Do you long for the days when you
faced the "most wonderful time of the year"
with joyful anticipation rather than stress-
filled dread? You're not alone: nearly half of
all Americans report an increase in stress
levels as the end-of-year holidays approach.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
Experts agree keeping it simple can help
keep Christmas enjoyable. "One reason so
many of us love the idea of an `old-fash-
ioned Christmas' is because our lives seemed
much simpler then, and the joys of Christ-
mas were simpler as well," says Glenda
Lehman Ervin of Lehman's old-time gen-
eral store, and a self-confessed Christmas
connoisseur.
Evoking the simple joys of an old-fash-
ioned Christmas doesn't have to be a com-
plicated affair, Lehman Ervin says. "Few
of us have time for all the old-fashioned tra-
ditions, but by choosing some pleasant,
easy traditions, you can create the Christ-
mas atmosphere without the holiday stress."
Lehman Ervin recommends creating the
Christmas atmosphere with a few holiday
home decorating touches that appeal to
multiple senses:
* Sight - When you think of an old-fash-
ioned Christmas, what images come to
mind? Candy canes, cookies, and popcorn
strands adorning the Christmas tree? The
popcorn strand is easier than ever to make
and still a fun family project for the holi-
days. Decorating with cookies may not be
practical, but borrow their homey feel by dec-
orating with cookie cutters. Functional and
beautiful, cookie cutters can be unique nap-
kin rings for your holiday table, and eye-
catching decorations for your Christmas
tree.
"A good set of Christmas cookie cut-
ters is never a bad investment," Lehman
Ervin says. "You'll use them year after year
to make your family's favorite holiday treats
and to dress up your home for the holi-
days."
* Sound - "Sleigh bells ring. Are you
listening?" Sleigh bells create the quintes-
sential Christmas melody. If you're fresh
out of reindeer to adorn, try hanging a strap
of sleigh bells on your front door. Their
warm sound will be a great greeting for
holiday guests.
"The sound I most associate with Christ-
mas is children's laughter," says Lehman
Ervin. You can almost count on squeals of
glee on Christmas morning when the pres-
ents are opened, but decorating your home
with a few traditional toys prior to the hol-
idays can help keep them laughing right
up to the big day. "Think of toys that are
simple - things that you might have played
with as a child, like a classic musical jack-
in-the-box or an old-fashioned spinning cir-
cus top," she says.
* Scent - Evergreen, spices, bayberry and
baked goods are all scents that evoke the
holidays. Choose Christmas decor that
appeals not only to the eyes but to the nose
as well. Drape fir branches, tied with a red
bow, above a doorway. Place bayberry scent-
ed candles in your windows. "Another way
your Christmas cookie cutters will pay off
- the aroma of freshly baked Christmas
cookies," Lehman Ervin says.
"Anything you use to bring Christmas
to your home can also bring the spirit of
the season to your friends, far-off family
and business associates," she notes. "Giv-
ing a gift that says `old-fashioned Christ-
mas' also tells the recipient that you really
put some thought into their gift."
"They key is to find a few special things
to do so that you don't add to your holiday
stress," Lehman Ervin says. "I do a lot at
Christmas, but I only do what I really want
to do. These things really bring the spirit of
Christmas to my home without ruining the
holidays for me."
You'll find traditional bayberry candles,
sleigh bells, copper cookie cutters, classic
children's toys and more old-fashioned
Christmas ideas and decorating touches at
www.lehmans.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
K
C
M
Y
10
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Gift Guide
The Citizen. Auburn, New York
Visit Weedsport & enjoy an
Old Tyme Christmas
· Great Times · Great Food · Great Friends
Fresh Haddock · Baby Back Ribs · Steaks · 1/2 LB. Burgers
Restaurant · 834-9727 ·
Wed 11am-2pm · Thurs, Fri & Sat 11am-9pm
CJ's Gift Certificates
Make Great Gifts!!
S
OM
E
T
HI
N
G
FO
R E
VERY
ONE
!
8936 North Seneca Street
Weedsport , NY (Exit 40 NYS Thruway)
Cell # (315) 567-1811 · Shop # (315)294-5723
· Sterling Silver Jewelry · Euro-American Antiques
· Fine Art · Furniture · Rugs · China · Pottery · Glass
· Bottles · Post Cards · Collectibles · And More!
Come See Our Handmade
Sweaters & Gifts For Babies
New Sh
ipmen
t
of Jew
elry!
Brutus Liquor Store
Rt 31 · Erie Drive · Weedsport
834-6837
Open Monday, Christmas Eve
& Monday, New Year's Eve
10:30am - 4:30pm
Regular Hours: Mon.-thurs. 10:30am-9pm
Fri. & Sat. 10am-9:30pm
Cheers!
Cheers!
2667 Erie Drive (Rt. 31), Weedsport, N.Y.
Your Hosts: Fred and Sandy
Homestyle: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Homeade Pies
Arnold's Family Restaurant
834-6251
r
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TM
Wishing You a Joyous Holiday Season from
E
LBRIDGE
689-7634
W
EEDSPORT
834-6537
associate agent
Equal Housing
Opportunity Insurer
Auto Home Life Business
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Home Office: Colombus, OH 43215-2220.
Nationwide, the Nationwide Framework and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season from
MALVASO
Mark E. Malvaso -- David J. Malvaso
INSURANCE AGENCY
Giancarelli Brothers Winery
626-2830
Fingerlakes Mall next to Jo-Ann Fabrics · Auburn · 558-9474 · Through Dec. 31st.
100% Fruit Wines
Pressed and Bottled in Weedsport
Huge Variety - Blueberry, Peach, Strawberry,
Rasberry, Apple, Pear & Grape.
And many more crisp flavors.
Ideal for your holidays or as gifts.
Jams, Jellies, Baked Goods, Maple Syrup
and Gift Baskets To Buy or Customized
By Hilltop Farm Kitchen of Skaneateles
Ask About Our
New Releases
The Citizen. Auburn, New York
Gift Guide
Sunday, November 18, 2007
15
Just as we overeat all the Holiday trimmings, so can they.
· Keep bones and food scraps, especially fat (such as turkey skin),
away from your pet.
· Bones can cause obstructions and perforations and fatty foods can
cause gastric upset and even pancreatitis.
Here are some tips to keep your pets safe over the Holidays
85 Grant Ave. · Auburn, NY 13021 · (315) 253-0240
www.brooksidevetclinic.com
Tis the season for tinsel & Chocolate.
· Tinsel can cause serious gastrointestinal obstructions requiring surgery.
· Chocolate is poisonous to pets if ingested.
· Remember, in colder weather, even furry animals need warm, enclosed,
dry places where they are protected from the wind and inclimate weather,
otherwise they can succumb to hypothermia.
· Feeling the stress? Your pets can too,
especially cats. Plan accordingly to de-stress
your life and theirs as well, so that you both
are healthier during the holidays.
The veterinarians and staff at Brookside
Veterinary Clinic wish everyone and their
pets an enjoyable Holiday Season.
· Gift Certificates Available ·
Mutton Hill Rd. · Auburn, NY 13021 · 253-6269 ·
1-800-232-0838
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Come join our holiday celebration on Saturday, December 15th.
Enjoy breakfast with Santa from 9:00am until 12:30pm.
Book a holiday party with us or let us cater your next special occasion.
Kostas will be open Christmas Eve until 6:00pm
and we will reopen Wednesday, December 26th at 7am.
Everyone at Kostas
wishes you a
safe and Happy
Holiday season
How to Have an Old-Fashioned Christmas
