Local Edition - Douglas Now

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G i f t y G a d lo i Local Edition uid H

Your guide to sales and specials from local Douglas merchants, along with Christmas party planning tips, gift giving ideas and holiday recipes.

Christmas Goodies Chocolate Rum Balls Ingredients 3 ¼ cups crushed vanilla wafers 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts 3 tablespoons light corn syrup ½cup rum Directions: In a large bowl, stir together the crushed vanilla wafers, 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, and nuts. Blend in corn syrup and rum. Shape into 1 inch balls, and roll in additional confectioners’ sugar. Store in an airtight container for several days to develop the flavor. Roll again in confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Peppermint Bark Ingredients 2 pounds white chocolate 30 small peppermint candy canes Directions Line a large jellyroll pan with heavy-duty foil. Place white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in microwave on medium setting for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Place candy canes in a plastic bag, or between two pieces of waxed paper. Using a mallet or rolling pin, break the candy canes into chunks. Stir peppermint into melted white chocolate. Spread evenly in pan, and chill until set, about 1 hour. Break into pieces by slamming pan on counter.

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Eggnog Fudge Ingredients 2 cups sugar 1 cup refrigerated eggnog 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp light corn syrup ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted and chopped ½ cup chopped red candied cherries 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions 1. Line an 8’’x4’’ loaf pan with aluminum foil; butter foil and set aside. 2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a 4-quart heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Wash down crystals from sides of pan using a pastry brush dipped in hot water. Insert a candy thermometer into eggnog mixture. 3. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thermometer registers 238F. Remove pan from heat and cool sugar mixture, undisturbed, until temperature drops to 190F (15 to 18 minutes). 4. Stir in pecans and remaining 3 ingredients; beat with a wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose its gloss (5 to 8 minutes). 5. Pour candy into prepared pan. Cool completely; cut into squares.

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Support your local merchants Three reasons to buy local for the holidays You’ve finally finished drawing up your Christmas gift list and you just know it’s going to make all your loved ones happy. You also have to keep working on that endless shopping list for the various holiday gatherings you have to prepare for. But wait; don’t jump into your car just yet. Have you thought about shopping locally? It’s a surefire way to make even more people happy. Not convinced? Here are three good reasons to buy local. 1. PAMPER YOUR TASTE BUDS: Nothing beats buying locally if you want to serve your guests the ultimate in delicious food. Locally-sourced food products are fresher, more nutritious and tastier. And they aren’t as likely to be treated with preservatives to make them last longer or stay fresher looking. Vegetables, cheeses, meats, beers and wines are just a few examples of things you can buy locally during the holiday season. They’ll help you make your holiday meals even more delicious than usual. And how about buying local foods as gifts for your favorite foodies? It’s a great idea that will give you the opportunity to make some beautiful and delicious discoveries. 2. SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY: Are you fond of your area? When you buy local it helps your community become more dynamic. That’s because when you spend your money close to home, you’re helping the local economy grow and open up more

jobs for the people you know. Promoting economic activity in your region also helps improve the quality of life for workers. You’re encouraging local producers, entrepreneurs and merchants when you do your holiday shopping at the neighborhood clothing store or at the artisanal butcher shop. You’re strengthening the trust between producers and consumers and bolstering your sense of belonging to your community. What more could you ask for at holiday time, which is an occasion for sharing and love? 3. GIVE MORE ECO-FRIENDLY GIFTS: Choosing local products also means reducing the distance between the producer (or the merchant) and the consumer. This, in turn, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution related to the transportation of goods. And that’s beside the fact that transporting products across thousands of miles generally requires more packaging. In short, buying local is an environmentally-friendly gesture. Buying locally is also more convenient. Why go to the big shopping center located outside of town when your own neighborhood is full of all kinds of stores and businesses? You’re more likely to find unique gifts, and you won’t have to go as far if you need to exchange them later on. On top of all that, you’ll save on gas and produce less pollution. The only person who could do it any better is Santa Claus.

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Discover Christmas apps What do we Christmas enthusiasts have in common? We love to put up the decorations and listen to songs about reindeer bells and Christmas trees as soon as Halloween is over. Does that sound like you? If you’re ready for the Christmas festivities to begin, you’ll have fun exploring all the apps with Christmas themes available for your smartphone or tablet. Calendars: A wide choice of virtual Advent calendars is available in the vast world of mobile apps. Much healthier than the cardboard ones filled with chocolates, these calendars give you a little digital surprise every day up to Christmas. It’s a fun way to bide your time until the holidays. Music: Apps abound for fans of Christmas carols and songs. Whether you want to listen to some seasonal tunes while doing your laundry or play karaoke with your friends, Christmas music apps make it all possible. Popular games: Some frequently downloaded game apps undergo a Christmas-themed metamorphosis in December. Seeing your favorite game characters wearing Santa Claus hats in a snow-covered world will certainly put you in the Christmas spirit. Reading: For a quiet evening at home, you can choose a Christmas story app. Curled up on the sofa or in bed, alone or with a child, you can enjoy some fun adventures featuring elves, reindeer and brightly wrapped gifts. And then you can drift off into a dreamland that sparkles with the magic of the season.


The perfect gift for your furry friend You love to lavish gifts on your family, your better half and even your child’s teacher at Christmastime. In all this whirlwind of sharing, love and gratitude, why not take the opportunity to spoil your pet as well? For your dog • A personalized collar, retractable leash or an ornamented harness that features engraved tags or a uniquely shaped medallion • Cute, comfortable dog clothing (coats, sweaters, boots, dresses) • Quality grooming products (shampoo, toothbrush, body wash, paw balm, ear wipes) • Small treats (ideally with no sugar, preservatives or artificial flavors and coloring) • Toys (ball, rattle, rope, bones, Frisbee, teething ring) • Fashion accessories (ribbons, scarves, hair clips, charms, sunglasses) For your cat • A tent or shelter that can be enjoyed as a hiding place • An interactive cat-activated food distributor • A GPS collar for cats that go outside • A scratching post (vertical, horizontal or tree-shaped) • Fashion accessories (hat, collar, scarf, sweater) • Toys (play set, ball, laser pointer, chewing ring, tunnel) • A hammock or hanging basket for extra-long naps • Treats made from natural ingredients

Planning for the

Holidays

Seven things to do in December Even though it might feel like there is still lots of time to get organized, Christmas festivities are fast approaching. If you start planning your Christmas now, the holidays will be much more enjoyable — you’ll be partying instead of panicking! With that in mind, it’s time to start making lists, cooking, and cleaning. 1. Use a calendar Write down all the parties you already have scheduled. If you want to go on outings with family or friends, note them down as well, including a trip to the country, skiing, skating, or sliding. 2. Send party invitations and write your Christmas cards Mail or e-mail party invitations as early as possible in December. Print off a nice family photo and use that for your invitations and greeting cards. 3. Decorate Hang a few electric wreaths outside. Inside, decorate the Christmas tree, and arrange a few pine branches in a vase. Now you’re all set! 4. Cook smart Plan your menu and draw up a detailed list of all the food you have to purchase. When you’re cooking, make extras that you can reheat

and use to feed the family during busy times. 5. Ensure everyone looks their best If you can, buy a few new items of clothing for all the family. There’s no good reason to celebrate Christmas in a faded old blouse. This is also the time to freshen up your haircut, get a manicure, and pluck your eyebrows. 6. Buy the gifts Make a list of the Christmas gifts you have to buy and avoid leaving the shopping until Christmas Eve! 7. Clean strategically You don’t have to clean your home from top to bottom, but at least make sure that neglected areas are spick and span. Don’t hesitate to use a home cleaning service if the job seems overwhelming.

A time to remember our elders Christmas is a wonderful time for family and friends to come together and celebrate. However, this time of year can be rather difficult for some, particularly the elderly. A great number of senior citizens—living either alone or in a retirement home—spend the holidays in isolation. That’s why it’s so important to devote some quality time to your aging loved ones. You’d be surprised at how a single visit during the holiday season can make a world of difference. If you plan on visiting an older loved one or are looking to volunteer at a retirement home, try making the most of your time with the elderly by doing an activity. • See a show (comedy, dance, theater, music) • Attend a workshop (drawing, sowing, cooking) • Play some games (board games, cards, bingo, puzzles)

• Go to the movies • Visit a museum or an art gallery • Attend a seminar on a topic they’re passionate about • Read a story together • Take a walk outside • Share a meal, at your place or a restaurant If mobility is an issue, you could always talk about your current projects, reminisce about childhood memories (yours or theirs) or leaf through some photo albums. If you have any children or pets, bring them along. Kids are a great source of joy for seniors, and our lovable animal companions are good for curing loneliness. Setting some time aside to visit our elders is important, and not just at Christmas. We need to make an effort throughout the year. Regular calls and occasional visits and outings when possible are some of the best gifts you can give them.

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Focus on eco-friendly gifts this holiday season

Food from regional producers The holiday season is a time of plenty during which we can all thank Mother Nature for her countless treasures. One concrete way of doing this is to include some eco-friendly items in your next gift exchange.

Spoiled for choice These days, it’s fairly easy to find environmentally responsible products that are certified organic or fair trade. You can find them in specialized shops, public markets, grocery stores

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and even big department store chains. Here’s an environmentally-friendly shopping list that’s sure to bring smiles to lots of faces: • Clothing, jewelry and accessories (recycled, made with eco-friendly fibers that are colored with natural dyes, goods made in factories that treat their employees with respect) • Eco-responsible beauty products (soaps, body cleansers, perfumes, shampoos, lotions) • Fair trade gourmet products (tea, coffee, spices, chocolate) • Gadgets powered by solar energy (calculators, watches, lamps) • Environmentally friendly

toys (handmade, toxin-free or recycled products) • Food from regional producers (honey, maple syrup, cheese, pickles, spreads, etc.) • Alcoholic drinks produced locally (beer, wine, cider, etc.) • Art supplies (paints and recycled paper, certified fairtrade pencils) If possible, eco-friendly gifts should also include dual-purpose packaging. For example, use a decorated metal can, food container or reusable bag to avoid waste. Lastly, remember that buying local is always beneficial for our planet. If the products you buy weren’t transported over long distances, you’re helping to reduce air pollution.

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Stockings bursting with surprises! According to legend, three young and penniless women hung their freshly laundered stockings to dry over the mantelpiece. On Christmas Eve, Saint Nicholas threw some gold coins down their chimney, and the coins landed in the ladies’ stockings. And so the tradition began. To preserve a whisper of the origins of this tradition, place some gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins in your children’s Christmas stockings. In the olden days, oranges were a rare winter treat and many of our great-grandparents were excited to receive a foil-wrapped orange in their stockings on the big morning. Today, that tradition can be carried on with a real tangerine or with a chocolate orange, foil wrapped and ready to be “peeled” into sections. Other surprises to keep in mind as stocking stuffers are small items that you usually say “no” to the rest of the year: that little toy car you always refuse to buy when you’re grocery shopping, or the little troll dolls at the cashier’s counter of the drug store. Gift certificates for a day of skiing or a movie with popcorn at the movie theatre are sure to be hits as well. There’s no need to hunt down official gift cards; create your own on the computer or craft one with cardboard and markers. For teenagers, trial size personal care and beauty products are ideal, including bubble bath, creams, shower gels, or shampoos for sports

Signs of

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bags. Of course, gift cards for cell phone minutes or for music downloads from the Internet will also make them very happy. Don’t forget the adults in your life: you might tuck in some sample bottles of alcohol, such as ice cider or champagne, a fruit or flower scented massage oil for the ladies, and a woody fragrance for the men.

Are your kids looking for proof that the presents under the tree were indeed delivered by Santa Claus? The jolly old man is known to leave behind bits of evidence in the homes of those who made the nice list, so here are a few things to look for come Christmas morning (and for Mom and Dad to prepare the night before). • A gift for Santa. Ask your kids to leave a drawing, a card or a handmade gift for Santa to keep. It’s sure to raise his spirits and help him along the rest of his journey. • The half-eaten snack. Have the kids prepare a small snack for Santa and his reindeer (who might lose a bell or two in the snow while they eat). The leftovers will be undeniable proof of Santa. • A letter from Santa. Did Santa enjoy his snack or gift? Maybe he should leave a thank-you note for the kids! Just make sure his handwriting doesn’t look too familiar. • Footprints. Leave boot prints in the snow (or use soot from the fireplace) to trace Santa’s footsteps. You can also leave reindeer tracks in the snow to show where Dasher, Dancer and the others stood to eat their carrots. • Signs of Santa. Leave a piece of red velvety fabric near the chimney to make it seem like Santa tore his coat on the way down. If you don’t have a chimney, Christmas tree branches will do the trick. • Magic dust. Unbeknownst to him, Santa left a trail of magic dust behind. Spread a bit of glitter around and you’re done!

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Expect the Unexpected Aunt Alice decides at the very last minute to attend your Christmas dinner. You are invited to a New Year’s Eve party the same day. Your brother invites his niece on the other side of the family to participate in the gift exchange. These are some of the “pleasant” surprises that hosts have to deal with during the holiday season. The number one rule to hosting is to always be ready for the unexpected. Always have extra generic gifts wrapped and ready to go—just in case. Jigsaw puzzles, picture books and small stuffed animals don’t cost a lot and they will ensure no child is left empty-handed. Modeling putty, figurines and crayons are other good options. Movie gift certificates are

sure to please even the most hard-to-buy-for teenager. Just remember to clearly identify these gifts after you wrap them to avoid potential embarrassment. Most 14-year-olds won’t see the humour in unwrapping a Barney picture book in front of a room full of adults. Generic gifts for adults are even easier. A few nice bottles of wine, small kitchen accessories like butter knives, oven mitts and coffee mugs will be appreciated— and used! Like teenagers, adults also love receiving gift certificates. Finally, remember to keep some extra Christmas cards on hand—and on which you have already written your best generic “season’s greetings” message.

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Gift Exchange This year, you couldn’t escape it—you’ve been put in charge of organizing the traditional family gift exchange. You don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas to help you plan everything and turn this tradition into a huge success! The first thing to do is find out who is going to participate. Once that’s done, it’s time to do some planning. It’s always best to set a budget; your niece might be disappointed to receive a gift worth $15, while her sister’s is worth $40. Think of an amount that everyone can afford. Choose a theme that forces everyone to be creative; it adds a bit more fun to the shopping and to the exchange. You might want to organize the gift giving around things that begin with a particular letter of the alphabet, or items with blue in them, or gifts for exercising, for example. If you are doing a name draw, you can also ask participants to provide their givers a list of gift ideas. For many dispersed families it can be

difficult to get everyone together for the draw itself, but websites now exist that allow you to organize a virtual draw and even to register gift lists. Does a draw require too much organization? Just ask all the participants to purchase a gift that’s suitable for both men and women. You can then simply draw names at the party and take turns choosing a gift from under the tree. It can be a lot of fun to incorporate the gift exchange into a game—why not make the gifts be the prizes for treasure hunts, board games, card games, or other fun challenges. Just use your imagination to find a gift that nobody will want to exchange!

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