Friday, November 18, 2016

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HOLIDAY

Gift

GUIDE

Supplement to NEW HAVEN REGISTER + SHORELINE TIMES

Friday, November 18, 2016

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| GIFTGUIDE | NEW HAVEN REGISTER + SHORELINE TIMES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

FINISHING TOUCH

Make gift wrapping easier While holiday shoppers are often enthusiastic about finding great gifts for their loved ones, many are decidedly less excited about wrapping those gifts. Many holiday shoppers spend hours wrapping gif ts each year, and as gift lists grow, so does the amount of time needed to get all of those presents wrapped, hidden, packaged and/or shipped. Shoppers can employ the following strategies to make the process go much more smoothly and to reduce gift wrap-related anxiety. ● Relearn the basics. Some people may think they know how to wrap gifts, only to realize it’s harder than it looks once the paper, scissors and Scotch tape comes out. Relearn the basics by viewing online tutorials prior to wrapping gifts so the lessons learned remain fresh in your mind. Learn how to wrap standard clothing gift boxes and recognize that such boxes can of ten be used to house oddly-shaped items. ● Wrap as you buy. Instead of getting bogged down with wrapping all in one evening, w rap presents a s you purchase them. This ensures that you don’t leave everything for the last minute and reduces the likelihood that curious kids or inquisitive spouses discover gifts before the big day. ● Work on a hard surface. It may be tempting to lay ev-

METRO CREATIVE

Some people may think they know how to wrap gifts, only to realize it’s harder than it looks once the paper, scissors and Scotch tape comes out. erything out on your bed and wrap gifts while you’re bingewatching the latest Netf lix series. But hard surfaces make the best places to wrap gifts. This ensures there won’t be any wrinkles in the paper and that you won’t lose supplies in the

bedspread. ● Rely on double-sided tape. For that professional look, invest in some double-sized tape so you will not have any unsightly tape lines. ● Keep all of your supplies together. Store wrapping pa-

27th Annual Trees of Hope Holiday Spectacular! Benefitting the children & families of Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut

December 3-11, 2016 at Maritime Center on Long Wharf Drive Open to the public 10am-5pm daily Family-friendly event with entertainment on weekends! Over 130 decorated displays to be raffled off! Raffle tickets sold for $1.00 each!

www.rmh-ct.org

by drawing or stenciling on plain gift boxes if you’re short on time. ● Identify recipients by gift wrap. Designate one gift wrap for each person on your shopping list. This way you can easily distinguish one person’s gifts from another’s. This can keep things more organized when sorting and visiting with friends and relatives later on. ● Keep gift bags on hand. Gift bags work in a pinch and make it easy to conceal gifts that are hard to wrap. Curious loved ones can easily peak inside gift bags, so be sure to wrap gifts in tissue paper before placing them in the bags. ● Less is usually more. Do not use too much paper when w r appi n g; ot her w i se , you will be left with bulky, sloppy folds. Before tr imming the gift wrap from the roll, check that it overlaps the ends of the box by just a couple of inches. A sturdy paper will help you achieve crisper folds and prevent tears when wrapping. For the simplest wrapping design, try kraft paper (brown mailing paper), which can be dressed up with ribbons, cutouts or stamps. T he process of w rapping holiday g if ts can go more smoothly when applying some time-tested tips and tricks.

per, scissors, tags, tape, ribbons, and whatever else you may need to wrap gifts in one convenient location. This cuts down on time wasted hunting for supplies around the house. ● Draw on plain gift boxes. Make your own “wrapped gifts” Metro Creative

The Ladies Philoptochos Society Presents

Holiday Fantasy of Trees

A Raffle of Decorated Trees, Holiday Marketplace, Greek Food & Pastries

November 19 & 20, 2016

Saturday 12:00 to 8:00pm • Sunday 12:00 to 6:00pm

Saint Barbara Social Hall • Orange, CT 06477

Sponsored by: For more details Liberty Mutual ABCO the Paperman My Smile Orthodontics Grand Orange Fence & Supply Sponsor Porch & Patio • The Milford Bank

visit: www.saintbarbara.org

Bring a Non-Perishable Food Item

Help Feed Our Hungry CT Neighbors

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

NEW HAVEN REGISTER + SHORELINE TIMES

| GIFTGUIDE | 3

HOLIDAY BASICS

Don’t forget the batteries! If you want to avoid one of the biggest holiday season jumbles, remember the batteries when giving gifts to kids and tech lovers. Ninety percent of Americans have forgotten batteries for a holiday gift in the past, according to a survey by Energizer in 2016. And 44 percent of consumers take batteries out of their other devices to power a holiday gift if they forgot to purchase batteries at the store. So don’t let the phrase “Batteries Not Included” crush holiday cheer or require an anticlimactic run to the store. Parents will want to be especially mindful of ensuring gifts are ready to use, as kids can be extra eager to play with their new toys once opened. But whether it’s a remote-controlled car, video game controller or robotic pet, recipi-

ents of all ages will want to enjoy their gifts right away, so don’t forget to read the labels on holiday items and be prepared. Remember, batteries make for great stocking stuffers. And this year, you can get prepped for holidays present and future, as Energizer MAX A A batteries allow them to hold power for up to 10 years while in storage. They also offer long-lasting power and are designed to prevent damaging leaks, so gifts stay fun longer. More information can be found at energizer.com. Even the best holiday gifts can lose their luster without batteries to operate them. Ensure the holidays end on a high note by remembering the batteries with your gifts this year.

Parents will want to be especially mindful of ensuring gifts are ready to use, as kids can be extra eager to play with their new toys once opened. Some people may think they know how to wrap gifts, only to realize it’s harder than it looks once the paper, scissors and Scotch tape comes out. CHASE DESIGN - FOTOSEARCH

Courtesy of StatePoint

Niko’s Ice Cream & Confectionery Co. Munson’s Chocolates Gift Baskets • Holiday Gifts Delivery

25 East Main Street, Clinton, CT 06413 (860) 664-5648 • Nikosicecream.com

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| GIFTGUIDE | NEW HAVEN REGISTER + SHORELINE TIMES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

MINDFUL PRESENTS

CHRISTMAS PAST

Gifts that can reduce stress

For those you love, make the holidays and beyond brighter with these gift ideas that help promote rest and relaxation, while alleviating tension, stress and anxiety.

Yoga Class

Yoga is associated with a wealth of health benefits, including stress reduction. For seasoned yogis, consider assisting loved ones with their practice. Great yoga accessories and gear, or a gift certificate to a favorite studio would be much appreciated. For newbies, you might want to start smaller with a pass to one or two classes.

Any Time Massage

STATEPOINT

Sometimes it’s the warmest gifts that are the most unforgettable.

Give holiday gifts that won’t be forgotten If your holiday shopping list is focused on all the latest trends, remember, the hottest items are not always the most cherished. Sometimes it’s the warmest gifts that are the most unforgettable. “The holidays are times of nostalgia and remembrance, from stories of when we were children to the smell of cookies baking in the oven,” says Christopher Warnack, vice president of marketing and visual at Things Remembered, a leading personalized gift retailer. “Likewise, the gifts you give are not just objects to enjoy now; they should create a joyful memory that can be cherished for years.” To this end, Warnack recommends personalizing gifts with a loved one’s name, a monogram, a shared memor y, a thoughtful message or an inside

joke. “Something that makes it just for them, and only from you,” he says. For a seasonal gift to mark the passing years, consider a personalized ornament or snow globe. Your gift recipient can look back on the ornaments received each year and be reminded of those holiday memories. Above all, remember to take into consideration the style, hobbies and favorite colors of your gift recipient. You can customize a gift for anyone on your list. Scarves or jewelry personalized just for her can be enjoyed for years, and with her monogram, become a real statement piece. For him, consider mugs, apparel and other gear that commemorates his favorite sports team, and are sure

to become part of his gameday traditions and celebrations. Personalized toys, stuffed animals and other snuggly gifts are great for kids. Seek out gifts at retailers that specialize in customized items, such as Things Remembered, which can create one-of-a-kind gifts in an about an hour (and a little longer for embroidery and other specialized techniques). For more unforgettable gift inspiration, visit ThingsRemembered.com. “Ever yone remembers the best gift they ever received,” says Warnack. Make someone’s season by giving gifts that create new and happy memories with the people you care about the most. Courtesy of StatePoint

“The medical community increasingly views massage as a necessary tool for achieving optimal health, not just as an extravagance,” says Randi N. West, a licensed massage therapist. “And everyone — from desk workers to active individuals to moms who often report back pain from lifting children — can benefit from massage therapy in terms of injury prevention and improved exercise performance.” Research suggests the benefits of massage include reduced muscle tension, stress and pain; and an increase in serotonin and dopamine. But regular massage therapy can be expensive and time-consuming. Give a gift that keeps on giving with an at-home massage cushion that can be used daily as a self-care tool. For a stylish option that won’t get buried in the closet and forgotten, check out M Cushion, which looks like a stylish designer pillow, but actually offers four shiatsu massage nodes, soothing heat and comforting memory foam. “I use it to relieve my body aches after a busy day providing massage services to my clients,” says West. More information can be found at mcushion.com.

Meal-Kit Service

Busy work weeks can mean scrambling around in the evening to put dinner on the table. Your gift recipients may find themselves resorting to pizza delivery more often than they like. To help take the stress out of healthy weekday dinners, consider gifting a meal-kit plan to someone you love. This holiday season, look to healthy gifts that can help reduce stress in the lives of people you care about. Courtesy of StatePoint

STATEPOINT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

NEW HAVEN REGISTER + SHORELINE TIMES

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Forte’s Gourmet Food Market & Catering CELEBRATING 100 YEARS AND FOUR GENERATIONS

Thank you to our loyal customers for voting us best butcher, best deli and soups. Voted Best Butcher and deli 2007-2015 let Forte’s Meet all Your eXPectations For Your holidaY season. With the Finest QualitY Meats seaFood & PrePared Food & PartY traYs Four generations oF Meat cutting eXPerience readY to serVe You Full catering Menu including hors’douerVes is aVailaBle on our WeBsite last chance to order thanksgiVing sides dishes, turkeY graVY and stuFFings as Well as Fresh all natural turkeYs and Breasts. our Menu is on our WeBsite. Please call in Your orders asaP WE MAKE GIFT BASKETS! • GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE ALSO!

1153 Boston Post Rd., Guilford, CT • 203.453.4910 • www.fortesmarket.com

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| GIFTGUIDE | NEW HAVEN REGISTER + SHORELINE TIMES

MAKE IT A DATE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

HOLIDAY BASICS

Holiday shopping excursions can be special As they fulfill the social obligations of the holiday season, many people find themselves spending less time at home. Consumer Reports notes that individuals spend a great deal of time shopping for gifts come the holiday season. Americans engage in 15 hours of shopping on average, with women spending twice as long as their male counterparts (20 hours versus 10). In addition, the average person devotes 10 or more hours to wrapping and returning gifts. Holiday shopping can monopolize people’s time away from home during the months of November and December, and some shoppers wonder how they become so disconnected from other activities, including family time, that they cherish throughout the rest of the year. One way to tackle holiday shopping without sacrificing time with family and friends is to make holiday shopping a social event. ● Invite friends or family along. Recreate the days of your youth when it was fun to meet friends at the mall and scour the shops. Plan a meeting location and have an itinerary in place. Divide shopping lists so that everyone shares the task of shopping and fatigue doesn’t set in prematurely. ● Make lunch or dinner part of the day. Incorporate refueling into your shopping plans. Failure to eat or drink can lead to hunger pangs and test shoppers’ patience, two factors that are seldom conducive to successful shopping. Having an end goal to meet friends or family at a nearby restaurant — even a dining location right within the mall — can inspire intrepid shoppers to get their work done promptly. Reward yourself for a job well done over a tasty meal and maybe a cocktail. Just be sure to indulge responsibly. ● Break up the day with a flick. Many malls also play home to movie theaters. Plan your shopping around the movie schedule so you can take a two-hour break to rest and relax in the theater. Chances are you’ll come out of the film relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your shopping list. ● Make it a date night. The thought of shopping may not conjure up ideas of romance, but if time is short, couples can use shopping excursions as an opportunity to spend time together. Visit a coffee shop or a bar for a nightcap afterward and enjoy some one-on-one time. Parents can enlist the help of a babysitter to keep children entertained while they enjoy some uninterrupted time with each other. Shopping fills the days leading to the holidays. Make the most of such excursions by inviting friends and family along. Metro Creative

One way to tackle holiday shopping without sacrificing time with family and friends is to make holiday shopping a social event.

It’s polite to thank your host or hostess with a token of your appreciation, and you want your gift to be something useful, delightful and memorable. BRANDPOINT

Host and hostess gifts everyone will love Every season is party season, but when the latter half of the year rolls in so do the party invitations. If you'll be attending one or more parties this year, chances are you'll not arrive empty handed. It's polite to thank your host or hostess with a token of your appreciation, and you want your gift to be something useful, delightful and memorable. At the same time, you don't have to spend a bundle to impress your host or hostess. Here are ideas for host or hostess gifts that are sure to show par t y-throwers you consider them the "host (or hostess) with the most," while convincing them you're the best guest ever: ● If your host is a wine lover and you're not confident about choosing a bottle, one option is to put together a bag of accessories. Present your host with a quality wine bottle opener, personalized stopper or even a set of lovely wine glasses. ● Chocolate is a common host/

hostess gift, and one that is sure to please. M&M'S are a great party treat and in honor of the candy's 75th anniversary, Danish fashion designer Camilla Staerk collaborated with the brand to present specially designed packages of plain and peanut M&M'S. M&M'S by Staerk Designer Collection are exclusively available in Target stores. Packages come in shareable and personal sizes featuring elegant animal print designs that will look great displayed in any home. However, they're only available for a limited time, so be sure to stock up so you'll have enough for every party until the end of the year. ● Know a host who always whips up the most dazzling menus? You can celebrate your host's culinary skills by giving artfully packaged gourmet sea salts, organic seasonings or ethnic spices. It's easy to find a variety of unusual salts and seasonings online or at your local gourmet store. ● Anyone who lives in a busy

household can find themselves hunting for something to write with - and unable to find a pen or notepad. Put together a selection of pretty pens, paired with magnet-backed notepads, and present in a pretty tote. The next time your hostess is planning a get-together, she'll remember who gave her the pen and paper she's using to draft her guest list! ● Scented soaps and candles can be a great option when you're not sure of your host or hostess' personal tastes. These items not only make a home smell wonderful throughout the season, they can add a decorative touch. Choose aromas that are widely loved, like vanilla, cinnamon or citrus. With a little creativity, you can show your appreciation and give hosts and hostesses gifts that will help ensure your name is at the top of their guest lists next year! Courtesy of BrandPoint

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

NEW HAVEN REGISTER + SHORELINE TIMES

| GIFTGUIDE |

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GREEN THUMBS

Gifts for gardeners of all levels The holiday season is a great opportunity to give those with green thumbs the tools they need to support their hobby. Here are a few thoughtful gift ideas to make the holidays brighter for the gardeners you love.

Handy Items

Every gardener needs top-notch tools to make regular tasks more comfortable and convenient. For example, pruning is no fun with shears that are rusted or hard to handle. To upgrade your gift recipient’s gardening tool box, look for a rust-resistant stainless steel blade and a no-slip rubber grip. For safety, the shears should be able to lock into place when not in use.

Gifts that Keep on Giving

When there’s a chill in the air,

consider focusing your attention on gardening gifts that can be used indoors. One unique gift for a gardener of any level is an indoor garden kit, such as those from the Miracle-Gro AeroGarden line of gardens. Hydroponic gardens like the AeroGarden grow fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers in water, not soil. And they actually grow five times faster than soil gardens. Automated LED lights and reminders to add water make growing fun for seasoned gardeners and easy for even those with no gardening experience. Well-suited for a kitchen countertop -- this is a safe, healthy and easy way to grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round. To learn more visit AeroGarden.com.

Enjoy the Results Half the fun of gardening is reaping the benefits of one’s labor. Help gardeners turn their harvest into something delicious. An herb chopper makes a great stocking stuffer. To speed up herb preparation and help gardeners avoid bruising the leaves they worked so hard to grow, look for one with multiple rounded blades. Another great gift for herb and vegetable gardeners is a salad dressing maker that has pre-marked settings for oil, vinegar and herbs, which can take the guess work out of meal preparation during busy week nights. With a few creative ideas, it’s easy to make a gardener smile this holiday season. Courtesy of StatePoint

STATEPOINT

Gift an indoor garden kit to make year-round gardening easy.

PAGE TURNER

Books for everyone on your list No matter who is on your list this holiday season, great books make for great gifts. Here are five titles to consider giving knowledge-seekers to enjoy during the season, or as stocking stuffers:

fascinating objects like glittering star-birth nebulae and supermassive black holes. The position, size and color of every night-sky object are revealed and a three-dimensional model of the celestial sphere that surrounds Earth charts all 88 constellations. From the Big Bang to the search for extraterrestrial life, astronomy and cosmology topics are covered in an easy-to-digest visual format.

Gem Lovers

Produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution, “Gem” is a visual guide to precious and semiprecious stones, organic gems, and precious metals, and features over 1,000 specially commissioned images. “Gem” reveals the science, natural history, mythology, and true stories behind the most celebrated gems and jewel-laden artifacts, including the Hope Diamond and Queen Elizabeth’s pelican brooch. Readers can learn about the exquisite jewelry of cultures around the world, find out what characteristics are needed for a recordbreaking gem, and follow the history of the world’s most famous

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jewelry houses and designers.

Star Gazers

Chart the wonders of the cosmos with “The Stars.” Packed with three-dimensional artworks of each constellation and new imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope, ground-based observatories and more, this guide features

Classic car collectors and enthusiasts will enjoy “Classic Car,” a visual guide created in association with the Smithsonian Institution. Featuring the most iconic classics of every decade from the 1940s to the 1980s from the Aston Martin DB5 to the Chevrolet Corvette, the book offers detailed profiles of trademark models, as well as the famous designers and manufacturers behind them, featuring more than 1,300 photo-

graphs and two prints suitable active book featuring imaginafor framing. tive play and building ideas, from projects that take just a few minInventors utes to those that keep one occuReaders can build and explore pied for hours. 28 kid-safe experiments, crafts Activities include building a and activities with “Maker Lab.” LEGO pet, challenging friends Created in association with the to make the tallest tower while Smithsonian Institution and sup- working against the clock, and porting STEAM education initia- organizing a LEGO bricks treatives, the book will get young in- sure hunt. ventors’ wheels turning, making American Girl Fans science fun. Explaining science through Offer American Girl fans a treaphotographs, facts and real-world sured bookshelf addition with examples, each activity is appro- “American Girl: Ultimate Visual priate for kids ages 8-12 years old. Guide,” which includes images of Requiring only household mate- every BeForever and Girl of the rials, young makers can build an Year doll, an expanded section on exploding volcano, make bath the TrulyMe dolls and a detailed fizzies, construct a solar system timeline of the company. Readers and more. can learn about favorite dolls, historical eras, outfits, pets, accessoBudding Builders ries and more. Encourage builders to look at This holiday season, give a gift their LEGO bricks in new, cre- that inspires endless wonder. ative ways with “365 Things to do with LEGO Bricks,” an inter- Courtesy of StatePoint

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NEW HAVEN REGISTER + SHORELINE TIMES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

Thank you for voting us #1 again!

Holiday Parties • New Year’s Eve

From the Campania Sea, Mountains and Farms to Chef Silvio’s Tables! Cafe Allegre, 2nd to None! Give the “Tasteful Gift” of Chef Silvio’s Cuisine. Now Taking Reservations For Holiday Parties! Cafe Allegre accommodates parties from 20–175

Corporate & Private Parties | Gift Certificates

We cater to food allergies and special diets including: Gluten Free • Wheat Free Vegetarian

(203) 245-7773 725 Boston Post Road Madison, CT

cafeallegre.com