holiday gift guide

the times in your life

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The Animal Lover .......................Page 3

The Decorator ...........................Page 5

The Foodie ................................Page 7

The Gadget Lover .......................Page 9

The Gamer ...............................Page 11

The Health Nut .........................Page 13

The Outdoorsman .....................Page 15

For advertising rates,call (910) 692-7271

Content provided by Green Shoot Media

The PilotP.O. Box 58,

145 W. Pennsylvania AvenueSouthern Pines, NC 28388

Copyright 2012

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE | SHOPPING IDEAS FOR ...

The Animal LoverWhen shopping for animal lovers,

remember you’re shopping for their pet, too. You should look for gifts that will make both the pet and the owner happy when they open it.

A PAMPERED PETMost animal lovers treat their pets

like royalty, and you should look for gifts that do the same.

One area to consider is the place they sleep at night. High-end dog-houses or pet beds can be a great way to make them feel more cozy. You can also look for grooming products that will give them a spa-like experience — including a pleas-ant scent that should make the owner happy.

Finally, think about getting some bling. Sequined cat collars, decorated leashes and even cute clothing and pet accessories can add some sparkle to an animal’s style.

SEAT COVERSMany pet lovers won’t go anywhere

unless Fido tags along. For people who frequently travel with their pets — especially bigger animals — itmakes sense to protect their car while transporting them.

Seat covers can be a good option. Some covers are designed specifically for pets, which means they can be easily removed and cleaned. They’re also designed to protect seats from any pet stains that ordinary seat cov-ers couldn’t stop.

PHOTO GIFTSJust like human members of the

family, pets can be remembered and celebrated with photos.

Look for gifts that would look great on the mantle. Pet-related photo frames, along with customized photo gifts such as blankets and mugs, can be good options for people who can’t get enough of their pets.

You could also consider talking to a local professional photographer to see

if they offer pet photography as an option. A photo package could be a the perfect present for an owner who wants to remember their animals for-ever.

MICROCHIPPINGFinally, you can get peace of mind

by paying to have pets microchipped in case they’re ever lost.

Pets that are stolen or wander from home can be lost forever. New tech-

nology can help find them, though, if they end up at a shelter or veterinari-an’s office where their microchip is scanned. The owner’s information can then be pulled up on a computer so the pet can be reunited with them.

Most vet offices offer microchipping as a service. They will charge a one-time fee for the procedure, plus an ongoing fee that covers keeping the computer database updated. See if you can buy both the microchip and the ongoing service as a gift.

PHOTO: YURI_ARCURS / YAYMICRO.COM

People everywhere love their pets, and some people take it to an extreme. It’s easy to find someone on your Christmas shopping list who loves to pamper their pooches or coddle their cats.

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The Decorator

They can be hard to shop for, though, because they already have such a keen sense of style thatmakes most of us envious. If you know what they like, though — their favorite visual looks, their most admired artists and product lines — you can comfortably pick a gift that will satisfy even the pickiest home-decor diva.

WALL ARTThis can be one of the riskiest

gifts to give because everyone has their own definition of art, but it’s also one of the most potentiallyrewarding if you pick carefully.

In general, you’ll want to look for wall art that looks like it would be perfectly at home among the deco-rator’s existing designs. If they have lots of modern abstract paintings on the wall, you obviously won’t want to give them a picture of the French countryside.

Look for the best quality art you can find. Local artists can be a great source of original artwork that will have your area’s hometown flair, and high-quality prints can be a good option if tastefully selected andbeautifully framed.

POTTERYPottery and custom glassware can

be another fun option. Decorator vases and hand-blown art glass can add color and warmth to a room.

You’ll want to find pieces that look sturdy and handmade, even if they come from a factory. Ideally, you should give a custom piece that is truly one-of-a-kind, with slight variations in each and every piece produced.

The color, shape and glazing qual-ity should all come together for aunique, upscale look.

THE UNUSUALGood decorators don’t just copy

what they see in pictures and on TV shows. They have their own, person-al sense of style they use to create a gorgeous look that’s all their own.

That means you might have to look for unusual or antique items to surprise them.

Just like with wall art, you should look for accessories that would look perfectly at home in their existing decor. Antique shops and flea markets can be great places to shop for those quirky, impossible-to-duplicate items that decorators go wild for.

PHOTO: BERNJUER / YAYMICRO.COM

Decorators have a knack for making their world beautiful.They make it seem easy to

transform the most boring house into a work of art that’s worthy of being in magazines or on TV.


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The Country Bookshopwww.thecountrybookshop.biz

Take a break from your Holiday “ To Do” lists& enjoy a special time with your favorite authors!

Upcoming Book Signing EventsJean Reagan, author of “ How to Babysit a Grandpa”

Friday, November 23rd from 12 noon - 2 PMAnn Hambleton, author of “ Raja: Story of a Racehorse”

Saturday, November 24th from 2-4 PMDeron Hicks, author of “ The Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave”

Saturday, December 1st from 3-5 PMKathy McGougan & Buddy, the Therapy Dog, will be

at The Country Bookshop on December 8th!Give your young reader an autographed book this Christmas!

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The Foodie

If you know people who take their love of fine food to an extreme, here are some ideas for finding them the perfect Christmas gift.

UPSCALE UTENSILSPeople who love food enjoy eating

out, but they also typically enjoy experimenting with food and cooking in their own kitchen as well.

Look for high-end utensils to makea big impact under the Christmas tree. Think of very nice, upscale ver-sions of ordinary household cooking equipment such as whisks, bowls, utensils and knives. A bowl might seem boring to you, but a solid cop-per bowl can be heaven for whipping up the ideal merengue for a perfec-tionist.

TASTING EXPERIENCESLook for food-related gifts that

have to be experienced, not just items for them to open out of a box.

Gift certificates to trendy, high-end restaurants can be a great option. Look for restaurant reviews in the newspaper or online, and try to get them a seat at the most sought-afterestablishment in town.

You can also consider sending them to cooking school. Many chef training programs offer courses that are ideal for serious food.

EXOTIC INGREDIENTSSteak and potatoes might be per-

fectly fine for some people, but food-ies will want something a bit more exciting.

Look in your grocery store for spe-cialty foods that are imported from exotic countries. You may be able to find a collection of spices for Indian cuisine, for example, that are pack-aged tastefully. The harder the ingre-dients are to find, the more a foodie will appreciate them.

You also might have to look at spe-cific health food or other specialtygrocers that offer unusual ingredi-ents. Pay close attention to the expi-ration dates to make sure they will be useful well beyond Christmas.

HERB GARDENFinally, since freshness is so

important to any type of cuisine, you can give a gift that will give food lovers the freshest flavor of all: an herb garden for their own home.

Serious gardeners might use a starter kit for the outdoors, but more often you’ll find it’s helpful to give a pre-made kit that’s designed to be used either indoors in a windowsill or outdoors on the patio.

The best herb gardens will not only be useful for cooks, but they also will add a good-looking collection ofgreenery that can beautify the home.

PHOTO: MARIDAV / YAYMICRO.COM

For some people, food is an obsession. These people — commonly called foodies — don’t just enjoy a nice meal. They anticipate it,

savor it, study it and talk about it with friends.


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The Gadget Lover

Never fear. The holiday gift guide is here, and we’ve got some recommen-dations to fit any budget.

PORTABLE HARD DRIVESoftware, movies and music take

up more hard drive space with each passing year. While many of us can remember when a gigabyte of storage seemed unfathomably large, today’s computers store data on a much grander scale, often with multiple terrabytes of storage space.

Even if a computer is new, it can run low on hard-drive space when users download a lot of movies or store a lot of data.

A portable hard drive is a conve-nient solution that just about anytech lover can enjoy. It lets people store huge amounts of information — often a terabyte or more — and take it with them wherever they go. They can also make great backup drives for important files.

CONTENTGadget lovers are very particular

about what they buy. People who use Nikon cameras may scoff at Canon shooters, and vise versa. Android phone users might not consider anyother options. And let’s not even get started on the Mac vs. PC debate.

That’s why gift cards can be a good idea for technology lovers. They let people buy exactly what they want — from the right brand to the right accessories.

In addition, gift cards that let peo-ple buy content, such as apps, music or movies, can be a good option. They can be used on a wide variety of devices, including phones, tablets or computers, and are available for Apple’s iTunes or from other digital retailers, such as Amazon.com.

ROBOTIC HELPERSWhat do you get for the gadget

lover who has everything? A robot.

Today, robots have gone from imaginary creations in sci-fi movies to real-life, relatively affordable household helpers. You can get robotic devices that can help you clean your home, such as the Roomba for carpeted floors or the Mint for hard surfaces, and even find a robotic lawn-mower to cut the grass.

Robotic floor cleaners range from around $200 to $600 and can be found in awide variety of retailers and electronics stores.

PHOTO: ZHU_ZHU / YAYMICRO.COM

Some people are always on the cutting edge. From computers, cell phones and cameras to music players and TVs, gad-

get lovers can be some of the most difficult — and expensive — people to shop for.



The GamerWhether on exclusive platforms like

the Sony Playstation, Microsoft Xbox or the Nintendo Wii, or on cus-tom-built gaming PCs, here are some ideas for shopping for the most hard-core game lovers.

ADD-ONSVideo game systems have come a

long way from the days of simple joy-sticks. Today you can buy all sorts of add-ons that make the gaming experi-ence more immersive.

Extra controllers are always a plus, but if you really want to wow the gamer, take a closer look at what accessories are offered for their favor-ite gaming system. Different devices

can make the games more interactive and the simulators more realistic, tak-ing their gaming experience to a whole new level.

SPEAKERSWhile people who love video games

will obsess over the most intricate graphics details and want the latest and greatest in 3D special effects, the sound in a video game is more often overlooked.

That’s a mistake. Audio — especially rich, powerful, bass-filled audio — can play a big role in how enjoyable and realistic a game can be.

Consider giving a powerful home theater system to a person who uses

game consoles, and look for high-quality PC speakers for the com-puter gamers.

PORTABLE PLAYERSToday’s video games aren’t limited

to the home. Systems with powerful graphics and popular titles can fit in the palm of your hand.

Look for a portable version of their favorite video game system. It’s important to keep in mind what their favorite specific game titles are, too, and look for a portable version that lets them enjoy their top games in a portable format. Each system offers a different lineup of games — some more thorough than others — so shop

carefully and get good advice from a local retailer.

GAME COMPUTERMany of today’s most popular video

games won’t run smoothly on any ordinary computer. They work best when the computer has been opti-mized for high speed and excellent graphics.

To thrill any gamer on your list, think about splurging on a brand-new computer. It’s best to get a computer that’s already customized specifically for gaming — including with an advanced graphics card and ample memory — so that it can run new games right out of the box.

PHOTO: LOVLEAH / YAYMICRO.COM

Today’s video games aren’t just for kids. Serious gamers can come in all ages and can make their gaming hobby into a whole lifestyle.


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The Health Nut

If there’s someone in your life who gets excit-ed about their latest workout routine and is always careful about what foods and vitamins they put in their body, here are some ideas for crossing them off your Christmas list:

WATER BOTTLESNo matter what kind of exercise people do,

one thing is always required: hydration. Water bottles may seem like a small gift, but

they can make a big difference to a person who constantly finds themselves having to hand-wash a new bottle because they use them sooften during workouts.

Look for aluminum or other types of metal bottles that are free of any harmful chemicals. If possible, find bottles that can be customized with a special design or saying that matches thehealth nut’s personality.

FITNESS GADGETSThere is no shortage of fitness-related gadgets

designed for people who want to track and share their exercise routines.

Watches are one good example. While they used to be simple devices for telling time, there are plenty of high-tech wristwatches designed specifically for people who love to exercise. Not only are they durable enough for intense work-outs, but they also have special functions for tracking distance run, calories burned or mea-suring your health metrics.

Pay close attention to the features list, because every device is different. Some are more trusted and reliable than others, so look online for reviews of the top products on the market.

HEADPHONESA staple of the modern workout rou-

tine, headphones are a critical part of most people’s morning exercise. Whether hooked up to their phone or MP3 player, or plugged into a tread-mill at the gym, the quality andcomfort of a good set of head-phones will be appreciated by any health nut.

There are lots of different styles, but in general you’ll want one that’s lightweight and designed for active use — not just sitting in a chair.

People can be picky about their favorite brands and styles of headphones. Some people love the tiny earbuds, for example, while others find them annoying. Try to feel the recipient out ahead of time to see what kind works best for them.

GYM TIMEFinally, a gym membership is the obvious gift

for a health nut that doesn’t have one already.Many gyms offer membership plans that

can be given as gifts. It’s also ideal for fitting different size Christmas budgets, ranging from a few inexpensive day passes to a full-featured annual membership at an exclusive gym with a personal trainer.

There are plenty of options. Shop wisely, and you’ll help your favorite health nut get even healthier.

PHOTO: STOCKYIMAGES / YAYMICRO.COM

While many Americans are content to sit on the couch and watch “American Idol” re-runs on TV, there’s a group that has a

much better idea: the health nuts among us.


This Holiday Season…

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Sign up for The Pilot’s EZ Pay Program andnever worry about your bill again.The Pilot’s EZ Pay program is an automatic subscription option that charges your credit card with the plan you select. EZ Pay ensures uninterrupted coverage of all Moore County news, entertainment, events and sports you need to know.

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The OutdoorsmanShopping for the outdoorsman, though, can

be harder than buying any knickknack that hap-pens to come in camouflage. Here are some ideas that any outdoor lover could appreciate seeing under the Christmas tree.

KNIVESThe simplest but most important tool for

most nature lovers is the knife.Don’t be fooled, though. Not all knives are the

same. In fact, knives are designed to do all kinds of different jobs, so even people who have a whole collection of blades can still use a newone that accomplishes a different task.

You’ll need to do some homework before you buy a knife to make sure you’re not duplicating something the recipient already owns. One good buck knife can be enough to last a hunter a life-time, but it might not be so good at, say, clean-ing a fish or cutting a rope. Look for one that can help the outdoorsman do something better, which means getting a high-quality knifedesigned to do one specific thing very well.

BACKPACKMost people already own a backpack, but is it

a good one?The same style backpacks that children use to

carry their books isn’t likely to last long in the harsh conditions of Mother Nature. A quality backpack made from long-lasting, lightweight materials with strong zippers and straps will stand up longer.

A high-end backpack will cost more than the cheap nylon ones on the school-supply aisle, but its better construction and smarter engi-neering will be appreciated in the woods some-day.

AMMOOutdoorsmen often love their guns, and what

do guns need? Ammunition.People who like to shoot

are also very partic-ular about the types of ammo they want, so you should ask them about it ahead of time. The brand, caliber, case, point style and powder load will all matter to gun owners, so be precise when buying..

SUNGLASSESSpending time outdoors means dealing

with the sunshine, and a good pair of polarized sunglasses can be a thought-ful gift for the outdoorsman.

Look for quality lenses, durability and perhaps camouflage frames.

WARMTHFinally, considering how many

people love to hunt, camp and hike even when it’s freezing out-side, look for any gifts that can help keep them warm.

Blankets, boots and hand warmers are all good choices that will actually be used on frigid nights. There are even some new options, like electronically warmed shoe inserts, that can harness technology to keep people comfortable.

PHOTO: DNSPHOTOGRAPHY / YAYMICRO.COM

Plenty of people like escaping to thegreat outdoors for hiking, camping, fishing or other natural adventures.


Call 910-246-1008 for lunch & a tour.

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