E2—The Weston Democrat, Christmas Gift Guide, Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Christmas Open House

Dec 8thLots of Primitive items will be marked

down 25% and Furniture 15% off

New Items are coming in weekly to Tattered N Torn Primitives......Shouldn’t you??

LOCATED IN FRONT OF LAMBERT’S WINERY on Gee Lick Rd.Owner, Katrina Posey 304-269-2424

First 10 customers in the door on Dec. 8th will receive a FREE gift. Don’t miss the 2nd Annual Tattered N Torn Primitives Christmas Open House

for your ONE of a KIND Handmade Crafts.Come in to see our Grapevine Trees, Primitive Furniture, Candles, Handmade Snowmen and Santas, Wooden Snowmen, Garland, Tarts and Tart Burners. Handpainted Antique

Windows, Lit-up Snowcovered Christmas Trees, Deer and Angels. Alot of these items are

Come in anytime that week and spend over $25.00 and get your name in the Jar to win a $150.00 Christmas Primitve Gift Basket that will be given away on Dec.8th

at the end of the day. For every $25.00 spent you can put your name in the jar.

We had a great Black Friday Sale and are NOW fully stocked again with all new items. The Primitive Gift Baskets were sold out, but now are back again.

Debbie and I have gotten these together for the Christmas Open House, these primitive gift sets were such a BIG hit we had to do more.

Handmade Glass GiftsProduced Right in Front of Your Eyes

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Gifting

To Food

FanaticsSome people are a cinch to shop

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

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

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

* Cooking class: Many food-ies don’t just like eating food but cooking their favorite cuisine as well. For those who like to get their hands dirty before fi lling their bellies, consider paying for a cooking class. Many communities have cooking classics for various types of cuisine, so consult your friend or family member, asking them which cuisine they’d like to learn and when they’re available. Or let them fi nd their own class and then pay for the class. This can be a great way for foodies to learn something new and meet fellow food affi cionados along the way.

* Specialty spices: Spices can make the difference between an or-dinary meal that’s void of fl avor and a meal that’s so fl avorful it won’t soon be forgotten. When spicing things up for a foodie this holiday season, don’t just buy regular spices at the grocery store. For example, instead of standard cinnamon, buy a specialty spice like Mexican or Vietnamese cinnamon. Such spe-cialty spices can add extra fl avor to a meal while becoming the go-to spice for the home chef among your friends and family members.

* Pressure cooker: Many foodies are fawning over pressure cooking, which can cut down on cooking times without sacrifi cing nutrition. Some recipes may take half the time

to prepare with a pressure cooker as they might with a more traditional cooking method, an important time saving element that’s attractive to foodies who want to enjoy their favorite foods but feel pressed for time on weeknights. And while pressure cookers employ steam to cook foods quickly, that steam also traps fl avor, whereas boiling can wash fl avor out.

Many foodies also laud pressure cookers for their nutritional ben-efi ts. Steaming certain foods can intensify their fl avor, which allows cooks to rely less on potentially unhealthy additions like salt or butter to ensure a meal is fl avorful.

* Serving dishes: Of course, many foodies want to share the fruits of their labors with friends and family. For the person who loves throwing dinner parties, consider some serving dishes this holiday season.

Serving dishes can range from casual (for the foodie who can’t wait to fi re up the grill) to formal (for the gourmet foodie), so get a feel of your friend or family mem-ber’s preferences before purchasing a set of serving dishes.

* Cookbook: The ideal fallback item for holiday shoppers who can’t seem to fi nd anything for their favorite foodies, cookbooks fi lled with recipes for dishes from their favorite type of cuisine (i.e., Italian, Thai, Cajun, etc.) are sure to please.

When gifting with a cookbook, peruse a few of its recipes to de-termine if there are any special ingredients that appear throughout. If there are, purchase these ingredi-ents and gift them as well.

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

Give Children

Healthy Playing

PlasmaCar by PlaSmart Inc.

Toys that encourage physical fi tness are a great way to keep your children fi t, active and having fun all year-round. Therefore, putting just the right activity-gift under the tree will not only ensure your kids have fun, but will also stay healthy without even realizing it.

What is an activity-toy?One of the most popular activ-

ity gifts is the ride-on-toy. Aside from being fun, ride-on-toys offer many additional benefits, such as developing a sense of balance and coordination, and make a big contribution to a child’s overall physical fi tness. This year, take a look at the PlasmaCar by Plasmart Inc. It’s a mechanical marvel that can be driven on any fl at surface, in-doors and outdoors, and is powered solely by kid-power. This attractive vehicle is a fun way for kids to ride around the neighbourhood, keep their bodies fi t, and have fun at the same time. It requires no batteries

or fuel, just the occasional cookie or two for the driver.

What makes a good outdoor gift?

Outdoor toys need to be well made. Not only do they need to stand-up to rough and tumble kid treatment, they need to be able to survive all types of weather. Out-door toys should also have rounded corners to help prevent scrapes and cuts that go hand-in-hand with outdoor fun. Makers of the PlasmaCar say it’s highly durable and can handle a load of up to 100 kg (220 lbs) on a smooth, fl at surface, and 55 kg (120 lbs) on a rough, fl at surface. Not only will it handle the daily abuse at the hands of your children, it’s so durable that parents can have fun riding it, too. The colour is highly appealing to kids -- and with its rounded curves, seat and steering wheel, this design will help reduce summer bumps and bruises.

If given the choice of receiving a discount on an item purchased online or getting free shipping, most customers would select the free shipping, says a survey from the market research fi rm, Lab42. Information like this may guide more offerings from online retailers this holiday season.

The advantages of online shop-ping are well documented. The 24-hour appeal continues to draw record numbers of shoppers, and the ease with which prices can be compared is attractive to bargain hunters. Also, shopping online al-lows customers to fi nd items they might not be able to fi nd at a local brick-and-mortar retailer.

According to a survey from Nielsen Online, most people who shop online during the holidays do it to save time. The survey of 1,000 online shoppers found that 81 percent shop online because they can shop any time of the day. In addition, 77 percent said they like to save time while 61 percent said they like to comparison shop and 56 percent said they like it because they can easily fi nd items.

Although convenience is a ma-jor factor, online shoppers prefer free shipping promotions more than any other offers. In 2007, a survey conducted for Shop.org found that free shipping is a big draw. About 61 percent of respondents said that free shipping without conditions was one of the promotions they would

most like to see. The popularity of such offers has only grown.

Lab42 surveyed surveyed men and women ages 25 to 44, and 96 percent of respondents said they’d be more likely to shop at a site of-fering a free shipping promotion. Almost as many (87 percent) said they’d be swayed by free returns.

The same survey uncovered some additional insight into the mind of the online shopper.

* Nearly three-quarters (73 per-cent) of those surveyed said they shopped online more now than even two years ago, and just 5 percent said they shopped less.

* Nearly 75 percent of the group said they do at least half of their shopping online, while 66 percent said they preferred to shop online rather than in a store.

* About 95 percent of respon-dents do their shopping at home from a personal computer. Just under 4 percent use a smartphone or a tablet.

* Eighty-one percent of respon-dents said that customer reviews played a big role in the purchases they made as well as those they did not make.

Online shopping has many ad-vantages. Deterrents like not being able to see or feel the quality of the item and diffi culty returning items may be overlooked when retailers offer free shipping to prospective customers.

Online Shopping

Offers Advantages

Tablets are the must-have portable computing device of the moment, making them a top holiday gift. A study found that the majority of tablet owners (77 percent) use their tablets every day, using them for an average of about 90 minutes.

When shopping for a tablet, there are many different features to consider.

Size Tablets come in different sizes, weights and screen offerings. When the iPad was released, it set the standard screen size at around 10 inches, weighing slightly more than a pound. Tablets made by other manufacturers range in sizes from 12-inch screens to 5-inch screens, giving shoppers the ability to choose a device that is as mobile as they need it to be.

Battery Life Many tablet users are interested in the portability of the device. Battery operation makes that portability possible, so it makes sense that battery life is a big draw for consumers. Many tablet reviews cite Android products and the iPad as the best for battery life.

Tablets Are

Very PopularFlexibility Flexibility is also

important to prospective tablet buyers. Tablets that are only able to connect to the Internet via a Wi-Fi service will be much more limited in use. Many tablets now come with 3G or Wi-Fi capabilities, enabling the device to work even when you are away from home or a Wi-Fi connection.

Storage Some consumers are interested in the amount of data they can store on their tablets. Some reviewers have complained about the inability to add more storage space to the Apple iPad, forcing consumers to purchase a more expensive device just to add more storage. Android and Windows-based tablets have removable storage options and may be better buys for those who need to save a large number of apps or photos and video.

Price As with any purchase, price is often a big component of decision-making. The tablet that offers the most features at the most affordable price may win out.

The Weston Democrat, Christmas Gift Guide, Wednesday, December 5, 2012—E3

SHOPPING IN WESTON? JUST TRAVELING THRU?

If you need some quick cash,

stop by one of our convenient

ATM locations• Main Bank - Weston • Jane Lew Branch

• Stonewall Resort • Weston Moose Lodge

• Pricetown Stop N Shop

Gifts Aid Personal Health

Subsidizing a loved one’s gym membership is a great way to help him or her realize a resolutionof living healthier in the year ahead.

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

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

* Gym membership: Fitness centers tend to see a spike in en-rollment at the dawn of a new year, as men and women who want to get healthier take the fi rst step by signing up for a gym membership. The holiday season can be a great time to sign up for a membership, as many fi tness centers waive their

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

* Cardiovascular machine:

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

Find One-of-a-Kind

Gifts at Craft FairsCraft fairs and fl ea markets are

a staple of the holiday season. Not only are they ideal places to fi nd one-of-a-kind gifts for anyone on your holiday shopping list, but they also are great opportunities for small business owners to broaden their client base while making a relatively small investment.

Research opportunitiesCommunity resource pages or

Web sites are often good sources of information about events the city or town will host. Church bulletins and notices sent home from school may also list such announcements.

Know the rules and regula-tions

Set the sceneBe mindful of budgetOffer a freebieParticipate with a palBe friendly and smile

Craft fairs are a good place to sell your holiday wares.

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Subscribe toThe Weston Democrat

Call 304-269-1600We accept Master Card & Visa

The rules of etiquette have loosened a bit from centuries past. However, when it comes to holiday gifting, erring on the side of caution and following proper etiquette can make exchanging gifts go more smoothly.

Being considerate when gifting helps make the holidays enjoy-able and as stress-free as possible. When exchanging, heed these suggestions.

* Gift-giving is about the recipi-ent and not you as the giver. The idea is to create that warm and fuzzy feeling for the person on the receiv-ing end of the gift. Think about the person’s interests and fi nd a gift that pertains to these interests.

* Don’t up the ante. When exchanging gifts with a person, do not try to anticipate what he or she will spend and then go above that price. Instead, choose a price that you can readily afford and fi nd the nicest thing within that range. If a person with whom you hadn’t anticipated exchanging gifts gives you something, simply offer thanks and don’t feel uncomfortable that you do not have something to offer in return.

* Gift receipts are very thought-ful. Including a gift receipt with your gift tells the recipient that you tried to fi nd something that he or she will enjoy, but that you’re

comfortable with them returning the gift if it’s not just right.

* Do not e-mail thank you notes. If you are not able to thank a person in person for a gift, it is in better taste to send a hand-written note than to fi re off a quick e-mail.

* It’s unnecessary to give your boss a gift. Gifting your boss may come across like you are trying to win favor. It also may create a competition within the offi ce. Stick to gifting colleagues, but leave the boss out of the holiday pool.

* Gift cards do not break etiquette rules. Although gift cards may seem like the easy way out of gifting, they’ve become more ac-ceptable and popular. If you want to personalize a gift card, try using a photo or special memory that correlates to the gift card.

* When in doubt, stick with non-intimate gifts. Perfume, cologne, intimate apparel and similar items say that you know a person on a deeper level and are extremely personal. For friends and acquain-tances, stick with safer gifts that do not give off intimate undertones.

* Don’t regift. Whenever pos-sible, graciously accept gifts and do not try to pass them off as your own to other people. If caught, you will be more embarrassed than if you had not given a gift at all.

Etiquette To Help

When Giving Gifts

E4—The Weston Democrat, Christmas Gift Guide, Wednesday, December 5, 2012

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Some new tools might make the perfect holiday gift for the auto affi cionado in your family.

Ideas To Gift Auto Affi cionadosFew passions are as strong as the

passion a car lover has for automo-biles. Auto affi cionados are often walking encyclopedias about all things automotive. When it comes to the holiday season, buying a gift for the car guy or gal in your family might seem easy. After all, any gift related to cars is sure to leave your loved one head over heels.

However, for those holiday shoppers who don’t know the dif-ference between an air fi lter and an air conditioner, perhaps the follow-ing suggestions might fare better under the tree this holiday season.

Driving lessonsAuto racing is one of North

America’s most popular sports, and many car guys and gals would love to know what it feels like to get behind the wheel of a race car and put the pedal to the metal. That dream can become a reality, and holiday shoppers can help make that happen for a loved one. Racing schools exist for all sorts of racing, be it stock car racing, Formula 1 racing, Indy Cars, and even Kart racing. (Note: Kart rac-ing does not refer to amusement park style go-karts.) Be it novice car affi cionados or veterans who spend weekends at work in their garages, racing lessons can make an ideal gift for auto lovers.

Gift certifi cate for a wash and a detailing

As much as car guys and gals care about what’s under the hood, they also care about how their cars’ exteriors looks. Winter weather can wreak havoc on a vehicle’s exterior, so help your favorite auto lover take care of his or her baby this winter with a gift certifi cate to a nearby car wash and/or auto

detailing center. This will ensure the car remains a sight for sore eyes through the winter. Just be sure to include multiple trips to the car wash and detailing center, as a car often needs a few trips each winter to keep up appearances.

Magazine subscriptionLike most industries, the auto

industry is constantly changing. What’s popular today might be ob-solete tomorrow. Help your favorite auto enthusiast stay abreast of the auto industry’s many innovations and updates with a subscription to a favorite auto magazine. Such magazines inspire car lovers to improve their own vehicles while letting them know the latest trends in the auto industry.

AccessoriesNo car lover can do without his

or her accessories, which can range from practical gifts like a new GPS

unit to more specialized items like a paint gun accessory kit. Shoppers who aren’t very familiar with cars might not know which accessories to buy. In such instances, a gift cer-tifi cate to a nearby auto parts store should suffi ce. This guarantees your loved one will get something for his or her car and eliminate the need to return the gift if he or she already has it.

ToolsAuto affi cionados love working

on their vehicles, and that work can’t be done without the right tools. If possible, visit his or her garage or shop and peruse the tool collection. If anything looks espe-cially aged or ragged, replace it with a newer version. Auto lovers are often particular about their tools, so if you’re reticent about buying new ones, take your gift recipient to the store and let him or her choose a gift or buy a gift certifi cate that covers the cost of the tools that look like they need replacing.

Consider

Big Buy

Factors

Consumers can often fi nd great deals on big-ticket items, includ-ing washing machines, during the holiday season.

The holiday season is a popular time for consumers to purchase big-ticket items such as televisions and home appliances. Year-end sales and holiday discounts have made November and December a buyer’s market.

But just because a consumer can fi nd great deals during the holiday season does not mean he or she should jump at the fi rst deal that comes his or her way. In fact, consumers should consider a host of factors before buying a big-ticket item during the holiday season.

* Rebates: Rebates can turn a good deal into a great deal, and many electronics manufacturers offer rebates even if the merchants are unaware. Inexpensive items are not often associated with rebates, but costly items like televisions, computers and cameras may be eligible for manufacturer rebates. If you fi nd an item on sale but the merchant knows nothing about potential rebates, contact the manu-facturer prior to purchase. You might save money by purchasing a slightly more expensive item that offers a rebate instead of a heavily discounted item that does not come with a rebate.

* Returns: Merchants compete for business during the holiday sea-son, and such competition benefi ts the consumer. Before purchasing a big-ticket item, talk to a merchant about the company’s return policy. Some merchants will offer a full refund if an item is returned within a certain time period, while others may only offer a partial refund. But some merchants might be willing to work with you if you purchase an item only to fi nd it is being sold for less money by another retailer. Some will match the lower price and refund you the difference.

* Warranties: When pur-chasing a big-ticket item, a store representative will likely try to sell you an extended warranty for the item. On the surface, such a precaution seems like a worthy investment because, in theory, it’s offering added protection for an item that’s costing you a lot of money. However, most electronics and appliances already come with a standard manufacturer warranty,

and the extended warranty, which can cost several hundred dollars, might just be duplicating coverage you already have.

If you’re leaning toward pur-chasing an extended warranty, know exactly what it does and does not cover before buying it. Many of today’s appliances are built to last years, and the extended war-ranty might not cover problems that result from normal wear and tear. Research the product, including consumer reviews, so you know what problems to expect from it. If the problems are minor, then the extended warranty is probably not worth the investment.

* Price: The price of an item is the determining factor for many buyers. If the price is right, consum-ers will buy an item. If not, they’re likely to move on. But even if the in-store price for a big-ticket item seems like a great deal, it’s still in a consumer’s best interest to shop around. Many retailers offer better deals online than they do inside their brick-and-mortar stores, and you might even be able to pick the item up just as you would if you bought it in-store. In-store pickup can save you the cost of shipping, which can amount to considerable savings. Don’t be too quick to pur-chase a big-ticket item no matter how deep the discount. Be patient and comparison shop. Doing so might save you hundreds of dollars.

* Reputation: A good deal is only a good deal if you’re getting an item that’s worth buying. Do your homework before buying a big-ticket item, researching its pros and cons. Consumer reviews can be an especially valuable resource, as consumers like you have no incen-tive to embellish or mislead others about a product. The product’s reputation among industry pro-fessionals and fellow consumers should bear considerable weight in your decision-making process. A heavily discounted piece of junk is still a piece of junk.

The holiday season is a great time to fi nd bargains on big-ticket items. Educated consumers can come away with a great deal and a great product.

State Park

Gift Cards

Give "Extras"West Virginia State Parks gift

card sales encourage recipients to visit a state park to camp, stay in a lodge, play golf or participate in an activity that requires some form of payment.

For the Christmas and holiday season, gift card purchases of $100 or greater in value receive “extras.” Purchases from Nov. 1 to Dec.17, 2012 automatically have eight extras included that can stretch gift card value, according to Carol Stewart. “A purchase of $250 would receive two sets of eight, a purchase of $400 would receive four sets and so on.” Stewart processes gift card orders and helps customers with suggestions for parks to visit or how to surprise family and friends.

Standard ground USPS shipping service is included in gift card sales.

The ‘extras’ included in card sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 17 are:

• Whittaker Wednesdays at Cass Scenic Railroad that recognizes a youth passenger with a free trip in June, July, and August, 2013.

• “Three times, Single Price Camping” is a card for camping at Twin Falls Resort Park. The bearer of the “extra” may camp three nights for the price of one night through May 20, 2013 or in September 2013.

• A “Wonderful West Virginia” magazine T-shirt when subscribing to the state magazine

• Two Island Belle Sternwheeler rides for single ride cost to Blenner-hassett Island Historical State Park.

• Disc Golf or Tram Ride for Two at Pipestem Resort for a single price rate.

• “I Need a Break Rate” at Beech Fork State Park includes 20 percent off and a third or fourth night free stay in January through March 2013 or November to December 2013.

• “Play a Round” 18-hole golf greens fee with rental of a motor-ized golf cart at Pipestem, Twin Falls or Cacapon.

• $15 off of Gift Shop purchase of $100 or more at Blackwater Falls, Twin Falls, Cacapon, North Bend or Tygart Lake state parks in 2013.

A ninth card is the “mystery gift” that when returned the customer will receive a State Park “some-thing” in the mail. Stewart adds that while supplies last, each order will receive a State Park zipper pull. “They were very popular last year and I’ve had people ask for them again this year. They are pretty and they tell the mission statement of the park system.”

The “extras” are included only with online gift card purchases or by calling 304-558-2764, ext. 51828. The online address is www.wvstateparks.com; click “Gift Card Purchase.”

Merchants Offer

Last Minute DealsMerchants may offer deep

discounts on premium items that haven’t moved during the last days of the holiday shopping season, typically between December 21 and 24. This includes big-ticket products, such as fi ne jewelry, furniture and televisions.

It is possible to take advantage of deep price cuts the closer you get to Christmas Day. Keep in mind that you may have to pay a premium for getting those gifts delivered on time, which could offset the savings.

Therefore, it might be a wise idea to present gift recipients with a photo of what they will be getting for the holidays and deliver the item a day or two later.

Subscribe toThe Weston DemocratFor all the local news,

sports, advertising

Call 304-269-1600We accept Master Card & Visa

Our address is Post Offi ce Box 968or 306 Manin Ave.Weston, WV 26452

The Weston Democrat, Christmas Gift Guide, Wednesday, December 5, 2012—E5

Call 269-2210

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Great Gift IdeaGift Certificates

for Auto Detailing

Christmas Trees Now Available

It is up to the gift-giver to assess the maturity levels of the gift recipient as well as his or her behavior when considering giving the gift of a mobile phone.

Gadgets often top the list of desired gifts for the holiday season. Adults and children alike fawn over the latest technology, and giving a loved one a new phone, portable video game console, tablet or e-reader for the holidays is sure to please.

When gifting children with the latest tech gifts, parents typically ask themselves if a child is mature enough to handle the responsibility of having his or her own mobile phone. There is no clear-cut answer to this question, and it is up to the gift-giver to assess the maturity lev-els of the gift recipient as well as his or her behavior when considering giving the gift of a mobile phone.

Today’s cellular phones are much different from the ones that fl ooded the market 10 to 20 years ago. Although the concept of a mobile phone has been in place since the late 1940s, it wasn’t until 1983 that mobile phones became commercially available in North America. Phones once did little more than just dial a call, and even then service was spotty. Now phones are mini-computers, able to make and receive calls, take photos, access the Internet, download photos and text, provide GPS positioning, give directions, check e-mail, and so much more.

Such cell phones can be invalu-able, but their accessibility often makes parents and guardians think twice about gifting children with a mobile phone. Those who are carefully considering purchasing a phone as a holiday gift for a tween may want to consider the following.

* Reliability: How well does the child take care of his or her belongings? Are keys constantly being lost? Are you often replac-ing items that were just purchased? If so, the child may not be ready for a cell phone. Although many mobile phone companies offer promotional prices on phones this time of year, buying a phone can still be a considerable expense. Adding insurance to that phone will cost even more. Cell phones

may only be for children who have a good track record of caring for and keeping important belongings.

* Maturity level: Some chil-dren seem to be born wise beyond their years. Others are eternal Peter Pans. It is unwise to base a cell phone purchase simply on age alone. Parents typically have a grasp of their child’s maturity level, so it should be easy to determine if they are mature enough to handle the responsibility of a cell phone.

* Features: Mobile phones, par-ticularly smartphones, offer a bevy of different features. From social networking to mapping physical locations, these phones can make children widely accessible from a communications standpoint. It can be quite easy for a child to take and share a photo with someone inap-propriate, and vice-versa. Find out the reasons behind why your son or daughter wants the phone. Is it simply for texting, or is it to have emergency contact with home? Knowing the reasons why a child wants the phone may make the decision easier.

* Safety: Cell phones make it easier for parents to monitor their children when they are away from home, providing some peace of mind.

* School rules: In many institu-tions, cell phone use is prohibited during school hours or phones may not even be allowed on school property. This is something to keep in mind before purchasing.

* Accessibility: A child does not need a smartphone, so parents should buy a phone that doesn’t of-fer all of the bells and whistles. Not only will this cut down on the cost, it could help prevent irresponsible behavior as well.

Many children want their own cell phone, in part because they see their parents and others on the phone. But it’s wise to consider the pros and cons of giving children cell phones before telling children they can have one.

Tips To Give Kids

Mobile Phones

Tools Needed by RenovatersGiving gifts is a holiday tradi-

tion, but sometimes friends and family who maintain, renovate and build can pose special gifting challenges. To fi nd gifts for these folks and others on your gift list, check out the Woodcraft sugges-tions below.

Tools for the Big Jobs* Rockwell Sonicrafter X2

3-Amp with Hyperlink -- Make a wide variety of cuts, sand corners and trim nearly everything -- wood, metal and tile -- with this new Rockwell offering that accepts most major brands of multi-tool accessories, features tool-free blade changing without slippage and provides one ton of clamping force.

* KREG Toolboxx(TM) Master Collection -- The Toolboxx Master Collection is a complete pocket-hole joinery solution for materials from 1/2” thick to 11/2” thick and larger, including four Kreg jigs, a host of accessories and 1,000+ Kreg screws. Use with a saw and a drill to create beautiful furniture, build custom cabinets, or maximize your interior space with custom closets and built-ins.

* PULY 12V Li-Ion Two-Speed 3/8” Drill Driver -- Lightweight and ergonomically designed, this drill driver features two speeds (0-300 and 0-1,050 RPMs) and 203 inch-pounds of torque to handle just about every drilling/driving task at home or in the shop.

* Earlex SprayStation Gemini HVLP Sprayer -- This innova-tive HVLP Sprayer is capable of spraying fi ne fi nishes, stains (with 1.5mm needle available separately) and paints with the enclosed 2mm needle from the standard gun/cup confi guration or latex paint directly from the gallon can, utilizing an on-board auxiliary pump that pushes the paint up to the gun.

Products That Make Work Easier

* Festool Syslite LED Worklamp -- Six high-effi ciency LED bulbs provide 170* of even light in this portable light source that is perfect for under a cabinet, in a crawl space or attic or anywhere.

* Beginner’s Marking and Measuring Kit -- Before cutting, drilling or joining begins, these handy helpers will likely be in demand: standard/metric 12” mea-suring tape, 2”, 4” and 6” all steel, precision engineer’s squares, and 6”, 12”, 24” and 40” stainless steel cabinetmaker’s rules.

* Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener -- This handheld, mo-torized tool sharpens any knife, as well as scissors, garden shears, and a host of other tools.

* Shop Stool with Adjustable Height -- This stool has a molded “tractor-style,” high density poly-mer seat and back, and chrome foot ring and base. Seat height adjusts from 22” to 32”; overall height is 413/4”.

Stocking Stuffers* Woodcraft Gift Card -- Gifting

made easy -- the recipient selects his or her own gift!

* Woodcraft Magazine Sub-scription -- Give a year-round gift -- six issues packed with wood-working projects, techniques, and products.

Earlex designed this Spray-Station Gemini HVLP Sprayer with new technology that allows for traditional use of the cup fed gun to spray fi ne fi nishes and paints or use a pump that enables the user to spray large areas quickly.

* Restore-A-Finish -- This unique fi nish-penetrating formula restores the original color and luster to wood fi nishes while blending out minor scratches and blemishes. It comes in neutral and eight wood colors.

* O’Keeffe’s Working Hands -- Two key ingredients -- glycerin and allantoin, a comfrey derivative -- enable this revolutionary condi-tioner to assist the healing of dry, damaged skin.

To learn more about these prod-ucts and others, visit your local Woodcraft store, call (800) 535-4482 or visit www.woodcraft.com.

Shopping

Lists Are

Very HelpfulMaking a list when holiday

shopping can help you avoid spending more than your budget allows. Rather than be caught off guard, carefully make your shop-ping list and include everyone you intend to gift.

Purchase one or two extra ge-neric gifts just in case something comes up. It is much easier to afford holiday giving when you can divide your budget by the number of gift recipients rather than having to add on gifts after the fact.

Purchasing one or two extra generic gifts is a good idea, just in case something comes up.

Good ToysTeach KidsTo Think

Encouraging the use of creative activities and games that challenge your children to think outside the box and build their problem solving skills at an early age will help en-courage them to become indepen-dent thinkers and problem solvers -- skills that will benefi t them for the rest of their lives.

Giving your child simple games such as building blocks that require identifying different shapes is a great way to start building problem solving skills. For older children, more challenging games may be re-quired to build their problem solv-ing abilities and their confi dence in taking on greater challenges.

One new game that has caught the attention of educators and par-ents alike is the new Perplexus 3D game maze by Plasmart Inc. This is a 3-dimensional maze game where players manoeuvre a small marble around challenging barriers inside a large-sized transparent sphere.

Unlike traditional fl at-surface mazes that are composed of one

Generic Gifts

Perplexus Original,

Perplexus Rookie.

Perplexus Epic

path, Perplexus challenges play-ers’ problem solving abilities with numerous paths to choose from and hundreds of barriers to overcome. Players can race each other or the clock.

In addition to being an en-tertaining game, it’s a valuable tool for cognitive development, encouraging children to exercise their problem-solving, motor and dexterity skills, as well as improv-ing their hand-eye coordination.

Experts say the game is just as challenging for adults as it is for children and will especially keep parent solving skills sharp as well.

E6—The Weston Democrat, Christmas Gift Guide, Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Open: Monday thru Friday 10am-6pmSaturday 10am-4pm

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NEW ITEMS ARRIVING . . . .

Trees, Snowmen, Ornaments, Lights, Garland, Bella Taylor Quilted Handbags, Purses and Wallets,

Primitive Furniture, Handmade Candles, Quilts, Pictures, Barn Stars, Saltbox Houses, Tart Warmers, Potpourri, Crocks, End Tables, Curtains, Placemats, Table Runners, Pottery,

Rag Dolls, and Much More

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Gift of Education

Is Most Enduring

Now more than ever, contributions to a college-savings fund make for an ideal holiday gift.

The holiday season has arrived, and with it, the quest for the per-fect gift. Hours spent at crowded shopping malls or perusing online retailers often prove fruitless, and shoppers commonly settle for something that falls short of perfect.

While a trendy toy or must-have gadget might prove popular today, perhaps no gift is more universal and enduring than the gift of educa-tion. Shoppers can give that gift by setting up or making contributions to a 529 plan, an education savings plan that has special tax benefi ts designed to help people save for

college.Now more than ever, contribu-

tions to a college-savings fund make for an ideal holiday gift. For example, the Project on Student Loan Debt reports that the aver-age student-loan debt increased 24 percent to $23,200 in 2008, up from $18,650 in 2004. Those fi gures paint a bleak picture for the college students of tomorrow, many of whom likely won’t be able to afford a college education by the time they turn 18.

Experts say that even relatively small, regularly-scheduled contri-butions to a 529 plan, which is run by a state or educational institu-tion, can add up, especially if such contributions become a monthly or annual tradition.

FinAid.org notes that families who put aside just $50 per month from the time a child is born can grow a nest egg of more than $20,000 by the time that child turns 18, assuming a 7 percent return on investment. Those who increase their contributions to $100 per month can yield more than $43,000 by the time their youngster is ready to enter college.

“Saving with a 529 plan offers a direct-deposit option that is an affordable and attainable way to save for a loved one’s future college expenses,” said Richard Norman, interim executive director of Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. “Many times, just beginning the process can help families feel like college is a realistic and achievable goal.”

One 529 plan that offers a di-verse choice of investment options from leading fund managers is CollegeAdvantage, a plan estab-lished by the state of Ohio. A Col-legeAdvantage 529 plan account is tax-free when used for college expenses and specially designed to make it easy for families to save for the escalating costs of a college education. In addition, anyone can contribute, making it ideal for rela-tives who aren’t sure what to get for their school-aged special someone this holiday season.

Funds invested in a CollegeAd-vantage 529 plan can be used at any college in the country to pay tuition, fees, books and even room and board. What’s more, families can open an account in a matter of minutes by going online at www.collegeadvantage.com or by calling 1-800-AFFORD-IT (233-6734) and requesting an enrollment kit. CollegeAdvantage even offers a free, $25 bonus contribution to all new $100 accounts opened by December 31, 2011. New enrollees can just enter the promo code SAV-INGS at sign-up.

For more information about Col-legeAdvantage, or to start saving with Ohio’s 529 plan today, visit www.collegeadvantage.com.

Pets Enjoy

Holiday TreatsPeople are not the only ones

who enjoy a holiday treat. Pets are often deserving of a little special treatment, too. Operation Santa Paws encourages shelters across the country to collect donations of toys, treats and supplies to benefi t needy shelter animals, which may have been abused or abandoned. More information is available at http://www.hautedogs.org/san-tapaws.html.

Many merchants, including jewelers, have once again instituted layaway programs to entice consumers.

Business prognosticators once said that layaway would go the way of the dinosaur. The concept would be archaic and essentially extinct, as credit cards overtook layaway plans. Although many stores dropped their layaway poli-cies for much of the late 20th and early 21st centuries when business was booming and credit was easy to secure, layaway has since made a comeback.

Many stores have resuscitated their layaway programs in recent years. Spurred on by the poor economic climate and consumer desire to avoid post-holiday debt, layaway is gaining in popularity. Polling through Frugal Living indicates that of the nearly 5,000 respondents, 87 percent plan to use layaway this year. The growing number of stores that are offering layaway serves as an indicator of how popular layaway has made a comeback.

Babies ‘R Us, Toys ‘R Us, WalMart, Kmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Hallmark, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx and Sears are some of well-known retailers now offering layaway. In addition, some antique stores, jewelry stores and other merchants may offer their own layaway programs. It doesn’t hurt to ask, especially because layaway can be benefi cial to merchants and consumers alike.

Better-quality merchandisePaying incrementally enables

many shoppers to afford higher-quality items. Furniture, appliances or jewely can be put on layaway and shoppers won’t have to accrue any debt.

While buyers are able to enter stores and shop for exactly what they want -- without having to settle for lower-priced gifts -- retailers benefi t by increased profi ts on higher-end merchandise. Because there are penalties in place if a person defaults on their layaway order, and since merchandise is not leaving the store before it is paid for, there is a very low risk assumed by stores who offer layaway.

Disappearing layaway fees

Increased competition for lay-away shoppers has led many retail-ers to remove traditional layaway fees. Stores may waive deposits on layaway accounts, making layaway an even more attractive option to shoppers.

No risk for credit card debtOnce the balance on a layaway

account is paid in full, the mer-chandise can be taken out of the store. Unlike shoppers who pay for items with a credit card and get stuck paying down that holiday debt for months and years to come, consumers who choose layaway are debt-free once the account has been paid in full. Although layaway isn’t risk-free, any fees tacked on to the account for failure to pay are likely to be less expensive than fees and penalties implemented by credit card companies.

Layaway attracts shoppersStores looking to increase foot

traffi c may want to consider insti-tuting a layaway option. Layaway requires a shopper make several trips to a store, iand each of these trips presents the opportunity for a retailer to offer new merchandise or deals for shoppers, who may be inclined to increase their layaway tally. Layaway gets shoppers into the store, increasing the likelihood they will spend more and more money.

Layaway can teach adults and children alike

In a world where buy now/pay later has become the norm instead of the exception, layaway reinforces the fi scally responsible trend of only getting what you can pay for, a valuable lesson for kids and adults alike. Taking children along to make layaway payments can teach them the concepts of budgeting and living within your fi nancial means.

Layaway has reemerged as a sensible way to pay for holiday gifts and other big-ticket items without being racked with post-holiday debt.

Layaways Are

Back, Desirable