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Show I I i UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. December 22. Americans arent Scrooges when it comes to holiday shopping (AHA) Despite grumbling about holiday preparations, Americana aren't Scrooge. Americana still eiyoy every aspect of the holiday season, including decorating, giftgiving and hosting parties. According to Department SBs 1998 Christmas Report released this week, of American families catch the Christmas spirit in November and keep that spirit alive until the decorations come down the week after New Years. The survey was conducted by Department 56, a leading maker of holiday collectibles, trim and gift products, and represents responses from 2,229 U.S. households. "Todays Christmas celebrations begin long before Dec. 25, yet Americans still try to simplify during the holidays," says Joy Philbin, host of the nationally syndicated home decorating program. Haven, and holiday expert for Department 56. With limited amounts of time, energy and money, busy Americans want ideas to make celebrating the holidays easy and inspiring." Don't Worry. Be Jolly. Family, friends, decorations and gifts represent the heart of the holiday celebration in American homes. Nearly half of Americans actually get in the mood for Christmas before Thanksgiving and one-thi(32 percent) wait until the first part of December. Only a few humbugs (7 percent) wait until the last minute to begin celebrating the holiday. The 1998 Christmas Report found that Americans love the preparations as much as they love the holiday itself, says Philbin. We cherish celebrating with friends and families and do what it takes to make time together fun and memorable." Decking The Halls in No Time Sixty percent of people say they' actually eryoy holiday decorating. But, 40 percent of Americans find the tree trimming and garland stringing a chore. Lack oftime and the fact their decorations are only out for a few weeks are the biggest barriers to enjoying the process. Lack of money and good ideas limit the fun of decorating and also cause grumbling. Philbin notes that limited time, money and ideas don't have to make decorating a chore - fresh, fun ideas are everywhere. In fact, the 1998 Christmas Report found Americans spend an average of $59 a year on new holiday decorations. Emulatfrom favorite' ing the --decorationstelevision ' pbgrkmsMduims,1' two-thir- web sites or books is a quick way to get new ideas. Christmas Collections are Favorite Decorations of Americans Nearly decorate with holiday collectibles, according to the 1998 Christmas Report. Ornaments, figurines, angels, Santas and lighted holiday Villages are their favorites. The survey found that owners of holiday collectibles are more likely to eijoy decorating, says Philbin. In fact, the collecting segment of the overall Christmas decorating market grew 21 percent between 1995 and 1996 to $1.1 billion in sales, according to Unity Marketing, the collectible industry market research leader. These figures make collecting Christmas the fastest growing segment in the overall Christmas decor market. To Give is to Receive As much as people complain about the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, only 11 percent of Americans would hire someone to do their shopping, given the option. People enjoy choosing personal gifts that reflect the hobbies of the reciptwo-thir- ient Americana also are generous when it comes to their falsifies. More than half give gifts to gift-give- rs every family member and spend an average of $53. Juat a mere three percent do not exchange gifts at all. While gifts can demonstrate love or admiration, it's important to keep on a budget, says Philbin. Philbin suggests starting early. By doing so, the urge to impulse shop is reduced and tyere is time to make gifts more personal. - Talk to people and read sources you trust before settling on a software title. Reviews from family computing magazines are good sources, as are salespeople in the industry. Dont forget the Internet as an excellent source as well! - Avoid buying titles solely because your child likes the movie or television show with which the product is associated. Do your research and find out whats hot, whats educational AND what's fun. - Always look at your computer your RAM, your hard drive capacity and your processor before you buy software. What a shame it is to get home and realize you don't have enough memory to run the software. - Start your software holiday shopping early. That way, youll have a better chance of finding this season's hot software and you may even get it on sale! 1 W8- - Pace 29 that Otherwise, it - Look for engaging software challenges your child. wont hold his or her interest for much longer than New Year's Eve. Talk to the parents of your child's friends. Swap ideas on what you are buying, and instead of purchasing the same software, try different titles. - Install the software while your child is at school. This way youll be familiar with the product and you wont have to deal with installations and instructions with an child at your side. Gift Ideas for Families That Encourage Time Together! Cameras (especially digital camuse them eras for the computer) to capture family moments, memories and vacations. You'll never regret the investment! Camcorders good for capturg ing embarrassing and family moments alike. - Cellular Phones a gift that puts your family at the touch of a button (the button). - heart-warmin- Here's hoping you and yours enjoy a peaceful and waim season. We're very grateful for your friendship and support. ' R & R Propane E. Hwy. 40, Roosevelt 722-298- 3 rc-di- al Best Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year from aU your frimtXt at ZIONS BANK rd FOR CHR1STMASI Hope your Christmas is in perfect harmony. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and thank you for keeping us on the cutting edge. Jane's BarBer CosMOToloqy Shop We also sell Beauty & Barber Supplies N. 200 E., Roosevelt 57 722-482- 2 For unto us a child is bom, unto us a son is given: ...and bis name shall be... Isaiah 9:6 The Prince of Peace. Merry Christmas to all our good friends and neighbors. Basin Land Title & Abstract Inc. Fern Obcrhansly, Ruth Ann Green, Aileen Crandall, Tara Bowen Joyce Gardiner, Wanda Yarbrough, Lois Hartle & Norma Giles 9 865 East 200 North, Roosevelt, Utah 722-23- R COPY mmmmmimtmmrnrtents 1 |