Last-Minute Gift Guide 2012

LAST-MINUTE

HOLIDAY DECEMBER

2012

A supplement to The Courier-Gazette, The Camden Herald and The Republican Journal

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Last-Minute Gift Guide • Dec. 13, 2012

Great gifts that won’t Courier Publications, LLC Publisher of The Courier-Gazette, The Camden Herald and The Republican Journal 91 Camden St., Suite 403, Rockland, ME 04841 • 207.594.4401 Graphics Department Production Manager: Christine Dunkle

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Table of Contents Great gifts that won’t break the bank .............................................. 2 Gifts for those hoping to get healthier............................................. 3 Holiday giving for special needs children ........................................ 5 Help college students this season .................................................. 6 The many faces of Christmas .......................................................... 6 Save up all year to enjoy a debt-free holiday .................................. 7 Gift ideas for the food fanatic on your list ....................................... 8

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iving is synonymous with the holiday season. But in a holiday season where people are still dealing with a sagging and unpredictable economy, giving in a way that won’t break the bank is imperative for many thoughtful holiday shoppers.

In response to the economy, many families have set limits on how much family members can spend on holiday gifts. Such budgets are a great idea and can even make holiday shopping more fun as shoppers hunt down the perfect gift without having to worry about how they’re going to pay for it. Low-cost holiday gifts come in many shapes and sizes, and the following are a few ideas to help you get started.

FOOD & BEVERAGE If you need to find an inexpensive gift for the family foodie, then you’re in luck. Plenty of culinary gifts can be had for less than $25. Early risers might appreciate some gourmet coffee beans accompanied by a new coffee mug, while those who prefer tea instead of coffee would no doubt appreciate a variety pack of herbal teas and a new teacup or teapot.

Men and women who embrace mealtime as an opportunity to experience various styles of cuisine would likely love a cookbook filled with recipes from all over the world or a particular country whose cuisine inspires them.

Another great gift for foodies is a membership to a club such as “Pastry of the Month” or “Coffee of the Month.”

Such gifts cost a little more than thrifty shoppers would care to spend, but there are some deals to be had on such memberships come the holiday season.

PHOTOGRAPHY The dawn of the digital age has made photography more popular than ever before. Amateur photographers can now take photos with a digital camera or even their cellular phones and post their pictures to the Internet in a matter of seconds. Though online photo albums are popular, a traditional photo album is a thoughtful and inexpensive gift for a loved one who can’t take enough pictures. New parents might also consider giving their youngster’s grandparents a photo

album filled with photos of the family’s newest addition.

FILM FANS Movie buffs are passionate about their favorite films, and feeding that passion can be easy and inexpensive.

Many film fans have a favorite director or actor, so why not gift a collection of that director or actor’s work? Perhaps thanks to the growing popularity of streaming movies online, DVDs are now more affordable than ever.

Many film fanatics are also interested in the history of the film industry, so a book detailing that history might appeal to your loved ones.

Of course, all film fans generally appreciate a gift certificate to their local multiplex.

PET PARENTS Pet parents are enamored with their furry friends, so a pet-oriented gift is sure to make their holiday season even more special. A new bowl, a flashy new collar or some additional attire aimed at helping their beloved pooch or cat stay warm through the winter months won’t cost much, but it’s certainly something most pet owners and their pets need.

For the pet parent who seemingly has everything, remember that pets can never have enough toys. Pets tend to play rough, so their toys aren’t known for their longevity. Some new pet toys can be had on the cheap, and pet parents will appreciate the gesture.

GIFTS, page 6

Dec. 13, 2012 • Last-Minute Gift Guide

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Gifts for those hoping to get healthier T

he holidays are synonymous with many things, including get-togethers with family and friends, shopping and, at the tail end of the season, resolutions. One of the more common New Year’s resolutions is a commitment to getting healthier. This year, holiday shoppers can combine the tradition of gift-giving with the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions by giving a loved one who wants to improve personal health a gift that can make keeping that resolution that much easier.

When holiday shopping this season, consider the following gift ideas for that health-conscious friend or family member who’s looking to turn over a new leaf in the new year by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Gym membership: Fitness centers tend to see a spike in enrollment at the dawn of a new year, as men and women who want to get healthier take the first step by signing up for a gym membership. The holiday season can be a great time to sign up for a membership, as many fitness centers waive their initiation fees in an effort to attract more customers.

When trying to help a friend or family member get back on a healthy track, offer to pay a portion of their membership fees or, if their preferred club is charging an initiation fee, offer to pay that instead. Recipients might feel more obligated to go to the gym if they know a loved one helped pay for it.

• Cardiovascular machine: Many people cite a lack of time as the primary reason they don’t exercise enough. Getting to and from the gym takes time, but having a cardiovascular machine, whether it’s an elliptical machine, an exercise bike or a treadmill, at home removes this hurdle, increasing the chances that people will exercise more often.

And the potential benefits of routine cardiovascular exercise are considerable. According to the American Heart Association, as little as 30 minutes of daily cardiovascular exercise each day can significantly reduce an individual’s risk for heart disease.

• Bicycle: Few activities are more enjoyable and simultaneously beneficial as riding a bicycle.

Many people still enjoy riding a bike just like they did when they were children, when they might not have known just how healthy riding a bicycle was.

Cycling improves cardiovascular fitness, lowering a person’s risk for heart disease while helping to build and tone muscles. In addition, men and women with preexisting joint conditions often find riding a bicycle is a great low-impact exercise that encourages them to get off the couch in a way that doesn’t aggravate their conditions. Many adults received a bicycle as a holiday gift when they were children, and those looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle might be just as excited to receive a bicycle once again.

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• Cookbook: Adopting a healthier lifestyle does not have to be all about exercise. In fact, eating healthier is just as important as exercising more.

A common misconception about eating healthy is that healthy foods don’t boast the flavor of those irresistible, yet ultimately unhealthy, foods we can’t get enough of. However, a healthy diet can be flavorful, so help health-conscious men and women get started with a cookbook filled with healthy and delicious recipes. Before buying a cookbook, find out if the book’s eventual recipient has any specific dietary restrictions, including if he or she needs to eat gluten-free or has been told to avoid red meat. Then find a cookbook that suits them but does so in a way that allows them to embrace healthy eating.

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Last-Minute Gift Guide • Dec. 13, 2012

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Dec. 13, 2012 • Last-Minute Gift Guide

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Holiday giving for special needs children E

veryone wants to get the perfect gifts for people on their holiday shopping lists. Shopping for a child with special needs can make gift-giving a bit more difficult. After all, buyers want to ensure the gift is practical as well as thoughtful.

However, there are many great gift ideas for special needs children.

Buying gifts for kids with a disability or other special needs make take a little more time, but shoppers who consider a child’s developmental readiness as well as personal interests can still find the perfect gift.

• Consult with parents and caregivers. Parents often know best when it comes to their own children and will make the most reliable source as to which gifts to buy for special needs children. Parents may have a list of items a therapist or teacher has suggested, and these learning tools could make good gifts, particularly if parents’ own budgets are stretched. If you’d like to make the gift a surprise for everyone involved, go directly to a therapist or teacher and ask for suggestions.

There may be classroom aides that can

be bought to continue the learning experience at home.

• Assess developmental level.

When it comes to special needs children, age does not always dictate the proper developmental level. A pre-teen with special needs may not be on the same level academically and socially as his or her peers, while some special needs

children may be more developed in a particular area than other special needs kids their age. Assess a child’s developmental level to help you select toys that he or she can play with. For example, a nonverbal child with autism who likes marine life may benefit from a colorful picture book where he or she can point to the animals.

• Think about interests. Most children gravitate to certain types of toys and have specific interests when it comes to play. A music lover may enjoy a learner’s guitar or keyboard. Those who like to build would probably like a Lego(R) or Mega Bloks(R) set that can be transformed into cars, trucks or even space stations.

Most children benefit from art sets where they can explore their creativity and also master greater dexterity and imaginative thinking.

• Consider making a financial donation. Some children with special needs require the use of specialized equipment, such as braces or wheelchairs.

Such equipment can be expensive, and the child’s family might benefit from a financial gift. A monetary gift to be put toward medical supplies, travel, gear, or even a charitable donation to an association would make fine gifts.

Special needs children are just like others in that they look forward to the bounty of holiday gifts. Choosing presents that pertain to their interests, needs and developmental readiness can ensure that this holiday season is a happy one.

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Last-Minute Gift Guide • Dec. 13, 2012

Help college students this season C

ollege is a time when many students form friendships and make memories that last a lifetime. College is also a time when students learn to stretch a dollar, and the right gift come the holiday season can have a big impact on a college student’s life. The following are a few gift ideas that may help make your favorite student’s second semester a success.

• Books and supplies: Textbooks and supplies remain one of the biggest expenses for today’s college students.

According to the College Board, a not-for-profit organization aimed at helping college students be successful, the average cost for books and supplies during the 2011-2012 school year was roughly $1,200. Such an expense can be daunting for college students, and relatives can help them out come the holidays by paying for a portion or all of their second semester textbooks and supplies. Such a gesture might not make the most sentimental holiday gift, but it’s a practical present that will go a long way toward helping a financially struggling student pay his or her bills.

• Travel: College students who want to study abroad or travel for spring break must bankroll those travels themselves. In addition, some students struggle to pay for their travel back home during the holiday season or during other breaks from class. Adults who want to lend a college student a helping hand this holiday season can offer to help pay those travel costs. Men and women who travel a lot for work might be able to use their airline miles to secure a free or low-cost ticket for the college student in their life.

• Computer accessories and programs: Of course, not all gifts need to be financially oriented. Practical gifts like computer accessories can also make a great gift for college students. Nowadays, many colleges and universities require incoming students to have their own desktop or laptop computers. Students with their own laptops might appreciate new laptop bags that make it easier to transport their computers to and from classes and the library. In addition, some majors, such as graphic design, require that students use ever-evolving and expensive computer

GIFTS, from page 2

REST & RELAXATION Arguably one of the best holiday gifts is one that won’t cost shoppers a penny. Offer to babysit a loved one’s kids so the adults can enjoy a worry-free night on the town or simply relax at home without the kids.

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software. These programs are often installed on computers in the university’s labs, but students may perform better in school if they install such programs on their own computers.

Upgrading students’ computer software can save them money and help them do better in school.

• Gaming consoles: Another great gift for college students is the latest video gaming console. Though such a gift might not be as virtuous as new textbooks or computer programs, a gaming console can help students unwind from the stresses of schoolwork. Today’s college students grew up with gaming consoles and many are avid gamers, so a new gaming console can also be a great way for them to make new friends who share similar interests.

Another R&R gift is to book a spa trip for you and a loved one. While this won’t necessarily qualify as an inexpensive holiday gift, you can often get great deals on spa treatments and other luxurious services when you book for two. And booking such a trip is also a way to reward yourself for surviving another holiday season.

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any people prepare for the arrival of Christmas months in advance.

The first traces of wrapping paper and decorations arrive in stores as early as September, transforming the holiday into a much more secular celebration than its modest Christian beginnings.

Despite Christmas being an important date in the lives of today’s Christians, the holiday failed to gain prominent status until relatively recently. Research indicates that as late as the 19th century, Christmas was not even a legal holiday requiring a day off from work. That’s why 19th century readers of the classic Christmas tale, “A Christmas Carol,” were not shocked at Bob Cratchit having to work on Christmas Day. The United States Congress used to meet on Christmas Day because it was not a national holiday. In 1836, Alabama became the first state to officially recognize Christmas, but it didn’t become a legal holiday across the country until June 26, 1970.

Today’s Christmas celebrations include traditions from around the world. Some ascertain that it was the Church’s doing to schedule Christmas at a similar time to the pagan festivals, such as Saturnalia, that took place during the winter months. But many biblical scholars argue that this was not the case. Some pagan influences, such as holly and mistletoe as well as the burning of a yule log, have long been a part of Christmas traditions.

Santa Claus is one of the more recognizable symbols of Christmas.

He is based on St. Nikolas of Myrna, an area that is part of modern-day Turkey. St. Nikolas is the world’s CHRISTMAS, page 8

Dec. 13, 2012 • Last-Minute Gift Guide

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Save up all year to enjoy a debt-free holiday T

he holiday season is synonymous with many things, including spending. Opening a Christmas Club account is one way shoppers exercise some financial savvy during the holiday season.

According to survey from the American Research Group, the average family spends between $700 and $900 on Christmas gifts in a given year. Roughly 1.5 percent of the family budget is devoted to holiday giving.

This doesn’t factor in the additional expenses of food and entertaining, as well as travel and miscellaneous holiday necessities. The American Consumer Credit Council indicates that the average American carries credit card debt of roughly $8,562, and holiday spending can add to that already heavy burden.

Setting aside funds for Christmas can help cut down on any additional debt from holiday giving. It helps to budget for the added gifts, decorations and food that make the holidays festive. Savings clubs have been offered through banks and other organizations for decades. It’s never too early to establish a Christmas savings account, and most people like to get started right at the beginning of the new year.

Although Christmas clubs have traditionally been offered through credit unions and savings banks, third-party organizations, including retailers, also offer these types of savings accounts. Such accounts may accrue a small amount of interest, and unlike accounts established with banks, the money saved must be spent with the particular retailer holding the account.

The Better Business Bureau advises that Christmas clubs are good ways to budget and help avoid holiday debt. Here are their suggestions when establishing an account.

• Build a budget. Consider how much you spent in the previous holiday season to help determine how much you want to set aside every month.

• Start saving now. The sooner you start setting aside money every month, the better. By setting up a club account in January or February, you’ll benefit more from the interest rate and start the year off on the right foot.

• Shop around. While the interest rates on these accounts are typically not very high, they can vary, so shop around for the best deal.

• Read the fine print. Christmas clubs are essentially short-term savings accounts, but there are a few details that make them different. In some cases, there might be a minimum required deposit to open the account or a minimum amount you must deposit every month. In addition, there is often a financial penalty for withdrawing the funds before the holiday shopping season arrives.

• Automate the process. Many Christmas club accounts allow for monthly automatic deductions of the amount of money you determine from your bank account or paycheck. This helps lessen the pinch. Just make sure that you don’t set aside so much that you run the risk of overdrawing on your accounts.

Christmas clubs can be yet another financing tool that individuals use to help offset the additional expenses of the holiday season.

Using savings clubs to budget for the holidays eliminates high bills come January.

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Last-Minute Gift Guide • Dec. 13, 2012

Gift ideas for the food fanatic on your list S

ome people are a cinch to shop for come the holiday season, while others can be more of an enigma. When it comes to the latter, shoppers should determine what tickles their mysterious friend or family member’s fancy, such as a favorite hobby or even something to do with his or her profession.

Food is a passion for many people and provides holiday shoppers with a great opportunity to make a loved one’s holiday season even more special.

Perhaps thanks to the increase in cable networks focusing on food, foodies, those people with an appreciation and passion for cuisine, have grown in number in recent years, and holiday shoppers with foodies on their lists have a host of potential gift options at their disposal.

• Cooking class: Many foodies don’t just like eating food but cooking their favorite cuisine as well. For those who like to get their hands dirty before filling their bellies, consider paying for a cooking class. Many communities have cooking classics for various types of cuisine, so consult your friend or family member, asking them which cuisine they’d like to learn and when they’re available. Or let them find their own class and then pay for the class.

This can be a great way for foodies to learn something new and meet fellow food afficionados along the way.

Gift the foodie on your holiday shopping list with something that encourages their love of cuisine.

• Specialty spices: Spices can make the difference between an ordinary meal that’s void of flavor and a meal that’s so flavorful it won’t soon be forgotten. When spicing things up for a foodie this holiday season, don’t just buy regular spices at the grocery store. For example, instead of standard cinnamon, buy a specialty spice like Mexican or Vietnamese cinnamon.

Such specialty spices can add extra flavor to a meal while becoming the

CHRISTMAS, from page 6

most popular non-Biblical saint and is one of the saints most portrayed by artists. Early depictions of St. Nikolas show him as a stern man who delivered his share of discipline. Eventually, those depictions changed to show a figure more associated with generosity. Throughout history there have been characters from around the globe, such as the Viking deity Odin, who were precursors to Santa Claus. Myth states that Odin rode his eight-legged flying horse in the winter. Odin gave out gifts to well-behaved children and punishments to those who misbehaved.

Children would fill boots or stockings with treats for the flying horse.

Regardless of the origins of Christmas, today it is hard to deny that Christmas is a commercialized success. It is a national holiday not only in the United States but also in other areas of the world, and it is best known for the tradition of giving presents to others. In fact, many people head to the stores well in advance of the Christmas holiday to purchase all of the presents on their shopping lists. The shopping season tradition may be traced back to the time of World War II, when it was necessary to mail gifts early

go-to spice for the home chef among your friends and family members.

• Pressure cooker: Many foodies are fawning over pressure cooking, which can cut down on cooking times without sacrificing nutrition.

Some recipes may take half the time to prepare with a pressure cooker as they might with a more traditional cooking method, an important time saving element that’s attractive to foodies who want to enjoy their

to the troops serving in Europe so that they would be able to open them in time. Merchants realized that this concept could be used when gifting troops as well as private citizens, reminding shoppers to make their holiday purchases early so they could mail them to relatives near or far. As a result, the advanced shopping season was born.

Although many people feel Christmas begins when the first bag of tinsel appears on a store shelf and ends when the last present is opened on December 25th, the true religious holiday does not coincide with merchant schedules. While most people are bustling to and from department stores and malls, Christians are participating in Advent, which was traditionally a solemn season of reflection and fasting. Christians are supposed to spend Advent preparing for the birth of Jesus Christ and the joy that ensues during the weeks leading up to December 25.

Similarly, the joyous time of Christ’s birth is a day of celebration that does not end on December 26 but continues for 12 days until the Epiphany, also known as Little Christmas, when Magi were reported to have visited the infant Christ and give him gifts. Although the more traditional day for gift-giving would seem to be on the Epiphany, by the time that day arrives many people

favorite foods but feel pressed for time on weeknights. And while pressure cookers employ steam to cook foods quickly, that steam also traps flavor, whereas boiling can wash flavor out.

Many foodies also laud pressure cookers for their nutritional benefits.

Steaming certain foods can intensify their flavor, which allows cooks to rely less on potentially unhealthy additions like salt or butter to ensure a meal is flavorful.

• Serving dishes: Of course, many foodies want to share the fruits of their labors with friends and family. For the person who loves throwing dinner parties, consider some serving dishes this holiday season. Serving dishes can range from casual (for the foodie who can’t wait to fire up the grill) to formal (for the gourmet foodie), so get a feel of your friend or family member’s preferences before purchasing a set of serving dishes.

• Cookbook: The ideal fallback item for holiday shoppers who can’t seem to find anything for their favorite foodies, cookbooks filled with recipes for dishes from their favorite type of cuisine (i.e., Italian, Thai, Cajun, etc.) are sure to please. When gifting with a cookbook, peruse a few of its recipes to determine if there are any special ingredients that appear throughout. If there are, purchase these ingredients and gift them as well.

have already taken down their Christmas decorations.

Christmas is a holiday steeped in many different traditions, and many people have their own ways of celebrating all through the month of December.