Christmas Decor Celebrates 15 Years of Spreading Cheer to Military Families

Christmas Decor will be launching its fifteenth consecutive Decorated Family Program to transform the homes of servicemen and woman into magical winter wonderlands this holiday season. With more than 450,000 American men and women deployed overseas, the program is designed to boost spirits and spread cheer for military families across the nation who have to spend the holidays without their loved ones.

Now a seasonal tradition, hundreds of franchisees nationwide participate by donating products, resources, and time to decorate the homes of local military families with lights, garland, ornaments, and other trimmings. Following the decorating process, each decked out home is revealed during a surprise ceremony.

"This is a big year for us seeing it's the fifteenth anniversary of our favorite annual tradition," stated Brandon Stephens, president of Christmas Decor. "A way for us to show our gratitude and support our courageous troops, The Decorated Family program is the least we can do for our servicemen and women who risk their lives for us daily. It never ceases to amaze me the initial look on the faces of each family member upon seeing their home fully lit."

Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving military families by completing the Decorated Family submission form available on the Christmas Decor Facebook Page. This form provides a place to share the family's story and explain why they should become a "Christmas Decor Decorated Family." Winners will be awarded based on the impact the story has on the judges, as well as location to ensure there is a local franchise to provide the services. The company seeks to attract hundreds of nominations that will result in beautifully decorated homes for the 2017 holiday season. The deadline for nominations is on Veterans Day, November 11, 2017.

"We're truly grateful to see a local business offering this type of support to our family," said Don Johnson, whose son was deployed in Kosovo during the 2016 holiday season, leaving his daughter-in-law and three young grandchildren to spend the holidays alone. "It was just wonderful for the kids and the entire family to experience. This program is really one of the greatest things a company can do." 

Operating in more than 300 markets and 49 states, Christmas Decor, Inc. is the largest professional holiday and event decorating franchise. The company offers complete decorating service programs including unique display design, installation, maintenance, and removal of holiday lighting and decorations - alleviating decorating stress while delivering the look customers want within a reasonable budget.

Do you want to start the new year in a new home? Meet with this Windle Group this weekend at Third Monday Trade Days

More Than 9 in 10 Shoppers Have Had to Buy Last-Minute Holiday Gifts

RetailMeNot (www.retailmenot.com), the largest digital offers marketplace in the United States, announced the latest edition of its Shoppers Trend Report, which found that even as the holiday shopping season started earlier this year, nearly 1 in 3 (30%) consumers typically wait until the week of Christmas to do the majority of their holiday shopping.

Why the procrastination?Last-minute holiday shopping is more common than you think. More than 9 in 10 (91%) Americans have bought last-minute gifts during the holidays. The reasons for this behavior vary:

• More than 4 in 10 (44%) were undecided on what to get the recipient
• Close to 1 in 3 (30%) became busy and ran out time
• Over 1 in 5 waited to see how much money they had left (21%), received an unexpected gift (21%) or simply forgot (21%)

Of the last-minute shoppers, close to 6 in 10 (58%) prefer to shop in-store versus online. Why? In order to avoid the worry of on-time delivery (69%); preferring to bypass expedited shipping costs (53%); and the feeling that shopping in-store presents better last-minute deals (34%).

Shipping expectations"While some retailers have extended their free shipping deadlines, shoppers should be mindful of shipping cutoffs and unforeseen weather interruptions," said Marissa Tarleton, chief marketing officer, North America, RetailMeNot, Inc. "Shopping in-store helps eliminate the stress of arrival dates of packages, and retailers have become savvier in listening to customer needs and providing options like 'buy online, pick up in-store' and price-match guarantees."

More than 1 in 3 consumers (34%) believe they will receive their online order on time without paying expedited shipping costs if they order within one week of when the gift is needed. With more people shopping for last-minute gifts online this year compared to 2014 (42% vs. 32% respectively), shoppers should be mindful of shipping deadlines and unexpected weather delays. RetailMeNot suggests consumers take advantage of Free Shipping Day, on December 18, where over 600 retailers will guarantee delivery of gifts by Christmas morning without expedited shipping costs.

Those shoppers who miss free-shipping deadlines are planning to go to great lengths to avoid expedited shipping costs:

• Close to 1 in 2 (47%) would "buy online, pick up in-store" (BOPIS)
• More than 4 in 10 (44%) check other retailers for the same item to see if they might offer free expedited shipping
• Over 1 in 3 (36%) search online for free-shipping coupons
• Nearly 3 in 10 (28%) go to the physical store even if that means not getting their first choice of gift
• 27% pick a different item at a retailer that offers free expedited shipping

Last-minute presentsIn some cases, last-minute gifts are inevitable. Holiday shoppers (64%) deem gift cards (physical, digital or gift certificates) as the most popular last-minute gift, followed by accessories like gloves and scarves (9%) or wine or other spirits (7%). Shoppers who wish to avoid the crowds can opt to purchase digital gift cards, make DIY presents or give an experience like wine tasting or cooking classes.

'Tis the Season to Decorate Safely

During November and December 2014, there were 12 fatalities and an estimated 14,500 injuries treated in hospital ERs nationwide, due to holiday decorations.  That's an average of about 240 injuries per day during the holiday season!

Falls, lacerations, back strains and ingestion of foreign objects were among the top holiday decorating-related injuries last season. To prevent decorating disasters, CPSC counts down the 12 Ways to Celebrate Safely:

12. Take special care with sharp, weighted, or breakable decorations.

Lacerations were among the top reported decoration–related injuries last year.

11. Avoid trimmings that resemble food or candy that may tempt a child to mouth or swallow them.

10. Place decorations with small removable parts that can pose a choking hazard to young children out of reach.

9. Purchase only holiday light sets that bear the marking of a safety testing laboratory.

Fires sparked by holiday lights caused 10 deaths last year.

8.  Examine new and old light sets for damage. Discard sets with cracked or broken sockets, frayed or exposed wires, and loose connections.

7. Keep burning candles in sight and away from places where kids and pets can knock them over.

Between 2010 and 2012, candles were the source of an estimated 6,500 residential fires annually, causing 80 deaths, 650 injuries,and $237 million in property loss per year.

6. Place lighted candles away from items that can catch fire, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.

5. Look for a label that reads "fire resistant" when purchasing an artificial tree. Check live trees for freshness—here's how.

From 2010 to 2012 there was an estimated annual average of 200 fires where the Christmas tree was the first item ignited, causing 10 deaths, 20 injuries, and $17 million in property loss per year.

4. Place live Christmas trees away from heat sources, and keep trees well watered.

3. Watch this dramatic fire demonstration of what happens when a dry tree comes in contact with a heat source.

2. Use caution on ladders. Read "Ladder Safety 101" for tips to prevent ladder falls this season.

Thirty-six percent of holiday decorating injuries involve falls. Falls from ladders account for about half of these incidents.

1.  Start with safety in mind. Download and follow CPSC's Holiday Decoration Safety Tips guide.

Download broadcast quality video of CPSC's press conference on holiday decorating safety at: https://www.hightail.com/e?phi_action=app/orchestrateDownload&sendId=2862850107&emailId=b72a0f843a10df74063987df80b509a6&s=19105&cid=tx-02002208350200000000

AmericanFlags.com Reminds Holiday Shoppers That Flags Make Great Gifts

Still searching for that perfect holiday gift? AmericanFlags.com encourages consumers to give American flags as gifts this holiday season. "A well-made American flag is always the right color, the right size and sure to delight patriots of all ages," says AmericanFlags.com President/CEO Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds.

Veterans, active service members and their families always appreciate a fresh American flag, as do new homeowners interested in demonstrating their patriotism with an American flag set for their porches, gardens or yards. American flags are also a great gift for children of all ages, and help instill pride in one's country, sparking a patriotic fire that will last a lifetime.

 
 
 

American flag sets make the perfect gift for homeowners of all ages.

 
 
 

"At a time when customers wait outside big box stores to buy disposable trinkets and toys made in China, we want to remind folks of the importance of buying American-made products," adds Dr. Reynolds. AmericanFlags.com sells only American-made US flags and carries them in dozens of sizes and materials for both indoor and outdoor use.

Reynolds says that while July 4th, Memorial Day and Veterans Dayalways bring brisk flag sales, the holiday shopping season has become increasing important to his company over the years as consumers look for more meaningful keepsakes. "Flags make great gifts and this year, we've had dozens of companies that have purchased flags to thank their clients, schools that have bought them for students and families that are buying them for neighbors, friends and loved ones," said Reynolds. "That's why we're offering deep discounts this holiday season and have expanded our product offerings to include a full line of patriotic gifts, including outdoor flag sets, garden banners, military keepsakes, patriotic Christmas ornaments, patriotic plaques, Americana-themed clothing, home decor and traditional toys proudly made in America."

'Tis the Season For Holly Jolly Pet Product Packaging

Christmas is just around the corner, with all the decorations, toys, and holiday themed products already sprouting on the shelves. Of course, Americans cannot possibly forget to get gifts for all members of the family, and Packaged Facts surveys consistently show that pets certainly count as family members as well. This means many pet product marketers are adding to the Christmas spirit by providing an array of toys and treats in the red and green colors of Christmas, with many of the products only available during the holiday season, according to the Packaged Facts report Pet Product Packaging Innovation: Consumer Perspectives.

Many marketers use the same packaging for their Christmas products as their usual products, simply changing the labels and graphics to add a festive touch. However, others go much further, developing entirely new packaging to evoke extra Christmas cheer and create some unique packaging in the process.

The Christmas stocking is one of the most commonly used packaging shapes for Christmas products, and Christmas pet products are no exception. Marketers such as pet product distributer PetEdge with its Zanies brand and online pet product retailers such as Entirely Pets and Drs. Foster & Smith are selling stocking-shaped packages of toys and treats for both cats and dogs. With many of these products, the clear plastic stocking sleeve has a red and white border, and can be hung from the mantle with care using the paperboard hanger attached to the plastic sleeve.

Other marketers go well beyond the stocking for their Christmas pet products. Armitage Pet Care, the largest independent manufacturer and distributor of branded pet accessories in the UK, has an entire Christmas catalog of pet toys and accessories, including mesh and plastic stockings filled with toys and treats for cats and dogs, Christmas Crackers for dogs, and Christmas-themed packaging for many other products.

However, kudos for the most unique looking packaging for a Christmas pet product has to go to the big box pet specialty retailer Petco. The company has an interesting take on its Christmas treat packaging. Instead of the commonly used stocking shape, Petco has packaged an assortment of Christmas-themed pet treats in a plastic tray shaped like a huge dog's paw. The tray is covered with a simple transparent plastic cover, allowing the multicolored treats in the packaging (including some designed to look like wreaths) to draw a shopper's eye.

So many of these packaging designs described above nicely blend all these toys and treats into the rest of your holiday decorations. Fido and Fluffy may not care that their toys are coming in a stocking-shaped package, but now you can enjoy having your pet's presents displayed along with the rest of the family's gifts on the tree and hanging over the fire.

Take-Along Festive Treats for Fall Gatherings

 Between gift exchanges, holiday parties and family gatherings, this time of year is full of opportunities for delicious sweet treats.

Add extra cheer to this year's celebrations with these festive desserts featuring Lucky Leaf Premium Fruit Filling. These quick and simple treats allow you to impress your guests and still have time to enjoy all the activities the season has to offer. A gooey chocolate-cherry cake, a classic cheesecake with a seasonal twist, a bubbly cobbler or traditional, go-to cookies are sure to become guest favorites, costing you minimal prep time. No matter if your favorite flavor is cherry, apple or blueberry, these recipes can be customized to complement any holiday menu or be a great addition to a cookie exchange. With more fruit and many flavors to choose from, Lucky Leaf can help you tackle the hustle and bustle of the season.

Find more flavor-filled recipes to brighten your holiday at www.luckyleaf.com.

Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints
Cook time: 12 minutes
Servings: 3 dozen cookies
	1	cup butter, softened
	2	cups sugar
	2	eggs
	2	teaspoons vanilla
	3	cups flour
	1	cup cocoa
	1/2	teaspoon salt
	1/2	teaspoon baking soda
	1/2	teaspoon baking powder
	1	can (21-ounces) Lucky Leaf Cherry Fruit Filling
	1/2	cup chocolate chips
Heat oven to 350 F.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Mix until combined.

Roll dough into two-inch balls. Place on greased baking sheet or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press thumb into center of cookie to make well. Place cherries into each cookie.

Bake for 12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool.

Melt chocolate according to package directions. Drizzle over cookies. Let chocolate set and serve immediately or store in airtight container.

Simple and Sweetie Blueberry Cobbler
Cook time: 1 hour
Servings: 12
	6	tablespoons butter
	3/4	cup sugar
	1	cup self-rising flour
	1	cup milk
	1	can (21-ounces) Lucky Leaf Premium Blueberry Fruit Filling
Heat oven to 350 F.

Melt butter and pour into 2.5-quart casserole or baking pan. Mix sugar, flour and milk. Pour mixture over butter but do not mix. Pour fruit filling on top but do not mix. Bake 1 hour.

Black Forest Poke Cake
Recipe courtesy of Julianne of BeyondFrosting.com
Cook time: 22 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
	1	box chocolate cake mix
	2	large eggs
	3/4	cup milk
	1/2	cup vegetable oil
	1	jar (16-ounces) hot fudge sauce
	1	can (21-ounces) Lucky Leaf Premium Cherry Fruit Filling
	2	cups heavy whipping cream or whipped topping
	1 1/4	cups powdered sugar
		chocolate bar for shavings
Heat oven to 350 F.

Combine cake mix ingredients as listed on box. Beat on medium speed until well combined.

Bake cake in 9-by-13-inch pan for 20-22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting toothpick into center of cake. If toothpick is clean, cake is done. Allow to cool 10 minutes.

While cake is still warm, use end of wooden spoon or another round object and poke holes all over top of cake.

Heat jar of hot fudge sauce in microwave for about 30 seconds, or until you can stir and thin it out. You may need an additional 30 seconds. Pour sauce on top of cake and allow it to absorb. Let set until completely cooled.

Open can of fruit filling and pour over top of cake; spread evenly.

To prepare whipped cream, put bowl and whisk attachment in freezer for 5-10 minutes to get them really cold. In cold mixing bowl, pour in heavy whipping cream and beat on medium speed about 3 minutes. Add powdered sugar and increase speed to medium high. Beat until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over top of cake.

Chop chocolate bar into small pieces and sprinkle over top of cake. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Cook time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12-16
	1	can (21-ounces) Lucky Leaf Premium Apple Fruit Filling
	1	9-inch graham cracker crust
	2	packages (8-ounces) cream cheese, softened
	1/2	cup sugar
	1/4	teaspoon vanilla extract
	2	eggs
	1/4	cup caramel topping
	12	pecan halves
	2	tablespoons pecans, chopped
Heat oven to 350 F.

Reserve 3/4 cup of fruit filling; set aside. Spoon remaining filling into crust.

Beat together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth; add eggs and mix well. Pour over fruit filling. Bake for 35 minutes, or until center of cake is set.

Cool cake to room temperature. In small saucepan, heat reserved fruit filling and caramel topping for about 1 minute, or until spreadable. Spoon apple-caramel mixture over top of cheesecake and spread evenly.

Decorate edge of cake with pecan halves and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Refrigerate until ready to serve.