Holiday Shopping Guide 2013

Only ng days i p p ! o s a sh m t is r h C til

November 28, 2013

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ON THE COVER
Katherine and Ryan Munson of Columbus size up the selection at Swedenburgs Christmas Tree Farm with the help of their twoyear-old daughter Molly.

Give your home a whole new look by giving your oors a holiday cleaning or replacing with one of our many Flooring Selections.
Flooring for all applications
Carpet Tile Hardwood Floors Carpet cleaning Window Covering 1825 Main Street | Columbus

ADVERTISER INDEX Adventure ATV...........................................................................................................12 Beans & Cream............................................................................................................. 5 Biddy Saw Works.......................................................................................................11 The Boat Gallery.......................................................................................................18 Busy Bee........................................................................................................................... 5 Columbus-Lowndes Convention & Visitors Bureau..............................17 Columbus ObGyn Specialty Center...............................................................23 Culin-Arts......................................................................................................................17 Eden MediSpa & Laser Center............................................................................ 7 Evans Plumbing...........................................................................................................24 Falcon Lair......................................................................................................................15 Fashion Barn.................................................................................................................20 The Franklin Apartments........................................................................................ 2 Granite Guys................................................................................................................14 Hancock Hardware.................................................................................................... 6 Hearing Aid Services...............................................................................................12 Jefferson St. Antiques...............................................................................................11 Johnson Carpet Center............................................................................................ 3 Jubilations........................................................................................................................17 Latitude Armory........................................................................................................13 Leigh Mall......................................................................................................................... 7 Lighting Unlimited....................................................................................................... 3 Lowndes Farm Supply.............................................................................................15 Melang...........................................................................................................................19 Mossy Oak....................................................................................................................... 6 Noxubee Farm Supply...........................................................................................11 Party & Paper...............................................................................................................18 Purple Elephant..........................................................................................................13 Quality Inn.....................................................................................................................16 Rose Drug Co..............................................................................................................17 Senters Hardware....................................................................................................11 Southern Fireplaces..................................................................................................20 Sports Center..............................................................................................................14 Superior Solid Surfacing.........................................................................................19 Village Cycle Center................................................................................................16 The Waverly Apartments....................................................................................... 2

662-328-1522

Call for your Appointment today!

Columbus only locally owned lighting showroom with 27 years of superior choice and service.

1116 Gardner Blvd. 329-1825 Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

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DIY gift wrapping

H
oliday shoppers spend billions of dollars each year on gifts for friends, family and coworkers. But holiday shoppers also spend substantial amounts of money dressing up those gifts with bows and wrapping paper. Shoppers may not want to spend much more on wrapping paper, bags and other ways to dress-up their gifts, and by employing a few tricks of the gift wrapping trade, they may not have to. The following are some frugal, yet flashy, ways to wrap presents this holiday season. * CHILDRENS ARTWORK: Over the course of a school year parents can accumulate dozens of original pieces of art from their childrens time in the classroom. Instead of relegating those pictures to a memory box or temporary glory on the refrigerator, turn them into unique gift wrap. Pair these pieces of art with colored ribbon, and everyone who gets a unique masterpiece will feel special. * NEWSPAPER: Recycle newsprint and comics into wrapping paper. Encourage everyone to wrap in newspaper for a cohesive look come Christmas morning. * CLOTH: Leftover cloth from Halloween or cloth purchased to create homemade curtains can be turned into giftwrap for awkward-shaped gifts. Use decorative ribbon to seal the bundle shut. * BROWN PAPER: Brown paper tied with twine or ribbon is inexpensive and can easily be recycled after use. Use a marker to put the names of gift recipients on each package to save on gift tags as well. * GLASS JARS: Use mason jars when wrapping smaller gifts, including gift cards, to give them an arts-andcrafts feel.

Tis the season to ship

ravel is a staple of the holiday season. Many men and women find themselves spending a significant amount of time in the air or on the road, whether traveling to visit family or embarking on a holiday getaway. For those who must fly to their holiday destinations, travel can present certain obstacles, as baggage restrictions and fees have made it more difficult and more expensive to travel with gifts in tow. But savvy holiday shoppers need not worry about fitting all of those gifts into their overstuffed luggage. Shipping gifts is a far more convenient way to get all those precious presents from point A to point B, and it saves travelers money on airline baggage fees. When shipping gifts this holiday season, consider the following tips. *U  se the right box. Boxes come in all shapes and sizes, and there are packing methods to ensure gifts arrive intact. The gift should not have much wiggle room inside the box, as the more the gift can move around the more likely it is to break. Gently shake the box before closing it, adding any padding if the gift is moving around too much, otherwise move the gift to a smaller box. A box also should not be too small, as it may break before reaching its destination. *W  rap each individual item. When shipping holiday gifts, its often most convenient to include several items in one large box. When doing so, wrap each item separately in air-filled wrapping or newspaper. This reduces the risk of items breaking during shipping. *L  ine the interior of the box with a garbage bag. A garbage bag lining along the inside of the box can help to prevent potential water damage from rain, snow or other leaky packages. *T  ightly tape the box. Once items are inside the box, be sure to use professional packing tape. Though there are cheaper alternatives available, professional packing tape is far more likely to hold up as the item travels from your home to its ultimate destination. Low quality tape could split or tear, resulting in a situation where boxes break open and items fall out. *P  ay attention when reusing boxes. Reusing boxes is a great way to benefit the environment when shipping holiday gifts, but carefully examine the box before shipping it. Old labels and bar codes should be removed so packages ultimately end up in the correct destination. In addition, check any boxes for wear and tear before reusing them. Avoid using any boxes with previous water damage or tears. *D  ouble check addresses. Before shipping items, double check the address, making sure the name, address and ZIP code are correct. Confirm the information with the recipient as well. Be sure to write the address and full ZIP code in the method the shipping company requires to ensure prompt delivery. * Include an extra mailing label inside the box. Inclement weather is common come the holiday season, and some packages may fall victim to the elements. In such situations, shipping labels can be compromised, and some shipping companies have admitted they will open the box to look for a backup label if the exterior label has been soiled. Include an extra mailing label inside the box as a backup plan.

Baskets are an often inexpensive alternative to wrapping paper.

*F  ABRIC GIFT BAGS: If youre handy with a needle and thread, sew sacks out of leftover fabric to make gift bags of various sizes. *C  OOKIE TINS: Find unique cookie tins from yard sales or leftover tins from holidays past and use them as gift boxes. * RECIPES: If you will be giving a cookbook or food-themed gifts, print recipes that can be used as gift wrap and then later used to make certain dishes. * BABY LINENS: From blankets to wash cloths, use baby linens to wrap infantthemed gifts for new parents. * BASKETS: Wicker baskets are available in various shapes and sizes. They can be used to make a gift collection and then reused over and over again.

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Flavors of the Holidays!

Peppermint Mocha & Gingerbread Latte

Nursery & Gift Shoppe

Beautify your own holiday table with a festive table decoration, or give the gift of Holiday cheer with a beautiful holiday centerpiece.
60 Brickerton St. | Columbus, MS 662-328-2003

Seattles Best Coffee | Tazo Teas Fruit Smoothies | Ice Cream | Bakery Items

LOTS OF UNIQUE GIFT ITEMS IN SHOPPE

Take a break during this Busy Holiday Season & Try the Best Coffee in the Golden Triangle.

Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, Lots Of Gift Ideas For All Ages

and much more....

New Hours:
Mon-Fri. 6:30am - 8:00pm Sat. 7:30am - 8:00pm Sun. 1:00pm - 6:00pm

...more than coffee. Its the customers.

Macon, MS 662-726-2222

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From left are Mary Tyler Clayton, Kym Winders, Abby Brewer, Regina Sims, Albert Chance Laws, M.D., Faith Simmons, Gretchen Doughty and Maribeth Farr.

Seeforthe Best your holiday needs

Products: Services:

Eden MediSpa was voted Best Cosmetic Procedures and Among the Best Day Spas and Weight Loss Centers in the Golden Triangle for 2013.

The mall will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving

Obagi Nu-Derm Skin Care Elastilash DermAware Being True Mineral Makeup Latisse Botox Juvederm Laser Skin Treatments Laser Hair Removal Rerme Skin Tightening Chemical Peels Microdermabrasion Facials Massage Therapy Spa Packages Manicures Pedicures Eyebrow and Body Waxing

Sant rrive O Frida a 11 . .

Sponsored in part by the Columbus Arts Council

The Suzuki Twinklers will also arrive at 11 a.m.

NexSlim Medical Weight Loss

Visit our website for a complete list of products and services.

Gift Cards 15% Off

Call for same day appointments. Monday-Thurday 9am-6pm, Friday 9am-5pm NOW OPEN SATURDAY 8am-1pm!!!

through December 24th

New Owners: Regina Sims & Debra Taylor

The Dispatch

HAVE YOUR PICTURE MADE WITH SANTA!

Burkes Outlet, JCPenney, and over 30 specialty stores
Hwy. 45 North Columbus, MS 662-328-0333

662-243-7795 300 Hospital Drive Suite 1 Columbus, MS www.edenmedispaandlaser.com

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Looking for the perfect gift? Try these terrific ideas available from local merchants!

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Stocking Stuffers
gifts for $25 or less

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1 MAGPUL IPHONE COVER $15 ea. Latitude Armory, Macon 2 PACK RACK ATV GUN RACK $25 Boat Gallery, Columbus 3 MUD PIE SMART TOUCH GLOVES $10 Senters Hardware, Macon 4 FOX RACING CAP Village Cycle Center, Starkville 5 CERAMIC VASES $15 ea. Purple Elephant, Columbus/Starkville 6 MISSISSIPPI MUG $24 Rose Drug Co., West Point 7 LETHAL FIELD SPRAY $14 Sports Center, Starkville 8 REALLY SIGNS $12 ea. Lighting Unlimited, Columbus 9 CERAMIC ROOSTER TRIO $20 Jefferson St. Antiques, Macon 10 INFINITY SCARF $15 Fashion Barn, Columbus 11 CARHARTT FLEECE BEANIE $9 Lowndes County Farm Supply, Columbus 12 MOSSY OAK PERFORMANCE HOODIE $25 (on sale) Mossy Oak, West Point 13 WOODWICK CRACKLE GLASS CANDLE $22 Party and Paper, Columbus 14 STIHL HEAVY DUTY WORK GLOVES $14 Biddy Saw Works, Columbus 15 NAILTIQUES 2PLUS NAIL PROTEIN $9.50 Eden MediSpa, Columbus 16 HANCOCKS FLOWERS & GIFTS TSHIRT $20 Hancock Hardware, Brooksville 17 LET IT BE PURSE $19 Busy Bee Nursery, Macon 18 CAN-AM TSHIRT $26 Adventure ATV, West Point 19 JOHN DEERE MONSTER TREADS SHAKE N SOUNDS COMBINE $23 Noxubee Farm Supply, Macon 20 SERVING TONGS $20 Culin-Arts, West Point 21 SLIPPERS $25 Melang, Columbus 22 COLUMBUS PRINT $25 Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, Columbus

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 1 DERMAWARE BARE FRUIT MASK COMBO $44 Eden MediSpa, Columbus 2 RAPID COMMUTER BIKE COVER Village Cycle Center, Starkville 3 KAVU ROPE BAG $55 Mossy Oak, West Point 4 DRAKE WINGSHOOTERS SHIRT $50 Noxubee Farm Supply, Macon 5 PANDORA SNOWFLAKE CHARM $55 Purple Elephant, Columbus/Starkville 6 NOMAD FOOTWEAR KELLYB BOOTS $50 Hancock Hardware, Brooksville 7 HOWARD LEIGHT LADIES EYE/EAR PROTECTION COMBO $34 Latitude Armory, Macon 8 PURE OFF-SHOULDER WRAP $52 Melang, Columbus 9 AROMALUME FRAGRANCE GENERATOR $45 Senters Hardware, Macon 10 GINGERSNAP BRACELET $38 (as shown) Party and Paper, Columbus 11 STIHL WOODCUTTER HELMET SYSTEM $65 Biddy Saw Works Columbus 12 HAND-BUILT CERAMIC PLATTER $36 Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, Columbus 13 MOSSY OAK HOODED COAT $55 Lowndes County Farm Supply, Columbus 14 PAINTED CERAMIC CHRISTMAS PLATE $35 Busy Bee Nursery, Macon 15 RIDING BOOTS $50 Fashion Barn, Columbus 16 DRAKE WINGSHOOTERS SHIRT $65 Sports Center, Starkville 17 ATV GOGGLES $50 Adventure ATV, West Point 18 ELF DECOR $56.60 Rose Drug Co., West Point 19 FULMER ATV/DIRT BIKE HELMET $25 Boat Gallery, Columbus 20 PAPIER MCH ELEPHANT HEAD $69 Lighting Unlimited, Columbus 21 UNDER ARMOUR CAMO HOODIE $75 Sports Center, Starkville 22 CARNIVAL GLASS PITCHER $50 Jefferson St. Antiques, Macon 23 MISSISSIPPI CUTTING BOARD $45 Culin-Arts, West Point

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Fits Under the Tree

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gifts for $25 to $75

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A Sleigh Full!
gifts for $75 or more

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1 THE NORTH FACE OSITO JACKET $85 Mossy Oak, West Point 2 OBAJI NU-DERM STARTER KIT $390 Eden Medi-Spa, Columbus 3 GEORGIA WORK BOOT $129 Lowndes County Farm Supply, Columbus 4 MISSISSIPPIANS / RIVERS / MISSISSIPPIS 100 GREATEST FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME BOOK TRIO $98 Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, Columbus 5 MISS ME JEANS $105 Fashion Barn, Columbus 6 MIRROR $298 Lighting Unlimited, Columbus 7 WIRE CROSS BRACELET $116 Purple Elephant, Columbus/Starkville 8 STIHL MS211 CE-B CHAIN SAW W/CASE $300 Purple Elephant, Columbus/Starkville 9 NATIVITY SET $100 Party and Paper, Columbus 10 CAN-AM OUTLANDER MR $14,899 Adventure ATV, West Point 11 ANTIQUE CURIO CABINET $500 Jefferson St. Antiques, Macon 12 METAL TREE DECOR $95 Culin-Arts, West Point 13 FINGERPRINT POTTERY PLATTER $132 Rose Drug Co., West Point 14 CARHARTT HOODED COAT $80 Hancock Hardware, Brooksville 15 TRU LUXE OMBRE CHEETAH SKINNY LEG JEANS $96 Melang, Columbus 16 ARIAT LADIES BOOTS $200 Noxubee Farm Supply, Macon 17 TRAXXAS SLASH REMOTE-CONTROLLED CAR Villlage Cycle Center, Starkville 18 BENCH $150 Busy Bee Nursery, Macon 19 TRAILMASTER MINI XRX $1,049 Boat Gallery, Columbus 20 VALOR G3 / VALOR ARCH FIREPLACE INSERTS Southern Fireplaces, Columbus

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V S A LES E

ENT

$1000 2.99%
*

REBATES UP TO

PLUS FINANCING AS LOW AS

**

FIND YOUR RIDE TODAY!

1245 Hwy 45 Alt. South West Point, MS 39773 Phone: (662) 494-5462 Fax: (662) 494-5463

ODELS TOO! AND YOUTH M

Offers good on new and unregistered units purchased between 11/1/13-12/31/13. *On select models. See your dealer for details. Rates as low as 2.99% for 36 months. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Fixed APR of 2.99%, 6.99%, or 9.99% will be assigned based on credit approval criteria. Other financing offers are available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Offer effective on all new and unused 2008-2014 Polaris ATV, RANGER, and RZR models purchased from a participating Polaris dealer between 11/1/13-12/31/13. Offer subject to change without notice. Warning: The Polaris RANGER and RZR are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid drivers license to operate. Passengers must be at least 12 years old and tall enough to grasp the hand holds and plant feet firmly on the floor. All SxS drivers should take a safety training course. Contact ROHVA at www.rohva.org or (949) 255-2560 for additional information. Drivers and passengers should always wear helmets, eye protection, protective clothing, and seat belts. Always use cab nets or doors (as equipped). Be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never drive on public roads or paved surfaces. Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs dont mix. Check local laws before riding on trails. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. Polaris adult models are for riders 16 and older. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing, and be sure to take a safety training course. For safety and training information in the U.S., call the SVIA at (800) 887-2887. You may also contact your Polaris dealer or call Polaris at (800) 342-3764. 2013 Polaris Industries Inc.

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e l y t S n i Carry
Photo for illustration purposes only.

Concealed Carry Purses & Diva Sleeves Custom Paint Jobs

The Dispatch

301 S. Jefferson St., Macon, MS

Located in Downtown Historic Macon MS, 3 Blocks North of Noxubee County Courthouse

LATITUDE ARMORY TACTICAL ARMS & HOME DEFENSE

Sun.-Mon.: Closed Tues. - Thurs. 10 am - 6 pm Fri.: 10 am - 5 pm Sat.: 10 am - 5 pm A SERVICE DISABLED VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

www.latitudearmory.com 662-726-5200

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The Granite Guys

Granite Countertops
Kitchens Bathrooms Commercial

Custom fabrication & installation of Granite, Marble, Quartz, Travertine, and Slate

2859 South Frontage Road Columbus, MS

662-329-8687

Look for Our Featured Items by:

We Move Mountains For Your Countertops!

The Dispatch

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LIBERTY
OVERALLS

LaCrosse - Muck - Durango - Rocky

Georgia - Carhartt - Browning Corinthian Bells (Windchimes)

Amy Burke, Community Manager Vicky Woods, Leasing Agent

Washer/Dryer-Each Unit Icemaker, Microwave, Disposal & Dishwasher Pool & Jacuzzi Wireless Internet Access Tennis Courts & Fitness Center Business Center Free Notary Public Service Grilling Area Pet Friendly

Great Gift Items for Everyone On Your List

625 31st Avenue North Ofce Hours Mon-Fri 8-5

www.falconlairapts.com
(Behind K-Mart Off Hwy. 45 North)

662-329-2544

Merry Christmas!!
69 CO-OP ROAD COLUMBUS, MS

LOWNDES FARM SUPPLY

...Serving you over 75 years...
7:30 - 5:30 M-F 7:30 -12:00 SAT

662-328-3481

Move-In Special
Going On Now!!!

ONE MONTH FREE RENT

& YOUR CHOICE OF MONTH!!!

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Book Your Holiday Party or Meeting in our Spacious Conference Rooms.

Adjacent to Leigh Mall, let us be your choice in hotel accommodations. Free Deluxe Breakfast Bar - featuring homemade wafes! Free Wall Street Journal & USA Today Microwave/Refrigerators in all rooms In-Room Coffee, Hair dryers, Iron and Ironing Boards Free High-speed Wireless Internet in all rooms Free passes to nearby Fitness Center Military Discount Lobby Based Business Center Restaurants within Walking Distance Pet Friendly

Great Christmas Gifts That Provide Year-Round Fun!

Great Rates, Call Today!!

Fax: 662-327-0311 1-8004CHOICE 1210 US HWY 45 N Columbus, MS 39705

662-329-2422

Choice Privileges Rewards Program

Your Side-By-Side Headquarters

Village Cycle Center

The Dispatch

13000 Hwy. 182 | Clayton Village | Starkville, MS 1-800-898-0195 | vccms.com

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Shop West Point for the Holidays!

Rose Drug Co.
Large Selection of Gift Items:
Annie Glass Lotion Cologne Christmas Decor Vietre Frames Scarves Jewelry Ronaldo Bracelets Finger Print Pottery Tab Boren Pottery Candles by: Seda France, Archipelago, Tyler & Woodwick

The Only Local Book Store in Columbus!

Books Artwork Gourmet Foods Pottery Gift Items

in the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center 300 Main Street Columbus

Free Gift Wrapping

137 West Commerce Street West Point, MS 662-494-3341

Opening Soon: Jubilations Bakery and Coffee House in West Point!

Watch us bake while you enjoy great coffee, cheesecakes, and more.
Hand Made From Scratch No Added Preservatives Over 50 Flavors

Delicious Gift Idea!

Perfect for Business or Personal Gifts Shipped Anywhere in US by UPS

950 Highway 45 South West Point MS 662-328-9210

Unique Gifts for Everyone on Your Shopping List!

-Lee Gibson Oil Paintings Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. -Weldon Merchant Jewelry For more information, call -Locally 662-329-1191 handmade Pottery

Luncheons Parties Meetings

Local Artists: Lee Gibson Oil Paintings Weldon Merchant Jewelry Locally handmade pottery
134 Commerce St. West Point, MS

For Cooking & Entertaining Culinary Accessories In-House Coffee Shop Facility Rental

662-494-8969

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plus freight, prep, and taxes.

Starting at $949

LAYAWAY NOW

Yamaha 550 4x4

7,299
Yamaha Grizzly 700 $7,999

Yamaha 450 4x4

6,099

Yamaha Rhino 700

10,399

**Prices do not include camo paint or EPS power steering, call for upgrades**

Yamaha 300 2wd

3,999

3500 Bluecutt Road | Columbus, MS 662.327.4631 | www.bgpsu.com

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Fashion Barn
Downtown Columbus, MS 662-328-3032

25% Off storewide

*
*Excludes jeans, formals & candles

Friday & Saturday November 29 & 30

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Great gift ideas for teachers...

F
ew opportunities to thank teachers for all of the hard work they do present themselves during the course of a typical school year. But a thoughtful holiday gift is one way that students and parents can show their appreciation for a teachers efforts. Its customary for students to offer teachers small tokens of their affection, whether its during the holiday season, at the end of the school year or both. Choosing a gift for a teacher can be challenging, as the relationship between student and teacher and/or parent and teacher is not personal, and its very possible students and parents have little knowledge of a teachers interests outside the classroom. But the following gift ideas are essentially universal in their appeal, making them great gifts for the special educator in your life. * Handwritten notes from students: Rather than trinkets that proclaim Worlds Best Teacher, students can write their own sentiments about their teachers and present it with a gift card or another gift that doesnt take up much space. A heartfelt note of appreciation and gratitude can be all it takes to put a smile on a teachers face this holiday season. *F  ood: Food can be enjoyed in and around the season. Avoid making items yourself, as some people are particular about eating foods that were cooked in someone elses kitchen. Stick to pre-packaged food baskets, or even treat the teacher to a meal with a gift card to a restaurant. *S  omething scholarly: A gift that provides a teacher with some intellectual stimulation might just do the trick this holiday season. For example, a set of safety goggles or a kit for doing in-class experiments might work well for a science teacher, while a biography or a best-selling novel may fit the bill for English teachers. *G  ift cards: Very often all of the students in a class donate a small amount toward a gift card. Consider a card that is redeemable at a nearby store or a generic cash card the teacher can use anywhere credit and debit cards are accepted. *C  lassroom supplies: Budget constraints have forced many teachers to supplement classroom materials out of their own pockets. So a gift of school supplies or a gift certificate to an office-supply store or teacher-supply center may be greatly appreciated. *C  atered lunch: Consult with the school principal to set aside a day when teachers can enjoy a catered lunch provided by the students. Each class parent can collect funds, which can then be pooled to host a lunch for the teachers. When gifting teachers, there are some gifts to avoid *T  rinkets and mugs: Through the years a seasoned teacher has likely collected a fair share of trinkets and coffee mugs. Chances are he or she does not need another one. *P  erfume and lotion:Avoid scented lotions, perfumes and other cosmetic products, as such items are more personal. *O  verly expensive gifts: Do not give a gift that is beyond the standard range of others in the classroom, which usually falls between $10 and $20. It could appear as if youre buying affections for the student, and it could make the teacher uncomfortable.

... and those who help us throughout the year

H
oliday gift-giving etiquette can be confusing, especially when it comes to gifting those men and women who arent necessarily friends or family members, but still help us out in a variety of ways. Deciding how to thank the people who intersect our lives by delivering mail or cleaning the pool can take a little ingenuity. Gifting preferences often vary from region to region. What might be acceptable in a certain area of the country may be frowned upon elsewhere. For example, in urban areas cash gifts are usually appreciated, whereas rural, close-knit communities tend to give homemade gifts. The rule to remember, above all, is that if a gift is given with good intentions, it should be happily received. That being said, here are some general guidelines for gifting those men and women who help us throughout the year. * Determine your list. Think about the people with whom you interact regularly. The sanitation workers who pick up the trash twice a week and your mail carrier may take priority over the hairstylist you visit once every month or two. *E  stablish a budget. The holiday season can be costly, so set a firm limit on what you plan to give, perhaps between $10 and $20 each, and stick to that budget for each recipient. *R  ecognize that not everyone is allowed to accept gifts. Some service providers are not allowed to accept cash gifts or presents. Government employees, for example, may be prohibited from accepting cash gifts or gifts that exceed a predetermined amount. With this in mind, gloves or a gift basket may be your best option. *G  ift a little more to personal care professionals. Your hairstylists, masseuse or anyone who performs more personal tasks for you may warrant a larger gift. Etiquette suggests giving a gift equal to the price of one session of service, even if that gift is cash. * Health and child care employees warrant special treatment. A private nurse, nanny or nursing home worker should be gifted for the holidays. Avoid cash gifts with health service providers, opting for a more personal gift that is a token of your affection and appreciation. If gifts are not allowed, consider making a charitable donation in the persons name.

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Prevent identity theft during the holidays

A
s the holiday shopping season approaches, consumers are once again preparing to do a significant amount of their holiday shopping online, while many others will rely on debit and credit cards to make their in-store purchases. Though banks and online retailers have made holiday shopping easier in many ways, that convenience has also made shoppers more vulnerable to identity theft. The hectic nature of the holidays season can make it harder for holiday shoppers to recognize if their personal information has been compromised. As a result, many men and women do not realize that they have been victimized by identity thieves until after the season has come and gone. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, identity theft affects 10 million Americans each year, costing individuals and businesses $52 billion. But Americans arent the only ones at risk of identity theft, which can victimize holiday shoppers whether theyre shopping at the nearby mall or from the comforts of home. When shopping this holiday season, shoppers should consider the following safety measures to reduce their risk of identity theft. *C  onfirm the legitimacy of online retailers. Many online scammers masquerade as legitimate businesses. Some may even steal logos or information from real businesses to make their scam appear more legitimate. When shopping online, stick to well-known retailers or verify with the Better Business Bureau or another watchdog organization that a Web site is operated by a reputable business. *C  heck for a secured browser. Reputable online retailers encrypt their customers personal information. Look for a locked icon on the browser before entering payment information, or check to see if the URL has an https prefix, which means the site is secured. * Beware of credit card skimmers. Skimmers are devices that read the information on the magnetic strip of a credit or debit card. Some are planted on ATM machines or self-service kiosks at stores. They can be hard to detect. Certain skimmers can even skim the information off a card while it is still in a wallet or purse. Some devices can block the capture of signals from the cards. But even consumers who have such devices should still check their bank and credit card statements to determine if their cards have been skimmed. * Dont carry extraneous information in a wallet. A lost wallet is less problematic when it isnt filled with scores of credit cards and a social security card. Consumers should limit the amount of personal information stored in their wallets. *P  romptly check credit and debit balances for accuracy. Routinely check purchases against the records of credit card companies and banks. Log into online accounts to verify any purchases and report any inaccuracies immediately. Recognizing fraudulent activity early on can help consumers recover their money quickly and prevent any further problems. *O  pt for credit over debit. Credit cards come with zero liability policies, which means consumers will not be held responsible for fraudulent purchases. Debit cards do not always offer the same level of protection, and debit cards linked directly to a bank account could put consumers at greater risk. * Keep receipts. Being cautious with receipts doesnt just facilitate potential returns. Receipts often include a lot of personal information, including the shoppers name, signature and credit card number. These receipts could be the doorway to identity theft. * Password protect everything. A lost smartphone or tablet could provide a thief with a lot of personal information if it is not locked down with a password. Also, always use a secured wireless signal when shopping online or accessing personal account information.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013

23

Poinsettias: the basics

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lthough poinsettias are most often associated with the holiday season, they are actually tropical plants. In spite of their origins, poinsettias can thrive during the holiday season and even last long after the holidays have come and gone. Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America. Aztecs called the plant cuetlaxochitl. The flowering plant was first introduced to the United States by Joel Poinsett, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, and was subsequently renamed the poinsettia. The flowers of the poinsettia are actually the yellow blooms at the middle of the bright red or white bracts that form on the plant. Perhaps due to the bright red of the bracts, the plant quickly became a popular Christmas plant. Its important to note that poinsettias grow in a warm climate and therefore must be kept in tropical conditions to ensure the plants health. Furthermore, poinsettias bloom in response to shortening daylight hours. That means they will need ample darkness each night in order to simulate the dark nights of short, winter days. To achieve this, you may need to put the plant into a dark closet for 12 to 14 hours each night. During the day, the plant should be in a sunny window where it will have access to bright light. The more light the better. Keep the soil evenly moist. Misting the plant will help it to retain some humidity. Also, fill the overflow saucer on your flower pot with gravel to allow water seeping through the pot to evaporate from the gravel. Hot temperatures indoors combined with high humidity will help the plant to thrive. Even one day without adequate moisture can cause the leaves to drop. Furthermore, decreasing temperatures can cause leaves to fall off. The goal is to keep the indoor temperature consistent. While many poinsettia plants are discarded after the holiday season, these plants can actually be cut back and saved for next season. Trimming back any remaining leaves and continuing to care for the plant by keeping it moist can help. To force the blooms next season, start reducing the plants exposure to sunlight in mid-September to October. Again, this will mean removing the plant to an area that is shrouded in complete darkness. Even streetlights or indoor lighting can affect blooming. If the plant does not begin to turn color before the holiday season, you may need to purchase a new plant and try again next year.

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