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1 • theWRAP | a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016
Your holiday gift guide courtesy of the Press-Republican
Share e Snuggles!
What to consider before gifting a furry friend. Page 13
Educational and fun gifts for kids! From building blocks to STEM toys. Page 7
On-the-job
JOY
How to organize workplace gift giving. Page 12
H C E T S Y O T
Shop smart for the latest electronics. Plus, a guide to ESRB ratings. Page 8
Fighting Fraud:
Learn how to spot scammers. Page 15 Friday, November 25, 2016 • a publication of the PRESS-REPUBLICAN
2 • theWRAP | a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016
WRAP the
Your holiday gift guide courtesy of the Press-Republican
your holiday gift guide courtesy of the Press-Republican
CONTENTS Last-Minute Shopping Tips .......................................... 4 Great Ideas for Last-Minute Shoppers ........................ 5 How to Manage Shopping Trips with Tots in Tow ....... 6 Gift Wrapping Made Easy ............................................ 7 3 Fun & Educational Gifts for Kids ............................... 7 A Guide to Shopping for the Latest Tech Toys ........... 8 Be Smart When Shopping on Your Phone ................... 9 A Guide to Video Game Ratings .............................. 10 How to Organize Office Gift Giving ......................... 12 Things to Consider When Giving Pets as Gifts .............. 13 Avoid Holiday Scams: Donate Smart ........................ 14 Did You Know? .......................................................... 14 Recognize the Signs of Charitable Fraud ................. 15 Michael Gallagher, Special Publications Editor
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| a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016 • 3
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” — Bob Hope
The Press-rePublican
Wishes you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season.
theW
4 • theWRAP | a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016
Procrastonating on Presents? Try these
Last-Minute Shopping Tips H
oliday shopping season typically begins the day after Thanksgiving and extends all the way to Christmas Eve. While that’s a considerable amount of time for shoppers to find gifts for everyone on their shopping list, many people will still find themselves putting holiday shopping off until the last minute. In certain ways, last-minute holiday shopping is easier than ever. Thanks to online retailers who can ship products overnight, men and women who delay their holiday shopping have more options at their disposal than they did before the arrival of the Internet. And unlike the days of yore when the best deals were largely exclusive to Black Friday, some shoppers find that competition between online retailers and traditional brick-and-mortar stores is so great that deals can be found regardless of when they begin shopping. But while waiting until the last minute to begin holiday shopping may not be as risky as it used to be, shoppers may still benefit by sticking to certain strategies so they can find the perfect
gifts without breaking the bank. Try these strategies when you plan your next trip: Stay within your budget. Even last-minute shoppers have holiday shopping budgets. But it can be harder for last-minute shoppers to stick to their budgets because they have less time to comparison shop and hunt for deals. As the holiday shopping season winds down, resist the temptation to go over budget. If a gift you had in mind is available but more than you can spend, look for something else. Overspending on holiday shopping in December is a recipe for debt in January, and no shopper wants to begin the new year weighed down by consumer debt. Shopping during off-peak hours can help you avoid Shop local. National chains waiting in long lines and and big box retailers are hunting for parking spots. renowned for rolling out great deals during the holiday season, but such stores may have very limited or unimpressive inventory left by the time last-minute shoppers begin shopping.
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| a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016 • 5
Local retailers are often incapable of slashing prices as significantly as their larger competitors, and that may mean they have more extensive inventories available throughout the holiday shopping season. In addition, shoppers who stick with local retailers won’t have to pay shipping costs to ensure items arrive on time. Shop during off-peak hours. Shopping during off-peak hours can help lastminute shoppers make efficient use of the limited time they have to buy gifts for their loved ones. Visit stores early in the morning or late at night, or schedule a midweek afternoon While local shopping trip so you aren’t spending what little retailers are time you have left waiting on lines or hunting for parking. incapable of
slashing prices as significantly as big box stores, it usually means they have more inventory available throughout the holiday season.
Give something less traditional. Holiday gifts need not come from stores. Rather than spending their time shopping for gifts for loved ones who seemingly have it all, last-minute shoppers can give the gift of a donation in their loved one’s name. Last-minute shoppers who want to give something more tangible can create a homemade gift that’s both unique and heartfelt. If your DIY skills are lacking, give a loved one the gift of a night out on the town at your expense. Shoppers who wait until the end of the holiday shopping season to begin their searches for holiday gifts can still find great gifts without going broke.
Gift ideas for last-minute shoppers
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Early bird shoppers may purchase and even wrap gifts before December, but eleventh-hour shoppers may need some help come the holiday season. For those last-minute folks, there still are plenty of ways to ensure your shopping list is checked off. The following gifts are quick to purchase and can still make for thoughtful presents. Liquor or wine basket: Prepackaged spirits often come with decorative glasses and other accoutrements for entertaining. What’s more, they’re convenient to purchase if you’re on a time crunch.
Food basket: A visit to the supermarket or a convenience center can yield many tasty finds that can be packaged together into a gift basket. Pair foods with a gift card to that retailer. Streaming service: Offer to treat a loved one to a month or two of their favorite streaming television or movie service. If they already have streaming subscriptions, offer to cover the cost of the subscription for a few months. Premade gifts: Don’t overlook your local pharmacy as a place to find convenient gifts. Look for unique items in the seasonal aisle, where you might be able to find stocking-stuffer toiletries or cosmetic gifts that suit several people on your shopping list.
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6 • theWRAP | a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016
How to manage holiday shopping trips with
Tots in Tow
H
oliday shopping has changed considerably since the dawn of the Information Age. Whereas holiday shopping once required shoppers to spend hours perusing stores at the local mall, nowadays many shoppers get the bulk of their shopping done online. Shopping online may be convenient, but more traditional holiday shopping still affords shoppers the chance to find great deals, especially at the last minute. Parents may prefer to leave the kids at home when holiday shopping, but sometimes they don’t have a choice. Fortunately, there are ways to manage holiday shopping trips with kids in tow. Encourage kids to create shopping lists.
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Break up shopping excursions with a meal. Kids enjoy dining out, even if their preferences lean more toward chicken fingers than steak au poivre. By breaking up shopping excursions with meals out on the town, parents can give kids something to look forward to at the onset of the shopping day. Such a break also gives everyone, moms and dads included, a chance to get off their feet and catch their breath. When the meal is over, promise kids a trip to get some ice cream or hot chocolate at the end of the day so they once again have something to look forward to.
Keeping kids engaged on holiday Schedule some fun time. shopping trips can be difficult, especially when shopping at stores that tend to While parents pressed for time might draw crowds and long lines. But parents not have much time to do anything but shop, kids are likely to grow can engage youngsters impatient if the day does by encouraging them A meal on the not include at least one fun to create their own town gives kids distraction. Look for malls holiday shopping lists something to or shopping centers that for family members and feature fun things for kids look forward then helping them find to do, such as carousel those gifts at the mall or to, and gives rides or visits with Santa wherever they plan to do mom and dad Claus. While this might their holiday shopping. a chance to get require parents to spend Let kids bring their lists off their feet more time at the mall or along and check off gifts shopping center than they and catch their as they purchase them. initially hoped, it can help breath. Let kids do their own keep kids engaged while shopping. giving them something fun to do at the same time. In addition to creating lists, let kids do their own shopping, Parents who must take their kids including paying for gifts they purchase along on holiday shopping excursions for loved ones. Kids might be more can take steps to make such trips fun interested when holiday shopping if for all involved.
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they’re allowed to peruse stores for potential gifts and then purchase gifts with their own money.
The promise of a simple treat like hot cocoa or a fun meal goes a long way in incentivising good behavior when out shopping.
ores for ase gifts
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if their chicken vre. By ons with can give to at the h a break nd dads heir feet e meal is some ice nd of the omething
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| a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016 • 7
Get your presents under wraps
Gift Wrapping Made Easy
W
hile holiday shoppers are often enthusiastic about finding great gifts for their loved ones, many are decidedly less excited about wrapping those gifts. Shoppers can employ the following strategies to make the process go much more smoothly and to reduce gift wraprelated anxiety.
Relearn the basics. Some people may think they know how to wrap gifts, only to realize it’s harder than it looks once the paper, scissors and Scotch tape comes out. Relearn the basics by viewing online tutorials prior to wrapping gifts so the lessons learned remain fresh in your mind. Learn how to me might wrap standard clothing gift boxes and recognize hing but that such boxes can often be used to house oddlyy to grow shaped items. ay does t one fun Wrap as you buy. Instead of getting bogged down or malls with wrapping all in one evening, wrap presents as ers that you purchase them. This ensures that you don’t for kids leave everything for the last minute and reduces the carousel likelihood that curious kids or inquisitive spouses h Santa discover gifts before the big day. s might o spend Work on a hard surface. It may be tempting to mall or lay everything out on your bed and wrap gifts while han they you’re binge-watching the latest Netflix series. can help But hard surfaces make the best places to wrap ed while gifts. This ensures there won’t be any wrinkles in hing fun the paper and that you won’t lose supplies in the ime. bedspread. heir kids cursions Rely on double-sided tape. For that professional trips fun look, invest in some double-sized tape so you will not have any unsightly tape lines. Keep all of your supplies together. Store wrapping paper, scissors, tags, tape, ribbons, and whatever else you may need to wrap gifts in one convenient location. This cuts down on time wasted hunting for supplies around the house. Draw on plain gift boxes. Make your own “wrapped gifts” by drawing or stenciling on plain gift boxes if you’re short on time. Identify recipients by gift wrap. Designate one gift wrap for each person on your shopping list. This way you can easily distinguish one person’s gifts from another’s. This can keep things more organized
3
FUN & EDUCATIONAL
GIFTS for
KIDS
W
hile some shoppers may want to get kids the flashiest toy, others may prefer gifts that are both fun and mentally stimulating. Developmental toys and educational games for kids make for popular gifts. Shoppers looking for fun, educational toys and games for the kids on their shopping lists have a host of items to choose from.
when sorting and visiting with friends and relatives later on. Keep gift bags on hand. Gift bags work in a pinch and make it easy to conceal gifts that are hard to wrap. Curious loved ones can easily peak inside gift bags, so be sure to wrap gifts in tissue paper before placing them int the bags. Less is usually more. Do not use too much paper when wrapping; otherwise, you will be left with bulky, sloppy folds. Before trimming the gift wrap from the roll, check that it overlaps the ends of the box by just a couple of inches. A sturdy paper will help you achieve crisper folds and prevent tears when wrapping. For the simplest wrapping design, try kraft paper (brown mailing paper), which can be dressed up with ribbons, cutouts or stamps. The process of wrapping holiday gifts can go more smoothly when applying some time-tested tips and tricks.
STEM toys: Some of the latest trends in children’s toys veer away from regular video games and apps and cater to the rising interest in STEM. STEM is an acronym for science, technology and math. These toys may include robot-building kits, toys that help young learners test the boundaries of physics, apps that help kids learn computer programing, and even scientific experiment kits that illustrate cause and effect. Sensory toys: Young children can benefit from toys that stimulate the senses. Items to consider include water toys, sands (including the newer kinetic varieties), playdoughs, musical instruments, and bubbles. Even food-related toys, such as those that encourage baking or cooking, will appeal to various senses and can help kids learn valuable skills. Imaginative play toys: Imaginative play is an effective way to stimulate creative thinking and may help children become better learners. The Creativity Institute, specializing in toys for creative play, says playing is important to children and the way they practice growing up. According to an article by Dr. Scott Kaufman that appeared in Psychology Today, “Systematic research has increasingly demonstrated a series of clear benefits of children’s engagement in pretend games from the ages of about two and one half through ages six or seven.” Dress-up toys, puppets, dolls, action figures, and toys that mimic real-life activities are all examples of products that promote imaginative play.
8 • theWRAP | a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016
A guide to shopping for the latest
G
adgets make great gifts come the holiday season. Children may want the latest musthave video games, and many adults scour store advertisements for the newest televisions, tablets, smartphones, and other gadgets to include among their own most wanted lists. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the holiday season is typically a recordsetting time for consumer spending on tech gifts. The CEA notes that roughly $34 billion was spent in 2015 on tech gifts, and that number figures to grow during the 2016 holiday season. The holiday season is a time when consumers buy tech gifts for their loved ones, but it’s also a time when they splurge on items for themselves. Technology gifts are popular, but these purchases require some research prior to swiping a card at the checkout counter. Consider this advice before gifting any gadgets this holiday season.
Check product reviews. Use resources such as Consumer Reports to read up on the reputations of certain products and brands. Avoid purchasing products that have no established track record. Also try to read reviews from third-party sites rather than those posted on manufacturer websites. Independent reviews may be more forthcoming than customer testimonials. Speak with an educated retailer. Visit a store before making any purchases to learn more about the inner workings of the product you plan to buy. Discover its attributes, advantages, disadvantages, and what others are saying about it. The salesperson may have his or her own opinion on the item and may calm any nerves you have. Niche retailers tend to have knowledgeable sales staff and can be assets when comparison shopping. Determine if the gift is age-appropriate. It may be tempting to purchase children the latest and greatest tech gifts because all
TECH TOYS
of their peers may be getting similar items. But first determine if certain items are age-appropriate. Remember, many tech gifts, such as tablets and smart-phones, open children up to the world of social media. So if you buy such products, make sure you have turned on the privacy and safety features available before giving the item to your loved one. If you are purchasing a gift for a young person who is not your child, check with his or her parents to see if the gift will be appropriate or even permitted. Compare prices across various retailers. While popular gifts may be similarly priced because of the level of demand, it is still a worthy effort to
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comparison shop before making a rash purchase. In addition, consider that new generations of certain tech products come out quite frequently, and the previous generation may become obsolete rather quickly. Know when manufacturers are releasing new products so you can time your purchases accordingly. Put the product through your own test run. Try a product out for yourself to get a feel for it and its attributes. Hands-on knowledge may be the best type when gifting tech items. Just keep in mind that many retailers have a reboxing or restocking fee on tech products. If the item fails to meet your expectations and you plan to return it, it may cost you a percentage of the price. The popularity of tech gifts makes them one of the most widely exchanged categories of presents during the holiday gift-giving season. With research and knowledge, consumers can find the perfect gifts to light up their loved ones’ faces.
Best Buy’s recycling page: http://goo.gl/LBLW Office Depot has a handy PDF on what materials they’ll recylce here through their Tech Recycling Program: https://goo.gl/NIcUn Staples Easy on the Planet program: https://goo.gl/JuEKQ
Buying Video Games? Confused by ratings like E10+, C and M? Read up on our guide to ESRB ratings on page 10.
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| a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016 • 9
Be smart when shopping
Happy Holidays From All Of Us!
on your phone H
oliday shopping is an annual tradition their smartphones. for many people. But while it may be customary to exchange gifts with Only use shopping apps with which loved ones during the holiday season, how you’re comfortable. Downloading an those gifts are purchased has changed app only takes a few seconds, and some dramatically over the last decade and a shoppers are so used to downloading apps they may not realize just what they’re half. Thanks to advancements in technology, downloading. Before installing an app many holiday shoppers get their shopping on your phone, familiarize yourself with done without ever setting foot in malls or the app and what it requests of its user. shopping centers. And data indicates Some apps ask users for a considerable amount of personal more and more information, even though shoppers are using there is no legitimate Convenience their smartphones to do reason for them to have their holiday shopping. drives shopper’s that information. If you’re According to Nielsen decisions to use uncomfortable with apps Mobile Measurement, their mobile that require you to allow the number of mobile access to your location phones during the shoppers in December and other potentially holiday season, but 2014 rose to 138.1 sensitive information, million users, an it’s important not don’t download increase of nearly 14 to sacrifice security the app. million users from the for the sake of that Sign out when you same period just a year convenience. stop using an app. earlier. And mobile It may be convenient shoppers averaged to stay signed in to an nearly a full hour more shopping on the Web from their mobile app at all times, but that can leave you vulnerable to hackers and/or thieves. phones in 2014 than in 2013. Convenience often drives shoppers’ Many apps store users’ credit card decisions to use their mobile phones during numbers so shoppers don’t have to enter the holiday season. But it’s important that such information each time they make a shoppers not sacrifice security for the purchase. If you stay signed in to an app sake of convenience. Those who want the at all times, hackers who access your best of both worlds this holiday season smartphone can then access your credit can take several steps to protect their card information, as can thieves should personal information while shopping on your phone be stolen. Continued on next page
Makes A Great Gift!!
theWR
10 • theWRAP | a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016 SMART PHONE, continued from previous page
Signing out when you finish using an app provides an extra measure of protection. Turn off automatic connections. Many smartphones enable users to automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi networks so they can seamlessly access the Internet regardless of where they are. However, some Wi-Fi networks are fraudulent, and you may unknowingly be transmitting sensitive data through such networks when you automatically log on. Disable automatic connections, only logging on to secure Wi-Fi networks when out in public.
A guide to
Video Game Ratings
Video games are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. The ratings provided are concise and help shoppers make informed decisions based on the content in video games. According to the ESRB, the ratings have three parts: 1. Rating categories suggest age appropriateness.
Browse but don’t buy. Shoppers who are especially concerned about smartphone security may want to use apps and their smartphone’s Internet connections to browse rather than buy. Avoid logging into apps or websites when using your smartphone, instead browsing deals and jotting them down on the phone’s notes app. You can then make purchases once you gain access to a secure network, such as the one at your home or office. Holiday shoppers are increasingly turning to their smartphones to do their holiday shopping. While the convenience of such devices may be unrivaled, consumers must prioritize security over expediency.
2. Content descriptors indicate content that may have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern. 3.Interactive elements inform about interactive aspects of a product, including the users’ ability to interact; the sharing of users’ locations with others; the sharing of personal information with third parties; the completion of in-app purchases of digital goods; and/or level of restriction of internet access. This rating system was derived in 1994 after various child development and academic experts were consulted. Other rating systems also were considered, and the ESRB consulted with parents nationwide as well. There are currently seven different ESRB ratings for games and apps. They are as follows: C: Early childhood games feature content that is intended for young children.
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| a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016 • 11
E: Games rated as Everyone feature content that is generally suitable for all ages. There may be minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence. Mild language may be infrequent. E 10+: Content in games rated Everyone 10+ is appropriate for gamers ages 10 and up. The games may contain cartoon, fantasy or mild violence. Mild language and/or minimally suggestive themes also may be present. T: Teen games are generally suitable for ages 13 and up. These games may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and some strong language. M: Games deemed as Mature are generally suitable for gamers ages 17 and up. In such games, there is a high propensity for intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and strong language. A: Adults-only games have content suitable for adults ages 18 and up. Graphic sexual content, prolonged scenes of intense violence, and gambling with real currency may be depicted or available in these games. RP: Games that are marked Rating Pending have not yet received a final ESRB rating. Usually this verbiage is only used in marketing materials, and the rating will be updated once the product hits the market.
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Along with the general rating, the ESRB uses content descriptors to further break down the type of content one can expect in the games. These can include everything from references to alcohol to fantasy violence to sexual themes to tobacco references. Again, these content descriptors will offer a concise way to assess if a game is appropriate for a particular gamer.
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12 • theWRAP | a gift guide from the Press-Republican • Friday, November 25, 2016
How to organize
Office Gift Giving
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Consider the overall office climate. Is yours a relaxed working environment, or is it ultra-formal? Allow the corporate culture to play a part in your gifting decisions. A gift that may be appropriate for a smaller, casual company may not be fitting for a large, rules-heavy corporation. Always let common sense prevail.
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Establish a spending limit. Spending limits let everyone know just how much to spend. Resist the urge to go above and beyond. While you may just want to be generous, others may view an expensive gift as a way to show off or an attempt to flatter a coworker or even a boss.
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Think of life outside the office. When shopping, start thinking about what your coworkers like to do when they’re not at work. For example, golf enthusiasts may enjoy a box of balls or a gift certificate to play at an area course. Stick to generic gifts if you are unsure lose-knit groups of employees of what your coworkers do when they commonly exchange gifts with are not working. Personalized holiday one another come the holiday mementos, gadgets for entertaining, season. Friendly coworkers enjoy items that can be used around the office bringing smiles to the faces of their or food-related gift baskets make great friends and fellow employees, and these holiday gifts. Remember to take into account others’ religions informal gift exchanges can and traditions when benefit company morale shopping. and establish a familial Think about
C
what your coatmosphere at the office. Avoid gifts that are workers do In spite of the goodoverly personal. Steer when they’re natured reasons to are not at work. clear of giving fragrances exchange gifts with or cosmetic products coworkers, some people because you do not are nervous about the prospect of gifting know what the other person will like. fellow employees. Questions regarding Scented products also may send the what makes for an appropriate gift or wrong message, indicating you think how much to spend may arise, turning someone needs to cover up with an office gift exchanges into potentially aroma. Clothing is another gift to puzzling situations. avoid, as certain items may be seen as Those ready to participate in office gifting suggestive and you may not be in tune can follow certain etiquette guidelines to with the recipient’s personal style.
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Things to consider before
Giving Pets as Gifts
T
he blissful image of a young child or a significant other receiving a pet as a holiday gift compels many shoppers to give pets as gifts come Christmastime. But pets are unlike any other holiday gift, as pets are living things that require food, shelter and attention. Because pets are unlike video games, diamond pendants and other popular holiday gifts, shoppers must consider a host of factors before deciding whether or not to give pets as gifts this holiday season.
Pets can be an adorable new addition to someone’s home, but they’re also a big responsibility.
Living situation Shoppers who plan to give a pet to someone they don’t live with, whether that person is a niece or nephew or a girlfriend or boyfriend, should first consider and/ or confirm the recipients’ living situation. Landlords may forbid apartment dwellers from having pets, so it’s best to confirm with your loved one whether his or her lease allows pets before adopting or buying the animal. If you don’t want to spoil the surprise or you cannot confirm if a loved one’s living situation is pet-friendly, don’t adopt or buy the animal. Allergies Some people, including many who profess to love pets, cannot have pets of their own because of allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as many as three in 10 people in the United States have pet allergies. Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies, but gift givers who intend to give their loved ones a dog should still confirm if the recipient has a dog allergy
before adopting or purchasing the animal. The AAFA also warns against looking for pets that are described as “hypoallergenic.” While some people are more sensitive to certain breeds of cats and dogs than others, there is no guarantee that a particular breed of cat or dog will not cause an allergic reaction. Timing There are good times to give pets as gifts, while other times can be tough. Pets need time and routine to acclimate to their new environments, so avoid giving a new pet to a family about to embark on a lengthy holiday vacation. Families staying home for the holidays and taking time off from school or work
See PETS, continued on page15
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You can check if a charity is legitimate at www.give.org
Avoid scams this holiday:
Donate Smart
N
onprofit organizations and charitable donations each year. charities do extensive work to help While the majority of donations end people and fulfill their missions. up in the right hands, charity scammers When commercials, emails or direct still manage to victimize unsuspecting mail pamphlets tug at the heartstrings, individuals. Follow these tips to make it’s understandable to want to help as sure hard-earned money is going to quickly as possible. But just as there reputable groups and not to criminals are scores of legitimate organizations preying on your generosity. banking on the generosity of willing Start by doing research. Charity Watch donors, so, too, are there scam artists and Charity Navigator, each of which hoping to exploit that generosity. These is recommended by the Federal Trade crooks not only prey Commission, have on innocent donors, carefully researched they indirectly steal Just as there many different charities. from people affected are scores of This can be the first stop by disasters poaching organizations in verifying the legitimacy donations meant for banking on the of a particular charity. relief organizations. Check for a charity’s generosity of The American registration number and G r a n d p a r e n t s willing donors, so see if it’s registered on Organization says too are there scam the Better Business Americans donate artists hoping Bureau website at www. upwards of $300 to exploit that give.org. billion to charities each generosity. Don’t give to cold calls year. These include or emails. It’s best well-known and wellto take your time with established charitable charitable requests and confirm their groups and crowdfunding sites like authenticity. This may require visiting GoFundMe. Statistics Canada says the website of a particular group or Canadians make roughly $11 billion in
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contacting them directly to see how you can help. You never know who is on the end of a phone call or who sent an email soliciting donations. What’s more, according to Charity Navigator, cold calls are usually conducted by for-profit telemarketers that have contracted with charities. These contracts are not favorable to the charities — with up to 95 cents of every donated dollar going to the telemarketers.
Be aware of sound-alike groups. Some scam artists create sound-alike organizations to trick donors. In such instances, donors believe they are donating to legitimate charities but are really giving to another organization. In 2016, the Federal Trade Commission brought charges against four sound-alike cancer groups, highlighting just how prevalent such faulty organizations are.
Don’t give cash donations. Cash is difficult to trace, making it a preferred method of donation collection among scam artists. If a charity is insisting on cash or wants you to make a decision immediately, this should raise red flags.
Ask for help. If you are confused when it comes time to make your annual donations, ask a son, daughter or trusted confidante for help so you can rest easy knowing your donation goes where you intend for it to go
Protect your privacy. Only work with charities that respect your privacy and will not sell your name or information to other groups.
Charity scams are prevalent. But by being diligent about researching and gaining information, donors can avoid parting with their money unnecessarily.
Request information. Reputable charities will tell you how they will spend your money and if your gift is tax-deductible.
Recognize the signs of
Charitable Fraud
I
t’s now easier than ever to donate to charity. Prospective donors can now make donations using traditional telephones, computers, tablets and mobile devices, not to mention donating money in person. But if charities can solicit donations via such avenues, it’s fair to assume criminals posing as charities can do so as well. Prospective donors should be on the lookout for the following signs. Uncooperative solicitors: Representatives of legitimate charities will be forthcoming with detailed information about their organizations, readily answering questions about the charity’s name, mission, organizational structure and cost, and donation allocation. Criminals posing as charities may be less forthcoming with such information because their organizations are not real. When solicited by someone who claims to represent a charitable organization, insist they answer all of your questions thoroughly, ending the conversation politely if the solicitor seems unwilling or unprepared to share information.
nonprofit organizations do not pressure prospective donors into making contributions. Criminals committing charitable fraud may try to pressure their victims into making immediate donations, asking for credit card numbers and other personal details without sharing information about the charity or giving donors time to research the organization.
Solicitors should be able to instantly share information about tax deductions. The FTC warns against donating to an organization that won’t provide proof that donations are taxdeductible.
Suspect tax information: Legitimate charities routinely inform donors and prospective donors about the tax benefits of donating to their organizations, so solicitors should be able to instantly share information about tax deductions. The Federal Trade Commission warns against donating to an organization that won’t provide proof that donations are tax-deductible. Pressure from the solicitor: Reputable charities and
Cash or wire requests: Solicitors who insist on cash donations or wire transfers are another indicator of charitable fraud. Reputable organizations allow donors to contribute money via personal check or secure websites, and would never insist that donors make only cash or wire transfer contributions. Promise of prizes: Some criminals perpetuating charitable fraud will try to entice victims to part with their money by promising them prizes or sweepstakes winnings. But the FTC notes that the law dictates that donations are not required to make a person eligible to win a sweepstakes.
Donation pickup offer: Reputable organizations will not require immediate donations to keep the lights on in their offices, so donors should avoid solicitors who offer to send couriers to their homes to collect donations immediately. This is another pressure tactic used by criminals. Legitimate organizations will allow prospective donors the time they need to vet the charity.
PETS, continued from page 13
may be most capable of welcoming a furry new addition into their homes. If you want to give a loved one a pet for the holidays, delay giving the gift until things have returned to post-holiday normalcy. Finances Pets can be expensive, especially in the first year. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the firstyear cost of owning a dog is nearly $1,300, while the first-year cost of cat ownership exceeds $1,000. These estimates include the cost of food, shelter and medical exams, among other things. Before giving a pet to a child, consult the child’s parents to determine if the family can afford adding a pet to the family. If parents need some financial help to afford the pet, include supplies like bowls, leashes and toys in your holiday gift. Pets can make for wonderful gifts. But such gifts should only be given after careful consideration of a host of factors.
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GIFT-GIVING TIPS ON THE GO.
It doesn’t matter if you’re going to grandma’s house, over the river or through the woods. You can read up on our shopping tips, gifting ideas and resources for donations on your favorite mobile device. Simply go to pressrepublican.com and look for it in the Special Publications section.
Check out this year’s edition for: • Managing holiday shopping with children • What to consider before gifting pets • How to organize workplace gift giving • Fun and educational toys for kids • How to make holiday donations while steering clear of scammers • Plus tips on gift wrapping, last-minute shopping and much, much more!
WRAP the
Your holiday gift guide courtesy of the Press-Republican
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