FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com december 5, 2013 • holiday • The Quens Courier 27 pre-holiday guide Last minute? Tips to handle your shopping list Do you find yourself in the last-minute-gift-buying category this year? Maybe time got away from you, or you just don’t know what to get for the gift recipients on your list. Even though the clock is ticking, the good news is there’s still time to find great gifts with special deals attached. Shopping online will help you accomplish finding all those last-minute gifts you still need. You can glean ideas through online searches, and then find those gifts in multiple Donations help make Thanksgiving happy BY MAGGIE HAYES [email protected] Union members gave food pantries and various charities another reason to be thankful this year after donating over 200 turkeys. The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Local Union 338 donated to sites citywide, including Our Lady of Grace in Howard Beach. “Through the efforts of Local 338, many of my constituents and their families had a turkey dinner this Thanksgiving,” said State Senator Joseph Addabbo. “I am thankful that Local 338 understands that there still remain a large number of families within my district still affected by Superstorm Sandy.” Union members additionally delivered donations to Project Hospitality on Staten Island, St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Nassau County, St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Nassau County and The Sharing Community in Yonkers. “Reliance on local charities and food pantries has significantly increased and we are proud to make these donations to help hundreds of families in our communities have a wonderful Thanksgiving,” said John Durso, Local 338 president. CK gets in the spirit BY LIAM LA GUERRE [email protected] Christ the King is getting into the Christmas spirit. The school will host a week of Christmas events, starting with its annual tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, December 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. At the tree lighting there will be an indoor Winter Wonderland, filled with bouncy houses, games, activities, hot chocolate and cookies. “We are proud to bring together a variety of fun filled activities to celebrate the Christmas season,” said Michael Michel, president of Christ the King. The CK Musical Theatre Club and the Middle Village Preparatory’s Drama Club will open a five-show run of “A Christmas Carol, the Musical” on Friday, December 6. Then CTK Kids, which is the daycare and preschool, will host a Christmas party for children on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The school will also host its annual blood drive with the New York Blood Center on Thursday, December 12th, beginning at 8 a.m. “The Christmas season is a time for sharing and celebration,” said Serphin Maltese, chair of the Christ the King Board of Trustees. “We at Christ the King invite the members of our community to join us in kicking off the Christmas season, which is sure to be filled with fun and merriment for all.” Photo courtesy of Christ the King High School Christ the King will kick off the Christmas season with its annual tree lighting ceremony and various events. s stores without having to leave your house. Here are some tips to make online shopping work for you: • Ideas aplenty: If you have a teenager on your list, try searching for technology for teens to help you find unique tech toys that will fit your budget and put a smile on the recipient’s face. Do the same kind of searches for everyone on your list, using phrases like “gift ideas for,” “senior,” “mother,” “youth,” “hands on,” or “crafty.” If the recipient has a specific hobby, search for gift ideas related to that hobby and you might discover the perfect gift. • Compare and save: Once you have an idea, there’s a good chance several vendors will have it available for sale. It’s much easier to view several websites giving product details at once than to drive from store to store in the winter weather and take copious notes. Things to check out when making comparisons: Cost, shipping cost, speed of shipping, gift wrapping availability and the company’s return policy. • Coupons and discounts: Once you find the store that offers you the best deals on the gifts you’ve chosen, get further discounts through Ebates.com, which gives you cash back on your purchases. For example, if you decide to purchase an outdoor adventure gift from REI for your camping-loving brother, you will receive a check at the end of the quarter for 3 percent of your purchase. That’s in addition to any coupons or discount codes for free shipping Ebates.com can give you for your purchase. • Shipped in the nick of time: Online retailers will advise you the last recommended date to ship to have your gift arrive in time for the holiday and also advise you on any additional charges that may be required for next-day delivery. As mentioned before, some retailers provide gift-wrapping services, so you only need to complete the purchase transaction, lean back, relax, and know that your gift will arrive in time for Santa to come down the chimney. Don’t let your last minute timing have you in the giftgiving dog house this holiday season. But don’t delay any longer. Boot up your computer, lean back in your chair and start checking off the people on your gift-giving list. — Courtesy ARA
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