communitygwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION C • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013

You may have started your holiday shopping for your friends,

family and co-workers, but have you thought of giving anything to

local nonprofits?With the tough economy, many families

are reaching out for help and the Gwinnett charities need help with day-to-day needs as

well as with the usual Christmas crunch. Here’s the annual wish list compiled by the Gwinnett

Coalition for Health & Human Services to show the needs of many of the nonprofits who are asking for

extra help in December.

By Meghan KotowsKimeghan.kotowski@gwinnettdailypost.com

Annandale Village3500 Annandale Lane, Suwanee

www.annandale.org“Their community … with our help”

1. Heavy duty flashlights with batteries2. Umbrellas3. Art supplies

AID Gwinnett/Ric Crawford Clinic3075 Breckinridge Blvd., Suite 415,

Duluth770-962-8396

www.rcclinic.org“Improving quality of life for medically underserved individuals and families

through our commitment to provide com-passionate health care, advocacy and

promoting healthy choices.”

1. Household cleaning items, paper towels2. Personal care items3. Gas cards for travel4. Grocery store gift cards5. Target gift cards

A Day of Hope Foundation Incwww.adayofhopefoundation.org“Regenerating our communities”

1. Boys bike for eighth-graders2. Gift cards for angel tree donations for children’s clothing3. Sleeping bags

Center for Pan Asian

Community Services, Inc3510 Shallowford Road, Atlanta

www.icpacs.org770-936-0969, ext. 117“People need people”

1. Laptops for afterschool program2. Color printers and scanners3. Projector and screen4. Large screen TV and speak-ers — ESL classes and afterschool programs5. Used eight to 15-passenger van to pick up students

CHRIS Kids, Inc.Gwinnett House, 2552 Poplar St.,

Snellvillewww.chriskids.org

1. Comforters and sheets for boys2. Wall paintings and pictures3. Linen and bean bags4. Living room furniture5. Gift cards

For more, See PAGE 2C

ANNUAL NONPROFIT

WISH LIST

gift of givinggwinnettdailypost.com2C SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 •

Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center

2219 Scenic Drive, Snellville770-985-0837

www.covenantcounseling.org

1. A MacBook2. Four parsons chairs for the waiting room3. Donation of funds to provide scholar-ships for counseling4. A new or gently used functional copy machine5. Gift cards to purchase books for the educational library

Creative Community Services4487 Park Drive, Suite A, Norcross

770469-6226www.ccsgeorgia.org“Because we care”

1. Sponsor a foster youth to attend spiri-tual camp in March — $2752. Renovate a bathroom for handicap ac-cessibility3. Sponsor appreciation events for pro-viders who support and care for children and adults with developmental disabili-ties — $1,5004. 20 tickets for foster youth to attend Georgia Aquarium5. Weighted vest for a child with autism — $200

Creative Enterprises770-962-3908

www.ceisite.com“Training and employment, community rehabilitation program for people with

disabilities”

1. Gift cards for Walmart and local res-taurants2. iTunes gift cards for educational iPad apps3. Sports equipment — basketball, bocce ball set, badminton, horse shoes4. iPads5. Clothing racks for thrift store

Families First1105 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta

404-853-2800www.familiesfirst.org

“Because children should never come last”

1. Winter clothes for kids

2. Winter jackets3. Gift cards — grocery stores, Walmart, Target4. Dry foods — rice, beans, pasta, canned veggies, grits, cookies, cereal

Family Promise of Gwinnett County3495 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville

678-376-8950www.familypromisegwinnett.org

“Mobilize communities of congregations that partner with social service agencies to end homelessness — one family at a

time.”

1. Carpet cleaning services2. New mattresses and box springs — twin and full3. Funds to meet operational needs4. RaceTrac gas cards5. Walmart and Target gift cards

For My Sisters Inc.P.O. Box 2085, Dacula

678-887-1218www.formysisters.org

“You are not alone — providing resourc-es, encouragement and hope”

1. Secret Santas for single mom families2. Gift certificates for hair and nail salons3. Personal care items4. Toys5. Department store gift cards

Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett

3700 Club Drive, Lawrenceville678-280-6630

www.goodsamegwinnett.org“Doing likewise”

1. Deep cleaning of fabric upholstered waiting room furnishings2. Large refridgerator (22 cubic feet or larger) to store insulin and vaccines3. Boxes of copy paper4. Laptop to process labels and forms5. K-cup coffee maker and coffee for volunteer break room

Grants & More2104 Blueberry Lane, Conyers

678-382-9635www.grantsandmore.com

1. Tablets and laptops to use when meeting clients2. Newspaper, radio and print ads for advertising3. Small office to meet with clients

4. Financial donations to help homeless men and women receive job training5. Financial donations for books to help abused women return to work and school

Gwinnett Children’s ShelterP.O. Box 527, Buford

www.gwinnettchildrenshelter.org“Where hope lives”

1. Upright refrigerator for the transitional living program2. New carpeting for boy’s and girl’s liv-ing quarters3. 45 children’s beds4. Restaurant-grade pots and pans for kitchen5. Visa cards for outings for children, birthdays, school events

Gwinnett Coalition for Health & Hu-man Services

750 S. Perry St. Suite 312, Lawrenceville770-995-3339

www.gwinnettcoalition.org“People helping people”

1. Laptop2. Desk top computer3. Google tablet4. Color copier5. Helpline volunteers

Gwinnett Community Clinic2160 Fountain Drive, Snellville

770-985-1199www.gwinnettcommunityclinic.org

1. Finances for a new scale to weigh heavy patients — $3502. Financial donations for $20 donations per visit to cover those who cannot pay3. Pro Reagent test strips for urine test-ing ($110/bottle of 25 strips)4. Gift cards ($30) for Walmart Relion blood glucose machine and test strips5. Bottled water for patients and volun-teers

Gwinnett Department of Family & Children’s Services

446 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville770-339-2370

1. Warm winter coats for children and teens2. Athletic shoes of all sizes3. Toys for boys ages 9-124. Pack and plays5. Sweatshirts and hoodies of all sizes

Gwinnett County Senior Services567 Swanson Drive, Lawrenceville

678-377-4150www.gwinnettcounty.com

1. Depends (disposable, pull-up under-wear) sizes large and extra large2. Shower chairs with backs3. Canes4. Grocery gift cards and Walmart gift cards for bedding5. Cleaning supplies

Gwinnett County Habitat For Human-ity

1362 Pine Circle, Stone Mountain770-931-8080

www.habitatgwinnett.org“Building homes, communities & hope!”

1. Four 10-inch miter saws2. Six 6-foot step ladders3. Four 8-foot step ladders4. Four circular saws5. Lots of copy paper

Hands of Christ — Duluth Cooperative Ministry

3395 Fox St., Building 101, Duluthwww.duluthco-op.org

1. Gift cards to purchase urgent medica-tion and gas for cars2. Trees to be cut to prevent damage to building3. Copy paper4. 12-foot ladder5. Cleaning products

Hearts For Families, Inc.3235 Industrial Way, Suite C, Snellville

770-972-3664www.heartsforfamilies.org

www.nurturingGodsway.com

“Strengthening families and those who serve families”

1. Parent workshop supplies — paper, Play-Doh, crayons, markers2. Life-size baby dolls with soft tum-mies and plastic arm/leg to use in workshops3. Refreshments — granola bars, bottle water, coffee and coffee supplies4. White three-ring binders5. 128-inch x 273-inch rug/carpet for training area

•From Page 1C

See PAGE 3C

gift of givingSUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 3C •gwinnettdailypost.com

Hi Hope Service Center882 Hi Hope Road, Lawrenceville

770-963-8694www.hihopecenter.org“Hope on the horizon”

1. Appliances — microwave, blender, foreman grill, vacuum2. Music supplies-portable CD/radio players and headphones, hand drum, keyboard3. Dishes, cups, bowls, places, pots & pans, CorningWare (3-qt x 5-qt)4. Furniture — sofa, love seat, chair, recliner brown tones or leather5. Medical supplies — Depends for adults, gloves, masks, Ensure

The Impact! Group40 Technology Parkway, Suite 180,

Norcrosswww.theimpactgroup.org

“Transforming lives and strengthening communities with quality housing solu-

tions.”

1. Builder, plumber and electrician to help with the reconstruction of one of the properties2. Gift cards for Gwinnett Transit and gas3. 20 Christmas hams/turkeys for the Transitional Housing participants4. Financial assistance for our Veteran Rapid, rehousing program5. Long-term volunteers to work with our Transitional Housing participants

Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry Inc.

176 Church St., Lawrencevillewww.lawrencevilleco-op.org

1. Canned goods — chicken soup, canned pasta and meat2. Financial donations to help with utility bills, prescription medications and more3. Gutters cleaned4. Tree trimming and inspection5. Landscaping and driveway widening

Lift Up Atlanta515 Chase Common Drive, Norcross

770-710-6137www.liftupatlanta.org

“Together we can make a better community”

1. Gift cards for gas and groceries2. Five weekly motel vouchers3. All-in-one professional printer4. iPad

Lilburn Cooperative Ministry5329 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lilburn

www.lilburnco-op.org

1. Diapers and wipes (all sizes)2. Parking lot spaces re-striped and painted3. Fluorescent ceiling lights replaced

Norcross Cooperative Ministry2275 Mitchell Road, Norcross

770 263-0013www.norcrossco-op.org

“Caring for the community”

1. Craft sets for older girls (8-12 years)2. Fisher price toys for infants (0-2 years)3. Lego building blocks4. Bath and body sets for teen girls5. Sports equipment — basketballs, soc-cer balls, footballs

Norcross Human Services Centerwww.gwinnettnhsc.com

1. Brown paper bags with handles to package Toys for Tots at Christmas2. Gifts for older children ages 9 to 13 years3. Family event tickets for movies, theme parks or aquarium4. Gas cards to help with transportation needs5. Grocery store gift cards

Peachtree Christian Hospice3430 Duluth Park Lane, Duluth

770-232-7727www.peachtreechristianhospice.com

“A loving place of rest, comfort and hope”

1. Laptop for PCH front desk personnel and volunteers2. Financial donations to purchase “Gone from My Sight” books for patients and families3. Financial donations to support be-reavement program for families4. Gift cards for volunteers

Rainbow Village3427 Duluth Highway 120, Duluth

770-497-1888www.rainbowvillage.org

“Breaking the cycle of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence”

1. New twin pillows, pillow cases and bed in a bag2. Gift cards for gas, grocery stores and Wal-Mart3. AA and AAA non-rechargeable batter-ies4. 15 2014 monthly planners and 20 scientific calculators5. Dave & Buster’s group package of 40 for after school program

StepByStep Recovery Inc.191 Plainview Drive, Suite 3,

Lawrenceville678-377-2323

www.stepbysteprecovery.org

1. 12 to 15 passenger van2. Basic pick up truck to use to pick up donations and sharing veggies from com-munity garden3. 15 new bagless vacuum cleaners4. Three washers and dryers5. Multimedia projector with surround sound system

Street Grace, Inc.599 Financial Drive, Suite 180, Norcross

678-809-2111www.streetgrace.org

“Because children are priceless”

1. Organize a day to feed vulnerable children2. Printing of informational “bookmarks” to include in food bags3. Help train a teacher about domestic minor sex trafficking4. Sponsor training for an awareness speaker for schools to give DMST pre-sentations5. Support DMST lobby day at the State Capital

2nd Step Ministries7742 Spalding Drive, Suite 143, Norcross

770-315-6367www.2ndstepministries.org

“Helping families in recovering from ad-diction every step of the way”

1. New in package undergarments (bras and panties) for women2. Diapers and wipes — all sizes3. Feminine care products4. Crayons and coloring books5. Gift cards for gas and gifts

The Church4288 Wellington Hills Lane, Snellville

770-383-5325www.mxtgenmin.org

“Advancing the Kingdom”

1. Truck or van2. Desktop computer3. Funds and help with the nonprofit4. Gas cards5. Video equipment — projector, digital video recorder

The SaltLight Center (of Family Promise Gwinnett)

3495 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville770-885-2947

“Sharing Christ’s love through hospitality”

1. Gift cards for Wal-Mart2. New white hand and bath towels3. $10 QuikTrip Gas cards4. Women’s pajamas — new, sizes small to double extra large5. Slipper socks

The Salvation Army3455 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville

www.salvationarmyatlanta.org“Doing the most good”

1. Sponsor Christmas gifts for needy children2. Van to transport homeless families to shelter and training3. Need volunteers to ring bells for Christmas4. Winter coats for homeless children5. Holiday food baskets for the needy in Gwinnett

The Quinn House120 S. Perry St., Lawrenceville

www.thequinnhouse.com“A ministry to those in need”

1. Grocery store gift cards2. Razors for men3. Winter coats for men and women (new and gently used)4. Twin size sheets and pillowcases5. Twin size blankets and comforters

•From Page 2C

4C SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 • gwinnettdailypost.com

Tips when buying a natural Christmas treeMany people harbor

strong opinions with regard to which type of Christmas tree they want to purchase. Some cannot live without a natural, freshly cut Christ-mas tree, while others prefer the convenience of artificial trees. Those who insist on a natural tree might want to consider the following tips when buying what’s likely their biggest decorative item of the holiday season.

Ask when the tree was cut down.

Precut trees may be cut down weeks before they’re sold. So if you’re buying a precut tree, chances are the

tree was cut down much earlier than you think. This doesn’t mean the tree won’t make it through the holiday season, but a tree that was cut several weeks ago should have some of its bottom trunk removed before it’s placed in the stand. This will make it easier for the tree to consume water. This step likely isn’t necessary if the tree was cut down the same day you bring it home.

Have the tree shaken before taking it home.

A tree should be shaken in a shaker before you put it in your car and bring it home. A shaker removes any debris or dead needles from the tree, which can save you the trouble of cleaning up all of

those dead needles from your living room floor later on.

Have the tree wrapped before taking it home.

A tree should also be wrapped in twine before taking it home. The twine should be tight enough to keep the tree’s branches from blowing in the wind when

you attach the tree to the top of your vehicle. If possible, keep the tree wrapped in twine as you place it in the stand. This makes the tree easier to control.

Choose the right loca-tion.

When looking for the right place to set up your natural tree, it’s best to

choose a spot that’s cool and free of drafts. The tree should not be placed near heat sources, including ap-pliances, fireplaces or vents, because such heat sources create a safety hazard and can make it difficult for the tree to retain moisture. There should also be ample space between the top of the tree and the ceiling.

Place some covering on the ground beneath the tree.

Even a freshly cut natural tree will shed needles over the course of the holiday season. Before placing the stand in the location you’ve chosen, put some type of covering, such as a tree bag, beneath the stand so it’s easier to gather all those

needles once the holiday season has ended.

Remember that natural trees are thirsty.

Men and women who have never had a natural Christmas tree in the past might be surprised at just how thirsty natural trees get. The stand’s reservoir should have lots of water, which should never dip below the stump. If the water dips be-low the stump, you might be forced to cut a little more off the bottom of the trunk to ensure the tree will make it through the holiday season. That can be a hassle once the tree has been decorated, so be sure to check the water in the reservoir at least once per day to maintain adequate water levels.

Metro Creative GraphiCs

Before taking a freshly cut Christmas tree home, make sure it is shaken to remove any debris or dead needles. (Special Photo)

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gift of givingSUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 5C •gwinnettdailypost.com

Great gifts for that special music loverMusic remains an art

form that evokes strong emotions and holds a special place in many a listener’s heart. The nearly universal appeal of music makes it a great gift come the holiday season, when shoppers may not always know what to buy a loved one. The following are a few gift ideas that are sure to have your favorite music fan singing your praises this holiday season.

Concert tickets: Perhaps no gift makes music fans’ hearts race more than tick-ets to see their favorite mu-sicians perform. Your loved one probably has a favorite artist or someone he or she

has long desired to see live. Look into that performer’s tour dates to see if they are playing your area anytime soon. If they’re playing just before the holiday season, don’t hesitate to give this gift a little early. The same approach should be taken if an artist will be in town within a day or two of Christmas. Giving the tick-ets early enables your loved one the chance to clear his or her schedule.

Musical instrument: It’s never too early or too late to learn how to play a new instrument. Shop-pers whose loved ones love a good rock-and-roll riff might find guitars make a great holiday gift, while those who can’t stop play-

ing air drums should enjoy finding a real drum set come the holidays. When buying guitars, shoppers should learn which hand their loved ones favor.

Music lessons: Lessons are the next logical step

once a music fan has the instruments to work with. But even those without an instrument of their own can benefit from music les-sons. For example, music lovers who want to learn piano can make use of

lessons even if they don’t have their own pianos at home. Lessons can be a great way for music lovers to gauge their skill levels before buying an expensive instrument. In addition, lessons can turn music lov-ers on to new instruments or new types of music they may never have considered previously.

Sound system: Ad-vancements in technology have proven to be music to music lovers’ ears. Music fans can now take advan-tage of crisp sound systems that make music that much more enjoyable. Sound sys-tems come in many shapes and sizes, and they can vary significantly in regard to price. When purchasing

a sound system as a holiday gift, look for one that’s compatible with your loved one’s existing components, such as a television or mu-sic player.

Streaming service membership: Unlike the days when music fans had to wait for local deejays to play their favorite songs on the radio, today’s music fans can essentially create their own radio stations on their computers and even on their phones. Shop-pers can buy their favorite music fans subscriptions to streaming services, such as Pandora or Spotify, and lis-teners can then tailor their own stations to include their favorite genres, artists or individual songs.

Metro Creative

GraphiCs

Great holiday gift ideas for the music lovers can range from tickets to lessons. (Special Photo)

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gift of giving6C SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 • gwinnettdailypost.com

An inside look at good books for the holiday seasonLOS ANGELES — Like

“The Wizard of Oz?” Poli-tics? Six-packed reality stars having sex with repressed intellectuals? They’re all in the magical world of books this holiday season.

Books are those bound collections of pages people keep telling you to “read.” Did you know some of those shows and films you like are inspired by these stacked pieces of paper?

It’s true. And for the last few years you’ve even been able to read them on flat screens, to be closer to the TV-movie comfort zone.

But seriously, person who can read (that’s you!): Noth-ing feels better than turning pages. And very few pages demand turning this season like the ones in the books we recommend.

“Double Down” has enough election-year insight to make Barack Obama shake his head. “No Place Like Oz” will make you grateful for the concept of “public domain.” And “Raw: A Love Story” will make you rethink your condescension about reality TV.

Here are some of our favorite books this holiday season.

“The Circle”By Dave EggersOn Facebook, users still

have the right to opt out. In “The Circle,” they don’t. In his new book, Eggers pays a terrifying tribute to the social network, and other online properties that continue to push sharing and data collection. While the book isn’t subtle and its criticism of modern society can be tiresome, Eggers is a terrific writer and the overall effect is as hypnotizing, as, well, “The Social Network.” — Deirdre

McCarrick“The Disaster Artist”By Greg Sestero and

Tom BissellIf you’ve been lucky

enough to attend a raucous screening of “The Room” with writer/director/producer/star Tommy Wiseau, then you should appreciate co-star Sestero’s hilarious account of making the movie he never actually wanted to star in. It turns out, Wiseau makes his best impression on the page, because Sestero and co-author Bissell perfectly capture the cult filmmaker’s out-of-this-world personality. — Greg Gilman

“Double Down”By Mark Halperin and

John HeilemannDouble check before

buying “Double Down” for the political addict on your list. The odds are good he or she has already devoured it. The sequel to the equally captivating “Game Change” will provide schadenfreude for Democrats and Republi-cans alike as they delight in the other side’s 2012 woes. It’s all here: How close Mitt Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan, came to running against him; how Joe Biden accelerated Obama’s em-brace of same-sex marriage; how hard Rupert Murdoch

pushed to get Chris Christie in the race. HBO is develop-ing another film version, but it can’t possibly squeeze in all the dirt in the book. — Tim Molloy

“The Fat Lady Sang”By Robert EvansEvans already authored

one of the best autobiogra-phies in Hollywood, “The Kid Stays in the Picture.” Now the producer of “China-town” and former Paramount executive is back with a new memoir. Evans recounts a litany of different stories, from his contentious encoun-ters with Frank Sinatra to the stroke that almost killed him. He also pushed his publisher to offer readers a new format, “The Robert Evans Experi-ence,” a new product on tablets that combines Evans’ two books as well as photos, letters and video recordings. Best of all, Evans, whose inimitable voice is too often imitated, narrates it. Grab your iPads, ladies and gents. — Lucas Shaw

“Gone Girl”By Gillian FlynnFlynn keeps you guessing

as you look inside the mind of possible murderer Nick Dunne. His wife, Amy, has gone missing.

As the police investigate and Amy’s family keeps

asking questions, Nick crafts lie upon lie, making us wonder if he really is the killer. And if he’s not, who the heck is? Ben Affleck and “Blurred Lines” beauty Em-ily Ratajkowski are set to star in David Fincher’s upcoming adaptation of the novel. — Rebecca Rosenberg

“Johnny Cash: The Life”By Robert HilburnLongtime pop-music critic

Hilburn had unparalleled access to Cash over a period of decades, and he proves equally adept at plumbing the depths of Cash’s bottom-less music and separating the man from the myths (many of which Cash himself was adept at peddling). While many others have tried to tell this story, including Cash himself with a couple of worthy autobiographies, Hilburn adds fresh and revealing details about Cash’s childhood, his rocky career and his relationship with June Carter Cash, which was far more complicated than fairy tales like the Oscar-winning movie “Walk the Line” suggest. Quite simply, it’s a monumental biography of a monumental American artist. — Steve Pond

“No Place Like Oz”By Danielle PaigePaige, a former “Guiding

Light” writer, takes us back to Oz with three books and

three digital novellas. “No Place Like Oz,” the first of the latter, proves as alluring as a yellow brick road. “I left home,” says Dorothy. “And I came back.

Lickety-split, knock your heels together, and there you are.” The series, pitched as Oz with a “Kill Bill” twist, finds a new Kansas farmgirl on a mission to end a newly corrupted Dorothy’s rule over Oz. She needs to steal the Scarecrow’s brain, Tin Wood-man’s heart, and the Lion’s courage. She’s also captured Tim Kring’s imagination: He’s developing a CW show from the books. — Tim Molloy

“Raw: A Love Story”By Mark Haskell SmithSmith examines the mutual

distrust between highbrow and lowbrow in this subver-sively funny clash of a real-ity hunk-turned-author, his ghostwriter, and a repressed blogger.

Literary jealousy draws them together, but the real motivator is sex. The first big twist is audacious enough you may put down the book to laugh, but it’s quietly topped by a brilliantly Bud-dhist solution to the question of whose reality is best.

Think Don DeLillo meets “Jersey Shore.” — Tim Mol-loy

“Running With Mon-sters”

By Bob ForrestIf you’re like most of us,

you’ll spend some of the holiday season around at least one relative who likes to indulge just a bit too much during this time of the year. Which means — let’s be honest — they probably indulge just a bit too much during the rest of the year. “Celebrity Rehab” alum and former Thelonious Monster frontman Bob Forrest’s memoir, which chronicles his

transition from drug-addicted rocker to rehabilitation healer, might be the gift to put that party animal on the path to wellness. — Tim Kenneally

“Self-Inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation”

By Aisha TylerThis brilliantly funny and

unfiltered examination of Ai-sha Tyler’s life as an eternally clumsy nerd amplifies all the wit and intelligence she brings to her podcast, CBS’ “The Talk” and FX’s “Archer.” Fearless and unapologetic, this self-deprecating memoir gives Tyler the perfect plat-form to explain, for instance, that although she is black, she simply cannot dance. Tyler’s takes on tweeting, gender roles, kitchen fires and footnotes are also a treat. This is a must read and a great gift. - Mekeisha Madden Toby

“A Story Lately Told”By Anjelica HustonGrowing up the daughter

of a filmmaking legend like John Huston wasn’t easy, but life with the “The African Queen” director was far from dull. It also makes for a vivacious, dishy read by his daughter, Anjelica Huston, who became celebrated in her own right as the Oscar-winning star of “The Grifters” and “Prizzi’s Honor.” The sto-ry of her metamorphosis into one of cinema’s most striking and assertive screen presences will be told in volume two. If this first part is any indication, expect it to be a must-read. Here, Huston recounts a childhood spent in her father’s ornate country home, a failed initial foray into acting as the star of John’s medieval romance “A Walk With Love and Death” and her decision to decamp for New York City and the world of modeling. Through it all, the ghost of John Huston hovers over all. — Brent Lang

ReuteRs

gift of givingSUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 7C •gwinnettdailypost.com

Holiday entertaining made easy

Families come together throughout the year for a variety of celebrations. Some people relish the idea of opening their homes to guests. Others feel overwhelmed by the prospect of entertaining. There are different ways to make the process easier and go more smoothly.

Parties and family dinners are meant to be enjoyable, but very often hosts cannot fully par-ticipate in the fun. That’s because they’re often busy serving food, cleaning up minor messes, wrangling the children or meeting the needs of their guests. Although all obstacles can-not be avoided, there are many strategies that can be used to make entertaining enjoyable for all involved. Here’s how.

Share the work. En-tertaining can not only be time-consuming, but it can also be expensive. Spread-ing out the responsibilities can relieve some of the pressure. If a particular family member is known for a certain dish or bever-age, request he or she bring it to the party to lessen your workload and ensure guests get a dish they love. Not only may guests feel flattered, but chances are they will look forward to opportunities to share culinary classics as well. Pot-luck-style events are an ideal way to cut down on time in the kitchen and enjoy everyone’s favorite recipes.

Cut down on your work. There’s no need to have a dozen entrees on the menu. Here’s a good rule of thumb: Plan on a higher number of appetizers and one main course. This way guests can fill up on finger foods while you have ample time to complete the cooking or prep work for the main course. Appetiz-ers can be store bought and enhanced with a little touch that makes them take on a homemade feel. For example, serve packaged egg rolls with a homemade spicy dipping sauce.

Heat and eat. Select foods that can be prepared in advance, stored and then heated the day of the event. This way you can do the cooking when you have time and not feel rushed the day of the party. Baked pasta dishes, stews, cas-seroles, soups and many other items can be prepped and cooked, then simply heated up. Also, many dishes taste even better when allowed to sit a day or two and absorb all of the flavors in the season-ing. If you prefer cooking

something that is tradition-ally done the day of, like a roast, use a slow cooker that can be set in the morning and have the food ready and hot when you’re set to serve guests.

Cook foods you know. Now is not the time to ex-periment with recipes you haven’t tried before. Stick to meals that you know how to make. Supple-ment easy main dishes with store-bought side dishes that can be prepared quickly.

Set the table the night before. Clear off the din-ing room table and arrange the place settings the night before you are hosting company. Use this time to also take out the serving dishes you will need, and to clean out the dishwasher so you can easily load your dirty dishes the day of the party.

Clean wisely. Cleaning up for company is another task that is time-consum-ing and less than enjoy-able. Instead of cleaning the entire house top-to-bottom, clean only those rooms the guests will be in. Keep certain spaces, like the bedrooms, off-limits. Spend extra attention on the bathrooms, where you should hang fresh hand towels, supply extra toilet tissue and wash all coun-tertops and floors. Don’t go overboard because guests likely won’t notice and you’re probably going to have to do a thorough cleaning after guests leave.

Hire someone. If your budget allows, cater the event from a favorite restaurant, which will dramatically cut down on the work you need to do. There are also services that will help you set up your party and do the serving and clean-up so you can mingle with guests. This is especially valuable for hosts who really want to enjoy the party with their guests. Catering might just cost the same as if you purchased all of the food and supplies yourself.

Although family en-tertaining can sometimes induce anxiety, hosts and hostesses can reduce the amount of work and stress by paying attention to the details that matter.

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Families come to-gether throughout the year for a vari-

ety of celebrations. There are many

strategies that can be used to make

entertaining enjoy-able for all involved.

(Special Photo)

gift of giving8C SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 • gwinnettdailypost.com

Three recipes to give your home a different flavorEGGNOG PUMPKIN

PIEMakes 8 ServingsPrep: 40 min. plus chill-

ing Bake: 50 min. plus cooling

Ingredients:1 1/4 cups all-purpose

flour1/4 teaspoon salt3 tablespoons shortening,

cubed3 tablespoons cold butter,

cubed3 to 4 tablespoons cold

waterFILLING:2 Eggland’s Best Eggs1 can (15 ounces) solid-

pack pumpkin1 cup eggnog1/2 cup sugar1 teaspoon ground cin-

namon1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon ground

ginger1/2 teaspoon ground

nutmeg1/4 teaspoon ground

clovesTOPPING:1/2 cup packed brown

sugar2 tablespoons butter,

softened1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:In a food processor,

combine flour and salt; cover and pulse to blend. Add shortening and but-ter; cover and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. While processing, gradually add water until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until easy to handle.

Roll out pastry to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer pas-try to pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of

plate; flute edges.In a large bowl, whisk

the eggs, pumpkin, eggnog, sugar, cinnamon, salt, gin-ger, nutmeg and cloves until blended. Pour into crust.

In a small bowl, beat brown sugar and butter until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Stir in pecans; sprinkle over filling.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the cen-ter comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield: 8 servings.Nutritional Facts: 1 piece

equals 408 calories, 21 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 90 mg cholesterol, 315 mg sodium, 51 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 6 g protein.

SMOKY CRANBERRY RIBS

Makes 6 ServingsPrep: 25 min. plus chill-

ing Grill: 2 hours

Ingredients4 1/2 teaspoons paprika4 teaspoons salt2 teaspoons fennel seed1 1/2 teaspoons pepper1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon caraway seeds

1 teaspoon ground all-spice

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage6 pounds pork baby back

ribsSAUCE:1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen

cranberries, thawed1 1/2 cups packed dark

brown sugar1 cup cider vinegar1 small sweet onion,

chopped1/4 cup ketchup

DirectionsIn a spice grinder or with

a mortar and pestle, com-bine the first nine ingredi-ents; grind until fennel and caraway seeds are crushed.

Set aside 4 teaspoons for sauce.

Rub remaining spice mixture over ribs. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Wrap ribs in a large piece of heavy-duty foil (about 28 in. x 18 in.); seal tightly. Pre-pare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Place ribs over drip pan and grill, cov-ered, over indirect medium heat for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until tender.

In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries,

brown sugar, vinegar, onion and reserved spice mixture. Cook over medium heat until berries pop, about 15 minutes; cool slightly. Transfer to a blender; add ketchup. Cover and process until smooth. Set aside 1 cup sauce for serving.

Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil; using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack. Carefully remove ribs from foil. Place over direct heat; baste with some of the sauce. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 20-30 minutes or until browned, turning and bast-ing occasionally. Serve with reserved sauce.

Yield: 6 servings.Nutritional Facts: 1 serv-

ing with 3 tablespoons sauce equals 1,023 calories, 62 g fat (23 g saturated fat), 245 mg cholesterol, 1,936 mg sodium, 63 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 51 g protein.

Wine: Enjoy this recipe with a light-bodied red wine such as Pinot Noir

CHICKEN, PEAR AND GORGONZOLA TARTS

Makes 30 ServingsPrep: 30 min. Cook: 5

min.Ingredients

8 bacon strips1-1/2 teaspoons brown

sugar1/4 teaspoon ground

cinnamon3/4 cup finely chopped

cooked chicken breast1/3 cup pear nectar1/4 cup finely chopped

dried pears3 tablespoons apricot

preserves2 teaspoons butter1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper2 packages (1.9 ounces

each) frozen miniature phyllo tart shells

1/3 cup crumbled Gor-gonzola cheese

DirectionsPlace bacon in a 15-in. x

10-in. x 1-in. baking pan; broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-6 minutes on each side

or until crisp. Combine brown sugar and cinna-mon; sprinkle over bacon. Broil 1 minute longer or until bacon is glazed and bubbly. Drain on paper towels. Cool slightly and crumble.

In a small skillet, com-bine the chicken, pear nec-tar, pears, preserves, butter, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring occa-sionally, for 3-4 minutes or until thickened. Spoon about 1 teaspoonful of filling into each tart shell; place tarts on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with bacon and cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Serve warm.

Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.Nutritional Facts: 1 tart

equals 53 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 6 mg cholesterol, 90 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 2 g protein.

— Recipes courtesy of Taste of Home

Eggnog pumpkin pie combines the flavors of eggnog, pumpkin and pecans into a great holiday dessert.

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