Holiday Book 2013

Holiday Book

11.28 2013

Holiday Gift Ideas Black Friday Survival Tips

High Tech Low Price

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Holiday Book

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Holiday Happenings in Northern Colorado ....... 4 Giving with honor ........................................... 5 High-Tech

Holidays........................................ 6

Gifts for music lovers Something they

..................................... 8

want, need, wear and read..... 10

Are you ready for

Black Friday .................... 16

Small Business Saturday Gifts that

cut the cord ................................. 18

Pop-Culture Simple

............................. 17

gifts for kids .............................. 20

homemade gifts.................................. 22

The gift

of gear ............................................ 24

Safe shopping online .................................... 27 Fit gifts for students..................................... 28

Special Features Coordinator

Misty Kaiser, 303-473-1425

kaiserm@timescall.com

Contributing Writers

Adam Martin, Elise Oberlissen, Barb Turner, Susan Jennings, Colleen Smith, Katie Parsons Check out our digital edition at www.timescall.com/ magazines.asp

Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 3

Holiday Happenings in The Ice Rink at the Promenade Shops at Centerra Open daily through Feb. 23.

Promenade Shops at Centerra Scrooge — The Musical Nov. 14 - Jan. 5 Candlelight Dinner Theater 4747 Marketplace Dr. Johnstown Silver Jubilee Christmas Concert

Presented by Rocky Mountain

Chamber Singers Dec. 2, 2-4 p.m.

Rialto Theater Center 228 E. 4th St., Loveland Holiday Inn — Movie Dec. 4, 7pm Rialto Theater Center 228 E. 4th St.

Northern Colorado

Annual Community Tree Lighting - New Date/Location!

Dec. 6, 5 - 7 pm Civic Center 3rd and Washington, Loveland

Loveland Lights Presented by Loveland Public Library

Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Dec. 8, 1-5 p.m.

Loveland Public Library 300 N.Adams, Loveland ‘Tis the Season Community Sing-a-Long Presented by the Rialto Theatre Center and Loveland Museum/Gallery

Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m.

Rialto Theater Center 228 E. 4th St., Loveland

Angel for Lost Children Worldwide Candle Lighting Vigil Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m.

McKee Conference and Wellness Center 2000 Boise Ave., Loveland

Tot Art Class – Holiday Keepsakes Dec. 20, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Loveland Muesum / Gallery Sequel Building, 541 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland

The Colors Of Christmas

Noel! Sing Noel!

Presented by the Loveland Choral Society

Dec. 13, 7:30 pm Dec. 14, 2 and 7:30 pm Dec. 15, 2 pm Rialto Theater Center 228 E. 4th St., Loveland

with the Rocky Mountain Chamber Singers

Dec. 22, 2 p.m.

Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., Loveland

Interstate Cowboy Christmas Ball Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., Loveland

‘Tis the season g to give music June 26 - July 6 Tickets on sale December 2nd greeleystampede.org - 970.356.7787 Also available at Tickets West and any Colorado King Soopers.

4 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

Thursday, November 28, 2013

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GIVING WITH

By Misty Kaiser

Honor

Many non-profits rely on charitable giving to help keep them funded and functional year to year. Charitable gifts during the holidays are a good way honor someone special to you while giving back to community causes your loved ones care about.Most civic organizations have some sort of memorial or honorarium option,and there are any number of ways to donate.Individual websites are usually the easiest most convenient way,but ColoradoGives.org is an umbrella site that allows you to research and browse the many possibilities in one place. The following is just short list of options to get you started:

For Literacy

Friends of the Loveland Library Everyone knows a reader and The Friends of the Loveland Library has several giving opportunities that provide for programs encompassing everything from children’s literacy to library improvements. Any of them will accept donations in memory or honor of whomever you choose. When checking out either online or in person, give them name of the name and address of the person to whom they should send a notice of your gift. Donations in any amount are appreciated. Visit friendsofthelovelandlibrary.org to make a donation.

For Animals

Larimer Humane Society For the animal lover, Larimer Humane Society encourages you to honor your loved ones—people or pets, with a tribute donation.

When you make a gift in someone’s name, an acknowledgement is sent to both donor and honoree. Donations may be made in any amount and funds go toward the welfare of the many animals in their care. Gifts can be made in any amount by visiting the administrative location at 5137 S. College Ave., in Fort Collins or via their website larimerhumane.org.

For Families

Project Self-Sufficiency

Since 1986, Project Self-Sufficiency has been extending a helping hand to low-income, single parents who are working hard to gain the education and skills needed for their families to become self-sufficient. Making a gift to Project Self-Sufficiency in honor of the person in your life who always puts others first, helps raise the standard of living for single parents and their children.

Donations are made through Network For Good by visiting the Project Self-Sufficiency website at ps-s.org.There is a selection of programs to which you can dedicate your gift, from general operation to scholarships.

To send an acknowledgement to the honoree, simply select ‘Please send an acknowledgement...’ and enter your personal message.There is the option of sending either an email or postal message through ps-s.org.

For more information email at info@ps-s.org.

For Health

McKee Medical Center Foundation

If you or a loved one have been served by McKee Medical center, an honorary or memorial gift is a beautiful way to recognize and perpetuate their standard of service.Whether through a one-time donation or a monthly designation, donations can be designated to a number of services or go into the Foundation’s general fund to be distributed as needed.

An acknowledgement of your gift may be sent to the honoree if desired. For more information on gifts and the ways in which they are used,visit bannerhealth.com and click on ‘Donate.’

Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 5

How to have a HIGH-TECH

without the high price

HOLIDAY best friend will react when they open up one of these:

(BPT) - Have a holly, jolly, high-tech holiday - and in case you didn’t hear - it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Some of the season’s hottest tech gifts are more affordable than ever this year.

Spending on consumer electronics this holiday season is expected to grow 2.6 percent, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), with three quarters of

American gifters planning to purchase tech gadgets.

Big screen TVs continue to be on consumers’ top wish-lists. In fact, a nationwide survey conducted for LG Electronics USA found that about six in 10 (58 percent) said they are likely to consider giving a TV as a gift.

Surprisingly, more than half of respondents (52 percent) said they’d prefer to receive

an 84-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV (roughly $17,000) over an expensive piece of jewelry or watch (23 percent). More consumers also said they’d like to receive a $2,300 Internet connected“smart”TV than a European vacation.

For more budget-minded Santas, here are five tech gift ideas with big appeal and big value. Just imagine how your teen, college student, parent or

1. DUAL DOCKING SPEAKER For the music lover in your life, few things beat a great speaker system.A Dual Docking Speaker system allows anyone to get the most out of a music collection with impressive style, design and functionality.A Dual Docking speaker like LG’s ND5630 is compatible with iPod, iPhone and Android and also boasts built-in Wi-Fi, so it’s simple to stream music via Airplay or Bluetooth.You can even charge one device while playing another.At a suggested price of $249, you get a lot of holiday bang for your buck.

2. ULTRA-WIDE MONITOR Gamers and geeks alike will light up when they open a modern ultra-wide monitor that brings cyberspace to life.With a 21:9 aspect ratio screen (2560-by-1080p- reso-

We carry chocolate for making desserts!

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This 4 bdrm 4 bath ranch style home has it all! New carpet throughout, open floor plan, eatin kitchen with skylight, main floor laundry, marble fireplace, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, basement, 2 car garage and lots more. It’s move-in ready. The outside is Xeriscaped for easy maintenance. Enjoy the private pool and wonderful views of the mountains from the large, fenced backyard. This is a lot of home for the money!

Cliff Johnson Team 100 W. 29th St. Loveland, CO 80538 (970) 667-2707 office

Paul Jansen—Broker Associate (970) 567-4757 cell paul.jansen@coloradohomes.com

6 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

Betsy Gammill-Hayes, GRI REALTOR®, Broker Associate (719) 250-5916 cell bghrealtor@hotmail.com

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Outlets at Loveland • 5669 McWhinney Blvd • Loveland • 970.593.0106 Foothills Fashion Mall • 215 E. Foothills Pkwy • Ft. Collins • 970.226.5550

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lution), these new monitors produce a theater-like experience when playing games or watching your favorite movies.The dual link-up feature allows the monitor to display two source devices at once.

For example, any combination of two devices, such as computers, cameras, smartphones or Blu-ray players can be connected to the monitor and displayed on a single screen simultaneously. One of the most popular ultra-wide monitors, the LN450W from LG is both PC and Mac compatible, has a built-in tuner so it can be used as a TV and you can get it for $649 or less at some online retailers.

3. EARBUDS Is one of your loved ones still rocking the factory

earbuds that originally came with his smartphone or MP3 player? It’s time to gift them a better listening experience.

Earbuds and headphones will be the most popular consumer electronics devices given his holiday season, CEA says. Earbuds - tiny in-ear headphones - are convenient for listening to music or other audio in private, but just because they are small doesn’t mean they shouldn’t produce quality sound. Starting at about $50 you can give highend earbuds with noticeably better sound capabilities.This is one gift that is sure to be used over and over again.

4. SMART/3D BLU-RAY DISC PLAYER Know someone who loves movies? Some Smart Blu-ray

Disc players can play DVDs, and 2D or 3D Blu-ray discs.

They can also stream content like movies from Netflix or Hulu Plus or videos from YouTube - especially great if that special person on your shopping list isn’t ready to upgrade to a smart TV yet.You can get one from LG (BP530) as little as $100 at some online retailers.

5. TABLETS AND ACCESSORIES Some tablets come with outrageous price tags, but every month new models become available, many of which are surprisingly affordable. CEA says tablets are at the top of adult’s wish lists this holiday season.You can find options for $200 or less that include a quality processor, impressive battery life

and considerable data storage.

Compare to save and don’t be afraid to shop the sales.

Does your special someone already have a beloved tablet?

You can’t go wrong by gifting accessories like attachable keyboards and decorative protective covers.

This holiday you don’t have to choose between giving high tech gifts and saving money.You can have both and impress your loved ones with the best tech gifts of 2013.

M erry Christmas!

May the peace of Christ be with you now and throughout the coming year.

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 7

Perfect Gift

Find the for the music lover on your list music fan. Headphone quality has a large impact on sound, so getting the right pair is key.

Look for sets with special features including in-line iPhone/ smart device controls or wireless options that remove the limitations and restrictions of a cord.With a wide variety of price points to choose from and different designs available - in-ear, on-ear, full-sized and more - you’re sure to find a pair for anyone on your list.

Supply them with the music they crave. Online music ser(BPT) - While most people truly enjoy the holiday season, it can also bring a considerable amount of stress. One commonly reported cause of holiday stress is shopping for gifts.

Selecting the right gift for someone can be a daunting task.When choosing a gift, try to find something that relates back to the recipient’s interests, hobbies or pastimes.

One popular hobby for people of all ages is listening to music.

To make this holiday shopping season a little bit easier, here are a few ideas sure to“wow” the music fan on your gift list.

For the record aficionado.

Across the country, record sales have seen a recent resurgence. Most major labels offer

LP versions of newly released music and a growing number of classic albums are being reissued on vinyl.The obvious gift to consider for a record neophyte on your shopping list is a good turntable. Records should always be stored upright, never stacked one on top of another, so storage cases that securely keep albums vertical are perfect for record newbies. For any serious collectors on your shopping list, search your neighborhood record store,Amazon.com or online album dealers for first pressings, which deliver audio quality close to the original master disc.

For the music lover on the go. Help your loved ones listen to their favorite tunes

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

anytime, anywhere with a portable travel speaker.Travel speakers should be small enough to fit into a carryon or backpack pocket yet durable enough to withstand life on the go.Also, look for new wireless offerings that allow users to stream music from their smartphone or device, no docking or cords required.The compact and portable TDK Life on Record Wireless Weatherproof Speaker features Bluetooth(R) wireless audio streaming and a sleek, weatherized design that protects it from the elements including water and dust.

Get them listening with the perfect headphones. A good pair of headphones is the must-have accessory for any

vices are more popular than ever before. Give your loved ones the gift of uninterrupted streaming with an upgraded Spotify or Pandora account.

For a small monthly fee, your friends and family will be upgraded to a subscriber account free of disruptive advertisements. If you’re unsure of which streaming service your friends use or you don’t want to buy a subscription, gift cards are another option. Pandora and Spotify both sell gift cards online and these cards are also available at big box retailers across the country.

For more information and gift ideas sure to please the music fan on your shopping list, go to www.tdkperformance.com.

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Vinyl

Looking for vinyl? Black Friday is the perfect day for it.This year RecordStoreDay.com is coordinating a special effort to help sales at independent record stores. Special releases by many well-known artists will be available at most participating record stores.

Many locations also have signings and other events built around the day — so check in with them to see what their plans are and pick up a one of a kind gift for your favorite music lover.

Get it here...

TDK Life on Record \Wireless Weatherproof Speaker

14999*

$

Downtown Sound 330 E 4th St., Loveland 970-673-0006, dtsvinyl.com

JBL - Wireless Headphones

Rock ‘N’ Robin’s

99*

$

804 S. College Ave., Fort Collins 970-221-9977, rocknrobins.com

BOTH ITEMS AVAILABLE AT BEST BUY 210 Ken Pratt Blvd, Longmont *Prices/availabilty subject to change

The Bizarre Bazaar 254 Linden St., Fort Collins 970-232-9954, fortcollinsbazaar.com

Rock me.

300 E. Foothills Pkwy • Fort Collins

SathersJewelers.com

Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 9

Something they

Want, Need, Wear and Read

by Adam Martin Something they want , something they need, something they wear and something they read this year. It’s

a recent gift giving philosophy meant to simplify the idea generating process and cut down on Holiday overspending by setting specific categories. Choosing one item in each category helps to narrow the gift giving field, but there are still an infinite number of ways to fulfill each one. Here are just a few ideas;

Items subject to change and availability.

Something they want...

GALS Bling – Sather’s Jewelers Few and far between are the women who wouldn’t appreciate jewelry for the holidays.Whatever your budget, Sather’s has a wide range of options, and their staff is committed to helping you find the perfect gift.

The Chamilla collection includes pieces created in 14k gold, sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, Italian Murano glass and colored stones.

Decorative Gifts - Rowe’s Flower’s Rowe’s is a great place to shop for the home decorator in your life.They have holiday centerpieces, keepsake Christmas ornaments, and even life-like artificial silk arrangements that can be used year after year.

The holidays are a popular time for proposals. Tacori offers exquisite engagement rings and wedding bands.

GUYS Duck Dynasty Everything Sportsman’s Warehouse

Duck Dynasty is hot right now. Really hot. If you’re looking for all the latest and greatest Duck Dynasty stuff, look no further than Sportsman’s Warehouse.They have everything from Duck Dynasty duck calls to t-shirts, hats, and, of course, DVDs of the series.

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Colorado Eagles Tickets

coloradoeagles.com/tickets For the hockey fan in your life, this is an easy no-brainer.

Eagles games are actionpacked and fun, and they play right here in Loveland at the Budweiser Events Center.Throw in a gift card to his favorite restaurant, and you can give him a complete night out with the guys.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

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KIDS Toys, Toys, Toys! – Toys ‘R’ Us

Knowing what toys are most popular year-to-year can be challenging, but Toys ‘R’ Us makes it easy.

Just go online and visit their Hot Toys Guide (toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=10811023) to see what Santa’s been stocking up on for his 2013 midnight run. From there, you can order online or drop by the Fort Collins location to grab all the goodies.

Doc McStuffins Deluxe Get Better Check-Up Center

The Ugglys Pug Electronic Pet - Brown LEGO Legends of Chima The Lion CHI Temple LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Kids’ Learning Tablet, Green

FREE PAIR OF SOCKS S

With Purchase of 3 other Pairs at regular Price equal or lesser Value Not Valid With any other offer expires 12/25/13

The Square - Corner of Horsetooth & College (Behind the Bible Superstore)

970-226-1776

www.fortcollinsshoes.com

Store Hours: M-F 9-8 Sat 9-6 Sun 12-5

Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 11

...something they need...

GALS AND GUYS

Stress Intervention – Massage Heights

The holidays are a stressful time of year.A massage may sound like a luxury, but some of us truly need a chance to wind down, and a gift card from Massage Heights is the perfect way to make that happen.Their location at The Promenade Shops at Centerra is close by, and their prices are very affordable.

Oil Change – Dale’s Mobil Okay, sure, an oil change isn’t as much fun as hockey tickets or diamonds, but this is a gift you can be sure they’ll use, and Dale’s Mobil makes it easy. Gift cards are available, and these make great stocking stuffers or gifts for co-workers.

KIDS

Tablet – Best Buy A new iPad or Android tablet may seem more like a ‘want’ and less like a ‘need’, but there’s a great deal of merit to these tech toys. In additional to all the games available (and there are tons), tablets also pack a pretty impressive educational punch. Best Buy has ‘em all— iPads and Androids alike—and their staff can help you select the right tablet for the kid in your life.

Shoes? Yes, Shoes – Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. No, your kids aren’t going to do cartwheels at the idea of a new pair of shoes, but quality kicks are a must have, and the staff at Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. can help you find the perfect pair. Just be sure this isn’t the ‘big gift’, and you should be fine.

Book Your Holiday Party Now! 1331 Eagle Dr. • Loveland • 970-685-4556 Located in Thompson Valley Towne Center

Hwy 402 (14th St) & Taft - NW Corner www.cjspatiogrill.com

Gift Cards Gold Medallion Studio The Orchards Shopping Center

265 F. East 29th St. Loveland, CO

970-669-6777

m E r L E n O r m a n . C O m © 2013 merle norman Cosmetics, Inc.

12 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

Thursday, November 28, 2013

AVAiLAbLe Daily Lunch Specials!

Sunday brunch 10am-2pm

Happy Hour Daily 3-6pm

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...something they wear...

GALS, GUYS AND KIDS Cowboy Boots –

Whiteside’s Boots, Western & Work Wear Few shoes can compare to the comfort of a well-worn pair of boots, but finding the right fit is crucial. Part of what makes Whiteside’s a great place to shop for boots is their commitment to personalize service. Gift cards are available, though the giftee will need to visit Whiteside’s personally to be fitted for his/her new boots.

Outdoor Gear – Jax Outdoor Gear Ranch and Home

If you have any outdoor aficionados on your gift list, you should strongly consider a gift card from Jax.They have a complete line of clothing and gear, whatever the activity. They offer both gift cards (for use only in the store) and eGift certificates (which can be used online or in the store).

Giro Youth Helmet -Slingshot

Columbia Men’s Bugaboo II Pant

Sorel Women’s Cate The Great Deco Boot

The North Face Boys’ - Glacier Full Zip Hoodie

We Are Dedicated To Quality Child Care Buy 3 Weeks and Get 1 Free Week of Child Care

Offer good per child – Expires 1/1/2014

Value up to $235 for one child/ Value up to $470 for 2 children/ Value up to $705 for 3 children Good at the Loveland Diana Drive location only

Let Us Get Your Car Ready For the Trip to

Grandma’s House

Full Service Oil Change ONLY $43.50 (Then Save Another $5)

$ SAVE 5 on any service at

The discount is good for new enrollment only.

Not for currently enrolled children.

Mobil 1

Ask about Enrichment Classes/Core Knowledge Curriculum/After School Care

1425 Diana Drive, Loveland

970-663-3146

Toddler/Preschool/Before & After School Programs

Dale Ainsworth/Owner

LET US CHECK YOUR CAR BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD

3216 N. Garfield (Just north of Orchards Shopping Center) Loveland – 635-0200

Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 13

and something they read!

GALS

GUYS

Getting books before they hit the big screen can be a big treat, after all you rarely hear ‘But the movie was so much better...”

Visit Barnes and Noble to purchase any of these novels.

- Misty Kaiser

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn In the midst of preparations for her wedding anniversary,Amy Dunne disappears, leaving the police, friends and neighbors wondering who could be behind it.This best-selling, dark thriller makes the big screen jump next October.

Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy A vain woman fosters relationships with three very different men with tragic consequences. Like The Great Gatsby before it, this novel has been adapted for screen at least twice. Oddly enough, this spring 2014 release will star Carey Mulligan as well.

The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

Fast talking, hard partying, high-stake conning Jordan Belfort tells the story of his wild rise and dramatic fall as a man known as the Wolf of Wall Street.

Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the wolf this December 25.

The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan You’ll probably see the blurb on this and think ‘Please not another vampire trilogy.’ But these vampires don’t sparkle or have fangs. Think“I Am Legend” with a lot more blood. This one is actually currently slated to hit the small screen on FX in July.

KIDS/TEENS

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

This beautiful story is built around a couple of dry-witted teens that meet and fall in love at a cancer support group. It’s a little less magical than most of the young adult lit lighting up the screen next year, but probably much more powerful. Expect a June release date.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

We like our dystopian fiction these days and Divergent delivers. Set in a future where your entire life course is decided based on which of five factions you choose. Divergent premiers in March.

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Ask about our Rebates!

Call us today with your submission of the Oldest Furnace for your chance to win $750 in new furnace cash!*

*Valid with installation of new furnace from NCA between 12/1/13 and 2/14/14.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

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Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 15

Are you ready for

By Barb Turner Whether you were one of the millions of Black Friday shoppers in the U.S. last year, or you are joining in for the first time, being well organized is key.A good plan will help you prioritize and check items off your list. Here are six tips to seize big savings the day after Thanksgiving: DO YOUR HOMEWORK Start days before Black Friday, the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

Jot down your gift list so

you know what you need to purchase.Then take the very important step of determining your budget.

Get a jump on sales by signing up for email alerts at your favorite retailers and liking their Facebook pages.

COMPARE PRICES, PRODUCTS AND DEALS Research the normal retail price of the items you want, the best sale price to date, then the best Black Friday advertised price at each store in your shopping area. Keep in GREAT GIFTS ◆ GREAT SELECTION ◆ GREAT PRICES Holiday Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30-7 Sun 11-5

HOLIDAY POTTERY & NAVAJO RUG SALE

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH

3 Old Town Square (on Mountain Ave.) Fort Collins, CO • 970-495-0328

mind the best deal isn’t always on Black Friday.

When it comes to comparing prices, the Better Business Bureau recommends doing so online.

Save money and anguish by checking consumer reports and reviews on special bigticket items like electronics, games and items you might not know much about.

MAKE A GAME-DAY PLAN “Make a list and prioritize where you should go and when,” says the Better Busi-

ness Bureau’s Black Friday tip sheet.

By making the list, you can determine where each item you want will be the cheapest and what time the stores are planning to open.Then, you can map out the most practical travel route.

Before the big shopping day finally arrives, visit the stores a few days early to get a better understanding of the floor plans.You can map out the departments you need to visit and create a true, detailed plan of attack.

Paul Hummel, ChFC® Chartered Financial Consultant* 970-669-9720 • paul.hummel@investmentcenters.com

Located at: Home State Bank 935 N Cleveland Ave Loveland, CO 80537

Investment Centers of America, Inc. (ICA), member FINRA, SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor, is not affiliated with Home State Bank. Securities, advisory services and insurance products offered through ICA and affiliated insurance agencies and are * not insured by the FDIC or any other Federal Government agency * not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by any bank * subject to risk including the possible loss of principal amount invested.

www.meanwhilebackattheranch.us

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

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AVOID CROWDS IF YOU CAN Many department stores have limited-time offers, or items only available until they are sold out. If your list includes those items, you may feel the need to be at the store early.

However, that’s not always necessary. If you don’t have a particular need for hot-ticket items, arrive at the store a few hours after opening to avoid the morning rush.

To avoid crowds altogether, shop online.

Some big-name stores have specials that will take place online at the same time as they do at the actual stores.

USE YOUR SMARTPHONE Instead of carrying lists and advertising flyers for each store, simply install checklist apps.You’ll have all your gift lists and prices in one convenient place. Upload flyers when needed to double-check or dispute prices.

You can also use your smartphone to navigate between stores.

STICK TO YOUR PLAN Be sure not to let the frenzy of the day affect your judgment.The USA.gov consumer tips website warns consumers not to buy on impulse or under pressure and decide in advance what you want and what you can afford.

“No matter how big a bargain something may seem, once you’ve spent your budgeted amount, put the credit card away,” Kristy Welsh writes on her creditinfocenter.com Black Friday checklist.

Never fear if Black Friday comes and goes with gifts still to be purchased – Cyber Monday and other holiday sales are just around the corner.

Small Business Saturday

Following right on the heels of the Black Friday bonanza, but with considerably less camping out, comes Small Business Saturday.

Founded by American Express in 2010, it’s a day of opportunity for small businesses to capture a chunk of the almighty holiday dollar.Allocating at least a portion of your gift-shopping budget to local small businesses ensures that your money stays in your community. Consider it a local economic stimulus plan, but you’ll get more out of it. Like knowing that the amount you spend is going to sustain a neighbor

or even a friend and increasing the variety of shopping opportunities available in Loveland.

American Express estimates that $5.5 billion was spent with local small business during last year’s Saturday, alone.They expect that number to grow even higher this year.

So, this year when you’re making out your holiday shopping lists, start looking locally first, then branch out into the larger chain stores.You may find yourself enjoying the act of giving that much more.

- Misty Kaiser

Gifts…Gifts.. & More Gifts Earle’s has flowers and so much more.

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 17

Gifts that Cut the Cord

By Misty Kaiser Not so many years ago cable held the corner on the television market. Now? Not so much. In recent years that corner has been blown wide open and alternative ways to watch have come flooding in. Rather than pay for internet and cable, many families are cutting cable and utilizing the internet to stream shows and movies on their own schedule. Each variation of service comes with an upside (primarily cost) and a downside (primarily choice), but the downside is getting smaller and smaller as time goes by. So, for the TV fanatic on your list, you might consider giving one the following alternatives to cable:

Subscription Streaming Services Aereo Remember rabbit ears? This is the digital equivalent.Aereo picks up local over-the-air HD signals and routes them in real time through the internet, which gives you access to local stations on a computer or mobile device.

The service comes with recording capability recording for later playback, mimicking the DVR of cable.

The cost? $8 per month. aereo.com

18 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

Hulu plus

Netflix

Anyone can log on to Hulu.com and have a fairly wide choice of shows and movies for free.The catch? They come a couple of episodes at a time and if you miss more than a couple, too bad.There is but one way to gain full access to past seasons (and original content), and that requires the paid Hulu Plus service.The downside is its lack of cable network streaming.You won’t find TBS, HBO or Showtime here.

However, you can stream most major network shows the day after they appear.Without the paid service it can be up to eight days later.

The cost? $7.99 per month. hulu.com

Most screen watchers are familiar with this one by now. The upside to Netflix is that there are no commercials and access to shows from cable only networks.The downside, the wait time.

The cost? $7.99 per month.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Vudu Similar to Netflix in its access to cable only networks,Vudu is a rental service.

You pay for what you watch, so it can add up, but there is a season pass option as well as the option to purchase and store items via cloud.

The cost? There is no subscription fee and cost varies depending on use.

.

.

Additional Streaming Devices

Any computer with a high speed connection becomes a TV with any of the above services, but there are set-top format devices that turn your television into the screen. Most devices are available locally at Best Buy. (

Roku is a self-contained service and device. Its service is free with the purchase of the box, but it also allows for access to all of the above paid services. The cost? $50$100. (roku.com)

Apple TV

WD Play Gaming Consoles Xbox,Wii and Playstation, all come ready to stream your favorite service straight to your TV. The benefit here is the obvious gaming capability.

The cost? $200 to $300 (xbox.com, nintendo. com, us.playstation.com)

Play allows streaming from most of the paid services, with an added plus. It’s also programmed to make almost any media format viewable on your TV by hooking up any USB connectable drive or camcorder, allowing you to watch your personal media on your big screen.

The Cost? $70 (wdc.com)

AppleTV allows you to watch anything downloaded from iTunes on the big screen, while allowing for further paid services such as Hulu plus and HBOGo. It’s major advantage is access to your iTunes library.The Cost? $99 (apple.com/appletv)

With Warm Wishes

From My Family To Yours...

Take time with what is really important and let me take care of the rest.

For a free portfolio review, please call me at

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Kevin.dunnigan@investmentcenters.com www.helpwithmyinvestments.com

Located at: Home State Bank 300 East 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538

2013

Investment Centers of America, Inc. (ICA), member FINRA/SIPC, is not affiliated Home State Bank. Securities and insurance products offered through ICA and affiliated insurance agencies are *not insured by the FDIC or any other Federal Government agency *not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by any bank or its affiliates *subject to risks including the possible loss of principal amount invested.

Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 19

Unique Gifts

for pop-cultureobsessed kids

Yo Gabba Gabba! nesting dolls (ThinkGeek.com)

By Susan Jennings These days, you’ll find the likes of Dora the Explorer and Spider-Man on everything from fruit snacks to toothpaste to potty seats.

Face it, kids love the characters they meet on-screen, and there’s only so many action figures, dolls and T-shirts that will hold their attention.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the pop-culture-obsessed kid this holiday season, we’ve rounded up some of the most unique items on the web to help you get started. Prices may vary.

1

Yo Gabba Gabba! Nesting Dolls

Ages 3 and older $ 1599 on ThinkGeek.com For adults, most of the time children’s television proves an odd little wasteland of talking animals, singing maps and problem-solving pirates. Thankfully, there are a few oases that manage to appeal to both kids and parents – “SpongeBob,” “Octonauts,” “Phineas and Ferb” and the hard-rocking “Yo Gabba Gabba!” monsters. Cross some old-fashioned matryoshka dolls with the likenesses of Muno, Foofa, Plex,Toodee and Brobee and you have a toy that will amuse both children and their indie-leaning parents.

3

Keyboard Cat Animatronic Plush

Ages 3 to 10 - $1499 on ThinkGeek.com This time of year, TV is flooded with commercials for the latest animatronic plush pet that your kid will lust after for weeks, but probably lose interest in after 20 minutes. If you’re going to cave to a request for a robotic feline, you might as well get one that will make you giggle as well. Cue Keyboard Cat – a dancing, keyboard-pounding homage to the classic Internet meme that will amuse both you and your kid for hours (or at least the next 20 minutes).

20 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

Thursday, November 28, 2013

2

Harry Potter Hogwarts Knit Scarf

Age 5 and older $ 29.95 on wbshop.com When it comes to “Harry Potter” gear, there’s a lot of stuff out there that requires more magic than we muggles will ever be able to muster – the illuminating wand, the flying broom stick and the Golden Snitch,for instance.Let’s be honest,these faux-magical toys will probably end up destroying your house as your wannabe-wizards inevitably use their wands and broomsticks for sword fights and lamp breaking. Save your valuables by offering up this cozy 100 percent lambs-wool,burgundy and yellow knit scarf,complete with Gryffindor patch.Finally,a“Harry Potter”gift both parents and kids can agree on.

4

My Little Pony ‘Rainbow Dash’ Hoodie

44.95 on Amazon.com If you have a daughter between the ages of 3 and 10, chances are you have a My Little Pony (or 20) lying around your house. Instead of adding to your personal Ponyville (not to mention increasing the odds that you’ll vacuum up yet another tiny plastic comb), get your little pony herder this stylish, cozy, zip-up hoodie featuring a rainbow mane and tail, ears, wings and a likeness of the speediest Pegasus this side of Equestria. $

.

5

Boba Fett Character Lamp

Age 5 and older• $37.98 + $5.99 shipping on Amazon.com For the young Jedi who has everything – the remote-controlled light saber, the R2D2 version of the game Operation, the LEGO Death Star and even the Tauntaun sleeping bag — it can feel like you’ve finally run out of “Star Wars” gift ideas. But luckily we’re here to offer you a new hope for your holiday gift giving: the Boba Fett lamp. It’s a decorative likeness of everybody’s favorite bounty hunter that will shed some light on the dark side of any room (also available in lamp form: Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper).

6

Disney Princess Acoustic Guitar

Age 4 and older - $34.96 at Walmart For parents who are tired of having to replace cheap plastic tiaras and attend pretend balls, this beginner’s guitar might be your glass slipper out of a lifetime of glitter and tulle. Parlay your little lady’s love of all things Ariel and Aurora into a lifelong appreciation for music.The pink guitar comes emblazoned with four Disney princesses and is designed to be easy on little fingers. It features string post covers, chord cards and string name stickers (also available emblazoned with SpongeBob,“Cars”and Minnie Mouse).

7

Batman Raincoat

Ages 2 and older • $4999 on ThinkGeek.com Your own pint-sized caped crusader will no longer battle you about wearing a jacket on rainy days. This too-cool-for-school slicker will make your little one look like the Dark Knight, himself (cape, glow-in-the-dark logos and all) as he races off to conquer puddles and save Gotham from boring outerwear. Now the parent stuff: the coats are made of a natural rubber and waterproof polyurethane exterior with a cozy cotton lining.The capes are detachable for easy cleaning and the “batarangs”are only pictures.

8

LEGO Classic Brick Kids Watch

Age 5 and older $17.48 on LEGO.com Sure,your kids may already use cell phones to tell time,but if they’re LEGO fanatics,chances are they’ll love this DIY LEGO watch kit.They start with a white clock face, then add red, yellow, blue and green links in any pattern they want – making the watch customizable.The kits are also available in LEGO “Star Wars” Boba Fett and Darth Vadar,LEGO Friends Olivia and Stephanie,and Legends of Chima Crawley and Lennox.(And for those who want to continue relying on their iPhone, there’s also a LEGO iPhone 5 case!) .

The best deals in town are waiting.

HOLIDAY GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE ~ Perfect gifts for everyone!

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Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 21

Try these 5 simple

Homemade Gifts

Try DIY stationery for card-carrying romantics.

by Colleen Smith Here come the holidays, and with them the pressure of presents.The instinct to give is noble, but the question of what to give can paralyze. So can lack of time, funds or imagination.

Simple, homemade gifts from the heart can put genuine spirit back into crazed consumer holidays.When you make gifts, you’ll spend less time at overcrowded malls and enjoy more time at home with your loved ones during the holidays.

You don’t need Martha Stewart’s DNA to make the following five affordable and welcome gifts.

Flower bulbs: Fresh life in the dead of winter

Paperwhite narcissus, amaryllis and hyacinth bulbs are easy to force into blooms and make beautiful, living and growing gifts. Purchase bulbs at a garden center. For a charmingly simple gift, give a single bulb in a small pot. Or buy enough bulbs to fill a container of

22 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

choice.

You can force bulbs — in other words, make them bloom indoors during the winter — in soil, rocks or water. If using soil, you’ll want a container with some drainage holes and a saucer. If you’re using rocks, you might choose a tallish glass vase that will help support flowers and foliage as the bulb grows. Or look for special bulb-forcing glasses that support a single bulb, allowing roots to dangle into water.

If your recipient is a gardener who might already have a container, or if you’re shipping your gift, simply give bulbs and include growing instructions for good measure. If directions aren’t available where you purchase the bulbs, find directions online and print on festive paper.

Body scrubs: From the kitchen to the bathroom

Body scrubs help exfoliate winterdry skin. Handmade scrubs can include ingredients that nourish skin, the body’s largest organ.Whip up concoctions of

Thursday, November 28, 2013

coconut oil and sugar, white cornmeal and lavender buds, oatmeal and honey or other easy combinations in the kitchen.

Experiment with ratios, depending on your personal preferences for consistency.You can find recipes online.

Package body scrubs in repurposed plastic or glass jars, adding labels with ingredients — just in case your loved one has an allergy you don’t know about.Add basic instructions for use so recipients don’t spread the scrub on their toast.

Homemade treats: Alterna-

tives to sugar plums

Homemade treats rate high with people who have everything or don’t want more tchotchkes collecting dust.They can satisfy a sweet tooth while providing more nutrition than frosted sugar cookies or fudge. Healthy treats find favor with skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts, people with children constantly clamoring for snacks or anybody on the run.And isn’t that just about everybody these days?

Some treats are simple enough that

.

.

kids or grandkids can help make them.

Stuff pitted dates with halved walnuts, whole almonds or other nuts. Buy dried figs and dip them in melted dark chocolate. If you want to get fancy, purchase tiny cupcake papers to hold your treats.

It’s easy to bake up a batch of granola:

Wash off winter’s weariness with bath salts.

MY MOTHER’S GRANOLA

1/2 cup butter 1/3 cup sugar (or less) 1/3 cup fruit jam (strawberry or apricot work well) 3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal 1 cup nuts 1 cup raisins or other dried fruit 1 cup seeds (sunflower, sesame or pumpkin are nice) 1 cup coconut NOTE:Vary ingredients to taste.

Cook butter, sugar and jam together in a small pan until smooth. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Pour sauce over dried ingredients.Toss well. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 325 degrees, stirring every 10 minutes. Spread mixture on paper towels to cool.

For decadence, after granola cools, add dark chocolate or holiday colored M&Ms. Present homemade treats in tins that will keep food fresh and also leave your loved one with a reusable container.

fun making stationary.They might even create a real thank-you card in return.

At a paper specialty shop or an art supply store, select sheets of paper and envelopes in various sizes, colors and patterns.Add an ink pad and rubber stamp with a design reflecting the interests of your recipient.Toss in commemorative postage stamps or stickers in keeping with your theme or color scheme.A stick of sealing wax will melt hearts with nostalgia.

Present the stationary supplies in a decorative box. For an extra endearing touch, write a heartfelt note on one of the sheets and seal it with a kiss.

diy stationery:

Bath salts: An antidote to

In the digital age, snail mail still fits the bill for special correspondence. Cardcarrying romantics on your list will have

Winter is an ideal time for warm baths, and scented Epsom salts add to the experience. Making bath salts can

Letter perfect for card-carrying romantics

winter weariness

be as easy as adding essential oils to Epsom salts.Various oils have different properties.Try lavender for relaxation, eucalyptus for cold or congestion relief or ylang ylang as an aphrodisiac. Pine or spruce fragrances bring to mind fresh Christmas trees.There’s no end to the combinations you can make by experimenting with exotic custom blends such as patchouli and tangerine.

To make bath salts, purchase Epsom salts at a pharmacy, grocery or warehouse store. Buy quality organic essential oils at a health food store or online.Add about 30 drops of essential oils per 2 cups of bath salts. Stir oils into salt crystals.

Seal the package and allow the oils to permeate the salts.

Repackage your homemade bath salts in glass apothecary jars and attach a small wood or metal scoop. Or put scented salts in zipper-top plastic bags.

To label, use an permanent marker to write on a sticker or a square of contact paper. Or, on the back of a holiday card, list ingredients and write a greeting.

We all know it’s better to give and to receive thoughtful gifts that don’t tax our environment, budget or mental health.

To give a homemade gift is to receive a feeling of joy.

Colleen Smith is the author of “Glass Halo” and “Laid-Back Skier.” She writes from Denver, Colo.

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Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 23

HEALTH Hit the slopes with

Confused About

The Right Gear

CARE REFORM???

Open enrollment has begun By Elise Oberlissen Work with a local Certified Agent to help you through the process.

We’ll help you find an affordable health care policy that works for you!

With the ski and snowboard season already here, make sure you have the right gear.When you pick the right layers and outer wear your time on the slopes is even more enjoyable—even in the chilliest weather conditions. Here are a few picks from locals at Estes Park Mountain Shop.

Nathan Pierce

Certified by Connect for Health Colorado

1724 Topaz/Loveland (970) 278-0790 info@eadvantageins.com www.eadvantageins.com

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SMITH - Youth Sidekick Goggles Features dual lens airflow ventilation and Fog-X anti-fog treatment, hypoallergenic foam, compatible with helmets. Retails for $19.

When shopping for goggles,

don’t leave until you find a pair them on at the store, so make that fit comfortably—and look

sure the lens is wide enough

good.That means no gaps that

to see from any direction.

let fog in and no tight straps

Spherical lens (as opposed to

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flat) generally increase your

Because that’s a headache in

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be obvious when you’re trying

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most of the big goggle brands

them on with a helmet. Opt

have corrected for distortion

for a strap with a sticky back-

which often compromises pe-

ing otherwise goggles slosh

ripheral vision. But it costs ex-

around on top of your helmet.

tra, he adds. Spending between

Trust me—it’s annoying.

$65 to $100 will give your

My ultimate optic pet

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peeve—goggles that impair my looking for goggle euphoria, peripheral vision. It may not

Watch for the announcement of the move to our new home... coming after the holidays!

24 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Watosky says it typically car-

ries a $200 price tag.

It’s worth spending a little extra to see what’s coming at you—especially the out-of-control snowplow screamers.

Another consideration.

Mirrored lens look great, but there’s a tradeoff—they generally lack the UV filtering found in polarized lens. UV lens provide anti-aging benefits that protect you from sun damage while improving your vision when the clouds rolls in.Watosky says amber colored lens are a good all-around color for variable lighting conditions on the slopes.

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.

THE NORTH FACE - Themoball Vest for Men Whether you hit the powder inbounds or out, sporting traditional alpine or touring skis,Watosky saysThermoball insulation knows how to keep a body warm. He says it “mimics down” while standing up to moisture.The problem with regular down, says Watsosky,“when it gets wet, the insulation is compromised.” The North Face rates their product with a 600-fill down warmth equivalency and without worry of waterlog. So don’t cower on those blustery days when MaryJane’s Panoramic Express sways from left to right.Just make sure to layer up with this lightweight vest before riding up the mountain.Sizes range from small to extra,extra large.Also available in hoodie.Vest retails for $149, Hoody, retails for $229. (Also available for women.)

[TNF Blue Pictured]

BULA - Kids’ Reversible Sublimation Gator with Micro Fleece Weather the storm with the little ones when you pack this must-have seamless face gator for those frigid days on the slopes.Wear the stretchy nylon gator with a hat or helmet to add an extra layer of warmth. Little noses and mouths stay dry while it wicks away moisture. Plus, when the sun finally comes out, parents will love how the SPF fabric protects precious little faces from the punishing sun. Comes in a variety of colors. Retails for $12.

BLACK DIAMOND - Dir t Bag, Men’s Glove Guys we know some of you like to make a no-frills fashion statement. Now you can. Black Diamond has created a glove with your type in mind. Constructed like a work glove, Dirt Bag keeps comfort and budget in mind. It provides water resistant protection ideal for ski patrollers and back country enthusiasts alike.The glove is popular among the 20 to 40 something crowd, says Zach Zehr, with Estes Shop Mountain Shop. Retails for $40.

BLACK If waterproof is a must, Zehr suggests its cousin, DIAMOND Dir t Bag “Patrol,” which retails for about $110.

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Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 25

THE NORTH FACE -Women’s Glacier The North Face Women’s Glacier 1/4 Zip makes a great addition to your layering lineup this winter.The PolarTec micro fleece dries quickly while the zipper design allows for venting in case you get too toasty. Best of all it’s soft, snuggly and comes in 17 colors.Watosky says“Miami Orange”is a popular color this year. But nothing says winter quite like the icy color of“Frosty Blue.” Makes a great gift this holiday season whether she hits the slopes or just likes a cozy fleece for chilly weeknights at home. Retails for $55.

KNIX WEAR Ladies, it’s time to revamp your underwear drawer. Instead of the usual cotton bikini or boy short, opt for something with moisture wicking materials.We all know, after a day on the slopes it feels like you’ve been living in your ski or snowboard pants—and it gets a little toasty in there. Knixwear offers a line of underwear for active gals who like to sweat— without feeling drenched. Their “Fresh Fix Technology”is designead to keep you dry,fresh and odor free all day long.The gusset contains a 100% cotton layer sandwiched onto a secondary anti-microbial moisture absorbing layer. Body: 75% nylon, 25% Spandex. Gusset liner: 100% cotton. FitNix Boyshort retails for $34.47.

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

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.

Experts warn of cyber threats during peak online shopping season (BPT) - Consumers often associate holiday shopping with long lines, crowded stores and overpriced goods.

In recent years, many have turned to e-commerce as an easier alternative - holiday shopping without the headache.This year e-commerce sales are projected to reach $262 billion, a 13-percent increase over 2012.

This growth is due, in part, to the rising popularity of online“shopping holidays” like Cyber Monday, which is celebrated annually the Monday after Thanksgiving and accounts for more online sales than any other day of the year. Last year, Cyber Monday sales reached $1.46 billion - a record for online spending in one day.

Hampering celebration of this stress-free alternative to in-store shopping is the rapid growth of cybercrime. Cyber thieves are to blame for $113 billion in consumer financial losses in the last 12 months.

That’s enough money to host the London 2012 Olympics nearly 10 times over.An equally alarming statistic is the

rising average loss per victim, which doubled from 2012 to 2013 to $298.

Despite the aforementioned dangers, many online shoppers are unaware of the risks associated with online shopping and don’t believe they’ll become one of the 556 million annual victims. Fortyeight percent of smartphone and tablet users do not take even the basic precautions such as using passwords, installing security software or backing up files from their mobile devices.

“As the popularity of online shopping continues to skyrocket, so do the opportunities for hackers to steal personal information,” says Bob Bunge, professor in the College of Engineering and Information Sciences at DeVry University and consultant at the William Factory Small Business Incubator in Tacoma, Wash.“Online shoppers need to be aware of the risks associated with e-commerce and take proactive steps to protect themselves.”

Bunge offers the following tips for consumers to protect

themselves from cyber attacks:

Boost password strength: Weak and ineffective passwords enable identity theft.

The first rule of password construction is to go long. Short passwords can be uncovered by high-speed programs built to steal password combinations.

Ditch the debit cards: Debit cards are the least secure option for e-commerce purchases. PayPal and credit cards offer much better consumer protections including dispute resolution and fraud prevention.

Use the most secure network possible: Wired networks are always preferable to wireless.

If a wired network is not an option, make sure to use a secure wireless network that requires an encryption key. Be especially wary of accessing public Wi-Fi services at places like airports and coffee shops.

Don’t store personal finance information: Don’t store credit card details online. Storing any payment information online exponentially increases the probability of a cyber attack.

Shop on reputable sites: Scammers often begin fake URL’s with names of reputable companies to lure consumers in.To avoid accidently clicking on an infected site, look for the SSL certificate and ensure the site starts with https:// and has a padlock icon.

“Cyber Monday is the Super Bowl of online theft,” says Bunge.“While consumers should follow these tips all year long, they should remain extra vigilant during the holidays to avoid the increased risk of falling victim to cybercrime.”

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Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 27

Fit Gift Ideas

for college students

New Balance WW895v2 Superlight walking shoe for women New Balance

By Katie Parsons Of all the lessons learned in college, personal responsibility is likely at the top of most parents’ wish lists for their kids.While most college kids will probably tell you to just slip some cash in their holiday cards, a gift that encourages a fit lifestyle has a little more meaning and can have a positive impact on lifetime wellness.Take a look at some trending health and fitness gifts for college students: Prices from Amazon.com and may vary.

Sound machine The worth of adequate sleep should never be underestimated.The Centers for Disease Control report that individuals who suffer from too little sleep are more likely to suffer from chronic illness, like diabetes and hypertension. Lack of sleep can also lead to forgetfulness and lack of alertness – both obvious hindrances to college learning.While you cannot enforce a college bedtime,you can improve the length and quality of their sleep with some soothing background noise. Go with a basic model like the Conair SU7 Sound Therapy and Relaxation Clock Radio with 10 different sounds ($19). For even more sounds and “patented sleep enhancement technology,” go with the Sound Oasis Natural Sounds Therapy System ($80).

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse

Running shoes A strong workout starts from the feet up.

Running shoes should be replaced every 300 to 400 miles run to prevent injury.The average college student’s budget may not include new shoes as often as they are necessary, though. Give your college student a gift-wrapped reason to keep on running.Bright colors in footwear are trending,like the Reebok Realflex Speed running shoes for men ($50 to $110) and women ($70 to $80).For students that like a lower-impact workout or just want something comfortable for getting around campus, go with a New Balance WW895v2 Superlight walking shoe for women ($41 to $90) or the Scarpa Men’s Mojito walking shoe ($119 to $139).

Home exercise equipment Make it really easy for your college student to work out any time of day (or the wee hours) with in-home workout machines or equipment.If the student has limited or shared space, consider something compact like the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike ($129) that is easy to store when not in use or the Stamina In-Motion elliptical trainer ($99.99) that is only 20 inches by 12 inches. For students with a little more space to spare, check out the highly-ranked Proform 505 CST treadmill ($592) or the Concept2 Model D indoor rowing machine ($900).

Food storage Part of the reason many college students pack on the dreaded “Freshman 15” (and more pounds in consecutive years) is because of poor meal planning.

With the right preparation and food storage options, even college students can make their own meals and have healthy choices ready all the time. For a complete starter set, go with the 17-piece (plus lids) Ikea Foodsaver system with clear containers for ease of identification ($12).For fresh,homemade food on the go, buy the Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless Steel Lunch Jar ($49).

Pedometer All of that walking around campus has to count for something, right? Help your favorite students track their daily stepcount with a pedometer. For a basic version, try the Omron HJ-203 ($20). Some pedometers are now evolving to include all activity for the day and other tracking options.For these extra features and to give the basic pedometer an upgrade,get the Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker ($57).

28 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

Thursday, November 28, 2013

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Cold-weather workout gear Most colleges include cutting-edge workout facilities for students,

Asics Men’s Thermopolis LT Crew Top

free of charge. Still, sometimes hitting the open road or trail on foot can be soothing and a way to get away from the constant social atmosphere of a college campus. In cooler climates, an old pair of shorts and a T-shirt with the school’s mascot won’t cut it. Make sure your student is prepared for cold-weather workouts with the soft, breathable Asics Thermopolis crew top for men ($60) or zip-top for women ($62 to $75). Put your student’s school spirit on display with a Nike Performance Knit Beanie ($17 to $25),personalized with the college logo of your choice. Complete a coldweather workout look with Saucony Ulti-Mitts for men or women ($34 to $45)

Water bottle Along with a healthy diet,exercise and sleep habits, hydration is vital to staying well, especially on germ-ridden college campuses. Pick out a reusable water bottle that fits the personality of the user. If your college student spends a lot of time at the gym or involved in outdoor recreation, go with a Polar Bottle Fade insulated water bottle ($7 to $50). If your student spends more time in his dorm room or at the campus library, go with an AdNArt Tritan Flavor It version ($12 to $15).There are also many versions that now include filtration systems too, like the Brita Soft Squeeze ($17 for a twin pack).

AdNArt BTA711 Tritan Flavor It water bottle

Celebrating 20 Years – Since 1994

Home For The Holidays! days!

Let us help you get ready for hooliday company with everything new for or the the… kitchen, kitchen, la laundry, and mattress too! laundr t o!

Thanks Loveland!

Tyler, Paul, Kevin and Andrew

For voting us #1 in Investments ICA is a team of dedicated professionals with a primary goal of helping make sure your investing experience an extraordinary one.

Call us today for an investment review.

935 N. Cleveland Ave 970-669-9720 Paul 970-613-2185 Andy

300 E 29th Street 970-622-2366 Kevin

All New Kitchen Appliances for the

Holidays

2695 West Eisenhower Blvd 970-622-7408 Tyler

WRS965CIAE WDT910SAYE WFE970H0AE WMH53520AE

Friendly – Knowledgeable – Prompt – Professional – Do It Yourselfer SALES – SERVICE – PARTS

Investment Centers of America, Inc. (ICA), member FINRA/SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor, is not affiliated with Home State Bank. Securities, advisory services and insurance products offered through ICA and affiliated insurance agencies are *not insured by the FDIC or any other Federal Government agency *not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by any bank or their affiliates *subject to risks\including the possible loss of principal amount invested.

132 E. Seventh St. – Downtown Loveland Formerly Penner’s Appliance • 970-669-1357

C Christmas hristmas Begin Beginss

Loveland’s

Helpful ul

Come see this display in our showroom

Largest Selection of Poinsettias P oinsettias iin nL Loveland Lov ove

Place Orchards Shopping Center 29th Street and Highway 287

Orchards Ace Hardware

970.663.2230 www.orchardshardware.com

• Fresh Cut Trees • Garlands & Boughs • Christmas Cactus • Poinsettias • Herbs • Wreaths • Live & Cut Trees • Garden Garden Gift Gifts if s

at

Great G Gifts & Stocking Stuffers

1801 S. Lincoln, Loveland • 669-3577

South of Highway 402, on Highway 287 OPEN DAILY 9:00-5:00 • SUNDAY 11:00-4:00 • www.lovelandgardencenter.com

Thursday, November 28, 2013 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book 29

30 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Holiday Book

Thursday, November 28, 2013

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