cawlm 2012 gift guide

1WWW.CAWLM.COM2012 GIFT GUIDEFeaturing DOUGLAS J &

C A P I T A L A R E A

M A G A Z I N E

WHARTON CENTER’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

MSU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

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2 Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle 2012 GIFT GUIDE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Wine 101

Gif ts of Legacy

Set a Beaut i fu l Table

Wharton Center Shares Spir i t of the Season

Exchanging Gif ts wi th Co-workers

Choosing Jewelry

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Q: WHAT IS WINE?A: Simply stated, wine is a natural process that turns sugars in juice into alcohol by yeasts, called fermentation.

Q: WHY IS WINE MOSTLY MADE BY GRAPES?A: Almost all the grapes from the vine taste the same. Grapes, unlike other fruits, contain so many different flavor compounds that when fermented the juice is amazingly complex, offering a wide variety of flavors and textures. The chemical compounds in grapes can also mimic various fruit flavors. Lucky for us!

Q: WHAT ARE DIFFERENT WINE CATEGORIES?A: Wine can essentially be divided into three broad categories – sparkling, still and fortified.

Q: WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF STILL WINE?A: Wine can be white, red or rosé. White wine is made by pressing the grapes to allow the juice to run free. Red wine is made by allowing the skin of the grapes to stay in contact with the juice during fermentation, giving wine the red color. In fact, white wine can be made from red grapes by removing the skin from the juice. Rosé wine is made by allowing the skin to stay in contact with the juice for a shorter time – hours instead of days, giving the wine just a hint of color.

Q: WHAT IS THE PROPER WINE TEMPERATURE?A: The right temperature can mean a world of difference in how wines taste. White wines too cold lose their nuances and can sometimes be nearly tasteless. Red wines served too warm will taste overly alcoholic and light. So as a rule of thumb, white wines should be served between 50-55 degrees and red wines between 60-65 degrees. To get the wines at the right temperature, follow the 20 minute rule – red wines in the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving, and white wines out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving.

Q: HOW LONG AFTER ITS OPENED?A: Air is a wines best friend and enemy. A little amount of air softens the wine and makes it pleasant to drink. However, the oxygen in the air also oxidizes the wine and turns it into vinegar. A wine bottle, if properly stored, can last 3 to 5 days, maybe even longer. Cork the bottle and lay it on its side in the refrigerator.

Q: TO BREATHE OR NOT TO BREATHE?A: Many people will open their wine by pulling the cork and leaving it on the table to breathe for hours. The fact is you are wasting your time if you do not decant the wine. The thought behind removing the cork is to allow air in the wine to soften it up. However, it has been shown scientifically that the narrow opening of the bottle does nothing even in a 24 hour period. So if you want to let the wine breathe, open it and decant into a carafe or a decanter a few hours before drinking.

Q: SHOULD I DECANT MY WINE?A: People usually decant older wines to remove the sediments. However, I lean against decanting old wines. The window for an older wine is very small. If you decant an older wine to remove the sediments, make sure your friends are around so you can drink the wine before it falls apart. Most younger wines will benefit from a few hours of decanting, although not necessary since the wine should open up in your glass.

Q: DOES WINE GET BETTER THE OLDER IT IS?A: This is a big myth that wine gets better as it ages. If left long enough, it will eventually turn into vinegar. In fact, there are only a very few wines that age well. Wine does change as it ages, however. It may be fruity and tannic when it is young, but may take on some more austere characteristics as it ages and loses the fruitiness and the big tannic structure. If you like the wines fresh and fruity, buy a few bottles, drink them up.

WINE 101BY RIMPLE NAYYAR

PHOTOGRAPHS Take plenty of them, make copies, and share them with those you love. Purchase inexpensive picture frames and gift them right along with the picture. This makes it easier for the recipient to enjoy them immediately. To see portraits of our loved ones as we pass by a desk or bookcase can warm the heart all year long.

FOODEveryone loves holiday treats and none better than those created by beloved relatives. In our house, it was Grandma M’s special peanut butter cookies, complete with criss-crossed fork prints. Last Christmas, I made tins of cookies for my own children. They said this was their favorite gift. Food conveys love and care, creating delicious memories for us all. Consider sharing family favorites on recipe cards attached to your gifts too.

DECORATIONSUpcycle or hand-down holiday decorations. As children, we hold onto holiday memories through things – a mechanical reindeer, a special basket filled with treats, a precious tablecloth. When my maternal grandmother passed away, I hoped I’d get to keep some of her Christmas tree ornaments. I did, and each year as I place them upon our tree, I think of her legacy of love.

NEW MEMORIES Do something novel. Take a family poll and see what new ideas your loved ones might have for a happy holiday. Create index cards that say: “Something I’ve always wanted to do on Thanksgiving (or Hanukkah or Christmas).” Gather your results and have fun doing something different. Perhaps a new legacy will be created!

PERSONALIZED GIFTSAs time becomes a premium, everyone appreciates a homemade gift. A visit to your local craft store can dish up dozens of ideas of quick, easy, and inexpensive things to make: tree ornaments, beaded jewelry, decorated picture frames. A person’s name thoughtfully placed on the gift itself speaks volumes of love and can become a treasured keepsake.

PRESENCEBe fully present, not distracted, when you are with others during the holidays. Listen, support, encourage. Your full attention may be the greatest gift you can give anyone. Did you know that a national survey recently revealed that 25 percent of people feel they have no one they can talk to? Your presence is a unique present in a world that moves too quickly and rarely offers personal attention.

KINDNESSNo matter which holidays you celebrate – or who you celebrate them with – I hope you will create plenty of new memories laced with patience, generosity and kindness. Mother Teresa once said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” Your personal legacy of love is well worth leaving, one kind gesture at a time.

Join Jan Lundy’s monthly teleclass series, “Spiritual Invitations.” Learn more at her website, www.janlundy.com.

A LEGACY IS A GIFT AND ONE THAT IS THOUGHTFULLY OFFERED. A LEGACY HOLDS OUR INTENTIONS

OF WANTING TO BE REMEMBERED, AS WELL AS FOR REMEMBERING OTHERS WHO HAVE PLAYED

AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR LIVES. THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, I INVITE YOU TO PARTAKE IN “GIFTS

OF LEGACY,” WAYS THAT YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THE TRUE MEANING OF THE HOLIDAYS –

GENEROSITY, TOGETHERNESS, JOY – AND CREATE MORE OF IT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

BY JAN LUNDY

Gifts of Legacy


BY JAN LUNDY


8 Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle 2012 GIFT GUIDE8 Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle 2012 GIFT GUIDE

START NEUTRALTake your basic white, black or wood table and chairs as a base. Invest in quality white dinnerware and a white tablecloth that can be used year-round, but can also be elevated for the holidays with layers of color and texture.

EMBRACE VINTAGEGather mismatched knives, glasses and dinner plates. Bring out antique serving dishes. If you have an assortment of flea market finds or Grandma’s china, mix it in with the basics for interest. For example, layer vintage salad plates over the white dinner plates.

ACCENT COLORPull a color from the vintage pieces you selected as inspiration. Or, pick a color from the placemats or table runner you already own (even if it’s non-traditional holiday hue) to begin a color scheme. Timeless colors like blue, rust, lavender, or green work particularly well.

A TOUCH OF SILVER OR GOLD Touches of metallic add sparkle to a festive tablescape. No need to overdo it. Simple ribbon around the napkins, glasses with a silver rim or metal candlestick holders can do the trick. They add drama and a feeling of celebration.

ADD HEIGHTIf you pay attention to the tables decorated for the holidays in the magazines or at a wedding reception, you’ll probably notice that not everything on the table is at one level. Use a decorative box or stack books and cover them with the tablecloth or extra fabric napkins to set a dish or grouping of candles.

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE RIBBONBeing the holiday season and all, there is a good chance you have ribbon laying around somewhere. Even if you don’t, it’s easy enough to pick some up during your next outing to coordinate with your color scheme. Place a border of ribbon around the white table cloth

or tied around napkins. Added bonus: ribbon can be reused for wrapping gifts after the party is over.

TAKE A WALKWalk around your home and collect clear glass vases, candleholders, and quality holiday decorative pieces like ornaments or holiday themed salt and pepper shakers to layer into the tablescape. Try to find objects within your color scheme.

BRING THE OUTDOORS INCollect greenery from your yard (evergreen branches, pine cones, leaves) and create a centerpiece or small accent at the top of each place setting. Nature can bring a fresh, organic vibe to your dinner table.

LIGHT YOUR WAYAmbient lighting is key when creating a beautiful table. There is nothing like candlelight or tea lights to set the mood.

HAVE FUNPlay with a few combinations. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You and your guests are going to hold onto the memories that are created around the dinner table more than the decorations adorning the tabletop.

SET A BEAUTIFUL TABLE

Ashley Cole is a professional interior designer based in Grand Rapids. Her work has been featured on HGTV as well as numerous publications, including Kitchen Trends and Home Magazine. Visit her website at www.ashleycoledesign.com.

for the Holidays

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SET A BEAUTIFUL TABLE

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When among the masses shopping for holiday gifts, consumers might want to take a close look at the expressions on their fellow shoppers’ faces. Note the ones whose eyes are glazed over, who are

anxiously biting their bottom lips or seem to be exhibiting recurring facial twitches. These are not individuals on the verge of a nervous breakdown. In fact, many are otherwise well adjusted people in the throes of choosing holiday gifts for their coworkers or bosses.

While there is nothing inherently complicated about choosing tokens of appreciation for one’s associates or superiors, the challenge is not just choosing the right token, but in choosing something without the potential to offend or confuse the recipient. To help make the process go smoothly from purchase to presentation, here are some of the chief do’s and don’ts for office gift-giving.

DO• Make sure that you know your company’s

policy on gift-giving. For example, are there specified or unstated spending limits?

• Be clear about who should be on your gift list. Do you get gifts for everyone in your department or just those individuals with whom you interact most frequently?

• Choose thoughtful and tasteful gifts, whether buying a different item for each person or the same item for all.

• Consider gifts that can be used in the office, such as distinctive office supplies, a photo frame, gadget, calendar or pen.

• Go for gifts that can be shared either at home or work, such as gourmet food items, books or plants. Take the time to package and wrap gifts with care.

DON’T• Overspend, especially when

purchasing a gift for your boss.• Give presents to colleagues outside

of your “gift circle” in order to make a good impression or curry favor.

• Choose “joke” or “gag” gifts, even for coworkers you think you know well. While the recipient might appreciate the gesture, it could be misinterpreted by others.

• Re-gift or give items that are used or in anything but pristine condition.

• Give gifts that can be misconstrued as having a hidden meaning or agenda, such as flowers (especially roses), cash, lingerie or personal hygiene products.

• Stray outside the limits of “good taste.” In other words, don’t even think about gifts that could be considered too personal (including clothing, perfume or jewelry) or are in any way political, religious, racial or sexual. Unless you are absolutely certain of the recipient’s tastes and habits, steer clear of alcoholic beverages of any kind.

• Leave anyone out. Hurt feelings are hard to overcome and can strain otherwise productive working relationships.

DOs and DON’Ts

F O R E X C H A N G I N G G I F T S W I T H C O - W O R K E R S



F O R E X C H A N G I N G G I F T S W I T H C O - W O R K E R S


Big things come in small packages and for many, buying jewelry is intimidating. What kind of

jewelry should you buy? What size? Will it look good on her? Will he like it? For anyone facing these questions, this guide is for you.

MATERIALSTo make sure you buy a quality piece that will last, you need to know a little about what jewelry is made of. The three most common metals used include:

GOLDWhen you see the word “gold” by itself on a piece, it means all gold, or 24-karat gold. Twenty-four-karat gold is soft, so it’s usually mixed with other metals to make it more durable. Fourteen-karat jewelry contains 14 parts gold mixed with 10 parts of a base metal. The higher the karat rating, the higher the proportion of gold.

STERLING SILVERThis term describes a piece that contains 92.5 percent silver. Sometimes they are marked “925,” which means 925 parts per thousand are pure silver. “Coin silver” is used for compounds that contain 90 percent silver.

PLATINUMPlatinum is a natural, white-colored, precious metal that is often described as being strong, durable and corrosion resistant. It’s usually mixed with other similar metals, such as iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.

SELECTING THE PERFECT PIECEThere are many gems and metals to pick from; let the recipient’s personal style and preferences guide you when purchasing jewelry as a gift. For example, does he only wear gold jewelry? Or does he prefer only silver? Is most of her jewelry made up of small, understated pieces, or bigger, bolder pieces? What types of jewelry does he or she wear most often — necklaces, bracelets, earrings?

If you’re nervous or unsure about buying jewelry for someone, consider bringing along a family member or friend who knows them well to help you pick something they would love.

CHOOSING NECKLACESMost necklaces come in one of these lengths: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 28 inches. How do you choose the right one to buy? First, you need to know where the different lengths will fall on the wearer’s body.

16 inches — choker length18 inches — at collarbone20 inches — a few inches below collarbone22 inches — at or above neckline24 inches — below neckline28 inches — around the bustline

Long necklaces can help lengthen the look of a square or round face and add height to a shorter frame. Chokers look best on longer necks, because they tend to de-emphasize height.

RINGSRings draw attention to the hands, so it’s important to pick a flattering style.

The length of the fingers is an important factor when buying rings. People with long fingers can wear almost any style. If his or her long fingers are very thin, look for oval or round settings and wider bands. Short fingers look best with settings that don’t extend past the knuckle – that only accentuates the shortness of the fingers. Oval shaped stones make the hand look longer and are good choices for short fingers.

Getting ring-fit right can be tricky. To make choosing easier, use a ring-sizing chart. Take a ring that fits and place it over the nearest-sized circle. The inner edge of the ring should align with the outer edge of the circle. If the ring appears to fit between two sizes, buy the larger size.

EARRINGSEarrings for women should balance the shape of the face. Once you know her face shape, buying earrings is easy.

Oval faces can wear almost any earring style. Hoops and triangles are especially flattering. Round faces beg for longer earrings with oblong or straight styles. Avoid round and chunky earrings that sit on the ear lobe. Square faces look best in hoops, ovals and small earrings. Avoid short and chunky earrings because they can make the face look wider.

8 C O N S I D E R A T I O N Sfor Choosing Jewelry


8 C O N S I D E R A T I O N Sfor Choosing Jewelry

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cawlm 2012 gift guide

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