The Ink’s annual list of holiday gift ideas for your kids

By Savannah Chaboty | Manor Ink

Finding the perfect gifts for the young people in your life can be a challenge, especially with all the other preparations necessary in the days leading up to the holidays. To help make the task easier, each year Manor Ink offers a few suggestions.

For children

• STUFFED ANIMALS Everyone had an item when they were little that they would hate to lose. You can give this experience to your kids as well. It may surprise you that something so simple can make a child happy – but cute things can make anyone happy. Stuffed animals are fairly cheap and you have many options. The most popular brands are Squishmallows and Jellycat. Any cute stuffed animal can make the holidays better.

• CANDY It’s a well known fact that kids love candy, a gift that is relatively inexpensive and comes in many varieties. It’s also easy to learn your kid’s favorites, and who doesn’t love a sweet treat during the holidays? Typically there are holiday-themed candies everywhere and you can get big packs of almost anything. Be sure not to give your kids too much candy, though, or they’ll be bouncing off the walls for the rest of winter break!

• SPORTS EQUIPMENT Many kids love playing sports, whether it’s football, basketball, soccer or another. Why not encourage their interest in being active by getting them something to help? A gift as simple as a basketball can spark a love for the sport. You only have so much time with your kids, and with a sports gift you can play along with them. You may find it will bring you joy as well, even if they beat you every time.

For Pre-Teens

• LEGOS Your pre-teens might not necessarily want to act like kids anymore, but on the inside they still love to play, and Legos are a more mature toy that they can still have fun with. There are many different Lego sets for both boys and girls to choose from, and there’s a wide price range. No one can resist building them, and even if preteens don’t play with their Legos daily, they often display their creations in their rooms on shelves.

• HOODIES A hoodie might not seem like something preteens would want for Christmas, but they always appreciate them and put them to good use. You can buy hoodies from many different stores or websites for prices ranging from ten to hundreds of dollars. You can also take this idea a step further and buy them a hoodie from their favorite brand. There is no doubt that this gift would be enjoyed for years – or at least until they grow out of it.

• JEWELRY Jewelry is always a safe gift to get if you don’t know what your pre-teen wants. Jewelry can be enjoyed by both boys and girls, and there are many different styles you can pick from. Boys may not want jewelry with pretty gems or flowers, but many of them would still appreciate a chain or a few cool rings. Jewelry can also be inexpensive, and you don’t necessarily have to know what interests the pre-teen to find something they’ll love.

For Teens

• UGG BOOTS/SLIPPERS As we’re heading into the winter months and it starts to get chilly, many people need a way to keep warm. Our feet are one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, and teens have found that wearing boots or slippers is an effective way to warm up. UGG boots and slippers have recently become popular and many teens want them. There are many different color options, but the most popular is chestnut. This gift is a little more on the expensive side, but teens will definitely appreciate it.

• SKIN CARE PRODUCTS Your teenagers aren’t kids anymore, and they’re growing up fast. This means they’re starting to learn more about their bodies and how to take better care of themselves. Many teens have found that skin care products can cure acne or blemishes, and can also greatly improve their skin’s future health and protect it from harmful diseases, or even the sun. Some popular skin care brands are Drunk Elephant and Neutrogena, but there are many other cheaper options as well.

• AIRPODS All teenagers absolutely love listening to music, whether it’s country, pop or rock ’n’ roll. But they can’t always listen out loud, and often a way to solve this problem is with headphones. Headphones have been around for years, but Apple has made a particularly popular wireless headphone that every teen wants. Apple AirPods can work with any smart phone that is Bluetooth-equipped, and their sound quality is amazing. You don’t necessarily have to get the newest AirPods version for your teen to be happy and grateful. Though this gift is way more expensive than most, it’s definitely worth it.

Your guide to holiday festivities and events

By Manor Ink Staff

Now that snow flurries have replaced autumn’s falling leaves, it’s time to get in the winter holiday mood. Here’s a list of some of the seasonal activities taking place in town and around the area in upcoming days.

• Friday, Dec. 1: Roscoe Tree Lighting Hosted by the Roscoe-Rockland Ladies’ Auxiliary, the hamlet’s tree lighting with a visit from Santa Claus will take place at 6:15 p.m. at the Roscoe-Rockland Fire Dept., 1964 Old Rte. 17.

• Saturday Dec. 2: Holiday Tree Lighting The Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce, the Manor Rotary Club, Calliope-on-Main and the Manor Fire Department will host the hamlet’s annual tree lighting at 5 p.m. in the lot next to Life Repurposed at 62 Main Street. Enjoy hot cocoa, treats, Santa, gift bags, caroling and more for a spirited start to the season.

• Saturday Dec. 2: It’s a Very Merry Manor The Chamber will also sponsor a holiday kickoff event featuring live music, a Manor-themed gift wrap bar, hot cocoa and cookies, and a tote bag giveaway, all from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spend $75 or more at local businesses and receive a free Manor tote (just show your receipts).

Livingston Manor Central School also has plans for the festive season. School choirs will set the mood with familiar holiday melodies, and students will once again raise funds for class activities with hearty breakfast fare.

• Saturday, Dec. 9: Breakfast with Santa Students will serve up pancakes and other breakfast favorites in the LMCS cafeteria all day. Old St. Nick will be in attendance for photos with children. Tickets are available at the door.

• Tuesday, Dec.12, and Wednesday, Dec. 13: LMCS Winter Concerts Elementary students are featured on Tuesday, with middle and high schoolers appearing on Wednesday. Performances begin at 6:30 p.m. on both evenings in the LMCS auditorium. The concerts are open to the public and admission is free.

Lastly, a few other traditional celebrations of interest will take place in hamlets around Sullivan County.

• Saturday, Dec.2: Holiday in Hurleyville See luminaria along the O&W Rail Trail in this hamlet, and then enjoy shopping, food, Santa, live music and craft making activities from noon to 5 p.m. A tree and menorah lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street.

• Saturday, Dec.9: Dickens on the Delaware A favorite event in Callicoon every year, this Victorian-themed winter festival takes place form noon to 6 p.m. and features horse and buggy rides, caroling, street performances, photos with Santa and a holiday vendors market.

Additional holiday doings can be found on Inklings, Manor Ink’s calendar on page 23 in the newspaper. Season’s greetings to all!

Christmas tree farms

Here's a list of great places for find that perfect tree for your holiday celebrations. Whether you prefer to pick and cut your own, or purchase a tree ready to go, you're bound to find one that suits your needs.

• Pine Farm Christmas Tree Farm
  121 Eagin Rd., Youngsville
  Trees: You-cut; Frasier fir, balsam fir, Canaan fir, concolor fir, Colorado blue spruce trees, and wreaths.
  Open: Nov. 24, 25 and 26; Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Info: 607-591-5507, pinefarmchristmastrees.com

• Friendly Acres Farm
  728 County Rd. 114, Cochecton
  Trees: Pre-cut and you-cut; Colorado blue spruce, Norway spruce, concolor fir, Canaan fir, Douglas fir, nikko fir, white spruce, black hills spruce, Frasier fir and wreaths.
  Open: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends
  Info: 440-413-5024, friendlyacresfarm.com

• Gotsch Tree Farm
  86 Knight Road, Grahamsville
  Trees: You-cut or pre-cut; blue, white spruce.
  Open: Weekends, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Nov. 24, 25 and 26; Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 (depending on tree stock).
  Info: 845-985-7902, facebook.com/GotschTreeFarm

• Maplehorst Farm Nursery
  51 Rapp Rd., Monticello
  Trees: You-cut or pre-cut; Frasier fir, balsam fir, blue spruce, Canaan fir and gift shop.
  Open: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. until Dec. 23.
  Info: 845-794-8596, maplehorstny.com

This list was compiled by Social Media Editor Zoey McGee.