>> gift guide
Tri ETr- rn - Fri
Breathe Deep
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
Nov. 27, 6 p.m. • Shain Park
I
consider passing them on so their
families can enjoy these treasures!
SANTA HOUSE
Weekends Nov. 29 — Dec. 22:
Fri., 3-5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 1-4 p.m.
Extended Hours Dec. 6 — 8
for Winter Markt,
Christmas Eve 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
NEW LOCATION — ShaM Park Pavilion
Santa is in a real house for the holidays!
Children can give him their list and
have a photo taken. Photo proceeds benefit
Leader Dogs for the Blind.
3. GIFTS
If you receive a gift you have no
use for, consider selling, re-gifting or
donating it. Don't hang onto some-
thing just because you received it as a
gift.
Instead of buying every adult a gift,
consider another approach. Each adult
buys one nice gift for an agreed-upon
value, and the group can exchange
gifts on the big day. This is so much
easier than shopping for several gifts
—and easier on the credit card, too!
1. LISTS
4. BUDGET YOUR TIME
The holidays are all about lists! The
first is a grocery list. Put items in an
Everyone knows how important
order that follows the layout of the
it is to budget your finances when it
grocery store you frequent. Shopping
comes to the holidays, but remember
at a grocery store you know well saves
to budget your time as well. We all
time because you are not
have the same 24 hours
searching up and down the
in a day; it's what you
aisles of an unfamiliar store
do with those hours that
trying to find needed items.
really matters! If you are
Take it to the next level.
entertaining this holiday
"For the holidays, I gather
season, create a calendar
all of my recipes and put
leading up to the event
the ingredients needed on
and work your way back-
a spreadsheet organized by
ward budgeting your time
and tasks. For example,
the headings: produce, pasta/
rice, condiments, baking,
consider choosing recipes
cereals/snacking, beverages,
that
can be made ahead
Debi Wei nstein
frozen, deli, dairy:' Weinstein
of time.
says. "Under these headings,
5. BE PLEASANT!
I type in each item I need to purchase,
At this time of year, good sense
print out the list and take it with me to
the store:'
can go out the window. Follow these
She saves this document on her
simple rules to live by:
computer under the heading of the
• Stick to your good habits and
holiday's name and year. "Each year I
eliminate bad ones.
am able to open the document back up
• Don't overeat — the first taste is
and review the recipes, make adjust-
the same as the last one! You don't
ments based on the number of guests
have to clean your plate.
and reprint the document for my
• Don't sweat the small stuff — don't
upcoming shopping trip:' she says.
look for issues that really aren't there.
• Don't criticize.
2. DECORATING
• Smile and be a good guest and
Martha Stewart may have paid help- host.
• Relax. If you organize ahead of
ers, but most of us don't. Don't try
to be perfect. The holidays are truly
time ... you can plan some down time
about spending time with friends
for relaxing, putting your feet up and
and family. When we are gone, our
enjoying the holidays with a smile.
children won't remember how perfect
every little detail was, but they will
For more tips on how to get orga-
remember how much time we spent
nized for the new year, visit www.
with them.
ivegottagetorganized.com . Weinstein
will be presenting at a HAP member-
As you sort through the bins of
only event called Organizing A-Z in
holiday decorations you have accu-
mulated over the years, remember to
November; visit www.hap.org for info.
purge. Some decorations might have
To become a HAP member, visit www.
sentimental value, which is fine; how-
ChooseHAP.org.
ever, if your children are now adults,
❑
Dec. 6 — 8, ShaM Park
A charming old-world style market
with local artisans, holiday decorations,
home accessories, a kids area,
live entertainment, plus traditional
German food and drink! For details
visit www.BirminghamWinterMarktorg.
Help Santa and the Mayor light up the town
for the holidays! Enjoy caroling,
carriage rides and free hot cocoa as well!
Santa House opens following the ceremony.
Five ways to organize a stress-free holiday.
t's what we all want — a joyful
and stress-free holiday season,
right? How can we achieve both?
Health Alliance Plan (HAP) and local
professional organizer Debi Weinstein
of I've Gotta Get Organized Inc. have
put together a handy list of tips for
handling the upcoming season with a
smile on your face while keeping your
blood pressure in check!
Weinstein lives with her husband,
Lee, in Farmington Hills. They have
three grown daughters and belong
to Temple Shir Shalom in West
Bloomfield.
BIRMINGHAM WINTER MARKT
CARRIAGE RIDES
Weekends through Dec. 21
Also During Tree Lighting
& Birmingham Winter Markt
Experience the beautiful downtown area
aglow for the holidays. Carriages load at the
corner of Henrietta & Merrill. For more info
go to www.EnjoyBirmingham.com.
BIRMINGHAM RESTAURANT WEEK
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Nov. 30 • Downtown Birmingham
January 27-31 and February 3-7
Participating Birmingham Restaurants
Birmingham's favorite dining event is back
for two weeks in 2014! Delicious menu
items will be offered for amazing prices.
www.BirminghamRestaurantWeek.org
Support small businesses by holiday shopping in
Birmingham. Complimentary downtown parking,
horse-drawn carriage rides, live carolers, a
warming station with complimentary cookies &
hot chocolate near Santa House in Shain Park.
Always two hours free
parking in the decks!
Pay for parking using Parkmobile's mobile
apps at all parking meters in Birmingham.
f
EnjoyBirminghamNOW
www.EnjoyBirmingham.com
Pack & Ship PLUS-ft
FedEx
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UNITED STATES
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POSTAL SERVICE =mov
Great e2K I
Gifts V z •
v •
under
Gifts for all ages!
PENS
Classic
Collection
CROSS
and Special Finishes
Ideal for Holiday
Gift Giving
FREE
Huge Supply of
wrapping and
packing materials
2 sizes of wardrobe
boxes available
SAVE
Holiday Themed Gifts, Unique
'Artsy' Handmade Gifts and More!
▪
Engraving
Expires 12/20/13
Shipping
Across Town
or Across
the Globe
I
•
FedEx or DHL
Shipping Charges
minimum $25
One coupon per visit.
Not valid with any other
offer. Expires 11/30/13
(248) 712 4969
-
3630 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills
NE Corner of Maple & Lahser • Next to Kroger
www.Pack-ShipPlus.com
"A" Rated on Angies List
Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies and More
All Major Brands -
Professional Installation and Repairs!
FREE In-Home Consultation*
Lifetime Warrantee
FREE
WE DO
REPAIRS!!
Installation*
Josel Blind Co.
248-320-6883
*on orders $499 and more
1
s.
VIMMO
WIND
FRE
top down/
bottom up
cordless
honeycomb
shades*
JN
ISMS!
'WEN
75%
OFF
on horizontal &
vertical blinds
November 14 • 2013
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