Holidays in Western Maine Dec. 11, 2014

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Thursday, December 11, 2014

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western maine holiday

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 11, 2014

Fun with the Elf on the Shelf

By Sharon Bouchard Feature Writer As holiday traditions go, the “Elf on the Shelf" is fairly new, surfacing in 2005, but it is rapidly becoming a favorite tradition across the country and Canada.

For those unfamiliar with the “Elf on the Shelf,” he or she, as the elf can be purchased in either gender, is a magical little pixie who watches the

children in their homes to monitor their behavior, good and bad. The children get to name the elf whatever they choose.

W hen t he ch i ld ren go to sleep, the magical elf goes to the North Pole to report to Santa and returns sometime during the night to a different location in the house from where the children last saw him or her.

in some cases what mischief the elf has gotten into during the night.

“We’ve heard stories about toilet paper being strew n a l l over t he place,” sa id Herrick. “And one particular mischievous elf apparently got into the flour and left elf foot prints all around the house.”

In homes that have adopted a nd na med a n el f it ha s b e c ome a g a me for t he children to hop out of bed and find where the elf has taken up residency. It may be on a shelf or the top of the television. The elf could be attached to the telephone, cl i ng i ng to a c u r t a i n or wrapped around the toilet paper holder. The search for the elf is the most exciting part of elf ownership.

Gi n ny R ic e, a l so of T he C a nd le Pl ac e r em a r ke d, “Parents come in looking for the “Elf on the Shelf” because their children heard about it from their friends and feel left out if they don’t have their own elf.”

The only rule the children have to follow is a difficult one, as they cannot touch the elf because the touch of a child could diminish the elf’s magic. Adults have no effect on the magic. There is however, a plush elf available with some retailers that can be held and cuddled. That elf’s magic comes from the imagination of the child.

Hamlin is no stranger to this t y pe of t rad it ion, hav i ng created a Christmas angel tradition for her daughter when she was little.

According to Lynn Herrick of The Candle Place, Route 26, Oxford, not only do the ch i ld ren look for wa rd to where the elf will end up after his or her North Pole trip, but

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At Books ‘n Things, Main Street, Norway, Toni Hamlin said, “I had one customer whose children insisted that each have their own elf.”

Sharon Bouchard photos

Jason "J.J." Gurney is happy with his elf which he named "Christmas."

“The Christmas angel was attached to the end of my daug hter’s bed,” reca l led Hamlin. “In the morning, t he a ngel wou ld have a note for my daughter. The note might have been a n affirmation about something good that she had done or encouragement if she knew my daughter was struggling.”

Jason “J.J.” Gurney, of South Paris and Milton, recently adopte d h i s ow n el f on t he occasion of his nint h birthday.

Ginny Rice, of the Candle Place, shows an Elf on the Shelf toy.

“I named him Christmas,” said Gurney, “and I’m going to keep a dia r y ever yday of where I find Christmas in t he mor n ing. Last n ig ht, Ch r ist ma s wa s on my headboard, but in the morning I found him in the bathroom. I love everything about Christmas except that I can’t touch him.”

The elf is not only a good incentive for children to try to be more nice than naughty, but for the sleepyheads to get out of bed each morning to see where the elf might be. Will it be in the dog’s bed or attached to a doorknob?

Maybe t he elf w i l l be w rapped a rou nd a cha i r leg or chilling out on t he refrigerator.

For “J.J” and all the other children who have adopted an elf, it is a reminder that w het her t hey have been naughty or nice the elf will repor t to Sa nta each a nd every night.

The elf could be employed year round, but he or she wou ld get pret t y da r n t i red. In most homes he or she show s up a rou nd Thanksgiving and goes away for a long and well-deserved

nap after Christmas Eve. The “Elf on the Shelf” comes with a nicely illustrated book that children can touch all they want. The “Elf on the Shelf” including book retails for $29.99 at most retailers.

W het her you choose t he “Elf on the Shelf” as a new tradition in your home or create something else like t he Christmas angel, it is a gift that keeps on giving year after year and will be passed on from your children to your grandchildren and just possibly to generations beyond.

western maine holiday

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 11, 2014

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Dreaming of a white Christmas? Consider a 'green' one instead Christmas is a holiday full of joy and celebration. It can also be a time of consumption and stress on the environment.

However, holiday shoppers and celebrants can easily reduce their carbon footprint this holiday season.

During a season in which more is often more, it can be a challenge to cut back in an effort to protect the planet. But scaling back gifts, food consumption and travel can be effective ways to go green this holiday season.

Buy fewer gifts. Christmas gifts show others how much they are cared about. Some gifts are given out of necessity. Others are more of a sentimental statement. It's easy to express how much you care without overdoing it. Set a limit on the number of gifts each recipient gets.

Organize a "Secret Santa." An easy way to cut down on gifts purchased is to organize a Secret Santa or holiday grab bag. This means that each participating person only has to purchase one gift.

Be smart about wrapping. Chances are there are plenty of items around the house that can be recycled into gift wrapping for presents. Foil, newspaper, comics, magazines, and even brown mailing paper are all good ideas. For those interested in really going green, skip the wrapping all together.

It's okay to make gifts. Handmade gifts are thoughtful and can be cherished for years. Individuals who know how to knit or crochet can handcraft scarves or hats. Make a photo album with scrapbooking supplies. Individuals who are handy in the

kitchen may want to give baked goods.

Choose batter y-free gifts. Discarded batteries are a plague on the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 40 percent of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. If batteries can't be avoided, choose ones that can be recharged.

Use LED holiday lights. Keeping lights on for hours on end certainly uses a lot of electricity. Limit the drain on energy by selecting lights that have the least impact. LEDs use less power and last longer than traditional bulbs. When possible, consider the use of solar-powered holiday lights. Plus, don't leave the lights on when no one is home or the household has gone to sleep.

Decorate a live tree. Christmas tree farms are in the business of regularly planting and harvesting evergreen trees.

That makes live trees a renewable resource instead of plastic trees made from petroleum. What's more, after the season Christmas trees can be turned into mulch.

Send recycled cards or e-cards. The amount of cards sold in the United States during the holiday season would fill a football field 10 stories high and requires the harvesting of nearly 300,000 trees. Don't send so many cards and choose materials around the house that can be turned into Christmas cards for those that you do send. Also, recycle last year's cards into tags for gifts.

Recycle leftover materials. Chances are large gifts will

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western maine holiday

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 11, 2014

Gifting those who help us throughout the year

Hark! the herald, angels sing Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King!

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Establish a budget.

Holiday gift-giving etiquette can be confusing, especially when it comes to gifting those men and women who aren't necessarily friends or family members, but still help us out in a variety of ways.

The holiday season can be costly, so set a firm limit on what you plan to give, perhaps between $10 and $20 each, and stick to that budget for each recipient.

Recognize that not everyone is allowed to accept gifts.

Deciding how to thank the people who intersect our lives by delivering mail or cleaning the pool can take a little ingenuity. Gifting preferences often vary from region to region.

Some ser v ice prov iders a re not a l lowed to accept ca sh g i f t s or presents. Government employees, for example, may be prohibited from accepting cash gifts or gifts t hat exceed a predetermined amount. With this in mind, gloves or a gift basket may be your best option.

What might be acceptable in a certain area of the country may be frowned upon elsewhere. For exa mple, in urban areas cash gifts are usually appreciated, whereas rural, close-knit communities tend to give homemade gifts.

Gift a little more to personal care professionals.

Your hairstylists, masseuse or anyone who performs more personal tasks for you may warrant a larger gift.

Etiquette suggests giving a gift equal to the price of one session of service, even if that gift is cash. Therefore if your hair cut costs $35, gift $35.

The rule to remember, above all, is that if a gift is given with good intentions, it should be happily received. That being said, here are some general guidelines for gifting those men and women who help us throughout the year.

Determine your list.

Think about the people with whom you interact regularly. The sanitation workers who pick up the trash twice a week and your mail carrier may take priority over the hairstylist you visit once every month or two.

Health and child care employees warrant special treatment.

Gifts to nannies or caregivers can include a cash bonus as well as a gift given from a child to show appreciation for services.

A private nurse, nanny or nursing home worker should be gifted for the holidays. Avoid cash gifts with health service providers, opting for a more personal gift that is a token of your

affection and appreciation. If gifts are not allowed, consider making a charitable donation in the person's name.

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western maine holiday

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 11, 2014

5

Dos and don'ts of holiday shopping

By MetroCreative Thanks to sa les featuring heav ily discounted items, millions of people wait to start their holiday shopping unt i l t he season hits f u l l swing.

But in spite of such bargains, overex tend ing budgets during the holiday season is too tempt ing for ma ny shoppers to resist. However, s hopp e r s ne e d not r i s k financial peril if they shop sm a r t l y a nd he e d s ome dos and don'ts of holiday shopping.

Do set a budget.

E s t a bl i s h w h at y ou c a n afford to spend on gifts and other seasona l trimmings early on. The National Retail Federation estimates t hat the average consumer will spend a round $700 come the holiday season. But not every person needs to be a big spender.

The "buy now, pay later" mentality that credit cards offer lands many shoppers in trouble, a sticky situation many only notice once the first bill comes due. If you cannot afford to pay your entire credit card balance off once the bill arrives, you face steep interest charges t hat ca n qu ick ly add up.

Instead, pick a set spending limit and keep to it no matter how tempting it may seem to overspend with a credit card.

Don't be fooled by false sales.

Retailers understand that a good advertised deal lures shoppers into their stores. As a result, some retailers mark up the cost of certain items

in order to slash the prices for holiday sales.

Even if you are saving the assumed 50 to 60 percent, the final cost of the item still may be higher than normal.

Compa rison shop a nd do your research so you don't fall victim to clever pricing.

Do schedule time for

If you plan on using holiday dea ls to supplement your own wardrobe or household needs, reduce your spending t he rest of t he yea r a nd save money for yea r-end purchases.

Do collect coupons and look for purchasing incentives.

shopping.

Hectic schedules sometimes r e s u lt i n l a s t-m i nut e s h op p i n g t h a t l e a d s t o impulse purchases.

Schedule some distractionfree time for your holiday shopping so you're less likely to rush into purchases before thinking them through.

Don't double buy.

S ome s hopp er s u s e t he holidays as an excuse to buy more for themselves than the people on their lists. While it's tempting to treat yourself come the holiday season, this is a great and quick way to deplete your budget.

Comparison shopping not only helps you get the best price, but also it can shed light on coupons, shipping discounts a nd ot her incent ives t hat lower t he overall cost of products.

Search online for Web sites that publish coupons and codes for online discounts, including free shipping. Join a store's marketing list and receive emails with deals sent directly to your inbox.

Don't allow the stress of holiday shopping to compromise an otherwise joyous time of year.

Ch r ist ma s or Cha nu k a h, when ma ny items ca n be found at even lower prices.

Many stores reduce prices on mercha nd ise come December 26, so you ca n wait until after the holidays to shop for items that will

be exchanged with distant friends and relatives. This enables you to save more money and use any received gift cards toward shopping.

mea ning of t he season is spending time w it h loved ones. Getting swept away by shopping and worrying about dead l i nes c a n ma ke t he season less enjoyable.

*Do keep a level head.

Some people forget the true

Don't be afraid to delay some purchases if need be.

If host i ng a post-hol iday gathering where gifts w ill be exchanged, it's perfectly acceptable to delay buying t hose g i f t s u nt i l a f ter

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western maine holiday

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 11, 2014

DIY decorating that lasts all season long

By Brandpoint As the holidays roll around, it's natural to want to spread good tidings and cheer with festive decorations like wreaths, candy canes and Santa Claus figurines. But this year, instead of digging out the same old holiday decorations, why not create some new looks that will last the entire winter season, even after you put away the gift wrap and ornaments?

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Color works wonders Another easy way to excite the senses during a drab, gray winter is with pops of color. For a decorative display that lasts all season, avoid the red and green color combination associated with Christmas and branch out with more Metallics like silver and gold are also a great way to glitz up the season contemporary choices like teals, blues, purples and pinks.

Metallics like silver and gold are also a great way to glitz up the season without looking like the North Pole in overdrive.

Try Krylon's ColorMaster Metallic in Gold to spice up old ornaments, vases, frames, centerpieces and more in no time at all. Group spray-painted ornaments or pine cones in a hurricane vase or glass bowl and display on the mantel for added ambiance to any living room.

without looking like the North Pole in overdrive.

Deck the halls Looking for a way to display the abundance of holiday cards from friends and family? Repurpose an old window shutter to create a unique display. Start by spray painting it with a festive shade, such as green or burgundy, which adds a touch of holiday spirit.

Once dry, hang the shutter in the kitchen or entryway and place holiday cards in the slats of the shutter for a creative way to stay organized. Once the holidays have passed, you can still use the shutter to display birthday cards, thank you notes, party invitations and more all year long.

Outdoor decor The inside of the home isn't the only space you can be creative. Make a lasting statement before houseguests even step inside your home by focusing decorative attention to the outside.

Line walkways and driveways with lights or faux miniature pine trees, and place white flameless candlesticks on each windowsill to add a simple touch of holiday spirit without going overboard. Prop a vintage snow sled outside the front door to welcome guests.

So, this year instead of the same decorations, consider some fun and easy ways to re-beautify them into pieces that you'll be proud to display throughout the winter season. For more product or project ideas, visit www.krylon.com.

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western maine holiday

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 11, 2014

Save up all year to enjoy a debt-free holiday season

By Metro Creative T he hol iday sea son is s y nony mou s w it h m a ny things, including spending.

Opening a Christmas Club account is one way shoppers exercise some financial savvy during the holiday season.

According to a survey from the American Research Group, the average family spends between $700 and $900 on Christmas gifts in a given year. Roughly 1.5 percent of the family budget is devoted to holiday giving. This doesn't factor in the additional ex penses of food a nd entertaining, as well as travel and miscellaneous holiday necessities. The American Consumer Credit Counci l indicates that the average American carries credit card debt of roughly $8,562, and holiday spending can add to that already heavy burden.

S e t t i n g a s ide f u nd s f or Christmas can help cut down on any additional debt from holiday giving. It helps to budget for the added gifts, decorations and food that make the holidays festive.

Sav i ngs clubs have been offered through banks and ot h e r or g a n i z a t i on s f or decades. It's never too early to establish a Christmas savings account, and most people like to get started right at the beginning of the new year.

A lthough Christmas clubs have traditionally been offered through credit unions and

Using savings clubs to budget for the holidays eliminates high bills come January. savings banks, third-party or ga n i z at ion s, i nclud i ng retailers, also offer these types of sav ings accounts. Such accounts may accrue a small amount of interest, and unlike accounts established w ith banks, the money saved must be spent with the particular retailer holding the account.

The Better Business Bureau advises that Christmas clubs are good ways to budget and help avoid holiday debt. Here are their suggestions when establishing an account.

• Build a budget. Consider how much you spent in the previous holiday season to help determine how much you want to set aside every month.

• Start saving now. The sooner you start setting aside money every month, the better. By setting up a club account in January or February, you'll benefit more from the interest rate and start the year off on the right foot.

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Are cash gifts tacky or ideal?

By MetroCreative

When faced with a gift list a mile long and no idea what to get certain individuals on that list, • Shop around. W hile the many holiday shoppers opt to give cash as a interest rates on these accounts present. Cash gifts are easy, one-size-fits all and are typically not very high, they no one will request a receipt to return a cash gift. can vary, so shop around for the Still, some people are not quite sure if it is best deal. socially acceptable to give a gift of cash. There • R e a d t he f i ne pr i nt . are many pros and cons to giving cash as a gift.

Christmas clubs are essentially Once a person weighs the advantages and the short-term savings accounts, disadvantages to giving cold hard cash as a but there are a few details gift, then he or she can decide if cash is an ideal that make them different. present or one that's best avoided.

In some cases, there might be a m i n i mu m requ i red Advantages deposit to open the account or a minimum amount you One of the advantages to giving cash is it must deposit every month. eliminates waste. Unlike gifts that will never be In addition, there is often used and simply take up space, cash will be used a f i n a n c i a l p e n a lt y f or sooner or later. How often have you received a withdrawing the funds before sweater you won't wear or a trinket you won't the holiday shopping season use? arrives.

Sometimes people return these gifts, but very • Automate the process. Many often they get relegated to a pile of belongings Ch r ist ma s club accou nt s that will end up in the garbage or stashed in the allow for monthly automatic back of a closet. Cash eliminates this waste by deductions of the amount giving a person the opportunity to buy exactly of money you deter m i ne what he or she wants. from your bank account or paycheck. This helps lessen the Cash gifts may be ideal for older people to give pinch. Just make sure that you because they have limited mobility and cannot don't set aside so much that you get out to the store to shop for presents. And run the risk of overdrawing on grandparents unaware of the latest trends can give cash in a card and instruct grandchildren to your accounts. purchase something they like.

Christmas clubs can be yet another financing tool that Some people overextend themselves during the individuals use to help offset holiday season, and a cash gift can soften the the additional expenses of the blow of holiday spending. Cash is very portable, which can make it easier for those who travel holiday season. for the holidays to avoid shipping costs or extra baggage fees to take gifts on airlines.

Once a person weighs the advantages and the disadvantages to giving cold hard cash as a gift, then he or she can decide if cash is an ideal present or one that's best avoided.

People are inundated with a lot of stuff already, and a cash gift might be just what the doctor ordered.

Disadvantages Cash gifts may be considered impersonal and lacking in creativity. It does not take much effort to stash a dollar amount inside of an envelope and present it, so gift recipients may question their relationships with gift givers who give cash.

For many people, the excitement of the holidays has a lot to do with seeing a giant pile of gifts

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western maine holiday

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 11, 2014

Traditions:

Time for a new one?

By Ann Bare Feature Writer W hen is it time to move beyond tradition?

For a while you and your spouse enjoyed the Christmas holidays at your parents-first at one set of in-laws, then the other -- usua lly both on Christmas Day. It didn’t matter that the two of you

were loading up gifts and rushing from one house to another. The important issue was to spend equal time at both homes-and not offend either set of parents. (Pity those poor young couples who had divorced or separated parents and had four different homes beckoning, sometimes demanding, their attendance.)

the day became even more complicated. The gifts and paraphernalia to transport increased, but the size of the vehicle didn’t. In-law demands and expectations didn’t shift, but happy attitudes certainly did. What was once a lookforward-to experience became a d re ade d, ha s sle-f i l le d expedition.

Then came the baby, then the babies -- and celebrating

When time and emotions are stretched beyond the breaking

point, something (or someone) has to give. Maybe what has to give is the understanding of “tradition.”

Memor ies of hav i ng t he family together and each opening “just-what-I-wanted” presents is a Rock wellian concept t hat most savor -- or at least dream of. But who act ua l ly remembers what gifts were exchanged?

Aren’t the warm memories usually of feelings-stability, appreciation, consideration, encouragement, gratitude, love? Remember when you gave me t hat huge g ray s we ater, a nd I c ou ld n’t sincerely say thank you? I felt awkward and you knew it. You quickly told me that you just picked up the first sweater you saw and hoped I’d return it for the one I wanted. You really understood. Thanks.?

The question then becomes, is creating a positive memory a better tradition to establish than having a family assembly on a specific day? Is watching your children excitedly play with their new toys of more lasting value than getting your green bean casserole to Mom and Dad’s house on time?

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waiting to be unwrapped.

Gifting cash removes that excitement of presents under the tree.

A lt hou g h it e m s c a n b e pu rcha se d later on, t he immediate gratification of tearing through boxes and bags simply is not there.

Some people find it awkward to receive cash because the value of the gift is right there in black and white. It puts both people on the spot and may create some uncomfortable moments if the value of a cash gift does not match up to what the cash recipient spent on the

As you plan your holiday celebration, keep the tradition of warm memories and feel-good activities. your family’s schedule? When the stress of meeting others’ expectations is taking a toll on your personal sanity, it’s time to reconsider what is rea l ly impor ta nt in your life. When you face the facts that everyone is not always going to be happy with your decisions and pleasing others is an unattainable goal, you are finally ready to decide what is best for you and your family.

Have at it. Pick a day when you can celebrate with your extended family and enjoy that day. It may be a day or two before (or after) Christmas.

Whichever day you choose, remember the positive events of that day. Create your own new traditions with activities

cash giver.

When gifting standard gifts, many people are unaware of what the other spent and if the item was purchased on a discount. If you gift with cash, there is no hiding the value.

Another disadvantage is if a person gives cash and receives cash in return. Do the two gifts cancel each other out? What if the amounts are different?

Dealing in cash alone can be awkward. There are ways to make giving cash a little more acceptable. If you get creative when handing over the money, this may take away from the fact that cash does not make a very dramatic gift.

• Try pairing the cash with a wallet or purse to make the

that you can annually enjoy with your children and your children’s children.

Caution: When your children want to take off with some of their own traditions many years from now, remember how freeing it was when you left the have-tos and ought-tos imposed by your family.

As you plan your holiday celebration, keep the tradition of warm memories and feelgood activities. Look at the pictures of people who were genuinely appreciative and get t i ng a long w it h each other. And enjoy those days (not just one particular day) when Christmas was truly celebrated.

presentation a little more interesting.

• Send the recipient on a scavenger hunt for the money, writing clues and hiding them around the house.

• Create a money tree or wreath that displays the cash in an interesting way.

• Fold bills into bows or tape together to make wrapping paper for a small token gift.

• For children, roll up bills and put it into a crayon box or pencil case.

• Fill up a large box with a lot of filler and hide the cash inside of a smaller box tucked inside.