerryGiving.com to find your local GGP mall Web site and register to receive exclusive news, retail offers and much more. Tip 2: Buy early and late Be a savvy shopper and buy gifts throughout the year when you find a good sale. By planning ahead and crossing some items off your list before the holidays, you can avoid feeling pressured into last-minute purchases and find a few gifts during late-season sales when some stores offer deeper discounts. Holiday Gift Guide 2009

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Get The Most Value Out of Your Holiday Shopping continued from page 21

Tip 5: Find value in the season’s hottest gifts Finally, once you have planned the perfect the holiday shopping strategy, keep your eyes open for these hot holiday gifts that can offer great value. Eco-chic is in now more than ever, and many gifts put a hip spin on being environmentally friendly by using renewable materials that are both functional and eco-responsible. For the techie on your list, smart phones are the do-it-all tool that keeps families connected with each other and the rest of the world. The latest smart phone technology is more affordable than ever - even free with a new contract or group plan - and available across a variety of carriers. Finally, for your fashionista friend, remember that high fashion doesn’t necessarily have to come with a high price tag. Give big, bold accessories that make a stylish statement without breaking the bank.

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To find more ways to get the most value out of the holidays log on to www.MerryGiving.com where you can explore details of exclusive shopping events, retailer sales, and a special partnership with Martha Stewart Living magazine, all taking place at participating GGP malls across the country. Courtesy of ARAcontent

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On a Budget This Holiday Season? Luxury Gifts You Can Afford (ARA) - Mom, sister, daughter, wife - they’re all special women in your life and you want to get them luxury gifts this holiday season. But your budget is limiting your spending. You can do luxury without spending the big bucks on beautiful gifts. All it takes is a little creativity and a good eye for quality.

darker colors including green and peacock. Every woman - no matter her age or style - should have a beautiful drop Tahitian pearl necklace or earring set to enhance the elegance of her wardrobe. To learn more about Tahitian pearls and see the huge variety of settings and designs, visit PearlParadise.com.

Here are some luxurious gift ideas without the large price tags: Spa package: continued on page 24

Women love to be pampered, but heading to a spa can be very expensive. Instead, create a beautiful gift basket of lotions, creams, gels, oils and exfoliating products for the bath. Make sure you schedule free time for her to relax in her spa and let the stress seep away. Add a calming CD or a manicure set to top off the package. To keep this gift extra special, look for products with a scent the recipient appreciates and enjoys. If you are in an area where a spa training center is located, give the company a call and find out if you can schedule an appointment at a reduced price. This way you’re still able to give the luxury spa getaway, without the extra cost. Jewelry: “Pearls bring elegance and beauty to any outfit and also are an affordable jewelry choice,” says Jeremy Shepherd, CEO of PearlParadise. com. “Freshwater pearls are very versatile - they come in a variety of pastel colors so you can match an outfit or skin tone perfectly, and you can look for the perfectly round classic pearls or mix and match some of the more unique and creative shapes.” PearlParadise. com offers pearls up to 80 percent off retail price, and freshwater pearl earrings to complete strands of freshwater pearls start at $22. Another popular style of pearl is the Tahitian drop pearl - a pear-shaped pearl with no banding around the middle like circle pearls. Tahitian pearls come in Holiday Gift Guide 2009

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On a Budget This Holiday Season? Luxury Gifts You Can Afford continued from page 23

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“Nothing says luxury and good taste as cultured pearls. Known as an icon of style for centuries, pearls take on a woman’s personality, her distinct luster,” says Kathy Grenier, director of Marketing and Communications with The Cultured Pearl Association of America Inc. “Today, cultured pearls of all shapes, colors and varieties are available making pearl jewelry options plentiful.” Afternoon out:

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With children, work and extra activities, sometimes the best - and most luxurious gift - is an afternoon out on the town. Depending on your budget, you can expand this into an evening on the town or a mini getaway as well. The months of January and February are ideal for traveling because hotels, flights and tours are lowering their costs in an effort to fill vacancies. If you plan on the afternoon out, special discounts are often available for lunch menus and afternoon matinees. Get dressed up, have a great lunch at a well-known restaurant and catch the latest theater production while keeping the cost affordable.

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Shop off-season: This tip will take a bit of extra work, but if you’re willing to dig, you can find many summer clothing and accessory items for reduced prices during the winter months. If the recipient is big into purses, look for bags made from linens and light-weight fabrics. Search for some extrastylish shades or a beautiful summer hat. For the professional female, look for a cool warm-weather suit made from flowing linens. If the clearance racks in the stores don’t have anything, go online to find the great deals.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2009

Wine Is a Gift of Flavor, Knowledge (ARA) - Is there a person on your holiday gift list who has always wanted to become a little more cultured about wine? Perhaps he or she has attended several wine tasting events to sample different styles - just to pique his or her interest even more. A wine club membership could be the perfect gift for a budding connoisseur.Wine clubs ship different styles of wine - usually red and white varieties - to your house on a regular basis, complete with background history for the wines. A wine club membership is based on different price points - which would allow you to adjust your gift based on your friend or family member’s previous wine experience. The original Wine of the Month Club evolved more than 30 years ago in Palos Verdes, Calif. when Paul Kalemkiarian purchased a pharmacy with a liquor store next door. He turned the liquor store into a fine wine shop and renamed it Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits. Soon, he began treating customers to special red and white wines pulled from the shelves each month. These recommendations were made after many varieties of wine were tasted and compared by knowledgeable customers and friends of Kalemkiarian who became the first members of the Wine of the Month Club. Soon customers wanted to have the special wines of the month delivered. This process first was done by hand, but then through shipping agencies. Eventually Kalemkiarian decided to retire, and sold off his pharmacies and Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits, but he kept the mail order rights and trademarked “Wine of the Month Club” name. Now his son, Paul Jr., owns the original Wine of the Month Club, sampling hundreds of varieties of wines every week to make sure the best selections are mailed out to members.

Holiday Gift Guide 2009

A gift membership to the Wine of the Month Club sends the recipient two pre-screened bottles of wine each month, every other month, or once every three months for a year along with a copy of the monthly Wine Letter and newsletter. The newsletter discusses recipes to make around the wines, the wine steward’s thoughts on the wines highlighted that month, characteristics of the grapes, characteristics of the region where the grapes were grown and even the mechanical part of making wine. This allows your friend or family member to become knowledgeable about wines, their flavors and the grapes that made them. It’s the perfect gift to give them to become a good wine connoisseur. For more information, visit www.wineofthemonthclub.com.

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