2024 Holiday Gift Guide

2 | Holiday Gift Guide 2024

holiday wreaths a timeless tradition

©AdobeStock

Holiday Gift Guide 2024 | 3

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS | Holiday Wreath Symbolism

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA Holiday wreaths, with their lush greenery and festive decorations, are a beloved symbol of the Christmas season. This timeless tradition, which dates back centuries, is rich in historical and cultural significance. From their ancient origins to their modern-day interpretations, holiday wreaths represent a blend of celebration, welcome and spiritual symbolism. Ancient Traditions The use of wreaths can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In classical antiquity, wreaths were often worn as crowns and garlands during various celebrations. For the ancient Greeks, laurel wreaths symbolized victory and achievement, while in Roman times, they were used to honor emperors and military commanders. The circular shape of the wreath, with no beginning or end, symbolized eternity and the cyclical nature of life. The tradition of holiday wreaths specifically during the Christmas season has its roots in pre-Christian Europe. Pagan rituals celebrated the winter solstice with evergreens, which were seen as symbols of enduring life amidst the barren winter landscape. These early wreaths were used to ward off evil spirits and to celebrate the return of the sun after the darkest days of the year. Christian Traditions As Christianity spread across Europe, the wreath took on new meanings and became DO YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT LOUDON’S & LOUDON’S BUGGY WHIP

and the triumph of life over death. Holly, with its bright red berries, is also thought to represent the blood of Christ and his sacrifice, while the prickly leaves can signify the crown of thorns worn during the crucifixion. Hospitality In addition to their religious connotations, holiday wreaths also serve as symbols of hospitality and welcome. Hanging a wreath on the front door is a gesture of inviting friends and family into one’s home during the festive season. The circular shape is often interpreted as a symbol of unity and inclusion, reflecting the warmth and togetherness that are hallmarks of the holiday season. Modern holiday wreaths come in a variety of styles and designs, reflecting both traditional and contemporary tastes. While some people prefer classic wreaths adorned with ribbons, pinecones, and berries, others opt for creative interpretations using materials like ornaments, artificial snow, or themed decorations. Regardless of the design, the essence of the wreath as a symbol of celebration and continuity remains unchanged. Crafting and displaying holiday wreaths is a cherished activity for many families. It is an opportunity to engage in a meaningful tradition, create beautiful decorations and share the joy and spirit of the season.

©AdobeStock

integrated into Christian traditions. The Advent wreath, which originated in 16th-century Germany, is one of the most significant adaptations. Comprising a circular garland of evergreen branches, the Advent wreath holds four or five candles. Each candle represents one of the weeks of Advent, the period of preparation for the birth of Jesus. The lighting of these candles symbolizes the light of Christ coming into the world. The evergreen branches used in holiday wreaths are particularly meaningful. Evergreens, such as pine, fir and holly, remain vibrant and green throughout the winter months, symbolizing eternal life

In Stock at Odessa Furniture!

GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

ODESSA FURNITURE Our Prices Beat Amazon + No City Sales Tax Hwy 30, West of Kearney (old Odessa school) Mon–Sat, 10am–5pm • 308-236-8825

SALESNOW THROUGH CHRISTMAS!

4 | Holiday Gift Guide 2024

wrapping for maximum wow

©AdobeStock

Holiday Gift Guide 2024 | 5

HOLIDAY DECORATING | Put A Bow On It

Tis The Season? It might be the holiday season, but your wrapping paper doesn’t have to have Santas and snowflakes. In fact, you can save a bundle by buying all-purpose papers that you like and using those year-round. Go With Patterned Boxes and Bags Make it easy on yourself this holiday season by choosing coordinated bags and readymade boxes for quick and easy wrapping. All you’ll need to do is fill each box with tissue and put a ribbon around it and you’re done. Merry Monochrome Go all one color under the tree with a variety of wraps in the same color. Pair them with solid white, black or other neutral tones in the ribbons and accents. Add Texture Bring on the velvet ribbons and roll out the burlap for wrap. These textured fabrics can add warmth under your tree and a generally cozy vibe to your holiday celebrations.

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA The tree is the star of the holiday show, especially what’s underneath. Make that pile of presents part of your decor with these fashionable ideas. Add Flora Instead of oversized bows, go understated with dried flowers or even fruits for a touch of nature. Keep these out of reach of curious small kids and pets, though, or opt for real-looking faux versions. Use Gift Wrap As Tags Assign each person a color of wrapping paper and use that to wrap their gifts. Set a big reveal on Christmas Eve to keep everyone guessing which presents belong to whom. Paint Your Own Paper Start with plain white or brown paper and then decorate it yourself with paints. Make it a family tradition and get everyone to help out. Match Your Paper Let your home’s décor be reflected in

your holiday wrapping paper. Choose patterns, papers and bows that complement your walls, trim, curtains and other colors. And match the theme. If you’ve got a coastal decor, for instance, use seashells or pieces of shells as gift tags.

©Freepik

Pull Out The Plaid Deck your presents with classic plaids. Coordinate with kraft paper wrapping and plaid bows or other coordinating solid colors. Select stockings, blankets, pillows and other accessories to match.

www.Phoenix-Massage.me

B osselman T ravel C enTer 3335 W. Wood RiverRd Grand Island, NE

626-688-6515

Hours: 10AM to 10PM 7 Days a Week

6 | Holiday Gift Guide 2024

give the gift of experiences

©AdobeStock

Holiday Gift Guide 2024 | 7

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS | Getting Out Of The House

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA Some people seem to have everything. You may worry about older items finding their way into landfills when recipients find that they no longer need or have space for them. If so, consider giving the gift of local experiences this holiday season. You’ll be creating lasting memories while supporting people in your local What has brought your area the most renown? The site of a significant historical moment or person? There may also be special events and festivals devoted to the history and culture of your town. Is there a museum or landmark dedicated to something unique? What about home tours or distinctive architecture? Too often, those who live near these interesting tourist attractions have never taken the opportunity to visit them. Consider buying passes as gifts for people on your list. You’ll bolster local museums, historical sites, state parks and events — community. History

membership based on the size of the family, since some have a limit on the number of family members. If the family is larger or if you think they will frequently visit with friends, you may want to upgrade to a higher level. The Arts The holidays are a great time to purchase individual tickets or season passes for local arts events. Explore options for community and regional theater, touring acts, museum events, dance and opera performances, local symphonies and community bands or choirs. Some arts organizations offer special packages aimed at holiday gift- givers. You could also simply make a donation to a favorite organization as a holiday present. These gifts are often accompanied by special discounts throughout the rest of the year. Create a special package for a night on the town, with two tickets for an arts event and a gift certificate for a restaurant that’s nearby.

and everyone might learn something new. Sports The holiday season is often marked by huge nationally televised sporting events, including football, basketball and hockey. Bring special joy to sports enthusiasts by purchasing tickets to their favorite bowl game, playoff contest or match. You can also buy advance tickets for the next season of games at the nearby college, local minor league park or municipal facility. Don’t forget community events like pickleball contests or a local golf tournament. Create a package that includes game tickets and team merchandise – then get ready to score that autograph from the local sports star! Memberships Consider buying a yearly membership to a museum, aquarium, zoo or other local activities for a family – especially if they have young kids. These can pay for themselves after just a few visits while providing year-long entertainment. Make sure to choose the appropriate level of

WWW.WORLDTHEATRE.ORG

A CHRISTMAS STORY December 3 rd THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES December 5 th CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS December 6 th , 7 th & 8 th NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION December 13 th , 14 th & 15 th , ELF Grab a punch card for the perfect stocking stuffer!

December 20 th , 21 st & 22 nd IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE December 24 th THE SANTA CLAUSE December 27 th , 28 th & 29 th

2318 Central Ave. • Kearney, NE • 308-234-8046

8 | Holiday Gift Guide 2024

hung by the chimney with care

©AdobeStock

Holiday Gift Guide 2024 | 9

HOLIDAY DECORATING | Make The Most Of Your Mantel

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA Fireplaces are often the heart of the holiday season, hosting not only the pleasant, crackling blaze that keeps our toes warm, but also stockings and all sorts of holiday mementos and decor that make the season bright. Clear the mantle by packing up your everyday decor — yes, even the big piece above the mantle — and swapping it out with holiday cheer. Look for a large-scale painting to go on the chimney or wall above, then decorate with some of your favorite holiday pieces below. Or string twine and hang holiday cards for a warm and personal touch. Switch Out Your Everyday Décor

even brush them with glue and glitter for a special sparkly touch. Go Big with Garland Starting with a garland in the right length for your mantle, keeping in mind if you want it to swag or not and how far you want it to extend down the sides, affix battery-operated LED fairy lights and giant, oversized plastic ornaments for a bold statement of holiday cheer. You can coordinate the colors to your tree’s theme or just pick whatever you like. Remember, Christmas decorating is about making you happy. Finish off the garland with a bow in the middle to bring the eye back to the center of the fireplace. Showcase a Collection If you’ve got a winter village or candlesticks gathering dust, set them out with some simple greenery along your mantle. Use varying heights and odd numbers for an understated, aesthetically pleasing effect. If it needs a little more cheer, run a string of battery-operated LED lights in and out of the pieces.

Magical Make cones out of cardboard (make sure it’s not too thick so you can easily Bring the Forest Indoors Set up a whole forest of holiday trees on the mantle by making cardboard Christmas trees in varying sizes and colors.

©AdobeStock

shape and cut it). Then cut scale-like shapes out of cardboard and, working your way around the cone from bottom to top, glue them on side by side. Give each tree a quick spray of white, then top it with whatever color you want. You can

Dawson County History Museum “Christmas in Color” Join us the week before Christmas for a magical Treelight Stroll through the museum

INTERIORS BEGINHERE • Carpet • Hardwood • Laminate • Luxury Vinyl Tile • Tile • Backsplash • Cabinets • Countertops • Exterior Doors • Interior Doors & Trim • Windows • Blinds • Onyx Tops & Showers

Dec. 19-22 6-8:30 PM 805 Taft St Lexington, NE 68850 308-324-5340 Open 10 am - 4 pm Tues-Sat

5804 W. 2nd Ave. • Kearney, NE 308-338-8110 • www.cmhdistributing.com

Facebook.com/DCHSociety

10 | Holiday Gift Guide 2024

shop local this holiday season

©AdobeStock

Holiday Gift Guide 2024 | 11

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS | Support Your Local Businesses

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA Shopping locally during the holiday season is a win-win for both consumers and businesses. When you shop at your local establishment, you’re actually helping more than the owners. You’re also funding community projects and helping keep your region clean and attractive. That’s because larger portions of money spent with local businesses stay in the area compared to when you shop with a large retailer or online. So do your part this holiday season by supporting those who keep our communities going. Shop local and watch your money have a big impact on your area. Support With Your Dollar If you’re looking to make a difference this holiday season, consider devoting a specific portion of your shopping budget to small businesses. While there’s no arguing that online shopping can be convenient, spending all of your budget online can cripple your local economy. If you just can’t live

out of every three new jobs, and employ 52% of the nation’s employees. Since 2003, small businesses have added 5.1 million new jobs to the economy. By shopping locally, you can help your business community expand into hiring more employees. Your dollars can help more people find jobs around your area, which will help your local economy grow stronger and stronger. Support Giving A U.S. Small Business Administration survey found that 75% of small business owners donate some portion of their profits — about 6%on average — to charitable organizations each year. Most times, those charities are headquartered in your community. Every time you shop local, a portion of your dollars may also be donated to a local charity. This can be critically important during the holiday season, when many charities are in need of funding and volunteers.

©AdobeStock

without the online shopping experience, check to see what kinds of online product offerings your local businesses offer. You can even shop locally online, as local restaurants, artisan shops and businesses have shifted their models since COVID- 19 to being able to handle more online orders. Support Your Neighbors According to a study by Michigan State University, small local businesses are the largest employers nationally, creating two

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON buy something from the past that will kindle a fond memory for that someone special DON’T JUST GIVE A GIFT ...

Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday • Saturday, Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm 319 W. Third St | Grand Island, NE 308-398-2222

VOTED

16YEARS! BEST

ANTIQUE STORE FOR

We have always been humbled when our customers tell us that our store is their favorite antique store.

12 | Holiday Gift Guide 2024

oh christmas tree topper

©AdobeStock

Holiday Gift Guide 2024 | 13

HOLIDAY DECORATING | Finishing Touches

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA A holiday tree’s crowning achievement is the tree topper, the decoration that can tie all your decorating themes together. Choosing a tree topper becomes an important purchase as many toppers get used year after year and some are even passed down through generations. Types of Tree Toppers Tree toppers are limited only by the imagination. They can speak to your personality as well as tying together decorating themes. Traditional tree toppers include stars, angels, bows, snowflakes or bouquets. If you’re looking for something more whimsical, you might get a tree topper in the shape of a top hat, a reindeer, a red truck, a gnome or such characters as King Kong or Yoda. If you have a children’s tree, you might top it with ornaments in the shape of Santa, Snoopy, stuffed animals or stars made of candy. You may also seek out a unique tree topper or one that takes advantage of modern technology. You can order a tree topper in which wire strands spell out your family name. Some tree toppers have LED projectors that project such shapes as stars upon the ceiling above the tree. Some tree toppers you can control from your smart phone or a remote control to change the colors of the lights or the order in which they flash or play music. Another option is to make your own tree

Merry Christmas! Once you’ve picked out a topper, it’s time to place it on the tree. Start by gathering any tools you will need to secure the topper to the tree. Ask a friend or family member to hold the tree steady while you put the topper in place. Use a stable stepladder to reach the top of the tree. For a pre-lit tree topper, make sure that all the wires and plugs are working. Inspect the topper for burnt-out or cracked bulbs before plugging it in. ceiling and the top of your tree topper. If you have a standard 9-foot ceiling, follow these guidelines provided by Balsam Hill, a maker of Christmas trees: • 4- to 5.5-foot tree can have a tree topper that is 5 inches tall by 6 inches wide. • 6- to 6.5-foot tree can have a tree topper 7 inches tall by 5 inches wide. • 7- to 7.5-foot tree can have a tree topper Most tree toppers are made of lightweight fabrics such as paper, fabric, plastic or fiber composites so that they balance well on the tree. If your topper is made of something heavier, such as glass, take extra steps to secure it. Zip ties can be useful. Balsam Hills recommends standing a tree topper on your palm. If it starts to tilt within three seconds, you’ll need extra support. Safety Tips 4 inches tall by 4 inches wide. Tree Topper Weight

©AdobeStock

topper. You are likely to find great ideas for how to do that at your local craft store. Tree Topper Height Another factor to consider is the size of the tree topper. You want to make sure there is enough room between the top of the tree and the ceiling to accommodate the topper. Generally speaking, you want to have at least six inches of space between the

WE OFFER KNIT, CROCHET, AND RIDDLE HEDDLE WEAVING SUPPLIES AND CLASSES. Hours: Tues. through Fri. 10:30am - 5:30pm, Open late on Thurs. 7:30pm. Sat. 10:30am-5:30pm. Closed Sun. and Mon.

REPURPOSED & REFINISHED FURNITURE STEVE & JESSIE SEIFER 822 First Street, Sutherland, NE 69165 www.facebook.com/Allsorts 308.386.6568 DAILY SPECIALS DINE IN & TO GO Monday – Friday 6:30 am – 5:00 pm Saturday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm We have lunch specials, ice cream, breakfast items, clothing, furniture, and decor.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551067803989&mibextid=kFxxJD

(308)534-4272 508 South Dewey

14 | Holiday Gift Guide 2024 sweet treats & warm drinks HOLIDAY TRADITIONS | The History of Hot Chocolate

CICCOLATA CALDA Makes 2 servings. Recipe is from Allrecipes.com. Ingredients:

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA More than 5,000 years ago, in modern day Ecuador, someone in the Mayo Chinchipe culture discovered that hot water and coca made for an excellent drink. By the time the Europeans came along, cocoa or xocolatl, was an essential part of Aztec culture. Those Europeans brought chocolate back, where it became a medicinal drink for treating liver and stomach diseases, among other things. The original xocolatl was spicy and bitter — sugar wasn’t a New World crop — and flavored with chili. To make something close to the original drink, try this: AZTEC XOCOLATL Makes 2 servings. Recipe is from Allrecipes.com. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups of water 1 green chili pepper, sliced

4 cups water 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Directions : 1. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to boil in a pot and add the chili, seeds included. Boil for 5-10 minutes, then strain it and return the water to the pot. 2. Add four cups of water and reduce the heat to medium-low. Bring to a boil, then stir in the cocoa powder and vanilla. Cook and stir until the powder dissolves completely, about 5-10 minutes. Serve chilled. Sweetened hot chocolate was a luxury item among the great houses of Europe by the 1600s. It was mixed with spices, including jasmine flowers and ambergris. The Spanish experimented with black pepper and sesame seeds. Sir Hans Sloane found hot chocolate was more tasty when made with milk, introducing it to the English in the late 17th century.

3 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar 1 1/2 cups milk 2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoons cornstarch Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, mix the cocoa powder and sugar together. Stir in 1 1/2 cups milk until the sugar has dissolved. Place over low heat and bring to a simmer. 2. Whisk 2 tablespoons of milk together with the cornstarch and slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the cocoa. Continue whisking and cooking until the chocolate reaches a pudding-like thickness, about 3 minutes. 3. Serve topped with whipped cream.

©AdobeStock

Holiday Gift Guide 2024 | 15

Christmas in Cody Park

MAYOR’S LIGHTING CEREMONY November 30 | 6 p.m. DRIVE-THRU DISPLAY November 30 - December 30 | 5-10 p.m.

CONCESSION STAND AND RIDES & TRACTOR HAYRIDES: November 30 - December 24 | 6-9 p.m. (Nov 30th will be 5 to 9 p.m. & the 24th will be 11 to 5 p.m.) (Concession Stand and Rides & Tractor Hayrides are not open every night. Please Check Calendars for open dates.)

SANTA VISITS November 30 | 6-9 p.m. December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 | 6-9 p.m.

FIRST RESPONDER/VETERANS TREE LIGHTING December 7 | 6 p.m.

Monday Dining: 4 pm - 9 pm Lounge: 4 pm - 10 pm Tuesday - Thursday Dining: 11 am - 9 pm Lounge: 11 am - 10 pm Friday & Saturday Dining: 11 am - 10 pm Lounge: 11 am - 11 pm

KIDS PARADE December 14 | 4 p.m.

505-505 North Dewey Street North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-4825

Caroling | Entertainment | FREE Carousel and Glider Rides Golden Goose Games and more FUN, FREE EVENT...

Sunday Closed.