Thrifty Nickel Christmas Gift Guide 2015

2015 Christmas Gift Guide LOOK INSIDE FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS

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THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2015

DEC. 3, - DEC. 9, 2015

Print with

PEARS

Here's a fun stamping technique for sprucing up an unwrapped box.

You can also use it to make your own gift wrap out of a flattened brown grocery bag. All you need is acrylic paint, a paper plate, a pear that's not too ripe and a paper towel.

Spread some paint on the paper plate. (The shade shown here was created by mixing green, white and yellow paints.) Use an unserrated knife to slice the pear vertically into halves (a parent's job) so that the stem remains attached to one half. Blot dry the cut surfaces with a paper towel.

Press a pear half cut-side down into the paint and then onto the box or paper. (You may want to practice on scrap paper or newspaper first.)

Repeat to create a pattern or a random design. Or try experimenting with different colors. Let the paint dry completely before attaching a ribbon or a gift tag.

DOGGIE BARK Help your child make a special treat for that other member of the family, plus any other dogs in her life. (We hear that reindeer are also partial to this bark!) Be sure to use carob chips -- chocolate is harmful to canines.

INGREDIENTS 4 cups carob chips 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts or chopped walnuts 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a bowl, melt the carob chips in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir them with a wooden spoon, then microwave for 30 seconds more.

2. Stir in the peanut butter and microwave for another 15 seconds. Stir the ingredients again to combine.

3. Add the nuts and the cinnamon, then stir the mixture to coat the nuts.

4. Line an edged cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the mixture onto the foil and chill it for 15 minutes in the freezer or 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

5. Remove the bark and break it into roughly 1- by 2-inch pieces. Store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Makes about 70 pieces.

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A SWEET TREAT TO MAKE YOUR SEASON BRIGHT (NAPSI)-Cookies have always been a sweet way to celebrate the holidays, and learning more about this holiday tradition can be a tasty idea.

Many of today's favorite Christmas cookies have been handed down from medieval European recipes. Dutch and German settlers brought cookie cutters, decorative molds and holiday decorations with them when they came to America. In fact, the word "cookie" comes from the Dutch word "koekje," meaning "small cake."

Every culture that brought cookies to America brought their favorite Christmas cookies, whether they were German gingerbread, spicy ginger cookies from Sweden or Italian sprinkle cookies.

A variety of holiday traditions center around cookies, such as leaving a plate of cookies for Santa or baking cookies together with family and using them to decorate the tree.

Some families bake their own cookies and institute a cookie swap. Others like to give them as gifts. Cookies are standard fare for tree-trimming parties or holiday visits or to enjoy with some hot cider or chocolate when wrapping gifts.

No time to bake? No problem. Tasty traditional favorites can be found in your grocery store. For example, Archway® Holiday Cookies are crafted into unique shapes full of holiday flavor, and many are finished with an extra-special touch of sugar crystals or topped with a light glaze of icing.

This year Archway offers seven seasonal varieties: • Bells and Stars A classic sugar cookie baked crisp in holiday shapes and topped with red and green sprinkles.

• Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Tender, sweetened coconut flavored with cocoa, formed into delicate cookies and baked to soft perfection.

• Iced Gingerbread Man A classic gingerbread cookie lightly glazed with icing and topped with red and green sprinkles.

• Cashew Nougat A shortbread cookie richly flavored with finely chopped cashews, rolled into nuggets and carefully baked for a dense, crisp bite.

• Gingerbread Man A favorite holiday tradition with a perfect combination of ginger and spices baked into crispy gingerbread man shapes.

• Pfeffernusse A German-inspired holiday favorite with molasses, raisin paste and flavorful spices combined into a perfectly round, soft cookie tossed in confectioners' sugar.

• Wedding Cake A melt-in-your-mouth cookie with a base of shortbread and nuts, rolled into small cookies and coated with confectioners' sugar.

Cookies are a great way to add to holiday happiness whether you give them, serve them or sample them yourself.

HELPFUL ELF (NAPSI)-This holiday season, families are celebrating by adding affordable and fun new traditions to the ones they've always held dear. Try these ideas: • Take a tour of neighborhood Christmas lights.

• Try a new recipe at your holiday dinner.

• Give to a different or--even better--additional charity.

You could also invite an adorable elf into your home to help Santa keep an eye on things. "The Elf on the Shelf" includes a charming book and an 8-inch pixie elf that perches somewhere in your home to watch over children's behavior. As the story goes, the elf flies to the North Pole to report to Santa each night and then returns to a different vantage point from which to view the next day's activities. Children can have great fun discovering the elf's new resting spot each morning.

There are also two "Plushee Pal" versions of the pixie elf that children can play with all year long, helping the tradition last past the season.

More information, games and stories can be found at www.elfontheshelf.com.

DEC. 3, - DEC. 9, 2015 NOV. 27 - DEC. 4, 2013

THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2015 THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2013

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Got someone on your list that is hard to buy for? Stuff their stocking with a gift certificate from one of these retailers!

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THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2015

Reindeer Gift Bag Total Time Needed: 1 Hour This friendly bag is the perfect way to send some one a special gift.

Materials Paper bag Glue Card stock Pencil Scissors Pom-pom

Instructions 1. Reindeer Gift Bag - Step 1 Print the Reindeer Gift Bag template. (We used 8 1/2-inch-tall bags here, but you can alter the parts for larger bags, if necessary.) Use a pencil to mark a brown paper bag as shown, then cut along the solid lines to create a rounded top and 2 separate teardrop ear shapes.

2. Fold the bag along the dotted line, then glue an antler (cut from brown card stock) and an ear inside the fold on each side of the bag.

3. For the eyes, glue 2 small white paper circles to 2 black circles, use a marker to add dots for pupils, then glue them to the bag.

4. Glue on a red pom-pom for a nose. Let all of the glue dry before placing a small gift inside.

DEC. 3, - DEC. 9, 2015

DEC. 3, - DEC. 9, 2015

FROSTED HOLIDAY SUGAR COOKIES Decorating cookies is such a fun family project. Turn on some holiday music, turn off the TV and spread the sprinkles, candies and sugars out for this fun event.

INGREDIENTS 3-3/4 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup butter or margarine, softened (not melted!)

1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract COOKING INSTRUCTIONS 1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.

2. Beat butter or margarine, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy.

Gradually add flour mixture and stir with wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed. Cover dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for two hours.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out circles with a cookie cutter or other round object, such as a glass or round plastic container. Place circles 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake for 6-8 minutes, checking after 6 minutes.

Cookies will be done when edges are lightly browned.

Do not allow cookies to get too brown. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes. Remove from cookies sheets to aluminum foil on a flat surface and allow to cool completely.

5. What You Do 6. Bake your favorite sugar cookie recipe (try Amanda’s Sugar Cookies, above), or purchase a package from the store.

THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2015 7. Using a butter knife, spread white frosting on top of each cookie.

8. Let children decorate the cookies with sprinkles, sugar, and candies.

9. To make holly berry cookies, place two red candies or jelly beans toward the top of the cookie and draw on leaves with green decorator gel.

10. For sugar stars, trees and other shapes, gently place a miniature cookie cutter on top of the cookie after it’s frosted. Carefully sprinkle a small amount of sugar into the cookie cutter with your fingers, being careful not to let the sugar fall outside. Gently remove cookie cutter.

11. You can completely cover a cookie with decorative sugar by holding the frosted cookie upside down and dipping the frosted end into the sugar to coat.

12. Use red decorator gel to write “Ho Ho Ho!” on your cookies.

13. A snowman can be made from candies and fruit roll ups. Cut a strip of fruit roll up, about 1⁄2 thick, and twist it into a rope. Place the fruit roll up around the top of the cookie as ear muffs and add jelly beans for the muffs themselves. Decorate face with colored candies.

14. Use cherry raisins to form the petals of a poinsettia.

Place a colored candy in the center.

HELPFUL HINTS - Prepare your table before putting the cookies out.

Place all the sugars, candies and other decorating items in a row buffet style.

- Be sure you have all the ingredients and decorations you will need before heading to the store. The fewer trips the better!

- You can use just about any type of flat cookie for this project. Peanut butter, chocolate chip, shortbread, whatever your favorites are. We recommend soft cookies over hard since the frosting is soft.

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TWELVE TIPS FOR DECORATING A CHRISTMAS TREE Sometimes decorating a christmas tree can seem so complicated that you feel like singing "Uh oh christmas tree" rather than "Oh christmas tree". Whether you are decorating a natural evergreen or an artificial tree here are some tips for making the entire experience a little less disorganized.

1. I know this article is supposed to be about decorating a christmas tree but let's start first with removing the decorations. Think back to last year. Did you just strip everything off the tree and throw it in a box? Are your christmas tree lights all gnarled up into a snarl? Are the limbs of your artificial prelit christmas trees actually stuffed inside your golf bag? This is how you end up with a bad case of Uh oh christmas tree. I am sure you have heard of that old saying "as it begins, so it ends and so it begins again." This applies to decorating a christmas tree as well. This year, you are going to swear to pack up everything in an organized way so that you don't waste time sorting through damaged ornaments and piles of old tinsel.

2. Whether or not your tree looks really good might be dependent on what kind of tree you choose. Believe it or not there are some species of trees that are easier to decorate than others. Pine is the type of evergreen tree that is voted most likely to lose its needles and turn into a version of the pathetic Charlie Brown Christmas tree. The best types of trees when it comes to holding ornaments are firs and spruces. This is because their branches are the sturdiest. Of course if you are decorating an artificial prelit tree than this tip is really not much use to you.

3. If you are decorating a christmas tree that is real make sure it is fresh. You can tell if a tree is fresh or not by bending the branches. If the branches bend a bit that means it is full of moisture and more likely to support a christmas decoration. If it snaps, don't buy it. It is too dry to support decorations and likely to spill its needles all over your floor too.

4. If you are buying a natural tree, remember to put the Christmas mat below it before you put it on the stand. Some christmas tree skirts and mats come with a slit in the center and buttons or Velcro fastens others. Make sure you note what kind you have before you t the tree on the stand as you can't slip a christmas tree skirt over the tree's head like a person would a sweater.

5. When decorating a christmas tree make sure that you unsnarl the lights before you try to drape them around the tree. It is also safest to make sure all the bulbs are working before you try to do this too.

There is a tiny chance that if you try to change burned out christmas bulbs while they are on the tree that a spark could ignite the tree and turn it into a christmas candle.

6. You may have heard that decorating a christmas tree with electric lightbulbs is much safer than decorating them the old fashioned way with candles. This is true as long as you obey one cardinal rule: don't rest a bulb directly against the branches of the tree. Like the old fashioned candles, hot christmas bulbs can heat up needles and catch fire. This is especially true if you shopped for a christmas tree at the last minute and ended up with a dry tree. The absolutely safest trees to buy are prelit artificial christmas trees as some of them have automatic shut-down features if they get too hot.

7. If you have lots of pets and children running around during the holiday season an artificial prelit tree might be safer than a natural one with bulbs strung around it. There is less risk of tiny fingers pulling bulbs down or getting electrocuted. There is also less danger of pets and children swallowing the needles that are shed from natural trees.

8. Decorating christmas trees is ultimately all about proportion. When hanging decorations put the largest sized decorations at the bottom and the smallest one at the top. The effect is just more pleasing to the eye.

9. When decorating a christmas tree it is best not to throw clumps of tinsel at the tree as if they were handfuls of spaghetti. The most attractive effect is achieved by hanging clumps of tinsel just at the very edges of each branch. Think a bit about how real icicles look when they are hanging from real trees.

10. Do choose a theme for your tree. Choosing a theme and sticking with it gives you the most fashionable looking tree. You can choose a color theme - sticking to gold, silver and red or pink and gold only (which looks great on a white prelit artificial tree) or you can style the tree after traditions such as the German style tree (decorated mostly with food), the Victorian style tree (decorated with tiny detailed ornaments and lots of angels) or the Country style tree (decorated with glass balls, wooden ornaments and plenty of flocking to simulate snow.)

11. When decorating a christmas tree remember to make it uniquely yours by adding heirlooms that have been passed down from generation to generation. Another nice touch is Christmas cards or cookies and candies that you have made in your own kitchen. This gives your xmas tree a unique personal touch.

12. Whether you are decorating a natural or prelit artificial tree remember that less is always more. Otherwise the tree could look very cluttered is is not just the general rule of thumb of christmas tree decorating. It is a golden rule that applies to all interior decorating.

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THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2015

APPLE-GLAZED ROAST TURKEY Apple-glazed turkey is a snap to make and a delight to eat. A sweet glaze with a touch of heat, that takes just a minute to make, is brushed on the turkey just before it's removed from the oven.

Ingredients 1-12 pound turkey 1⁄2 cup apple jelly 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄4-1⁄2 teaspoon ground red pepper 1⁄2 teaspoon salt Cooking Instructions 1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Remove giblets and neck from cavity. Place giblets and neck (not the liver) in the roasting pan. Place rack in pan and put turkey on rack.

2. Roast turkey until the skin is browned, about 21⁄2 -3 hours. Tent turkey with aluminum foil. Continue to roast until temperature in thickest part of thigh is 175 degrees F., about 1⁄2 hour more.

3. In a small pot, melt apple jelly. Stir in cinnamon and pepper to mix. Brush turkey with apple glaze and broil 4 inches from heating element about 3 minutes, until browned and bubbly.

4. Remove turkey from oven, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest 30 minutes before carving.

Preparation Time:10 minutes Cooking Time:3 - 3 1/2 hours Ready In: 3 hours and 40 minutes to 4 hours and 10 minutesServings: 12

Make Beaded Candy Cane Ornaments Decorate your Christmas tree with beaded candy canes made by your child. This simple but rewarding activity teaches your child an AB pattern which is taught in kindergarten and essential for learning number patterns. Her fine motor skills will get some good practice as well. Make enough for relatives and friends or attach them to holiday gifts!

What You Need: * Red and white beads with big holes * Red, white, or metallic pipe cleaners What You Do: 1. Twist a “knot” at the end of a pipe cleaner.

2. Ask your child what colors are on a candy cane. Tell her she will make a red and white bead pattern on the pipe cleaner. Red, white, red, white…

3. Have her stack red and white beads on the pipe cleaner. If it helps, repeat the pattern with her as she stacks. Say "red" as she adds a red bead and "white" as she stacks a white one.

4. When finished, twist the end again so the beads stay on. Ask the artist to bend the pipe cleaner to form a candy cane shape.

5. Hang it on your tree! Your child can make as many as she'd like to add to the tree or give as gifts.

For extra practice, ask her to count the beads on one of the candy canes or to count the candy canes on the tree. After all this hard work, share a real candy cane with your child!

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CROWN PORK ROAST with Apple-Cranberry Stuffing and Port Sauce This is an easy-to-make impressive main (trust us--it's simpler to make than it looks!) that’s perfect for any holiday gathering.

Ingredients Stuffing: 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 onions, chopped 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1 14- to16-ounce package of cornbread stuffing mix 1 cup pecans, chopped 3 apples (such as braeburn), cored, not peeled and chopped 1/2-cup fresh cranberries, chopped Crown Roast: 1 12 to16 rib crown pork roast 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Sauce: 1 cup chicken broth 1/4-cup port 1 tablespoon butter

Cooking Instructions Stuffing: 1. In large skillet over medium heat heat oil until shimmers. Add onions and cook about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until translucent. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, pepper, and allspice to combine.

2. In large bowl combine onions, stuffing mix pecans, apples, and cranberries.

Pork Roast: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle roast inside and out with salt and pepper. Add stuffing to inside cavity; do not pack it.

2. Cook for about 2 hours 20 minutes, or until a thermometer in the thickest part of the meat registers 155 degrees. Remove from oven and cover with aluminum foil. Let rest at least 15 minutes.

Sauce: 1. Place roasting pan over medium heat; add broth and port. Bring mixture to a boil, scraping up bits on the bottom of the pan. Reduce liquid by about half. Add butter and swirl to combine.

Make-Ahead Stuffing can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. It should come to room temperature before stuffing the roast.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time:About 2 hours 30 minutes plus resting time Ready In: About 3 hours 15 minutes

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THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2015

CHRISTMAS TREE SAUSAGE WRAPS Prep time15 mins Cook time10 mins Total time 25 mins Sausage wraps are a delicious and simple to make savory appetizer. Stacking them as a Christmas Tree makes a perfect dish for a holiday party!

Appetizer Serves: 24-30 Ingredients 16 oz Roll of Pork Sausage 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese 12 oz Cream Cheese 4 oz. Can of Diced Green Chilies 15 oz Spinach Wraps - Pack of 6 1 Red Pepper 1 Yellow Pepper Instructions Cook the sausage in pan and let cool.

Mix together the cheddar, cream cheese, green chilies and sausage.

Spread mixture onto a wrap and roll it up.

After all wraps are made, put them in the refrigerator to cool. This makes them easier to cut.

Cut the wraps into 1" pieces.

Stack on a plate to make a Christmas Tree Cut shapes from peppers to decorate the tree.

Notes: Store wraps overnight in refrigerator.

Rinse sausage with cold water to speed up the cooling process.

DEC. 3, - DEC. 9, 2015

GOLDEN SANTA BREAD RECIPE TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + rising Bake: 25 min. + cooling MAKES: 16-18 servings Ingredients 4 to 4-1/2 cups bread flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup butter, cubed 2 eggs 2 raisins 2 egg yolks 2 to 3 drops red food coloring Directions In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat milk, water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Beat in eggs until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.

Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into two portions, one slightly larger than the other.

Shape the larger portion into an elongated triangle with rounded corners for Santa's head and hat.

Divide the smaller portion in half. Shape and flatten one half into a beard. Using scissors or a pizza cutter, cut into strips to within 1 in. of top. Position on Santa's face; twist and curl strips if desired.

Use the remaining dough for the mustache, nose, hat pom-pom and brim. Shape a portion of dough into a mustache; flatten and cut the ends into small strips with scissors. Place above beard. Place a small ball above mustache for nose. Fold tip of hat over and add another ball for pom-pom. Roll out a narrow piece of dough to create a hat brim; position under hat.

With a scissors, cut two slits for eyes; insert raisins into slits. In separate small bowls, beat egg each yolk. Add red food coloring to one yolk; carefully brush over hat, nose and cheeks. Brush plain yolk over remaining dough.

Cover loosely with foil. Bake 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-12 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 1 loaf.

Christmas Gift Guide 2015 Trivia Contest Play to Win $20 HOLIDAY CASH!

HERE’S HOW TO WIN: Simply fill in the answers on the Name ___________________________ trivia contest entry form. Answers Address _________________________ can be found in the Christmas Gift Guide inserted in this week’s Thrifty City/State/Zip _____________________ Nickel. Mail or drop off at your friendly THRIFTY NICKEL at 999 N. Phone __________________________ Congress Ave., Evansville, IN 47715. Deadline is Tuesday, Rules: Must Be 18 years of age and older to play. December 15, 2015. Winner will be Employees and relatives of Thrifty Nickel are not announced in the December 17, eligible. One entry per person.

2015 issue of the THRIFTY NICKEL. 1. Who has beer baskets available? ___________________________________________ 2. Where can you get a Man Cave? ____________________________________________ 3. Where can you get 25% Off Jewelry? ________________________________________ 4. Who has wholesale prices? _________________________________________________ 5. Who has successfully served the area since 1952? ____________________________ 6. Where can you receive 25% off a chain? _____________________________________ 7. Who is having a ugly Christmas sweater party? _______________________________ 8. Who has been in business for 60 years on the square in Boonville? ______________ 9. What business is located on 1201 E. Riverside Drive? _________________________ 10. Where can you pick up Mexican Lasagna? __________________________________ 11. What business ad features a howling wolf? __________________________________ 12. What address will you find pre-owned wheel chairs for as low as $800? _________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 13. What business features a Palm Tree in their logo? ____________________________ 14. What ad has a Christmas tree made of presents? ____________________________ 15. Where is El Charro located? _______________________________________________ 16. What business has the same ownership new image? _________________________ 17. Where can you find Friday Night Bowl Your Head Off special for $7.95/person? __ ___________________________________________________________________________ 18. What place has the # 877-586-8839? _______________________________________ 19. Where can you find a RTV 400 Camo Side x side for $8,299? __________________

DEC. 3, - DEC. 9, 2015

THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2015

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