Listen, deep down I believe we really aren't the materialistic, gluttonous monsters we sometimes seem to be at this time of year. So, trusting we will all remember the spirit of the season, I've rounded up some shopping ideas, my favorite holiday goodie recipe, and a few activities that will remind you of the season's less commercial side.
Enjoy.
An Outlet for Your Shopping Need
Let's face it, if you've gotta shop, you've gotta shop, and most shoppers pride themselves on bargain hunting. Ohio has bargain malls a-plenty, also known as outlet stores. Take your naughty-and-nice list to any of these, and shop 'til you've saved a bundle:
On Columbus' east side, the Brice Outlet Mall includes 40 off-price and outlet stores;
Prime Outlets at Lodi, just off I-71 north of Medina, boasts 80+ stores;
Further south along I-71 (midway between Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton) you'll find Ohio's largest outlet center, Prime Outlets at Jeffersonville I. If its 100+ manufacturer outlet stores aren't enough, travel four more miles south to find Prime Outlets Jeffersonville II, with 15 more stores to be shopped.
Near Cleveland the former "Aurora Farms" shopping outlet has transformed itself into an upscale outlet mall (ONLY in America!). You'll find Aurora Premium Outlets off SR 43 in Aurora, about 30 minutes southeast of Cleveland.
More shopping ideas, from boutique and specialty items to the standby mall options, can be found at this link on the Ohio Tourism website: http://www.ohiotourism.com/discover/focu...
My advice: as long as you're at the Ohio Tourism site, find something to do BESIDES shop.
Seasonal Activities That Don't Require a Credit Card
Yes, Virginia, there's more to life than the mall. When your December 'activity list' is limited to a shopping list, you're missing out on a LOT of fun. Unplug yourself from the shop-til-you-drop mentality and see what else you can find to do. For starters...
...Try a cool-weather visit to the zoo! Seasonal decorations add interest to zoo grounds, and some animals are livelier now than they are in warmer months. All of Ohio's zoos are open year 'round. Some even discount admission during cooler months.
...State and local parks offer activities like sleigh rides and winter hikes that celebrate the season.
...Find artistic inspiration: hit a hiking trail armed with a sketchpad and pencil, a camera, or both. The winter woods have always inspired me to charcoal drawing or black-and-white film, but if you look closely, you'll see many colors even in the dormant forest. Many Ohio birds stick around all year, and are easy to spot with the leaves off the trees.
...Go caroling! A professionally-trained voice is not required, but enthusiasm is a must. Gather some friends or family and go surprise your neighbors. Only the scroogiest will miss the point.
Most of these events will give your wallet a rest while you get some exercise and fresh air in the process. So, when you get back home, you can enjoy a nibble of holiday chocolate. (See how neatly I made that transition?)
Easy Peppermint Treats
You'll need:
White chocolate disks or bark (for candy-making), about 1/2 pound)
About 20 peppermint disk candies or 10 candy canes
----------
Crush the peppermint candy into bits (not dust). I find the best way to do this is to put the candies in a heavy plastic bag, and use a rolling pin to smash 'em to bits. (This is a great stress reliever after too long at the mall) Melt chocolate in a double boiler, or in the microwave. If using the microwave, be sure to stir it every minute; it sure can burn quickly!
Cover the cookie tray with wax paper and spread the chocolate on the paper, about 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. Immediately drop the candy pieces on top of the chocolate.
Put the tray in the frig for about 2 hours. Once it's hard, you can break it into pieces and place it on a serving tray or put it in a jar for a festive gift-treat. (Note: if you prefer regular-shaped pieces, simply score the chocolate on the cookie sheet while still tacky; then you can break it into square or rectangular pieces.)
Enjoy!
Got a recipe to share? Start a discussion!
Do you have trouble enjoying holiday food in moderation? Do you worry about how you look so much it takes the fun out of holiday parties and gatherings? Life is too short for that! You CAN conquer your self-image and be happier...check out the very positive (and affordable!) "Building a Better Body Image" course right here:
Featured Course: Building Better Body Image |
Go To Page: 1
