Escape, November 21, 2013

the Gift guide

ESCAPE smile. EXPLORE. relax. / nov. 21 / weekend

8 Giving pg.

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Holiday

TREATS

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ESCAPE contents Nov. 21

photo: evin morrison

4 weekend planner 4 tips and tricks: oNline shopping 6 Holiday no-no’s 7 The Girl, the gay and the cynic 8 Give differently this year 9 Greek Row: Family christmas 9 Column: Cool down, everyone 10 College student holiday hacks 11 Black Friday isn’t all that easy 12 Get to mixin’ 13 Hit gifts for the season 14 Cds for the right person 15 The Grumpy couch potato

contributors

We all like to pretend that gift giving is easy, but let’s get real. There is nothing more stressful then trying to find the absolute perfect gift for all those people on your list.

So whether you are a Black Friday bargain hunter (pg. 11) or you wait until the last minute (that’s me), we have you covered.

With a guide to online shopping (pg. 4) and an editor’s wish list (pg. 13) to help you pick out the perfect gifts, this holiday season will be a breeze.

So hunker down with a steaming glass of cocoa and read on. Maybe you will be inspired to give in a different way (pg. 8).

Just make sure you read pg. 6; believe me, you don’t want to make one of these holiday mistakes. Happy Holidays! evin morrison, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @EVINelizabeth

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things to do this 1.

weekend what: Thunder watch party when: 6 p.m. Tonight where: Will roger’s food court

Yell and cheer and tell the refs everything they’re doing wrong.

Then take a break and get some Crossroads. Don’t forget to wear your blue and yellow!

2.

what: “Ride along” when: 7:30 p.m. Friday where: Meacham Auditorium

Ice Cube is back on the big screen. This action comedy will definitely have you chuckling. You’ll probably be quoting it all the way home.

3.

what: “Coram boy” when: Friday - Sunday where: Rupel j. Jones Theatre

Orphans who go on an epic journey together. This is one production that you will not want to miss.

4.

what: Hornsemble when: 3 p.m. Sunday where: Sharp concert hall

Head over to the artsy side of campus for a lovely horn ensemble. This concert is free and open to the public, so why not go?

5.

what: Gymnastics when: 2 p.m. Sunday where: McCasland Field house

Flips, tricks, muscles, muscles and muscles. This is the men’s gymnastics first event of the season, so go check out what they’ve got in store.

Online shopping made easy

Online shopping is king in the gift-giving season. Why wander into overcrowded shops in search of one item that may or may not be in stock when you can stay in the comfort of your pajamas and purchase your gifts virtually? This holiday season, I challenge you to become an expert online shopper — this means not buying the first deluxe spatula you see listed on Amazon.com and instead strategically purchasing that item. Let these four tips guide you in your online shopping ventures.

Miranda Sanchez | words

Watch Discount Find Shipping Websites Discounts If you haven’t perused Fatwallet.com or Slickdeals. net, you’re missing out.

These two websites feature numerous deals from around the Internet. In addition to listing sale items and special offers, both websites also have coupons, regional offers, Black Friday listings and forums. The hidden treasure for both of these websites is the forums.

For what the general website overlooks, the forums usually cover, like an offer for a free sample of Seattle’s Best Coffee on the company’s Facebook page. From time to time, forum members will also give away special coupon codes they receive from subscriptions as well.

Shipping is a sneaky rascal.

You might find an item on Amazon’s Buying Choices for $.69, but end up paying around $10.00 because of shipping. Thankfully, most large retailers will offer discounts on shipping when your order adds up to a certain amount. For those of you who are doing the bulk of your holiday shopping online, try your best to order all your items from one place to keep shipping costs at a minimum.

Maybe one of your items is a dollar or two more on this site than on others, but keep in mind that you’ll be save those few dollars in shipping costs.

Compare Prices

Use Pinterest

Unless you hate the potential of saving money, make sure you are constantly comparing prices of whatever item you’re hunting for.

Although Amazon.com, Walmart, Target and other large retailer’s websites should be your bread and butter, be open to looking at smaller websites. Google’s “shopping” tab is a great tool that allows users to see a product’s listing from a variety of online shops. In addition, it has a number of helpful filters – such as price, seller and brand – for you to narrow your search.

Pinterest is good for much more than finding recipes, planning a wedding or craft guides. It can be an incredibly handy tool for bookmarking and organizing potential gifts and finding new ones you may not have considered. First and foremost, use Pinterest to organize your online shopping. If you are just getting started on Pinterest, you can create boards for specific people on your list and a board for gift ideas. If you already have a Pinterest account and you want to keep your findings from your followers, you can create up to three secret boards that no one else can see unless you invite them to the board.

To find other gifts, follow your friends and family to see what they’re pinning.

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1. Stay out of the eggnog So you don’t have to stay totally out of the eggnog or away from the drinks at your holiday party. Just be aware of how much you choose to consume. Those karaoke videos will haunt you forever. If your grandma spikes the eggnog like mine, it might be best to only have one helping. Alcohol makes you lose your inhibitions and the karaoke machine might start to look like a great idea.

No drunken rendition of “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” or “Jingle Bells” has ever sounded good.

Holiday

Don’ts

Evin Morrison | words and photos

We have all seen that asshole that makes a complete fool of himself during the holidays — maybe you have even been that person. For the love of everything good in this world, please try not to be that person this year. It is best to just avoid these situations, and then you won’t even have to deal with shame of all of those terrible Facebook photos that you’ve been tagged in.

Really, follow these easy rules. It’s not only a favor to yourself but also to everyone around you.

2. Gingerbread houses are decorative Unless specifically asked to eat that gingerbread mansion, stick to the other delectable treats. There is nothing worse than eating someone’s hard work. (Those things are a bitch to make.) Plus, if the builder is anything like me, she gave up on the icing and stuck it together using hot glue. A mouth full of hardened plastic will definitely be a surprise; hopefully, the gummy bear residents can overpower the glue taste. Yum. 3. forget that new recipe Pinterest is blowing up with holiday treats.

They won’t turn out like the picture. Stick with the easy recipes that you know, like the ones on page 10.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for trying out new recipes, but if you are taking something to someone else’s home, stick with your old go-to.

That way, there won’t be any disgusted faces when they bite into that new cake that you just haaaaad to make.

If you are an expert in the kitchen, disregard this tip.

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4. Yes, that outfit is too fancy The tacky sweater trend has taken off, so skip the tight-fitting dress or button-up shirt.

Everyone who is anyone has an awful holiday sweater stashed away for after Thanksgiving.

Yes, you have to wait until after the turkey (unless you are celebrating Hanukkah; then you get to wear it and eat at the same time).

The first holiday party you get invited to, bust that bad boy out and take in that thrift store smell of old moth balls or make your own.

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5. Soap is not a present I know, I know. You were just walking around the mall and happened to smell the most wonderful soap ever. A lightbulb went off, and before you knew it, you were checking out and handing over your cash. This story ends with a confused person opening a bar of soap and wondering, “Do I smell bad?” There will be a quick rush to the restroom to freshen up, and that bar of soap will go to live in a drawer forever. Unless it is on someone’s wish list, just don’t.

6. Don’t go looking for numbers It is the season of giving, but that doesn’t mean getting someone to give you their number is going to be any easier. Don’t go to holiday functions expecting to come out with some hot thing on your arm — man candy and sexy ladies alike.

Just enjoy the party. If it happens, good for you! Just don’t become that clingy person trying to force conversation with all the good looking people in the room. They know exactly what you’re trying to do.

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satirical relationship advice

the girl

the gay

I want to get the perfect gift for my significant other, but I have no idea what that is. Any ideas?

First of all, never ever ask, “What do you want?” It is a complete waste of time because the answer will almost always be, “I don’t know.” If you are really unlucky, you will get the inevitable, “We don’t have to exchange gifts.”

This is a trap; don’t fall for it!

Gentlemen shoppers: go for the sappiest gift you can come up with. Seriously, if you get her to cry (happy tears), you have done a good job. If she starts bawling, you better yell, “Just kidding” and rush to the nearest store to try again.

For the ladies: your guy probably won’t care as much as you think he does. He just wants a gift to know that you care. Find something that he really likes and pick out a cool gadget for it. That way he knows that you pay attention to his hobbies, but it is also something that he will use. There is nothing worse then getting a gift that sits in a drawer forever.

I want to get the perfect gift for my significant other, but I have no idea what that is. Any ideas?

Do something that they would never, ever expect.

Something big and romantic that will beat the present the super hot ex came up with last year.

Good gifts are all about the surprise. Don’t ask for a list or a clue of what they want — you have to do this all on your own.

Step 1: Make dinner. Honey, if you can’t cook, don’t try. It will ruin the whole evening. Just make reservations at a fancy restaurant. Wine and a white tablecloth are a must. Plan to wear sexy underwear.

Step 2: Go back to your place, which is already decorated like a winter wonderland, and present the best present they have ever received. (I can’t tell you what that is. I don’t know you — this is just the whole package.)

Step 3: Light the candles, turn off the lights and prepare to do some unwrapping of your own. I told you cute underwear was necessary.

My significant other wants a gift that I can’t afford. What do you think I should do?

Hahaha, sucks for you! OK, so I’m kidding … kind of.

Really though, if your other half had the balls to tell you exactly what they want you to give them, anything else is going to be disappointing. To be honest, it sounds like you have a selfish partner, but that’s your own damn fault because you chose to date in the first place. Start saving your pennies because it looks like this holiday season is going to come in over budget. A good choice is to look online for the same item at discounted rates. Maybe you will be able to find something more in your budget. I really doubt anyone is worth breaking the bank for — it is only a college relationship, after all.

Maybe not getting that overpriced gift will result in tears and a fight. That way you will have a clean break to go spend New Year’s Eve with a totally different honey — not to mention a little extra cash in your bank account.

My significant other wants a gift that I can’t afford. What do you think I should do?

Tell that bitch just how crazy they are. There is no need to beat around the bush. If they want some extravagant gift, they can sign up to be a Sugar Baby. (I have considered it myself.)

You have a whole list of gifts to buy for your entire family. Your new fling doesn’t need a gift from you. You are the gift. If that isn’t enough then jump on Grindr — or Blendr — and find a new person to meet under the mistletoe.

If you actually like this person and still can’t afford the gift, figure out a way to get them something that has meaning. Maybe their sentimental side will win over the gold-digging side, and you will still have someone to cuddle after the gift exchange.

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the cynic

I want to get the perfect gift for my significant other, but I have no idea what that is. Any ideas?

Unlike your woman, I’ll let you down gently — nothing you ever do, especially gifting, will be perfect enough to please her. Women are all fickle, unpredictable creatures.

They act one way one minute, and the next they are crying because you screwed up.

Don’t believe me? Just wait until she tells you *all* about that perfect gift, the one that “she just has to have.”

Then she gives you the fake smile and dead eyes when she opens it. Just wait. It will happen. Don’t you dare let her make you feel like a dick.

So don’t waste your time trying to be romantic and making a grand gesture because it will be a gigantic waste. Just buy her some fake jewelry, maybe a perfume box from the discount store and save your dollars to buy something nice for yourself. We all know you were going to do it anyway.

My significant other wants a gift that I can’t afford. What do you think I should do?

Well, if she knows you can’t afford it but she’s asking anyway, it can mean two things: 1. She’s got her head so far up her ass she doesn’t know the difference between you and Bill Gates (in which case, dump her and move on to the next one.)

2. She knows you can’t afford it and resents you for not having wads of cash to blow on her (in which case, dump her and move on to the next one.)

Sense a pattern?

Whether you have the money or not, don’t blow it on some college bimbo. She has daddy for that, and you probably have a few girls to buy gifts for anyways.

Go find a nice sweater at the Old Navy and buy them each one in different colors. Maybe if you do it on Black Friday, you can get them all for the price of one. If only women worked like that.

Greek Row

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9 Becca Slaughter and Samantha Waddell I words

provided

It’s almost finals week, and you are beginning to count down to winter break … we can almost guarantee you haven’t even thought about what you are going to get your family and friends for the holidays. Don’t you worry. We’ve got you covered with some inexpensive ideas that you can do with your friends or significant other.

The art of

Giving Evin Morrison I words

There is nothing that compares to the rush of giving someone the perfect gift. The way their face lights up and, if you’re lucky, the little gasp of excitement they let out when they tear off the last piece of paper is a feeling that just makes you feel warm all over.

So why save that feeling for your family and close friends? There are so many ways to give that don’t require glittery paper and store-bought bows.

Take the ESCAPE challenge and try to give back in at least two creative ways over these next two months. We are talking about really giving, not just dropping your loose change in one of those Salvation Army buckets (but you should definitely do that, too).

There are so many creative ways that you can give back to the community. They don’t all have to be ways to help a greater cause. All you have to do is make someone smile this season.

Helping our four-legged pals Our pets are such a huge part in our lives, but there are so many that don’t have homes. In Norman alone, there are multiple places that look after abandoned animals like Second Chance and Friends of the Animals of Norman. Go out to their locations and donate your time. Whether it be walking the dogs or playing with the cats, you will definitely feel your heart grow.

So many of these animals are put down because there isn’t space in the facilities. If you want to give in two ways, go volunteer and adopt a pet. You won’t regret having a furry friend around and knowing that you saved a life.

Giving the things you don’t need Spend your Thanksgiving in a It is getting cold outside and there are soup kitchen people out there who can’t afford a coat.

Most of us own more coats, sweatshirts and long-sleeved shirts than we can wear in a week. Go through your closet and pick out the ones you won’t wear. This goes for jeans, pants, T-shirts, everything that doesn’t fit.

(That freshman fifteen actually can turn into something good.) Take it to the Oklahoma Women’s Shelter or a shelter near where you live. If you are able to buy a few new things to take, that would be amazing. Packages of socks are always need and so are baby clothes.

While you are shopping, just pick up a few of each and take them down to the people who need them. Your family can even adopt a family in need!

How many turkeys and how many spoonfuls of stuffing have you consumed in your lifetime? See! It won’t be that big of a deal if you have to push back your dinner a few hours. Set the DVR to record the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and prepare yourself for the inevitable wearing of a hairnet. Don’t think that this is easy work. You will be on your feet all day, but it will be so worth it when someone says, “Thank you” and really means it. The people that come to get dinner will be so happy. You are going to have a hard time leaving because you won’t want to stop serving. Don’t worry — you can go back on Christmas.

Shopping Locally So this might not be the first thing you think of when you consider what you can do to help this holiday season, but with the rise in online shopping, local retailers are really struggling. Put that credit card back in your wallet and step away from the computer screen. Go out into the crisp fall air and shop until you drop. Not only will you be helping the local economy, but you’ll be finding gifts that are so much more unique then all the mass-produced stuff on the Internet. Campus Corner and Main Street are full of locally owned shops for you to explore.

1. Chickasha Festival of Light

2. Present Exchange

This is an event you don’t want to miss and a must-do before you leave the University of Oklahoma. This free event is a 43-acre park full of lights. You can drive through the park or you can walk it.

There are thousands of lights that create walkways, animated arts and so much more. If you are looking for a fun, easygoing night full of Christmas cheer, this is the place to be. And don’t forget the hot chocolate, too.

When you have a big group of friends, buying everyone a gift can get rather expensive. Try doing an exchange where each friend buys one good gift (one that you would actually want) to exchange, so each friend gets one good gift in return.

Everyone gets something they can actually use. It is so much better than getting that gift that we smile, say thank you and throw in the trash the next day or rewrap it for the next event on our list…

4. Dirty Santa

3. Potluck Who doesn’t love sharing their favorite things with the people they love? Oprah does it every year, so why can’t you? The potluck is a festive gathering where you bring your favorite wine and/or Pinterest recipe to a big tacky party with your friends. This is great because you can go as cheap or as expensive as you like, and there are plenty of food and drink options for everyone.

We aren’t talking about DIRTY DIRTY Santa but the type of party where you get to steal people’s gifts and be a little selfish during the season of giving. Luckily for you, there is usually a price limit on these sort of get-togethers, and keep in mind that everyone loves a 7-Eleven gift card.

Well, Scrooge You hen did Christmas — no, wait, I mean holiday — no, let’s just stick with gift — shopping get to be so controversial? Gift shopping seems like the most benign of activities.

But there’s a war on gift shopping, I tell you, or maybe a war while gift shopping. I no longer hear the peaceful, dulcet tones of middle-aged women shanking each other for a $5 waffle iron on Black Friday. No, those women are resorting to verbally abusing each other for having the temerity to wish each other a happy holiday season. The humanity!

Quite frankly, I feel left out during this time of goodwill toward all. I’m too even-keeled to get bent out of shape about niceties and political correctness, and that’s just no fun. I want to be angry, too! That’s why I’ve put together this little guide for you. By following these simple steps, you, too, can become a selfrighteous gift shopper.

w

Allow someone to wish you a merry Christmas.

Scenario: you’re in Walmart paying for your 27 packages of ornaments, your plastic yard statue of Santa and your light-up nativity scene. The cashier, observing these hallmarks of Dec. 25, wishes you a merry Christmas.

This is the most offensive thing anyone could possibly do to anyone ever in the history of life. Maybe you’re celebrating Kwanzaa or Hanukkah or Winter Solstice. That cashier doesn’t know your life. It doesn’t matter that you’re clearly buying things to celebrate the Christian tradition of Christmas. That means nothing. If someone wishes you a merry Christmas, run. They are clearly Christian elitist fundamentalists who are here to take December over by shoving their Messiah down your throat.

Remember, it doesn’t matter if you yourself are a Christian elitist fundamentalist. It doesn’t matter if you are, in fact, celebrating Christmas. The fact of the matter is that this evil cashier is imposing a limited majority version of the holiday season on you, and that cannot stand. Rebuke this cashier publicly, loudly and immediately. Be sure you hold up the line of cranky shoppers waiting behind you.

only enabling their liberal agenda. Make a scene, and if you’re really committed to the cause, ask to see their long-form birth certificate.

That’s it.

That’s all you have to do. You might think to yourself, “Kate, you’re clearly a classy, awesome broad. Aren’t there so many other ways to get angry?” You’re right. First of all, I am awesome. Thank you for recognizing that.

Secondly, there are many other ways to get angry.

You could be enraged that Hallmark changed the lyrics to “Deck The Halls” from ‘gay apparel’ to ‘fun apparel’ (homophobes!), or you could wait for them to fail to change the lyrics and get mad about that (gay agenda!).

Other, more advanced things to get angry about include Salvation Army bell ringers (discriminatory or charitable? You be the judge), universities having non-denominational “tree lighting ceremonies” (looking at you, President Boren) and, my personal favorite, Hulu playing that commercial for the Christmas pageant in Missouri over and over and over (not offensive, just annoying).

But why? Don’t go to all that effort. These two greetings can provide all the offensive conversation you could possibly need. No matter what someone says to you, you can and should freak out and scream at them. They’re not innocent seasonal workers, kindly grandparents, small children or overworked government employees trying to make small talk and be polite. Nope. They’re horrible, blood-sucking drains on our society, and you should treat them as such.

“

Allow someone to wish you happy holidays.

Happy holidays?! What is this, Soviet Russia?

No. This is America, God’s country. Our founding fathers didn’t flee England and those other, lessimportant countries so that we could have religious liberty, and they didn’t put that line about religious freedom in the First Amendment so that holidays other than Christmas could be celebrated in December.

Wishing someone happy holidays is the most offensive thing anyone could possibly do to anyone ever in the history of life. I promise. People who wish other people happy holidays are God-hating communist bastards who probably also engage in such immoral behavior as listening to NPR. They should not be trusted.

Now, this is the test for my fellow reasonable human beings.

You might be tempted to politely explain to your well-wisher that you actually celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas or Kwanzaa or whatever you do, and you might kindly tell them that it’s alright by you if they wish you a merry/happy specific holiday.

Flee from this instinct. By reasoning with these people, you are

Kate McPherson | COLUMN

I feel left out during this time of goodwill toward all.

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Holiday Hacks:

College Gift Giving

It is that time of the year again. You have scheduled all of your holiday party commitments, but you didn’t realize just how literal the word commitment is in this situation. Each party has announced that it will be spiced up by a fun game of secret Santa. You now have to get four presents for people you only kind of know. Don’t panic — this is a pretty common scenario, so hopefully this article will give you some ideas on how to come out on top.

Kidoodles Toy Zone Kidoodles describes itself on its website as

“a locally owned specialty toy store that strives to carry quality and unique toys and games that will delight children of all ages.” Throughout my time as a student in Norman, I have found that I definitely fall into the category of “children of all ages.” Located on Main Street by Cellar Wine and Spirits and Sprouts, Kidoodles shares its store with Copelin’s, an office supply store.

Kidoodles is my go-to secret Santa shopping location for two reasons: 1. They have really fun toys.

2. They wrap the presents for you.

Both of these are important when trying to find a present for someone, but for me, not having to wrap the presents saves me hours of frustration that result in my friends receiving something that resembles a pile of scrunched up newspaper.

Kidoodles allows you to find an amazing present that will differentiate you from the half of your friends who just give Starbucks gift cards.

patrick McSweeney | words Evin morrison | photo

Re-gifting Relax I have always been a big proponent of the philosophy No matter how bad your gift is, you need to

that it is the thought that counts. With this belief in mind, I see no problem with re-gifting that ugly sweater your grandma gave you three years ago. Secret Santa is about making memories, and sometimes, it is these gifts that will accomplish this the best. If you are struggling to find a gift, look through your room, kitchen and even the back of your car. You will be amazed at what you might find, and the backstory behind it will make it better than the $5 notebook you received at the party.

We live in a very green-oriented age, so don’t look at it as re-gifting. Instead, let’s call it recycling.

remember there is always next year. Don’t feel pressured to get something sentimental, as no one is expecting this. There are three approaches to secret Santa: 1. Funny- Get them something that will make them laugh. It doesn’t need to be something they could use often or even something they would want. Play off of inside jokes, and you should have no problem finding a decent gift.

2. Stationery- I am not one of them, but apparently, there are some people who want gifts they can actually use. Pens, notebooks and sticky notes are simple options to satisfy these people.

It may not create a lasting memory of that night, but it will be something they will appreciate in months to come.

3. Gift Card- If you truly can’t find something, then I give you permission to be “that guy.”

I have already referenced this kind of person, and that is the one who simply gives a Starbucks gift card. As unoriginal as this approach is, getting a gift card can definitely be useful.

No one will hate you for this, but don’t expect to impress anyone.

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The joy of

Black Friday A

h yes, the true most wonderful time of the year. A holiday isn’t a holiday unless it is followed by the scourge of human dignity. Quit worrying about enjoying time with the family you only get to see on holidays, and get out there to hunt for a 2-percent-off flat-screen television so you’re never tempted to pay attention to each other ever again.

Here’s a short list of the No. 1, A+, super-fabulous benefits of Black Friday shopping (obviously not exhaustive of all the day’s wonders): Time with Family It’s really best to cut family time as short as possible.

Sure, you’re in college and might only get to see them a few times a year, but goodness glaciers — isn’t that just so overwhelming? Check out immediately after the free meal is over and immediately begin shopping. It’s now possible with so many stores opening on the actual holiday.

50% off

Hillary Mclain | words

Relaxing Standing in line for hours on end is a great way to relax on this break from work responsibilities. As long as everyone wears Sketchers Shape-Ups, it’s totally worth it. All the activities — running, shoving and trampling — can help work out the bum to look exceptional in cute Christmas dresses. The retail employees are also able to get some quality, relaxing work time in as well. There’s nothing quite like a line of 50 grouchy people when you’ve already been at work for eight hours.

Great deals Wowza. What a great day for shopping. Instead of using these discounts to purchase gifts for whatever winter holiday you celebrate, this is the perfect opportunity to buy yourself luxury electronics, clothes, toys and household items … whatever. Every single store has to have some type of deal, or else they won’t meet their corporate goal, right? I know when I think of the holiday season, my mind is centered on 10 percent off a pair of pants.

Make Friends Speaking on standing in lines for hours, take this as a chance to make some great new pals with similar interests.

Oh, you like Walmart and wearing jackets in the cold? Me too! Let’s get brunch and exchange Christmas cards for the next three decades. The more specialty stores shopped at, the more likely to find an extra special new buddy, guaranteed to have at least one thing in common.

Mental Stimulation Figuring out how much money is being saved with all these delightful discounts is a brain exercise, just like Sudoku or crossword puzzles. Spend money to save money: That’s how to get the most of the Black Friday. If you don’t go for broke, you won’t be saving any money. Bring a little calculator to channel the little Einstein inside. The night before, make a map or game plan for maximum efficiency.

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12

Can you take

the heat? words | Kate McPherson

When it comes to the holidays, it’s all about food. From family dinners to inventive desserts and other sweet treats, holiday goodies are everywhere. Put your own spin on winter with these recipes.

Monkey Bread

This super-easy sweetened bread makes a perfect, low-effort Christmas breakfast.

1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, if desired 1/2 cup raisins, if desired 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Shortening or cooking spray Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a bundt pan with cooking spray. In a large plastic food bag, mix sugar and cinnamon. Separate dough into 16 biscuits, cutting each into quarters. Shake in bag to coat.

Arrange in pan, adding walnuts and raisins among the biscuit pieces.

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and butter; pour over biscuit pieces.

Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool for 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate, and pull apart to serve.

Serve warm.

Potato Latkes

Wassail

2 cups of raw potatoes 1 onion 2 beaten eggs 3 tablespoons of flour 1 teaspoon of salt 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of pepper Cooking spray

2 tablespoons whole cloves 2 three-inch cinnamon sticks 4 quarts apple cider 2 quarts cranapple juice 92 ounces pineapple juice 24 ounces frozen orange juice, thawed 12 ounces frozen lemonade, thawed 2 cups and 4 tablespoons water 1 1/3 cups brown sugar 1 cup sugar Cheesecloth and string

Hanukkah starts at sundown on Nov. 27 this year, so you’ve got all Thanksgiving (Hanu-giving? Thanksgiv-ukkah?) break to perfect this traditional recipe.

Mix potatoes with remaining ingredients, blend thoroughly. Drop by tablespoons into a hot, well-greased skillet or griddle, turning once to brown on both sides.

Makes six servings.

Wassail is a delicious cider-based drink that originated in England. It was traditionally served as people went caroling or as a way to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

Tie cloves/cinnamon in cheesecloth. Add to other ingredients. Boil and then simmer 30 minutes uncovered.

Remove bag of spices and serve warm.

Tell me What

13

you want Evin MOrrison | words and photos

Nespresso If you are flush with cash, this gift will blow everyone’s minds.

It puts the Keurig to shame and makes the most amazing coffee, espresso and lattes, if you want to get really fancy. $299 at Crate and Barrel

Photo book Facebook won’t be around forever. Print out one of your friend’s albums and put them in a book. Urban Outfitters has really cute ones. $14 - $28 at Urban Outfitters Maddie On Things If you have a friend who loves animals, photography or coffee table books, then this is the perfect gift up them.

Check out Maddie’s owner’s instagram @thiswildidea $12.32 on Amazon

Corkscrew We all have a wino friend, who probably needs a cute corkscrew.

There are so many options on the Internet, you can find one to fit anyone’s interests. $9.95 on FunSlurp.com

Flask I bet you thought this was a camera. Wrong!

Every college student needs a flask. The more inconspicuous, the better. $24 at Urban Outfitters

Fin Fi nd d yo our ou ur p pe erfe rfect rf ec e ct

Apartment!

Coventry Cove 5400 North Harvey Ave. Oklahoma City, OK.73118 405.842.0712

Avalon Apartments 2920 S. Chautauqua Ave. Norman, OK. 73072 405.579.0158

Beaumont Crossing 900 23rd St. SE Norman, OK.73071 405.364.9071

14

holiday tracks 4 albums for your friends

Tegan Burkhard | words

It may seem old-fashioned to buy someone a CD, but have you ever tried to wrap up a digital version? It is really difficult to do! So head on down to the record store — or Target — and peruse all those shiny plastic cases. Music is, however, a very difficult gift to buy unless you know what the person likes. Make sure you don’t goof up because returning a CD can be a tricky process.

For your hipster pals:

For your frenemy:

For your leading lady:

For your bros:

Lindsey Stirling Lindsey Stirling It’s not often you stumble across a dubstep-classical violin lovechild. It’s the rarity of this phenomenon that will appeal to all your hipster friends.

They may resent the popularity of Stirling’s “Crystallize” music video and the fact that she won the first-ever YouTube Awards best video response title for her “Radioactive” cover with Pentatonix. But they’ll forgive you if you buy them the exclusive re-release from Target. Besides, let’s be real. No mainstream music fan is gonna make it through 17 instrumental tracks.

Purchase for $9.99 at Target with Bonus Tracks

Avril Lavigne Avril Lavigne Sometimes you love her. Sometimes you hate her. Since this applies to both your frenemy and Avril Lavigne, why not put two and two together for the perfect Christmas gift? She’ll love you forever when Avril’s “Bad Girl” rock duet with Marilyn Manson comes on.

But once she finishes fantasizing about that bad boy in her gen ed class, she’s gonna hear “Hello Kitty.” Just feign ignorance when she complains about the squealy, dubstep-infused track that makes her ears bleed.

Purchase for $12.99 at Target with Bonus Tracks

One Direction Midnight Memories It’s common knowledge that One Direction makes all the girls drool.

But if you want that special someone to drool over you instead, get her the deluxe version of “Midnight Memories.” It’s full of poppy love songs it wouldn’t hurt to memorize and serenade her with. Just don’t forget she’d rather have Harry Styles than you, so when she says she wants to see the boys in concert, you’d better go. Otherwise, she may never come back.

Purchase the deluxe verison for $19.98 on Amazon.com

Childish Gambino Because the Internet What man doesn’t love solid beats, easy rhymes, oh, and explicit lyrics?

The bro in your life probably wishes he were as cool as comedian-turnedhip-hop-artist Donald Glover. So, why not help him channel his inner cool dude by giving him a soundtrack of clever and humorous lyrics to rap along to? Glover promises 19 tracks, including “Sweatpants” and “Death

by Numbers.” The lyrics haven’t even been released yet, and the tracks already sound just like your bro.

Purchase for $11.88 on Amazon.com

15

“The Delivery Man”

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ”

The

Grumpy

couch Potato Jacob Oller | COLUMN

Jennifer Lawrence reprises her role as Katniss in the second entry to yet another young-adult-novel-series-turned-film-series.

Now that she has an Oscar under her belt, maybe people can take her more seriously?

I never saw Harry Potter or that girl from “Twilight” win an Academy Award. The soundtrack seems to be stacked with indie goodness, and the director has gone on record saying that they’re going to reduce how shaky the camera was since the first film, so I’m actually kind of pumped – a sentiment which in no way reduces my manliness.

In theaters tomorrow

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” The temperature is falling, and that icy Oklahoma wind is starting to blow. You have no excuse not to sit and watch movies on the big screen the rest of the winter. Take a date to see these movies or go by yourself this season.

I mean, what else do you have to do. Finals?

Haha, that’s funny.

The second in the Hobbit trilogy, this entry looks to continue delighting audiences with the sheer amount of dwarves on-screen and will CGI everything CGI-able. The big selling point of this film though, is the reveal of the big baddie of the series: the dragon Smaug. Voiced by the ubiquitous and ridiculously named Brit, Benedict Cumberbatch, Smaug will bring some much need darkness to the otherwise frivolous Lord of the Rings relative.

In theaters Dec. 13

A Thankful Gift WINE

VODKA

BEER

TEQUILA

WHISKEY

RUM

• 1215 E LINDSEY • 21 TO ENTER • 405.573.1977 •

Vince Vaughn has one last shot to be an actor studios can trust to star in a film after pretty much every movie he’s been in for the past decade has sucked. Luckily, he’s gotten a pretty original premise (what if, because of a mix-up at the sperm bank, I had like a million kids?) and a supporting cast featuring Chris Pratt from NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” and Ben Bailey who was the host of Discovery’s “Cash Cab.” If you can screw up a movie with the guy from “Cash Cab,” then I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.

In theaters tomorrow

“Her” This is gunning for an Oscar. A smart, almost experimental sci-fi romance film, “Her” is about a lonely writer (Joaquin Phoenix) that falls in love with a female-voiced superSiri (Scarlett Johansson).

Expect a tour de force performance from Phoenix, a stellar piece of film from director Spike Jonze and a heartstring-tugger that features one of Hollywood’s strangest romantic premises. High hopes.

In theaters Dec. 18

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DAY SALE the shopping season starts early this year

LAPTOPS and DESKTOPS priced to sell. These items are first come, first served, and they will go quickly!

iMacs

iPad $100 Off last generation iPads $50 Off last generation iPad Minis Buy an iPad and get a case 50% off

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