Be prepared for the cold with the help of First Federal of Greene County! With a home improvement or home equity loan, you can finally make those needed upgrades. Keep the cold out and keep the warm and cozy in your home. Apply anytime online!
Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers
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Bill C. “I suffered for 8 years with horrible neuropathy pains and struggling with no sleep. After completing the program, I have NO more neuropathy symptoms and I’m sleeping through the night.”
Karen S. “I suffered for close to 3 years and thought I would end up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I am 90% better and so happy I have my life back.”
This holiday season, the Observer-Reporter, the Herald-Standard and the Dominion Post are more committed than ever to supporting locally-owned businesses. Our local businesses contribute directly to our economy and are an essential part of what makes our communities unique. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and a leading source of job creation.
The discounts in this coupon book represent just some of the members of the BeLocal Network, which was created to support regional independent businesses and provide the public with a way to support them year-round. You can visit this platform at BeLocal. net to view all participating members and see their exclusive discounts.
BeLocal discount cards are still free! Just reach out to us to get your card and enjoy access to exclusive discounts offered by your favorite local shops. These discounts can change monthly, and you can view them anytime on BeLocal.net.
Your support helps this network grow and educates our community about the importance of spending close to home. This holiday season, we encourage everyone to reach out for a free discount card and support our vibrant local businesses while benefiting from these exclusive offers.
We wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
Robert Pinarski Publisher - The Observer-Reporter Carole DeAngelo Director of Multi-Market Advertising and Events
BeLocal Discount Cards
You don’t need a BeLocal discount card to use the coupons from the book (unless specified in the ad), but you will need one to receive the discounts from all the BeLocal members moving forward.
BeLocal discount cards are FREE!
You can pick one up at the Observer-Reporter, Herald-Standard or the Dominion Post newspaper offices or click contact us on the belocal.net website and fill out the form.
Fayette & Greene Counties Pages 7-15
Monongalia County
Washington & Southern Allegheny Counties
Pages 17-20 Pages 21-31
Bays available for rent now!
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business working sessions, private parties, and birthday parties. Call us today and let us know how we can accommodate your next visit.
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PREPARE FOR SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Small Business Saturday® occurs on the Saturday following American Thanksgiving. Nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for holiday shoppers to patronize local businesses on a weekend when national chains and online retailers tend to dominate shoppers’ itineraries.
Founded in 2010 by American Express and cosponsored by the Small Business Administration, Small Business Saturday is now an international initiative that encourages consumers to visit local stores, restaurants and other independent establishments to help bolster local economies. Small businesses are essential to the country, and employ a significant percentage of the American and Canadian workforce.
Since 2010, the total reported U.S. spending at small businesses during the annual Small Business Saturday is an estimated $201 billion. Communities can prepare for the arrival of SBS this holiday season in the following ways.
· Promote participation. Participating businesses should alert the public that they will be involved in SBS through local outreach, social media posts, marketing emails, and other avenues to generate excitement and exposure. Businesses also can download free marketing materials from https://www.americanexpress.com/us/ merchant/shop-small/materials.html, including the Shop Small® logo.
· Offer incentives and deals. Small businesses can offer special discounts and incentives that are exclusive to SBS, which may include BOGO deals or gift-withpurchase incentives to further entice shoppers.
· Create specialized bundles. Business owners can group complementary products or services together into holiday bundles to increase the perceived value and encourage shoppers to spend more. Beauty supply retailers, for example, can put together a specialized hair care bundle that may include shampoo, conditioner, heat protectant, and finishing spray.
· Enhance the business atmosphere. This is the time to make sure the business is inviting and in good repair. Decorating the storefront with festive items is only part of the package. It is key for business owners to ensure that the space is clean, welcoming and well-stocked. Investing in small event features, such as free snacks or live music, can engage customers and keep them in the business longer.
· Prepare your business operations. This is the time for businesses to have plenty of staff on hand to handle large crowds. Choosing customer service personnel who are outgoing and friendly can help drive sales and make a great first impression on new customers.
Small Business Saturday is an important time for local business owners to establish their footing in the community and drive sales at the start of the holiday season.
Courtesy of Metro Creative
UNIQUE PLACES FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Although the holiday season is a relatively brief period, it still can consume months of time in regard to preparation, shopping and hosting. According to a SWNS Digital survey of 2,000 adults in the United States, the average American spends six weeks preparing for the holiday season. Five weeks are devoted to planning presents, meals and other essentials, while an entire week is just for decorating. Shopping for presents can consume a lot of time, especially for those who aren’t quite sure what to get. Thinking outside of the typical retail box may help with inspiration, and shoppers may encounter smaller crowds and find better deals. Here are some unique places to shop to grab great holiday gifts.
· Pharmacies: While you’re picking up your prescription or medicine cabinet essentials, take a spin around the store to see what else might be available. Typically, pharmacies have entire aisles dedicated to seasonal merchandise, so you might be able to find holiday decorations, gift wrap, candles, pampering items, and even food-related items and gift baskets.
· Farmer’s market: Farmer’s markets pop up in towns on set days of the week. Although plenty of farm-related produce and plants are available, these markets also attract many other small businesses. You can find craftsmen, jewelry makers, niche food sellers, and so much more.
· School (or church) bazaar: In an effort to raise funds for the PTA or other organizations, schools and churches often host holiday fairs and bazaars right before the holidays. Area businesses rent table space and set up booths with an array of different products for sale. This is a great spot to grab interesting finds all under one roof. Plus, you’re supporting the local community in the process.
· Home improvement retailer: Plenty of people will appreciate practical gifts that they can use in and around the home. A visit to a hardware store or home improvement retailer offers up aisles of essentials for the do-it-yourselfer. While new shelving for the garage or a set of flashlights may not be the most glamorous gifts, these items can come in handy.
· Craft store: Cater to recipients’ favorite hobbies by ensuring they’ll be flush with plenty of supplies. Craft stores have a bevy of items for every interest imaginable. They’re also surprisingly good places to grab deals on picture frames, housewares, foodmaking supplies, and decorative items.
• Specialty food store: Head to small specialty food stores to load up on unique items larger supermarkets might not carry. Ethnic markets may have flavorful and interesting ingredients to group together in a food basket that makes an ideal gift for transplants missing the flavors of home.
Before a person logs on to the internet for online shopping or heads to the nearest strip mall, he or she can explore various unique places to shop for holiday gifts.
Courtesy of Metro Creative
BUDGET-FRENDLY HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS
Holiday shopping and entertaining involve a whirlwind of activity to round out the end of the year. The holiday season also tends to be an expensive time of year. According to Capital One Shopping, the average spending for holiday travel, gifts and entertainment expenses is $1,638. The National Retail Federation says American consumers spend an average of $997.73 on gifts and other holiday items each Christmas.
For some people, adding an additional $1,000 to their November or December budgets can be challenging, and many individuals seek budget-friendly solutions for their holiday celebrations. The following guidelines can help corral spending this year.
Set a budget
It’s impossible to keep a budget if one is never established in the first place. Determine how much you can comfortably spend on gifts, travel and entertaining, as well as any other holiday expenses. Once the number is calculated, divvy up spending accordingly.
Plan your list
Make a list of everyone you need to purchase gifts for, along with gift ideas and estimated costs. Set a dollar amount for each individual, particularly if you will not be spending the same amount on each person. Having numbers in black and white, and comparing them to what you have allocated for gifts, will enable you to see whether you are overspending or on budget.
Shop early
Begin holiday shopping as early as possible, even months before the holidays arrive. Such an approach
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enables you to take advantage of sales as they come up. Also, you will not fall victim to impulse buys or last-minute purchases because you are under a time crunch.
Track spending
Utilize whatever method works for you to keep apprised of spending. It may be jotting down numbers on a piece of paper or using a budgeting app on a smartphone. Having a clear idea of what you have spent and any dollars remaining will help you keep your overall spending in line with your budgeted amount.
Get coupons
Signing up for stores’ loyalty programs can enable you to receive members-only coupons or digital codes to your phone or email. Compare the discounted final price with other stores’ offers to make sure that you are getting the best deals. Browser extensions also can search automatically for coupons and apply them to the checkout when online shopping.
Use credit cards wisely
Credit cards come with various perks, many of which are points or cash back accumulated with each purchase. Utilize a card that works best for your needs, whether it’s to get airline miles or score extra spending money for a particular retailer. Only charge what you can pay in full when the bill arrives; otherwise, the benefits may be negated by high interest rates.
Holiday spending can derail financial plans for those who do not establish a firm budget and commit to spending wisely towards the end of the year.
Courtesy of Metro Creative
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LET CHARITABLE GIFTS SPREAD JOY AND BENEFIT MORE THAN JUST RECIPIENTS
Charitable giving increases significantly in the months surrounding the holidays. Approximately one-third of annual giving happens in December, and 10 percent of all giving occurs in the last three days of the year, according to Charities Aid Foundation America. The surge in donations typically occurs with people’s desire to spread holiday cheer, enjoy tax advantages and help people in the community, says Nonprofit Source.
Some people are compelled to donate in the name of another person. Here are some ideas for charitable holiday gifts that benefit many.
Donate in someone’s name
To honor a loved one who may be living or deceased, or who fought an illness and won, you can donate to a nonprofit in the name of that loved one. Many charities offer printable or physical cards to let the recipient know a donation has been made in his or her name.
Giving back through gifts
Certain products purchased feature proceeds that go toward a charitable cause. For example, every purchase of TOMS® shoes helps fund mental health access and community development, while the body care products from Thistle Farms are made by women survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Other products may help feed the hungry or support cancer patients.
Supporting animals
A symbolic animal adoption can support conservation efforts around the world. Making a donation to the World Wildlife Fund in someone’s name, for example, enables you to get a plushie, certificate and information on the animal the contribution will be helping.
Fair trade gifts
Making a purchase of fair trade items means you’re often buying handmade and ethically sourced goods. These gifts support artisans in developing countries and help fund community projects. Gift recipients can feel pride in ownership of an item that was designed and purchased with the greater good in mind.
Charity gift cards
Charitable gift cards, like those available from TisBest Charity and CharityChoice, let the gift recipient choose which nonprofit will receive the funds.
Support special businesses
Offer gift cards or take people to dine or shop at businesses that support those with special needs. For example, No Limits Cafe in New Jersey is a full-service restaurant that trains and employs adults with intellectual disabilities. Dining there will help to continue to support these important efforts to give every employee a sense of pride and purpose.
Charitable gifts make a recipient feel special and can make many additional people feel good as well.
Courtesy of Metro Creative
EXPERIENTIAL GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST
Gift exchanges are a hallmark of the holiday season. Individuals spend weeks making lists and shopping for items they believe recipients will appreciate. However, this holiday season shoppers may want to change up their gift-buying strategy to focus less on material offerings and more on experiences.
A recent survey from Get Your Guide found 92 percent of Americans prefer to receive an experience over a physical gift during the holiday season. In addition, Deloitte’s 2024 survey of more than 4,000 consumers in the United States found that spending on experiences during the holidays is expected to rise by 16 percent year-over-year, reaching an average of $735.
Experiential gifts place value on memories and emotional connections rather than objects. As people increasingly are drawn to these special moments, here’s a look at experiential gifts for everyone on a holiday shopping list.
Parents and grandparents
Experiential gifts for older adults are beneficial because they won’t add to the clutter or belongings such individuals have already accumulated throughout the years. Useful ideas include memberships to museums, entry to botanical gardens, culinary tastings, travel vouchers, and subscriptions to wellness classes.
Teens and young adults
Teens are big on experiences over material gifts. According to TD Bank’s 2024 survey, Gen Z leads the trend in experience-first gifting, with 68 percent
FLOUR & FEED EVENTS
preferring experiences. Examples of good experiential gifts for this demographic include escape room experiences, concert tickets, adventure sports like indoor rock climbing, subscription services to streaming music, or movie passes.
Children and families
Families already may be out and about, and parents of young children may appreciate experiences more than additional toys and games that are already filling the house. Annual passes to zoos, museums or aquariums can keep families occupied year-round. Children might like a science or art workshop, while movie night gift cards and tickets to family shows also are viable gift options.
Special partners
Experiences can strengthen relationships and intimacy. Possible gift ideas include spa days, cooking classes for two, a weekend travel getaway, or tickets to a theater performance or concert. The Amex Trendex 2024 survey found that 38 percent of people plan to give an experience to a significant other.
Experiential gifts focus on fun, creating memories and reducing waste. Such gifts also tend to be more economical in the long run. The holidays are often filled with excess, and experiential gifts can put the focus back on joy and spending time together.
Courtesy of Metro Creative
TAKE A BITE OF THESE HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR FOODIES
Food-related gifts are popular come the holiday season. According to Packaged Facts’ NovemberDecember 2023 report on consumer and corporate food gifting in the United States, 50 percent of consumers had purchased food gifts for others over the 12-month report period, and 65 percent had purchased food gifts for themselves. The holidays of Chanukah and Christmas are particularly popular for giving food gifts, with nearly half of all food gifts purchased during these holiday seasons.
For a dedicated foodie in one’s life, a gift that tempts the palate can be rewarding. There are delectable gifts of all flavors for the culinary-minded. Explore these possibilities when building holiday shopping lists.
Aspiring cook
Preparing meals at home allows cooks to customize flavors to meet their personal needs. Experimenting with recipes and perfecting
Tempting sweets
Cooks and bakers typically fall into two distinctive camps. Baking is an art that marries creativity with science. If a foodie delights in all things sweet, focus on gifts that cater to their sugar-laden passions. Baking essentials like a stand mixer, silicone baking mats, cookie cutters, professional-grade pans, and gourmet ingredients are sure to please. Don’t underestimate the appeal of beautifully packaged candies, chocolates, cookie bars, or even specialty coffees and liqueurs when gifting food.
Global palate
Some foodies love nothing more than sampling cuisines from all around the world. While you might not be able to offer a ticket to every far-flung region, you certainly can gift flavors from these countries with a well curated gift. Think international snack boxes, a collection of sauces from different areas, unique condiments, or food baskets brimming with items from a particular country or region.
High-class dining
Some food lovers seemingly have everything. In such cases, a bottle of wine or another favorite liquor as well as a gift certificate to a local four-star restaurant might be the icing on the cake for gifting. Ultimately the best gifts for foodies are those that recognize their passion for palate-tempting treats. Courtesy of Metro Creative
Holiday Food Drive
Benefiting the Community Circle Food Pantry
70 East Beau Street, Washington, PA
All donations accepted, but items most needed are:
Gravy (jar or packet)
Cake Mix (any flavor)
Frosting
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing Mix
Canned Sweet Potatoes
Marshmallows
Canned Green Beans
Cream of Mushroom Soup
French Fried Onions
Cornbread Mix
Canned Corn
Cranberries
Cookie Mix
Candy Canes
Cereal
Monetary donations for the Community Circle Food Pantry will also be accepted and matched by
All donations accepted at the retail counter at McKean Plumbing & Heating through December 15, 2025
468 West Chestnut Street Washington, PA 15301
Together, we can make sure no one in our community goes hungry.
The holidays are very hectic. Maybe we can help by taking some of the stress of preparing your holiday parties with full or half trays of some of your favorites from Angelo’s. We prepare these items and give them to you on December 24th, cold and ready to nish in your home oven. Our entire party tray list (online) is available, but here are the most popular items ordered; every year.
pan of chicken romano, piccata or marsala ........ 30 pieces $200 half pan $100 pan of lasagna and sauce ............................................. $200 half pan $100 pan of meatballs 50 count .............................................. $100 half pan $50 pan of rigatoni ................................................................. $100 half pan $50
pan of hot sausage with 2 dozen rolls.......$100 half pan with 1 dozen rolls $50 pan of green salad with 2 dressings and bread ............... $75 half pan $40
hot wings 100 pieces ............................................................................. $125 pan of cajun pasta salad ................................................ $100 half pan $50 grilled vegetables half pan .............................................. $100 half pan $50 atbread kits roll it out and bake it fresh at home ............................... $10 mushrooms with crabmeat 25 count .................................................... $75 walnut farina torte or tiramisu whole pan ........................................... $60 meat and cheese trays with fruit and crostini for 10-12 ....................... $75
