2012 Christmas Gift Guide LOOK INSIDE FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS GET THEM WHAT THEY REALLY WANT THIS YEAR! PLAY THE TRIVIA CONTEST ON PAGE 8 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN $20
PAGE 2
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
MAKING THE HOLIDAYS FUN, FABULOUS AND FRUGAL Most American consumers are taking a financial hit wherever they go, especially at the gas pump. As a result, cutting corners and costs is a way of life right now for many folks. Yet, life can't wait for inflation to go down or paychecks to go up. The good news is that you don't need a lot of money to have fun, you just need a little bit of creativity. Kim Danger, savings expert and mother of two, has teamed up with Uniroyal to showcase her latest free eBook. "Halloween Tricks & Holiday Tips" features the best tips to make the holidays more fun with less stress. For example: Have a thrifty Thanksgiving. You may be resistant to cutting costs for a turkey day feast, but you can cut corners when it comes to decorating. Bringing the outdoors in and making the most of what you already have can make your home beautiful on a budget. • Go on a nature walk with your kids and collect items such as colored leaves, acorns and pine--cones that can be arranged on your tabletops inside. Baskets, glass bowls and vases are inexpensive ways to display your treasures. • Harvest corn, gourds and squash look lovely by your front door. Roadside stands and farmers' markets often have the best prices. • Fresh cranberries look terrific in glass vases and bowls, either by themselves or with flowers or candles. Before you know it, the most wonderful time of the year will be here. Unfortunately, the stress of the holiday season can turn anyone into a grinch. No need to stress, as presents can be perfect even when penny pinching is necessary.
• Brownie/Cookie Jars -- Use a Mason jar and just add the dry ingredients for baked goodies. Add a recipe card and wooden spoon and voila! A great gift at a good price. • Homemade Play Dough Set -- A simple recipe using ingredients already found in your cupboard, mixed with red, blue, green or yellow dyes, or even some glitter, makes a great present for the little ones on your list. • Family Recipe Book -- Preserve and share well-loved family recipes. Your printer, scanner and a looseleaf binder or photo album are all you need. So if you're ready to get in the holiday spirit, just log on to www.uniroyal.com. Danger's eBook and more are available for download at www.uniroyal.com/moremileageforyourmoney. A free eBook offers a number of ways to cut costs while still making the most of the holiday season and celebrations.
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
PAGE 3
PAGE 4
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
DECORATING IDEAS SURE TO MAKE YOUR SEASON SPARKLE ’Tis the season to spread good cheer and welcome guests with open arms and a house filled with holiday spirit. And while we may be spending less on decorations and gifts this year, there’s no reason to cut down on your holiday decor or limit your gift list. It’s easy to freshen up older holiday decorations and give gifts that come from the heart. Here are a few ideas to help kick-start your holiday inspirations from the experts at Rust-Oleum: • Refresh outdated decorations. This year’s Christmas color trends include brighter hues of green and red. Spruce up older decorations with colors such as Key Lime, Apple Red, Colonial Red or Hunter Green. Browse through your favorite holiday catalog for inspiration and save money by painting older decorations with Rust-Oleum paints.
• Create ornaments with your holiday memories. Turn small, inexpensive frames into ornaments. Paint them with RustOleum Universal Titanium Silver, insert a photo and attach a ribbon to hang them from your tree or garland. Or give them as gifts. • Spread holiday cheer with homemade gifts. Find hundreds of great ideas for personalized gifts on PaintIdeas.com. From projects like customized art easels to decorative votive holders to accessories for the home, PaintIdeas.com shares project ideas from professional designers and people just like you. • Don’t forget cookies and Christmas cheer. Update a wicker basket or the outside of a metal cookie tin with a coat of paint,
fill with homemade cookies and add the perfect finishing touch with a bow. Then bring your entire family to deliver the homemade gift to family members, neighbors and friends. They’re sure to be happily surprised by such a thoughtful gift. The best holiday memories are of time spent with family and friends. Years from now, your kids will remember the time spent with you making gifts, baking cookies and just filling the house with holiday cheer. Visit paintideas.com for inspiration and to share your own project ideas. It’s easy to freshen up older holiday decorations and give gifts that come from the heart.
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
Got someone on your list that is hard to buy for? Stuff their stocking with a gift certificate from one of these retailers!
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
Smoked Bone In & Boneless Hams Just In Time For The Holidays!
CREAMY SHRIMP AND BROCCOLI ROTINI Makes: 4 (1 1/3-cup) servings INGREDIENTS 6 oz. (2 cups) uncooked rotini (spiral pasta) 2 cups small broccoli florets 8 oz. frozen ready-to-cook medium shrimp, thawed, tails removed 1 (6.5-oz.) container (about 1 cup) light garlic and herbs soft spreadable cheese 2 tablespoons milk 1/2 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS 1. In large saucepan, cook rotini as directed on package, adding broccoli and shrimp during last 2 to 4 minutes of cooking time. Cook until broccoli is tender and shrimp turn pink. Drain; return to saucepan. 2. Add cheese, milk and salt to cooked rotini, broccoli and shrimp; toss gently to coat.
PAGE 7
Restaurant-Quality Maple Oatmeal Scones INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup dried cherries, 1 egg 3/4 cup buttermilk 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/8 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup white sugar 2 tablespoons real maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon maple flavored extract 3/4 cup unsalted butter 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon white sugar DIRECTIONS 1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a heavy duty baking sheet with parchment paper. To prepare fruit, cover with boiling water and let stand 5 minutes. Drain and dry with paper toweling. 2 In a two cup measure, stir together the egg, buttermilk and vanilla, maple syrup and maple extract. 3 In a food processor bowl, place the flour, oatmeal, corn starch, baking powder, soda, salt and sugar. Process briefly to blend ingredients. Drop in chunks of butter and pulse to cut in. Stop when you have a coarse, grainy mixture. Alternately you can do this by had with a pastry blender or two knives. 4 Remove mixture to a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center. Stir in buttermilk/egg mixture. Blend in dried cherries. Stir with a fork to make a soft dough. 5 Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead only to get a slightly cohesive dough. Divide the dough into 3 equal size pieces. Pat each piece into an 8 to 10 inch circle, 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cut each circle into eight wedges. Place on baking sheet. Paint tops with beaten egg white and garnish with about 1 teaspoon of the sugar. 6 Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.
PAGE 8
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
Perfect Pumpkin Pie PREP TIME 15 Min COOK TIME 55 Min READY IN 1 Hr 10 Min Original recipe yield 1 - 9 inch pie INGREDIENTS 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin 1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust DIRECTIONS 1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes. 2 Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
Christmas Gift Guide 2012 Trivia Contest Play to Win $20 HOLIDAY CASH!
HERE’S HOW TO WIN: Simply fill in the answers on the trivia Name ________________________________ contest entry form. Answers can be found in the Christmas Gift Guide inserted in this Address ______________________________ week’s Thrifty Nickel. Mail or drop off at City/State/Zip __________________________ your friendly THRIFTY NICKEL at 1301 E. Morgan Ave., Evansville, IN 47711. Phone _______________________________ Deadline is Tuesday, December 11, 2012. Rules: Must Be 18 years of age and older to play. Employees and Winner will be announced in the December relatives of Thrifty Nickel are not eligible. One entry per person. 13, 2012 issue of the THRIFTY NICKEL. 1. Where is the best place to try this restaurant’s new flavored margaritas? _____________________________ 2. What business is located just before the twin bridges on your right? _________________________________ 3. What business is quickly becoming known as Evansville’s AMP headquarters? _________________________ 4. What company was voted best Mexican restaurant for 9 years? ____________________________________ 5. When you purchase from this company, you can get up to a $500 Visa Gift Card? _______________________ 6. Where can you buy record albums for $1.00? ___________________________________________________ 7. What business can be found on 1327 N. Fares Avenue? ___________________________________________ 8. Where can you find some of the best Christmas gift ideas from $10 and up? ___________________________
Fresh Pear Pie
9. Where can you find catfish, shrimp and hotwings all at wholesale prices? ____________________________
INGREDIENTS 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie 1/2 cup white sugar 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon lemon zest 5 cups peeled and sliced pears 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon lemon juice
11. What business is on N. Green River Rd. next to Schnuck’s? _______________________________________
DIRECTIONS 1 Combine sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, and lemon rind in mixing bowl. 2 Arrange pears in layers in a 9 inch pastry lined pan, sprinkling sugar mixture over each layer. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Roll out remaining dough; cut slits for escape of steam. Moisten rim of bottom crust. Place top crust over filling. Fold edge under bottom crust, pressing to seal. Flute edge. 3 Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes.
19. Who is a one stop shop: gifts for the whole family? _____________________________________________
10. Who has $6.00 lunch specials? _____________________________________________________________ 12. Where can you get $3.00 off a $15 or more purchase? __________________________________________ 13. What can you buy for $159.95 and where? ____________________________________________________ 14. Who has 812-423-4376 for a phone number? __________________________________________________ 15. Who has been successfully serving the area since 1952? ________________________________________ 16. Who is located on Franklin and 10th? ________________________________________________________ 17. Find the train ___________________________________________________________________________ 18. Who has daily drink specials? ______________________________________________________________ 20. Who has layaway now for Christmas? ________________________________________________________ 21. Who has quality and value? _______________________________________________________________ 22. Where can you find hand painted ornaments? _________________________________________________ 23. Whose phone number is 1-866-225-4820? ____________________________________________________ 24. Who is located 1 mile north of Tri-State Speedway? _____________________________________________ 25. Who has great gifts for someone you love? ___________________________________________________
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
Spinach Dip Crescent Wreath
Grilled Fresh Vegetable Pizza
INGREDIENTS Wreath 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations™ refrigerated flaky dough sheet Topping 1 box (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen chopped spinach 3/4 cup light sour cream 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise 2 tablespoons fat-free (skim) milk 1 tablespoon chopped green onion (1 medium) 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed Garnishes 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (2 medium) 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley Green bell pepper, cut into holly leaves Small cherry tomatoes DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 375°F. Turn 10-oz custard cup upside down on center of ungreased large cookie sheet. 2. Remove dough from one can, keeping dough in one piece; do not unroll. With hands, roll dough to 12-inch log. Cut log into 20 slices. Arrange 16 slices, slightly overlapping, around custard cup. 3. Repeat with second can of dough, cutting log into 20 slices. Arrange remaining 24 slices, slightly overlapping each other, next to but not overlapping first ring. Remove custard cup from center. 4. Bake 13 to 16 minutes or until light golden brown. Gently loosen wreath from cookie sheet, and carefully slide onto cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. 5. Meanwhile, cook spinach as directed on package; cool and squeeze to drain. 6. In medium bowl, stir sour cream, mayonnaise and milk until well mixed. Add spinach and remaining topping ingredients; mix well. Cover; refrigerate until serving time. 7. Place cooled wreath on serving tray. Spread wreath with spinach topping. Sprinkle with red bell pepper, 2 tablespoons onions and parsley. Decorate with bell pepper “holly leaves” and cherry tomato “berries.” Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.
INGREDIENTS 1 cup fresh small broccoli florets 1 (13.8-oz.) can Pillsbury® refrigerated classic pizza crust 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 small yellow summer squash, sliced lengthwise 1/2 cup pizza sauce 2 Italian plum tomatoes, sliced 6 oz. (1 1/2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese DIRECTIONS 1. Heat grill. In small microwave-safe bowl, combine broccoli and 3 tablespoons water; cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH for 2 to 3 minutes or until broccoli is bright green. Drain; set aside. 2. Cut 18x12-inch sheet of heavy-duty foil; spray with nonstick cooking spray. Unroll dough; place on sprayed foil. Starting at center, press out dough with hands to form 13x9-inch rectangle. Brush dough with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Brush squash with remaining teaspoon oil. 3. When ready to grill, place squash on grill. Invert dough onto grill rack and peel off foil. Cook on gas grill over medium-low heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium-low coals for 3 to 5 minutes or until bottom of dough is golden brown and squash is crisp-tender and grill-marked, turning squash occasionally. 4. Remove squash from grill; place on cutting board. Cut squash into bite-sized pieces. Turn dough; grill 1 to 2 minutes or until bottom is set. Carefully remove from grill. Top crust with pizza sauce, tomatoes, squash and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese. 5. Return pizza to grill. Cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until crust is browned and thoroughly cooked, and cheese is melted.
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
PAGE 11
Fun Ideas For Family Games Finding fun games to play with the whole family can be a great way to spend time together—and help you score points with the kids at your next get-together. Here are a few ideas: Come Out Wherever You Are Try playing a game like “sardines,” which puts a fun twist on hide-and-seek. Here’s how it works: Every player except one is designated “It.” The “Its” close their eyes and count to 25 as the one person finds a hiding spot. After the count, the Its begin their search. When one of them finds the hider, he or she must join the hider in the hiding spot without being seen by the other Its. As more Its find the hider, the spot will become increasingly crowded— hence the name sardines.” The game ends when the last It finds the hiders (usually by following the sound of laughing). Just Shake It A video game for Nintendo Wii—one of the season’s top-selling game systems—called Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party,” has a party-play mode that lets up to eight people compete at once. But here’s the catch: Players can use the new Wii Balance Board to play by balancing, steering and even sitting on their rear ends. In story mode, players will play through a week of television programming, with each day bringing new wacky challenges of skill and movement in a compilation of mini-games that spoof all aspects of popular culture, from current TV shows to TV classics and even ads. From dancing to sledding or wrestling, and even surfing in space on an ironing board, this game has it all. Rated “E-10+ for Everyone,” the game is perfect for the entire family—from kids to grandparents—and is a fun way to get the whole party up and moving. The Candy Race Set up two teams—usually five people per team is best. Hand each team one pair of mittens and a bowl of five hard candies in their wrappers. When someone says “go,” the first person on each team has to put on the mittens, grab a piece of candy from the bowl, unwrap it and eat it. He then passes the mittens and bowl to the next person in line, and so on, until everyone has had a piece of candy. The team that moves through its line first wins.
PAGE 12
THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2012
DECEMBER 6-12, 2012