Show 8 Salina Sun Gunnison Valley News Your Christmas cards VL C'l LAND PRNewswire — Produets like vanity plates slogan and mouse pads are being used to proclaim everything from favorite hobbies to philosophies of life Trend spotters at American Greettor personal exings sav this quest pression is also influencing the Christmas cards people are busing “People send holiday cards to share the joy and goodwill ot the holiday season now thev also want to make sure are saying something But they about whether it's their unique sense ot humor tamily heritage or themselves style" sad Kathy McConaughy executive director of design for American (heelings So what does the Christmas card you send say about you I’m a Traditionalist Santas Com icr snowmen A Ives Old World wreaths classic inter scenes and nos- talgic designs say you're a traditionalist at heart Those who place strong on the memories of importance from the '50s and guins and reindeer — are also popular I’m a Real “Card”: Do you send funny cards? If your friends view you then ou're pi as aclassic Those who I’m a seek and send what's new and different such as new shapes and colors of know n for your sense of humor funny cards often poke fun at daily life like one that shows Santa phoning the computer tech line Christmas member will enioy Plus Mark's ReWhen cards which feature reproductions family snapshots '60s These the holidays are people are sending the new “perfect unusual cards tall skinny squares” shapes round cards and those with unexpected color combinations like fuchsia with lime green and teal with violet The Design Studio(R) and Studio Square(TM) collections from Greetings and Plus Mark are for people who are always on the cutting edge of trends More and I’m a Nature Lover: American more people seem to want to reflect their love of nature during the holiday s resulting in a grow ing number of Artwork is often botanical themes elegant and understated picturing such arctic and Nordic animals polar bears wolves pen- - as us help Bad Credit Bankruptcy Slow Pays you refinance your house lli 11' II II such as a single amaryllis or a black and white rendering of holly and berries Cards Need Extra Cash for Christmas? Let ot actual biackandwhite WlsffllSIffll OKAY! to complain that his “naughty and nice database" keeps crashing Cards w ith photos that tell a story are especially popularright now An intuitions) TM) card from American instance wins in Inside black bear Greetings lot on the muzzle ot a the card Donner and Prancer and Bliten I'm All yummy" a Believer: Those who want to express the true meaning ot Christmas with one of the many religious cards available will find more choices than ever this year Options range from inspirational angel designs to with Biblical verses such as cards Mark's Plus Christmas(TM) The of Word to cards for marriages said this year's McConaughy Christmas card offering is the most diverse in history a reflection of it'e “crazy quilt" of styles interests and nationalities that Hispanic consumers and cards in 14 languages" she added "Since Ameri5(H) can Greetings offers more than different designs no matter what you want to say there's definitely a caul ‘you'" the woild's Greetings largest publicly held creator manufacturer and distributor of greeting American is cards and special occasion Ohio Based in Cleveland Come in for your FREE credit report any time from now until Christmas Aspen Mountain Mortgage 295 North 700 East RichfielcTB93-867Talk to Patty or Lana Open 9 am to 5 pm Weekend and evenings by appointment pioduets the com- pany employs 2 (XX) associates and is home lo one of the world s hugest More information studios creative is available 1 999 The average American will spend $825 on gifts according to survey PRNewswire — ST LOUIS retailers it's the most of the time year That’s because the av erage American will spend $825 on Christmas gifts according to a recent Maritz Poll conducted by Maritz Marketing Research one of the world's largest marketing research lirms This figure has jumped almost It) percent from last year’s poll suggesting it may be a good year for holiday sales Hey big spender! Most respondents (85 percent) plan to spend at least the same amount or more than they did last year Only 15 pereent expect to spend less By age the largest group planning to spend more on Christmas gifts is percent say they will ante up more money for gills this year by visiting the Ameiivan Greetings web site at http wwvumericanereetinpscom compared to just 10 percent of those 65 and older The average respondent in each age group expects to spend: $500 $728 $813 $1063 $949 65 $927 The Battle of the Sexes Previous polls showed that men ty pically spend more than women but this year women plan to catch up Last year the average male predicted he would spend $797 on Christmas gifts this year he foresees that figure creasing to $828 a difference of $3 In 1998 the average female planned to spend $714 this year she thinks she will spend $824 up $1 10 Making a list While Americans may be spending more they plan to give fewer gifts The average Christmas shopper will purchase 22 gifts this year down 3 from last year Females will be a tad more giving (25 gifts) than males ( 8 are The biggest (26 gifts) and those with (XX) annual incomes over $65 (28 gifts) gifts) One for you percent of shoppers said unplanned purchases for while buying picscnts for for me one r they make themselves others the Females average bill being $147 are slightly more likely to than men (67 percent vs60 Younger shoppers arc also percent) more likely to buy a little something for themselves almost (73 percent) of respondents ages indulge will treat themselves mas shopping while Christ- Popular authors offer free stories online HICKORY make- “We also ollei speeial up America and collections for that's 1 Mmtts ©May stmas news tips and ideas reflect your personality TcxLtv's impersonal world is prompting people lo look tor new ways to 'make a statement" about themselves December Sanpete News NC PRNewswire— selected holiday stomu carefully families to read nes to encourage together offered free of charge are n n wchii kensouocom he stories prov ided for free downselected for load were specifically their entertainment and inspirational available at value They are being offered by the publishers of the popular "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series of books "Amid the commercialism of our society or perhaps in reaction to it people aie increasingly putting their emphasis on matters of the spirit and the heart" says Mark Victor Hansen of the book series The trend is becoming especially pronounced around the holidays as busy parents make a conscious decision to pause and reflect on what it means to be a family For many the EPHRAIM STORE 360 North Main is shared activities that go beyond just trimming the tree to creating whole new family traditions that reflect these times and this genera- answer tion of children "The popularity of our books is just one example of this phenomenon" Hansen suggests reading aloud to the family as one way of creating a shared experience and forming the basis of a new family tradition In "An Exchange of Gifts" readers Marty and will meet his new best friend Kenny Marty's desire to give Kenny a gift without hurting Kenny's pride and the gift that Marty gets in return w ill gladden your heart and provide the foundation family discussion on the nature of giving receiv ing and grace The "Yorkshire Christmas Cat" tells the tale of a shy feline whose last act for some PROVO STORE 355 $ sqq e Ask for your 20 discount card Card discount promothns as advertised cannot bo specials used with othisr was to bring joy and blessings to an and her three English countrywoman Basset hounds Two tales of overcoming obstacles "Consider This" by Chicken Soup coeditor Jack Canfield and "Why Wait Just Do It" complete an evening of reading and discussion "We are pleased to offer these gifts of entertainment and inspiration this holiday season" says Hansen "Reading aloud to children is one of those forgotten activities that has so much value It not only brings families toit also gether for a shared experience promotes reading among the children Educators tell us that children who are read to are more likely to become readers themselves" The stories will remain available free of charge on the website through the holiday season STORE HOURS 9 am to 9 pm Mon thru Sat Ephraim 9 to 8 Closed Sunday POOR CC |