(LAST MINUTE)
HOLIDAY
GUIDE 25 LOCAL GIFTS UNDER $50 LOCAL STOCKING STUFFERS NEW BOOKS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST HOT TOYS FOR KIDS
S AT U R DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 7
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The Winchester Star
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
PAG E
GIFTS INSPIRED BY HOLIDAY FILMS Gift ideas for “The Polar Express” fan, and more. PAG E
25 GIFTS UNDER $50
We showcase gift ideas from several local merchants. PAG E
BOOK IDEAS
Got an adventure lover on your list? Red wine aficionado? We have just the book for them. PAG E
STOCKING STUFFERS
Local shops share some of their favorite stocking stuffers.
The Winchester Star
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
Saturday, December 2, 2017 — 3
INSPIRED BY HOLIDAY FILMS Tradition plays a pivotal role during the holiday season. While each family has its own unique holiday traditions, certain traditions are embraced and shared by families far and wide. The tradition of watching holiday films together as a family is one custom that has endured for generations. Grandparents may have their favorite films, while moms and dads no doubt have their own must-see holiday movies as well. And no holiday film session is complete without including at least one movie that celebrates the magical impact that this time of year can have on youngsters. This year, holiday shoppers can even draw some gift-giving inspiration from some classic holiday films that appeal to family members of all ages.
“The Polar Express” (2004) Children love this tale of a young boy who lives out many kids’ holiday fantasies by embarking on a magical, unpredictable journey to the North Pole. Along the way, the boy becomes a true believer in the spirit of Christmas when he picks up a loose sleigh bell that falls off of 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 whitestriped 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.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (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.
“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 gift-giving.
4 — Saturday, December 2, 2017
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
The Winchester Star
Boden French press travel mug $29.95 • Nibblins
Cashmere touch-screen sensitive gloves $38 • Scarpa Alta
Kendra Scott Emerald glass stud earrings $50 • Simply Charming
Vera Bradley iconic mini hipster in Winter Berry Other styles available $48 • Lantz’s Pharmacy
Marble cutting board $34 • Kimberly’s
2018 Lake Holiday Calendar by Erik Michael Photography $19.99 whitespiderinc.com/2018-lake-holiday-calendar
by JENNY BAKER Continued on page 8
The Winchester Star
Saturday, December 2, 2017 — 5
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
Felted wool trivet $21.50 • My Neighbor & Me
Snowman by Meadowbrooke Gourds $48 • Creekside Gifts
“Krampus in the Corner” by Justin Cristelli $15 Tin Top Art & Handmade Krampus doll $20 Tin Top Art & Handmade
Corkcicle stemless Various colors available $19.95 • Simply Charming KAVU rope bag Various styles available $50 • Mountain Trails
12 piece vintage cordial glassware $40 • 15 West Main Antiques Organic Black Pepper body balm and bar soap Various scents available $16 soap, $30 balm Cotton Hill Home
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Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
Early bird shoppers may purchase and even wrap gifts before December, but eleventh-hour shoppers may need some help come the holiday season. For those last-minute folks, there still are plenty of ways to ensure your shopping list is checked off. The following gifts are quick to purchase and can still make for thoughtful presents. Food basket
Liquor or wine basket
A visit to the supermarket or a convenience center can yield many tasty finds that can be packaged together into a gift basket. Pair foods with a gift card to that retailer.
Prepackaged spirits often come with decorative glasses and other accoutrements for entertaining. What’s more, they’re convenient to purchase if you’re on a time crunch.
Fueling station gift card Drivers will appreciate a gift card to their favorite fueling station. Such cards suit anyone who has a car and frequently travels or commutes.
Streaming service Offer to treat a loved one to a month or two of their favorite streaming television or movie service. If they already have streaming subscriptions, offer to cover the cost of the subscription for a few months.
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GIFT IDEAS
The Winchester Star
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
Saturday, December 2, 2017 — 7
8 — Saturday, December 2, 2017
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
The Winchester Star
Rice/noodle bowl with chopsticks by Park City, Utah artist Bruce Larrabee $23 • Handworks Gallery
Looseleaf teas by Art of Tea Various flavors $10 - $15 My Neighbor & Me
Bittermilk cocktail mixer set Various varieties a lins with Elderflower and Hops vailable. Pictured: Tom Col$26.50 • mcKee's
UNDER $50 Apple canvas painting by Darren Gygi 5” x 5”, 9” x 9” (shown), 14” x 14” available $37 • Creekside Gifts
English pot grabber Various styles available $11 • Cotton Hill Home
Le Creuset mini nesting cocottes $50 • Nibblins
8 — Saturday, December 2, 2017
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
The Winchester Star
The Winchester Star
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
Rice/noodle bowl with chopsticks by Park City, Utah artist Bruce Larrabee $23 • Handworks Gallery
Handcrafted ceramic phone holder and bud vase by STAK Ceramics $34 Modern Mercantile Handcrafted wood pens by Luke Phaneuf Various styles available. Pictured: $20 - $35 Firehouse Gallery Looseleaf teas by Art of Tea Various flavors $10 - $15 My Neighbor & Me
Bittermilk cocktail mixer set Various varieties available. Pictured: Tom Collins with Elderflower and Hops $26.50 • mcKee's
Palm leaf umbrella Various styles available $13.75 - $18.95 • Silver Cloud Jewelry
UNDER $50 Apple canvas painting by Darren Gygi 5” x 5”, 9” x 9” (shown), 14” x 14” available $37 • Creekside Gifts
Saturday, December 2, 2017 — 9
English pot grabber Various styles available $11 • Cotton Hill Home
National Parks vintage-inspired calendar Various styles available. $21.95 • Bluebell's
Le Creuset mini nesting cocottes $50 • Nibblins
Waxed canvas clutch by Burst Into Bloom $40 • Tin Top Art & Handmade
Iron horse Porcelain horse $24, $38 Make Nest Interiors
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Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
FOR MANY ON YOUR LIST
Need some book ideas for those on your gift list? Christine Patrick of the Winchester Book Gallery shares some of the new releases this month.
For the History Buff
“The Vietnam War” by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns This companion volume is the perfect choice for your dad who couldn’t get enough of the popular multipart PBS film which aired in September of this year. Featuring perspectives of people involved at all levels of the war, this book seeks to understand why the war happened the way it did.
For the Beatles Fan
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by Brian Southall This carefully crafted and collectible volume celebrates the 50th anniversary of the legendary Beatles album, a must for any Beatles fan on your list. Side “A” is all about the Beatles, the music and recording process. Side “B” looks at the state of the world in 1967, when the album was released.
For the Red Wine Aficionado
“Red Wine” by Kevin Zraly, Mike DeSimone, Jeff Janssen 50 essential varieties and styles from Agiorgitiko to Zinfandel are explored, from growing to making the wine. With tasting notes and suggested food pairings, your wino friend will dive right into this book (with wineglass in hand).
For the Craft Beer Lover
“Atlas of Beer” by Garrett Oliver, Nancy Hoalst-Pullen, and Mark Patterson National Geographic is behind this comprehensive, insightful guide to craft beer world-wide, uncovering unique drinking destinations and travel tips, trends, histories, and insider knowledge from brewers and bar owners around the globe. Includes more than 100 maps and 200 color photos.
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The Winchester Star
Saturday, December 2, 2017 — 11
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
For the Adventurer
“Lonely Planet’s Atlas of Adventure” Your thrill seeker will love this new encyclopedia of adventure featuring the best outdoor experiences around the world, from hiking, climbing, cycling, surfing and even parachuting. Gorgeous photography included.
For the Sports Fan
“Basketball (and other things)” by Shea Serrano Providing pivotal and ridiculous fan disputes from basketball history, the basketball fan on your list will appreciate the arguments and answers, explained with wit and wisdom. Debates include: Who is the greatest dunker of all time? Which version of Michael Jordan was the best Michael Jordan?
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and be sure to check out our first Holiday Gift Guide for additional gift ideas! www.winchesterstar.com and scroll down to Special Sections. Click on this cover to read in full color.
For the Cook, Who Also Loves Rock Music
“Dark Side of the Spoon” by Joseph Inniss, Ralph Miller, Peter Stadden Thirty recipes inspired by some of the most renowned rock acts of today and yesteryear. The headbanging chef on your list will love the vast array of recipes. (Think Smashing Pumpkin Pie, Fleetwood Mac and Cheese.)
For the Dog Lover
“A Dog’s Way Home” by W. Bruce Cameron From the writer of the bestselling “A Dog’s Purpose,” this new novel tells the story about dog who treks over 400 miles of dangerous Colorado wilderness on an adventure to get back to her person.
12 — Saturday, December 2, 2017
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
STUFFERS Clockwise, from top left: Vinrella umbrella Various colors and patterns available $22 • Scarpa Alta Finchberry Soap Various scents available $9.99 • Lantz’s Pharmacy White Hot Chocolate (part of a variety pack) $9.99 • Nibblins Trivia Games Night at the Movies and 90s TV Trivia Additional sets available (70s, 80s, 00s) $10.50 and $7.99 • mcKee’s Zum Glow aromatherapy soy candle Zum Christmas Chi room & body spray $8.49 and $10.99 • Harvest Moon Dot & Lil heirloom flower garden bath salts $20 • Modern Mercantile Champagne Bears by Sugarfina Other flavors available $9.95 • Simply Charming Enamel Hops Pin by Wildship Studio $12 • Tin Top Art and Handmade
The Winchester Star
The Winchester Star
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
Saturday, December 2, 2017 — 13
FOR OTHERS ON YOUR LIST Come the holiday season, many people find it’s not just family and friends on their shopping lists. Coworkers and acquaintances often land on such lists as well, and it’s not always easy deciding what to get those people who aren’t close friends or family members.
Caregivers play important roles in the lives of children. Once you have found a sitter or nanny who you trust, you want to ensure you keep that person content. If you regularly use a nanny or sitter, money is always a great gift. For a full-time nanny, one week to one month’s pay is adequate. For a regular sitter, consider a gift equal to two nights’ pay.
Boss
Coach or club leader
Gifting the boss is a sensitive subject and should be dictated by company protocol. If you are the only employee to buy your boss a gift, it may seem like you are trying to curry favor. However, if everyone else is gifting and you fail to offer a gift, you may be caught off guard. Some business etiquette experts say that it is customary for bosses to give gifts to employees but not the reverse. However, employees who are especially close with their bosses or who work closely with them each day may want to offer a small token of appreciation. When selecting gifts for bosses, do not give anything too personal, such as clothing, perfume or jewelry. Food or gift cards are a safer bet. Experts say a gift in the range of $10 to $25 is adequate. Chipping in for a gift with other employees may be the best course of action so you don’t inspire resentment among coworkers.
Babysitter or nanny
Trash collector
Children today are involved in many different activities, and chances are parents’ schedules are filled with sports games and practices. A small gift of $10 to $20 can show your appreciation to a coach or club leader. This is another instance when it might be nice to pool your resources with fellow parents to purchase one large gift.
Hauling garbage is neither an easy nor glamorous job. Many garbage collectors appreciate a tip for their hard work. Take notice of who collects the trash from your home. If it is the same people each week, take the time to personally deliver an envelope with a small tip of around $20.
Mail carrier
Hairstylist
If your mail is delivered by the same mail carrier week after week, you may want to spread some holiday joy. Mail carriers have an extra workload during the holidays, when they are tasked with delivering packages and greeting cards in addition to more routine mail. Civil servants may be forbidden from receiving cash. In such instances, a gift card makes a great gift.
If you are a regular for frequent treatments and color in a salon, show the stylist you appreciate his or her work with a cash gift. If you want to give a wrapped present, avoid tools of the trade or anything that is too personal. Stylists are on their feet much of the day, so a gift for a massage appointment or pedicure may be just what they need.
www.winchesterstar.com and scroll down to Special Sections. Click on this cover to read in full color.
14 — Saturday, December 2, 2017
The Winchester Star
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
HOLIDAY TOYS
Oonies, Fingerlings, Legos and some ‘surprises’ round up the list of hot toys in 2017.
By ABBA BHATTARAI The WASHINGTON POST
The holidays are upon us, which means toys are popping up everywhere. There are Hatchimals and Shopkins, Fingerlings and Oonies, and of course updates on classics like Legos and Nintendo. The most popular of the bunch have already begun selling out online and in stores. Shoppers are projected to spend an average of $967.13 this holiday season, a 3.4 percent increase from last year, with the bulk of that money going toward gifts for family members, according to the National Retail Federation. Spending on toys is also on the rise, with roughly 40 percent of adults saying they plan to buy toys this year, up from 29 percent five years ago, according to data from Deloitte. But finding the right toys can be overwhelming.Here are some newcomers that retailers and industry experts say are likely to be among the season’s most popular.
Nintendo Switch Who says you have to stay home to play video games? The $299 Nintendo Switch is a portable home console that doubles as a handheld device for when you’re on the go. The console, introduced in March, is widely expected to surpass the Wii to become Nintendo’s best-selling product. Nearly 8 million units had been sold as of September. The company expects to sell more than 17 million Switch con-
soles this year, and is planning on making up to 30 million more next year, according to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal. “Momentum for Nintendo Switch is in full swing,” Doug Bowser, Nintendo’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement earlier this year. Games, which typically start at $59, include “Super Mario Odyssey,” “Mario Kart 8,” “Splatoon 2” and “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” In early November, Nintendo introduced a new Switch video app that allows users to stream movies and television shows on the device. Users can also record 30-second video clips of “great gaming moments” to share with friends.
“Big” surprises No surprise here, say toymakers: Kids love big reveals. And that’s exactly why two of the season’s most popular toys, the L.O.L. Surprise! Big Surprise and Hatchimals Surprise, both priced at $69.99, are flying off shelves. The L.O.L. Big Surprise, by MGA Entertainment, is a glittery, dome-shaped plastic case filled with four dolls — along with dozens of accessories, clothing, charms and other knickknacks — that must be individually unwrapped. It can take hours to peel away the toy’s layers and figure out exactly what’s inside. Some dolls cry, spit or “tinkle.” Others
change color in cold water. Hatchimals Surprise, meanwhile, adds a twist to last year’s hit holiday toy. This time around, there are two Hatchimals — fuzzy creatures that sing, dance and interact with one another — inside each speckled egg. But first, users have to help the creatures hatch, which generally requires about 15 minutes of holding, tapping and cajoling the outer egg. “You don’t know what you’re going to get until you go through the process and hatch the egg,” said James Martin, head of robotics at Hatchimal game company Spin Master. “People just love that anticipation. They love the surprise.”
Women of NASA and Star Wars Lego sets Lego has had a bumpy year — it ousted its chief executive in August and the following month posted the first sales decline in more than a decade. But now the Danish toymaker may be poised for a comeback with two fast-selling lines: Women of NASA and Star Wars. Women of NASA, which sells for $24.99, honors four female scientists and astronauts, including Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space. The set, released Nov. 1, sold out on Amazon.com within 24 hours. (Jeff Bezos, the found-
See Toys, Page 15
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Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
Toys
from Page 14
er and chief executive of Amazon, also owns The Washington Post.) Still available, though, are the BB-8 building kit ($99.99) and First Order Star Destroyer ($159.99) from the upcoming movie, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Also part of the line: The Millennium Falcon ($149.99), which comes with 7,541 pieces, making it Lego’s largest set to date. And for those who can’t wait until Christmas: The Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar, which sells for $39.99, is currently the best-selling toy on Amazon.
Interactive animals Meet the Fingerlings: A family of tiny monkeys, and the occasional unicorn and sloth, that latch onto your finger and respond to voice, movement and touch by blinking, babbling and blowing kisses. The animatronic toys, which sell for $14.99 apiece, are already sold out online at Walmart, Target and Toys R Us. Tap their heads, and they’ll burp. Hang them upside down, and they’ll laugh hysterically. The critters - which are about the size of fingerling potatoes - also coo when cuddled, and doze off when rocked. And if you run out of ways to keep them entertained, the toy company WowWee also sells pintsize jungle gyms and playground sets for $25 to $40. “Fingerlings,” said brand manager Sydney Wiseman, “are like having an interactive friend at your fingertips.” Another animal that’s being marketed as a friend: FurReal Roarin’ Tyler, a plush tiger
that blinks, roars and wags its tail. Tyler, which costs $129.99, comes with his own squeaky chicken toy and is among Amazon’s best-selling toys.
Oonies What are Oonies? According to Moose Toys, they’re “air-filled balls of amazing fun.” The bubbles - part-balloon, part-bubble — are made of a latex-free plastic material. Once inflated, Oonies can be stuck together and decorated to create animals, monsters, even elaborate games. But the fun is temporary: Oonies typically deflate within a matter of days. The Oonies Mega Starter Pack, on the Toys R Us “hot toy” list, costs $29.99 and comes with 90 pellets and an “inflator.” Moose Toys, the company behind other hits like Shopkins and Pikmi Pops, says Oonies is on track to become the company’s most popular craft toy.
www.winchesterstar.com and scroll down to Special Sections. Click on this cover to read in full color.
16 — Saturday, December 2, 2017
Last Minute Gift Guide 2017
The Winchester Star