2015 IWANNA Holiday Gift Guide by IWANNA USA

holiday happenings

local events all over WNC

lights, ornaments + inspiration

HOLIDAY

INSIDE LOCAL EVENTS SHOPPING ADVICE HOLIDAY PLANNING WINTER CALENDAR

deck the halls

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

holiday happenings

deck the halls

local events all over WNC

lights, ornaments + inspiration

H O L I D A Y

Gift Guide General Manager & Publisher

PATRICIA M. BETTS

Production/IT Manager

JEFF RUMINSKI

Creative Director

CARRIE HARDER

Creative Services

DAVID DENTON RACHEL HOEFT DEBI MANFRE RANDY WHITTINGTON

Advertising Consultants

MEG HALE PAM HENSLEY RICK JENKINS ROSE LUNSFORD CRYSTAL PRESSLEY

Sales Assistant

JAYME PRESSLEY

Distribution Manager

SAM HOWELL

6 |

Christmas at Biltmore

8 |

Winter Wonderland at the Grove Arcade

10 |

Asheville Holiday Parade

INSIDE

16 |

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland

28 |

National Gingerbread House Competition

LOCAL EVENTS SHOPPING ADVICE HOLIDAY PLANNING WINTER CALENDAR

36 |

Holiday Coloring Contest

38 |

River Arts District Shopping

56 |

Christmas Cookie Recipes

60 |

November & December Calendar of Events

Cover designed by Carrie Harder A Publication of

22 Garﬁeld Street, Suite 100 Asheville, NC 28803 828.274.8888 Holiday Gift Guide, a publication of IWANNA, has accepted contributions which may not reﬂect the opinion of the publisher. No portion of Holiday Gift Guide may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday cooking

delight overnight holiday guests with

tasty omelets

The holiday season often finds homeowners playing host to friends and family visiting from out of town. While the holiday dinner often draws the most attention, guests need to eat breakfast as well. Holiday hosts who want their overnight guests to start their days off on the right foot should consider the following recipe for “Potato and Arugula Omelets” from Betty Rosbottom’s “Sunday Brunch” (Chronicle Books). Potato & Arugula Omelets Serves 2 2½ tbsp unsalted butter ½ tbsp olive oil 4 oz red-skinned potatoes, scrubbed but not peeled, cut into ½ inch cubes 4 eggs ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 8 cups arugula, stems discarded and leaves cleaned, dried and coarsely chopped* ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar 6 tbsp grated Gruyere cheese 8 Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper ➜ Heat ½ tablespoon of butter and olive oil in a heavy frying pan on medium heat. When hot, add potatoes and saute, stirring often, until light golden and tender, 8 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. (The potatoes can be prepared 1 hour ahead; leave at room temperature. Reheat, stirring, over medium heat.)

➜ Whisk eggs in a mixing bowl and season with a pinch of salt and the cayenne. Place arugula in another mixing bowl and toss with vinegar. Place Gruyere cheese and potatoes each in separate bowls. Have a ladle ready for adding egg mixture to pan. ➜ Add 1 tbsp butter to a 9-inch frying pan, preferably nonstick or seasoned cast iron, set over medium heat. Swirl butter so that it coats the bottom of pan. When hot but not smoking, ladle half of the eggs into the pan and stir with the back of a fork until they start to set but are still quite liquid on the top, about 30 to 40 seconds. With fork or a nonstick spatula, lift an edge of the omelet and tilt the pan to let some of the uncooked egg mixture run underneath.

Repeat this two or three more times, working your way around the pan until the eggs are cooked but remain moist on top. ➜ Sprinkle half of the potatoes, then half of the cheese, and finally half of the arugula over the eggs. Let the mixture cook until the cheese begins to melt and the arugula wilts only slightly, 30 seconds. Using a nonstick or metal spatula, fold the omelet in half and slide it onto a plate. Repeat to make another omelet. ➜ Serve each omelet as soon as it is prepared. * You can use regular or baby arugula, but the former provides a more intense flavor.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

holiday shopping Travel enthusiasts range from weekend warriors with a favorite campsite to international jetsetters.

gifts for the

travel lover Many people love to travel, but some take their wanderlust to another level. Holiday shoppers can find a host of gifts suited to all types of travelers this holiday season.

en and women who seem perpetually onthe-go may not stop to discuss items on their holiday wish lists, but holiday shoppers can find the right gifts for those loved ones who never seem to stop for long before moving on to the next place.

gear Whether the wanderer on your holiday shopping list prefers to travel domestically or overseas, he or she can’t hit the road without certain gear. Camping afficionados might appreciate a new mini-stove or grill so they can eat like kings no matter how far they retreat into their favorite forests. For the inter-

national jetsetter on your list, perhaps a new set of luggage might make the perfect holiday gift. If your budget is a more tight, consider a traveler’s kit with luxury shampoo, conditioner and body wash and lotion. camera Part of the joy of traveling is documenting a trip with a great camera. Cameras come in a wide range of styles, and good cameras can range from a couple hundred dollars to more expensive models that cost upwards of a thousand dollars. If your budget does not allow for a more expensive camera, give your loved one some cash toward buying a new camera for his or her next adventure. If money is no object, do your homework, research-

ing cameras based on your loved one’s interests. More adventurous travelers might want cameras that can withstand the wear and tear of outdoor sports, while travelers who focus more on sightseeing might not benefit from cameras designed for more daring photographers. Research cameras online, and ask employees at local electronics retailers which type of camera is best suited to the traveler on your list. airline mi les Many airlines allow customers to transfer their airline miles to whomever they choose. Some airlines, such as Delta, allow miles to be transferred to a maximum of four people, and such transfers incur both a fee per mile transferred and a transaction fee. In addition, airlines may limit how many miles you can transfer or only allow members of their mileage programs to transfer their miles to other members. Airline miles can be a great gift for travel enthusiasts, saving them substan-

Gift Guide

tial amounts of money. Learn the ins and outs of your mileage program before giving miles as a gift. If the traveler on your shopping list prefers to travel by car rather than airplane, a gas card can go a long way toward trimming the cost of his or her travels. experiences If you know a loved one will be traveling to a particular locale in the near future, look into his or her destination and book a unique experience for him or her. For example, travelers headed to London may appreciate a tour of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. Men and women visiting New York City for the first time might appreciate a boat tour to the Statue of Liberty or a nighttime boat ride along the Hudson and East Rivers that allows them to take in Manhattan’s famed skyline under the stars. Such experiences can make trips that much more memorable. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

local events

Experience Gilded Age Elegance During

For more information about Christmas at Biltmore, visit Biltmore.com/visit Biltmore facade during the Christmas season. Photo credit; The Biltmore Company.

Christmas at

A holiday tradition born more than a century ago, Christmas at Biltmore will enchant those who visit George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore House during the estate’s annual holiday celebration, set for November 6 through January 10.

very year, Biltmore transforms into an unforgettable yuletide vacation destination like few others. Biltmore’s design team will weave this year’s theme – “A Gilded Age Christmas” – throughout every element created for the season, incorporating grand and elegant details that are rooted in authentic Vanderbilt Christmas stories. Inside the 250-room Biltmore House, which bears a striking resemblance to Highclere Castle on the PBS Masterpiece series “Downton Abbey,” guests will see more than two dozen elaborate hand-decorated Christmas trees. A towering 34-foot-tall Fraser Fir tree laden with toddler-high ornaments and wrapped packages tucked into its branches serves as the seasonal centerpiece in the home’s immense Banquet Hall.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings, Nov. 6 - Jan. 2, 2015 The holiday spirit lives within the hallways and rooms of Biltmore House even more so under cover of nighttime. During Candlelight Christmas Evenings, thousands of ornaments and over-thetop wreaths and garlands sparkle with the reflections of candlelight and cozy fires in the home’s fireplaces. Despite the home’s enormous size, sounds of choirs and musicians create an intimate atmosphere. Outside, a 55-foot Norway spruce tree, lit by 45,000 tiny white lights and surrounded by hundreds of hand-lit luminaries,

welcomes guests for evening tours. Offered Nov. 6 through Jan. 2, Candlelight Christmas Evenings are the only time of year when the home is open for evening tours.

Around the Estate In Antler Hill Village, Santa will visit with children and families from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 7 through Dec. 20, and also on Friday, Nov. 27. Cedric’s Tavern will host live music nightly. There will be roving hoiday carolers throughout Antler Hill Village. The village links to the Winery where visitors may take guided tours, enjoy free wine tastings and purchase wines from Biltmore’s diverse portfolio, including the limited release Christmas at Biltmore blend. Special wine seminars are available by reservation including “Red Wine and Chocolate” as well as the “Biltmore Bubbles” tour. Biltmore’s floral arranging and gardening experts will conduct free, daily seminars at A Gardener’s Place retail gift shop from Nov. 6 through Jan. 12. Seminars are ““Decorate with Christmas Wreaths”” at 12 p.m., and “Create Holiday Tablescapes” at 1 p.m. Guests may enjoy a festive holiday meal at the estate prepared by award-winning chefs at any one of the estate’s dining establishments. The Inn on Biltmore will offer its annual Gingerbread House Tea on Dec. 17, 18, and 19. Guests can assemble a gingerbread house

with the help of a pastry chef while enjoying afternoon tea.

Lodging Options at Biltmore Increase in 2015 Guests looking to extend their holiday stay at Biltmore will have several options. Those seeking a retreat with personalized service, Inn on Biltmore Estate offers four-star accommodations with sweeping views in a private hilltop setting. Special holiday packages starting with Thanksgiving will be available during Christmas at Biltmore. Biltmore’s newest lodging offering, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, opens in December 2015. Designed for the guest looking for a casual overnight stay, Village Hotel is located in the lively setting of Antler Hill Village. It offers a convenient home base steps away from shopping, dining, the Winery, live music and outdoor activities. Special holiday packages will be available during Christmas at Biltmore. Biltmore boasts retail shops, all perfect for holiday gift shopping. Other activities include taking a horse and carriage ride; exploring acres of walking and biking trails and more. - Courtesy of biltmore.com

George Vanderbilt opened his home, Biltmore, to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895. Today, Biltmore celebrates this holiday tradition by decorating the grand rooms and spacious grounds of the estate. A visit to “America’s Largest Home” may inspire you to bring some holiday elegance into your own home. Biltmore’s experts share some tips for creating a festive holiday display.

Tapestry Gallery. Photo credit; The Biltmore Company.

5 steps to a Biltmore-worthy tree 1. hang the lights Use electrical tape to attach power strips to the tree trunk. 2. Wrap the garland Starting at the top of the tree, wrap in scallops; drop down a branch level at the back of the tree 3. Hang the ornaments Choose a variety of shapes and

sizes, placing the largest ones near the bottom of the tree. 4. Top it off Consider a simple tree topper such as a bow or dried flower bouquet. 5. complete the look Choose an appopriate tree skirt; add some wrapped packages or poinsettias for more color.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

local events

Grove Arcade Winter Wonderland Nov through Jan 3

winter wonderland at

grove arcade

A Season of Celebration in One of Asheville’s Architectural Jewels starts on November 20th

owntown Asheville’s historical Grove Arcade is a spectacular spot to enjoy the holidays and support locally-owned shops and restaurants. On November 20th from 5-8 p.m., come sing holiday carols with the Asheville Symphony Chorus. Make holiday ornaments. View gingerbread houses from Omni Grove Park Inn National Gingerbread House Competition™. Asheville Symphony Chorus is the evening’s main event! Over forty chorus members are on hand to celebrate the evening with traditional and contemporary carols. “We are so excited to be a part of this celebration, our music will soar in the Arcade-what a thrill!” says Asheville Symphony Chorus’s Cynthia Sprau. This promises to be a crowd favorite. Throughout the evening: Ho, Ho, Ho….Santa visits the Grove Arcade again this season. He visits for the Deck the Halls Lighting Celebration on November 20th and returns on Sundays December 6, 13, and 20 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Santa sits for photos and wish lists. He also has a story or two up his big red sleeve! Children will also enjoy making decorations for a Grove Arcade tree or their own. For $1 per ornament to benefit MANNA Food Bank, artists from Asheville Area Arts Council help design and create holiday ornaments. Be a part of what promises to become an Asheville tradition. Deck the halls of the historic Grove Arcade on November 20th, and enjoy the season in the Arcade’s Winter Wonderland through January 3rd, 2016. - Courtesy of the Grove Arcade

A fanciful building, envisioned by Edwin Wiley Grove of the Grove Park Inn, that incorporates many architectural styles and served as one of the leading commerical buildings in the city in the 1930s. At 269,000 square feet, it was (and still is) the largest building in downtown Asheville.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNAÂŽ November 17, 2015

holiday traditions

hanging

stockings with care

Mantles adorned with garland and other holiday trinkets make fireplaces come alive for Christmas.

hat magic is only enhanced by hanging Christmas stockings, which are just waiting to be filled with goodies for good girls and boys. Those without a fireplace often hang stockings from windowsills and stairway banisters.

No written record exists to explain the origin of hanging stockings on fireplace mantles. Despite this, many people link the tradition to a tale about St. Nicholas. As that story goes, St. Nicholas was traveling through a village when he overheard the plight of three women. They

were poor, and their father could not afford an ample dowry to marry them off. Rather than have them end up spinsters, St. Nicholas secretly tossed bags of coins through a window (or down the chimney, depending on the version), and they were captured in the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stockings hanging to dry by the fire. The family was overjoyed to have received such riches. Soon news traveled about the mysterious money in stockings, and other children left out stockings for St. Nicholas to capture their own gifts. The tradition has transformed over the years, and now many

children hang stockings by the chimney with the expectation that the stockings will be filled with gifts from Santa. Traditions once suggested that only gifts from Santa were left in stockings, while gifts placed beneath the tree were from family, but that has since changed. Stockings are now meant to hold small gifts while larger items are placed under the tree. Stockings should be hung away from the flames of the fire as a safety precaution. Some children even like to hang individual stockings on their bedposts instead of on a fireplace mantle. - Metro Creative Connection

Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

local events

asheville holiday parade T

he Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles of WNC, rolls, dances and marches through downtown Asheville on Saturday, November 21 beginning at 11am. The parade features nearly 100 entries including marching bands, dance and cheer squads, nonprofits and businesses. This year’s parade theme is “Joy to the World.” Asheville-native and Atlanta Braves star, Cameron Maybin, will serve as grand marshal for the 2015 Asheville Holiday Parade. The grand marshal float is sponsored by Deerfield Retirement Community. Maybin played baseball at T.C. Roberson High School, where as a freshman, he led his team to a state championship and was named the tournament’s “Most Valuable Player.” The 10th overall pick in 2005, Maybin was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, and after a couple years in the minors, was called up in 2007. At 20, he was the youngest player in the American League, and in just his second major league game, picked up his first career home

run off All-Star pitcher, Roger Clemens. Now centerfielder for the Atlanta Braves, Maybin has posted 10 home runs and 52 RBIs in the 2015 season. Parade entries include a little something for everyone with decorated floats, adoptable pets from area rescue organizations, our Honored Veterans float sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, live music, performances, and of course, Santa Claus, brought to you by the NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights! Performance stops are located at the corner of Biltmore and Patton Avenues as well as near Pritchard Park. Transportation is available through the City of Asheville’s ART transit system. Parade attendees can pick up a free bus pass for the Holiday Parade at City Hall (5th Floor) Monday through Friday leading up to the parade. After the parade, attendees are invited to Pack Square Park from 1-4pm for Ingles JingleFest. Activities include bouncy houses ($2 wristband), games and activities, and live entertainment from the stage.

Y J

Plus, Cameron Maybin will sign autographs from about 2-3pm and there will be free photos with Santa. Who’s in the parade?

❄ A New Hope Home Care ❄ A.C. Reynolds High School JROTC ❄ A.C. Reynolds High School Marching Band ❄ ABCCM ❄ Access Church ❄ AFGE Local 446: American Fed of Gov’t. Employees ❄ AHS Homecoming Queen & Miss Asheville High ❄ Amazing PubCycle/Enter the Conundrum ❄ Angie’s Dance Academy ❄ Anthony Miller Racing ❄ Artspace Charter School ❄ Asheville Citizen Times (Sponsor) ❄ Asheville City Federation Negro Women’s Club ❄ Asheville Dance Theater, Inc. ❄ Asheville Eye Associates (Balloon Sponsor) ❄ Asheville Family Church ❄ Asheville Fire Department #1 ❄ Asheville Fire Department #2 ❄ Asheville Football and Cheerleading League ❄ Asheville High School Dance Team ❄ Asheville High School Marching Band ❄ Asheville Humane Society ❄ Asheville Middle School Cheer ❄ Asheville Police Department ❄ Asheville Radio Group (Sponsor) ❄ Asheville Second Line Community Band

to the world

❄ Asheville Skylight ❄ Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do ❄ Asheville Window and Door ❄ Audrey Goforth Photography, pony & cart ❄ Banjo Beary by Pisgah Media Group ❄ Baseball Helium Balloon (Asheville Tourist handlers) ❄ BC Parks and Recreation ❄ Beta Lambda Zeta Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority ❄ Blue Ridge Roller Girls ❄ Bojangles Cadillac Escalade (Parade Sponsor) ❄ Bojangles Food Truck (Parade Sponsor) ❄ Bojangles H2 Hummer ❄ Boy Scouts of America, Daniel Boone Council ❄ Brother Wolf Animal Rescue ❄ Center Stage Dance Studio ❄ Chattanooga Bakery ❄ Clyde A. Erwin High School JROTC ❄ Clyde A. Erwin High School Marching Band ❄ Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community (sponsor) ❄ Distinguished Young Women BC Scholarship Program ❄ East Buncombe Youth Rockets Football ❄ Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians ❄ Eblen Charities ❄ Edible Arrangements ❄ Emmanuel Lutheran School ❄ Enka High School Marching Band ❄ Enka Junior Jets Cheer (Hominy Valley Youth League) ❄ Erwin 14U All Stars ❄ Erwin Youth League

❄ Fairview Elementary Fairview Flyers Unicycle Team ❄ Family Preservation Community Services ❄ Fearless Athletics ❄ Feelfree Kayaks ❄ Flag Balloon (Express Employment Pros handlers/ sponsor) ❄ GEICO Asheville ❄ Girl Scouts – Buncombe County ❄ Grand Marshal - Cameron Maybin ❄ Harmony Motors (Sponsor) ❄ Haywood Street Congregation ❄ Holston Gases (Balloon Sponsor) ❄ Hometown Holiday Jam ❄ I Heart Media ❄ I Heart Second App (Sponsor) ❄ Ingles (JingleFest Sponsor) ❄ IWANNA ❄ Kudzu Branding (Sponsor) ❄ Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition ❄ LaZoom Comedy Tours ❄ Mary Ellen Woods Riding Doc ❄ Mayor’s Committee on Veteran Affairs (sponsored) ❄ Mitchell High School Marching Band ❄ Montreat College ❄ MR Motorcycle ❄ Navitat Canopy Adventures ❄ NC Rhododendron Festival, Inc ❄ NC Watermelon Festival ❄ New World Celts ❄ North Carolina Submarine Veterans ❄ Odyssey Community School ❄ Off the Wagon Dueling Piano Bar ❄ Omni Grove Park Inn ❄ Paramount KIA ❄ Progressive Education Program ❄ Ridgeline Church ❄ Santa (sponsored by NC Arboretum Winter Lights) ❄ Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care ❄ Smoky Mountain Sk8way ❄ State Employees Credit Union ❄ Street Creature Giant Puppet Collective ❄ TC Roberson Air Force JROTC ❄ TC Roberson Youth Football and Cheerleading ❄ Telco Community Credit Union ❄ TMC Productions Misses ❄ UNC Asheville ❄ Viper Cheer ❄ Wafﬂe House ❄ Western North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance ❄ Wheels4Hope ❄ Wholesale Glass & Mirror Co. ❄ WLOS / WMYA ❄ World Balloon (Asheville Eye Associates handlers)

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday shopping

how to give holiday

gift cards

Nearly every man or woman has hit that all too familiar wall when holiday shopping for friends and family. While many people might be a cinch to shop for, there always seems to be one stickler on holiday shopping lists, and finding the right gift for that person can be an exercise in patience and perseverance.

ut even the most patient shopper has his or her limits, and many people find themselves giving gift cards to those friends or family

members who seemingly have everything already. Such cards make great gifts, but only when gift givers employ a few tricks of the gift card trade.

Buy directly from the retailer. It’s easy to be duped by a counterfeit gift card, which can be embarrassing for both the gift giver and its eventual recipient. Counterfeit gift cards are big business for criminals who prey on gift givers during the holiday season. Only buy gift cards directly from the retailer, as cards sold by other sources, such as an online auction site, may be stolen or counterfeit. You don’t want to be the person who gave a stolen or counterfeit card, and your friend or family member does not want to be subjected to an inquiry as to why he or she is attempting to use a stolen or counterfeit card. examine the card Before leaving the store. Once a cashier or customer service employee hands you a gift card, examine it for tampering before leaving the store. Some criminals gain access to gift cards, even those that appear to be behind lock and key, to learn the PIN number associated with the card. Once they have the PIN, recipients can then recreate their own card, using the stolen PIN to activate and make

purchases on their counterfeit cards long before the real card is sold to you. If you detect any damage, ask for a new card before leaving the store. include a gift receipt With the card. When giving a gift card, don’t forget to include the gift receipt. The gift receipt not only verifies the value of the gift card, but also includes the date the card was purchased. That’s important information, as many companies begin to charge fees, some of which may be exorbitant, on unused cards after a predetermined period of time. Recipients who have the gift receipt won’t have to haggle with retailers about the value of the card should that ever be in dispute, and the receipt also can serve as a reminder that the recipient needs to use the card before a given date to avoid fees.

that stickler on your holiday shopping list is especially difficult to shop for, then you might want to consider a general purpose gift card issued by a company such as American Express, MasterCard or Visa. These cards generally allow recipients to use their gift wherever they choose, whether it’s to put gas in their tank or buy groceries. That versatility is valuable if you truly have no idea what your friend or family member needs or where he or she likes to shop. One notable disadvantage to general purpose gift cards is that they tend to come with more fees than more traditional gift cards purchased directly from specific retailers. Investigate these fees and find a card that charges no fees or only minimal fees. - Metro Creative Connection

consider a general plan IfWell in advance Certain items purpose gift card. for the party, like decorations and certain snacks and beverages, have no expiration dates, so buy such items early.

stress-free holiday hosting tips pass the Buck Consider passing the hosting duties on to a local restaurant.

enlist help Invite a friend over to help decorate and ask guests to bring certain items to save you some work.

have a theme Themes set a tone for the party right away and often make it easier for guest to unwind.

Gift Guide gifts for her

ALL OF HER FAVORITE THINGS

are in stock and on sale for the holidays! A

B 25% OFF All Seiko and Pulsar Mens or Ladies Watches

Candler Budget Bridal Shoppe Over 500 gowns $300 or less C

Finkelsteinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vintage & Estate Jewelry up to 50% OFF

A. B. C. D.

269 Tunnel Road 828.252.9891 2274 Smoky Park Hwy 828.670.1871 21 Broadway Downtown 828.253.7731 1378 Hendersonville Rd 828.277.4100

Baby Lock Rachel Sewing Machine at $479

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNAÂŽ November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday shopping gifts may encourage the giftsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recipients to visit your community and do some shopping, further benefitting your local economy.

shop locally

this holiday season

Shopping is a big part of the holiday season, when families and friends gather to reconnect and exchange gifts. While the popularity of shopping online has grown, such practices are not always eco-friendly or timely, as gifts bought online must be packaged and shipped, wasting valuable resources and time that lastminute shoppers may not have.

he benefits of shopping locally go beyond convenience and the chance to reduce your carbon footprint. The following are a few ways that shopping locally this holiday season can directly benefit your community and the people who call it home. local economy When men and women shop locally, they are putting money back into their local communities. Local small businesses may be owned by your neighbors, and it can be comforting to know that your holiday shopping dollars are

going to support a neighbor instead of a large corporation. Local businesses also employ your neighbors, so shopping local can strengthen the local economy by creating jobs that may not exist if you and members of your community fail to support local small businesses. community identity Local small businesses go a long way toward creating a neighborhood identity, and that identity can create a stronger sense of community among you and your neighbors. In addition, a unique community

identity can make your town more attractive to outsiders, and that appeal can improve the value of local real estate while also attracting more people to local businesses in your neighborhood. uniqueness of gifts The gifts you buy when shopping locally also can benefit your community. Gifts

purchased from small local businesses tend to be more unique than items bought from national chains, as smaller retailers tend to sell more homemade items than their national competitors. Recipients of such items may find such gifts more thoughtful than mass produced items bought from national chains, and the uniqueness of homemade

customer service The accessibility of customer service is another oftoverlooked benefit of shopping locally. When buying from national chains, especially during the holiday season when such businesses may be overwhelmed with orders, making contact with customer service departments can be a trying exercise in patience. Long wait times on the phone or online can make the process of contacting customer service extremely frustrating. But such frustration is rare when buying from local businesses, as consumers can simply take their products into the store, where employees can immediately address their concerns. In addition, buying locally makes it more convenient for friends and family members who also live in your community to return their gifts. - Metro Creative Connection

Every year, the Asheville Downtown Association organizes the Downtown Holiday Windows Contest. There will be about 40 businesses participating this year creating a delightful experience for everyone who walks around downtown. The event is appropriately sponsored by Window World of Asheville and there are cash prizes.

For a walking tour map of the windows visit: ashevilledowntown.org/Windows

Gift Guide gifts for him B

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Yamahas starting at $38 a month

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

foods to donate during the

mega drivethru light show returns

the best

It’s back, and it’s bright! Shadrack’s Christmas than the snow. Like most, Santa can ride a wave, Wonderland returns to the Western North nted by but shockingly, he can ride a friendly whale too. Carolina Agricultural Center P in rese Fletcher After adding more than double the channels to for another season of festive lights, jolly its animation, this Christmas lights dreamland tunes and a sprinkle of magic. From continues to push the technological boundaries Wednesday, November 25th (the night as well. Come see the all-new RGB animated arch before Thanksgiving) through December with 3,600 computerized channels on it alone. 30th, the two-mile maze of lights will glow There is also new music to keep your spirits GA DRIVE-THRU LIGHT SHOW RETURNS Plus “Shadrack,” Santa’s number one nightly from 6-10pm. Guests simply tune in bright. their radio and watch beauty unfold as helper, has joined the show and will sit in as your YS, MUSIC ANDtheTECHNOLOGY tour guide for the season. That little one can’t they drive through hundreds of thousands wait to reveal a few tricks that have been in the of brilliant LED lights dancing in perfect Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland returns to the making for many years. synchronization with theanother music filling their ofThefestive enter in Fletcher for season lights, Shadrack’s Christmas cost to experience th vehicle. nightis $20 before From Wednesday, November 26 (the Wonderland per family car or van. For an

s this showmaze works itsof way into family van, limousine or small bus the cost is the two-mile lights will glowactivity nightly from 6traditions, it continues to add new $30, and tour/school buses o and watch the beauty unfold as they drive through are $75. Rates include features to “wow” guests, year after year. tax. Christmas Wonderland D This lights dancing in perfect synchronization with the proudly supports season, catch a glimpse of how Santa and his Toys for Tots and United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County to help meet local needs.

friends spent their summer vacation at the beach! Included in the route is a section of huge displays For complete details and a preview visit featuring commerical snapshots of the features traditions, it continues toSanta addandnew to “wow” ShadrackChristmas.com whole North Pole crew playing in the sand, rather catch a glimpse of how Santa and his friends spent

Included in the route is a section of huge displays and the whole North Pole crew playing in the sand, nta can ride a wave, but shockingly, he can ride a

nels to its animation, this Christmas lights dreamland boundaries as well. Come see the all-new RGB d channels on it alone. There is also new music to ck,” Santa’s number one helper, has joined the show season. That little one can’t wait to reveal a few tricks ears.

stmas Wonderland is $20 per family car or van. For he cost is $30, and tour/school buses are $75. Rates oudly supports Toys for Tots and the United Way of meet local needs.

http://www.ShadrackChristmas.com/.

enter, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732 ww.mountainfair.org/ ###

holiday season

In the U.S., one in seven people struggles with hunger, and many rely on food from local food banks to help feed their families. The holiday season is an especially difficult time and many of us think about making donations to local food banks at this time of year. According to food bank representatives, the following types of donations help feed hungry families the most.

Holiday Ingredients & Side Dishes • • • • •

Canned pumpkin Canned yams Cranberry sauce Boxed stuffing Dried macaroni

Shelf-Stable Protein Sources • • • • • • • • •

Canned tuna or salmon Canned chicken or other meats Canned beans Dried beans Canned soups Peanut butter Nuts Canned chili Trail mix

Pantry Staples • • • • • • • •

Rice (especially whole grain) Oatmeal Pasta (especially whole grain) Diced tomatoes Tomato sauce Canned vegetables Cooking oils (such as olive or canola oil) Flour

Your Time • • • •

sorting donations assisting with fundraising events answering calls or other administrative work cooking or providing support in cooking classes.

Gift Guide gifts for the family

for all their stockings!

C Orange Amps starting at $99

Birds, Dogs, Reptiles & Fish

A. B. C. D.

289A Merrimon Ave 828.658.2334 1408 C Patton Ave 828.253.8735 1400 Spartanburg Hwy 828.692.1143 Exit 31, I-40, Canton 800.532.4631

2015 Ford Explorer in Bronzefire

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday movies

5 holiday

ﬁlms to lift your spirits

any families have their own unique holiday traditions, but some traditions transcend familial lines to become an integral part of many people’s holiday celebrations. One of the more popular traditions during this festive time of year is to watch favorite holiday film with family and friends. One of the more popular traditions during this festive time is to watch favorite holiday film with family and friends. With that in mind, the following are some of the most beloved holiday movies ever to make it onto the big screen.

it ’s a Wonderf ul lif e

Perhaps no holiday film is more beloved than this 1946 Frank Capradirected classic. Screen legend Jimmy Stewart plays a desperate businessman contemplating suicide during the holiday season. But a guardian angel helps him realize all the good fortune in his life by showing him what life might have been like if he had never existed.

Whit e christ m as

This 1954 song-and-dance film stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as a pair of longtime friends and ex-military men who fall in love with a sister act team that includes famous singer (and aunt to George Clooney) Rosemary Clooney. Crosby and Kaye join forces to save the failing Vermont inn of their beloved former commander.

m iracle on 34t h st reet

Natalie Wood stars in this 1947 classic that follows the trial of Kris Kringle, who claims to be Santa Claus and must prove otherwise to avoid being institutionalized. Nominated for Best Picture at the 1948 Academy Awards, “Miracle on 34th Street” won three of the prestigious statuettes, including a Best Supporting Actor Oscar® for Edmund Gwenn, who played the jolly old man in the red suit.

Bad santa

Though not quite as heartwarming as many holiday films, this 2003 black comedy stars Billy Bob Thornton as miserable, alcoholic con man “Willie,” who poses as a mall Santa Claus so he can rob a department store safe on Christmas Eve. But in spite of its rather raunchy take on the holiday season, the film is ultimately a story of redemption as Willie befriends a bullied youngster and begins to turn his life around.

a christ m as carol

Those looking for a more traditional take on holiday films need look no further than this 1951 adaptation of the Charles Dickens novella, which tells the tale of bitter miser Ebenezer Scrooge as he is haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNAÂŽ November 17, 2015

create an area for

gift wrapping

Nearly as much energy goes into wrapping presents as we spend on purchasing them. Some people excel at wrapping gifts, while others do not enjoy the task at all. Having a designated area can help ease the pain!

art of the trouble with gift-wrapping is the room and tools needed to wrap all of those holiday treasures. But a gift-wrap station in a seldom used corner of the home can make wrapping presents any time of the year easier and more enjoyable. Find a place to store gift wrap and the needed tools.

Gift Guide Many people find the back of a closet door works perfectly. Install wire hanger racks so the gift wrap tubes can be stored vertically along the surface of the door. Install a folding shelf on a hinge, and use that shelf to do your wrapping. Fold the shelf up when it is not needed and secure it with a latch at the top. Hang hooks to store tape and

scissors. Attach the scissors to the hook with a string so they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go missing. A basket tucked nearby can house bows and ribbons so that they are easily stored until needed. Having the wrapping station so accessible also allows you to take inventory of supplies and restock when necessary. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday cooking

food traditions

holiday from around the world

any major holidays, like Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve, are celebrated all across the globe, but holiday food traditions vary from place to place. Here is a look at how people around the world dine during the most festive time of the year. A. Israel

Latkes

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates an Old Testament miracle — one night’s worth of oil lasted for eight nights. Because of this, many of the foods traditionally eaten during Hanukkah are fried in oil, like the ever-present potato latke, a potato cake fried until golden and crispy.

changed over time, but mince pies are still a beloved English Christmas treat. C. Sicily

Fish

Christmas in Sicily and other parts of Southern Italy means the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Traditionally, Roman Catholics in this area fast on Christmas Eve, so a feast of seven (or more) seafood dishes at the end of the day is a true celebration of the area’s bounty. On the eves of special holidays, as well as on Fridays and during Lent, many observant Catholics refrain from eating meat or dairy, so these seafood dishes are usually fried or cooked in oil rather than butter. D. France

Mince Pies Bûche de Nöel

B. England

Mince pies have been a Christmas treat in England since the 13th century. Soldiers returning from the Crusades brought back new and exotic spices, like nutmeg and cinnamon, and cooks at home used them in a variety of dishes, including pies filled with mincemeat and dried fruits. The size and type of fillings used have

The Bûche de Noël (“branch of Christmas”) is the French version of a Yule Log. It is a rich cake rolled and filled to look like a log, often decorated with tiny merinque “mushrooms” or other small edibles made to look like items you might find on the forest floor. It is traditionally served after the Christmas Eve midnight mass. One of the most common classic

A B

flavors is chestnut, although today you can find Bûche in many flavors at bakeries around the world. E. Greece

Melomakarona

Christmas is a major celebration in Greece, and there are many ways in which people observe the holiday. Many religious Greeks fast before Christmas, so when feast day finally arrives, it is a big affair! One traditional holiday sweet is melomakarona, a sweet, honey-soaked cookie topped with ground walnuts. These sweet treats are eaten on Christmas Day after breaking fast.

F. Sweden

G. Peru

Saffron Buns Spiced Hot Chocolate On December 13, St. Lucia’s Day marks the official start of the Christmas season in Sweden and other Scandinavian nations. Traditionally, the eldest daughter must dress in a white gown with a red sash and a crown of lit candles, then wake her parents with hot coffee and a tray of saffron buns. Swedes also elect a national Lucia every year, and many towns and villages across the country choose a Lucia to represent them as well. St. Lucia was one of the earliest Christian martyrs, killed by Romans for her religious beliefs.

In Peru, spiced hot chocolate is a Christmas tradition. In December, churches around the country take donations to make massive quantities of it, as well as panettone, a traditional Italian holiday bread. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, there are gatherings called “Chocolatadas” all over Peru where the bread and hot, sweet, spicy drink are served to the less fortunate.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

holiday shopping Food-themed gifts make the perfect holiday present for food fanatics, and shoppers have an endless array of options to satisfy their favorite foodies’ appetites.

gifts for the

foodie

Food plays a big role come the holiday season, when friends and family gather around the table to share meals and catch up. But food related items also make great gifts for that person on your list who loves to savor a good meal no matter the time of year.

hanks in part to celebrity chefs and television shows that teach viewers how to make gourmet meals at home, it’s now easier than ever before for food lovers to expand their culi-

nary horizons. Gifting such food fanatics can be fun and may even inspire a love of unique cuisine in holiday shoppers, especially those who consider the following gift ideas.

Cooking kit Ingredients and other essential elements of good meals were once taken for granted. But more and more foodies are now creating their own foods from scratch. Bacon fans may fall in love with a kit that helps them cure and smoke their own bacon, while those who love fresh, homemade bread may appreciate a bread-making kit that includes flour, a pan, some recipes, and other items necessary to make the perfect homemade loaf of bread. Cooking kit options are vast, so find a food your loved one can’t go without and purchase the appropriate kit.

Gardening tools While the holiday season might not seem like the ideal time to buy your favorite foodie some gardening tools, such items make the perfect gift for your loved one who wants to grow his or her own fruits and vegetables. Locally grown produce has become increasingly popular among foodies focused on eco-conscious cooking practices, and it does not get much more local than home cooks’ own backyards. Cutlery set Though it’s easy to overlook, cutlery goes a long way toward making home cooks’ jobs easier. The right cutlery set, which may include one or two chef ’s knives, a vegetable knife, a santoku knife, a bread knife, and other knives home cooks will appreciate, can make preparing a meal easier and more efficient than cooking without a set. High-end cutlery sets can cost several hundred dollars,

Gift Guide

but shoppers on more limited budgets can still find quality cutlery sets for less money. Food getaway Many foodies love to travel so they can experience cuisines popular overseas or in different regions of the country. Men and women whose spouses love food can plan a food-themed getaway weekend to a locale that specializes in a type of food their significant others enjoy or have always wanted to try. For example, men and women who love lobster may enjoy a trip to Maine’s annual Lobster Festival, while those who can’t get enough barbecue may appreciate a trip to one of the country’s more notable barbecue spots, such as Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina or Texas. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday traditions

six secrets to

holiday baking success 5 1 3 2 6 4 Although some people have mastered baked goods, others can benefit from a few tricks of the trade. Utilize these tips to make holiday baking that much easier. don’t overdo it Overworked cookie dough may result in dry cookies. Try not to handle dough more than is necessary to roll it out to desired thickness. When rolling the dough, put it between two pieces of waxed paper to reduce flour usage on the rolling pin. line the pan When baking brownies or other bar-type cookies, line the inside of the pan with greased aluminum foil. This way you can lift out the dessert and cut it neatly instead of risking sticking. The same technique can be used when baking cookies. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper

and bake as directed. The cookies should slide right off when done, and you won’t have messy pans to wash afterward.

doublecheck Double-check your oven temperature with a reliable thermometer to make sure it is accurate. This will help you bake more efficiently and adjust the time or temperature accordingly.

use your freezer Many cookie doughs can be refrigerated or even frozen, so you can make a big batch and then spread out your baking as needed throughout the season.

make the most of

black

friday shopping

Black Friday is one the biggest shopping days of the year, and is often the perfect time to begin holiday shopping and save money on incredible deals.

housands of eager shoppers will leave their homes in the early morning hours and wait in lines at stores in order to grab the best prices of the season, while retailers will be gearing up to lure the greatest number of shoppers. Surviving the day unscathed and arriving home with discounts galore involves having a game plan for success. Know the prices of the items you want to buy. Scour advertisements in advance of Black Friday to gauge the regular retail prices for common items, including electronics. Comparison shop for the best prices and make notes to help you when Black Friday arrives.

Understand the fine print of “door busters.” Door buster sales are meant to get shoppers into stores, where retailers hope shoppers will make additional purchases while taking advantage of advertised deals. If door buster items are all you’re looking for, read the advertisements carefully, noting the start and end time of the discounts and if there will be limited quantities. In addition, determine if there is a special return policy for sale items purchased on Black Friday. Dress for comfort. Wear sensible, comfortable shoes and clothing when shopping. Leave a large purse at home and opt for something compact that can be draped securely over your shoulder and body to navigate

use the right utensil Rubber spatulas are very effective for folding in ingredients and scraping the contents of bowls. Whisks are essential for incorporating air into ingredients such as eggs and whipping cream. Wooden spoons are great for checking how much a sauce or custard has thickened. measure Baking is an exact science. Measure all your ingredients carefully, using a glass measuring cup with a spout for wet ingredients and regular measuring cups and teaspoons for dry ingredients.

the crowds. Keep your coat in the car or make use of a coat check service if available. Dress in layers if you will be waiting outside for stores to open. This way you can shed clothing as the mercury rises or when you get inside. Arrive together but shop separately. The “divide and conquer” method of shopping allows everyone in your shopping party to score good deals. Split up shopping tasks and then head to different areas of the store. Share and collect your purchases when you meet up after the rush. Make a list and stick to it. Buyers’ remorse come Saturday morning is common for those who have over-extended their budgets and purchased items they did not need. Know ahead of time what you plan to purchase and do not veer off course. Scout the stores ahead of time. Visit the stores where you plan to shop a few days before Black Friday. Learn the layout of the store and where

Baking is popular come the holiday season, when baked goods are often gifted or shared with family and friends at holiday gatherings.

everything is located. Try on certain clothes or read over the labels of big-ticket items you plan to buy. Knowing where items are located and having all of your information in advance will cut down on the time it takes to find items on Black Friday. Don’t overlook nontraditional stores. Many other stores, from pharmacies to supermarkets, stock items apart from food and toiletries. Consider taking advantage of their sales for some Black Friday deals. Park off campus. Promptly store receipts. Designate a folder or envelope for all of your receipts to keep them organized and handy. Pack a small snack and drink. It’s easy to become dehydrated and hungry waiting in long lines, which can compromise your decision-making abilities. Bring a snack so that you can recharge your body and continue shopping. Leave the kids at home. Black Friday shopping can be

make black friday shopping as smooth and fast as possible by following some helpful tips stressful, and children can easily get lost or bumped around in the fray. It is safer to leave them home so you can focus your full attention on shopping. Know when to call it quits. Establish a firm cut-off time for ending your shopping excursion. This way you can head home, rest and sort through your purchases. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

HOLIDAY GIF T IDE AS • E NTE R TAI NI NG TI P S • L OC AL S HOP P IN G • R EC IP ES

holiday living F made easy With so much on our plates between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, managing everything during the holiday season can quickly get very hectic.

ortunately, there are many ways to save time and make the holiday season more manageable.

will work just as well. If you’re concerned about the color of the wooden clips, paint them holiday hues before stringing the lights.

If you don’t have plastic clips to hang lights around windows and to the eaves of your home, inexpensive clothespins

Put a bath mat, rug-side down and rubber-side up, beneath your Christmas tree stand. This allows you to spin the tree

See details on page 36.

as you hang lights and ornaments without damaging the floor underneath. It also makes it simple to undress the tree once the season is over. Use a tree skirt to hide the mat. Squeeze artificial tree portions into concrete form tubes.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNAÂŽ November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday planning

First wrap the tree portions in twine and then slip them into the concrete sleeves. Each tube can be stowed in attic or garage rafters, freeing up precious space. Use empty squirt bottles to make baking and cooking easier. Pancake and cookie batters can be squirted from the containers for less mess. Store one or two strings of lights in a plastic shopping bag to keep the strands from getting tangled. Hang the bags from a hook in a garage or stack them in a storage bin. Use plastic zip ties to attach garland and lights to bannisters. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re easy to assemble and will not damage the bannisters. A paper towel holder can be screwed to the wall in a craft room to neatly hold spools of ribbon. Simply pull the length you

need from the spool and cut for easy decorating. Mount a tree stand to a piece of wood with screws or glue. This prevents spills from reaching the floor while stabilizing the tree. Old maps make interesting gift wrap and are a nice change of pace from commercially produced paper or newsprint. Wrap duct tape or another type of sticky tape around your hand. Pat over fallen pine needles that accumulate around the tree. In hard-to-reach areas, wrap the tape around a broom or a floor sweeper. When traveling for the holidays, use a brightly colored suitcase or flashy tape to make your suitcase stand out from others at the airport.

ar in a baking dish, cover it with a moist paper towel and either microwave it on high for 20-second intervals or place it in a 300 F oven for five minutes. This will soften the sugar, making it easier to use the sugar to prepare your favorite holiday cookie recipes. Save plastic bread ties, which can be used to make tags for the wires on certain devices. Such ties also can be used to organize decorating components and to keep your place on a roll of tape. Measure the inside of your picture window and construct a wooden frame to its dimensions. Staple holiday lights to the frame and then easily slip the frame in and out of place each year. Hang a live wreath or some boughs of evergreen in your home to give it that fresh pine scent if you have an artificial tree.

Place hardened brown sugColor-code storage containers so you can easily find holiday decorations in the attic or basement. Pack for a holiday excursion using a collapsible clothing

storage hanger for closets. Fold clothes on each fabric shelf and then collapse it into your suitcase. When you get to your destination, unfold and hang it in a closet so all of your clothes will be at the ready. Make the holidays even more enjoyable with a variety of timesavers and clever tips.

A few simple strategies can help you save time and reduce stress this holiday season.

say happy holidays wherever you are The phrase “Happy Holidays” is uttered millions of times across the globe between the end of November and the beginning of January. But even if you find yourself in a non-English-speaking country this holiday season, you can still pass along this popular greeting thanks to the following translations.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

holiday greetings

Gift Guide

Danish: Glade feriedage

Italian: Buone Feste

Spanish: Felices Fiestas

Dutch: Gelukkige Vakantie

maori: hararei hari

Swedish: Trevlig Helg

French: joyeuses fêtes

Portuguese: Festas Felizes

Turkish: Mutlu Tatiller

Greek: kalés diakopés

Romanian: Sarbatori Fericite

Welsh: gwyliau yn hapus

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

local events

national

gingerbread

house competition

On display November 18, 2015 through January 3, 2016. Open to the public on Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

or a sweet treat, tour the amazing display at the 23rd Annual National Gingerbread House CompetitionTM at The Omni Grove Park Inn. Except for the base, the entries are constructed entirely of edible materials. Judging will take place on November 16 and the awards ceremony is open free to the public. After the awards ceremony, the display will be set up throughout the hotel and will be open for viewing from November 18th through January 3rd, 2016. As a means to preserve the

overall guest experience, The Omni Grove Park Inn will open its doors to the public to view the Gingerbread display and holiday splendor from Sunday through Thursday (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day). While there is no admission charge to view the gingerbread creations, there is a $10 per car parking fee. Half of this fee goes to local non-profits and the other half covers the extra expenses to accommodate the big crowds. - Courtesy of groveparkinn.com

make your own

Feeling creative? Make your own gingerbread house with these recipes and instructions from the grove Park Inn. gingerbread 1 lb. Margarine 12 oz. Brown sugar 1 lb. Molasses 3 lbs. 8oz. All Purpose Flour 1 tbs + 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbs + 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp. ground cloves 2 tsp salt 11 oz. cold Water ➜ cream margarine, brown sugar, spices and salt until light and fluffy. ➜ Add and blend molasses. ➜ Add flour and mix to combine. ➜ Add cold water and blend. ➜ refrigerate to set. ➜ Bake at 350°F until done. (Approximately 15-20 minutes)

royal icing 1 lb. Powdered sugar 2 egg Whites 1 tsp. cream of tartar ➜ Add egg whites to sugar and cream of tartar. ➜ Beat on high for 3-5 minutes until snow-white and fluffy. ➜ Keep covered with a damp towel to retain moisture and avoid hardening. Top: 2014 Adult Grand Prize - Ann Bailey from Cary, NC Bottom: 2014 Adult Second Place - Glenda Tant from Lebanon, TN

royal Icing is the best choice for assembling and decorating

gingerbread house. Most other icings contain shortening or butter that will eventually soak into the gingerbread and could cause your house to soften and collapse.

marzipan

construction tips • •

• •

2 lbs. Almond Paste ½ cup Light corn syrup 2 lbs. sifted Powered sugar

•

Marzipan is an edible clay-like substance that can be rolled, pressed, and molded into creative shapes for garnishments, people, packages, creatures, etc.

• • •

pastillage 1 oz. gelatin 8 oz. Water 5 lbs. confectioner’s sugar ➜ Heat together the gelatin and water until dissolved. ➜ Add confectioner’s sugar. ➜ Keep covered with a wet towel. Pastillage, similar to stiff putty, is sometimes referred to as gum paste. Pestillage is rolled fondant without any of the softening ingredients (glycerin, corn starch, or shortening). It dries bone-dry and crusts more quickly than fondant.

• •

•

decide on shape and style of house. Make templates for all sides and roof of house (cardboard, posterboard). decide on the materials you plan to use. roll out gingerbread to approximately ¼ inch thick. decide on a style of window (examples: poured sugar, chocolate candies). do all decorating on side of house before assembly. Make royal Icing. Keep covered. Assemble your house. You will need cans and little boxes to help support your house while the royal Icing dries. decide on material for the roof (keep weight in mind). When sides and front are dry and sturdy, assemble the roof. cover with a little powdered sugar for a snowy look (optional). Add christmas trees or people, animals, little ponds, snow banks, etc. Have fun!

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday traditions

‘Christmas Vacation’ still

National Lampoon’s ‘Christmas Vacation’ came out in 1989 but is still loved by families today.

a top holiday flick pick

Holiday films hold a special place in many people’s hearts, and perhaps no holiday movie of the last 30 years has resonated as much as “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” The oft-quoted holiday favorite turned 25 years old in 2014, yet the film remains as popular as ever.

ans of the movie “Christmas Vacation” can no doubt quote their favorite lines from the film, but the following are a few tidbits that even the most ardent “Vacation” fan might be able to use to surprise friends.

“Christmas Vacation” featured a handful of “Saturday Night Live” alumni. In addition to the film’s star, Chevy Chase, SNL alums Randy Quaid, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brian DoyleMurray appeared in the film.

The movie is based on a story titled “Christmas 59,” which was also written John Hughes, who wrote and produced the film. The film pays homage to this story when Clark Griswold is rummaging through the attic and finds a movie reel named “Christmas 59.”

Surprisingly, “Christmas Vacation” had its own sequel that few are familiar with. The made-for-television “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure” was released in 2003. Frank Capra III worked as an assistant director on the film. In one scene of the film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which was directed by Frank Capra III’s grandfather, is on a television in the background. Actress Mae Questrel (Aunt Bethany) provided the voices for Betty Boop and Olive Oyl in the 1930s. “Christmas Vacation” would be her final film. The movie had a surprisingly large budget ($27 million) for a comedy with no special effects.

The role of Cousin Rocky had no lines in the film. Cousin Eddie’s fashion style, in particular the sweater/ Dickie combination, was the brainchild of actor Randy Quaid’s real life wife. In the other “National Lampoon” Vacation films that preceded “Christmas Vacation,” Rusty was the older child of the Griswold clan. However, he is the younger sibling in this film. “Christmas Vacation” marked the directorial debut for Jeremiah Chechik, who went on to direct “Benny & Joon” and 1998’s “The Avengers.”

No part of “Christmas Vacation” takes place on Christmas Day. The film culminates with the antics that take place at the Griswold home on December 24. Brian Doyle-Murray, who played Frank Shirley, is the brother of another famous comic actor: Bill Murray. “Christmas Vacation” was the only movie in the series up until then that did not feature Lindsey Buckingham’s song, “Holiday Road.” - Metro Creative Connection

2015 November 24th, 2015.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

holiday shopping ests outside the classroom. But the following gift ideas are essentially universal in their appeal, making them great gifts for the special educator in your life.

gifts for the

teacher

Few opportunities to thank teachers for all of the hard work they do present themselves during the course of a typical school year. A thoughtful holiday gift is one way to show their appreciation for a teacher’s efforts.

t’s customary for students to offer teachers small tokens of their affection, whether it’s during the holiday season, at the end of the school year or both. Choosing a gift for a

teacher can be challenging, as the relationship between student and teacher and/or parent and teacher is not personal, and it’s very possible students and parents have little knowledge of a teacher’s inter-

handwritten notes Rather than trinkets that proclaim “World’s Best Teacher,” students can write their own sentiments about their teachers and present it with a gift card or another gift that doesn’t take up much space. A heartfelt note of appreciation and gratitude can be all it takes to put a smile on a teacher’s face this holiday season. Food Food can be enjoyed in and around the season. Avoid making items yourself, as some people are particular about eating foods that were cooked in someone else’s kitchen. Stick to pre-packaged food baskets, or even treat the teacher to a meal with a gift card to a restaurant. something scholarly

gift that provides a teacher with some intellectual stimulation might just do the trick this holiday season. For example, a set of safety goggles or a kit for doing in-class experiments might work well for a science teacher, while a biography or a best-selling novel may fit the bill for English teachers. gifts cards Very often all of the students in a class donate a small amount toward a gift card. Consider a card that is redeemable at a nearby store or a generic cash card the teacher can use anywhere credit and debit cards are accepted. Classroom supplies Budget constraints have forced many teachers to supplement classroom materials out of their own pockets. So a gift of school supplies or a gift certificate to an office-supply store or teacher-supply center may be greatly appreciated. Catered Lunch Consult with the school principal to set aside

Gift Guide

a day when teachers can enjoy a catered lunch provided by the students. Each class parent can collect funds, which can then be pooled to host a lunch for the teachers. When gifting teachers, there are also some gifts to AVOID: trinkets & mugs Through the years a seasoned teacher has likely collected a fair share of trinkets and coffee mugs. Chances are he or she does not need another one. Perfume & lotion Avoid scented lotions, perfumes and other cosmetic products, as such items are more personal. Overly expensive gifts Do not give a gift that is beyond the standard range of others in the classroom, which usually falls between $10 adn $20. It could appear as if you’re buying affections for the student, and it could make the teacher uncomfortable. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday entertaining

buffet entertaining tips and timesavers Buffet-style meals are often the best option for large gatherings of friends and family. Space constraints can make it difficult to sit everyone down for a formal meal, and buffets enable guests to mingle with one another while selecting only the foods they want to eat.

uffet service is a good and efficient meal solution for any time of the day. Buffet set ups at parties can include both cold and hot foods if they are kept at the right temperature. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when entertaining buffet-style.

Present food in an easily accessible location Place food on a table or counter that will not be in the way of foot traffic. Arrange dishes and cutlery at the head of the buffet line so guests can move in an orderly fashion as they select their food. Tie together utensils for ease Group forks, knives and spoons with a cloth napkin and dish so guests can easily grab what they need for dining. Practice food safety Hot dishes need to be kept warm and cold dishes need to be placed on ice. Use chafing dishes and pans in combination with your serving plates. Food should be removed if it has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours. Experiment with meals that keep Stews, casseroles, soups, baked pasta dishes, and similar fare can be made in advance and frozen. Thaw these dishes in the refrigerator the day before the party, then heat up foods and serve for the buffet. Prepared foods purchased at a supermarket or specialty retailer also work well for buffets. Simply purchase and then set out for even less work. Weigh your catering options Catering services can make easy work of holiday hosting but not without expense. Caterers may charge by the person or by each tray of food. Some will include table settings and rolls with the price; others may not. Calculate the costs of using a caterer and weigh them against the cost of doing the work yourself.

Use plastic utensils for hot foods Metal spoons and forks can quickly heat up when sitting in hot serving dishes. Use plastic utensils so guests do not get burned.

many desserts, such as fruit pies, also can be frozen. It’s possible to make ahead just about everything for a holiday feast and simply thaw and reheat when the big day arrives.

Keep dressings on the side Salad dressings and other condiments can cause foods to wilt or get soggy. Have them nearby so guests can help themselves.

Create a good side dish ratio Buffets should include a variety of side dishes. Select one or two main dishes and then vary the rest of the selection with rice, pasta, vegetables, or other favorite side dishes.

Be mindful of food allergies Although you may have various foods available to meet the dietary needs of guests, do not place risky foods next to others. Label food options so everyone knows what’s available. Ask a friend to help set up Ask a close friend or family member to come over an hour or two early to help you set up the buffet and with any other last-minute touches. This will take some of the pressure off of you, and you can chat and enjoy yourself before your hosting duties begin. Frozen foods should be thoroughly wrapped Only use freezer-safe bags and containers to store prepared foods. Otherwise you may run the risk of freezer burn or freezing, affecting the taste of the final product. Keep in mind that

Keep take-away containers on hand You’re bound to make more food than you need, so send guests off with their own goodie bags to lighten the load on your leftovers. Encourage guests to fill up a container and take some food home with them. Lock pets away An open, unattended buffet can seem like paradise to a hungry cat or dog. It’s not sanitary or particularly appealing for guests to catch a pet taking advantage of buffet fare. Keep pets in a bedroom or outside when the meal is being served. Buffets are a fine choice for big groups because they provide variety and the chance to mingle. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday shopping

gifts for the

Tickets to a big-time game or event is one holiday gift no sports fan will ever forget.

sports fan

Find the perfect holiday gift for the family sports fan whether you are also a sports buff or if you don’t know the Super Bowl from the World Series.

ortunately, shoppers don’t need to know a lot about sports to find holiday gifts that will elicit cheers from their favorite sports fans. The following are just a handful of gifts that would make any sports fan happy this holiday season.

championship tickets Many sports fans dream of attending a championship game, whether that game is the Super Bowl in the National Football League, the World Series in Major League Baseball, an NBA Finals game, or whatever sport most stokes a particular sports fan’s passion. Tickets have long been a go-to gift for sports fans, but holi-

day shoppers who want to go above and beyond may want to purchase tickets to the championship of a friend or loved one’s favorite sport. Super Bowl tickets tend to be the most expensive tickets in American sports, and such a costly gift might be more than your holiday budget can handle. Championships in other sports tend to be expensive, but more reasonably priced than Super Bowl tickets. If possible, ask a friend or relative to split the cost of a pair of tickets. television Many sports fans now prefer to watch their favorite sports on television rather than in person. Remarkable advancements in technology have made watching

is not your loved one’s thing, then pay his or her entry fees into a local sports league, such as a summer softball league or a competitive basketball league for adults.

the game at home not much different than being there in person, and watching from home won’t require fans to pay for travel, parking or tickets. A new smart television that makes it possible for sports fans to stream out-of-town games or watch online highlights on big screens may be just the thing your favorite fanatic is hoping for this season. gym or league membership Some sports fans are not

merely content to watch their favorite sports; they also want to compete. Devoted fans of mixed martial arts might appreciate a membership to a local MMA gym, where they can mimic their favorite competitors’ moves all while getting in shape and meeting like-minded men and women who share their passion for MMA. Offer to pay for the first several months of a loved one’s membership, or if your budget allows, buy a 12-month membership. If MMA

attire The sports attire business is booming, and no sports fan’s wardrobe is complete without a handful of items that profess his or her love for a favorite team. Visit a local sporting goods store to stock up on clothes that help your favorite fan fit in when he or she attends a game or visits a nearby bar or restaurant to take in the game with fellow fans. Holiday shopping for sports fans can be fun, especially for shoppers willing to get a little creative. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Color Banjo and you could WIN a

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE to The Toy Box.

CONTEST RULES

1. Contest is open to children ages 10 and under. Two age divisions: 3 - 6 years old and 7 - 10 years old. Relatives of IWANNA employees or contest sponsor are not eligible to win. 2. Adults may assist in completing the contest entry form, but not in the coloring. 3. Limit one entry per child. Entries will not be returned. 4. All entries must be postmarked by Friday, Dec. 11, 2015. 5. Submissions are considered property of IWANNA and may be printed in this newspaper. 6. Decisions of judges are final.

Entries will be on display at our office in Biltmore Station.

Contest sponsored by:

THE TOY BOX

Name:_________________________________________________________________________

OF ASHEVILLE, INC.

793 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804

Age:____________ Phone:________________________________________________________

828-254-8697

Addrss:________________________________________________________________________

Open Daily 10-6 Closed Sunday

City:_________________________________ State:___________ Zip:_____________________

Please send Santa Coloring Contest entry form to: Santa Coloring Contest c/o IWANNA 22 Garfield St., Suite 100 • PO Box 15228 • Asheville, NC 28813

Find us on 0004612206

fun@toyboxasheville.com www.toyboxasheville.com

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday shopping

Find something for everyone in the district

river arts

map courtesy of riverartsdistrict.com

For more information, visit RiverArtsDistrict.com

Did you know that Asheville’s River Arts District consists of more than 180 artists’ studios, many of which are open every day all year-round? Pay the RAD a visit this holiday season and pick up a gift for a loved one (or yourself!) while witnessing an amazing range of art being created.

rom cutting edge sculpture and paintings to traditional raku fired pottery, and everything in-between! Here’s a list of the various studio buildings and businesses in the area. Visit riverartsdistrict.com for individual studio hours, a peek at the treasures you can expect to find and more info! 1. Warehouse Studios 2. Curve Studios 3. The Old Wood Co. 4. Cotton Mill Studios 5. Riverside Studios 6. Galaxy Studios 7. Hatchery Studios 8. 95 Roberts 9. Phil Mechanic Studios 10. The Wedge Studios 11. Roberts Street Studios 12. Odyssey Center 13. Jonas Gerard Fine Art 14. Riverview Station 15. Pink Dog Creative 16. 352 Depot Street Studios 17. Element Ceramics 18. Desert Moon Designs Studios 19. Studio 375 Studios & Gallery 20. North Light Studios 21. The Lift Studios 22. David C. Stewart Studios

toP 10 ways to PrePare For your river arts District visit: 1. Visit riverartsdistrict. com, download the Studio Guide, and take note of your favorites 2. Check out Twitter and Facebook for local happenings. 3. Check out the map 4. Think of your visit as a treasure hunt: finding artists whose hours are parallel to your own. Look for open signs & open doors. 5. Bring the kids. The district is a family friendly destination with many mediums to explore, many artists to meet and much creativity to absorb! 6. Do a little bit of research before you visit to make sure you get to see what you’re really interested in. Interested in a certain medium? Check out our artist by medium page and jot down who you want to see. 7. If you really want to see a particular studio or artist, call ahead and make sure they are open. 8. Wear comfortable shoes— most of the district is within walking distance, although you’ll find a car does come in handy to get to some of the further-out studios (and you won’t want to miss them!) 9. Don’t worry about meters! Parking in the district is free. You can park on the street or in designated lots outside of studios marked in grey on the map. 10. Come hungry (and thirsty!) There are restaurants, cafes and a brewery all here in the district! Look for the knife, fork and cup symbols marked in grey on the map.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

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CheCkpoint Armory, LLC. Keltec PMR 30 and KSG-call Camo Ruger 10/22-$260. 22 long rifle ammo, and 22 Magnum ammo available-Call. 5858 Asheville Hwy/ Hendersonville. Hours 9:30-to-5:30 Monday- Friday. Layaways welcome. Visit online at www.checkpointarmory.com 828-651-0370

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Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday shopping

Your gift can make the first holiday season even better for new parents.

gifts for the

new parent

While kids may not remember their first holiday dinner with family or where their first Christmas present was placed under the tree, parents cherish such memories.

oved ones of new parents can take steps to make this holiday season even more special. The following are some gift ideas for holiday shoppers who want to make this season even more memorable for the proud new parents in their lives. Photo album Today’s new parents have more pictures and video of their bundles of joy than ever before, as smartphones, tablets and other devices have made taking pictures much easier than in years past. But family members also have more access to such photos than ever before,

making it easy to put together a special photo album of the new parents and their new child. Pull pictures from the parents’ social media accounts or make an album from photos you have received from the happy parents. Parents likely don’t have time to make such albums, so your efforts will most certainly be appreciated. Camcorder Many smartphones are capable of taking video, but are not ideal for shooting longer home videos new parents will want to watch for years to come. An HD camcorder with sufficient internal flash memory allows

for longer, higher quality videos with superior audio to those that are shot on smartphones. Such a camcorder may be costly for those shopping on a strict budget, but it’s a gift new parents are sure to love and utilize for years to come. Nursery sound system New moms and dads are no doubt anxiously anticipating the day when the newest additions to their households

sleep through the night. Help speed up the arrival of that glorious night with a nursery sound system that provides soothing sounds to create a perfect sleeping environment. The results may not arrive overnight, but parents may soon find their lovable youngster is spending more of the wee hours sleeping and less time waking up mom and dad.

Spa treatment Not every gift you buy for the new parents in your life needs to focus on helping them cherish their first holiday season as parents. New parents tend to experience lots of exhaustion in their first few months on the job, but a spa treatment can be just the relaxing break they need from catering to their bundle of joys’ every need. Moms may prefer the full spa treatment, while dads may simply want a massage and some relaxing time in the steam room. Book a treatment for both mom and dad so they can spend some time relaxing during this hectic time of year. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday shopping

gifts for the

Many athletes feel yoga is a great way to improve their flexibility and strength. Holiday shoppers looking for the right gift for the athletes on their lists may want to consider giving a new yoga mat or a few sessions at their loved ones’ nearby yoga studio.

athlete

The quest for the perfect gift is a familiar journey for many holiday shoppers. As any veteran shopper knows, some people are easy to shop for, while others baffle even the savviest of shoppers. But recognizing loved ones’ passions and finding gifts that suit those interests can make shoppers’ quests for the perfect gifts that much easier.

very person is unique, and the things that drive one person may be foreign to another. But nearly every family or group of friends has an athlete in their midst, and gifting the family athlete can be both fun and easy. The following are a few gift ideas, broken down by sport, for shoppers looking to please their favorite athletes this holiday season.. The Weightlifter Weightlifting is now embraced by people of all shapes and sizes. This activity is often recommended as an integral part of a successful exercise regimen, so shoppers can help their favorite fitness fanatics make the most of their weightlifting routines with a few gifts designed to do just that. Weightlifting belts can help prevent injury by supporting lifters’ backs as they workout. For lifters who don’t tip the scales, a dip belt makes an ideal gift. Such belts allow men and women to add weight to their

body when performing exercises like dips, pull-ups and chin-ups. That extra weight helps athletes challenge themselves and build strength and muscle. Workout gloves also make great gifts for weightlifters, helping to protect their hands from developing potentially painful and unsightly calluses that often result from weightlifting. A new gym bag is another potential gift for the family weightlifter. Such bags make it more convenient for athletes to carry their accessories, such as belts, gloves, athletic shoes, or even tablets to use while on the treadmill or elliptical machines. The Ballplayer Whether shoppers’ favorite ballplayers are still taking cuts at fastballs or have moved on to slow-pitch softball, these players will appreciate gifts they can put to good use on the diamond. Softball bats can be quite expensive, but the right bat can make a

big difference in the batters’ box. Additional equipment shoppers can consider is a new mitt, a sleek pair of sunglasses to make watching for flyballs that much easier or batting gloves to lessen the bit of chilly air many hitters are aware of come early spring when the last of the winter weather just won’t go away. The Martial Artist Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Thanks in large part to its increasingly strong presence on television, mixed martial arts has inspired athletes across the globe to embrace various forms of martial arts training, and gift options

abound for such athletes. Belts, mats and striking pads can help athletes hone their skills both in the gym and at home, while instructional DVDs can help novice martial arts enthusiasts practice before finding martial arts facilities in their neighborhoods. The Yogi Though its status as a sport is open to debate, yoga can be just as strenuous and physically demanding as more traditional physical activities. Yoga serves many purposes, and more and more athletes have begun to embrace yoga to improve their flexibility, balance and strength. While yoga does not require much in the

way of supplies, yoga enthusiasts do need yoga mats and clothing that allows them to perform the various poses a typical yoga session demands. Holiday shoppers may even want to buy the athletes on their lists a few sessions at their nearby yoga studios in an effort to supplement their existing workouts. Many who try yoga often find it has a positive effect on their normal workout routines, so even if your favorite athlete has never tried yoga, he or she might find it’s just the thing to take his or her workout to the next level. - Metro Creative Connection

DIY Christmas Peppermint Punch Ingredients: 1 qt. peppermint ice cream, softened 2 qt. eggnog 2 qt. gingerale Directions: ➜ Place ice cream in punch bowl. ➜ Pour eggnog and ginger ale over icecream. ➜ Hook a peppermint candy cane over side of cup. ➜ Serve immediately. Tip: Wet the outside rim of a chilled glass with water and dip the rim in crushed candy canes for a festive look.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

holiday traditions

Gift Guide

the history behind some beloved

Christmas Songs

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oliday traditions vary from family to family, but one component of the holidays that seems to be universally enjoyed is a good Christmas song. Music is piped throughout malls and stores to entertain shoppers, and favorite tunes may be on the radio or streamed through a digital music service as families decorate their homes.

“Silent Night” One of the most rerecorded songs in history (733 versions since 1978), “Silent Night,” was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber and put to lyrics by Joseph Mohr. It was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a village in Austria. Today’s version is a slow lullaby, but it’s believed the original was a dance-like tune in 6/8 time

“O Holy Night”

This popular song was composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to a French poem titled, “Minuit, chrétiens (Midnight, Christians).” Many notable performers, including Perry Como, Céline Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Crawford, and Lea Michele, have performed “O Holy Night.”

“Silver Bells”

Now a Christmas classic, “Silver Bells” originally was written for the Bob Hope film, “The Lemon Drop Kid.” Songwriter Jay Livingston wanted to title the song “Tinkle Bell,” but his wife dissuaded him from using the word “tinkle.”

“White Christmas” Irving Berlin believed his song “White Christmas” would be

an instant hit. His prediction was correct, especially after singer Bing Crosby recorded it.

“Jingle Bells” Although it has become one of the more popular Christmas songs,

“Jingle Bells” really was written for Thanksgiving. It’s also one of the oldest holiday songs of American origin. James Lord Pierpont, the song’s author, was inspired by the famous sleigh races of Medford, Massachusetts.

“Do You Hear What I Hear” Noel Regney wrote this song as a call to

peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The original context has long been forgotten, and “Do You Hear What I Hear” is now a staple of holiday celebrations.

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”

James Gillespie wrote this tune while riding a subway and reminiscing about his childhood with his brother. It became a hit after being performed at the famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“The Christmas Song” This classic Christmas song was written in 1944 by Bob

Wells and Mel Tormé. It’s usually subtitled “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” The song was written during a heat wave as a way to think cool thoughts. It only took 40 minutes to write the music and some of the lyrics. Nat King Cole’s rendition of the song is among the more popular versions. - Metro Creative Connection

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Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday baking

sticky chocolate

gingerbread Makes an 8-inch cake

ingredients

21⁄3 cups dark molasses 6 ounces dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa solids), grated 13⁄4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground ginger 5 ounces whole pieces preserved stem ginger, drained and roughly chopped

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened 1⁄2 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, sifted (to remove lumps) 2 medium eggs, beaten 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons milk, warmed A pinch of salt Extra-large crystallized ginger pieces, to scatter (optional)

Give the gift of indulgence this holiday season! One tradition that seems to have made it into many families’ holiday celebrations is indulging in delicious baked goods.

directions Preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease and line the base and sides of a deep 8-inch square cake pan or 8 x 6 x 3-inch oval cake pan pan with nonstick parchment paper. Put the molasses in a pan and heat gently until hot, but do not allow it to boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until melted. Sift the flour, ground ginger and salt together in a bowl. Add the stem ginger and toss it around in the flour until every piece is coated.

Asheville is a

shopper’ s paradise E

very street downtown leads to a treasuretrove of uncommon businesses that could only flourish in Asheville. There is a diverse mix of shopping malls and shopping districts, along with specialty stores like clothing and jewelry stores, toy and children’s shops, and outfitters. arts & Crafts are some of the most unique shopping finds in the Asheville area, ranging from fine arts galleries to Native American art to contemporary mountain crafts. Antique shops in Ashevillle range from 6,000 square-foot antiques emporium to unique boutique antique shops specializing in art, estate jewelry and imported European antique furniture.

Shopping districts & malls With two shopping malls and various shopping districts, Asheville is an ideal place for a shopaholic. Asheville contains popular retail chain shops featuring trusted and familiar names, the unique retail center at the historic and revitalized Grove Arcade building, as well as distinctive, pedestrian-friendly shopping neighborhoods, like Biltmore Village, lined with locally-owned boutiques. Toy stores & Children clothing You won’t find the same old tired children’s gifts, toys and clothing in Asheville. There are several boutique and independent toy stores, baby shops and children’s shops with unique, hard-to-find gifts. Clothing and jewelry Unique shops and boutiques

offer one-of-a kind treasures, elegant jewelry crafted from mountain wildflowers and vibrant clothing. Outfitters Nestled in the heart of America’s best outdoor adventures, it’s no surprise that Asheville is home to outfitters for all your camping, outdoors, hunting and fishing shopping needs. Outfitters can set you up with everything from rafting and camping equipment to bicycles and mountain-climbing gear. For more information on where to shop, visit exploreasheville.com.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

holiday shopping

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday shopping

gifts for the

still prefers seeing all the new releases in the theater. Movie tickets can stretch film fans’ budgets, especially for those film lovers who need to see every big-budget blockbuster or Oscar® candidate in the theater. A gift certificate may be just what your favorite film fan wants to see in his or her stocking this holiday season.

movie buff

Many movie buffs can instantly rattle off extensive lists of favorite films, with information such as when the movies were released, who directed them and, of course, who played the leads. Holiday shoppers on the hunt for the perfect gift for the film buffs in their lives might be a little intimidated by their loved ones’ encyclopedic knowledge of movies. Such knowledge can make it difficult to find gifts that friends or family members will truly appreciate, but the following are a handful of ideas to consider gifting to the movie lover in your life. Box set Box sets make great gifts for film fans, whether those fans prefer a particular genre of film or appreciate the work of a certain director. Fans of horror movies may appreciate the “Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack Collection,” a comprehensive collection of classic horror films that includes the likes of “The Indestructible Man,” starring Lon Chaney, Sr., and “Night of the Living Dead,” starring Judith O’Dea. Fans of director Quentin Tarantino

may enjoy the “Tarantino XX 8-Film Collection,” which includes some of the director’s most beloved films, including “Reservoir Dogs” and “Pulp Fiction.” If you can’t find a box set to your loved one’s liking, consider making your own by buying several individual DVD’s and wrapping them together.

appreciate having instant access to the hundreds of films available to subscribers of these services. A 12-month subscription to Netflix or Amazon Prime, which offers additional benefits when shopping on Amazon.com, won’t cost shoppers more than $100, providing lots of bang for your gift-giving buck.

Streaming membership Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime are growing more popular by the day, and film fans would no doubt

Gift certificate Gift certificates to the movie theater are another great gift for the old school film fan who

Sound system For those holiday shoppers working with big budgets, a sound system that enhances the experience of watching movies at home might be just the thing to light up your favorite film fan’s smile this season. Surround sound systems give movie watchers at home an experience similar to that enjoyed by moviegoers in the theater. Such systems can vary considerably with regard to price, with smaller systems costing far less than larger, more advanced systems that can cost several thousand dollars. If you think a sound system is all your loved one needs to make the most of his or her movie watching experience, speak to him or her before buying the system, footing

the full bill if you can or offering to contribute a certain amount of dollars toward the sound system of his or her dreams. Vintage movie poster Many film fans adorn the walls of their homes with movie posters, so a vintage movie poster from their favorite film makes a great gift. Go the extra mile and have the poster custom framed so it’s ready to be hanged on the wall the moment your loved one opens the gift. Books If your favorite film aficionado is not just enamored with movies but the behind-thescenes business of making films, stuff a book or two into their stocking. Numerous books have been written about the nuts and bolts of moviemaking, and even more memoirs or tell-alls have shared the Hollywood gossip or insider details that few film fans can resist. - Metro Creative Connection

Places in

NC with holiday themed names:

Bells, Chatham Co. Comet, Ashe Co. Cranberry, Avery Co. Elf, Clay Co. Evergreen, Columbus Co. Faith, Rowan Co. Garland, Sampson Co. Star, Montgomery Co. Starlight, Wayne Co. Turkey, Sampson Co.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

2015

MORE GIFT ID EAS & RECI PES ••• LOCAL EVE CALEN NTS DAR P. 6 0

HOLIDAY

3 great reasons to give

homemade gifts 1

While gift cards are a go-to option when shopping for the person who has it all, many gift givers find them a tad impersonal. Consider the many great reasons to give homemade gifts. Homemade gifts show your loved one how much they mean to you. Gift cards are practical, but they rarely elicit the warm

feelings holiday shoppers want their gifts to produce. A homemade gift will show your loved one that you put time and

effort into making their holiday season special, and that’s something they will appreciate when they use or see the gift.

Homemade gifts will not break the bank. Holiday shoppers working on a tight budget likely will not have to break the bank to create a perfect homemade gift. The internet (especially websites such as Pinterest) can be a great resource for inexpensive yet fantastic homemade gift ideas.

You can control quality with homemade gifts. Storebought items are not always of the highest quality, and no shopper wants to give a gift that falls apart within a few days. By creating the gift yourself, you can ensure it’s made with the highest quality materials so it will withstand the test of time. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday planning

gifts arrive on time

When buying gifts online or mailing them to faraway loved ones, consumer must leave ample time for shipping.

make sure

Come the holiday season, shipping companies work around the clock to ensure packages, merchandise and more make it to their destinations on time. What would December holidays be without gifts under the tree?

n 2013, overtaxed carriers failed to meet Christmas deadlines for many packages. Some analysts say big retailers and carriers may have underestimated consumers’ growing reliance on online shopping — especially for last-minute presents. Since those mishaps, both UPS and FedEx have spent millions on upgrades. More fuel-efficient planes, upgrades to air cargo networks and improved infrastructure and ground shipping operations have helped shipping companies better handle the increased volume. As shipping companies work harder to ensure holiday packages arrive at their destinations on time, there also are things consumers can do to increase the chances that gifts make it under

ing them from home. Inadequate postage could stall delivery of your items and have them returned to you.

the tree before the big day. Shop as early as possible. If you plan to buy online or ship gifts to family and friends, shop early so the gifts have time to make it to their destinations. Make a list of all the people whose gifts you will need to mail, then shop for their gifts first so you will have ample time for them to arrive on time. Double-check all mailing addresses. Make sure you have the correct addresses for all friends or family members you will be sending gifts to. An incorrect address can result in packages being returned to sender or floating around in shipping limbo. All of this only decreases the likeli-

hood that gifts will arrive on time. Consider a ship-tostore option. A number of big retailers now offer various options that allow customers to purchase items online and pick them up in a nearby store. In-stock items may be available the same day, while others may have to be shipped to the store for a later pickup.

Enter shipping parameters. Signing up for either My FedEx or MyUPS gives you a little extra control over how packages are sent to you. For example, you can request that packages be held at a delivery center or you can presign for deliveries. These perks can help limit some lost or delayed packages. Use proper postage. Bulky envelopes or large packages are better off brought to the post office for shipping instead of mail-

Research shipping cutoff dates. Shipping carriers often list the “last days to ship” for their services so that packages will arrive by the date you need them. This way you can plan around the cutoffs. Sign up for membership programs. Online retailers, such as Amazon, offer expedited shipping on many products as part of their membership programs. For example, Amazon Prime-eligible products will generally arrive within two business days as part of your annual membership fee. The added cost may be well worth the peace of mind fast shipping provides. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

holiday shopping Books and other literary-themed gifts can be ideal for avid readers.

gifts for the

avid reader

Gift giving is made easier when shoppers are in tune with their loved ones’ interests. Here are some great options for the book worm in your life.

eading is one interest or hobby that has never gone out of style. People who enjoy reading tend to devour book after book and are always eager

for the next installment from their favorite authors. Books and other reading materials can make perfect gifts for anyone with a love for literature.

first edition texts Collectors very often are interested in the first edition or first printing of classic books. Publishers often offer only a limited number of books in a first edition so they tend to be rare and can make a cherished gift. These books often can be identified by a unique numbering system or even by the words “first edition” or “first printing” on the copyright page. Work with a reputable bookshop or dealer to find expensive and rare prints. digital reading device Some book purists stand by their decisions to only read paper copies of their favorite books, feeling there’s something special or more enjoyable about holding a hardcover or paperback in one’s hands and making progress through paper pages. Others are

Gift Guide

enamored with the convenience and portability of having an entire library saved on a digital device. E-readers come in different sizes and offerings from various manufacturers. The Kindle® from Amazon and Nook® from Barnes & Noble are two of the more popular stand-alone reading tablets. E-reader apps also are available through Apple and Amazon to work on various mobile devices. A tablet can be a welcome gift, especially for a reader who appreciates on-demand reading material.

the written word. Look for clocks made out of literary volumes, lamps that look like a stacked book collection or framed photos of favorite book covers. Some publishers offer printed works reissued in decorative covers to make the books an eye-catching addition to any home’s décor. Someone who lends out favorite works may like a personalized library embosser, which will imprint a book page with the name of the person loaning out his or her collection of books.

protective case Help readers protect their tablets with protective cases. These run the gamut from the utilitarian to the decorative. Some tablet cases are designed to look like books themselves, with a soft interior cushion for the e-reader and a hard shell to keep it safe.

Book tote Whether they are carrying books back to the library or traveling with an ereader in tow, avid readers might appreciate a functional tote bag. Order pre-printed literary tote bags or customize a tote based on the tastes of the gift’s recipient. It even can feature photographs or the jacket of a favorite book. - Metro Creative Connection

book accessories Readers need their own collections of accessories that cater to their love of

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday traditions

christmas tree varieties and proper care

An evergreen tree decked out in lights and ornaments is one of the universal symbols of the holiday season. The Christmas tree tradition is believed to have originated in Germany in the 15th or 16th centuries, when trees were decorated with edibles, such as nuts and fruits. They were later decorated with candles and eventually lights.

hrough the centuries people have trekked to forests, Christmas tree farms and commercial lots to pick the perfect trees for their holiday displays. The National Christmas Tree Association says more than 33 million real trees are purchased each year, making the tree business a billion-dollar industry. While there are scores of evergreen varieties, certain tree types are more popular than others and thus more available for purchase. The following are some of the more popular trees come Christmastime.

eaStern reDceDar Branches of the tree are compact and form a pyramid-shaped crown. The trees should be a dark, shiny green color. The eastern redcedar is not a true cedar tree, but a member of the juniper family. This tree can make a great cut tree with a homespun look and a pungent fragrance.

leylanD cypreSS This cypress is one of the more popular Christmas trees in the southeastern United States. The tree will be very dark green to almost gray in color. It has little aroma. Some people choose the

Leyland because it does not produce sap, which is great for those with sap allergies.

coloraDo blue Spruce An attractive blue-green foliage and a good symmetrical form is what attracts many people to the blue spruce. The Colorado Blue Spruce has an excellent natural shape and requires little pruning to look like the perfect Christmas tree. It’s not very fragrant, but the tree needles may give off an unpleasant odor when crushed.

Another popular pine, the rich fragrance of the white pine may make it preferable to those who like their homes to smell of evergreen.

DouglaS fir The Douglas fir is one of the foremost Christmas tree species in the United States. It has soft needles that are dark green in color. Those needles radiate in all directions from the branches to give the tree a full look. The needles, when crushed, have a sweet fragrance. Douglas firs tend to live long when cut.

christmas tree care & maintenance Nothing can guarantee the health and appearance of a tree after it is brought into a home. But choosing a recently cut tree that has good needle retention can help. Here are other tips for a long-lasting tree.

Scotch pine A classic conical shape and very good needle retention help make the Scotch pine a popular tree to cut for the holidays. Scotch pines also are quite prevalent thanks to the tree’s adaptability to a wide range of climates.

eaStern white pine A delicate green color and long needles are found on this tree.

uSe a Sharp Saw to cut an inch off of the trunk base to remove the sappy covering that forms from cutting. This will improve water intake. 1

fraSer fir Another popular fir for Christmas is the Fraser fir. The needles are bicolored, with dark green on top and silver on the bottom. More fragrant than its cousin, the Douglas, the Fraser also boasts a slender profile, which makes it suitable for smaller rooms. - Metro Creative Connection

fill a tree StanD reservoir with warm water. Expect the tree to drink heavily in the beginning. 2

keep the reServoir filleD every day and check to see how much water the tree is using. 3

place the tree far from heaters or other drying sources.

33 million

More than real trees are purchased in the United States each year during the Christmas season.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday traditions

exploring the

The colors red, green, gold, and silver are prominent during the holiday season, when they can be seen on everything from gift wrap to decorations.

colors of christmas

Decorations adorning homes and businesses in the familiar colors of red and green are popular come the holiday season. Even gift wrap, greeting cards and clothing tend to lean toward red and green as the holiday season hits full swing. It is difficult to think of Christmas without envisioning everything awash in these popular colors, broken up only by the inclusion of gold, white or silver accents.

he colors of Christmas are often taken for granted, and many celebrants are unaware of how these colors became symbols of the holiday season and why they remain so to this day. Several theories exist as to why red and green became the hallmarks of Christmas. One such theory is that the colors evolved from pagan celebrations similar to the evolution of Christmas traditions. Prior to the arrival of Christianity, many cultures viewed the color green as the symbol of life. It is believed that, during harsh winters, evergreen trees were cut down and brought indoors to symbolize that life still exists and thrives despite the cold and darkness of winter. Other pagan holidays featured the use

of green, red and gold, including the festival of Yule.. As Christianity spread across Europe and eventually other parts of the world, red and green were linked to Jesus Christ. Green still represented life, but now this was the eternal life offered by Christ. Red was said to symbolize sacrifice, namely the blood of Jesus when he died on the cross. Some Christians believe that Jesus wore a crown of holly thorns whose berries were originally white. As Jesus’ blood touched the berries, they turned red. Some theorize that the red of the holiday season represents the apples on the tree of paradise in the Garden of Eden. Around the 14th century, the faithful would put on Paradise Plays on December 24 to share the story of creation with

those who could not read. It is nearly impossible to find a fruitbearing apple tree in the winter, so a pine tree adorned with red apples was used instead. Bishops also wore red robes, further tying the color red to religious masses and celebrations. Gold is frequently used in holiday decorations as well. Gold can represent the sun and light, both important ways to ward off the dark winter. In addition, gold was

one of the gifts brought to baby Jesus, making it a color of significance within the Christian faith. Red and green poinsettias also are a symbol of the holiday season, but they didn’t start the colorful tradition. Poinsettias are a relatively recent addition to Christmas symbolism, as they were only first introduced to America in 1828, when they were brought back from Mexico by Joel Poinsett.

The holiday season is filled with many different colors that brighten up homes and businesses. Combined with the many twinkling lights used on displays, red and green decorations can add vitality to the dark days of December. - Metro Creative Connection

DIY Christmas

Recycled Gift Wrap

Brown paper tied with twine or ribbon is inexpensive and can easily be recycled after use. Use leftover cloth to save on gift tags as well.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday

travel tips

Traveling to visit family and friends is a tradition shared by many people over the holiday season. Holiday travel can be hectic, as millions of people take to the airways, highways and railroads.

ut travelers whose patience is annually tried by airport security checkpoints and holiday traffic jams can employ several strategies to make holiday travel more palatable.

L e t a p p s d o t h e wo r k f o r yo u . Technology has made life easier in many ways, and smartphone apps can even help travelers make holiday travel less stressful. A free app such as FlightView provides smartphone and tablet users with real-time flight information and even provides travelers with flight status alerts. Travelers or men and women trusted with picking up family and friends at the airport can check gate assignments, delays and cancellations and even follow the flight’s progress while it’s in the air.

your energy and stay healthy. Packing your own meals and snacks also saves you money and, if you’re driving, time.

Ship gifts. Shipping holiday gifts is another way to simplify holiday travel and save money. The lighter air travelers can pack, the more quickly they can make it through the airport. Shipping gifts saves you from paying excessive bag fees, and it also saves you the trouble of checking bags and waiting in baggage claim. Drivers also may benefit from shipping gifts, which can give everyone in the car more room to relax and also save the driver some money on gas.

And it’s not just air travelers who can put their apps to work for them. Drivers who are on a budget can download the free GasBuddy app, which finds the cheapest gas in a given city or postal code. Traveling apps are quite popular, and many are free, saving travelers money while making holiday travel that much easier.

Switch up your travel schedule. If possible, take an extra day or two off during the holidays so you aren’t forced to travel on the busiest travel days, which tend to be the days that immediately precede and follow the major holidays. If you must travel on busy holidays, hit the road or the friendly skies as early as possible. Book an early morning flight so you beat the crowds at security checkpoints or begin your drive an hour or so before sunrise when many of your fellow travelers are still asleep.

Bring along your own sustenance. Hunger pangs are sure to arise during your holiday travels. Airports and roadside truck stops are not exactly known for their healthy fare, so pack your own nourishing foods that can help you maintain

Travel is a holiday tradition for many people. While airports and highways are especially congested during the holiday season, there are many ways for travelers to make their trips less hectic this year. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday baking

time to make

christmas cookies from the kitchen of Debi Manfre

Christmas cookies, as we know them today, trace their roots to Medieval European recipes. Neolithic farmers would bake confections comprised of grain and water paste on hot stones – it is believed that the modern day cookie derives from this creation. Dutch and German settlers introduced cookie cutters, decorative molds, and festive holiday decorations to America. German lebkuchen (gingerbread) was probably the first cake/cookie traditionally associated with Christmas. Sugar cookie type recipes descended from English traditions. Whatever the history, we all look forward to Christmas cookies every holiday season. basic cookie dough I love this recipe because you can use it as a base for up to eight different cookies! ½ cup vegetable shortening ½ cup softened butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tspn. vanilla extract 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt ➜ In a large bowl with mixer at medium speed, cream shortening. butter and sugar until light and fluffy. ➜ Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until well mixed. ➜ Add flour, baking powder and salt and continue beating at low speed until well mixed, scraping bowl occasionally. ➜ Wrap and refrigerate dough until well chilled, about 3 hours or overnight.

pinwheel cookies makes 5 dozen cookies 1 recipe Basic Cookie Dough 1 tsp grated orange peel 2 squares (1 oz. each) semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

➜ Prepare Basic Cookie Dough as directed but stir in orange peel with vanilla. ➜ Do not refrigerate. ➜ Cut dough in half. Stir cooled, melted chocolate into one half of the dough until well blended. ➜ Wrap and chill both doughs about 2 hours. ➜ On sheets of wax paper, roll out vanilla dough into a 14x6-inch rectangle; set aside. ➜ On another sheet of wax paper, roll out the chocolate dough into the same size rectangle. ➜ Invert chocolate dough onto vanilla dough and peel off top wax paper. Lightly press doughs together. ➜ Roll jelly-roll fashion from the 14-inch, peeling off wax paper as you roll. Wrap up in the roll in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 2 hours. ➜ Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 large cookie sheets. ➜ Remove chilled cookie dough roll from refrigerator. Cut dough into 1/4 inch slices. ➜ Bake 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

grandma ruth’s thumb print cookies I remember making these with my grandma when I was a little girl. They are a traditional, family favorite at Christmas time. makes about 2 dozen cookies 1 stick softened margarine 1 stick softened butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 egg yolks 1 tspn. sugar 2 1/2 cups flour Strawberry, apricot and raspberry jam ➜ In a large bowl, cream margarine, butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. ➜ Add vanilla and egg yolks. ➜ Mix until well blended. ➜ Mix in flour. ➜ Chill dough in refrigerator for about 2 hours. ➜ Preheat oven to 350 degrees. ➜ Roll dough into 1 inch balls. ➜ Place on greased cookie sheets. ➜ Indent with thumb. Fill indent with jam. ➜ Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned. ➜ Cool on wire rack.

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday traditions

holiday menu planning for

ﬁrst-time hosts

easy ideas for holiday

wreaths Shopping is a big part of the holiday season, when families and friends gather to reconnect and exchange gifts. While the popularity of shopping online has grown, such practices are not always eco-friendly or timely, as gifts bought online must be packaged and shipped, wasting valuable resources and time that last-minute shoppers may not have.

Novice holiday hosts often have a lot on their plates – they typically want to impress their guests while ensuring they get enough to eat and have an enjoyable evening. Since dinner is such a big part of holiday gatherings, hosts often place extra emphasis on what to serve, and that can be tricky when this is the first time they are hosting.

hen planning the menu for your holiday soiree, consider the following tips. get a heaD count. Though other factors will influence what to serve, the size of your guest list may ultimately dictate what to serve. For example, a small gathering of four to five people will likely rule out turkey, as even a small turkey will prove too much effort and produce too much extra food. On the same note, a small dish like lasagna might not be doable for a larger crowd, as it will force you to prepare multiple entrees, which means more time in the kitchen juggling the various cooking duties and less time with your guests. Once you have confirmed just how many guests you will be hosting, you can then choose a main course that suits the size of your guest list. DeciDe which type of party you want to hoSt. The type of party you want to host also will influence what you serve. A formal gathering should include an appetizer, a main course and a dessert, including both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. A

less formal gathering gives hosts more leeway. For example, whereas a formal gathering may include soup as an appetizer, hosting a less formal gathering allows hosts to put out some snacks or bread for guests to whet their appetites before everyone sits down for the meal. The more formal the gathering, the more formal the menu. Hosts of less formal gatherings may even want to host a holiday pot luck buffet, inviting guests to bring a favorite dish or side dish while the hosts take care of the main course. aSk gueStS if they have any Dietary reStrictionS. Upon being invited to a holiday dinner, some invitees may let hosts know if they have any food allergies or medical conditions that restrict which foods they can eat. Solicit such information from all of your guests, and do your best to cater to each of your guests’ needs. Some guests might be on a gluten-free diet while others may need to limit their sodium intake. You might not be able to meet everyone’s demands. Let guests know if they should bring an appropriate snack if you cannot provide one for them.

incluDe traDitional holiDay fare. People have grown to expect certain things from holiday meals, be it sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, brisket for Chanukah or holiday cookies or even eggnog at Christmas parties. When planning the menu, be sure to include at least one of these traditional items, even asking guests for suggestions. Such fare will give the party a genuine holiday feel, and guests will appreciate seeing some items on your dinner table they have enjoyed at their own holiday celebrations over the years. Don’t overDo it. First-time hosts want to ensure everyone gets enough to eat, so it’s easy to overdo things and prepare too much food. This can be expensive, and guests may feel obligated to overeat so hosts don’t have to discard any of the food they worked so hard to prepare. Though it might once have been a holiday tradition to overeat, many men and women now prefer moderation, and hosts should keep that in mind when preparing their holiday meals. - Metro Creative Connection

“Say cheeSe” wreath Purchase a premade evergreen wreath or wrap boughs of pine around a wreath frame to make your own. Glue or tie on small wooden frames with photos of the family to the wreath. Fill in the barren spots with small bows and ornaments. fruitful wreath Instead of an evergreen wreath, create something festive and edible. Fruit and vegetables in vibrant colors can be used to fashion a wreath. Use picks or wire to attach oranges, lemons, limes, clementines, and any other produce desired to a foam wreath. Use leaves to fill in sparse areas and a thick ribbon to hang the wreath. holly vine wreath Purchase a plain grapevine wreath and decorate it with sprigs of holly leaves and stems with berries. Simple and festive, this wreath should take only a few minutes to make and then hang. metallic wreath Add a glamorous touch to an evergreen wreath with faux fruit and pine cones that you paint with glimmering metallic colors. Intersperse items in gold, copper and silver for an eye-catching piece that can adorn any spot in your home. Add a few twinkling lights to reflect off of the metallic elements to add even more appeal. bellS or glaSS ornament wreath Use flexible wire to string a wreath of metal bells or glass ornaments together in a ring shape. Bells not only look nice but also lend a gentle twinkling sound anytime the door is opened. floral wreath Make a fresh flower wreath from a florist’s wreath and fresh blooms. Soak the foam wreath in water according to the packaged directions. Trim flower stems (carnations are durable) and insert the stems into the wreath. Attach a bow to the bottom of the wreath and then hang. This is one wreath that is best displayed the day of the festivities because it has a short shelf life. cinnamon wreath This wreath looks beautiful and gives off that quintessential holiday aroma. Begin with a foam wreath and wrap with a two-inch wide ribbon to cover. Use hot glue to secure cinnamon sticks all around the wreath. For more color, add sprigs of holly, bows or mistletoe. - Metro Creative Connection

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015 artists. Vote for your favorite by making a cash donation - all donations go to the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries. Monte Vista Hotel, Black Mountain Free 6-8pm. 828.707.7615 blackmountain.org

November Christmas at Biltmore Nov 6 - January 10 More than a century ago, George Vanderbilt chose this magical season as the time to unveil his new home to family and friends. On Christmas Eve 1895, he opened Biltmore House’s doors for a regal yuletide celebration. This year’s Christmas at Biltmore promises another extravagant celebration, complete with dozens and dozens of Christmas trees, miles of ribbon, garland and lights and inspirational holiday demonstrations. Biltmore Estate biltmore.com Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings November 6 –January 2 Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets are available by reservation only, and include an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens and Biltmore Winery. Advance reservations are required. Biltmore Estate Adult $70/$85, Youth (10-16) $35/$42.50, Children (9 & under) Free with adult admission. biltmore.com The Polar Express November 13 - January 3 The 1¼ hour train ride departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness and a special visit to Santa at the North Pole. Enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along aboard the train. Santa will board The Polar Express™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift. Sing carols on the way back to the Depot. Bryson City Depot, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Ticket prices begin at $42 for adults and $28 for children ages 2-12, times vary. 800.872.4681 gsmr.com A Christmas Carol November 17 - December 18 The Charles Dickens’ perennial classic, A Christmas Carol comes to life on the Flat Rock Playhouse stage in a spectacular new production featuring all the classic elements with a few new twists. Flat Rock Playhouse $15-40, Discounts available for seniors, AAA members, military personnel, students & groups. 828.693.0731 flatrockplayhouse.org National Gingerbread House Competition November 18–January 3 Contestants from across the country bring their culinary masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn this holiday season. Delight in the imagination in these sugar-and-spice creations and be swept up in the holiday spirit. The Grove Park Inn Resort Free, but $10-15 parking charge; SundayThursday groveparkinn.com AIR’s Taste of Asheville 2015 November 19 Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) brings together 40+ of the city’s most talented chefs, restaurants, wine sponsors and local brewers for an evening of food, wine and beer tasting at Asheville’s premiere culinary event. The Venue $75$100, 6-9pm airasheville.org

Biltmore Park Town Square Holiday Lighting Celebration November 20 This free event includes strolling carolers, magicians, a horse-drawn carriage, visits with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, and more! At 6:30 p.m. Santa Claus will lead a countdown to illuminate the 25 foot Christmas Tree filling Biltmore Park Town Square with over 65,000 lights. Biltmore Park Town Square Free; 6pm8:30pm, 828.210.1660 biltmorepark.com ‘Tis The Season Holiday Fair November 20 - 22 Featuring crafters, artist, gift marketers and holiday food and wine, you will have a truly enjoyable holiday shopping experience while listening to live holiday music. Choose a fresh cut or live dug Christmas tree from the featured tree farm! WNC Agricultural Center $4, Children under 12 Free; Friday & Saturday10am - 6pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm 828.606.7097 828.606.8680 wncholidayfair.net Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum November 20 - January 2 Walk through a winter wonderland and experience the gardens in a whole new way! This 3 acre walking tour light show is unlike anything in Asheville. Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights will enhance the natural beauty of the gardens and landscape. The Arboretum has collaborated with Jerry Stripling, former designer and manager of holiday decorations, special projects and events for Walt Disney World®, to create a truly magical experience. Winter Lights will also feature music, gifts, food & beverages. Tickets must be bought in advance. North Carolina Arboretum Adults $18, Children (Ages 5 to 11) $16, Children 4 & Under Free; 6-10pm, ncwinterlights.com Winter Wonderland at the Grove Arcade November 20 - January 3 Downtown Asheville’s historic Grove Arcade is a spectacular spot to enjoy the holidays and support locally-owned shops and restaurants. The Arcade will be “decking the halls” with holiday décor inside and out and once again hosting the annual National Gingerbread House Competition™ in partnership with The Omni Grove Park Inn. Come experience a Winter Wonderland full of wintery décor and gingerbread houses. Grove Arcade Free Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 828.252.7799 grovearcade.com

parade, will entertain while everyone waits for Santa who will be on hand to meet, greet and have a photo taken. Inflatables and activities for the kids as well as Toys for Tots drop off boxes and a small craft/holiday market on the concourse. Pack Square Park Free; 1-4 pm, ashevilledowntown.org Shadrack’s Winter Wonderland November 25 - December 30 This award winning Christmas light and music extravaganza is a two mile maze filled with hundreds of thousands of LED lights performing in perfect synchronization with the Christmas tunes playing through your car radio. WNC Agricultural Center Cars or Family Vans: $20, Activity Van or Mini Bus: $40, Limo: $40,Tour/School Bus: $80; dusk until 10 pm (later on weekends). shadrackchristmas.com Hard Candy Christmas Arts & Crafts Show November 27–November 28 A perennial favorite for unique regional arts and crafts at great prices. 100+ potters, glass artists, wood craft, folk dolls, and hard to find Old World Santa’s and ornaments. Ramsey Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC Adults $4.50, Children 12 & Under Free, 10am-5pm, mountainartisans.net Christmas at Connemara November 28 Join us on Saturday morning to revel with local musicians and storytellers. Music/ storytelling will be held from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm in the garage adjacent to the Sandburg Home. Hot cider and cookies will be served. Holiday craft-making will be offered from 10am to 1pm. The house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburgs with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree. Connemara FREE 10am nps.gov/carl

December Annual Downtown Holiday Window Display Competition December 1 - 31 Every year, the Asheville Downtown Association organizes the Downtown Holiday Windows Contest. There will be about 30 businesses participating this year creating a delightful experience for everyone who walks around downtown. Judging on December 3th Downtown Asheville FREE ashevilledowntown.org

68th Annual Holiday Parade: “Joy to the World” November 21 The holidays have officially arrived! Celebrate by attending this fun, local event! This year’s theme is “Joy to the World” and Cameron Maybin, Atlanta Braves star and Asheville native will be grand marshal, in a float sponsored by Deerfield Retirement Community. Downtown Asheville Free; 11am, ashevilleparade.org

Lake Julian Festival of Lights December 3-23 Light up your Holiday nights at the Lake Julian Park Festival of Lights. The road circling the park becomes a magical drive through journey through tunnels of dazzling lights. The park is brightly lit with thousands of colored lights and over 50 animated and stationary light displays. Lake Julian Park $5 for a car, $10 for a van and $25 for a motor coach, 6-9pm 828.684.0376

Jinglefest November 21 A stage show, featuring performances by dance and song groups from the Holiday

Deck the Trees December 3 - 31 View 30 beautiful & unique Christmas trees hand-decorated by area business/

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever December 4 - 20 A re-invention of ACT’s most popular holiday show EVER! The six Herdman children are the terror of their town. When they end up as the leads in the annual Christmas pageant, their interesting interpretation of the story (which they have never heard before) helps everyone rediscover the meaning of the holiday. Asheville Community Theatre $12-$22; Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM; Sundays at 2:30 PM; 828.254.1320 ashevilletheatre. org Holly Jolly Christmas in Black Mountain December 4 Spend a festive evening visiting downtown shops of Black Mountain! Performers at caboose, bottom of Cherry Street. Various locations throughout downtown Black Mountain Free, 5pm-8pm. 828.669.2177, blackmountain.org Downtown Asheville Art District First Friday Art Walk December 4 Asheville Downtown Gallery Association invites you to visit 26 downtown venues to enjoy the fine art and craft that they have to offer. Downtown Asheville Free; 5pm-8pm, ashevilledowntowngalleries.org Dillsboro Festival of Lights & Luminaries December 4-5 & 11-12 Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song! 2500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Horse and buggy rides available each night. Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Live Nativity at Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church. Free shuttle service from Monteith Park. Downtown Dillsboro 5-9pm, 800.962.1911 visitdillsboro.org Toe River Studio Tour December 4 - 6 About an hour north of Asheville, tucked in the lush green mountains is one of the finest collections of artists and craftsmen in the world and the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts. A unique blend of contemporary and traditional cultures, about 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure. Yancey & Mitchell Counties, Friday 124pm, Sat & Sun 10am-5pm 828.682.7215 toeriverarts.org 25th Annual Biltmore Village Dickens Festival December 4 - 6 A magical weekend of merriment, music and memories--all on the streets and in the shops, restaurants and galleries of Historic Biltmore Village. The stage will be continuously filled with musicians, choral groups, singers, dancers, and the Montford Park Players performing scenes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This year the Festival will feature more than 300 performers who, after their stage segment, will rove throughout the Village entertaining on the streets and in the shops and restaurants. Biltmore Village Free; Friday, 5-7pm, Saturday, 11am-7pm, Sunday, 1-5pm, 828.274.8788 biltmorevillage.com Holly Days December 4-7 A Family Holiday Tradition downtown. Live music & caroling, Santa, old-fashioned wagon rides, storytelling, poetry, luminaries & more. Shops, galleries & Restaurants

remain open. Downtown Waynesvillle. downtownwaynesville.com The 42nd Annual Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular! December 4-19 The bawdy, bodacious, and boisterous Bernsteins are back, and they’ve got some special surprises in store for old fans and new friends! Asheville’s favorite, raunchy, screwball holiday comedy is ready to get up close and personal with audiences. Two 10pm performances, Saturday 12th & 19th: Magnetic 375 $12 - $16, 7:30 pm nightly, themagnetictheatre.org Black Mountain Christmas Parade December 5 Application fee for participants. Call Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce at 828.669.2300. Downtown Black Mountain Free; 4pm blackmountain.org The Twelve Days of Alice’s Winter Ashevilleland December 5 Alice has fallen down the rabbit hole and found herself in a world she’s never known, full of hippies & hoopers, foodies & kombucha, all in this place many like to call “Beer City, USA”. Come on a wild journey through a winter wonderland with Les Femmes Mystique and Les Filles Charme as they traverse the twelve days and nights of Asheville Christmas. The Orange Peel $15-20 christinegarvin. com/performance Brevard’s Holiday Twilight Tour December 5 Take a carriage ride down luminaire-lit streets, sing and celebrate the lighting of the community Christmas tree at the courthouse on Main Street. Enjoy delectable food, the Silvermont Festival of Trees, the Elf School (write your letter to Santa), an ice slide, and a sweet celebration of holiday magic. Immediately following the 44nd Annual Christmas Parade. Downtown Brevard Free, 4pm8pm brevardnc.org Christmas Candlelight Tour December 5 Experience the customs and traditions of an early 19th century Christmas in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This living history program provides a small glimpse into the Vance family’s observance of the holiday season in the 1830’s. Zebulon B.Vance Birthplace State Historic Site 4-8:30pm. 828.645.6706 vance@ncdcr.gov nchistoricsites.org/vance/ vance.htm 2015 Asheville Jingle Bell Run/ Walk December 5 Jingle Bell Run/Walk® is a fun, festive event for the whole family! This is a great way to kick off the holidays by helping others! Participants wear their reindeer antlers and/or themed costumes, and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces and run or walk a 5 kilometer route with their team members to celebrate the season by giving. Montford Recreation Center registration fee, 8:30am - 1pm 443-7389625 jinglebellrunasheville.kintera.org Santa on the Chimney! December 5 & 12 How is Santa able to climb down millions of chimneys around the world in a single night? He practices, of course. Witness Santa’s daring stunt as he practices on one of the world’s largest chimneys at 315 feet tall! Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, complimentary hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities and see live critters. Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock, NC No additional cost with paid park admission, 11am-2pm 800-277-9611 chimneyrockpark.com Guild Artists’ Holiday Sale December 5 & 12

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015 An opportunity for individual members and the organization to sell over-runs, discontinued stock and studio seconds in a festive atmosphere during the holiday season. Choose from a variety of gift items including ceramics, jewelry, fiber, paper, glass and wood. Folk Art Center 10am - 2pm. southernhighlandguild.org The Big Crafty December 6 The Big Crafty revives the tradition of the community bazaar, a lively celebration of handmade commerce, featuring local food, beer, toe-tapping tunes, and the fine wares of select indie artists and crafters. VIP Shopping is available from 11am-1pm with a ticket (available online and at the door). Asheville Art Museum, Pack Place Free, 1-6 pm, thebigcrafty.com Chamber Music Messiah December 6 Featuring instrumentalists playing the vocal parts with organ as orchestra. Come experience this unique and beautiful performance of the Christmas portion (Part I) of Handel’s masterpiece to benefit Homeward Bound. First Presbyterian Church 3pm 828-254-7123 pan-harmonia.org Waynesville Christmas Parade December 7 This annual event is sponsored by the Town of Waynesville, Waynesville Kiwanis Club, and the Downtown Waynesville Association. This year’s parade theme is “Joy to the World.” Main Street 6pm 828.456.3517 downtownwaynesville.com Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker December 8 Moscow Ballet has been touring North America for over 20 years bringing classic Russian ballets to life. The Great Russian Nutcracker debuted to rave reviews in 1993 and continues to this day; NY Times Chief Dance Critic Alastair Macaulay, “Knockout …brimful with feeling.” The company features award-winning and acclaimed principal dancers. Thomas Wolfe Auditorium $28-$175, 7:00 pm 828.259.5736 uscellularcenterasheville.com All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 December 9 -27 All Is Calm relives a poignant moment in history when Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate the holiday together. This dramatic re-telling contains actual quotes and excerpts from letters written by thirty World War I figures; interspersed with song from Cantaria, The Gay Men’s Chorus of Asheville. NC Stage Company Wed - Sat 7:30pm; Sun 2pm 828-239-0263 ncstage.org The Santaland Diaries December 10 - December 19 When an out of work slacker takes a job as an elf in Macy’s Santaland, his hilarious observations of shoppers and employees are much more naughty than nice. This one-man one-act play can only be described one way: crazy funny. A favorite holiday tradition is back for its 13th year in a row! Asheville Community Theatre $15; Thursdays 7:30pm; Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 & 9:30pm, ashevilletheatre. org Hometown Holiday Jam XV December 10 Asheville Musicians Coalition’s annual show benefiting Mission Childrens Hospital & Manna Food Bank. Featuring: Joe Lasher Jr, Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats, Lyric, The Lowdown, The Laters, Rip Haven, Rory Kelly, Kimberly White Project, Drew Heller (from Toubab Krewe), Mike Barnes, Marc Keller, Jack & Jim Mascari, Danny Eller & the Hometown Holiday Jam Allstar Band!

The Orange Peel $10 + donation of one can of food, 7pm theorangepeel.net Music on the Rock: Barbra & Frank –The Christmas Concert That Never Was December 10-13 & 17-20 Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand never really worked together, except when they taped a duet in separate recording sessions. But it’s tantalizing to think what it would have been like to have them teamed up for a Christmas concert. Direct from Las Vegas, Sharon Owens stars as Barbra Streisand and Sebastian Anzaldo portrays Frank Sinatra, singing the most memorable music and songs ever written. If you are a Streisand or Sinatra fan and love the music, this show is a holiday must! Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown $25. 828.693.0731 flatrockplayhouse.org

December 11 Featuring Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as well as other classical Christmas favorites performed by The Asheville Symphony. Thomas Wolfe Auditorium 8pm 828.254.7046 ashevillesymphony.org Weaverville Christmas Parade December 12 The parade begins at the intersection of North Main Street and Dula Springs Road, travels through downtown Weaverville, and ends at the intersection of South Main and Yost Streets. Join us on Main Street along with local bands, floats, marching units, local dignitaries and of course Santa. Downtown Weaverville 1pm visitweaverville.com

Weaverville Candlelight Christmas Stroll December 11 Enjoy the spirit of the holiday season at the Annual Candlelight Stroll in downtown Weaverville. Enjoy a charming small-town Christmas atmosphere for both residents and visitors with music, horse and buggy rides, shopping, Santa and more. Downtown Weaverville Free; 6pm-9pm visitweaverville.com/candlelight

Annual Montford Home Tour December 12 Explore Asheville’s oldest, most historic neighborhood comprised of Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Greek Revival and Dutch Colonial homes built in the 1890’s to 1920’s. A variety of these residences will be open for tour during this special one day event. Enjoy roving Shakespearian actors, courtesy of The Montford Park Players and feast on homemade baked goods from the kitchens of Montford residents.Montford Historic District $25, 1-5pm 828.280.1576 montfordtour.com

Asheville Symphony: Simply Sinatra Christmas

27th Annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam

December 12 For the past 27 years, Warren Haynes has coordinated his annual Christmas Jam. Like a family reunion, the annual, one-of-a-kind, semi-structured marathon of music brings together old friends on stage and in the audience for one of the country’s greatest live events. Lineup: Warren Haynes, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Doobie Brothers, Joe Bonamassa, Dawes, Electric Hot Tuna, Blackberry Smoke, Bruce Hornsby. U.S. Cellular Center 7pm. xmasjam.com Town of Fletcher’s Annual Christmas Parade December 12 The theme for the 2015 Christmas Parade is “Christmas Around the World.” Hwy 25 between Old Airport Road & Town Hall 10:30am 828.687.0751 fletcherparks.org Christmas at Connemara December 19 Join us on Saturday morning to revel with local musicians and storytellers. Music/ storytelling will be held from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm in the garage adjacent to the Sandburg Home. Hot cider and cookies will be served. Holiday craft-making will be offered from 10am to 1pm. The house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburgs with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree. Connemara FREE 10am nps.gov/carl

A Swannanoa Solstice December 20 A tapestry of joyful and thoughtful seasonal reflection beautifully woven from the mountains’ Appalachian, ScotsIrish and world influences. Special guest musicians, storytellers, dancers & more. Diana Wortham Theater $40, Student $35, Child $15; 2 & 7pm. dwtheatre.com

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA® November 17, 2015

Gift Guide

holiday puzzle

Santa’s Reindeer Roundup!

Find Dasher! Find Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! Find Comet! Find Cupid! Find Donner and Blitzen! But don’t forget the most famous reindeer of them all! Help Santa roundup all nine of his reindeer by circling the words listed to the right. Words may appear straight across, backword straight across, up and down, down and up, and diagonally.

Created by Adalee Elkins

Holiday Gift Guide | IWANNA速 November 17, 2015