L A S T- MINUTE
INSIDE:
Plethora of products available to pamper pets.
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Ideas for decorative and functional items for the home.
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Packages still have plenty of time to make the trip to Lower 48. PAGE 3
Give the gift of smart sports gear, or put something on your list. PAGE 6
Books for your favorite travel lover PAGE 4 ... or for yourself.
Have a movie lover in your life? Think outside the boxed set.
Gingerbread and pumpkin spice some of the holiday’s limited-time flavors. PAGE 5
“Frozen” surpasses Barbie as favorite girls’ toys this holiday season. PAGE 8
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Friday, December 12, 2014
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
LAST-MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
A dog named Tucker peers over a pet kennel during the Fairbanks North Star Borough animal shelter’s annual Pet Photos With Santa holiday fundraiser in November 2011 at Alaska Feed Company. All proceeds benefited the nonprofit Animal Shelter Fund. JOHN WAGNER/NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO
Holiday gifts for pets a rapidly growing industry By Jeff Richardson JRICHARDSON@NEWSMINER.COM
Even Tim Erickson, the general manager at Cold Spot Feeds, is a little flabbergasted at the influx of goodies for pets that arrive at his store during the holidays. A quick glance around reveals an abundance of chew toys, pet treats and stuffed animals. There’s even a selection of NFL jerseys made for dogs, for anyone wanting to dress up their chihuahua as Peyton Manning this Christmas. “It’s kind of staggering,” he said. “It’s insane to think somebody could buy a dinosaur that a pit bull could chew on for a few months.” It turns out Christmas gifts aren’t just for good girls and boys. That may not be surprising, considering how much Americans love their animals. About $58 billion will be spent on pets this year in the U.S., according to the
SAM HARREL/NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO
American Pet Products Association. There are countless lists of gift ideas for dogs and cats online, and Americans reportedly spend about $5 billion on presents for their pets. There are plenty of options in Fairbanks for people who want to make their pets more presentable for those holiday occasions. Most pet groomers offer gift certificates, and many also carry basic supplies for keeping dogs looking and smelling good.
Alaska Feed Company manager Stephen Davila figures a majority of his customers put out a stocking for their pets on Christmas. In fact, he’s one of them. “For a lot of folks, the pets are like their kids,” he said. “For us, it was a way to include them.” He touts a collection of Alaska-made pet treats in particular, part of an extensive collection of made-in-Alaska products at Alaska Feed. Davila also stocks countless toys and treats for filling those stockings and even has some Santa Claus outfits that allow pets to take Christmas merriment to another level. He said regular pet coats and luminescent toys that can be found during a dark Alaska winter are also popular items. “We carry a nice assortment of Christmas-themed items — toys and chews and even some ornaments,” Davila said. Contact staff writer Jeff Richardson at 459-7518. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMbusiness.
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Give your pet something unexpected during the holidays By Sue Manning ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pet owners looking to launch the next Internet sensation or just longing for a new view of their dog’s dashing and digging won’t have to shop for long to find the perfect holiday gift. Wrap up a dog harness that holds GoPro’s durable cameras and watch Frisbee fetch, lazy lap naps and every memory in between come alive. The Fetch dog harness fits over Fido’s chest or back and holds the small, waterproof camera known for attaching to helmets, surfboards, cars and wrists to film rugged adventures. Sony, Garmin and Kurgo also make camera mounts for dogs. The device is among a legion of gifts retailers have rounded up for pet wish lists this year. Narrowing it down is tough, but the harness tops the more unique options and creates lasting footage. The most pet-friendly camera in the GoPro Inc. line is the Hero4, which allows people to decide what the dog records and control all the functions with a touch screen, company spokeswoman Kelly Baker said. The camera sells for $399, and the mount costs $59. The chest harness captures bone-chewing and digging, while the back mount films running and jumping, Baker said. They adjust to fit dogs weighing 15 to
120 pounds. The canine camera view has proved popular. A video went viral of an eager Labrador strapped with a camera sprinting through trees and across rocks to an Italian beach, where it leaps into the ocean. John Duffield, of Santa Monica, California, loves the footage he got from the GoPro he mounted on his two dogs. He got enough shots to make a short video shortly before his chow-Labrador-Akita mix, Lupa, died. But Duffield didn’t strap the camera to his Chihuahua, Pup, three months ago when he and his wife brought their newborn daughter home from the hospital. “Pup is like a member of the family, too,” Duffield said. “He belonged in this picture because he was welcoming home part of his family.” Those looking for pet gifts besides the traditional treats, new bowls and beds can give something unexpected such as:
Ugly sweaters
They are the rage this year, so PetSmart Inc. will hawk ugly sweaters for cats and dogs from Bret Michaels’ Pets Rock line ($15.99), said Shelly Albrecht, spokeswoman for the national retailer. Swath pets in sweaters stitched with gingerbread men and Christmas trees and they could win worst-dressed at those seasonal ugly sweater parties popular with people. PetSmart also is selling leg warmers online and in stores from Top Paw and Luv-A-Pet.
‘Star Wars’ gear
Dogs will “use the force” with Petco’s line of “Star Wars” toys and clothing. Dress up dogs like Princess Leia with a headband sporting her signature bun hairstyle. The Death won’tt eath Star won menace when it comes as a treat dispenser ($7.49)) or tug-of-war toy ($5.99). Plush squeakerr toys feature favorite characters rs — R2-D2,, Chewbacca and Darth Vader — for less than $10. And don’t forget orget the cats — the Millennium Falcon fliess at the end of a teaser er toy string for less than an $5.
Devices for or older dogss
Make it easier for your senior dog to get around safely with equipment pment from Solvit Pet Products cts (www.solvitproducts.com ). Help them avoid injury in the car with a Department of Transportation-tested rtation-tested safety harness ($30) $30) and ease their way out of the vehicle with a ramp for those who can no longer jump ($159). Keep them close se on a bike ride with a bicycle trailer ailer or stroller ($399) or with a wicker basket ($89).
Gourmet fare
After romping in the snow, pets can warm up p with San Diego-based Honest nest Kitchen’s Winter Warmerss Broths. Just add hot water to the dehydrated mixes in chicken consomme,
beef and bone, and turkey stock flavors. The company, which focuses on natural food good enough for people’s palates, offers the $19.99 three-box sets for a limited time.
In this photo provided by PetSmart, Inc., Thor, a French bulldog, wears what is marketed as an “ugly” sweater, created by Bret Michaels for his Pets Rock Line. Ugly holiday party sweaters are all the rage this year, assures PetSmart spokesman Shelly Albrecht. So the national pet supply chain is introducing ugly sweaters from Bret Michael’s Pets Rock line. AP PHOTO/PETSMART, INC.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Friday, December 12, 2014
3
LAST-MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
Packages are sorted to be placed onto delivery trucks at a UPS distribution facility in Latham, New York, on Dec. 4. The seasonal facility was opened to supplement the existing location, adding 100 employees and 105 drivers to deal with 125,000 packages per day. AP PHOTO/THE DAILY GAZETTE, PATRICK DODSON
Shipping options remain for last-minute shoppers By Jeff Richardson JRICHARDSON@NEWSMINER.COM
It’s a question that plenty of procrastinating Alaskans have asked during the holiday season: How late is too late when it comes to shipping a package? There are several options for getting that late Christmas gift to your aunt in Miami, even when the days before the holiday are dwindling. Alaskans who have given themselves a bigger buffer have a few cheaper choices, especially if the package is headed to the West Coast. Most people’s first stop for holiday shipping is the U.S. Postal Service, which still has several options for getting packages out as Christmas approaches. USPS. com includes a list of deadlines, both domestically and internationally, for shipping a package
A box travels on a conveyor belt before being placed onto a delivery truck at a UPS distribution facility in Latham, New York. AP PHOTO/THE DAILY GAZETTE, PATRICK DODSON
in a timely manner. Those include a Dec. 20 deadline for first-class and priority mail, as well as a final date of Dec. 23 for priority mail express.
Fairbanks-area residents who meet those deadlines should be in good shape to get packages to the Lower 48, said Alaska District Marketing Manager Dawn
Peppinger. There’s one exception on the list. The website lists a standard mail deadline of Dec. 15 for Christmas deliveries, but Peppinger said that should probably be disregarded in Alaska. Since those packages move by barge, the time likely has passed for making it to Lower 48 addresses in time. “That ship has sailed, literally,” she said. Peppinger also suggests using the online USPS Click-N-Ship option for packages. It allows customers to print their own shipping label for flat-rate boxes and envelopes, providing a 5 percent domestic discount and 12 percent international discount to those who use the service. There are also other options for moving packages. UPS ships packages by two-day air as late as Dec. 22 for Christmas Eve delivery, and also offers a less-expensive ground-delivery
service that should work as late as Dec. 15. Those are estimated dates, however, and don’t come with a guarantee. FedEx also provides a late-shipping option to the Lower 48, pledging to get packages shipped by 11 a.m. on Dec. 23 to their destination by Christmas Eve. FedEx also offers ground-shipping options, with an estimated delivery of 7-10 days. Customers who want to get packages to the West Coast should be in good shape until about Dec. 15, said local FedEx manager Nina McDermitt. Planning for a few more days of shipping time would probably be best for the rest of the U.S., she said. “If you’re on the East Coast, I’m going to do my darndest,” McDermitt said. “But these go by truck, and storms happen.” Contact staff writer Jeff Richardson at 459-7518. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMbusiness.
Going mobile: Retailers adjust as more holiday shoppers buy online THE WASHINGTON POST
For years now, we’ve heard a steady drumbeat of forecasts suggesting mobile devices are going to play an increasingly crucial role in every step of a shopping expedition, from browsing and couponing to purchasing. In the five-day shopping bonanza that stretched from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, there was ample evidence this long-anticipated tipping point has arrived. For the first time, smartphones and tablets accounted for the majority of all online traffic on Thanksgiving Day, according to data analysis by IBM. On Black Friday, 1
in 4 online purchases was made on a mobile device. “This year was probably the first holiday season that we really saw mobile really take off,” said Brian Yarbrough, senior retail analyst at the financial-services firm Edward Jones. Wal-Mart said about 70 percent of its Web traffic between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday came from mobile devices, while JCPenney said more than half of its traffic came from smartphones and tablets. Best Buy’s website was briefly taken down Friday morning while the company struggled to deal with an unexpected surge in mobile Web traffic. As users take to mobile platforms in greater num-
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vice president of Disney Store North America, said a large share of Disney Store’s mobile shoppers were simply browsing. “Our merchandise is exclusive, so they’re not using it (for) comparisons across other retailers,” Margolis said. “But they may be using it to see if an item is available, read reviews.” Margolis said about 90 percent of Disney Store’s mobile traffic has typically come from Web browsers, not the store’s app. But Margolis said the company is now doubling down
Friday, December 12, 2014
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
4
LAST-MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
Travel books for gifts or your home coffee table AP TRAVEL EDITOR
NEW YORK — Shopping, romance, bucket lists, inspiration and information: All of these things and more can be found in books for travelers that are out this season in time for the holidays. In addition to being gift-worthy, some of the titles make a nice addition to your own coffee-table collection; others are useful for trip planning or may serve as fodder for travel dreams.
“111 Shops in New York That You Must Not Miss: Unique Finds and Local Treasures,” by Susan Lusk and Mark Gabor (Emons
hardcover, describes experiences rather than places, from tasting the world’s hottest chili peppers to the best birding, safaris, train rides and castles.
Publishers, $20), is a fun guide to retailers around the city, from well-known emporiums like Eataly and ABC Carpet & Home, to unusual specialty shops selling books, vintage jewelry, skateboards, hats, lingerie and more. “Places for Passion: The 75 Most Romantic Destinations in the World” by Pepper Schwartz and Janet Lever (Frommer’s, $23) offers inspiration for couples’ getaways from sophisticated cities and exotic destinations to beaches, resorts and outdoor adventures around the world. Schwartz, a “love and relationship expert” for
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“World’s Best Cities: Celebrating 220 Great Destinations” (National Geographic, $40) is a gorgeously illustrated
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Other books out this season from Lonely Planet include “Best in Travel 2015” ($15) with lists of top countries, cities, regions, freebies and more for the new year; “The Best Place to Be Today” ($20), with a recommendation for every day of the year; and “Best Ever Travel Tips” ($10), a small, cute flip book that offers advice on how to book trips, how to complain, how to stay healthy and even what to bring — like a $20 Casio F91-W watch “straight out of 1981” that works “for ages” and will never be stolen.
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Friday, December 12, 2014
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LAST-MINUTE GIFT GUIDE Dunkin’ Donuts’ seasonal coffee drinks, from left: Snickerdoodle Latte, Sugar Cookie Latte, and Iced Peppermint Mocha coffee. Dunkin’ Donuts is one of many businesses that roll out a number of limitedtime flavors around the holidays. AP PHOTO/ DUNKIN’ DONUTS
Below: Four limitedtime Starbucks coffee drinks clockwise from left: Gingerbread Latte, Eggnog Latte, Peppermint Mocha and new Chestnut Praline Latte, at a store in Seattle. AP PHOTO/ TED S. WARREN
For holidays, seasonal flavors bring sales boon ASSOCIATED PRESS
have to evoke time spent with loved ones. “It’s about the emotions it triggers,” said Tawana Burnett, senior marketing director for ChapStick, which this year introduced a pumpkin pie flavor for the holidays, in addition to its candy cane variety. Companies don’t disclose exactly how much seasonal offerings drive sales, but the proliferation is an indicator of how indispensable they’ve become to stay competitive. For some shoppers, that peppermint mocha (don’t forget the red cup) or gingerbread cake can become its own tradition. Starbucks, for instance, planned to make its eggnog latte, which was introduced in 1986, int available only in the Northwest this year. But after an outpouring of complaints by customers in other parts of the country, the coffee chain cha decided to make it available nationally. avail
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Lisa Hanock-Jasie turns into coffee fiend during the holidays, mainly because she loves the peppermint lattes. “I love the warmth of the cup in my hand, the aroma just makes me feel happy and calm and good,” said Hanock-Jasie, a 59-year-old resident of New York City. “It makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.” Those kinds of emotions have turned the last few months of the year into a flavor derby, with companies putting ever-expanding variations of cinnamon, gingerbread and peppermint in everything from pumpkin pie ChapStick to peppermint Pringles. It’s not just snacks and drinks, either. Candles, lip balms and lotions let you literally
bathe in holiday spirit — or at least smell like you did. Consider the proliferation of pumpkin spice products, now as much a sign of fall as college football and the leaves turning color. According to the industry tracker Technomic, there were 199 pumpkin-flavored items at the country’s 500 biggest restaurant and coffee chains this fall. That’s up 58 percent from the 126 just two years ago. Limited-time flavors are a proven way to attract customers throughout the year, of course; the McRib likely wouldn’t have its mythical status if it were a fixture on McDonald’s menu. But flavors like candy cane and gingerbread are particularly popular because of the power scents and flavors
A drawback of that kind of success is the imitation it invites. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has noted the popularity of the chain’s Pumpkin Spice Latte since its introduction in 2003 has helped spawn a new category. Last year, even McDonald’s joined the ranks of chains offering a pumpkin spice drink. As such, companies are trying to stand out with new flavors or twists on traditional offerings. This year, Starbucks introduced a Chestnut Praline latte, bringing its number of holiday drinks up to five — the most ever. IHOP is introducing Pumpkin Cheesecake and Caramel Bon Bon pancakes, as well as bringing back its Raspberry White Chocolate Chip pancakes. Dunkin’ Donuts is offering Sugar Cookie and Snickerdoodle Cookie lattes, in addition to Peppermint Mocha. John Costello, president of global marketing and innovation at Dunkin’
Brands, said it’s a way to keep the chain “top of mind during a hectic holiday season.” The need to come up with new flavors also speaks to the seemingly endless appetite for different tastes. “It’s an overall trend around the sophistication of palates. (People) are more accepting of different flavors and different flavor combinations,” said Mark Miller, who heads the Pringles business at Kellogg. It’s why Pringles introduced three seasonal flavors in 2012, including White Chocolate Peppermint. They were so popular Pringles expanded to five flavors this year, including Milk Chocolate and Tortilla Cinnamon Sugar. The thought of such flavors on chips might make some gag, but Miller said they’re meant in part to be a conversation piece. “Especially around the holidays, consumers are expecting a whole lot of fun,” he said.
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Finally, a travel book that doesn’t fit neatly into the usual categories: “Travel: The Guide” by Doug Lansky (ebook, $5, hardcover, $60). “This guide won’t provide hotel suggestions, give you packing tips, or tell you where to go,” Lansky writes. “Instead, this book aspires to hold a mirror up to our travel behavior.” So, with colorful photos and clever graphics, the book offers interesting factoids on topics like travel safety (road accidents are the leading cause of tourist deaths worldwide); accounts of what it’s like to travel in a wheelchair or if you’re overweight; and photo comparisons of “English breakfasts” served by airlines worldwide.
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Friday, December 12, 2014
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
LAST-MINUTE GIFT GUIDE Glass artist Lynn Read’s Glass Salt Bowls, left; Red Felt Snowflake Placemats from World Market, center; handpainted Tomato Serving Pasta Bowl from Crate & Barrel.
THE WASHINGTON POST/CANOE; WORLD MARKET; CRATE & BARREL
Choosing decorative, useful gifts for the home SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON POST
The crush of obligatory gift-giving is upon us, when you want to do something thoughtful for the neighbor, the sister-inlaw, the boss, but you have no idea what to give beyond the usual. Maybe this year, it can be more like a game, like a treasure hunt with the prize of knowing your gift recipient better. “Where did they go to school? Where did they grow up? Where do they like to travel? Be a detective about the clues in someone’s life and connect a gift to those topics,” says Amanda McClements, owner of home goods shop Salt & Sundry in Washington’s Union Market. Try studying the colors in someone’s house or finding out which sports team he or she follows. Amy Rutherford, owner of Red Barn Mercantile in Alexandria, Va., goes a step further. “Look at their social media account, if they’re on Pinterest or Instagram, or if they like something on Facebook,” she says. “Those are good ways to get to know somebody better.” We’re here to take some of the guessing out of the game, though, with 20 gift ideas and ways to make them personal. And if you just can’t figure a person out, McClements suggests giving something with a great story behind it, such as a candle by a local artisan or a scarf that you bought on an international trip. “It’s really the step beyond the thought that counts,” she says. • Pair a special bottle of wine with something other than the usual bottle opener; try the
Left, top: the Roscoe Nesting Bowl Set; left, bottom: marble-and-sheesham-wood Sailor Marble Boards; right: the Bottle Stopped-Candle, a candle-cork for the empty wine bottle. THE WASHINGTON
Upscale artisanal salt and pepper lovers won’t take themselves too seriously with a set of Pig Shakers. THE WASHINGTON POST/ROOST
completely unexpected Bottle Stopped Candle, a candle-cork that you can put in the bottle once its been drained ($17 for a set of four, www.neo-utility.com). • Fleur de sel, Himalayan salt, orange pepper — upscale artisanal salt and pepper lovers won’t take themselves too seriously with a set of Pig Shakers ($24, www.shopmerch.com). A cork stuck in the piggy nose makes refilling easy. • For a co-worker with style, the Jonathan Adler-designed Metallic Zebra Dish makes a chic place to display business cards ($32, www.furbishstudio.com). Pick up a few quality office supplies to accompany the dish. • Portland, Oregon, glass artist Lynn Read’s Glass Salt Bowls can hold more than just salt ($14, www.canoeonline.net). Fill them with earrings or cuff links for the traditionalist, gourmet nuts for the foodie or designer
POST/JAYSON HOME; IDEA
A gardening friend would appreciate a gift of gloves and a Bonsai Forest Growing Kit from the Museum of Modern Art store. THE WASHINGTON
INTERNATIONAL; CRATE & BARREL
POST/MOMA DESIGN STORE
matchsticks for the bohemian in your life. • You could give a greenthumbed friend some gardening gloves. Or you could surprise him with a gift of gloves and a mentally stimulating Bonsai Forest Growing Kit ($50, www. momastore.org). • When you’re potlucking at a friend’s house, take the hostess a gift alongside the dish. World Market’s laser-cut Red Felt Snowflake Placemats could even be used for that very occasion ($16 for a set of four, www.world market.com). • Clearly, the Woodland Friends Wine Stopper would make for a quirky addition to a bottle of wine ($24, www.proper topper.com). To put a gift like this over the top, McClements likes to pair it with a bottle of wine from the recipient’s birth year. • Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker in red or black is a contemporary version of a holiday favorite, a throwback to holidays past made new. Pair it with nuts and call it a nostalgic win ($40, www.the grommet.com). • Slip a gift card for a spa into Fringe’s elegant Ginger Rosewood Soap Tray Gift Set and really pamper someone, Rutherford suggests. Or pair it with monogrammed hand towels for a gift that’d work for just about anybody ($25, www.papyrusonline.com). • Bringing over a pasta dish for a shared holiday meal? Serve it in the Tomato Serving Pasta Bowl, hand-painted in Portugal, and please a friend or family member by leaving it behind on purpose ($50, www.crateand barrel.com). • A book is a good gift. A book and an object related to its subject are even better. Try a book on celestial navigation with a set of four linen Sky Map Napkins to make any astronomy lover smile ($58, www.anthropologie.com). • For a friend who just moved to a new city — or left one behind — the City Maps Rocks Glass, etched with the streets of 30 available cities, is the perfect glass to raise to new adventures ($12.50, www.nordstrom.com). Pair with locally made spirits, of course. • Artisanal bitters are having their heyday. Pick up a few, showing off your good taste, and
The Fatwood Crate full of kindling, left, comes with its own wrapping; the Garden Essentials Tool Set, right. THE WASHINGTON POST/L.L. BEAN; TERRAIN
The Bleaker Bar Ice Bucket from Williams-Sonoma can be monogrammed; you can have the Handmade Ceramic Growler filled with your favorite local craft beer. THE WASHINGTON POST/WILLIAMSSONOMA; KAUFMAN MERCANTILE
then use them to fill the Bleaker Bar Ice Bucket ($59, www. williamssonoma.com). Have the bucket monogrammed and give someone a head start on a classact bar. • A bottle of champagne is a given. But pair it with the ceramic Cheers! Bottle Coaster and you’ve really got something to toast ($28, www.henribendel. com). • Put some gourmet maple syrup and a pancake mix together with the Bunny Williams Casserole Dish & Holder and you’ve got a breakfast-themed gift ready for any host of overnight holiday guests, McClements says ($79$89, www.ballarddesigns.com). • Have the Handmade Ceramic Growler filled with your favorite local craft beer for a special touch ($76 for 64 ounces, www. kaufmann mercantile.com). Find a list of breweries that offer growler fill-ups at wapo.st/1tfpmG9. • The Fatwood Crate full of kindling comes with its own wrapping; the rustic crate can serve a decorative purpose afterward ($40, www.llbean.com). Tie some evergreen sprigs to the crate for a festive touch.
• The Garden Essentials Tool Set plus heirloom tomato seeds equals one happy amateur homesteader ($68, www.shopterrain. com). Attractive steel-andbamboo tools include a spade, cultivator, triangle hoe and ambidextrous scissors. • For a cheese lover, pair a favorite variety with the marble-and-sheesham-wood Sailor Marble Boards ($54-$84, www. jaysonhome.com). • Any host would love the matte-glazed Roscoe Nesting Bowl Set — which appears ombré-gray when all the bowls are together — especially when given with a few of your handwritten family-favorite recipes, Rutherford says ($30, www. crateandbarrel.com). • Need a big gift for a new homeowner? The durable Waxed Canvas Log Carrier adds warmth to any hearth; for the dad who loves making fires for his family, add a monogrammed stainless steel lighter or long matches ($60, www.llbean.com). • Help a teenager personalize his or her room with the Chalkboard Door Hanger in a stocking ($18, www.restoration hardware. com). Be prepared for the teen to write “Keep Out!” with the included chalk, though maybe not if you include a bit of cash with the gift. • The Tree Bark Tea Light Holder will look good on a mantle from the beginning of fall to the end of winter ($39, www. thecompanystore.com). Tie an ornament on the wrapping for a holiday-specific decorative addition, Rutherford says. Roberts is a freelance writer. She can be found at www.lindseymroberts. com. Megan Buerger, Margaret Ely and Jura Koncius contributed to this report.
Support the exercise fan with smart gear By Ron Harris ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA — Advances in technology present sports enthusiasts with plenty of options to train better and smarter. High-level gear and biometric-analysis software are no longer limited to elite professional athletes. The weekender can
now use some tech-savvy approaches to get better, perhaps, at a multitude of sports. Practice makes perfect, but technology can make practice better: Hexoskin shirt ($400): I felt like Batman in his form-fitting bat suit. It’s a snug, black sleeveless shirt with a brain. Two bandage-width strips con-
taining sewn-in sensors run across the chest and abdomen areas. They were held tight against my body by adjustable straps. A rechargeable pack about the size of a mint tin fits nicely near my waist. Once I started working out, the weirdness subsided and the hard work and perspiration took over. The shirt communicated
Hexoskin: www.hexoskin.com Babolat: www.babolat.us 94Fifty: www.94fifty.com wirelessly with a phone app to give me real-time feedback about my breathing, heart rate, running cadence and calories burned. Babolat Play Pure Drive tennis racket ($400):
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This tennis racket logged gged every shot ot I hit, in or out, over multiple practice and competitive sessions. Sensors are integrated into the frame. Through a companion phone app, the racket told me a lot, including things I’ll need to build on if I hope to get better. The on-screen statistics were primarily displayed with numbers and percentages, though the “impact locator” gave a graphical representation of a racket and showed the location of my off-center hits. 94Fifty basketball ($250): This smart basketball is primarily designed to help you develop better mechanics and fundamental hoops skills. It won’t tell you, though, whether you made the shot. Arc and rotation are the primary metrics the ball calculates. After stretching and dribbling around, I
AP PHIOTO/HEXOSKIN
By Lindsey M. Roberts
began a pretty lengthy shoot-around session at a local court. When I launched the companion app, I took the option of setting my desired shooting range at 15 feet. That’s how far away the freethrow line is, and anything beyond that was going to nibble away at my confidence and cause me to miss more. During one session, I took 26 shots from that range. The ball and app told me that the arc was too low on 14 of those shots and too high on another four. I made a few adjustments to my style and got more shots in during the next session later that day. But it’s hard to tell whether the advice from the app helped me make more shots or whether I was just getting warmed up.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Friday, December 12, 2014
7
LAST-MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
Gifts for movie lovers that go beyond the box set By Sandy Cohen
This photo provided by courtesy of Cecil B. De Mille Archives, shows filmmaker Cecil B. De Mille. With an introduction by Martin Scorsese, the book “Cecil B. DeMille: The Art of the Hollywood Epic,” co-authored by historian, Mark A. Vieira, tells the history of film through DeMille’s work. Peek behind the scenes with set shots, film stills and personal recollections by one of the authors, DeMille’s granddaughter, Cecilia DeMille Presley (from Running Press, $60). AP PHOTO/CECIL B. DE
AP ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
W
hen shopping for the movie lover on your list, why not think outside the box (set)? While DVD or Blu-Ray box sets can still make great gifts, here are other things to consider for your favorite cinephile this season.
Commemorative book
The next best thing to a motion picture might be a collection of still pictures inside one of these new image-filled film books: With an introduction by Martin Scorsese, “Cecil B. DeMille: The Art of the Hollywood Epic” tells the history of film through DeMille’s work. Peek behind the scenes with set shots, film stills and personal recollections by one of the authors, DeMille’s granddaughter, Cecilia DeMille Presley (from Running Press, $60). New Zealand-based Weta celebrates its 20th anniversary with a two-volume hardcover set. “Weta Digital: 20 Years of Imagination on Screen” explores the special-effects company’s digital work in films such as “Avatar,” ‘‘The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.” ‘‘Weta Workshop: Celebrating 20 Years of Creativity” showcases costumes, creatures and other creations by the company’s conceptual design and manufacturing studio (from Harper Design, $100).
MILLE ARCHIVES
Projector gadget AP PHOTO/CECIL B. DE MILLE
Turn your cellphone into a mobile movie house with the simple-yet-genius Smartphone Projector. Made of cardboard and glass, this affordable gadget requires no outside power source to magnify and project a smartphone screen (www.uncommongoods.com/product/smartphoneprojector, $27).
Fun stuff
Kids of all ages love toys. If fans of “Transformers,” superheroes or “Star Wars” movies are on your list, consider wrapping up Optimus Prime, an Iron Man figurine or a miniature Millennium Falcon for their bookcase or toy box (www.hasbro.com). Superhero fans might also appreciate the happy nostalgia of adult-sized Underoos (www.hot topic.com/hottopic/Brands/Underoos).
Do Sundance
If you want to go big, go for a trip to the Sundance Film Festival in January. Held in picturesque Park City, Utah, the 10-day event is open to the public, with celebrity sightings, screenings and filmmaker meet-and-greets in a festive, snowy atmosphere. Festival passes and packages can be pricey, but last-minute, individual screening tickets can be had for $15 to $20 each. The Sundance Institute also sponsors various free activities during the independent film showcase (www.sundance.org/festivals/ sundance-film-festival).
Goodie bag
Inside the box
It’s easy to make a sweet gift for a film fan: Fill a popcorn tub with classic movie candy (or order one here: www. winecountrygiftbaskets.com , $34.95) and top it with tickets for the local cineplex.
If it must be a box set, consider the 10-disc “Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection.” It includes a hardcover book of film archive photos, two new documentaries about Kubrick, and eight of his films: “Lolita,” ‘‘Dr. Strangelove,” ‘‘2001: A Space Odyssey,” ‘‘A Clockwork Orange,” ‘‘Barry Lyndon,” ‘‘The Shining,” ‘‘Full Metal Jacket” and “Eyes Wide Shut” (www. amazon.com, $179.99).
Streams come true
Give hundreds of movies for $7.99 per month by springing for a Netflix membership. Easiest gift ever (www. netflix.com).
AP PHOTO/WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
8
LAST-MINUTE GIFT GUIDE
‘Frozen’ passes Barbie as holiday’s most popular girls toy By Matt Townsend BLOOMBERG NEWS
“Frozen” merchandise is the most coveted toy for girls this holiday season, knocking Barbie from the No. 1 position for the first time, according to a survey from the National Retail Federation. About 20 percent of parents plan to buy “Frozen” gifts for their daughters, the Washington-based trade group found in its annual study. Barbie, which was chosen by 17 percent of parents this year, had been the top pick throughout the list’s 11-year history. Lego toys were the most popular choice for parents of boys, with 14 percent opting for them. The results mark another setback for Mattel’s Barbie, which has lost ground to other doll brands and drawn criticism for her unrealistic body proportions. Barbie’s worldwide sales sank 21 percent in the most recent quarter. The popularity of “Frozen”-themed Halloween outfits, meanwhile, may have boosted the brand’s visibility, said Pam Goodfellow, director of Prosper Insights & Analytics, which worked on the survey. Sanjana Sakthiver, 8, left, Varchini Sakthiver, 5, cheer after being among the first to receive a Disney Snow Glow Elsa doll during Black Friday events at Walmart on Nov. 27 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Walmart is offering more than 700 Disney Frozen items this holiday season. PHOTO BY GUNNAR RATHBUN/ INVISION FOR WALMART/AP IMAGES
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A singing Frozen shirt is for sale at a target store Black Friday in South Portland, Maine. AP PHOTO/ROBERT F. BUKATY
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“Barbie has been the top girls’ toy for over a decade, but it is no surprise that Disney’s ‘Frozen’ has taken the top seat as children have had it on the mind,” she said in the statement. The slide at the Barbie brand, which is the largest toy property in the world with global sales topping $1 billion, hasn’t been good for Mattel’s shareholders. New York time. The stock had declined 34 percent this year through Monday, compared with a 12 percent for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Meanwhile, Mattel has benefited from the popularity of “Frozen,” a Walt Disney film about two royal sisters who confront an icebound kingdom. The company makes Queen Elsa and Princess Anna dolls, based on characters from the movie. “Frozen,” released last year, is the most successful animated film of all time. It has generated almost $1.3 billion in worldwide ticket sales, according to Box Office Mojo. In 2016, the doll license for “Frozen” will shift to Hasbro. Still, Mattel has two other brands in the top five of the NRF list: Monster High and American Girl. The list of girls’ toys also included My Little Pony and Doc McStuffins. The boys’ survey included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Transformers. There were a few areas where the two genders’ wishlists overlapped: Lego was the sixth pick for girls, and Apple’s iPad was on both rankings. Getting dethroned from the toy list was the latest embarrassment for Barbie this month.
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