What’s Old is New for him pg 11 Perfect Pets pg 23
Host with the Most pg 27
Stocking Stuffers pg 31
Eco-Friendly Gifts pg 35 For the Kids pg 39 Home for the Holidays pg 43
Oh, Christmas Tree
How to Select the Perfect Holiday Tree!
Help & Hope
The Magazine of Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Hartford
The Ultimate Gift of Love, an adoption story.
Ready for Kindergarten and Lift, A look at the Early Childhood Program
Helping Students Realize Their Potential, Matthew 25
Scholarship Program
Let the Merrymaking Begin
Tips for lessoning the stress and strengthening the traditions
Monarch Jewelers annual catalog with a spotlight on the jewelry and gifts in their new 4,000 square foot showroom.
Westfarms, Unwrapped Holiday 2012 Gift Guide. Timeless. Inspired. Irresistible.
Happy Holidays to you – our very loyal readers and subscribers from over the years... and to those of you receiving DAZZLE for the first time, thank you for welcoming us into your home.
DAZZLE is full of wonderful “wrap-it-and-tie-it-with-a-bow” gift ideas AND it also includes a few suggestions for how to give back to the community and/or help those less fortunate this holiday season. Please consider ALL kinds of gift giving this season!
Thank you for your support and we hope you find time to visit many of our advertisers and featured merchants – and tell them you were DAZZLED!
Looking forward to 2013 ... Please have a safe, happy and healthy Holiday Season!
Thomas P. Hickey II, Publisher
P.S. Periodically you will receive custom publications from us as a perk for subscribing and as a thank you for your loyalty as a faithful reader.
This Chanukah, help us share the light with everyone, young and old. Together we can ensure that community programs and activities that build Jewish identity remain vibrant and strong. And we can fight poverty, hunger and despair right now. Share the light. Donate. Volunteer. Make a difference.
www.JewishHartford.org
Black Sequin Blazer ($178) by MM Couture at Lyn Evans & Crystal
Studded Sweater ($330) by Alice & Olivia at Silkworm, West Hartford Center. GoinG
($178) by BCBG Max Azria at Kimberly Boutique, West Hartford Center.
by Olivia Engle at Artichoke, West Hartford Center.
($195) by BCBG Max Azria at Kimberly Boutique, West Hartford Center.
($228) by Alberto Makali at Lyn Evans, West Hartford Center.
($158) by West Hill Studio at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center.
($165) by Jeffrey Campbell at Kimberley Boutique, West Hartford Center. with Royal Blue Moonstone and diamonds, 18k gold ($5,800) by Temple St. Claire at Lux Bond & Green, West Hartford Center.
($48) by Lilly Pulitzer at Silkworm & ($110) by Elegantly Waisted at Kimberly Boutique, West Hartford Center.
Blue Velvet Bow Tie ($87) by Dion at Daswani, West Hartford Center.
($71) by Marcoliani Milano at Daswani, West Hartford Center.
($389) by SALT and ($1679) by Hoffman Horn at SIGHT, West Hartford Center.
($170) by Bench Craft at Daswani, West Hartford Center.
($45), ($40) ($40) at Crate and Barrel, Blue Back Square.
($75) by Bellemonde at SPIN Monograms & Gifts, Blue Back Square.
($120) by Begg Scotland at Daswani, West Hartford Center.
($295) by M-Clip at Daswani, West Hartford Center.
($788) by TwinLuxe at ahalife.com.
h, Christmas Tree…
How to Select the Perfect holiday Tree!
by Lisa Lelas
Container Trees for Planting:
Perhaps this is the year for selecting a live tree, with its root ball, so that you can plant it in your yard after the holiday season to enjoy for many years ahead! Before choosing a live tree, you must first determine exactly where the tree will be planted outdoors after the season passes. Once you decide on its permanent spot, remember to pre-dig a hole two times as wide as the root ball, and equal to, or slightly less than the depth of the root ball.
Most fresh/live trees are available in containers or balled in burlap. Best choices, as recommended by the Gledhill Christmas Tree Lot in West Hartford, are the Balsam Fir, Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, or Omorika Spruce.
If you are purchasing one of these trees this year, make sure you choose a tree with fresh green needles. When you bring the tree home, keep it outside and give it plenty of water. On an outside porch is a fine location. Ideally, you should only bring the tree indoors a few days prior to Christmas (trees actually only survive a few days indoors). Continue to give your tree plenty of water. Container trees can still appear just as festive in your living room by simply adding a large tree skirt around the entire root ball. Gledhill offers a huge selection of tree skirts in various sizes and colors.
After the holiday festivities, plant the tree in the pre-dug hole. Adding an amendment, such as Fafard compost or planting mix, will help establish the tree.
Fresh Cut Trees:
If you and your family are opting for a fresh cut tree to take home, Balsam and Frasier Fir trees are the most popular and durable. For best results, make sure the tree you purchase is local to your region of the country. All Gledhill fresh cut trees, for example, are grown in the Northeast, so they haven’t spent many days or weeks on a hauler truck.
Give the needles a snap test, whereby you bend a needle on a tree to see if it ‘snaps’ easily, indicating it’s a freshly cut tree. A fresh cut off the bottom of the tree will allow it to take up water and remain fresh longer. When you get home, place the tree in a fresh supply of water. Adding Pro-Long or Fresh-Cut (infused with pine scent) will extend the life of your cut tree.
Another recommended product is Wilt-Pruf, which helps extend the life of fresh garlands and wreaths. Always follow the directions on the product label. n
Dogs ($50) by Tim Flach at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center.
($25 each) by Joseph Hassan at ahalife.com.
($22) at Pet Supplies Plus, Bishops Corner.
($25) at Create & Barrel, Blue Back Square.
($50) by Tim Flach at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center.
Involve your children and grandchildren in philanthropy to support chari es and causes important to you
Ifyouarelookingtomakeadi erenceinthecommunity, lettheJewishCommunityFounda on guide you. We are heretoassistyouinachievingyourpersonalcharitable goalsinthemosttax-advantagedmanner.Whetheryou wanttofeedthehungry,educatechildren,protectour seniorsornourishthearts,wecanhelp. For more informa on, please contact:
Hostwith the Most
Farmhouse Cheese Knife Set ($30) & Bali Dark Placemat ($7 each) at Crate & Barrel, Blue Back Square. Balcon du Guadalquirir Fine China by Hermes at Lux Bond & Green, West Hartford Center. Rustic Playing Cards ($25) at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center.
($270) by Love Quotes at Silkworm, West Hartford Center.
($32 each) at Comina, West Hartford Center.
($25) by Bella Gusta, West Hartford Center.
($24-$28) by Alex & Ani at Monarch Jewelers, Farmington.
($50) by Michel Dovaz at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center.
($25) at Crate & Barrel, Blue Back Square.
($9 - $22) by Milk at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center.
($50) at Crate & Barrel, Blue Back Square.
stockinG
stuffers
Crystal & Pearl Wrap
Bracelets ($75 each) by Olivia Engel at Artichoke, West Hartford Center.
($22 - $35) by JoJo Loves at Lyn Evans, West Hartford Center.
($95) by LaLoop & Round “Braun” Glasses ($389) by SALT at SIGHT, West Hartford Center.
($10) by Nouvella at Kimberly Boutique, West Hartford Center.
(price upon request) by Caro 74 at Monarch Jewelers, Farmington.
($98) by Vera Bradley at Silkworm, West Hartford Center.
($15 each) by Duality Cosmetics (dualitycosmetics.com) at Ulta Beauty
($20) at Crate & Barrel, Blue Back Square.
each) by Dirty Dan Soaps at dirtydansoaps.com.
Tresham™
Eco-friendly
($336) at Comina, West Hartford Center.
($36) and ($24) hand-made by Why a Spoon? at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center. 1. 2. 3.
($5 each) at Comina, West Hartford Center.
with recycled ceiling tiles ($118) at Comina, West Hartford Center. 4.
made
from the Amazonian jungle (starting at $32) by Rahua at ahalife.com.
($24 set of 4) at Comina, West Hartford Center.
by Rolf ($1,799) at SIGHT, West Hartford Center.
kidsFoR tHE
Felt Stuffed Lion ($30) & Crocodile ($35) by Twoolies at Comina, West Hartford Center.
Dazzle
($35) at Gap, Westfarms.
($89) ($119) by Yogibo, Westfarms.
($25) by Island Lilly Designs at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center.
($40) at Crate & Barrel, West Hartford Center. ($30) ($35) by Ralph Lauren at Lord & Taylor, Westfarms. ($130) by Hape Toys at ahalife.com.
Ceramic Lotus Taper Candle Holders ($48 each) at Spruce Home & Garden, West Hartford Center.
($115) by Dwelling at Comina, West Hartford Center.
($380) by Schmitt Design at ahalife.com.
($130 for set) at Crate & Barrel, Blue Back Square.
Let the errymaking Begin M
Tips for lessoning the stress and strengthening the traditions
by Lisa Lelas
Ever feel like simply forgetting about a family holiday tradition in exchange for some down time? Are the trappings and red tape of the holidays simply trampling over the joy this year? Is the thought of writing cards, gift shopping, decorating and planning your annual cookie swap overwhelming you already?
While it’s easy to get tangled up in the holiday web of endless activities and chores…adjust and simplify them if you must, but don’t give up on family traditions. With a little finetuning you can see them, not as obligations, but as blessings. After all, we are fortunate to have this one time of year that shakes up our daily life, colors our world with extra sparkle, warms our heart with gratitude, connects us with our loved ones and gives us new perspective as we prepare for the New Year. So, throw a candy cane into your coffee mug and take note on how to lesson the stress and strengthen the traditions of everyone’s favorite holiday season!
Gift Giving: Take a large manila envelope and label it ‘Holiday Shopping 2012’ and use it as the one assigned place to throw in all your holiday receipts this year. Cut your gift list in half, and shop only for your closest friends and relatives. If your extended family agrees, pick names out of a hat, whereby family members now just buy for the person whose name they draw. Give ‘coupons for service’, such as babysitting or meal making. Give to charitable causes in the person’s name this year. Keep a list of ideas going all year long of items they really want and keep track of their sizes. Exchange one ‘family’ gift between families rather than buying for everyone in the family. Buy recurring gifts that the recipient will look forward to each year, such as Florida citrus, Vermont cheeses, a holiday collectable or theatre tickets. Keep some extra gift bags and generic gifts on hand (ones that you can also use after the holidays) in case you need an additional hostess gift or something for an unexpected guest, such as one size fits all gloves, bottles of merlot or pairs of candles tied together with raffia.
While it’s easy to get tangled up in the holiday web of endless activities and chores…adjust and simplify them...but don’t give up on family traditions.
Sending Cards: Keep your address book filed and updated on your computer throughout the year and simply print out a sheet of pre-addressed labels. Make sure you add a hand-written greeting to everyone on your card list because offering a personal connection to someone special in your life is part of the reason we refuse to give up on sending cards. Divide a daunting card list into smaller, more manageable lists, writing only a few at a time, each evening after you tuck in the kids. Order your postage stamps on-line (usps.com) to avoid spending half your day at the post office.
Holiday Parties: Make it a point to say ‘no’ at least once when someone invites you to attend a holiday party if you tend to feel over-scheduled during this busy season. Receiving an invitation is a great salute to you, but you’re not obligated to accept every one. If you are the party host, consider holding the festivity away from home…perhaps a caroling party through the neighborhood, or at a restaurant, eliminating the need for pre-cleaning and decorating as well as cleaning up. Still want the big bash at home? Throw it early in the season. Your guests will be more excited about catching the spirit, less burnt out from other parties and you’re more likely not to be competing with other party dates within the same social circle.
Holiday Baking/Cooking: For your favorite celebratory meals, turn your recipe cards into a shopping list by writing the menu on the front of an index card and all the ingredients needed to prepare it on the back. Once a week, make a double batch of the family meal to freeze, so you’ll have extra meals ready to heat up in a pinch, as the days only get busier. You don’t have to give up the traditional cookie-bake day with your kids, just do it earlier, preferably even before Thanksgiving and freeze the cookies, thawing out only those you need throughout the season.
“we are fortunate to have this one time of year that...colors our world with extra sparkle, warms our heart with gratitude, connects us with loved ones and gives us new perspective...”
Decorating the House: Don’t be the one that does everything this year. Make it a family affair. Host a family tree trimming party one weekend afternoon, complete with hot cocoa, popcorn and a classic holiday movie. Rather than anguish over hundreds of old ornaments, pull out only your absolute favorite ornaments this year and when packing up the décor, place them in their own storage bin, labeled ‘family favorites’. Simplify holiday decorating by concentrating primarily on the room your family spends the most time in. White candles with sprigs of evergreen can elegantly brighten up a fireplace mantle or dining room table. Plop a big red candle in the middle of your kitchen table and light it at every meal this season…yes, even breakfast! Place a wreath on the front door and load your I-Pod with holiday classics … go ahead, it’s time…and it’s okay to get into the spirit already! Have a wonderful holiday season! n
I NSPIRED
T IMELESS
I RRESISTIBLE
B
CALIFORNIA
KITCHEN
L OUIS V UITTON
P.F.
P OTTERY B ARN
Westfarms Fashion &
Retail Coordinator Lead
Elizabeth Zigmont
Creative Director
Bridgette Larcada
Photography
Manny Vargas
Publication Designer
Jennifer Inocencio
Model
Cheyney Barrieau
Cover Outfit
Lord & Taylor
Hair Stylist
Amy Afasano at Dellaria Salon
Make Up Artist
Robin Pelletier from Chanel at Lord & Taylor
Styling & Production Assistants
Anna Beyer & Ashley Murphy
Additional Imaging
Brooks Brothers, Michael’s Jewelers, Michael Kors, Macy’s, Microsoft, and Tiffany & Co.
Published by: www.whmediainc.com
Publisher
Thomas P. Hickey, II
Chief Operations Officer
Joy Brigham Taylor
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Michael Moses
Account Executive
Lori Steiner Westfarms
timeless
1. unaffected
2. unchanged by 3. eternal
Top to Bottom: Coach Watch ($298), Lacoste Watch ($295), Victorinox Swiss Army Watch ($625), Emporio Armani Watch ($395) at Macy’s
1. 2.
2. 3.
3.
Legacy Leather Duffel ($398) by Coach at Lord & Taylor.
Leather Gloves ($99) by Talbots.
Pre Shave Oil ($25), Shaving Cream ($25), & After-Shave Balm ($40) by The Art of Shaving.
timeless
Faceted Jewel Necklace ($69) & Earrings ($49) by Talbots.
Boxed Program Wallet ($108) .by Coach at Lord & Taylor.
Pocket Watch Clock ($34 - $69) by Pottery Barn.
Merino Men’s Wool Sweater ($49) by Gap.
Wool Oversized Tartan Scarf ($88) by Brooks Brothers.
timeless
Mach 3 Engraved Nickel Plated Shaving Set ($575) by The Art of Shaving.
4 Elements Lavender Essential oils, Shaving Cream, Pre-Shave Gel and After Shave Balm ($60) by The Art of Shaving.
Westfarms Unwrapped
Sterling Silver Bracelet with 14k Gold, Sterling, Two-Tone & 14k Charms with Enamel. Pandora at Michael’s Jewelers.
