2018 Holiday Gift Guide

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Holiday Gift Guide

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Giving the Gift of New Furniture for Christmas Are you considering giving your loved one new furniture for Christmas?

Each year, plenty of gift givers visit furniture stores wondering how they can give the gift of new furniture for Christmas.

This article takes a look at the best way to gift furniture in ways to make the experience fun and exciting.

How to Shop for Someone Else Most people’s choice in furniture is an expression of their personality, style and home. In fact, the right piece of furniture can be the perfect statement for your home. The top things people look for when shopping for furniture are style, comfort and overall value. Because these criteria vary for each person, shopping for someone else can sometimes be a bit difficult.

So how do you shop for furniture for someone else?

First, know their style and comfort preference. You probably have a good idea of their style – whether it’s traditional, farmhouse or if they prefer reclining but knowing what comfort can be a little trickier. If someone likes to sit back and lounge in their furniture, then something soft and plush would be great. If they have a harder time getting

in and out of their furniture, then something firmer with a shorter seat might be a better fit. And if you don’t know for sure, no problem!

Our experienced sales team can help by asking the right questions to help determine a good fit.

Another key to shopping for furniture for someone else is to know if it can be exchanged if it doesn’t work out. Most places are accommodating in this situation but find out if there are additional charges for doing so.

sale even if it’s not advertised. This means you can get a good deal on furniture every day of the year. However, around the holidays are often a great time to buy because some furniture and mattress manufacturers participate in the savings which then gets passed on to our customers.

If you, like many of us, like to shop before it gets too busy around the holidays, many stores often have a price guarantee to ease your mind. Shopping early comes with several benefits:

Get Design Help

* Better selection * Stores are usually less crowded and have more time to ask questions * Delivery dates and times are more flexible

To help make your shopping experience simpler and more enjoyable, Western Living has a professional sales team with many years of experience. All team members have an eye for interior design and love seeing the results of a room coming together. Whether the project is large like the Uintah Conference Center or a simple entry way, we are ready to assist with your new room or home décor project. The best part of this design service? It’s completely free!

When is the Best Time to Buy Furniture?

Many furniture stores will have a promotion or

How to Pay for Your Furniture Besides paying with cash or credit card, furniture financing is a great way to make your new purchase. Why? Our main financing plans are set up on a deferred interest plan meaning you pay zero interest within a certain time frame – often 6 or 12 months. Sometimes it can even be longer, especially on mattresses. We also offer a no credit check 12-month lease-to-own finance option.

Either financing option is a

simple 5-minute application we can do with you in the store or you can even apply online at home.

How to Wrap & Present Your Gift Wrapping a sofa, sectional or recliner can be quite a challenge. Thankfully, you have some options in how to reveal your gift. In the past, our customers have used a letter or picture to share the good news. This is often in the form of a holiday card or handwritten note. Some choose to have their delivery made just before Christmas and hide the gift until Christmas while others prefer to wait until afterwards – it’s up to you.

If you’d like a more unique way to reveal your gift, check out some of these ideas from RedBalloon: The Hunt: Give your loved one a clue with each one leading to another.

Make the clues riddles or inside jokes only the two of you know. The last clue will reveal their Christmas gift of brand new furniture.

The Fake-Out: Use creative packaging to make your gift look like something completely different.

For example, you can put a note inside a wine bottle. Or use a huge box to conceal a note revealing their new furniture.

The Trojan Horse: Give a gift you know he or she also wants then hide a note inside it. A good example would be a book with a handwritten message inside the front cover.

Remember, furniture shopping doesn’t have to be overwhelming or confusing.

As a matter of fact, it can be fun! Before you become stressed with the idea of giving new furniture for Christmas, relax and take a deep breath. And if all else fails, you can always simplify on your end and give a gift card.

With all the time and thought you’ve spent on this gift, you may as well have some fun with the presentation – it’s Christmas time of course! And look forward

to the excited look on their face when they see their new furniture…or gift card!

sionally! Just share the love because, at the end of the day, they’re the ones solving all your problems, right?

way to look after you. Troy and his staff at Altitude Cycle are not only experts on bike and gear, but offer exceptional service and are very knowledgeable on every track in the Uintah Basin, most of which Troy was responsible for building and maintaining. The shop has been a huge part of our community from supporting local youth to bringing new and exciting trails.

This holiday season they have the largest inventory selection of bikes and gear since they opened their doors over 22 years ago.

Come check out the Kids Korner featuring kids push bikes with many colors to choose from starting at only $109.

Have a Wonderful Christmas!

Our homes are important – it’s where we love, grow, spend time together and build relationships. Giving the gift of style and comfort through new furniture is a thoughtful way to show your love and we hope to be able to help this holiday season.

Come see Santa this Saturday, December 15 from noon-2pm. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope you enjoy your time together – your friends at Western Living.

Support Your Local Bike Shop This Christmas The cycling industry is one of the fastest growing sports industries in the world and it has a constantly evolving customer base to support it. From the older generation down to the up and coming younger ones, the customers are there. The biggest challenge facing this and many industries is the online marketplace where customers can compare prices and buy at the click of a button, not realizing what’s going on behind their screens.

We’re not here to tell you why you shouldn’t support online shopping; we know it’s here to stay. But, we are going to tell you why you should support your local shop, even if it’s only occa-

Bike Shop Benefits There are lots of benefits to shopping at your local bike shop the greatest is having a healthy customer/ staff relationship with your local store. If you become a regular customer at a bike shop you will find the store will always be willing to help you out that extra little bit. Just by showing your face at the shop to look around, the store will soon pick up that you’re a regular. From here, conversation flows and you’ll find them going out of their

Merry Christmas To All

And To All A New Bike!

580 E Main St, Vernal, UT 84078 - (435) 781-2595

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Holiday Gift Guide

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

How to simplify gift-giving this holiday season Gift-giving takes place numerous times during the year. In addition to holidays and birthdays, there are plenty of smaller occasions when it’s customary to give a present.

Gift-giving is not always easy. Some people already seem to have it all, while others might not be forthcoming with regard to their interests or needs.

But there are a few strategies gift givers can employ to simplify the gifting process.

Choose experiences as gifts. A new gadget might be nice, but it also may lose its luster after a few months. However, a unique experience can create memories that last a lifetime. Opt for experiences like trips, tickets to shows or sporting events.

Doing new things together can solidify relationships and keep them fresh.

Gift cards with a twist.

Some people shy away from gift cards because they feel such cards are

impersonal. However, there’s no denying the convenience of gift cards, and you don’t run the risk of getting the wrong item.

To make gift cards more heartfelt, offer to go along on the shopping spree with the person after giving the card. This way you can share in the experience and know that the recipient got something he or she truly loves.

Gift baskets are sure winners. Themed gift baskets can certainly make gift-giving easier. Once you choose a theme, it’s just a matter of putting together several coordinating items.

Foodies can fawn over cookware and recipe ingredients, while movie buffs may like a popcorn maker, candy and a streaming movie subscription.

Emphasize enjoyment over price. Bigger isn’t always better, and the more expensive item won’t necessarily be the favorite.

Tap into what the gift recipient enjoys and cater to

those interests. Also, don’t feel compelled to make everything ‘even’ in terms of gift value. If you received a gift from this person in the past, you don’t have to meet or exceed that gift’s value when reciprocating.

Accept that there’s no ‘perfect gift.’ Don’t set expectations that cannot be reached. Those who continually seek out the ideal gift and then try to beat that gift the next time around can make the experience more stressful than it has to be.

A few simple strategies can make the process of shopping for gifts go as smoothly as possible.

Calling all Elves

Vernal Sports Center Inc., Beers Harley-Davidson knows that some of our best customers are on Santa’s naughty list.

So, they know you’ll be looking for gifts? And know what they like.

“We have a huge selection of street bikes, dirt bikes, snow mobiles, Harleys and so much more,” said Nancy Beers.

“I’m confident we have something for everyone on your list.”

They encourage you Elves to put down your tools and let the gang at Vernal Sports Center help you fill Santa’s sleigh with chrome, leather jackets, gloves, wallets, jewelry, mugs, glasses, and goggles. They also have a huge selection of helmets and winter hats.

The Stocking Gang is there to help you with all of your Christmas wishes.

Stop in and have their friendly staff help you with stocking stuffers.

It has been said that Santa rides a Harley.

Vernal Sports Center Inc., has it on good authority that Santa Claus has been seen zipping around the Mountain tops in an RZR. Stop in today and check out the complete line of Honda, Polaris, KTM, Suzuki, and Arctic Cat ATV’s, UTV’s, dirt bikes and motorcycles, and of course, Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Wishing you a Christmas Season filled with family, friends, hope, joy, memories, peace on earth and love.

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435-789-5196 - 2028 W. Hwy 40, Vernal, UT 84078

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Holiday Gift Guide

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Movies contribute to cherished holiday traditions and inspire great gifts without including at least one movie that celebrates the magical impact that this time of year can have on youngsters.

This year, First Gift of Christmas Sleigh Bell Gift Set holiday Tradition plays a pivotal shoppers can even draw role during the holiday some gift-giving inspiraseason. While each family tion from some classic has its own unique holiday holiday films that appeal traditions, certain tradito family members of all tions are embraced and ages. shared by families far and wide.

“The Polar Express” The tradition of watch(2004) ing holiday films together Children love this tale as a family is one custom of a young boy who lives that has endured for out many kids holiday generations. Grandparents fantasies by embarking on may have their favorite a magical, unpredictable films, while moms and journey to the North Pole. dads no doubt have their Along the way, the boy own must-see holiday mov- becomes a true believer ies as well. And no holiday in the spirit of Christfilm session is complete

mas when he picks up a loose sleigh bell that falls off Santa’s sleigh. Santa ultimately entrusts the bell to the boy, referring to the bell as the first gift of Christmas.

Parents who want to make the tradition of watching holiday films together with their children even more special for kids can give the First Gift of Christmas Sleigh Bell Gift Set (https://www.etsy.com/ shop/LilyDeal), providing their youngsters with the same sense of magic and wonderment the boy feels when Santa gives him the sleigh bell in the film.

The set includes a large sleigh bell, a red- and snow white-striped gift box, forest green ribbon, and large bow. A leather strap connected to each bell allows kids to hang the bell to include as part of their home holiday decor, or kids can carry the bell with them during the holiday season

and show it off to friends and family alike. Each bell comes in a velvet gift bag, making the set an ideal memento for shoppers who want to give kids something they can unwrap and enjoy each Christmas for years to come. In addition, each bell comes with a Certificate of Authenticity that is signed by Santa and lists the name of the elf who inspected the bell, the reindeer name and the location of the bell on the reindeer’s harness.

Shoppers looking for stocking stuffers for young fans of the film can opt for the Polar Express Round Trip Train Ticket. At 8” by 3”, the ticket fits easily into standard Christmas stockings and can be customized to say “BELIEVE” or any word up to eight letters.

(1989) A holiday favorite among a slightly older crowd, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” continues the tale of lovable family man Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase).

Clark is determined to provide a traditional family Christmas for his wife, children and their large extended family, only to have his dream holiday derailed by a stingy boss.

When shopping for gifts for fans of this holiday classic, shoppers can scour an array of homemade items on Etsy.com, from coffee mugs to T-shirts to home furnishings and more, celebrating Clark Griswold and all the mayhem his family hilariously endures en route to enjoying a Merry Christmas together.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)

Grandparents are no doubt very familiar with this beloved holiday classic, which tells the tale of frustrated businessman George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart). Contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve, George is saved when his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), intervenes and shows him what life would have been like for George’s loved ones had he never been born.

Holiday shoppers looking for something special for a parent or grandparent who loves the story of George Bailey can peruse Etsy.com to find a host of items and replicas that recall some of the film’s most memorable scenes.

This year, shoppers can make the tradition of watching holiday films together as a family even more special by incorporating some beloved holiday movies into their giftgiving.

Keep poinsettias looking great through the holidays Along with the fragrant evergreens and twinkling lights synonymous with the holiday season, poinsettias make up a key component of holiday decorating.

Unlike holly and some of the other greenery that is commonly associated with the holidays, poinset-

tias do not naturally thrive in the colder temperatures.

These plants originate in southern Mexico and were considered an exotic plant when first introduced to the United States by Joel Robert Poinsett, the first American ambassador to Mexico.

Poinsettias can be

fickle plants and ones that gardening novices may find challenging to maintain.

The plants are comprised of green foliage, colorful (often red) flower bracts, and the actual flowers of the plants, which are the red or green buttonlike parts nestled in the center of the bracts.

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Because they are a tropical plant, poinsettias can be damaged by exposure to low temperatures, even if they are only exposed for short periods of time.

They should be wrapped and protected against the elements when brought home. For maximum plant life, poinsettias need to be placed near a warm, sunny window, or another area that has ample amounts of light. They thrive in temperatures between 60 and 75 F and should be kept away from warm or cold drafts.

Water the plant whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. Water until it drains out the bottom, but don’t let the plant sit in water. Over- or underwatering can cause leaves to drop prematurely and wilt. If your home lacks in humidity, you may need to water the plant more frequently. Poinsettias do not need to be fertilized while the plant is in bloom.

The Ohio State Uni-

versity Extension says poinsettias can be reflowered the following Christmas, but unless a yearlong schedule of care is observed, the results usually are not good. You can speak with a gardening expert or consult online resources for the proper care schedule. Caring for a poinsettia year-round involves gradually drying out the plant and storing it in a cool location.

The plant later will be moved outdoors and then back inside and pruned to keep a full shape.

Poinsettias are shortday plants, which means

they flower about 10 weeks after the daylight shortens to about 12 hours or less. Therefore, to have the plant in full flower by Christmas, it will have to be kept in complete darkness between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. from the first part of October until Thanksgiving. Many people find the affordability of poinsettias makes it more convenient to buy new ones each year than try to foster regrowth.

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous to humans or animals, but they should not be ingested due to the potential for allergic reactions.

Poinsettias can help remove pollutants from indoor air, which is advantageous during the winter months when doors and windows are typically kept closed.

Select plants that have dark green foliage and no low or damaged leaves.

This ensures the best success for keeping poinsettias looking healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season.

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Holiday Gift Guide

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Safety first when stringing holiday lights

Holiday decorations help make a special time of year even more memorable. Whether you’re hanging mistletoe above a doorway or decking the halls, safety must be a priority when decorating a home for the holidays.

Accidents can happen no matter what type of holiday decorating you’re doing, but stringing holiday lights around your home may be especially dangerous. This season, keep the following safety tips in mind when stringing lights so this season of celebration starts off safe and sound.

Work with at least one partner. Never go it alone when stringing holiday lights. Make sure someone is there to hold the ladder steady as you climb up and down. Partnering up when stringing holiday lights allows decorators to use both of their hands to climb up ladders instead of using one of their hands to carry lights. Once they reach a point where it’s safe to hang lights, they can then have a helper hand them the lights. If possible, work in groups of three so someone can hold the ladder steady at all times.

Inspect lights before hanging them. Lights are not built to last forever, and over time holiday lights can suffer damage that has the potential to be dangerous. Wires can

fray, and sockets can crack or break. Inspect lights and wires before hanging them, replacing any that pose a hazard. When replacing bulbs, be sure to replace them with bulbs of equal wattage.

Use an extension cord of adequate length. Exterior holiday lights are often plugged into extension cords that extend to a shed or garage. Do not connect several extension cords to power holiday lights; instead, use just a single cord that’s lengthy enough to reach the outlet. Connecting extension cords is a fire hazard. In addition, make sure the amperage of the decorations matches the amperage rating of the extension cord, which can be found on the product label or possibly on the manufacture’s website.

Make sure the extension cord is not plugged into the power source while you are hanging the lights.

Make sure lights do not pose a safety hazard inside. Some people string holiday lights indoors as well. Lights might be hung on Christmas trees or along hallways. Such lights and the cords connecting them to power sources should never pose safety hazards, so make sure they are not lying on the floor. Staple lights to the wall and never place them beneath furniture or rugs. Lights can overheat when placed beneath rugs,

and lights that are not properly secured to a wall can pose certain dangers, including being potential tripping hazards.

Hang the correct lights.

When stringing lights, make sure you hang lights designated as exterior lights on the exterior of your home and those designated as interior lights inside your home. Hanging lights in the wrong places poses a fire hazard and creates additional safety concerns, so adhere to manufacturer instructions when stringing lights.

Safety should reign supreme when stringing holiday lights around the house.

Gifts to keep kids engaged Store aisles are filled this time of year with every must-have gift retailers can advertise. Children often plead and beg for the hottest toys weeks ahead of the holidays, hoping to find their requests wrapped up come the big day.

But once the gift wrap is torn away and kids have played with their presents for a day, some already grow bored with their new belongings and cast them aside. Certain toys are not engaging enough to warrant extended periods of play, no matter what the advertisements boast.

No gift-giver wants to spend money on a present only to have it collecting dust days later. With that said, employing these strategies can help anyone select a gift that will continue to inspire and excite children long after the holiday season has come and gone.

Don’t believe the hype.

It’s easy to fall hook, line and sinker for ultra-popular trendy gifts. While such gifts may have popular appeal, that does not mean they’re a perfect fit for your child. When shopping for youngsters come the holiday season, choose a gift because your child will truly enjoy it and not because it’s the trendy item of the year.

Focus on the play factor. Too often shoppers

get caught up in toys’ appearances. Instead, think about how the toys will work with imaginative play. The more a child can envision himself doing with a particular toy, the more likely he or she will exhibit a continued interest in that toy.

Look for minimal bells and whistles. Kids often find toys that leave more room for imagination more interesting than toys that are loaded with gadgets. Children prefer to make up their own stories and create modes of play that are more about what they like rather than the ‘right’ way to play or win.

Choose gifts that grow. Shoppers want to select gifts that are ageappropriate for children so they will be safe during

play time. But shoppers also should look for toys and activities that can be modified and grow with the child as he or she ages.

A game that gets progressively harder through levels or a toy set that can be supplemented as kids grow older may make good gifts. Musical instruments also can grow with a child, as the instruments become easier to master with practice.

Figure out the child’s interests. Toys that cater specifically to a child’s interests will be the most warmly received. It may take going the extra mile to find a gift that matches a child’s interest rather than picking up the first trendy gift you see, but the results will be well worth it.

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Holiday Gift Guide

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Tips to prolong the life of your Christmas tree Christmas trees are symbols of the holiday season and the spirit of giving that the season champions. Choosing and decorating a Christmas tree is a tradition for many families, and depending on the trees they choose, families may have some work to do to keep their trees glowing all season long.

Artificial Christmas trees require little, if any, maintenance. But live Christmas trees, which some people feel are more authentic and welcoming than their artificial counterparts, require daily maintenance. In addition to supplying the tree with water at least once per day, live Christmas tree

owners can take these steps to prolong the life of their trees.

Protect the tree on the way home. Your tree might be vulnerable to damage as you transport it from the farm to your living room. Unwrapped trees placed atop vehicles can be dried out by the wind. Prevent wind damage by wrapping the tree if you plan to place it atop your vehicle. If possible, lay the tree in the bed of a pickup truck and close the cover over the bed. If you don’t have access to a pickup truck but can use a minivan or SUV to transport your tree, see if the tree fits inside your vehicle. If it doesn’t, wrap it

tightly in a blanket or another form of cover, making sure the cover won’t blow off in the wind when you hit the open road.

Have the tree cut before you take it off the lot. If you typically purchase your tree from a florist or tree lot instead of a tree farm, then remember to ask the seller to recut the stem of the tree before you take it home. Tree farm trees are freshly cut, but trees sold away from the farm might have been chopped down weeks before they are ultimately sold. During the interval between being cut down and sold, trees’ vascular systems can clog and prevent the tree from getting the water it needs to survive the season. A fresh cut of the stem unclogs the system and ensures the tree will be able to consume water.

Avoid placing the tree near heaters or drafty windows. Many people know that placing a live tree near a potentially hot heating vent poses a fire hazard. But doing so also can dry out the tree,

decreasing the chances it will make it through the season. Placing the tree near drafty windows also can dry out the tree, so try to find a spot in your home with a consistent temperature.

Water the tree often.

Christmas trees need lots of water to make it through the season. You may notice the water in the tree stand disappears quickly when you first bring the tree home.

That’s because freshly cut trees will consume more water than trees that were cut several weeks ago. As the season goes on and the tree’s vascular system begins to clog, you might not need to water the tree as much as you did when you first brought it home.

But check the tree’s water stand twice per day when you first bring it home, refilling the stand with water whenever necessary.

A few tricks of the trade can help holiday celebrants maintain lush, awe-inspiring Christmas trees throughout the holiday season.