Holiday Recipe and Gift Idea Booklet NOVEMBER 2016 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News.
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Holiday Guide
November 2016
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LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
262 S. YOSEMITE AVE, STE. D OAKDALE • PHONE: 209-322-3468
OPEN:MONDAY-FRIDAY-10AM-6PM • SATURDAY-10AM-4PM CLOSED SUNDAYS AND ALL MAJOR HOLIDAYS
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Holiday Guide
Happy Holidays and We thank you for your Business Locally Owned And Operated
INTEGRITY AIR CONDITIONING AND
HEATING, INC. LIC #982190
SERVICE • REPAIRS • INSTALLATION REPLACEMENT • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
(209) 322-3295
HONESTY AND QUALITY IS OUR COMMITMENT
November 2016
We Deliver Convenience Right To Your Door We can help you get ready for the holidays & clean up afterwards.
Curtains • Table Linens Comforters • Holiday Finery Bed Spreads • Throw Rugs
156 S Maag Ave, Oakdale • 847-8555 1300 Sylvan Ave, Modesto • 524-0905 2202 Patterson Rd, Riverbank • 869-8635 1201 W Main St, Ripon • 599-2989 w w w. d e l r i o c l e an e r s . c om
Naughty or Nice…
Spice Up Her Life! Special Holiday Pricing on all
Diamond Jewelry! TETER’STeter’S JEWELRY JEWELRY The Teter Family in Business for 72 years
….and Still Going Strong! 114 N. 3rd Ave., Oakdale 847-7071
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Holiday Guide
Great Gifts For On-The-Go Loved Ones Many people love to travel, but some take their wanderlust to another level. Men and women who seem perpetually on-the-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 ministove or grill so they can eat
like kings no matter how far they retreat into their favorite forests. For the international 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, researching 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.
We have everything to make your truck or trailer awesome!
Spray In Bedliners • Fuel Tanks Lumber Racks • Truck Beds Lids & Campers • Side Bars & Step Tool Boxes • Airbags • Diesel Exhaust Systems Trailer Repair • Hitches • Wiring 1260 East F Street, Oakdale • 8 4 7 - 1 9 0 0
November 2016 Airline miles 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 substantial amounts of money. Learn the ins and outs of your mileage program before giving miles as a gift.
Travel enthusiasts range from weekend warriors who can’t wait to arrive at their favorite campsite to international jetsetters. Holiday shoppers can find a host of gifts suited to all types of travelers this holiday season. 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.
RELAX WHILE WE COOK FOR YOU!
El
Jardin RESTAURANT
157 S. Sierra St. Oakdale
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847-8209
1st Dinner Entrée 1/2 Off With Purchase Of 2nd Dinner Entrée & 2 Drinks *of equal or lesser value offer good thru 1-31-17 except Fridays at
Oakdale location only.
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Holiday Guide
The Benefits To Buying Local This Holiday Season Holiday shopping dominates many people’s free time between the day after Thanksgiving and the final days before Christmas. While many people may shop Ôtil they drop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, those days still account for a relatively small amount of the hundreds of billions of dollars that are spent each holiday season. Shoppers now have a bevy of options at their disposal as they embark on holiday shopping season. Traditional in-store retailers are still around, and online shopping continues to grow in popularity with each holiday season. But many holiday shoppers are looking to buy local this holiday season, and such a decision can pay a host of dividends for both shoppers and the communities they call home. • Buying local benefits your local economy. Studies from Civic Economics, an economics and strategics planning firm, found that independent, locally-owned retailers return a far greater percentage of their revenue into their local economies than national chain stores. One such study examined the disparity between revenue recirculation among independent, locally-owned businesses in Raleigh, North Carolina, versus four major national chains in the city. The former recirculated 51.1
Shopping local this holiday season can benefit your community in various ways. percent of revenue into the local economy, while the latter recirculated less than 14 percent. Similar results were discovered in many cities, indicating that buying local not only benefits local business owners, but also the communities those owners and their customers call home. • Buying local creates jobs in your community. One of the biggest ways local business owners in Raleigh recirculated their revenue in the local economy was job creation. While national chains also create jobs, such jobs only benefit your community if the chains are located with-
in your community. If your local mall is a considerable drive away, chances are the chains within that mall are not employing many of your fellow community members. Local businesses in your community are more likely to employ residents of your town. • Shopping local may provide access to more unique gifts. In addition to the economic benefits of buying local, shoppers may find merchandise made by local craftsmen is more unique than mass-produced items found on the shelves of national retailers.
November 2016
...a Unique Retail Boutique ...with a Twist!!!
Women's Fashion Accessories Fun, Witty and Sophisticated Gifts Home Décor Bath & Body Wine Themed Gifts California Gourmet Goodies ...and many other “Indulgences”
Home of “ARTisan Alley” featuring local Artisan’s work JustIndulge.Me @ ShopJustIndulge 130 North Third Avenue, Oakdale
(209) 322-3452
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Holiday Guide
Teachings that will last a lifetime! Bully Proof Your Child! Traditional Hawaiian Kajukenbo Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing
Wrestling Program Now Offered!
Children’s classes designed to promote confidence, discipline, manners and physical coordination Beginning at 4 years old Monday – Thursday Various Schedules, call for more info
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Mon, Wed, Friday 8:30 – 9:30 am
Class size limited, please call for info and availability
MMA & F
OAKDALE ACADEMY
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November 2016
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Moss Rose Bakery 113 Years of Old Fashioned Treats & Traditions
Mary Anne Heath, Celebrating 35 Years of Ownership Specializing in "baked on the bricks" breads, cakes, cookies and pastries Lunch served daily featuring fresh baked meats, Homemade soups, pasta and salads 118 N. Third Avenue, Oakdale
847-0542
6 am - 5:30 pm weekdays, 6 am - 4 pm Saturdays Closed Sun & Wed
18th Annual Christmas Sing - along! Free Admission! Come join the fun! December Dec Decem D ecember cembe ember em mber ber 1 19t 19th 9ttth 9 h•6p pm m Please P se eR RSVP SVP 209 209-848-12 9-8 84 48 8-1 1216 216
Student Christmas Recitals l
Dec. 10th & 11th - 2 shows - 2 pm & 4 pm
Don't forget the musicians on your gift list! Store open extended hours though Christmas.
Hutton's Hamlet Performing Arts Center 132 West G Street, Oakdale • 209-848-1216 At the corners of G Street and S. Church Avenue
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Holiday Guide
Stocking Stuffers For Athletes And Sports Enthusiasts Gifts comes in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes the best gifts are those that come in small packages. Though some people pore over their holiday shopping lists for weeks, it’s not uncommon for even the most devoted holiday shopper to overlook stocking stuffers, which can be just as difficult to find as larger gifts. When shopping for stocking stuffers, consider the recipient’s interests. For example, athletes and sports enthusiasts would undoubtedly love a gift that reflects their loyalty to a favorite team or their devotion to a particular sport. Holiday shoppers who have a sports-crazed superfan or accomplished athlete on their shopping lists may want to consider the following items when looking for stocking stuffers this holiday season. • Sports memorabilia: Sports fanatics sometimes double as collectors who are always on the lookout for new memorabilia to display. Such collectibles may include bobbleheads, cards, ticket stubs and signed photographs or equipment. Rare memorabilia may be beyond many gift-givers’ means, but there are still plenty of impressive items that can fit into any holiday gifting budget. • Game tickets: Give sports fans a chance to cheer
Winner’s trophy: For the sports fan who has missed out on getting his or her own trophy, have one made up as a stocking stuffer gag gift. It is certain to bring a laugh and hold a prime spot on the shelf with other sports memorabilia. on their favorite teams in person. Find a home game that will not require the recipient to travel too far, or if you want to splurge, include transportation with the tickets to an away game. Secondary market ticketseller StubHub is a reliable resource that guarantees tickets sold on its site are legitimate, removing any doubt ticket market buyers may have. • Fan gear: Sports fans can never have enough gear to show off their team pride. Everything from mugs to hats to authentic team jerseys makes for great stocking stuffers. In addition, look for pennants or t-shirts that feature team names or logos. Today just about any item comes emblazoned with sports team names. If you can’t find a particular
item, it may be possible to order it directly from a team or retailer or have it customized. • Sports equipment: Athletes may benefit from updated equipment. Determine if the athletes on your gift list have any gear that needs replacing. Parents, coaches or even teammates may offer recommendations regarding which equipment your loved one needs. If you don’t know a catcher’s mitt from a tennis racket, stuff the stocking with a gift card to a sporting goods store. • Magazine subscription: Sports fans often enjoy reading up on their favorite players and keeping abreast of team or industry news. Magazine subscriptions are generally inexpensive and new subscriptions often come with free gifts as well.
November 2016
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Treat Holiday Guests With This Chocolate Confection No holiday celebration is complete without dessert. The holiday season is one time of year when no one seems too worried about indulging in dessert or having an extra cookie. Many families have their own traditions when it comes to holiday fare, but those who want to wow their guests with something new this holiday season can try the following recipe for “Chocolate-Dipped Sesame Tuiles” courtesy of Michael Recchiuti and Fran Gage’s “Chocolate Obsession” (Stewart, Tabori & Chang). Inspired by the classic French tuile cookies, these delectable treats are sure to draw a crowd to your holiday dessert table this season.
Chocolate-Dipped Sesame Tuiles Makes about 48 cookies 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, preferably unhulled 1/3 cup granulated cane sugar 1/3 cup unbleached allpurpose flour 1/8 tablespoon kosher salt 2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature 3 tablespoons unsalted butter with 82 percent butterfat, very soft 8 ounces tempered 70 percent chocolate for coating cookies Flavorless vegetable oil for the pans
Chocolate-Dipped Sesame Tuiles To bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line the bottoms of four 12-by18-inch sheet pans with parchment paper. Lightly coat the paper with flavorless vegetable oil. Put a rolling pin on a work surface. If you have two rolling pins, ready both. Combine the sesame seeds, flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk by hand until combined. Mix, don’t beat the egg whites into the sesame seed mixture with a rubber spatula. Stir in the butter with the spatula until no streaks of butter remain. Measure 2 level teaspoons batter onto a prepared sheet pan. Using a small offset spatula, spread it into a round about 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Repeat with the remaining batter, putting 8 rounds on each pan and leaving 1 1/2 inches between the rounds. Bake the trays, one at a time, until the cookies are a uniform golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and, while the cookies are still warm, run the offset spatula under each cookie and place
it upside down on the rolling pin so that it curls around the pin. (You should be able to do 5 cookies on a rolling pin, so by the time the sixth cookie is about to be draped over the pin, a few should be ready to be moved. Ideally, though, you will have two rolling pins.) If some of the cookies are not a uniform color, or if some cool too much and are no longer pliable, return them to the oven for another minute until evenly golden brown and again pliable. Leave the cookies on the rolling pin until they cool completely and have become brittle, a matter of seconds. Carefully lift them off and store them in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to dip them. They will keep well for up to 3 days. Dip the cookies in chocolate: You can store the cookies and dip them on a day when you have tempered chocolate for another use. Or you can temper chocolate specifically to finish the cookies. Use a tempering machine to temper the chocolate. Dip the convex (smooth) side of each cookie into the chocolate and then smooth the chocolate with a small offset spatula. Place on a work surface, chocolate side up, and let sit until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container in a cool place, not in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to one week.
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Holiday Guide
Make Holiday Shopping Excursions Special As they fulfill the social obligations of the holiday season, many people find themselves spending less time at home. Consumer Reports notes that individuals spend a great deal of time shopping for gifts come the holiday season. Americans engage in 15 hours of shopping on average, with women spending twice as long as their male counterparts (20 hours versus 10). In addition, the average person devotes 10 or more hours to wrapping and returning gifts. Holiday shopping can monopolize people’s time away from home during the months of November and December, and some shoppers wonder how they become so disconnected from other activities, including family time, that they cherish throughout the rest of the year. One way to tackle holiday shopping without sacrificing time with family and friends is to make holiday shopping a social event. • Invite friends or family along. Recreate the days of your youth when it was fun to meet friends at the mall and scour the shops. Plan a meeting location and have an itinerary in place. Divide shopping lists so that everyone shares the task of shopping and fatigue doesn’t set in prematurely. • Make lunch or dinner part of the day. Incorporate
Holiday shopping can be even more fun when it takes place with a group of girlfriends. refueling into your shopping plans. Failure to eat or drink can lead to hunger pangs and test shoppers’ patience, two factors that are seldom conducive to successful shopping. Having an end goal to meet friends or family at a nearby restaurant even a dining location right within the mall can inspire intrepid shoppers to get their work done promptly. Reward yourself for a job well done over a tasty meal and maybe a cocktail. Just be sure to indulge responsibly. • Break up the day with a flick. Many malls also play home to movie theaters. Plan your shopping around the movie schedule so you can take a two-hour break to rest and relax in the theater.
Chances are you’ll come out of the film relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your shopping list. • Make it a date night. The thought of shopping may not conjure up ideas of romance, but if time is short, couples can use shopping excursions as an opportunity to spend time together. Visit a coffee shop or a bar for a nightcap afterward and enjoy some one-on-one time. Parents can enlist the help of a babysitter to keep children entertained while they enjoy some uninterrupted time with each other. Shopping fills the days leading to the holidays. Make the most of such excursions by inviting friends and family along.
November 2016
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Holiday Guide
How about the gift of safe Holiday travel ? Maintenance Brakes e do it w Repairs all ! 2016 AWARD WINNER
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November 2016
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Tips For First-Time Holiday Dinner Hosts Hosting a holiday meal for loved ones provides an exciting opportunity to bring family and friends together during a special time of year. First-time hosts may be a little nervous and put pressure on themselves to make the meal just right. But there are a few tricks of the trade novices can employ to calm their nerves and enjoy their first foray into holiday hosting. • Go with what you know. Experimenting in the kitchen can be fun, but such experimentation should be avoided when hosting for the holidays. When planning the menu for your holiday dinner, choose a main course that you have prepared in the past. Familiarity can calm your nerves, and you’re less likely to forget key ingredients when preparing a meal you have made several times in the past. If you want to experiment a little, do so with desserts that you can prepare and test for taste several days in advance. If the desserts donÕt pan out, you will still have a few days to find an alternative. • Get a head start wherever possible. The day friends and family are coming to visit figures to be hectic. In addition to preparing the meal, hosts must also ready their homes so they can create a welcoming environment for their guests. Once you have chosen the menu, look for items that can be prepared in advance of the big day. Desserts can
Holiday hosting is fun, and first-time hosts can make it even more fun by employing a few veteran tricks of the trade. often be made several days in advance, as can certain side dishes. Do as much prep work for the main course the night before the meal as possible. • Double check your pantry. Even if you’re making a meal you have made a dozen times in the past, peruse your pantry to make sure you have every ingredient you’re going to need. If you’re used to making the meal for four people but will now be making the meal for 12 of them, make sure you have enough of each ingredient to make the meal in bulk. To make things easier, update your recipe to reflect the additional guests before going to the grocery store. Doing so guarantees you won’t run out of ingredients once you start preparing the meal. • Ask guests to bring nonessential items. Guests will like-
ly offer to bring something to the holiday dinner, and there’s nothing wrong with accepting help. But don’t ask guests to bring items that are essential to the meal, as that can delay the meal if guests get stuck in traffic or show up late. Instead, ask guests to bring a bottle of wine, a small dessert or even some snacks guests can eat while waiting for the main course. • Ask about food allergies. While hosts don’t need to cater to every food allergy under the sun, ask each guest if there is any particular food or ingredient they absolutely must avoid. If enough guests admit they must avoid a particular dish, you then know not to prepare it. In addition, have plenty of vegetables on hand for guests who are vegan or vegetarian.
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Holiday Guide
CALIFORNIA GROWN GOURMET FOODS & UNIQUE GIFT BASKETS
Company for the Holidays? We can Help get your home ready!
Spray and Son Janitorial & Carpet Cleaning
JANITORIAL & CARPET CLEANING Offering services for Commercial, Residential and Industrial COMPLETE FLOOR SERVICE & OFFICE CLEANING FLOOR STRIPPING • FLOOR POLISHING CARPET CLEANING TILE CLEANING • AIR DUCT CLEANING
www.sprayandson.com • 209-847-2713
November 2016
Presenting
Open House Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Nov. 25th, 26th & 27th • 9:00am - 5:00pm
Featuring…
• 15 Beautifully decorated Theme Trees dripping with thousands of unique ornaments • The largest Dept 56 Village Display • 3 Huge LGB Trains chugging through 6 villages • A forest of the most real looking artificial Christmas trees 3’ - 12’
FREE KETTLE POPCORN AND APPLE CIDER! O’ AND SANTA & MRS. CLAUS will be there too! So bring the kids, grandkids & the whole Family
HUGE Village Display
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Holiday Guide
Party Fare Sure To Delight Holiday Guests What would the holidays be without entertaining? Playing host or hostess and inviting crowds of people to visit is part of what makes the season so special and memorable. Entertaining can take on many forms from elaborate sitdown dinners featuring multiple courses to cocktail parties with passed hors d’oeuvres. Small-bite foods are perfect for holiday parties because they’re portable and allow guests to take their food with them and mingle. Several appetizers enjoyed together can even be a meal. Appetizers need a solid base onto which the culinary creation can be built. “Cornbread Blinis” offer just that. These small cornmeal “pancakes” are beautiful, sturdy hosts for the likes of thinly sliced prosciutto or smoked salmon. Enjoy these recipes, courtesy of Denise Gee’s “Southern Appetizers: 60 Delectables for Gracious GetTogethers” (Chronicle Books), and top the pancakes with “Divine Crab Spread.”
Cornbread Blinis Makes 24 1/2 cup good quality, stoneground yellow cornmeal 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup milk 1 egg, lightly beaten 4 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons melted
2 to 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives or Italian flat-leaf parsley, optional In a medium bowl, whisk to combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in the milk, beaten egg, melted butter, and chives (if using). Stir until just combined. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a hot skillet or griddle. When bubbling, add the batter in tablespoonfuls about 1 inch apart. cook the blinis until bubbles form on top, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook another minute or so, until lightly browned and golden. Remove them to a cooling rack and, if desired, keep warm in an oven heated to its lowest temperature. Use paper towels to wipe away crust giblets or darkened grease from the pan. Repeat the proces with more butter and batter. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Divine Crab Spread Makes about 3 cups
8 ounces whipped cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream or halfand-half 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus thinly sliced lemon wedges for garnish. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or finely sliced green onions, plus whole chives for garnish 1 to 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat, picked over for shells In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, chives, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, salt, and hot sauce and stir until smooth. Gently add the crab meat, using a rubber spatula to fold it into the cream cheese mixture until just combined. Refrigerate the dip for at least 2 hours, or up to 1 day. To preserve the freshest flavor, keep the dip in a wellsealed container surrounded by ice in a larger container. Serve it very cold, garnished with lemon wedges and whole chives.
Holiday hosts and hostesses can whip up appetizers with a Southern flair in time for the holidays. Try “Cornbread Blinis” paired with creamy “Divine Crab Spread.”
November 2016
with your subscription to the
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Holiday Guide
Thoughtful Gifts That Don’t Require Much Thought Valentine’s Day is prime season for florists, with floral sales capturing 40 percent of holiday dollar volume, according to data collected by IPSOS-Insight FloralTrends Consumer Tracking Study. While flowers -- particularly mixed flower and red rose bouquets -- may comprise the leading gifts for romantic gifters, many others are looking to buck the flowers-and-chocolate trend this year and offer something more unique. On the heels of the holiday giving season, most gift-givers realize how difficult it can be finding the “perfect” gift for a recipient. That gift may be even more difficult to find when the intention is to convey love and affection. But Valentine’s Day givers can look to a number of gifts that are very thoughtful but
needn’t take more than a little forethought. * Gift card: You may be thinking a gift card doesn’t sound that thoughtful. However, when paired with a listing of gift items, it’s easy to illustrate the thought that went into the gift. It may make sense to simply purchase one of those interesting items, but this way you’re giving the recipient the choice of what he or she really wants to select. * Something engraved or monogrammed: A simple scarf turns into something more special when it includes monogrammed initials or a special saying. The same can be said for anything from a picture frame to candle holders. Taking the time to have something monogrammed or engraved imparts thoughtfulness into the gift.
* Pet accessories: People view their pets as members of the family and often as small children (when small children are not yet present). Especially during the dating stage, providing an adorable gift for his or her pet may be seen as a heartfelt gesture. Be sure to pick up a little something for the pet parent as well, though.
Wishing you a letter-perfect holiday!
20/16
Pick up a pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses for that someone special on your list
Douglas R. Patten, O.D. 190 S. Maag Avenue, Suite G • Oakdale 209-847-1121
November 2015
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We have your favorite brands! Hats • Shirts Blouses • Jeans Vests • Coats Boots • Belts Jewelry
17407 S. Escalon Bellota Road • Escalon 838-3326 • M-F 8-5:30 Sat 8-4
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Holiday Guide
Celebrate And Stay True To Your Budget This Holiday Season The holiday season is a joyous time of year dominated by family reunions and seasonal soirees. And while kindness is a theme of the holiday season, this time of year can be especially unkind to personal budgets, many of which get stretched thin in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Travel and shopping tend to do the most damage to budgets come the holiday season, when people hit the road to see family and friends, often with numerous gifts in tow. But the holiday season does not have to be so harsh on personal budgets, especially for those men and women who employ a few tricks of the trade to lighten their financial burdens during this festive time of year. * Set spending limits. Many families, especially those that are very large, establish spending limits with regard to how much each person can spend on gifts for their loved ones. Such limits still allow holiday celebrants to exchange gifts with their family members, but limits help celebrants reign in their holiday spending as well. No one wants to begin the new year with heaps of debt or an empty bank account, so don’t be afraid to propose such spending limits to your relatives. * Share hosting duties. In addition to travel and shopping, hosting holiday parties requires a considerable finan-
Families do not have to stretch their budgets to enjoy a festive and memorable holiday season. cial commitment on the part of the host. Rather than forcing holiday hosts to shoulder that burden on their own, families can share the hosting duties, even if the party is still slated to take place at one person’s home. Make the holiday dinner a potluck affair so holiday hosts don’t have to assume the cost of the entire meal on their own. Request family members bring certain items, asking one person to provide beverages for the night while another takes care of dessert. Sharing such duties makes the cost of hosting a large holiday dinner much more manageable while freeing up time that holiday hosts can spend with their loved ones. * Make your own decorations. Holiday decorations go a long way toward feeding the festive atmosphere of the season. But store-bought
decorations can be expensive. Instead of outsourcing your holiday decorating, make homemade decorations with materials purchased at a nearby arts and crafts store. Gather the family together for a crafts night and enjoy this time spent together during what’s typically a hectic time of year. Homemade decorations also create lasting memories, as you and your family can enjoy reflecting on the fruits of your labors every holiday season for years to come. * Start shopping early. One way to stretch your holiday shopping budget is to start shopping early. Though many holiday shoppers have been given such advice, very few take it to heart. Shopping early affords you more time to find deals and comparison shop, and beginning your search for gifts early allows you to patiently wait for sales or other discounts that might not be available once the holiday season hits full swing. If you plan to purchase any big-ticket items well in advance of the holiday season, first confirm the return policy, specifically how long you have to return the gift, as you don’t want your loved one to end up with a gift they can’t return if necessary. The holiday season finds many people stretching their budgets. But men and women can employ several strategies to save money while still enjoying a memorable and festive holiday season.
November 2016 UP TO
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SHOWROOM OPEN Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 3pm
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Holiday Guide
Thank you to our Valued Customers
God bless you and your family Protect Your Business, Your Way! • Auto • Property • Liability • Loss Control • Retirement Planning
Lana Clayton Owner & Insurance Advisor Honest & Reliable • Lic# 0C09245
3313 Santa Fe Avenue, Riverbank, CA 95367
209-869-1100
Oakdale, CA
* Commercial * Residential * Industrial
All I want for the Holidays is new house plumbing!
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November 2016
$20 Will Hold Any Bike Until Christmas! Full Selection of Children, Teen and Adult Bikes!!
2013-2014-2015-2016
445 East F Street, Oakdale
847-5073
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Holiday Guide
Have Yourself a
Beautiful Holiday We Can Help! Haircuts • Color • Highlights • Updos Blowouts • Lashes • Make Up
Left to Right: Jill McFadyen, Brittany Dahl, Kelly Ashby, Katie Lee Craig
Call to schedule an appointment today
(209) 844-5519 •
517 West F Street • Oakdale
November 2016
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Sweet Water Leather Co. See Us at Oakdale’s Cowboyy Christmas November 25 & 26
• Leather Classes & Supplies • Custom Holsters, Belts, Chaps & More • Leather Supplies • Largest selection of Conchos around • Tack, Saddle & Harness Hardware • Cow Hide Rugs & Custom Pillows • Jewelry & Purses and More!
A Very Unique Western Store 1601 E. 2nd Street, Escalon (209) 838 - BITS (2487) jur164@aol.com
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Holiday Guide
Pirouette® Window Shadings
Fashionably early. Order your shades now and be ready for holiday gatherings. Beautiful Hunter Douglas window fashions are essential to an inviting home décor. What’s more, savings are available right now on a wide range of styles. So, shop today, order early and have your window fashions professionally installed. All in time for your guests to arrive.
100 REBATE on select purchases of Hunter Douglas window fashions 9/17–12/12/16.*
$
Walnut Woods Blinds And Oakdale Interiors, Inc. 122 N Sierra Ave., Oakdale, CA Monday-Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
209-847-4676 • 209-847-5786 www.walnutwoodblinds.com *Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 9/17/16–12/12/16 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. For certain rebate-eligible products, the purchase of multiple units of such product is required to receive a rebate. If you purchase fewer units than the required multiple you will not be entitled to a rebate; partial rebates will not be awarded. Offer excludes HDOrigins and Nantucket™ Window Shadings, a collection of Silhouette® Window Shadings. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 6 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. ©2016 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.3685241
November 2016
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Let it ship! Let it ship! Let it ship!
15% OFF
ON PACKING AND SHIPPING Exp.12/31/16 NEXT TO RALEYS EXCLUDES U.S. MAIL
1570 EAST F STREET, #A • OAKDALE, CA 95361 209-845-8366 • WWW.PAKMAILOAKDALE.COM
Send all of your gifts, in just one trip.
$10 off Excluding Beverages & taxes
purchases 156 S. Maag $ of 50 Oakdale or more offer good thru 12-31-16 848-3888
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Holiday Guide
Merry Christmas! Visit Kristine’s for that someone special on your list!
Old fashioned customer service...
Missy Cut Sizes X-small-XL Plus Sizes 1X Pant sizes 2-18
to help you find that perfect gift!
Fun
Always Always
A personal shopper 2016 AWARD WINNER
Changing
Merry Christmas! Thank you for your Business and support Valerie, Kristine and Debby
Oakdale Station Shopping Center - 1214 West F St, Suite A-1 - (209) 844-5018 OPEN: Monday - Wednesday, Saturday 10-5 - Thursday - Friday 10-6 or later by appt.