GiftGuide

November 25, 2015

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

Great Reasons to

Give Homemade Gifts

Nearly every holiday shopper has at least one
person on their list who seemingly has everything.
When shopping for such loved ones, shoppers
often find the perfect gift to be especially elusive.
While gift cards are a go-to fallback option when shopping
for the person who has it all, many gift givers feel such
cards are a tad too impersonal. But in lieu of traditional
store-bought gifts, shoppers stuck on what to buy should
consider the many great reasons to give homemade gifts.

1.

November 25, 2015

Homemade gifts show your loved one how much they mean
to you. Gift cards are practical, but they rarely elicit the warm
feelings holiday shoppers want their gifts to produce. A
homemade gift will show your loved one that you put time
and effort into making their holiday season special, and thats
something they will appreciate when they use or see the gift.

2.

Homemade gifts wont break the bank. Holiday shoppers

working on tight budgets likely wont have to break the
bank to create a homemade gift. The Internet is a great
resource for inexpensive homemade gift ideas.

3.

You can control quality with homemade gifts. Storebought items are not always of the highest quality, and
no shopper wants to give a gift that falls apart within a
few days. By creating the gift yourself, you can ensure
its made with the highest quality materials so it will
withstand the test of time.
Metro Creative Connection

CHARITY thAUCTION
December, 5 @ 6:30pm

8455 NC Hwy 49-N * Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124

Hosted By:
Donations

ACT Auctions
704-699-2126

Proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots

Voted #1
Antique Shop

WHITE OWL
ANTIQUE MALL
100,000 Sq Ft

704-436-2063

www.whiteowlantiquemall.com

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

Gifts for the Host and Guests

Make Parties Special

It is customary for guests to express

their gratitude to a host or hostess
opening his or her home to them by
giving a gift. But in many instances,
party hosts also share gifts with their
guests.
Housewares and food and beverages are
popular gifts to give hosts. Those looking for
inspiration for host and guest gifts can consider
these ideas.

Foods
An easy way to show a party host appreciation
for the invite is to bring something that can be
served at the event. A gift basket of assorted
treats can be shared or saved for later on.
Dessert is a popular food gift as well. Guests
know how much work goes into planning a
party menu, and sometimes it can be nice
to provide dessert and give hosts a break.
Cakes and other confections can be welcome
offerings.
Guests who want hosts to enjoy some rest and
relaxation after a party or large event may bring
a gift certificate for a special restaurant. This
way the hosts can indulge in a meal out at their
leisure.

Beverages
Wine is another popular gift to share with party
hosts. One way to make the gift even more
special is to take note of the types of vintages
hosts tend to enjoy. Another courtesy is to
inquire about which foods will be served at
the party and then find a wine that will pair

perfectly with the menu. If your knowledge

does not extend to wine, consult with a an
employee at your local liquor store or ask a
restaurant sommelier.
Champagne can be the perfect choice for
special occasions. If your host is fond of a certain
type of spirit, such as brandy or whiskey, you
can bring that as a gift as well.

Servingware
Individuals who host several parties per year
may appreciate some new pieces to add to
their serving collections. Look for items such as
decorative bowls or ornate cake serving stands
that hosts can be proud to display at future
functions. A new cooler or engraved beverage
tub is one idea for party hosts who often host
outdoor barbecues. Think about hosts interests
and the types of foods they typically serve,
and you likely can find a gift that will suit their
needs.

Party favors
Party hosts are not the only ones to enjoy gifts
when special events are held. Very often those
who throw the parties plan favors for the guests,
and everyone gets to leave with smiles on their
faces and a memento to boot. Keep favors
simple so they do not add a lot of extra work to
party planning. Candles, candy, cookies, or small
trinkets that match the theme of the party are
relatively easy finds. Wrap favors intricately and
make them part of the party decorations.
Enhance the enjoyment factor of special
occasions with gifts for the party host and
favors for the guests.
Metro Creative Connection

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

The Benefits to Buying Local

This Holiday Season

Holiday shopping
dominates many peoples
free time between the
day after Thanksgiving
and the final days before
Christmas. While many
people may shop til they
drop on Black Friday
and Cyber Monday, those
days still account for a
relatively small amount of
the hundreds of billions of
dollars that are spent each
holiday season.
Shoppers now have a bevy of
options at their disposal as they
embark on holiday shopping
season. Traditional in-store
retailers are still around, and
online shopping continues to
grow in popularity with each
holiday season. But many
holiday shoppers are looking to
buy local this holiday season,
and such a decision can pay
a host of dividends for both
shoppers and the communities
they call home.
Buying local benefits your
local economy. Studies from
Civic Economics, an economics
and strategics planning firm,
found that independent,
locally-owned retailers return
a far greater percentage of

their revenue into their local

economies than national
chain stores. One such study
examined the disparity
between revenue recirculation
among independent, locallyowned businesses in Raleigh,
North Carolina, versus four
major national chains in the
city. The former recirculated
51.1 percent of revenue into
the local economy, while the
latter recirculated less than
14 percent. Similar results
were discovered in many
cities, indicating that buying
local not only benefits local
business owners, but also the
communities those owners and
their customers call home.
Buying local creates jobs in
your community. One of the
biggest ways local business
owners in Raleigh recirculated
their revenue in the local
economy was job creation.
While national chains also
create jobs, such jobs only
benefit your community if the
chains are located within your
community. If your local mall
is a considerable drive away,
chances are the chains within
that mall are not employing
many of your fellow community
members. Local businesses in
your community are more likely
to employ residents of your
town.

Independent Tribune
Shopping local may
provide access to more
unique gifts. In addition
to the economic benefits
of buying local, shoppers
may find merchandise
made by local craftsmen
is more unique than massproduced items found on the
shelves of national retailers.
Recipients may cherish
more unique items that
they cannot find on their
own, and that appreciation
may even spur them to visit
more local retailers after the
holiday season has come and
gone, benefiting their own
communities in so doing.
Local business may
provide a more personal
touch. Buying from national
chains has its advantages,
but customer service is not
always one of them. Should
your loved ones encounter
problems with their gift that
requires assistance, they
might be forced to wait on
the phone for extended
periods of time as they
and thousands of others
wait for customer service
representatives to answer
their calls. Local businesses
do not deal with nearly
the volume of customers
as national retailers and,
therefore, are capable of
addressing concerns more
quickly and personally than
large chains.
Buying local not only
benefits small business
owners, but it also pays
dividends for their customers
and the communities they
call home.
Metro Creative Connection

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

Stock up and organize

Holiday Gift Wrap
Many people spend a significant
portion of the holiday season selecting
and wrapping gifts. After all of the effort
that goes into finding the perfect gift,
many gift-givers want to dress those
gifts up in eye-catching packages. As
the holiday season hits full swing, now
is the time to get wrapping supplies in
order.
Begin by shopping the sales. Some
people save money by stocking up on
wrapping supplies at the end of the
holiday season. Those who do not look
so far ahead may want to buy gift wrap
and bags when these items first appear
on the shelves, which affords shoppers
a larger selection to choose from.
Although you may be tempted to go
for the least expensive wrapping paper
available, investing in something a little
thicker may make wrapping easier, as
thicker paper is less likely to tear. Select
one or two paper designs so you do not
have to think too much about which
paper to use for which gifts.
When shopping, also grab a substantial
supply of tape because you will need
a lot of it. You probably will have some
nonsymmetrical shaped gifts or ones
that could get swallowed up in a lot
of wrapping paper. You may want to
choose bags or gift boxes to wrap such
items.
Get creative with gift bags by
purchasing solid-color bags and using
stamps to dress up the design. This
way the wrapping looks like it was
customized for each recipient. Let kids
help, as they may have fun adding
ribbon or bows to dress up gifts even
further.
Set up a dedicated spot to tackle the

wrapping. Perhaps you want to

wrap everything in one sitting, or
maybe you will wrap each gift as
you make new purchases. Either
way, keeping supplies at the ready
and organized can make wrapping
go more quickly. Wrapping paper
and ribbon can be stored on a
modified towel rack that hangs over
the back of a door, or invest in a
wrapping paper storage container
so everything will be together
when the time comes to begin
wrapping. A folding table or even
an ironing rack can make for good
horizontal surfaces on which to
tackle the wrapping. Remember
also to keep an envelope nearby
with any gift receipts so that they
can be included with the gifts as

you wrap them.

Holiday shoppers work doesnt end
after gifts are purchased. Now is the
time for wrapping and stockpiling
all of the supplies needed to make
holiday gifts that much more
attractive.

Metro Creative Connection

Concords Premier Gift Boutique

Black Friday
PJ Party
Starting at 7AM

Shop Small Saturday Discounts

Open Thrusday til 8:00PM in December
Open Sundays 12:30PM - 4:00PM in December

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

Hanging Stockings With Care

Mantles adorned with garland and
other holiday trinkets make fireplaces
come alive for Christmas. That magic
is only enhanced by hanging Christmas
stockings, which are just waiting to be
filled with goodies for good girls and boys.
Those without a fireplace often hang
stockings from windowsills and stairway
banisters.
No written record exists to explain the origin
of hanging stockings on fireplace mantles.
Despite this, many people link the tradition to
a tale about St. Nicholas. As that story goes, St.
Nicholas was traveling through a village when he
overheard the plight of three women. They were
poor, and their father could not afford an ample
dowry to marry them off. Rather than have them
end up spinsters, St. Nicholas secretly tossed bags
of coins through a window (or down the chimney,
depending on which version of the story you
read or hear), and they were captured in the girls
stockings hanging to dry by the fire. The family
was overjoyed to have received such riches.
Soon news traveled about the mysterious money
in stockings, and other children left out stockings
for St. Nicholas to capture their own gifts.
The tradition has transformed over the years,
and now many children hang stockings by the
chimney with the expectation that the stockings
will be filled with gifts from Santa. Traditions once
suggested that only gifts from Santa were left
in stockings, while gifts placed beneath the tree
were from family, but that has since changed.
Stockings are now meant to hold small gifts while
larger items are placed under the tree.
Stockings should be hung away from the flames
of the fire as a safety precaution. Some children
even like to hang individual stockings on their
bedposts instead of on a fireplace mantle.
Metro Creative Connection

November 25, 2015

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

Gifts No Food Fanatic

Should Go Without
Food plays a big role come the
holiday season, when friends
and family tend to gather around
the dinner table to share good
meals and catch up on the years
happenings. But while food
plays an integral role at holiday
gatherings, food also makes a
great gift for that friend or family
member on your holiday list who
loves to savor a good meal no
matter the time of year.

Cooking kit: Ingredients and other

essential elements of good meals were
once taken for granted. But more and
more foodies are now creating their
own foods from scratch. Bacon fans may
fall in love with a kit that helps them
cure and smoke their own bacon, while
those who love fresh, homemade bread
may appreciate a bread-making kit that
includes flour, a pan, some recipes, and
other items necessary to make the perfect
homemade loaf of bread. Cooking kit
options are vast, so find a food your loved
one cant go without and purchase the
appropriate kit.

Thanks in part to celebrity chefs and

television shows that teach viewers how
to make gourmet meals at home, its now
easier than ever before for food lovers to
expand their culinary horizons. Gifting
such food fanatics can be fun and may
even inspire a love of unique cuisine in
holiday shoppers, especially those who
consider the following gift ideas.

Gardening tools: While the holiday

season might not seem like the ideal
time to buy your favorite foodie some
gardening tools, such items make the
perfect gift for your loved one who
wants to grow his or her own fruits and
vegetables. Locally grown produce has
become increasingly popular among
foodies focused on eco-conscious cooking
practices, and it does not get much more
local than home cooks own backyards.
Cutlery set: Though its easy to
overlook, cutlery goes a long way toward
making home cooks jobs easier. The
right cutlery set, which may include one
or two chefs knives, a vegetable knife, a
santoku knife, a bread knife, and other
knives home cooks will appreciate, can
make preparing a meal easier and more
efficient than cooking without a set. Highend cutlery sets can cost several hundred
dollars, but shoppers on more limited
budgets can still find quality cutlery sets
for less money.

Food getaway: Many foodies love to travel so they

can experience cuisines popular overseas or in different
regions of the country. Men and women whose spouses
love food can plan a food-themed getaway weekend to
a locale that specializes in a type of food their significant
others enjoy or have always wanted to try. For example,
men and women who love lobster may enjoy a trip to
Maines annual Lobster Festival, while those who cant
get enough barbecue may appreciate a trip to one of
the countrys more notable barbecue spots, such as
Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina or Texas.
Food-themed gifts make the perfect holiday present
for food fanatics, and shoppers have an endless array of
options to satisfy their favorite foodies appetites.
Metro Creative Connection

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

Gifts to Promote

Physical Activity
Making New Years resolutions
is a popular tradition once
the holiday season has come
and gone. Such resolutions
often serve as catalysts for
something positive, whether
its saving more money in the
year ahead or spending more
time with family.
Resolving to lose weight is one
of the more popular resolutions
men and women make each year.
But you dont need to wait until
the calendar turns to January to
start helping a loved one achieve
his or her goal of losing weight in
the new year. If a friend or family
member has expressed a desire
to slim down in the new year, the
following items can make great
holiday gifts that help your loved
ones get a head start on their
weight loss goals.

Yoga mat
and DVD
Yoga has grown increasingly
popular in recent years. According
to a survey from the National
Institutes of Health, nearly 10
percent of adults in the United
States participated in yoga in 2012,
up from 5 percent in 2002. Yoga is
a great way to relieve stress and
get in shape, and it can help men
and women feel more flexible.
That increased flexibility can help
men and women looking to lose
weight, making a yoga mat and
DVD an ideal holiday gift. Such

Diamond Duo ~Two Diamonds, One Love.

gifts are even better for men and

women who may feel intimidated
by exercising after a long layoff, as
they can dust off the cobwebs from
the comforts of their own homes.
Offer to come over and show them
some basic moves and help them
in their first few sessions if youre
already familiar with yoga.

Swimming
lessons
Many people learn to swim as
children, but a refresher course
can help loved ones who have not
dipped their toes in any water in
recent years. Such lessons also may
ignite (or reignite) a passion for
swimming, which is a wonderful
exercise that can promote weight
loss and cardiovascular health
while helping men and women
develop toned muscles. Find a
local swim club or gym that offers
lessons, and go along for the first
few lessons to help calm any nerves
your loved one might have.

Let our
Knowledgeable
staff assist you
with a gift for
that special
someone.

Starting at $199

A YEAR TO
REMEMBER 2015

INFINITY SET

MOVING DIAMOND
PENDANT & EARRINGS

Pendant

Sale $49
Reg $89

Ring

Sale $89

$99 & Up

Sale $59

Reg $149

Reg $89

DIAMOND
STUDS

ALL ECO-DRIVE
WATCHES

ANCHORED
IN LOVE

Starting at

$140

Sale $199
Reg $299

Receive 10% Back

in Diamond Dollars
on Purchases of
$99 or More!

40-50% OFF
SUGGESTED RETAIL

Watch battery
& installation

ONLY $4

With this coupon

LAYAWAY
NOW FOR
CHRISTMAS!

Wr not lik h Rest ... WERE THE BST!

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

Healthy
cookbook

tracker

Fitness trackers come in many

shapes and sizes, but many allow
users to count their steps and track
Effective, long-term weight loss
the distances they travel in a typical
requires both diet and exercise. A
day. More advanced models may
cookbook full of healthy recipes
even help men and women track
can prove an invaluable resource
for men and women who recognize the amount of calories theyve
consumed, both on a daily basis
the role healthy foods play in
and over time. Such devices can
losing weight and keeping the
prove motivational to men and
weight off. Many adults cite a lack
women looking to lose weight,
of time as the primary reason they
providing detailed daily information
eat unhealthy foods, so look for
they can use to track and see their
a cookbook that offers healthy
progress.
recipes that can be cooked up
quick.
Holiday gifts that aim to help men
and women looking to lose weight
can pay dividends long after the
holiday season has come and gone.

Fitness

Metro Creative Connection

Did you
know

What would Christmas giftgiving be without a tree under

which to place the presents?
Tree shoppers have plenty
of variety to choose from
when selecting that ideal
tree. Approximately 21,000
Christmas tree farms exist in the
United States, and these farms
sell between 30 and 35 million
real trees each year. Those who
prefer artificial trees can shop
for everything from trees that
appear to be natural to pastelhued boughs. The first printed
reference to a Christmas tree
was made in 1531 in Germany.
Since then, Christmas trees
have grown in popularity
through the centuries.
Metro Creative Connection

November 25, 2015

STORE
CLOSING
SALE
ONGOING
SHOP EARLY
FOR BEST
SELECTION
NEW HOURS DURING CLOSING SALE:
Monday - Saturday 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Sunday 12:30 - 6:00PM
ALL SALES FINAL! We accept cash, credit, or debit card. NO CHECKS. No returns or exchanges, no adjustments to prior purchases,
no other discount offers, no coupons accepted.

WWW.BENSCRAFTS.COM

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

10

Make Sure Gifts Arrive on Time

Come the holiday season, shipping
companies work around the clock to
ensure packages, merchandise and
more make it to their destinations on
time. What would December holidays be
without gifts under the tree?
In 2013, overtaxed carriers failed to meet
Christmas deadlines for many packages. Some
analysts say big retailers and carriers may have
underestimated consumers growing reliance
on online shopping - especially for last-minute
presents. Since those mishaps, both UPS and
FedEx have spent millions on upgrades. More
fuel-efficient planes, upgrades to air cargo
networks and improved infrastructure and
ground shipping operations have helped
shipping companies better handle the
increased volume.
As shipping companies work harder to ensure
holiday packages arrive at their destinations on
time, there also are things consumers can do to
increase the chances that gifts make it under
the tree before the big day.
Shop as early as possible. If you plan to buy

online or ship gifts to family and friends, shop

early so the gifts have time to make it to their
destinations. Make a list of all the people whose
gifts you will need to mail, then shop for their
gifts first so you will have ample time for them
to arrive on time.
Double-check all mailing addresses. Make
sure you have the correct addresses for all
friends or family members you will be sending
gifts to. An incorrect address can result in
packages being returned to sender or floating
around in shipping limbo. All of this only
decreases the likelihood that gifts will arrive on
time.

presign for deliveries. These perks can help limit

some lost or delayed packages.
Use proper postage. Bulky envelopes or large
packages are better off brought to the post
office for shipping instead of mailing them from
home. Inadequate postage could stall delivery
of your items and have them returned to you.
Research shipping cut-off dates. Shipping
carriers often list the last days to ship for their
services so that packages will arrive by the date
you need them. This way you can plan around
the cutoffs.

Consider a ship-to-store option. A number

of big retailers now offer various options that
allow customers to purchase items online and
pick them up in a nearby store. In-stock items
may be available the same day, while others
may have to be shipped to the store for a later
pickup.

Sign up for membership programs. Online

retailers, such as Amazon, offer expedited
shipping on many products as part of their
membership programs. For example, Amazon
Prime-eligible products will generally arrive
within two business days as part of your annual
membership fee. The added cost may be well
worth the peace of mind fast shipping provides.

Enter shipping parameters. Signing up for

either My FedEx or MyUPS gives you a little
extra control over how packages are sent
to you. For example, you can request that
packages be held at a delivery center or you can

An increase in online shopping as well as

families living further apart has led to a high
volume of gifts being shipped around the
holidays. Plan accordingly so that gifts will
arrive on time.
Metro Creative Connection

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

11

Sending Greeting Cards

Buy extra cards than you think
you need. This way you can send
reciprocal greetings to a person
who has mailed you a card this year.

save much time hand-addressing

Christmas cards. Your address list
can later be customized for other
friend or family events.

If you want your card to stand

out from the masses, consider
sending it separately from the big
holidays. Thanksgiving or New
Years cards can be unique.

Check the postage of your

card. Oddly shaped envelopes or
even square cards may require
extra postage because they could
be processed by hand at postal
facilities.

Try your hand at creating

your own greeting cards from
papercrafting materials. You also
can embellish ready-made greeting
cards with stamps, glitter, stickers,
and other customized effects.

Greeting cards are a popular

method of correspondence
throughout the year. Cards
are purchased for birthdays,
graduations and milestone
events. One of the more
popular times of the year to
find cards purchased and sent
in bulk is during the holiday
season.
The Greeting Card Association
claims 1.6 billion Christmas card
units (including boxed cards) are
purchased for Christmas. Many
people consider sending cards
essential to their holiday traditions.
Here are some statistics on
greeting cards and ways to improve
upon your Christmas card sending
process.
Women purchase an estimated
80 percent of all greeting cards and
will spend more time choosing a
card than men.

The vast majority of individually

purchased cards are between $2
and $4 in price. Christmas card
economy is found by purchasing
boxed cards in bulk.
The visual design of a greeting
card is the first to capture a
persons attention, but the saying
within will have a greater impact.
Consider purchasing cards that are
blank inside so you can add your
own personalized sentiments.
For the perfect balance of
imagery and verse, try a photo
greeting card. This way you can
customize both the image and the
wording. Theyre even effective for
business correspondence. Simply
use a picture of your office team or
other workers in place of a family
photo.
Personalized cards need to
be purchased early to allow for
production. Try to get your orders
in by early November to leave you
time to address and mail them.

Keep a database of addresses

saved on your computer. Then
you can print address labels and

The Greeting Card Association

says that even though many
people use digital means of
communication, greeting card
traditions are still popular and even
are being adopted by todays youth.
Metro Creative Connection

NEED CHRISTMAS CASH?

Call us Today for Your Holiday Needs!
$500 - $10,000

Voted #1 Finance Company in Cabarrus County

Christmas
Gifts

&

Lay-A-Way
$$$

Personal
Loans

CALL 704-932-3162

Apply In-Person or On-Line @ holidayfinance.net

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

How to Approach your

Holiday Spending
The holiday season can be both
exciting and expensive. The
excitement stems from chances to
see family and friends, while the
expenses often stem from holiday
shopping for those very same loved
ones.
Many shoppers run into financial trouble
come the holiday season, when the
temptation to overspend on holiday gifts
can be tough to resist. But the following
are a handful of ways shoppers can stretch
their budgets and avoid going broke this
holiday season.
Agree to spending limits. Come the
holiday season, many people overspend on
gifts for their immediate family members.
Before shopping season begins, speak
with members of your immediate family to
discuss spending limits on gifts, agreeing
that you each wont spend more than an
agreed upon amount of dollars on gifts for
any one person. Come to a consensus on a
reasonable limit and urge family members
not to exceed that limit no matter what.
Determine how much you can
spend. Many people find themselves
overextended financially come the holiday
season because they never bother to
sit down before the season begins to
determine how much they can afford
to spend. Set some time aside before
your first holiday shopping excursion
to examine your finances. Such an
examination should give you a ballpark
figure of how much you can spend. Keep
a tally of all of your purchases with you
whenever you go shopping, updating the
list with each new purchase you make.
Tracking spending can help you stay within
your budget.

Go shopping with a plan. Visiting the

mall or a town shopping center without
any idea of what youre looking for is a
recipe for overspending. Put some thought
and research into your holiday shopping
so you arent spending time wandering
around and buying on impulse, which can
increase your chance of overspending. The
more thought you put into your shopping,
the more you can comparison shop and
find the best price for each gift.
Start early. If your holiday shopping
list is long or if you know money will be
tight come the holiday season, begin your
holiday shopping early. Doing so allows
you to stretch your spending out over
several months as opposed to several
weeks. Shopping early also gives you more
time to comparison shop and find the best
price.
Resist the temptation to put it all on
plastic. Credit and debit cards are more
convenient than cash, especially now
that you can buy everything from cups of
coffee to big-ticket items with the swipe of
a card. But cash can be your friend when
holiday shopping, especially if you have a
history of overspending during the holiday
season. Leave cards at home when holiday
shopping, spending only the cash you have
in your pocket. While this may be a less
convenient way to shop than youve grown
accustomed to, it will save you the grief of
large credit card bills come January.
Holiday shopping can easily get out
of hand. But shoppers who commit to
spending only what they can afford
before their first shopping trip can make
it through the season with their finances
intact.

Metro Creative Connection

November 25, 2015

12

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

Treat Holiday Guests With This

Chocolate Confection

November 25, 2015

13

until combined. Mix - dont beat - the egg

whites into the sesame seed mixture with
a rubber spatula. Stir in the butter with the
spatula until no streaks of butter remain.
Measure 2 level teaspoons batter onto a
prepared sheet pan. Using a small offset
spatula, spread it into a round about 31/2
inches in diameter. Repeat with the remaining
batter, putting 8 rounds on each pan and
leaving 11/2 inches between the rounds.

No holiday celebration is complete

without dessert. The holiday season is
one time of year when no one seems
too worried about indulging in dessert
or having an extra cookie. Many
families have their own traditions
when it comes to holiday fare, but
those who want to wow their guests
with something new this holiday
season can try the following recipe
for Chocolate-Dipped Sesame Tuiles
courtesy of Michael Recchiuti and
Fran Gages Chocolate Obsession
(Stewart, Tabori & Chang). Inspired by
the classic French tuile cookies, these
delectable treats are sure to draw a
crowd to your holiday dessert table
this season.

Chocolate-Dipped
Sesame Tuiles
Makes about 48 cookies

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sesame seeds,

preferably unhulled
1/3 cup granulated cane sugar
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/8 tablespoon kosher salt
2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter with 82 percent
butterfat, very soft
8 ounces tempered 70 percent chocolate for
coating cookies
Flavorless vegetable oil for the pans

To bake the cookies:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line the bottoms

of four 12-by-18-inch sheet pans with
parchment paper. Lightly coat the paper with
flavorless vegetable oil. Put a rolling pin on
a work surface. If you have two rolling pins,
ready both.
Combine the sesame seeds, flour, sugar, and
salt in a medium bowl and whisk by hand

Bake the trays, one at a time, until the cookies

are a uniform golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
Remove from the oven and, while the cookies
are still warm, run the offset spatula under
each cookie and place it upside down on the
rolling pin so that it curls around the pin. (You
should be able to do 5 cookies on a rolling pin,
so by the time the sixth cookie is about to be
draped over the pin, a few should be ready to
be moved. Ideally, though, you will have two
rolling pins.) If some of the cookies are not a
uniform color, or if some cool too much and
are no longer pliable, return them to the oven
for another minute until evenly golden brown
and again pliable.
Leave the cookies on the rolling pin until they
cool completely and have become brittle, a
matter of seconds. Carefully lift them off and
store them in an airtight container at room
temperature until you are ready to dip them.
They will keep well for up to 3 days.

Dip the cookies in chocolate:

You can store the cookies and dip them on a

day when you have tempered chocolate for
another use. Or you can temper chocolate
specifically to finish the cookies. Use a
tempering machine to temper the chocolate.
Dip the convex (smooth) side of each cookie
into the chocolate and then smooth the
chocolate with a small offset spatula. Place on
a work surface, chocolate side up, and let sit
until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
Store in an airtight container in a cool place,
not in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to
one week.
Metro Creative Connection

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

Great Gifts For

General and Cosmetic Dentistry

Gear
Whether the wanderer on your
holiday shopping list prefers to
travel domestically or overseas, he
or she cant hit the road without
certain gear. Camping afficionados
might appreciate a new mini-stove
or grill so they can eat like kings
no matter how far they retreat
into their favorite forests. For the
international jetsetter on your
list, perhaps a new set of luggage
might make the perfect holiday
gift. If your budget is a more tight,
consider a travelers kit with luxury
shampoo, conditioner and body
wash and lotion.

14

Helping you create your

best First Impression

On-The-Go Loved Ones

Many people love to travel, but
some take their wanderlust
to another level. Men and
women who seem perpetually
on-the-go may not stop
to discuss items on their
holiday wish lists, but holiday
shoppers can find the right
gifts for those loved ones who
never seem to stop for long
before moving on to the next
place.

November 25, 2015

Cleanings and
Fillings
Extractions
Veneers
Professional
Whitening

Porcelain Crown/
Bridges
Partial/Dental
Services
Restorative
Implants

Call today to schedule

your appointment.

Now
accepting
new
patients!

Dr. Jennifer L. Wells, DDS, PA

814 Sloop Ave. Kannapolis, NC

(704) 933-2115

www.firstimpressionsdds.com

Independent Tribune

Camera
Part of the joy of traveling is
documenting a trip with a
great camera. Cameras come
in a wide range of styles, and
good cameras can range from
a couple hundred dollars to
more expensive models that
cost upwards of a thousand
dollars. If your budget does
not allow for a more expensive
camera, give your loved one
some cash toward buying
a new camera for his or her
next adventure. If money is
no object, do your homework,
researching cameras based
on your loved ones interests.
More adventurous travelers
might want cameras that
can withstand the wear and
tear of outdoor sports, while
travelers who focus more on
sightseeing might not benefit
from cameras designed for
more daring photographers.
Research cameras online,
and ask employees at local
electronics retailers which
type of camera is best suited
to the traveler on your list.

Airline
miles
Many airlines allow customers
to transfer their airline miles
to whomever they choose.
Some airlines, such as Delta,
allow miles to be transferred
to a maximum of four people,
and such transfers incur both
a fee per mile transferred and
a transaction fee. In addition,
airlines may limit how many
miles you can transfer or
only allow members of their
mileage programs to transfer

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

15

their miles to other members.

Airline miles can be a great
gift for travel enthusiasts,
saving them substantial
amounts of money. Learn the
ins and outs of your mileage
program before giving miles
as a gift.
If the traveler on your
shopping list prefers to travel
by car rather than airplane, a
gas card can go a long way
toward trimming the cost of
his or her travels.

Experiences
If you know a loved one will
be traveling to a particular
locale in the near future, look
into his or her destination and
book a unique experience
for him or her. For example,
travelers headed to London
may appreciate a tour of the
State Rooms at Buckingham
Palace. Men and women
visiting New York City for the
first time might appreciate
a boat tour to the Statue of
Liberty or a nighttime boat
ride along the Hudson and
East Rivers that allows them
to take in Manhattans famed
skyline under the stars. Such
experiences can make trips
that much more memorable.
Travel enthusiasts range from
weekend warriors who cant
wait to arrive at their favorite
campsite to international
jetsetters. Holiday shoppers
can find a host of gifts suited
to all types of travelers this
holiday season.
Metro Creative Connection

How to Avoid the

Holiday Shopping Rush

Holiday shopping can be both fun
and hectic. While its fun to scour
stores looking for cant-miss gifts
for your loved ones, shopping
amongst the crowds also can
prove hectic.
While online shopping has made
department stores somewhat less
crowded come the holiday season,
the National Retail Federation notes
that online shopping during the 2014
holiday season accounted for just
one-sixth of all holiday shopping. The
opportunity to see and feel potential

gifts in person compels many people

to do the majority of their holiday
shopping in-store, and there are ways
for such shoppers to avoid the holiday
shopping rush as they begin their
quests for the perfect gifts.
Shop during off-peak hours.
Weekends and weeknight evenings
tend to be the busiest times to go
holiday shopping. Professionals who
have weekends off may put off their
shopping during the week, choosing
to do so on Saturday and Sunday
afternoons when they have extra
time to browse and comparison

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

shop. Shopping off-peak hours,

such as during weekday mornings
or even early mornings on
weekends, is a great way to avoid
crowds. Parents of young children
might want to take a morning or
even a full day off of work to get
their holiday shopping done so
they can avoid shopping with their
kids in tow. You can probably move
around more quickly if you choose
to shop while the kids are in school,
and this also affords you time to
find gifts for the kids.

Shop local businesses. Small

local businesses may not boast the
inventory of larger retailers youre
liable to encounter at the mall, but
local small businesses tend to deal
with thinner crowds than national
stores during the holiday season.
Items in such businesses may be
more unique than items sold at
nationwide retailers, and when
you shop at smaller businesses,
you likely wont be forced to hunt
for parking spots or wait on long
checkout lines.

Make a list. Knowing what you

want to buy online can decrease
the amount of time you spend
wandering around malls and stores.
The longer you linger without an
idea of what to buy, the greater
the chance you will be joined by
fellow shoppers. If possible, call
stores before you leave the house
to confirm if they have certain
items in stock, or buy items online
from retailers who offer an in-store
pickup option. Checkout lines for
in-store pickup items are often
separated from more traditional
checkout lines, further reducing
your risk of waiting in long lines.

Start shopping early. Crowds

only grow bigger and more
impatient between Black Friday
and the final days before Christmas,
so shoppers who can find the
time to shop before the height of
the shopping season might find
parking lots and checkout lines
more to their liking. In addition,
shopping early affords shoppers
more time to find the best deals.
The holiday shopping rush hits
full swing in the weeks before
Christmas Day, but there are
many ways shoppers can get their
shopping done and avoid the
crowds at the same time.
Metro Creative Connection

November 25, 2015

16

Did you know?

The 2014 holiday shopping season was the best for retail sales since
2011. According to the National Retail Federation, total holiday retail
sales in November and December of 2014 reached $616.1 billion, a
4 percent increase from the previous year. Non-store holiday sales,
which indicate e-commerce and online sales, increased by nearly 7
percent to just below $102 billion. The increase in spending did not
appear to be limited to any particular area, as technology company
First Data reported all 50 states experienced positive sales growth
during the 2014 holiday shopping period. While spending trends
benefited retailers in the United States, such was not the case in
Canada, where Statistics Canada reported a 2 percent drop in sales
in December, despite a small increase of 0.4 percent just a month
prior. Spending on clothing and accessories, two sectors that often
benefit come the holiday season, showed a nearly 6 percent drop
for the holiday season.
Metro Creative Connection

y
r
r
e
M

Christmas

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

Cost-Saving Measures When

Gifting A Large Family
Exchanging gifts with loved ones is one
of the joys of the holiday season. But it
can be challenging to reign in holiday
spending when your shopping list is
especially lengthy. Fortunately, there are
many ways for holiday shoppers to cut
costs this season.
Create a limited gift exchange. Speak with
other family members who also may be feeling
the pinch of holiday spending to establish a
gift exchange system. Rather than purchasing
a gift for everyone in the family, split the list
accordingly. Maybe everyone will only be
expected to purchase gifts for the children,
instead of buying for kids and adults. Propose
that you only exchange gifts with immediate

November 25, 2015

17

a better understanding of what you can expect

to spend if every gift should be around $30.

Pool your resources. Rather than giving

many little gifts, pool your resources with some
family members and not your extended family,
such as your cousins, aunts and uncles. Develop relatives and give a single big-ticket gift. Each
a system that works for everyone so no one feels person can contribute the same amount, or
family members can contribute as much as they
like they need to break the bank this holiday
can afford.
season.
Host a holiday grab bag. Grab bags are great
ways to exchange gifts without going broke. In
a traditional grab bag, everyone brings a gift
that does not exceed a predetermined value
and puts it in the bag. Each family member then
pulls a gift out of the bag. Allow everyone the
option to swap with one another if one gift is
more fitting for a particular person.
Set a price limit. Decide in advance that gifts
should not exceed a certain price. This way if
you are budgeting for the holidays you will have

Give an experience. Sometimes the gift of

an experience, such as tickets to a sporting
event or a night at the theater, can make a
thoughtful and impressive gift. Again, other
family members can contribute, and collectively
you can enjoy a night on the town or another
adventure.
Having a large family can be expensive come
the holiday season. However, there are ways to
curtail your spending without taking any joy
out of the holidays.

Metro Creative Connection

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

Transporting
Holiday Gifts
As families spread out across
the country and even across
the globe, the holidays can
become a little more difficult
to navigate. According to AAA,
a federation of motor clubs
throughout the United States,
roughly 90 million Americans
will travel 50 miles or more
for year-end holidays.
Families that are spread out
must decide where to spend the
holidays together. But in some
cases, families cant all be together,
so celebrations must be handled
remotely and gifts shipped to
waiting recipients.
Shopping for gifts may have taken
some time, but now you will have
to figure out how to get those
gifts where they need to go. The
following are some pointers for
holiday celebrants who are driving,
flying, taking a bus, or shipping
gifts.

Shipping
dates
If the goal is to purchase and ship

gifts near and far, starting early

has its advantages. Thousands
upon thousands of cards and
packages are shipped each day
during the holiday season. In 2013,
shipping giant UPS projected
132 million deliveries during the
last week before Christmas, and
actual figures exceeded those
expectations.
Many shipping services will get
packages to recipients on time, but
customers can help them along
by sending them several weeks
before the holidays. Shipping later
in the season may incur additional
fees for priority shipping. Always
check sellers purchase by dates to
ensure items will arrive on time.
Items that will be shipped
internationally should include a
detailed description as well as the
value of the package. Presents
under a certain value may be dutyfree or tax-exempt. Check with
customs to get a better idea of the
shipping regulations.

November 25, 2015

to increased security measures,

restrictions are greater than they
once were. Transportation Security
Administration officers may have to
inspect items for safety purposes.
It may be better to leave gifts
unwrapped and then wrap them
after the flight to avoid hassles
during the screening process.
Liquids, including foods, may
need to be put in a checked bag if
they exceed 3.4 ounces. Consider
shipping delicate items ahead of
time if you are concerned about
breakage.

Packing
the car
If a holiday road trip is in your
future, space constraints may
require you to be a little creative
when packing the car. Shop for
smaller gifts, including gift cards,

which are easier to transport.

Advise family and friends that you
will have limited space so they
should not go overboard with
regard to gifts given to you in
return.
Heed safety precautions and do
not obscure driver visibility in the
car by stacking presents too high.
Also, secure boxes and packages
in the car so they do not slide or
move around. Anything that is not
secured can become airborne in
the event of a collision, increasing
the risk for injury. Items placed on
roof racks should be tightly secured
so they dont fall off and present a
hazard.
Those who will be traveling for
the holidays should plan how to
transport any gifts they will be
bringing along long before the day
comes to hit the road.
Metro Creative Connection

Women and Mens

Apparel, Accessories
and Specialty Items
and Gifts

Plane ride
Airlines have specific regulations
in place regarding which items can
and cannot be brought on planes,
at least inside of the cabin. Thanks

18

101 N. Main Street, China Grove, NC 28023

704-856-8407
www.embellishboutiquenc.com

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

Gift Ideas For Avid Readers

Gift giving is made easier
when shoppers are in
tune with their loved ones
interests. Knowing a friends
or relatives likes and dislikes
can provide a starting point
as you begin your holiday
shopping.
Reading is one interest or hobby
that has never gone out of style.
People who enjoy reading tend
to devour book after book and
are always eager for the next
installment from their favorite
authors. Books and other reading
materials can make perfect gifts for
anyone with a love for literature.

First edition
texts
Collectors very often are interested
in the first edition or first printing
of classic books. Publishers may
offer only a limited number of
books in a first edition or first
printing, and such editions tend to
be rare.
A first edition of a favorite book
can make a cherished gift. These
books often can be identified by a
unique numbering system or even
by the words first edition or first
printing on the copyright page.
Work with a reputable bookshop
or dealer to find expensive and rare
prints.

Digital
reading device

Some book purists stand by

their decisions to only read
paper copies of their favorite
books, feeling theres something
special or more enjoyable about
holding a hardcover or paperback
in ones hands and making
progress through paper pages.
Others are enamored with the
convenience and portability of
having an entire library saved on
a digital device. E-readers come
in different sizes and offerings
from various manufacturers. The
Kindle from Amazon and Nook
from Barnes & Noble are two of
the more popular stand-alone
reading tablets. E-reader apps also
are available through Apple and
Amazon to work on various mobile
devices. A tablet can be a welcome
gift, especially for a reader who
appreciates on-demand reading
material.

Protective
case
Help readers protect their tablets
with protective cases. These run
the gamut from the utilitarian to
the decorative. Some tablet cases
are designed to look like books
themselves, with a soft interior
cushion for the e-reader and a hard
shell to keep it safe.

Book
accessories
Readers need their own collections
of accessories that cater to their
love of the written word. Look
for clocks made out of literary
volumes, lamps that look like a

stacked book collection or framed

photos of favorite book covers.
Some publishers offer printed
works reissued in decorative covers
to make the books an eye-catching
addition to any homes dcor.
Someone who lends out favorite
works may like a personalized
library embosser, which will
imprint a book page with the name
of the person loaning out his or her
collection of books.

Book tote
Whether they are carrying books
back to the library or traveling with
an e-reader in tow, avid readers
might appreciate a functional tote
bag. Order pre-printed literary tote
bags or customize a tote based on
the tastes of the gifts recipient. It
even can feature photographs or
the jacket of a favorite book.
When gifting readers, there
are many ideas that can make
welcome presents.
Metro Creative Connection

19

What to
Get the

Movie
Buff in
Your Life
Many movie buffs can
instantly rattle off extensive
lists of their favorite films,
sharing information such
as when the movies were
released, who directed
them and, of course, who
played the leads. Holiday
shoppers on the hunt for
the perfect gift for the film
buffs in their lives might be
a little intimidated by their
loved ones encyclopedic
knowledge of movies. Such
knowledge can make it
difficult to find gifts that
friends or family members
will truly appreciate, but
the following are a handful
of ideas to consider gifting
to the movie lover in your
life.
Box set: Box sets make great
gifts for film fans, whether those
fans prefer a particular genre of
film or appreciate the work of a
certain director. Fans of horror
movies may appreciate the
Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack
Collection, a comprehensive
collection of classic horror
films that includes the likes

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

of The Indestructible Man, starring

Lon Chaney, Sr., and Night of the
Living Dead, starring Judith ODea.
Fans of director Quentin Tarantino
may enjoy the Tarantino XX 8-Film
Collection, which includes some of
the directors most beloved films,
including Reservoir Dogs and
Pulp Fiction. If you cant find a
be just what your favorite film fan
box set to your loved ones liking,
wants to see in his or her stocking
consider making your own by
buying several individual DVDs and this holiday season.
wrapping them together.
Sound system: For those holiday
shoppers working with big budgets,
Streaming membership:
a sound system that enhances the
Streaming services like Netflix and
experience of watching movies
Amazon Prime are growing more
at home might be just the thing
popular by the day, and film fans
would no doubt appreciate having to light up your favorite film fans
smile this season. Surround sound
instant access to the hundreds
systems give movie watchers at
of films available to subscribers
home an experience similar to
of these services. A 12-month
that enjoyed by moviegoers in
subscription to Netflix or Amazon
the theater. Such systems can vary
Prime, which offers additional
considerably with regard to price,
benefits when shopping on
Amazon.com, wont cost shoppers with smaller systems costing far less
than larger, more advanced systems
more than $100, providing lots of
that can cost several thousand
bang for your gift-giving buck.
dollars. If you think a sound system
is all your loved one needs to
Gift certificate: Gift certificates
make the most of his or her movie
to the movie theater are another
great gift for the old school film fan watching experience, speak to him
who still prefers seeing all the new or her before buying the system,
releases in the theater. Movie tickets footing the full bill if you can or
offering to contribute a certain
can stretch film fans budgets,
amount of dollars toward the sound
especially for those film lovers
who need to see every big-budget system of his or her dreams.
blockbuster or Oscar candidate in
the theater. A gift certificate may

Film fans can be fun to shop for

November 25, 2015

come the holiday season, and

shoppers have a host of options at
their disposal to make their favorite
film buffs happy.
Metro Creative Connection

GIFT

SHOP US

AVAILABLE

+
SMALL BUSINESS

NOTHING

BACK

10%OFF
STOREWIDE
GOOD THRU 11-30-15

Baucoms Shoes
Downtown Concord 704-782-6122

9:30am - 5:30pm Monday - Saturday Closed Sunday

Locally owned and operated since 1947

20

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

Make Gift Returns Easier

The holiday season is
synonymous with many
things, including the
exchanging of gifts. While
gift recipients may not return
many items this holiday
season, chances are they will
find themselves replacing a
gift or two before the new
year arrives.
According to the organization
CreditDonkey, 54 percent of people
do not hold on to gifts, returning
their items to stores instead. Many
people prefer gift cards so they
can do their own shopping and
guarantee the gifts they get are the
ones they desire.
It can be difficult to feign
appreciation for an unwanted or
unnecessary gift. But presents
always should be accepted
graciously, as you can always
exchange or return gifts later on.
Returning gifts does not have to
be the chore it once was. Thanks
to gift receipts and more lenient
return policies, returning gifts is
now easier than ever. By facilitating
returns, stores know individuals
might spend more time in the store
and then purchase even more
thanks to post-holiday discounts.
When returning gifts, keep these
tips in mind.
Receipts offer full return
amount. Having a gift receipt or
original receipt at the time of a
return increases the chance that
you will get credit for the original
price of the item at the time it was
purchased. Otherwise, you only

may receive the current price,

which may be discounted. If you
do not have the receipt in hand
from the gift-giver, come up with
a reason why you might need
one, such as you need a shirt of a
different style or cut.
Learn stores return policies.
Learn the return policies at stores
before you bring items in for
exchanges or returns. There may
be varying deadlines for accepting
returns. Procrastinating may result
in you failing to receive full value
for the item, or you may not be
able to return it at all. Store policies
also may indicate that they only
issue store credit on returns,
meaning you wont be receiving
cash for any items you return.
Understand online shopping
returns. Purchases made online
may be returned to the merchant
through the mail. Some online
retailers that also have brick-andmortar stores may allow you to
make returns at a store near you
instead of mailing the item back.
Gift-givers may have to provide
you with a return shipment label.
Otherwise, you may have to make a
return without proof of purchase.
Be patient. Many people return
gifts, so expect long lines at the
return desks or stations. Try to
make returns during off-peak
hours, such as when others are
working or at school.
Not all holiday gifts will prove to be
the perfect fit, forcing recipients to
return or exchange certain items.
That process can be made easier
with a few simple strategies.
Metro Creative Connection

November 25, 2015

21

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

22

Regifting

in a Tactful Way
Few things can be as
embarrassing as opening a
gift only to find that what is
nestled beneath the tissue
paper and wrapping is an
item you know isnt new.
Even more embarrassing are
those times when the gift you
just opened is something you
actually gave the gift giver in
months or years past.
Regifting can be a touchy subject.
Some people are completely
against the practice, while others
feel that passing on items they
have little use for is a creative way

to recycle and reduce waste.

No matter its reputation, regifting
is pretty common. A 2012
Holiday Regifting Survey from
online classifieds site Bookoo
found a whopping 92 percent of
respondents believe its completely
acceptable to regift items, and
more than 87 percent believe they
have been on the receiving end
of a regifted item. Other research
also sheds light on the popularity
of regifting. According to a 2014
American Express Spending &
Saving Tracker survey, 76 percent
of participants feel regifting is
acceptable.
No matter which side you

Get Your Holiday

Cash Now

Loans from $850.00-$2500.00

National Finance Company

320 Copperfield Blvd. NE Ste C
Concord NC 28025
(704)786-8713

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

November 25, 2015

23

support in the great regifting debate,

recognize there is a right and a wrong way to
regift.
Consider whether the gift has use for
someone else. It is one thing to regift an item
just to get it out of your home, and another to
do so because you think it would be a better
fit for someone else. Perhaps you received
a set of crochet hooks and blanket patterns
because you mentioned in passing that you
may want to take up the hobby, but realized
its simply not your thing. Its fine to gift
those hooks and books with some new yarn
to someone who is an avid fan of crochet.
But passing on a garden gnome to a friend
who lives in an apartment is not a good idea.
Before regifting, try to find the right match for
the gift. If you cant, donate the item instead.
Be sure the gift is in good condition. A
regifted item should be in working order,
clean and not noticeably used. If you suspect
you will regift an item, keep the original
packaging - better yet, dont open the box and offer it in like-new condition. If the item
has been gathering dust or smells musty
from being in a basement, it may not be fit for
gifting.
Keep a gift list file. The first rule of regifting
is not to regift an item to the person who
originally gave it to you. It can be difficult to
keep track of who gave what from memory,
so keep a running list in a notebook or on a
file on your computer. Try to regift between
different social circles, too. This way you can
avoid any potentially embarrassing situations.
Embrace regifting. Take regifting out of the
shadows by making the process a centerpiece
of your holiday celebrations. Participate in a
grab bag of regifted items. You never know
what you might pull out of the bag, and it
may add some lighthearted joy to holiday
gatherings.
Regifting no long carries the stigma it once
did. When done right, regifting can be a costeffective and earth-conscious way to share joy
with others.
Metro Creative Connection

Protect Your Purchases

During The Holidays

Holiday shoppers spend billions of
dollars during the holiday rush.
Although the weeks between
Thanksgiving and New Years Day make
up a season marked by giving and
sharing joy with others, criminals are
well aware that the holiday season can
be a prime time to rip off consumers.
Shoppers need to remain extra diligent
to safeguard against theft and other notso-jolly crimes.

At the store
Be aware of your surroundings at all times while

at the mall or other stores. Packages, wallets or

purses should never be left unattended. Take
notice if anyone is standing too close to you,
asking them to respect your personal space if
necessary.
Try to reduce distractions while you do your
holiday shopping. This may mean leaving the
kids at home so you can focus better on the task
at hand or letting incoming calls go to voicemail
while you shop.
Make frequent trips to the car so that you can
free yourself of cumbersome packages. Being
laden down with bags or boxes can make you
an easy target for a thief.

Independent Tribune

Gift Guide

In the
parking lot

November 25, 2015

Purchasing Buddy system

power

Packages left outside of empty

homes can be ripe for the picking
by thieves. Establish an agreement
Parking lots are notoriously
Paying cash for purchases can
with neighbors that you will take in
crowded during the holiday season, alleviate debt come the new
each others packages so they arent
so you may not be able to get an
year, but credit cards also have
left unattended on front porches or
ideal spot. However, make every
their advantages. Credit card
attempt to park near the entrance
companies do not hold cardholders in doorways.
of the store or at least in a well-lit
accountable for unauthorized
area of the lot. It gets dark early
purchases made with a stolen
during the holiday season, and you card. This peace of mind can make
want to feel safe bringing packages it safer for shoppers to use credit
to your car.
cards over cash or debit cards when
making their holiday purchases.
Store all items out of view, such as
in the trunk. If you have an SUV,
If shopping takes you online,
invest in a cargo bed cover that
restrict buying to well-established
covers packages.
businesses whose reputations
can be verified. Make sure that
If ever you do not feel comfortable purchases are made through a
walking to your vehicle alone, shop secure website or server to reduce
with a friend or ask a security guard your risk of falling victim to hackers.
to accompany you to your vehicle.

24

The holiday season should be a

joyous time, but shoppers should
still exercise a certain level of
caution when buying gifts for their
loved ones.
Metro Creative Connection

UNIQUE HOLIDAY GIFTS!

SHOP ANTIQUES, VINTAGE DCOR, COLLECTIBLES & MORE!
VOTED #1
Antique Shop!!

WHITE OWL
ANTIQUE MALL
100,000 Sq Ft!!!

www.whiteowlantiquemall.com

8455 NC Hwy 49-N * Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124

704-436-2063

A LOCAL

DROP-OFF SITE