Have a young one on your holidaygift list? Check out these fun andwallet-friendly stocking stuffers:
Anamalz. They’re charming,eco-friendly and handmade. Every-thing from elephants to emusmeans hours of fun-packed play.(Ages 3+, $8.95, anamalzna.com)
Dinosaur Play World QuickSticker Kit. Package includes a paper landscape scene, 22 dinosaurstickers and three mini cardboarddinosaurs. (Ages 4+, $4.99, amazon.com)
Makedo Cup Critter. Cleverlycrafted and packaged, the kit hasmaterials to make two whimsicalcritters. (Ages 5+, $4.95, toysmith.com)
Claire S. Green is president of Parents’Choice Foundation, a non-profit guide toquality media and toys for children.
Leafy Sea Dragon.The lithe, lovely creaturefrom the deep blue sea is justone of many pocket-book-friendly fingerpuppets. (Ages 6+,$9.99, folkmanis.com)
Swish. It chal-lenges you to be thefirst to make matches,or “Swishes,” by layering upto 12 transparent cards soevery ball displayed can beseen in a circle of the samecolor. (Ages 8+, $12.99,thinkfun.com/swish)
Balloon Hats. This clever kitincludes 24 modeling balloons, apump and instructions to createeight different designs. (Ages 8+,$11.95, spoonsisters.com)
— Claire S. Green
4 USA WEEKEND · Dec. 2-4, 2011 Visit us at usaweekend.com
LiveSmart Helpful tips for your everyday life
Being a life-long learnerenables you to stay inthe game, saysMarquetta Carmichaelof Hamilton, Ohio. Inaddition to making youinteresting and givingyou confidence, “itgives you freedom fromhaving to know all the
answers,” shewrites, “and itbuilds yourfriendships
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Reader tipof the week
ILLUMINATE yourChristmas nightssafely with thesehelpful tips fromlicensed contrac-tor and electricianJames Young,host of DIY Net-work’s I Hate MyKitchen:
Power up safely. Youroutdoor lights should beplugged into a ground faultcircuit interrupter outlet,which will shut the circuitdown if there’s an overcur-
Install correctly. Be-fore installing, plug lightsin to make sure they areworking properly. Use asturdy ladder, and attachlights with insulated hold-ers (never use tacks ornails). Do not install lightsin trees that are in contactwith power lines.
Don’t leave them on.Turn off your outdoorlights when you leave thehouse or go to bed. Formore holiday lighting tips,visit DIYNetwork.com. 6
Connect with caution.Follow manufacturer in-structions when connectinglights. Tuck cords away,and keep connectionsabove water and snow.
rent. These outlets can beinstalled permanently byan electrician, or you canbuy a portable unit at ahome supply store for lessthan $20. M
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USA WEEKEND magazineusaweekend.comTelephone: 800-487-2956E-mail: [email protected]
© Copyright 2011 USA WEEKEND.A Gannett publication.Printed in the USA.Since 1953, your Family Weekly.The magazine that makes a difference.
Stocking stuffersunder $13!
Anamalz’selephant,
one of theirmany littlecreatures.
