Tulsa World Supplement, Sunday, November 22, 2015
Holiday 15 Places to SHOP This Year’s Hottest Toys
Stocking
Stuffers Win a Trip of a Lifetime GIFTS GALORE Shopping Week
tulsaworld.com/holidays
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Holiday Gift Guide
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
INSIDE THIS SECTION
Let’s Go Shopping! s
We have looked all over Tulsa for some of the best places to shop for gift ideas this season, and we’ve compiled a list of 15 of our favorite items and stores ................ Pages 4-15
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There’s nothing as much fun as buying a toy for a young girl or boy on your list. Here’s a look at what’s hot this year ......... Pages 16-19
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Need some stocking stuffers? Check out these popular books and tunes .......... Page 20
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The Empire Strikes Back this season with the release of Star Wars Episode VII, and lots of related gift items ............................ Pages 22-23
Holiday Gift Guide was produced by Tulsa World’s Advertising Department. For more information, call 918-581-8519.
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Find more great ideas in Holiday Countdown — Sunday, December 13
Take care of your holiday shopping, and win your dream vacation! Each time you visit one of the participating advertisers, you can enter to win the trip of a lifetime. Look for the entry forms at participating stores Nov. 8 through Dec. 24. The winner’s name will be drawn in January. Entries from every store will be gathered together, and one lucky reader will win a $3,000 travel voucher to take the trip of his or her dreams from Tulsa World Media Company. No purchase is necessary. For contest details and a complete list of participating businesses and locations, visit tulsaworld.com/holidays.
Enter for a chance to win a $3,000 vacation simply for visiting one of these participating retailers: Celebrity Attractions Eastern Flyer Polar Express Elephant Trunk FFO Home Garbe’s Honda of Tulsa Jack Wills Outdoor Living John Daniel Footwear Merritt’s Bakery Miss Jackson’s
New Balance Petty’s Fine Foods Queenie’s Sonleiter Jewelry Southern Agriculture Sports World Sunshine Furniture Tulsa Ballet Tulsa Symphony
GIFTS GALORE Tulsa World’s Shopping Week December 1-7 Enter at participating businesses Dec. 1-7 for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate to that store. One entry per person per day.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
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Holiday Gift Guide
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
SHAKE IT UP Looking to keep those libations of yours chilled a little longer? This cocktail shaker can’t be beat — bar none. Artisan Mary Jurek went from creating watches and jewelry to designing tableware and home accessories that are both simple and elegant. This 9-inch-tall cocktail shaker is one of many 1 pieces in her Galaxy collection (note the “twist” on the cap) that is fashioned from hand-hammered stainless steel. It has an “Old World meets modern day” look that appeals to anyone who appreciates luxury. The best part about this collection? It has the look of silver without all the hassles of caring for it. Stainless steel is dishwasher safe, won’t tarnish and doesn’t need to be polished. Keep that in mind this holiday season when you’re cleaning up after a holiday get-together.
WHERE TO FIND: You can find Mary Jurek tableware and home accessories at Miss Jackson’s in Utica Square, 21st Street near Utica Avenue. This will be the last chance to shop at the iconic store because it will be closing in January after 105 years.
CHEF’S SECRET Why grill outdoors and bake indoors when you can do both in one place? This 2-in-1 mobile model smokes the competition. The Fornetto Wood Fired Oven and Smoker puts any grill master firmly in control because it can do so many things 2 at once. The cast-iron doors seal in the heat on the stainless steel oven, which features a rack and a pizza stone. The best part is the smoker slide ventilation system, allowing you to cook with indirect heat rather than an open flame. The fire is contained in a box underneath the oven in which you can burn smoking chips or aromatic woods to create a smoked flavor. This unit also has a place to store wood, electric oven lights and a warming drawer. WHERE TO FIND: You can find the Fornetto Wood Fired Oven and Smoker at Jack Wills, 8411 E. 41st St., just east of Memorial Drive. Jack Wills prides itself in carrying Made in America outdoor furniture, grills and fireplaces, but it made an exception here. Fornetto is an Australian company.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
MATCH MAKERS There’s a reason this jacket, blouse and jewelry go together so perfectly. They were designed that way.
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This is where New York City meets Tulsa. The jacket at left was designed by Damee, a fashion firm that began in Texas in 1988 then moved to the Garment District of Manhattan in 1994 when the industry took notice. Once this particular jacket arrived in south Tulsa, local artist Lori Singleton was commissioned to create coordinating jewelry for a fabulous ensemble. It’s something she does regularly for a “retreat boutique” that carries a variety of women’s clothing, handbags, accessories and more.
WHERE TO FIND: You can find this clothing combination at Zella’s, 6967 S. Lewis Ave. The owner prides herself on carrying “Fun, Flattering, Flirty Fashions for Women Over 40.” She carries sizes 2 to 2X and custom-blend bath and body products.
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Holiday Gift Guide
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
COOL WARMTH The best way to stay warm and cool this winter is to wear the fleece that’s become famous. Patagonia seems to be the most popular outerwear garment on the planet. WHERE TO FIND: You If you’re not familcan find Pantagonia iar with the brand, Synchillas at Sun & Ski don’t admit it to in Tulsa: 6808 S. Memo4 anyone under rial Drive. The store carthe age of 30. ries a wide selection of Patagonia makes sizes, colors and styles, a fleece pullover and it will match any called a Synchilla that is other retailer’s a must-have for anyone advertised price. trying to keep up with the latest fashion trends. The name is a combination of “synthetic” and “Chinchilla” — the furry little rodent native to the Andes mountains in South America. In other words, this animal knows how to stay warm. One more cool factor about this product: Pantagonia makes its fleece products from recycled plastic soda bottles and was the first outdoor clothing manufacturer to do so. The Pantagonia Synchilla is available in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes. It also comes in an assortment of colors and patterns.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
DOG (OWNER) TREATS How much do you really love your dog? Let us count the ways ... On second thought, let’s number just a few items that uniquely express your devotion to your pet. For starters, you can decorate your Christmas tree with glass ornaments expressing your allegiance to a particular breed. Then there are the ceramic figurines. How about a 2016 5 calendar or countdown to Christmas wooden frame? But if you really want to unleash your canine competitiveness, opt for a game of Monopoly featuring your dog’s breed. Beware, though. You might just end up in the doghouse. WHERE TO FIND: All of the items pictured at right can be found at Southern Agriculture, which has five stores in Tulsa (71st & Sheridan, 32nd & Mingo, 26th & Harvard, 91st & Delaware and in Tulsa Hills, 78th & Highway 75), two stores in Broken Arrow (90th & Elm and 71st & Lynn Lane) and one store in Owasso (92nd Street North and Highway 169). And, yes, they do carry products for cat lovers, too.
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Holiday Gift Guide
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
HOLIDAY HARVEST These aren’t really snowmen. They are gourdsmen. If you thought gourds were something 6 you placed in a harvest basket for Halloween and forgot about the rest of the year, think again. These driedout fruit husks have a multi-holiday flavor. The folks at Meadowbrooke Gourds in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, have been transforming them into ornaments and tabletop decorations for 20 years. These guys are sure to get the conversations started at any party you host. WHERE TO FIND: You can find these festive gourds at The Garden Trug, 3009 E. 101st St., off Riverside Parkway near the Creek Turnpike. You’ll also find plenty of other winter plants in stock as well as custom floral arrangements and holiday gift baskets.
BRIGHT IDEA Still in the dark about what to buy that man in your life? Let us shed some light on how to make his holiday brighter. Every guy can use a flashlight, whether he likes to go camping, jogging when it’s dark or even work on his car, truck or kitchen sink. This little gadget from will make his life a lot 7 Fenix WHERE TO FIND: You better — and safer. can find Fenix flashThe PD35 model shown lights at Sports World here is only 5.5 inches long and in Tulsa: 6841 E. 41st weighs a mere 3 ounces, but don’t unSt., just east of Sheridan derestimate its power. It gives off 960 Road. The store carries a lumens with a 70-degree wide beam. huge selection of hunting supplies. In addition This pocket flashlight has six brightto Fenix, Sports World ness settings, including a strobe feature carries military-grade that can immobilize an animal or human. Surefire flashlights. It is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, so it won’t crack or break. It is powered by a rechargeable battery or two lithium batteries, and it includes a warning function to say when the batteries are low.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
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Holiday Gift Guide
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
PAINTED PONIES 8
Remember the trading cards or action figures you collected as a child? Here’s a chance to embark on a new journey.
It’s called “The Trail of Painted Ponies” art series. These colorful ceramic horses each stand 7 to 8 inches tall. Eight new designs are released each summer, with an additional eight designs and four holiday ponies released each winter. This series began as a public art project in 2001 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as a fundraiser. Professional artists were invited to paint life-size sculptures of horses, which were then auctioned for charities. The event has continued each year since. Starting in 2003, The Trail of Painted Ponies began selling miniature replicas of the sculptures. WHERE TO FIND: Dorado is one of many lines of fine luggage available at Elephant Trunk, which has two Tulsa stores: 2052 Utica Square and 8922 S. Memorial Drive. The store also carries many items for the home or office that make great holiday gifts.
WHERE TO FIND: You can find the Painted Ponies at Drysdales, which is offering special holiday pricing on five retired ponies (Zuni, Shiloh, Mystic, Hopi and Buckskin). Drysdales has two stores in Tulsa: 3220 S. Memorial Drive or 10127 E. 71st St.
GIFT BAGS This is how you travel first class, even if you’re not sitting there.
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Most travelers worry about their luggage getting roughed up. There’s no need for that when your bags are made of Andean Vaqueta cowhide. In fact, this leather often looks better with a little age and experience. The bags at left are made by Dorado and are part of the Santa Fe collection. These beautiful bags feature brass hardware, reinforced stress points and water-resistant linings. They’re also the perfect size for carry-on luggage when traveling by air.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
PETTY ITEMS 10
OK, so this gift item made Oprah’s list this year. Intrigued? You will be if you own a dog or cat. WHERE TO FIND: These ornaments can be purchased at Bella’s House, 7890 E. 106th Place in the Vineyard on Memorial. This boutique offers jewelry, home decor, gifts and accessories and loves to be trendy –why it carries this Oprah favorite.
People LOVE their pets. And whether Buster or Milo is still with you this holiday season, you can immortalize him or her as part of your annual Christmas tree decorating by getting an acrylic ornament engraved with your pet’s name. These ornaments are available in silhouettes of two dozen different dog breeds as well as shorthair and longhair cats. They are available in either gold or silver, and it takes about two weeks to get them engraved.
ENGINEERED FOR REALITY. G U A R A N T E E D F O R L I F E .™
Instant savings applies to full-priced styles only. Valid November 20 through December 27, 2015.
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Holiday Gift Guide
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
FEATHER YOUR NEST Here’s a fun way to dress up your home indoors or outside. These whimsical birdhouses create great conversational pieces, no matter where you choose to hang them.
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Carson Home Accents has been creating unique home accessories for more than 40 years, including an array of interesting birdhouse designs. They are fun for your home and truly functional for feeding your feathered friends. Made of wood and tin, the birdhouses come complete with hangers. The model at left features a bent-spoon perch for birds, while the camping trailer at right features an open-door and open-window policy, inviting any winged guest to take up residence if you park this house outdoors. WHERE TO FIND: You can find these birdhouses by Carson Home Accents in a variety of designs at Garbe’s Lighting & Home Accessories in Tulsa: 4137 S. 72nd East Ave., off 41st Street between Memorial Drive and Sheridan Road. Garbe’s specializes in lighting, but you will have fun shopping here for all kinds of fun Christmas gifts, including clocks, holiday decor and more.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
ISLAND INSPIRED You won’t have to pull any purse strings to get your hands on one of these beautiful bags, which are made in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
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Each of these Spartina 449 handbags draws its design inspiration from Daufuskie Island, a remote island off the East Coast between Hilton Head and Tybee Island, Georgia. More sea turtles inhabit this island than people, and it is accessible only by ferry.
Spartina 449 creates new patterns each season, drawing from the coastal environment. Even the company name reflects its seaside heritage, derived from the cordgrass that grows in the Carolina marshlands. Handbags are only one of the many women’s fashion items the company makes. You can also find scarves, linens and jewelry that also reflect these seaside patterns. WHERE TO FIND: You can find Spartina 449 handbags, jewelry and other items at Canterbury Lane, a home decor shop at The Shops of Seville, 101st Street and Yale Avenue, in south Tulsa. If you love home decor, then drop by to see many of the other product lines at Canterbury Lane, including Beatriz Ball fine metalware, Scent Savvy electric fragrance products and holiday decor.
Movies make great stocking stuffers 1. Jurassic World (Universal Studios) Blu-ray + DVD + Digital 2. Avengers: Age of Ultron (Walt Disney Studios) Blu-ray + DVD 3. Furious 7 (Universal Studios) Blu-ray + DVD + Digital 4. Inside Out (Walt Disney Studios) Blu-ray + DVD + Digital
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Holiday Gift Guide
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AIM TO PLEASE Your best shot at finding a great camera for Christmas? Here it is.
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The latest trend in cameras involves mirror-less technology. It was introduced a few years ago as part of the digital revolution and like most innovations, it has taken a few tweaks to get it just right. Now is the time to invest in it. The Sony A6000 is easy to use, super lightweight and shoots up to 11 frames per second. The A6000 offers 24 megapixel quality and Wi-Fi capability for easy uploads. It is paired in a kit with a 55-210 mm zoom lens that will leave you feeling like a pro.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
WHERE TO FIND: You can find the Sony A6000 and 55210 mm lens kit at Bedford Camera & Video, 8172 E. 68 St., just north of Woodland Hills Mall. One of the advantages of buying the camera here is Bedford offers photo classes.
HOT HAND
Yes, it looks like a lighter and works like one, but it’s a hand warmer. Zippo is the best known 14 name in cigar and cigarette lighters, so it makes sense that Zippo could develop a really great handwarmer for those extra chilly days and nights during winter. You light the wick the same way you do for a lighter, then put the cap on it for one to two minutes and then place it in a cloth bag that comes with it. If you wait any longer, you will probably burn your hand! Here’s the really cool part. This will stay warm for anywhere from six to 12 hours continuously, and you cannot turn it off. It has to burn itself out. To reuse, simply add lighter fluid. WHERE TO FIND: Ted’s Pipe Shoppes in Utica Square, 21st Street near Utica Avenue, and in The Farm Shopping Center, 51st and Sheridan. The shops carry many flavors of tobacco as well as pipes, cigars, humidors, cutters and many lighters.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
PLAY IT SAFE If someone you know prefers iron ponies to the flesh-and-blood kind, show them a little love and buy them a riding accessory to keep them safe.
If you’re not a motorcyle rider, 15 then you likely are not aware of how many items are available to outfit the person in your life who does ride bikes. Helmets are an obvious accessory, but they come in a variety of cool colors and designs for men, women and children. If you don’t recall what the person’s helmet looks like, then it’s a good bet you could give them more style. If you’re looking to spend less money, then try a pair of Oakley googles or Fox riding gloves (shown above). They will keep your rider both safe and warm this winter. Other options to consider: leather jackets in a variety of brands and styles and motorcycle boots.
WHERE TO FIND: You can find all of these items at Honda of Tulsa, 21st Street and Yale Avenue. The store sells ATVs, motorcycles, side by sides, scooters and PWCs. It also stocks new and pre-owned vehicles from Honda, Can-Am, KTM, SeaDoo, and Honda Power Equipment (includes lawn mowers, tillers, trimmers, and generators). About the only thing Honda it does not have is cars.
Holiday Gift Guide
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Holiday Gift Guide
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Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Toys will be toys It matters less whether they’re for girls or for boys By Jessica Royer Ocken CTW Features
T
his holiday season your local Target is sure to be decked out in red and green, but not so much in pink and blue. Over the last few months, so shoppers don’t “feel frus-
trated or limited by the way things are presented,” the retailer has eliminated many of the gender-based labels in their stores, including in the toy section. But rather than causing gift-gathering pandemonium, this move may actually be irrelevant to the best
kind of holiday shopping, which keeps the individual child — not the gender — in mind. Selecting a great gift is about “finding out what a child naturally gravitates to,” says toy expert Chris Byrne, content director for TTPM, a website that offers toy reviews and price comparisons. “I wasn’t a kid who would sit and do Legos. I wanted to be physical,” Byrne says. “That (sort of preference) varies as much as gender preferences.” And it’s likely to be a more useful shopping guide for parents. “Both of my kids like what they like regardless of their gender,” says Norma Lopez, a mom of a second-grade daughter and fourth-grade boy in Oak Park, Illinois. “My daughter in particular has never liked typical ‘girl’ toys. We would have missed Legos, for sure, if we had lived in that girl section, but because our son is older we never even had to walk down one of those aisles. We’ve always shopped in the ‘boys’ Lego section for both kids.” Obviously, if there’s something you’d prefer your child not play with, that’s your choice as a parent, Byrne notes. But “play lets kids explore, express themselves and have new experiences,” he adds. So selecting toys that the children in your life will love means finding “the things that help them do that,” he says. And there are lots of possibilities on the toy shelves. Here are three simple tips: 1. Go artsy. Look for artsand-crafts supplies and kits that can interest all kids. 2. Start a collection. This is a popular play pattern for kids from collecting Disney characters and dinosaurs to trading cards and stickers. 3. Go wild with animals. There are near-limitless varieties of animal-focused figures, puzzles and games.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
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Holiday Gift Guide
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Hottest-selling toys of 2015 T By Matthew M.F. Miller CTW Features
oday’s kids are completely immersed in and obsessed with technology, and even the little ones on your shopping list might be anxious to get their hands on the a new iPhone or some sweet Beats headphones this holiday season. For the tried-and-true purist who can’t stomach the thought of buying a 6-yearold his first selfie stick, don’t fret.There is still plenty of room under the tree for everyone’s favorite gift-list item: toys! Modern toys have adapted to the age in which we live. Many of 2015’s most coveted gifts have roots in a web series, video game, app or blockbuster movie, or they help kids explore the science of creating technology all on
their own. Rest easy. These can’t-miss gifts are sure to please the tech-savvy, Internet-fanatical kid in your life. Internet Reinvention For the uninitiated, Barbie is very in-vogue again due in large part to the wildly popular reality-TV-spoof web series (also streaming
on Netflix), “Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse.” Hot this season are the newly remodeled Dreamhouse featuring three floors, seven rooms and a working elevator. Technology upgrades include “smart” accessories that light up, make sounds and even simulate motion. A flip-open faux flat-screen TV allows you to insert a smartphone for Barbie to play videos. The Dreamhouse garage is a perfect place to park the Barbie Pop-Up Camper, which features prominently in the series and transforms from a simple camper into a glamping must, replete with water slide and a front cab that converts into a bathroom. “Ever After High” is another popular web series for young girls, and it explores the lives of the children of classic fairy tale characters as they seek out they attempt to write their own stories. Tied to the latest series, Ever After High Way Too Wonderland Dolls include finely coiffed and high-styled Apple White, Madeline Hatter, Briar Beauty, Kitty Cheshire and Lizzie Hearts, and the Ever After High Way Too Wonderland Raven Queen Playset includes a trifold display allowing kids to re-enact three different scenes from the web series. Minecraft started as an open-world video game and is now looking to take over the real world. Tie-in merchandise is abundant, and at the top of the list is the Minecraft Stop-Motion Movie Creator, a mini Minecraft movie set that teaches TOYS continued on page 19
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
TOYS
From page 18
kids how to make their own stop-action movies using real-life objects and a mobile app on their mobile device of choice. On the lower-tech end of the spectrum, Lego Minecraft The Ender Dragon includes 634 pieces, a mini-figure of Minecraft’s hero Steve, the Ender Dragon, dragon egg, crystals and more imagination opportunities than once thought humanly possible. For the roleplay loving kid, the Minecraft 2-in-1 Sword and Pickaxe is coveted. For a real-world, Minecraft-esque building experience, check out Qixels Design Creator, which comes with templates to create pixelated characters using colorful cubes that fuse with water. Screen TIme “Jurassic World” was the biggest movie of 2015, and the accompanying toy line offers any kid the opportunity to bring the multiplex excitement to life at home.
Holiday Gift Guide
The Jurassic World Chomping Indominus Rex Figure, is a lifelike replica of the colorchanging queen of destruction, complete with giant chomping jaw, massive tail and, yes, color-changing skin. Jurassic World Hero Mashers Ultimate Tyrannosaurus Rex Figure allows kids to customize a T-Rex with interchangeable legs, heads, wings and more. LEGO Jurassic World Raptor Rampage Building Kit gives kids the opportunity to re-enact the movie’s pulsepounding final scene and includes the mobile research unit, a mini Owen figure (the character played by Chris Pratt) and two Velociraptors. ‘STEM’ Play STEM toys — those that encourage science, technology, engineering and math learning — have become the new “it” item with hip parents looking to teach kids some of the most important tools for future success in today’s tech-focused society. Roominate Chateau is a 131-piece set of modular
pieces that give kids the skills to create structures like staircases and bunk beds while building a structurally sound home, in addition to wiring up motors and circuits to create fully functional lights, elevators and carousels. Goldie Blox has been heaped with adoration and awards, and their latest Craft-Struction Box combines crafting and construction with more than 275 pieces, adding stickers and pompoms to the engineering/construction mix. Mighty Makers Home Designer Builder Set is designed for girls and, unlike Barbie, it allows them to build a dream house from the ground up. It includes two characters: Brianna, who specializes in interior design, and Sophia, who is the builder. Choose to build different styles of homes including colonial, ranch and brownstone. Includes 433 K’NEX pieces and instructional cards that teach the basics of architecture.
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Holiday Gift Guide
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Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS Award-Winning Kids’ Books This is when it’s OK to judge a book by its cover: when you see that shiny medal badge on the jacket, signifying the title is winner or honoree of the Newbery Medal (tops in kids’ literature) or the Caldecott Medal (best in kids’ picture books). You know it’s going to be good. Here are the distinguished books for 2015:
• 2015 Newbery Medal Winner: “The Crossover,“ by Kwame Alexander • 2015 Newbery Honor Books: “El Deafo,” written and illustrated by Cece Bell; “Brown Girl Dreaming,“ by Jacqueline Woodson
• 2015 Caldecott Medal Winner: “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend,” illustrated and written by Dan Santat • 2015 Caldecott Honor Books: “Nana in the City,” illustrated and written by Lauren Castillo; “The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art,” illustrated by Mary GrandPré and written by Barb Rosenstock; “Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” illustrated by Jon Klassen and written by Mac Barnett; “Viva Frida,” illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales; “The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus,” illustrated by Melissa Sweet and written by Jen Bryant; “This One Summer,” illustrated by Jillian Tamaki and written by Mariko Tamaki
Music Thanks in no small part to the utter dominance of mega-artists like Beyonce and Taylor Swift, women have ruled the music landscape in 2015. And, if Adele’s long-awaited “25” hits store shelves before the holidays, it will go down as one of the best years of all time for women in music. No matter the preferred genre of the music fan on your gift list, there’s a new album arriving guaranteed to please. Nearly every album here also comes available on back-in-vogue vinyl — which comes with a free digital download — making for a substantial, collectible present for any audiophile. 1. Patty Griffin’s “Servant Of Love” 2. Lindi Ortega’s “Faded Gloryville” ) 3. Janet Jackson’s “Unbreakable” 4. FKA Twigs’“M3LL155X” 5. Joanna Newsom’s “Divers” 6. CHVRCHES’“Every Open Eye” 7. Carrie Underwood’s “Storyteller” 8. Kacey Musgraves’“Natalie Pageant Material” 9. Lana Del Rey’s “Honeymoon” 10. Demi Lovato’s “Confident”
What would Taylor Swift give as gift? By Matthew M. F. Miller CTW Features Even Santa would be hardpressed to deny that this is Taylor Swift’s world, and we’re all just living in it. Easily one of the most powerful persons in the entertainment industry, the style icon also is an unabashed promoter of everything she loves. For the legions of fans that hang on her every Instagram, the holidays are the perfect opportunity to give the gift of their favorite mega-star’s favorite things. And even if everyone on your list isn’t a fan of Taylor Swift, her savvy style ensures these gifts will be ideal for anyone — even the haters. Especially the haters! So, yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Swiftmas. Don’t be surprised if you hear the faint beats of “Blank Space” instead of jingle bells up on the rooftop come Christmas Eve. Don’t say I didn’t, say I didn’t warn ya. When you’re on top, endorsements are plentiful. Here are a few byproducts of her fame: • American Greetings Taylor Swift Birthday & Everyday Card Set • Taylor Swift’s Champion Sneaky Cat Keds • Taylor Swift Baby Taylor (TSBT) by Taylor Guitars • Taylor Swift Incredible Things perfume Here’s a list of T-Swift’s top choices for entertainment, style and all things cool: • Friends: The Complete Series • The Harper Lee Collection: “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Go Set a Watchman” • Diet Coke (Swift has an endorsement deal for Diet Coke, but that deal stems from an intense, deep love for her favorite beverage.) It’s a great Swift-themed stocking stuffer.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
Have yourself a selfie little Christmas Step up their game with one of these By Carley Lintz CTW Features Got a selfie queen or king in the family? Treat them to the perfect gift for this holiday season: a selfie stick. These extendable camera holders allow the user to get a wider shot, ideal for group photos or travelers looking to capture a picturesque background. Price is just one factor to consider when shopping for a selfie stick. It’s important to know what type of smartphone and/or camera it’s compatible with, the length of device and also how it takes the picture, such as via Bluetooth, an app or a camera timer. Here are six popular sticks that would please the selfie enthusiast in your life.
Zella s
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• Looq DG — This third-generation monopod is perfect for taking selfies anytime, anywhere. It works using a continuously updating app and requires no battery, Wi-Fi connection or Bluetooth, making it super easy to use. It also comes in three colors: blue, green and pink. Extends from 8 inches to more than 40 inches. Compatible with most iOS/Android smartphones. • GoPro 3-Way — Versatility is this extension pole’s specialty. The mount can be used in three ways: as a camera grip, extension arm or tripod. Waterproof, lightweight and extendable up to 20 inches, it’s the ideal adventure-travel companion. Compatible with all GoPro cameras. • Quik Pod Smartphone Selfie Pole — It operates by using your phone’s built-in camera timer or with a downloadable app. It’s also waterproof and comes with a hiking clip, wrist strap, carry bag and tripod legs. Compatible with most iOS/Android phones. • Thumbs!Up Click Stick — Simply plug your smartphone into the headphone jack and get to clicking. No Bluetooth or batteries required. Extends to about 39 inches and is compatible with most iOS/Android phones. • PolarPro PowerPole Selfie Stick — It’s durable, lightweight and splash resistant. The pole extends up to 30 inches, and the integrated battery allows you to film for up to 10 hours. The PowerPole is compatible with all GoPro cameras. • CamKix Extendable Selfie Stick — This simple and affordable stick extends to 40 inches. Big phones be aware: The CamKix only is compatible with phones up to 3.25 inches wide.
Holiday Gift Guide
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Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
A new “Star Wars� movie this holiday season brings with it an empire’s worth of toys for the new generation of fans MUST-HAVE
GAMES
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Remote Control BB-8 (Target exclusive) — With the push of a button, BB-8 rolls in any direction as his head stays facing forward — as seen in the film! Also features expressive droid sound effects.
• Electronic Catch Phrase: Star Wars Edition — Shout, gesture, and say anything else but the words in the answer to help your team guess correctly before time runs out!
WEAPONS & MASKS
• Star Wars Loopin’ Chewie — Players must help Chewie co-pilot the Millennium Falcon and try to send him swinging straight into the Stormtroopers on the other player’s rack.
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens Kylo Ren
with Connect & Customize Lightsaber Set (Kohl’s exclusive) — Pictured at right.
• Chewbacca Role-Play Multi-Pack
• Monopoly: Star Wars Edition — Travel around the galaxy and build bases on planets. When every planet is owned, count up the bases. The player with the most bases on the winning side is the ultimate winner. May the Force be with you!
(Sam’s Club exclusive) — Includes Nerf Bowcaster and Electronic Mask
• Star Wars: The Black Series Force FX Lightsabers —Detailed adult collectible lightsaber replicas
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â&#x20AC;˘ Star Wars Battleship â&#x20AC;&#x201D; When the ultimate goal is to search and destroy, iconic Star Wars vehicles like the Millennium Falcon and Tie Fighter go head-to-head for their place in the galaxy. Pictured at right.
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â&#x20AC;˘ Risk: Star Wars Edition â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Prepare a plan, arm for battle, and advance characters until you have taken over the universe.
â&#x20AC;˘ Star Wars Chess â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Eye-popping pieces include villains and heroes from all seven Star Wars movies, including The Force Awakens. â&#x20AC;˘ Bop It! Star Wars R2-D2 Edition â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Just like the classic BOP IT! game, players must twist, bop, and pull the R2-D2 figure in response to his commands to be the last JEDI standing in this fun and fast reaction memory game.
Tulsa World • November 22, 2015
Holiday Gift Guide
FIGURES • Star Wars: The Black Series 6-Inch Figure Assortment • Star Wars: The Black Serieis 6-Inch Figure 4-Pack (EntertainmentEarth.com Exclusive) — Includes Sandtrooper Sergeant, Crimson Stormtrooper, Lieutenant Oxio and R2-Q5. Pictured at right. • Star Wars: The Black Series 6-Inch Kylo Ren (Kmart Exclusive) — A dark warrior strong with the Force, Kylo Ren commands First Order missions with a temper as fiery as his unconventional lightsaber. • Star Wars: The Black Series 6-Inch Darth Vader (Emperor’s Wrath Figure (Walgreens Exclusive) • Star Wars: The Black Series 6-Inch First Order Snowtrooper Officer Figure (Toys “R” Us exclusive)
I Clone Trooper Commander, Phase II Clone Trooper, Imperial Stormtrooper and First Order Stromtrooper Officer. • Star Wars: The Black Series 3 3/4-Inch Figures (Walmart Exclusive) — Includes Episode VI Darth Vader, Episode VI Luke Skywalker, Episode IV Princess Leia and new Episode VII First Order Stormtrooper and Kylo Ren.
• Star Wars: The Black Series 6-Inch Trooper Evolution 4-Pack (Amazon Exclusive) — Includes Phase
• Star Wars Hero Mashers feature your favorite Star
Wars heroes and villains with completely interchangeable parts and accessories, so kids can create their ultimate figure. • Star Wars Hero Mashers Ultimate Bounty Multi-Pack (Costco Exclusive) — Features five 6-inch customizable action figures from “The Empire Strikes Back,” including Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Boba Fett, plus extra gear and accessories.
VEHICLES • Star Wars Micro Machines Blind Bag Assortment
• Star Wars Micro Machines First Order Star Destroyer Playset
• Star Wars Micro Machines 3-Pack Assortment
• Star Wars: The Black Series First Order Special Forces Tie Fighter 6-Inch Scale Vehicle — Incredibly detailed Star Wars: The Force Awakens vehicle features movie-accurate wings and cockpit and comes with an exclusive 6-inch First Order Tie Fighter Pilot Elite to steer the starfighter into battle.
• Star Wars Micro Machines 3-Pack Assortment • Star Wars Micro Machines Deluxe Vehicle Assortment • Star Wars Micro Machines Battle Set Assortment — Pictured above. • Star Wars Micro Machines RC Vehicle Assortment • Star Wars Micro Machines Millennium Falcon Playset
• Star Wars: The Black Series Titanium Series Vehicle Assortment — Includes the Millennium Falcon, Kylo Ren’s Command Shuttle, X-wing, Darth Vader’s Tie Advanced, First Order Special Forces Tie Fighter, Star Destroyer Finalizer, Rey’s Speeder Bike (Jakku), Luke’s Landspeeder and more. Each pack includes one vehicle and one collector stand.
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Holiday Gift Guide
Tulsa World â&#x20AC;˘ November 22, 2015