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2 Holiday Gift Guide Advertising Supplement to Fairfax County Times | November 2014

This Season’s

HOT TOYS

CREATORS.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTEL

Mattel’s 2014 Holiday BarbieDoll has dazzling details. Sheis also available in an African-American version.

BY DIANE SCHLINDWEIN

With the holiday season underway,experts like Christopher Byrneand representatives from Mattel/Fisher-Price are once again pre-

dicting what toys will be popular this holidayseason.

For computer-savvy kids, Mattel’s repre-sentative recommended the Barbie FashionDesign Maker. “Every parent knows how dif-ficult it is to pull kids away from tech devicesthese days. So why not strengthen their techknowledge and supplement it with fun cre-ativity?” The Fashion Design Maker helpsfashionistas-in-training create custom designson printable fabric paper with the use of anapp, a tablet or a computer.

At over 50 years old, Barbie remains oneof the most popular toys ever with girls ages3 and up. Future hairstylists will love the newBarbie Endless Curls doll that allows girls tocurl Barbie’s hair—sans heat or water—andadd streaks of color.

Of course, Mattel has already released the2014 Holiday Barbie Doll, with various ver-sions wearing a gorgeous red gown and deckedout with holiday sparkle.

AT OVER50 YEARS OLD,BARBIEREMAINSONE OF THEMOST POPULARTOYS EVERWITH GIRLS AGES3 AND UP.

Holiday Gift Guide 3November 2014 | Advertising Supplement to Fairfax County Times

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For girls who like their dolls a little more “freaky,”Byrne, who is content director for aNb Media Inc. andis known internationally as the Toy Guy, predicted,“The whole Monster High Freaky Fusionline is going to continue to be hot. Thebig dollhouse (Monster High FreakyFusion Catacombs) is going to be ahot ticket item, as are the dolls.”

Parents and grandparents of thevery young who want to give toysthat focus on learning will be excitedabout Fisher-Price’s new Laugh & LearnSmart Stages line. These toys provide age-appropriate learning content as baby grows.Simply input a child’s age for automatic contentupdates or manually adjust the learning stage with aswitch. This line includes the new Laugh & Learn StagesChair, which is a child-sized seat that knows when babysits, activating learning songs and phrases when babystands. The chair offers three levels of play that includefresh songs, phrases and sounds that update to match alittle one’s age and stage development.

Santa’s young friends will also be checking under thetree for their first Thomas & Friends train, which is the MyFirst Thomas & Friends Motion Control Thomas. Kidscan control Thomas with the wave of the hand, turning anyroom into the famous Island of Sodor.

Byrne admitted to being a “big kid atheart.” That’s why he also recommended afew blaster toys. The Zing Firetek Bow shootswell and is one of his “faves”of the year. “It lights up!”And Nerf lovers won’t be disappointed with the NerfThunderBow, he said. “While we are in the blaster cat-egory, this one is amazing!” Of course, parents shouldmake sure kids have plenty of room to play with theseaction-packed toys.

One of the season’s hottest toys might just be as popularwith parents and grandparents as it will with the kids. Hot

Wheels Street Hawks are expected to fly off the shelves assoon as they are stocked. The highly sought-after flying caris both an RC vehicle, which allows it to be steered alongthe ground, as well as a plane in the air. Byrne called theStreet Hawk “incredible” and said that dads might be bor-rowing it from their sons. “This toy really is terrific. It’s easyto use, and it brings a big ‘wow’ when it takes off.”

– Creators.com

CREATORS.COM PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTEL

Hot Wheels Street Hawks are expected to fly off theshelves as soon as they are stocked. This flying car isboth an RC vehicle, which allows it to be steered alongthe ground, as well as a plane in the air.


BY JEANELLE HORCASITAS

Andy Williams hit it right on the mark when hefamously sang that Christmas is the most wonder-ful time of year. With lights strung across the roof-top, a beautifully decorated noble fir and carefully

wrapped gifts under the tree, it’s easy to get caught up in themagic of the holidays. I have plenty of these unforgettablememories from childhood. However, Christmas morningswere always the most fun. Before any wrapping paper suf-fered the wrath of a few overly excited kids ripping their wayto its contents, the first thing to look forward to was diggingthrough the stockings. The fluffy, red-and-white oversizedsocks with our names scrawled across them in glittery gluewere always full of the best candy, games and toys we couldhave ever wished for.

But what happened when my siblings and I grew up?Well, luckily for me, my parents still kept the traditionalive with awesome little surprises in our stockings everyChristmas. Therefore, I’m happy to report firsthand thatjust because you’re an adult, you don’t have to give upthe fun of the Christmas stocking.

FOR THE TECHIES• Flash drive. Storage, storage, storage! Techies are

always out and about, and this is the perfect bite-sizegadget for them to back up important data. Find a super-cool flash drive that matches your loved one’s personality.

• Phone case. Techies are always rockin’ the latestand greatest, so a new case to show off—and protect—their new Android, iPhone 6, etc., is always a greatchoice. OtterBox and Speck Products are some of mypersonal favorites because of their durability. They offera variety of colors and patterns from which to choose.

• Portable charger. These work wonders for thetechies who are always on their phones, as their battery’scharge dwindles throughout the day. You can find somefashionable portable chargers at Urban Outfitters.

Stocking Stuffers

Because kids of all ages appreciatepulling holiday treats out of socks!

FORADULTS

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Those are just a few of my favorites, but in a world wheretechnology is everywhere, the choices seem endless.

FOR THE WINE CONNOISSEUR•Wine glass charms. A glass of wine by itself is delicious,

but a glass of wine with lovely dangling charms is the cherryon top. Wine glass charms can be found in many stores,but I absolutely love the assortment that Pier 1 Importshas to offer. So take your pick and give the wine connois-seur in your life a little flair.

• Wine to wear. This is a great gift for anyone youknow who isn’t afraid to flaunt his or her love of wine.Nylon’s “Less Whine More Wine” T-shirt at shop.nylon.com is a definite must-have.

•Wine-to-go tumblers. These tumblers are just what thewine connoisseur needs for the beach, the barbecue or even thetailgate party. Order the affordable and adorable pair of Vino2Go insulated tumblersfrom Amazon.com and you won’t be sorry.

FOR THE RUNNING JUNKIE•Over-the-ear headphones.Running with regular headphones is always frustrating

because of the constant cord twisting and tangling. Over-the-ear headphones solve thatproblem and allow the runner in your life to blaze trails cord-free. Sports Authority isamong the retailers that offer a wide range of styles.

• Armband. If you would like to complement the over-the-ear headphones,add an athletic armband to the mix. With her mobile phone and keys tucked safelyaround her arm, your running junkie will be able to focus completely on the pathahead. These armbands can be found just about anywhere, such as at the athleticstore mentioned above or at your local Target.

• Comfy sole inserts. Sure, there are a ton of lightweight shoes advertised to makeyou faster, but comfort is always key. The runner in your life (and the runner’s feet)will thank you for these after those tough 10-mile runs. You can purchase good qualitysole inserts on runnersworld.com.

And as an extra treat, toss in a few GU energy packs to jump-start the runner forthose long distances.

FOR THE SPA LOVER• Candles. What’s better than one, two or three candles illuminating the corners

of the bathtub with a sweet vanilla aroma filling the room? They are a must-have forspa lovers, as they create the relaxed ambiance they know and love. Of course candlesare available pretty much everywhere, but you can’t go wrong with Yankee Candleor Bath & Body Works.

• Soothing face mask. Get the full spa effect with a soothing face mask. It notonly is great for the complexion, but also will leave the spa lover feeling refreshed andwonderful. You can find some great face masks at Ulta and Sephora. My favorite isThe Body Shop’s Tea Tree Face Mask.

• Tweezers and manicure set. A great pair of tweezers and a manicure set can beintegral to a beauty routine. My favorite tweezers are Tweezerman, which can be foundmost beauty stores. Plus, when the steel gets dull, you can send them back to be sharp-ened by the company itself. Also, Ulta sells a great travel-size manicure set to keep thosefingers and toes looking lovely.

If you would like to do a little extra for the spa lover, add an Essie nail polish inher favorite color or some flavorful tea.

All of those suggestions include items that I know my family and friends wouldn’tmind receiving. However, you know your loved ones best, so use your better judg-ment when personalizing their stocking stuffers. Just because we’re getting olderdoesn’t mean we have to lose some of our favorite childhood pastimes.

–Creators.com

STOCKBYTE/THINKSTOCK

COVER: GIFT: ISTOCK.COM/EIVAISLA; BACKGROUND: ISTOCK.COM/BLACKJACK3D.GIFT IDEAS: METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS


BY ANICA WONG

Dogs, cats, birds and rabbits are no longer just pets.They are part of our families. They go on vaca-tion with us, sleep with us and, in some cases, eatthe same food we do. Because we consider them

furry (or feathered) family members, it’s no wonder that wealso include them in our holiday gift giving.

Whitney Trayer, a sales associate at Quality PawsNatural Pet Inc. in Denver, said that more and morepeople are buying Christmas gifts for their dogs andcats. “Things that are Christmasy, or a hat—like rein-deer ears—sell really well,” she said.

Danielle Jarock, the owner of the store, said she seesa 20 to 30 percent increase in sales during December.And she’s not alone in this growing trend. According tothe American Pet Products Association, Americans areprojected to spend more than $58.5 billion on their petsin 2014. This number has increased by 4 to 6 percent

annually since the association began keeping track in1994. By way of comparison, the craft beer industry willreach $20 billion in 2014, according to Mintel, a marketresearch group.

In 2013, people spent $55.72 billion on their pets, mostof which went to food ($21.57 billion), followed by vetcare ($14.37 billion) and then supplies/over-the-countermedication ($13.14 billion). That last category lends itselfto a lot of Kongs, which are dog toys, tennis balls and cat-nip toys, especially around the holiday season.

And not only are our four-legged pals getting giftsplaced under the tree, but they also are getting stock-ing stuffers. “People come in to fill a (pet) stocking,”said Trayer. Dog treats of all shapes, sizes and colorsare artfully placed. Santa-shaped treats are particularlypopular stocking stuffers.

While it may seem that all of the goodies are going tothe dogs, Trayer also noticed that along with shoppingfor their own pets, owners typically buy for others once

they are in the store. Shoppers think about all of the otherpeople for whom they wouldn’t necessarily buy a gift, butwould be happy to buy their dog or cat a little something.“People love that. ‘You got something for my dog!’”Trayer said, mimicking an excited pet-gift recipient.

Gifts can be as diverse as the animals you are shop-ping for. For some, a rope toy and a big bone will do justfine. For those with fancier tastes, a blinged-out collarand high-end kibble might be the ticket. And high-techgadgets aren’t just for humans anymore. The Tagg pet-tracker device, which can be affixed to a dog’s collar,tracks his every move and can even send notificationsto a phone when he gets out of the safe zone, which isusually the backyard.

The options are endless, and there’s no doubt thatwhatever you pick out for your favorite furry compan-ion, you’re sure to get some extra-slobbery kisses ordeep purrs.

–Creators.com

Don’t Forget

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATORS.COM

YOUR PET


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FIT GIFTS

CREATORS.COMPHOTO COURTESY OF BROOKSTONE

Fitness trackers are one of the top fitness gifts this year.

What to get the healthand fitness buff

BY SHARON NAYLOR

If you have a health- or fitness-minded person on your holiday gift list, it’s easy tochoose a present that will be appreciated and used. Laura Holmes, editor and chiefmedia director at Gifts.com, said that when health and fitness are top prioritiesin a person’s life, you can tap into one of the top gift-giving categories for health-

minded people.Holmes, who is into weekend 5Ks, mountain biking treks, spinning, yoga and

posting about healthy recipes on social media, points to the following categories tohelp you select the perfect gifts:

• Tech. “There are so many cool tech tools to aid the fitness fan in setting her goalsand tracking her successes. If she doesn’t already have a sleep and activity tracker,this is the perfect gift, as it gives her an overall view of what she’s accomplishedevery day,” Holmes said. Fitness and sleep trackers are available as a wristband or anecklace that delivers data to an app, showing daily mileage, nutrition and even sleeppatterns. You’ll even find “smart” water bottles that keep a person hydrated on thego and remind him when he hasn’t met his daily water goal. And would you believethere is a smart fork (HAPIfork) that lights up when the person holding it is eatingtoo fast? You can find that at hapi.com or Amazon.com.

• Yoga. Top gifts here include mats, carryall bags, yoga blocks, and stylish clothingand grip yoga socks. Add yoga DVDs and gift certificates to your recipient’s nearbyyoga center, and your friend can personalize her practice even further, and perhapshave the funds to attend a special sunrise yoga or meditation class taught by a notable,visiting yogi.

• Cooking. Health-minded gift recipients know that wellness happens from the insideout, so consider health-themed cookbooks and cooking gadgets, such as spiral vegetablepeelers, to help make meal preparation healthier. Small appliances such as yogurt makers,blenders and even pizza stones help get home-cooked nutrition on the menu.


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• Deliveries. A monthly delivery of fresh fruit, veggies and herbs makes healthycooking convenient, said Holmes, who also said that if your recipient is ultra-healthy,she’ll probably prefer organic produce, so look into the company’s organic specifica-tions before ordering these deliveries in weekly, monthly or quarterly packages.

In addition to these four categories suggested by Holmes, consider some of the otherhot fitness gifts this year:

• Slacklining gear. In slacklining, a bouncy, high-tension piece of webbing isstretched between two solid objects—perhaps trees—just a few inches off of theground. The exercise is akin to tightrope walking, which is good for balance, lowerbody fitness and core work. Slacklining gear is available in sporting goods stores andon sites such as REI.com.

• Balance boards. Balance workouts may also be done on balance boards, alsoknown as Indo Boards: flat boards set atop a round middle piece. The exerciser thenstands atop the board, balancing from side to side. Yoga is also practiced on someIndo Boards.

• Jump ropes. Jumping rope may remind the fitness buff of childhood play, butit’s a hard-core workout. These days, there are also cordless jump ropes to add sometech to the workout.

• Hands-free dog leash. This gift allows a dog to run alongside his owner withthe leash clipped securely to a piece of gear.

• Gift card to an alternative therapy session. This could be for an aromatherapysession or an energy healing session with a licensed practitioner, or for an adventureyour health-minded gift recipient has been longing to experience.• Hiking supplies. Fitness-minded friends who hike or camp will enjoy new out-

door activity gear, such as a hydration backpack or a personalized flask and carrier.Camping enthusiasts will know the intricacies of top-model camping gear, so if you’renot an experienced camper, a gift card to an outdoors store such as REI is a safe bet.

–Creators.com


TECHGIFTS

for BabyBoomers

BY CATHERINE MCNULTY

Baby boomers have developed much of the technology weuse today. As their generation moves from working to retire-ment, they continue to be tech-savvy. There are even web-sites devoted to boomers and technology, such as Boomer

Tech Talk. AARP has a section on its website for it, as well. Theholidays are the perfect time to get your favorite boomers—be theyparents, other relatives or friends—some new technology.

Let’s begin with the basics: a smartphone. Most people whoalready have one wouldn’t know how to function without theirsmartphone, but a smartphone can be intimidating for those whohave never used one. What makes it a great boomer gift is that itenables so many different forms of communication. You can call(yes, people still do make phone calls on these), text, share photos,FaceTime or Skype, and use social media. As families are spreadout farther and farther, the ability to contact loved ones in so manydifferent ways is key to staying close.

Speaking of social media, how about a gift that doesn’t costanything but would be a great way to spend time together?That’s right, it’s time to get your parents or grandparents onFacebook—or any other social media platform you think theywould enjoy. The boomer generation came up in a world wherepeople expected to lose touch with one another over the years.But today, more and more boomers are using social media tofind people from their past. Isn’t it worth having your mom likeevery one of your posts for a few months if you know she canreconnect with high school classmates she hasn’t seen in 30, 40or even 50 years?MICHAELJUNG/ISTOCKPHOTO


Many boomers are already smartphone/social mediaadoptees. And many haven’t slowed down in retire-ment; they’ve sped up—and hit the road. It’s a great wayto spend retirement, driving around the country, chas-ing the good weather and seeing the sights. For someonewho grew up tracing interstates and highways on a papermap the size of architectural plans (never to be refoldedcorrectly), GPS is a godsend. If your favorite boomer ison the road and you’re concerned about something badhappening, get him OnStar, an automobile security,navigation and communication system, so he is alwaysconnected to help. A subscription to satellite radiowould also be a great gift. There are plenty of lonelystretches of highway where the AM/FM signal fades out.

A lot of boomers spruce up their houses as theyhead into retirement. Why not? The kids are gone, andthey’re probably sick of looking at the same furniture.So what kind of technology can make the home life of aboomer better? It could be something as simple as get-ting keyless doors. They’re more secure, and they arefewer keys to keep track of. Another simple gift: gettingall of a boomer’s entertainment technology—TV, cable,stereo, surround sound, etc.—on one remote. No oneactually enjoys having a basket of remotes on the coffeetable and trying to remember which one does what.

As much as technology can supplement our lives andmake them easier, it can also help save and prolong lives.As many boomers age, health concerns become para-

mount. Many have to take more medications than theyare used to, or ailing health can make it difficult for themto take care of themselves. Some solutions are easy. Thereare automated medication dispensers to ensure someoneis taking medication at the right time and with the rightdosage. There are talking clocks and apps to gently remindsomeone to take medication, as well.

Remember those old “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”commercials? Life Alert, the company that made them,is still around, and all of that has gone digital now.There is, in fact, an app for that. Personal emergencyresponse systems are a new type of technology aimedat helping those with health issues. Life Alert is one ofthe many companies that run such a service. What isprovided through the service varies from company tocompany. Certain businesses offer GPS to paramedicsto get them to your loved one faster; others keep digitalmedical records that can be forwarded to an emergencyroom or a doctor in another country when your lovedone is traveling.

–Creators.com

THE HOLIDAYSARE THE PERFECT TIME

TO GET YOUR FAVORITE BOOMERS—BE THEY PARENTS,OTHER RELATIVES OR FRIENDS—SOME NEW TECHNOLOGY.

PHOTODISC/THINKSTOCK

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Shopping for the perfect holidaygifts for men can easily becomea daunting endeavor, but withonline retailers, shoppers can bet-

ter search for the ideal present with thesesimple tips.

“It’s important to remember that awell-thought-out gift often leaves thegreatest, lasting impression,” said DenisDaly Wood, founder of fourth-genera-tion luxury men’s designer and onlineretailer Dalys 1895.

Well-versed in luxury menswear, hecurates innovative and exclusive acces-sories from around the world for Dalys1895 each season. He offered these tipsto make gift buying easier:

• Home in on what he loves. Keep

the recipient’s interests in mind whileshopping. If he spends his free time sailingor by the beach, nautical-themed cuff linksor Caravaggio pocket squares can be use-ful gifts that reflect his interests.

• Think outside the box. Everyoneloves receiving thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts. Engraved items, such assterling silver money clips, are not onlyuseful, but can be personalized to makethe gift even more heartfelt.

• Make practical purchases. If therecipient is a frequent traveler, an over-night tote or weekender bag from JackSpade, Troubadour or The British BeltCompany can make stylish and practicalpresents. While everyone loves a good gagPHOTO COURTESY OF STATEPOINT

Wearable technology, such as USB cufflinks, makes a stylish and practical gift for men.

Finding Perfect HolidayGIFTS FORMEN

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STATEPOINT

Gifts for

GARDENERSof All Skill Levels

The holiday season is a great time to shower the gardenersin your life with the tools they need to grow beautiful anddelicious things. Whether your recipient already has a greenthumb or is just thinking about starting a new hobby, thereare some great gift ideas out there for every level of gardeninginterest and skill.

Herb and Vegetable CookbookEveryone gets stumped from time to time when planning meals or figur-

ing out how best to incorporate a fresh harvest into dinner. Consider givinga little inspiration. A vegetable gardener will appreciate a great cookbookthat focuses on cuisine involving fresh herbs and vegetables.

There are many options—from cookbooks that focus on vegetable sidedishes to those where veggies take center stage.

Indoor GardeningWhy only grow tasty vegetables and beautiful flowers part of the year?

For the year-round enthusiast, consider an indoor garden. The Miracle-Gro AeroGarden, for example, is a soil-free garden that lets you growsherbs, vegetables, salad greens and flowers five times faster than plantsgrown in soil. Because it uses advanced hydroponics to create an idealenvironment for healthy growth, your gift recipient won’t need expertisefor a garden to thrive.

Plants grown in an AeroGarden receive an ideal balance of water, airand liquid nutrients packed with calcium, iron, magnesium and other key

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gift now and then, the most well-receivedpresents are tasteful and practical.

• Set a spending limit. It may betempting to overspend, but it is impor-tant to set a reasonable budget and stickto it. Many online sites allow you to filterproducts by price. Shoppers should usethese to find items within their budgets.

• Find versatile gifts. Finding some-thing that satisfies a number of the recip-ient’s interests can be difficult, but willultimately prove gratifying. Wearabletechnology, like sterling silver 16 GBUSB cuff links, is a great gift that com-plements style and function, allowinghim to store his favorite movies, musicand more on-the-go.

• Build in extra time. Be sure totake shipping time into account. If anitem needs to be engraved or embroi-dered, build in ample time to ensure thegift arrives in time for the holidays.

• Find a retailer with a generousreturn policy. Even the most thought-ful gifts might need to be exchanged.Seek out a retailer that offers free returnsand other customer service perks.

– StatePoint

minerals. AeroGarden also features acontrol panel to tell you when to addwater, eliminating some of the trickierguesswork.

Foodies and health enthusiastswill also be pleased to know thatmany of the seeds provided are heir-loom varieties, and the companysources organic seeds when pos-sible. For more information, visitAeroGarden.com.

Bird FeederHelp your favorite gardener attract

pollinators and add a touch of beautyto the garden with a unique bird feed-er. The birds attracted by the feederwill do more than bring beauty to therecipient’s garden. They’ll help cross-pollinate plants and flowers, as well.

If you’re crafty, consider makingit yourself, or use an online market-place such as Amazon.com, to finda unique, hand-crafted or vintagetreasure. And if your recipient iscrafty, consider giving a do-it-your-self feeder or birdhouse kit.

–StatePoint

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