A guide to the holidays presented by MasterCard
Transcription
A guide to the holidays presented by MasterCard
HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/15/04 10:54 AM Page 1 special advertising supplement HolidayGatherings A guide to the holidays presented by MasterCard ® Look inside for exclusive offers! Entertaining Music & Video 4 22 Gift Guide Getaways 9 26 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 10:25 AM Page 2 special advertising supplement A Chance to Win the Ultimate Holiday Get-together The true value of the holiday season is getting together with loved ones, reconnecting and accumulating the treasured memories that money can't buy. So imagine having the opportunity to take it to the next level – to be able to bring your closest friends and family along for a dream vacation anywhere in the world. Call it the Holiday Gathering of a Lifetime, and entering to win is as easy as doing your holiday shopping. Every time you use your MasterCard® card this holiday season (November 1 - December 31, 2004), you're automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for up to 20 people anywhere! The Together Wherever SweepstakesTM is a chance for you and 19 guests to pack your bags for a trip of a lifetime.There will be 10 grand prize winners. No matter where you want to go, MasterCard will send you on your way. Visit www.mastercard.com for complete details. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. PIN-based and international transacations not eligible. Grand Prizes not to exceed $40,000 and 19 guests each. Starts 11/1/04. Ends 12/31/04. Restrictions apply. See page 30 for Official Rules and complete details. 2 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 10:28 AM Page 3 special advertising supplement Together Wherever Though the temperatures get cooler and snow begins to enter most of our weather forecasts, there is perhaps no warmer time of the year than the holiday season. Whether we’re enjoying a crackling fire in the fireplace, bustling in a kitchen overflowing with aromas of cookies and gingerbread, or simply reconnecting with family and friends, the holiday season is a confluence of sensory and emotional contentment. For most families and friends, it’s a kind of annual checkpoint for togetherness where we say, “life is good.” Our traditions are our own — we each have a signature style of celebrating “the most wonderful time of the year.” But there’s one thing we all have in common. We celebrate the holidays together. It could be “over the river and through the woods” or via planes, trains and automobiles; we make the treks to be with our loved ones. In fact, there’s not a lot that can keep us apart during this special season. So it is in this spirit of holiday gatherings that we present our guide to the season. Just as there is much to explore and celebrate over the next two months, we’ve packed a number of exciting ideas and tips between these two covers. Hopefully, we can save you a few steps (and dollars) when it comes to shopping. You’ll find everything from an industry expert’s list of the year’s top toys to reviews of out-of-the-way e-commerce web sites to a grab bag of gift ideas for adults. Take a moment to relax and think through your holiday entertaining schedule with a helpful article on planning, not to mention some suggestions on making it a healthy holiday as well as a happy one. Discover a recipe for a special and easy-to-prepare treat that will be sure to please your guests. Check out our review of the latest music and movies you can expect to hear and see. And finally, consider one of the more unique and memorable gifts you can give your family: the gift of travel. We give you a run-down on holiday group travel ideas, from Colorado to the Caribbean. Best of all, you’ll find exclusive savings and a chance to win the Together Wherever® Sweepstakes when you use your MasterCard® card with merchants serving the broad range of your holiday shopping needs. Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers. HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 10:30 AM Page 4 special advertising supplement an affair to remember Entertaining at the holidays should be fun, not stressful. Here’s how to get everyone involved to create truly memorable gatherings this year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s. For many of us, these last months of the year are when we make the time and the effort to show just how much we care – whether by traveling across the country, finding the perfect gift or lovingly preparing a delicious meal. It’s around a table, in fact, that so many of our best memories of family gatherings often take place, which is why entertaining is at the heart of the season. Here, these eight tips from entertaining experts and chefs will show you how to make your open house, cocktail party or family holiday dinner a little easier to pull together (and pull off), as well as a get-together everyone will remember fondly for years to come. When hosting an event – no matter how big or small – your goals should be simple and straightforward. At the top of the list: A good time to be had by all and an event that feels special in some way. Here’s what the experts say makes for a great gathering: Have a plan. “Planning is obviously critical,” says Gary Arabia, who, in addition to being chef/owner of Global Cuisine restaurant in Los Angeles, has planned almost 4,000 events. “For the 4 home and the holidays, the mindset is the same as when you’re doing it professionally.” Once you’ve put together a menu (it should be well-balanced, seasonal, interesting and, most important, doable, says Arabia), get as much done as you can before the party or meal. “You don’t want to run around just before – you want to relax, stay loose and have a good time with your guests,” he stresses. “The food is the element that brings it all together, but around the holidays in particular it’s really about enjoying the company.” Think about flowers, centerpieces and music in advance, too. Consider something simpler. If, say, you want to celebrate the season with friends, but don’t want to throw a big shindig, consider an appetizers-and-cocktails get-together, says Tori Ritchie, author of Party Appetizers: Small Bites, Big Flavor (Chronicle Books, 2004) and host of Food Network’s “Ultimate Kitchen.” “It’s a wonderful alternative to an elaborate dinner party.” Aim to serve three to eight appetizers, depending on the length of the party. “If you’re inviting people over for drinks and appetizers before going out to dinner, you only need three appetizers,” says Ritchie. “For an all-out appetizer party that substitutes for a dinner party, you should have eight things.” HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 10:33 AM Page 5 special advertising supplement Include one “Wow!” factor. “Not everything has to be incredible and special,” says Emily Miles Terry, co-author of Nesting: It’s a Chick Thing (Workman, 2004). “A fabulous centerpiece, a great appetizer or a wonderful dessert – whatever you choose -- takes the pressure off and helps simplify the whole evening.” Appeal to the senses. “When people walk in the door, you want them to see food,” says Ritchie. Crunchy and salty snacks – curried cashews or spiked olives, for example – stimulate the appetite and thirst. A platter of roasted vegetables with dip is beautiful (and can be prepared up to 2 days in advance) and using fresh herbs as a garnish on a platter is very impressive, says Arabia. “At my house we put large branches of rosemary in a rosemary-crusted turkey breast and we might light it to get those wonderful aromas in the air.” Arabia also puts cranberries or black cherries in large vases with water to add seasonal color to a table. Ame Mahler Beanland, coauthor of Nesting, likes to line her walkway with candles to make guests feel welcome. “The whole point of hospitality is to make people feel that you anticipated their coming and you took the time to prepare for it,” she explains. Make it a family affair. Some of the best parties are also the easiest: They’re the ones where you put everyone to “work,” enlisting help with planning through to the event itself. “When preparing for the holidays we try to involve as many people as possible because it takes it to another level,” says Arabia. “My daughters – who are now 13 and 11 – are involved in the prep work, but even when they were little they would crack the eggs for soufflés and roll the cookie dough.” Kids are great tablesetters, adds cookbook author and cooking teacher Marie Simmons. “They love to make placecards, fold napkins, help move chairs around.” An appetizer party, says Ritchie, allows children to mingle too, which guests love. “They can help pass the foods, which gives them a sense of purpose and gives the guests a chance to see the kids.” You can also enlist the shyest person at the party to help pass foods around; it’s an easy icebreaker. Don’t forget the classics. The holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without the special foods we remember and love so well. Batches of holiday cookies are a must-have in Arabia’s household: “It’s history and everybody can participate in making them.” But his long-standing family tradition of candied yams is especially meaningful. “It brings back such sensory memories and they’re the same year after year,” he says. “Long after people have come and gone, you get to experience some of your wonderful family history through the food, the recipes.” End on a sweet note. Ritchie gives guests a treat to take home with them when they leave – often her homemade truffles, madeleines or shortbread buttons. To make the departure extra memorable, she says, “get kids to help you wrap the goodies up in little cellophane bags or small Chinese food boxes. It’s really nice to have kids standing at the door to give them out, if it’s not too late.” Children can also personalize the box or carrier with the guest’s name or picture (take one with a digital camera when each guest arrives and kids will be occupied during the party decorating the boxes). Enjoy yourself. It’s the cardinal rule of party-throwing: If you don’t have fun, no one else will either. “There isn’t a huge badge of honor if your floors are perfectly mopped,” laughs Terry. So relax and enjoy! Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 3 free! Pay with your MasterCard® card and get three FREE bottles of Wine with the purchase of nine bottles! Plus, with your first order you will receive a Connoisseur Elite Tabletop Wine Opener AND a Wine Rack System FREE. Total value: $185.95 www.direct-wines.com/FSTCAD-1 or call 1-800-649-4637 and mention code FSTCAD. Offer valid 9/1/04-12/31/05 and only if purchased with a MasterCard card. Limit one per cardholder. Must be 21 years of age. Only valid in: AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, ID, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MO, ND, NH, NM, NY, OH, OR,TX,VA,WA,WV,WY, and WI. List of legal states is subject to change. Direct Wines reserves the right to substitute other wines of comparable value if inventory is not available. 5 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 10:44 AM Page 6 special advertising supplement Healthy Holidays If there’s one time of the year when exercise and healthful eating tend to go right out the window, it’s the holidays. But there are easy ways to fit in fitness and shave off calories and fat from your favorite dishes (no one needs to know!). Turn these four simple tips into traditions: Work in a little exercise. “After Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner I usually get the gang together and say, let’s go for a little walk,” says Bettye Nowlin, R.D., a Los Angeles-based spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “We chat, look at the houses, get ideas for things we’d like to do for our houses; it burns off some of the calories.” Tame tension. When stress sneaks up on you, take a few minutes to do this easy knee hug stretch from Lara Hudson, star of the "10 Minute Solution: Pilates" video (Anchor Bay Entertainment; at collagevideo.com): Lie down on your back and pull your knees into your chest. Hold onto the tops of your shins with your hands and breathe out as you hug the knees into your body. Stay there for a few breaths, relaxing more with each exhalation. “This is a great way to way to stretch out your lower back and hips,” says Hudson. 1/2 Price Omaha Steaks Dinner Combo and get a FREE Cheesecake! The Steak Dinner Combo The Perfect Gift! 4 (5 oz.) Top Sirloins & 6 Stuffed Baked Potatoes Reg. $58.99, $29.50 Now Only.... when you use your MasterCard® card. To order, visit us online at www.omahasteaks.com/mc or call 1-800-228-9055. Ask for item number 7851PLN Bonus Gift! Limit of 2 steak packages at this special price. One free Cheesecake will ship per address and must ship with your order. Not valid at Omaha Steaks retail stores. Standard shipping and handling will Smooth and creamy with a delicious be applied per address. cookie dough crust! Yours FREE FREE CARNEGIE DELI CHEESECAKE! with the Steak Dinner Combo. 6 ©2004 Omaha Creative Group, Inc. 24098 Find ways to cut fat. Reducing fat doesn’t mean cutting back on flavor, stresses Marie Simmons, author of 18 cookbooks, including the recently released Fig Heaven (William Morrow, 2004). “If you’re doing hearty meals for the holidays, a lot of those dishes – brisket, osso bucco, lamb shanks – improve upon standing,” Simmons says. “And after they’re chilled the fat comes to the surface and you can just skim it off and get rid of it.” Rethink heavy chips-and-dip platters too; instead, opt for colorful bite-sized tomatoes, or pair hummus (chickpea spread) with crispy flatbreads. Start a little healthy competition. Nowlin’s family competes to see who can cook the most delicious healthy dish. “I give a prize for the one with the best taste and texture,” she says. “No one’s dish is put down, of course, but people love it because the food is delicious and everybody in the house can contribute.” HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 12:00 PM Page 7 special advertising supplement A SPECIAL TREAT Elegant but simple to make, chef and cookbook writer Marie Simmons often bakes these pears for a crowd. “I stand them on a large platter on a sideboard for everyone to admire,” she says. Sometimes called crinkly pears, they do not need to be peeled. PEARS BAKED IN RED WINE Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 55-60 minutes | Serves: 4 1 1/2 cups full bodied red wine 1/2 cup sugar 4 whole allspice 1 piece (about 2 inches) cinnamon stick 1 piece (about 2 inches) vanilla bean 1 bay leaf 4 large, firm, ripe Bosc pears, washed and dried stick, vanilla bean, and bay leaf to the baking dish. Stir just until the sugar is partially dissolved. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of the pears so they will stand upright. Place them in the wine mixture and spoon some of the wine over them. Bake until the syrup has begun to boil and thicken (55-60 minutes), basting the pears with the wine two or three times during the baking. The pears are done when they’re tender when pierced with a toothpick or skewer. Serve at room tem- Preheat oven to 350F. Select a baking dish large enough to hold the pears in one layer. (A 10-inch pie plate works well.) Add the wine, sugar, allspice, cinnamon Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers perature with the wine syrup spooned over each serving. — From Fresh & Fast, by Marie Simmons (Houghton Mifflin) 7 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 10:49 AM Page 8 Get a free phone without leaving home. A GREAT HOLIDAY OFFER. ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE. Get a FREE refurbished LG 4015 color flip phone when you sign up at attwireless.com/freeflip for any AT&T Wireless GSM™ America plan $29.99 or above. And because you’re on our best network ever, you can stay connected in more places than ever. Try it for 30 days, risk free. If you’re not satisfied, return the phone and pay only for usage. SHOP ONLINE TODAY AND ALSO GET: • Up to $50 credit toward accessories • Free shipping • Exclusive 30-day, risk-free trial Get it FREE! When you get it at attwireless.com/freeflip LG 4015 color flip phone Sugg. retail price $98.99. Free after $98.99 instant online rebate. Sales tax may apply. See below for activation fee and other requirements. Shop online with at: attwireless.com/freeflip Important Information An add’l monthly $1.75 Regulatory Programs Fee applies to help fund our compliance with various gov’t mandated programs which may not yet be available in your area. This is not a tax or gov’t required charge. Requires qualified plan, credit approval, compatible GSM 850 device, $36 activation, minimum one-year agreement and $175 cancellation fee. Not available for purchase or use in all areas. Availability and reliability of service are subject to transmission limitations. Airtime, roaming, additional minute, and long distance charges apply. Various taxes, surcharges, fees, $1.75 Regulatory Programs Fee and other assessments (e.g., universal connectivity charge) apply. Limited time offer. Other restrictions apply. Subject to Service Agreement and printed materials. Network and coverage: Our network includes areas we own and areas owned by other carriers. Some features work only on the network we own. Additional coverage applies to ability to use service, rates vary based on rate plan chosen. 30-Day, Risk-Free Trial: Purchase a wireless phone and activate service at an AT&T Wireless store or at attwireless.com. Phone must be undamaged; prorated monthly service charges apply. Up to $50 off Accessories: You can receive up to a $50 credit against the cost of your phone, device or accessories when you order a phone and activate new service on a qualified plan at $29.99 and above at attwireless.com. Credit not valid toward service charges, Free2Go or GoPhone service activations or other fees. Any portion of the $50 credit unused during initial online purchase will be forfeited. One credit per order. Taxes may apply to original purchase price or cost. Free Phone: Flip phone model will be selected by AT&T Wireless. One instant rebate per qualified phone purchase and qualified new activation through www.attwireless.com/freeflip. Credit card required to be eligible for rebate. Taxes may apply to original purchase price or cost. Limited time offer. Refurbished Phones: The work on our refurbished phones has been completed by an authorized service provider. They are not new devices. Should you experience problems with the device within the first 90 days of ownership, it may be returned for service or replacement. Full details of the 90 day warranty will be included with your refurbished device. Free Shipping and Handling: Your order will be processed within 3–5 business days and you will be notified via email when it is complete. The GSM letter mark is a trademark of the GSM Association. ©2004 AT&T Wireless. All Rights Reserved. 8 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 10:51 AM Page 9 special advertising supplement 2004’s Must-Have Gift Guide Hot toys, cool gadgets, luxurious accessories and more. We have the best of the season, all wrapped up. How do you capture that feeling of anticipation as your mom or your best friend peels back the tissue paper to reveal your perfect present? It’s not easy. No worries this year – we’ve done the legwork to find some of the most unique gifts of the holidays, the hottest toys and some very cool web sites. In short, we’ve got the season all wrapped up for you. Toy Story If anyone knows what this holiday season’s must-have toys will be, it’s Jim Silver. As editorin-chief of Toy Wishes magazine and a journalist in the toy industry for 21 years, Silver knows toys. Every October, he and his editorial team start to compile the list for the following year’s holiday season. So what’s in store for 2004? “Every year you have a retro toy – one or two,” explains Silver. “Last year, for girls it was Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and My Little Pony.” This holiday season is no exception; there will definitely be a feeling of déjà vu for parents in particular. Cabbage Patch Kids is on the Toy Wishes hot list, as are Barbie, a Ms. Pac-man game, Tamagotchi and a new Elmo toy in which the Sesame Street character dances to the tune of “YMCA” to spell out his name (Silver calls it “one of the funniest things you’ve ever seen”). And will there be a stand-out toy like 1994’s Power Rangers or 1999’s Pokemon trading cards? “You don’t have these total frenzies like you used to,” says Silver. “Consumers are a lot more informed about all the hot toys and the focus isn’t on just one toy anymore.” Parents can take heart, however, knowing that educational toys – especially those that use technology to teach – will continue to be a big trend. Here’s what you can expect to be hot at the toy store this holiday season... Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 9 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 10:54 AM Page 10 special advertising supplement Toy Wishes Magazine’s Hot Dozen Holiday 2004 List (in alphabetical order) BARBIE AS PRINCESS ANNELIESE AND ERIKA BALLOON LAGOON (Mattel|Ages 3 years+|$19.99) (Cranium|Ages 5 years+|$19.95) These two dolls feature Barbie in costumes from the new film, The Princess and the Pauper. Each doll comes with a pet and sings original songs from the movie’s score. This fast-paced game challenges kids to collect balloons, flip frogs in a pond, and fish for letters in a lake before the musical Merry-Go-Round timer stops. BELLA DANCERELLA (Spin Master|Ages 3-8 years|$29.99) This ballet studio includes costumes, accessories, and an easy-to-follow video. BRATZ TOKYO-A-GO-GO DANCE N’ SKATE CLUB (MGA|Ages 3 years+|$89.99) A stylish Bratz playset includes lighted dance floor, revolving DJ booth, roller rink, lounge, working speakers, doll, and accessories. CABBAGE PATCH KIDS (Play Along|Ages 3 years+|$29.99) The original one-of-a-kind adoptable doll is back for a new generation. You still “officially” register your doll’s adoption with a name and identity chosen by your child. 10 E-L-M-O (Fisher-Price| Ages 18 months+|$29.99) Sesame Street’s Elmo sings and spells out the letters in his name to the tune of “YMCA.” HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:08 AM Page 11 special advertising supplement INTERACTV (Fisher-Price|Ages 3 years+|$39.99) Kids watch DVDs of their favorite characters – including Barney and Dora the Explorer – and use an electronic tablet to answer questions and play along. NITRO BATTLERZ (Radica|Ages 8 years+|$39.99) MS. PAC-MAN TV GAMES These customizable remote control cars come with a dome for racing. (JAKKS Pacific|Ages 5 years+|$20) No console needed: Simply plug the game into the TV to play Ms. Pac-man, Galaga, Pole Position, Xevious, or Mappy. 10% OFF PURCHASES AT ALL U.S. VIRGIN MEGASTORES ® ® Save card at Virgin Megastore... Save10% 10%when whenyou youuse useyour yourMasterCard MasterCard at Virgin Megastore… Hollywood • Times Square • Union Square • San Francisco • Orlando Walt Disney® World Resort • Chicago New Orleans • Denver • Las Vegas • Miami • Burbank • Sacramento • Costa Mesa • Ontario Mills Arizona Mills • Orange • Dallas Mockingbird Station • Dallas Grapevine Mills • Boston • Salt Lake City Instant Savings. Part of The Complete Collection. *Coupon must be presented at time of purchase and cannot be redeemed for cash or previous purchase. Coupon may not be combined with any other coupon, discount or promotional offer. Offer valid at Virgin Megastore in the US only. Not valid online @ virginmega.com, or at Virgin airport locations. Offer good on regular priced merchandise only - excludes sale priced items, DVD players, game hardware, Gift Cards and Virgin Mobile Top-Up Cards. A valid MasterCard card must be used as the form of payment. Offer valid 11/15/04–12/25/04 Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 11 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 7:58 PM Page 12 special advertising supplement “Every year you have a retro toy – one or two,” explains Silver. “Last year, for girls it was Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and My Little Pony.” This holiday season is no exception; there will definitely be a feeling of déjà vu for parents in particular. 12 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:00 AM Page 13 special advertising supplement VIDEONOW COLOR (Hasbro|Ages 6 years+|$75) This portable personal video player for kids allows them to choose their favorite shows from those on Nickelodeon and special programs from Hilary Duff and others. Toy Wishes Magazine’s Hot Dozen Holiday 2004 List (continued) VTECH V.SMILE (VTech|Ages 3-7 years|$59.99) TAMAGOTCHI CONNECTION An interactive system of educational video games allows younger kids to learn while they play. Plug the unit directly into the TV and insert a “Smartridge” to teach children language, math, and problem-solving skills with the help of their favorite characters. (Bandai|Ages 8-14 years|$14.99) Retro rears its head again: The original virtual pet is back with different modes of play, a pause button, and new pets. Owners can now interact wirelessly with other owners too. Pro Golf Deals teams up with MasterCard® to provide a Hole in One! When choosing just the right set of irons or the driver of your dreams, Pro Golf Deals and MasterCard puts you on top of the leader board! For all your holiday golf needs, shop www.ProGolfDeals.com and receive FREE SHIPPING*. Plus, for every $100 you spend on ProGolfDeals, you EARN A $10 GIFT CERTIFICATE towards future purchases on ProGolfDeals.com when you use your MasterCard card*. www.PROGOLFDEALS.com SPEND $100 $200 $300 EARN $10 Gift Certificate $20 Gift Certificate $30 Gift Certificate Callaway Cleveland Nike TaylorMade and many more premium golf manufacturers *Offer valid November 1 - December 31, 2004. Purchases made with certificates are not eligible for additional earned gift certificates. A valid MasterCard card must be used as the form of payment. Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 13 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:10 AM Page 14 special advertising supplement Seven sites that will simplify your shopping > BEST OF THE WEB 14 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:15 AM Page 15 special advertising supplement VERMONT COUNTRY STORE (www.vermontcountrystore.com) FISHS EDDY (www.fishseddy.com) Long a Manhattan fixture, Fishs Eddy now purveys some of the cleverest vintage and reproduction dishware online. Order their classic white dinnerware, retro-inspired coffee mugs and Fishs Eddy’s own “Cheer Up!” glasses. Also available: Pressed-glass and cobalt glassware, dishware with the Manhattan skyline, and funny New Yorker cartoon mugs. ORIENTAL TRADING CO., INC. (www.orientaltrading.com) Consider this site your HQ for stocking stuffers, inexpensive kids’ toys, party favors, small presents for teachers and neighbors, and all sorts of small holiday items you didn’t know you needed but you do. VIVRE (www.vivre.com) Do you have a fashionista on your list? Whether it’s a sequined-collar cashmere polo, a pair of embroidered boots or a rainbowstriped lambswool scarf, this site has it all, with an emphasis on extravagantly beautiful clothing and accessories. Gifts for men, women, kids, and for the home, with a good selection under $75. DEAN & DELUCA (www.deandeluca.com) If you like to eat, you’ll like this site. Everything here – from spatulas to spices – is of the highest quality. You’ll find a new kitchen tool for your favorite cook, holiday treats like panettone and plum pudding, and special gift packages, like the tin of 18 hand-iced “thank you” cookies, or, for the morninghater on your list, the “Rise and Shine” package, which includes pancake mix, granola, syrup and other goodies. Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers Ultimately, the holidays are about tradition, so where better to find a bit of history than at this online version of a real general store. With a bit of everything to please everyone, these “purveyors of the practical and hardto-find” offer a cozy Irish flannel nightshirt, cotton ragg socks, New England chowders, Dick & Jane reading books, and a classic chrome toaster – and almost literally everything in between. UNCOMMON GOODS (www.uncommongoods.com) FOGDOG SPORTS (www.fogdog.com) Just as its name says, this online shop is full of out-of-the-ordinary ideas for gifts (or selfgifting). For the technophile, choose the colorful poppy laptop sleeve; the polka-dotted or bold-striped Shanghai thermos is perfect for the stylish commuter; or let the wannabe artist express herself in the tub with the Gauguin bath palette. Be sure to check out the shop’s ornament selection – one of the most original out there. From baseball to wrestling, this easy-to-use, all-sports-all-the-time site has something for the athlete and the armchair enthusiast alike. Visit the specialty shops for NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA and NASCAR, plus a Fan/Memorabilia area, or get suggestions from the Gift Center by price. For an extraspecial gift, the Custom Shop offers a personalized Louisville Slugger bat or a customized NFL jersey. Tourneau, the World’s Largest Watch Store invites you to ENTER TO WIN Tourneau Dual Time Zone Watch Now through November 20, 2004 S I N C E 1 9 0 0 NEW YORK BOSTON ATLANTA PALM BEACH BAL HARBOUR CORAL GABLES CHICAGO HOUSTON LAS VEGAS SOUTH COAST PLAZA LOS ANGELES SAN JOSE SAN FRANCISCO 800.348.3332 www.tourneau.com No purchase necessary. To enter, fill out an official entry form, or, on a 3”x 5” plain piece of paper, hand print your name, address, city, state, zip code, cellphone and email address (optional). Place your entry in the ballot box located in Tourneau stores or mail to: Tourneau, Marketing Dept., Attn: SM, 3 East 54th Street, New York, NY 10022. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11/20/04. One winner will be randomly selected to win a dual time zone Tourneau watch (retail value $1595). Open to U.S. residents, 18 or older who are not employees of Tourneau and its affiliates. Void where prohibited. Winner need not be present for contest selection. By entering, winners agree to grant Tourneau and MasterCard permission to use their photograph and hereby waive any claim to royalty or remuneration. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Prize is subject to applicable taxes. Tourneau is a registered trademark.© Tourneau, Inc. 2004. 15 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:17 AM Page 16 special advertising supplement What’s Cool Now These hot products are sure to satisfy the names on your shopping list. Flight of fancy Ante up Forget baseball; poker has taken over as America’s new favorite pastime. Play it like the pros of the past with this swell set that includes metal chips, two decks of cards, and a carrying case modeled after a 1930s Bakelite poker set. $110. From Zipper Gifts. (323) 951-9190; The Dr.H Jet Set, from skin care guru Dr.Hauschka, will make the much-toofrequent flyer on your list feel better during and after the red-eye, thanks to travel-sized versions of a refreshing facial toner, rejuvenating mask, eye solace, hydrating hand cream, and invigorating rosemary arm and leg toner. From Flight 001. $21.50. www.zippergifts.com www.flight001.com Use your MasterCard® card to purchase select Philips Flat Panel TVs and receive a FREE Home Theater System or DVD Player.* For offer details go to: www.aeadvantage.com/mastercard Entire payment must be settled on a MasterCard card. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion, discount or coupon. Offer valid through 12/31/2004. * 16 Plasma LCD HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:22 AM Page 17 special advertising supplement Naughty, not nice If your special someone has been sweet and sour this year, stuff their stocking with Coal bubble gum. The austere black box features guilt-inducing phrases (“it’s all you get”), but inside there are blackberry-flavored gumballs. From Wishingfish.com. $5. 877-785-3914; www.wishingfish.com Enjoy instant $15 savings on any $75 purchase from a Sharper Image store, catalog or Website when you use your MasterCard card! ® Sleek 3-CD Stereo Use your MasterCard ® card and save $15 on your purchase of $75 or more! Store: Present this coupon. Online: www.sharperimagesavings.com/mchg Phone: 1-800-344-4444 and mention code 5628Q Terms and Conditions: A valid MasterCard® card must be used as the form of payment. Not valid at The Sharper Image Auction site or any of the International sites. The discount is based on merchandise prices only and excludes tax, shipping, and tax on shipping. The Sharper Image is not required to honor this offer if any portion of it is posted in error. This offer is not valid towards previously purchased merchandise or the purchase of Gift Cards/Certificates. This offer is not valid with Price Matching Policy, merchandise certificates or other discount/promotional offers. Not all products are eligible for discounts. See individual product pages for details. Offer expires January 31, 2005. POS Code: 22872 Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 17 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:28 AM Page 18 special advertising supplement What’s Cool Now (continued) Light of your life Put on the season’s best with Illuminations’ Black Tie Glitter premium candles. Tailored for festive and formal occasions, our sumptuous pear and pomegranate candles glisten with a luxurious gold-leaf finish; the pillars shine with a jewel-like brilliance. 800-CANDLES; www.illuminations.com. Watch this The ESPN addict on your list will bless your name for years to come when you gift them with this wristwatch-cum-TV. The picture may be small but the resolution is crisp and they’ll never miss a game again. You get one hour’s worth of watching on the charged battery or three hours when you use the battery-powered docking station; or plug in for charging and unlimited viewing. From Hammacher Schlemmer. $200. 866-426-6224; www.hammacher.com Circle in the square Pretty and practical, these boldly colored trivets – designed by Boulder, Colorado. artist Nicole Linton – brighten any kitchen and withstand hot serving dishes. Each is made by an artist community in Peru. From Garnet Hill. $35. 800-622-6216; garnethill.com Silver bells Simple, beautiful, and very au courant (you’ve seen the diamond version on red-carpet celebs), these crystal and silver dangle earrings by Coqui add glitter to a holiday party or a special New Year’s Eve. From Shopbop.com. $42. www.shopbop.com 18 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:30 AM Page 19 “You’ve chosen each other. Now choose a beautiful way to cherish this moment during the holiday season.” Those special moments. Whether it is something as symbolic as a traditional diamond ring or an accessory, you need to be sure that it is a perfect one. At Mondera, we will give you our expert advice on buying that all important piece of jewelry to help make your shopping experience smooth and what's better, absolutely divine. We also offer you a lovely opportunity to create your own engagement ring, diamond stud earrings and solitaire pendant. Do visit us and make a special moment a Mondera moment. ® Mondera is proud to offer MasterCard cardholders the following unique offers* 15% off on any jewelry, excludes diamond stud earrings and solitaire pendants: MASTER0415 5% off on create your own diamond jewelry & loose diamonds: MASTER0405 Log on to www.mondera.com and claim your purchase using the reference codes mentioned above. Your purchase from Mondera directly entitles you to Free Shipping in USA for all purchases & Free Priority Shipping worldwide, on purchase of Custom made Diamond Jewelry & loose diamonds !! Quality, Value & Expert Advice *Terms & Conditions: 1. A valid MasterCard card must be used as the form of payment. 2. Offer valid from :11/5/04 to 02/14/05 Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 19 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:34 AM Page 20 special advertising supplement What’s Cool Now (continued) Spice world Any cook worth their salt knows that a dish is only as good as its ingredients. Which is why first-rate spices make all the difference. Penzeys gift-boxed 8jar Baker’s Assortment has generous amounts of Sweet China Cassia Cinnamon and Ceylon True Cinnamon; vanilla extract from Madagascar; Dutch Blue poppy seeds and Dutch cocoa; ginger powder from China; minced lemon zest; and 1/4 cup each of powdered cloves and ground cardamom. From Penzeys Spices. $39. (800) 741-7877; www.penzeys.com Exclusive of fer** for MasterCard ® Cardholders. Escape to 50 different soothing sound environments. The Sharper Image's popular soothing sounds are now available in a premier Sound Soother® system with an LCD remote control - with 50 soundscapes, dual stereo speakers and powerful subwoofer that boasts state-ofthe-art aluminum-cone driver technology. Enjoy comforting sound in the home or office. Invented by The Sharper Image. $199.95. (800) 344-5555; www.sharperimage.com S P E C I A L H O L I D AY P R O M O T I O N Save over 50% on the Samsonite® 3 Piece Luggage Set. Only $159.95! on a 4 Piece Luggage Set from Samsonite®. Only $199.95! Original Retail Original Retail $499.95 $379.95 Pack up and go with a new set of Samsonite Luggage! Travel in style with this Ballistic Nylon 3-piece set. The set includes a large 26" Wheeled Upright, a 21" Wheeled Carry-On, and a roomy 19" Duffel. This deluxe set is fashioned in durable 1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon and is fully lined for added strength. The two wheeled pieces feature in-line skate wheels and push-button locking handles for easy maneuvering. An add-a-bag strap on each Upright allows for easy transportation of multiple bags. An expandable feature gives you added room to take home those extra things you pick up on your trip. 10 year Limited Warranty. + FREE SHIPPING!* Available in Black 19" Duffel 21" Expandable Upright 26" Expandable Upright To order, call 800-547-BAGS ext. 7683 or log-on to www.samsonitecompanystores.com/mastercard Pack for your next trip with a new set of luggage. Regardless of where your destination is, this set is sure to get you there with ease. Four pieces include a large 25" Duffel, a 19" Carry-On, a 20" Expandable Wheeled Upright and a 26" Expandable Wheeled Upright, all provide plenty of room for your belongings. Great features include durable Ballistic Nylon construction, dual zipper pulls, in-line skate wheels that make it easier to roll, and a removable Wet-pakTM which helps keep your clean clothes separate from previously worn clothing. A Vinyl Kick-plate and corner protectors provide added durability. 10 Year Limited Warranty. + FREE SHIPPING!* Available in Black Duffel: 25"x12"x12" Carry-on: 19"x13"x11" CCO: 20"x14"x7" 26" VPM: 26"x19"x9" To order, call 800-547-BAGS ext. 7682 or log-on to www.samsonitecompanystores.com/mastercard Domestic shipments only. Florida residents will be charged applicable sales tax. Cannot be combined with any other discounts. Not available in Stores. *Free UPS ground shipping. **A valid MasterCard card must be used as form of payment. Offer expires March 31, 2005. 20 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:36 AM Page 21 board shorts you left in San Diego: $55 ski pole you lost in Tahoe: $40 linen pants you must’ve forgotten in Napa: $89 replacing your card anywhere: priceless For everything from card replacement to cash advances to locating the nearest ATM, call 1-800-MasterCard. there are some things money can’t buy. for everything else there’s MasterCard.® ©2004 MasterCard International Incorporated Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 21 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:37 AM Page 22 special advertising supplement Looking for some new tunes to spin this holiday season? Why not take a cue from the bounty of year-end awards events–the Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Shortlist Music Prize and Billboard Music Awards–that offer musical inspiration for every ear. Strike a Chord. Thanks to cross-over artists like Shania Twain–the new face of home fragrance Scentsations–country music nowadays provides not only a soundtrack for life in the heartland but is a nearly ubiquitous household sound from New York to Los Angeles. Twain, Toby Keith and hosts Brooks & Dunn are among those who’ll take the stage at this year’s Country Music Awards, which CBS will broadcast November 9 from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The affable Alan Jackson leads the pack with seven nominations, while “NYPD Blue” star Rick Schroder does some crossing over of his own. Shroder wrote, directed and stars in the music video for Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss’ “Whiskey Lullaby,” nominated for a CMA this year. Riding the wave of his red-hot album “Confessions,” R&B and pop music superstar Usher leads the list of contenders for the 32nd American Music Awards, to be hosted by talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and air November 14 on ABC. Global favorite Usher was recently bestowed with awards for the world’s best male artist, best pop artist and best R&B artist at the World Music Awards in September. Other key nominees for the multi-genre awards include pop princess Jessica Simpson and her “In This Skin” album, budding rapper Kanye West, R&B siren Beyonce, alternative rockers Linkin Park and country crooner Keith–who’s about to hang his hat, literally, in Las Vegas by investing in a new sports bar at 22 Harrah’s hotel and casino themed around him and his music. Arguably the hippest music awards around today, the Shortlist Music Prize is bubbling into the mainstream in its fourth year. The prize recognizes artistically excellent albums that have sold fewer than 500,000 copies according to the Recording Association of America. In other words...CDs that probably aren’t getting a whole lot of bin space in your local record store. A panel of tastemakers including actor Jack Black, Grammy winner Norah Jones, Lollapalooza co-founder Perry Farrell, and film maker Jim Jarmusch pared down an initial list of 73 albums to form the short list of 10 CDs finalists, including those by acts Air, Dizzee Rascal, Franz Ferdinand, Loretta Lynn, Nellie McKay, and Wilco (see complete list of finalists at www.shortlistofmusic.com). The winner will be announced at a concert November 10 in Los Angeles but CDs from all 10 finalists are definitely worth checking out. The Billboard Music Awards return to Las Vegas on December 8 to dole out statuettes to the artists who've notched the strongest showing on the industry magazine's various music charts during the past year. Billboard will also reveal the new winner of the coveted Century Award. Previous Century recipients include Sting, Annie Lennox, B.B. King, Emmylou Harris and George Harrison. Finally, MTV sister channel mtvU–dedicated to all aspects of college life from entertainment to politics–will air the inaugu- HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/15/04 11:01 AM Page 23 special advertising supplement ral Woodie Awards in November to recognize the CDs that get the highest marks on campus. Metal rockers Coheed & Cambria top the list of nominees. Portable DVDs Take them with you It may not exactly be “over the river and through the woods,” but chances are the holidays have some type of travel in store for your family – whether to grandmother’s house across town or a vacation spot across the country. Help your kids start unwinding from their spin cycle of homework and extracurricular activities as soon as you hit the road. Those hours spent in the car, plane or train provide an ideal time for them to unwind and catch up on that movie they missed between social studies and soccer practice. Thanks to the technological wizardry of the portable DVD player, you can, indeed, take your favorite discs with you. This snappy little device plays DVDs on the go, is user-friendly and is probably already on your third grader’s Christmas list! About the size and weight of a small laptop with screens ranging from 5 to 12 inches, it’s not much heavier than a handheld computer game and can handle a cross-country flight with the aid of a five-hour lithium battery. Sure, you can rent a portable player at one of the now-abundant airport kiosks, but this year prices have tumbled to the point where it might just be worth buying one – or two – for your family. Last year a name-brand device from Audiovox, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony or Toshiba cost around $500. This year one can be had for about half that. Some of the new players – like Archos Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 23 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:41 AM Page 24 ® * Use your MasterCard and Get a 5th Ticket FREE! UNIVERSAL ORLANDO® RESORT Purchase 4 Universal Orlando® Resort Bonus Passes online and receive a 5th Bonus Pass FREE!* Enjoy 5 consecutive days admission to both Universal Studios Florida® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme parks, for less than the price of a 2-Day Ticket! UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOODSM Purchase 4 general admission tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood online and receive the 5th ticket free!* Step inside the action at The World’s Largest Movie Studio and Theme ParkSM. Go to visituniversal.com/mastercard for details. 24 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:43 AM Page 25 special advertising supplement AV400 Pocket Video Recorder – not only play DVDs but feature the ability to record programming from your TV, VCR or DVD recorder and then play it back on the go. Others – including the RCA DRC618 and Sony DVP FX700 – can play back MP3-encoded discs. Still other players can connect with video game consoles like the Microsoft X Box, Nintendo Game Cube or Sony Playstation for your little “remote control” freak. The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “The Year Without A Santa Claus,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” and more – are available on DVD from Sony Wonder. If the kids are sharing a player in the back seat, “Portable DVD player prices have tumbled to the point where it might just be worth buying one – or two – for your family.” Once you’ve purchased your new portable player, you’ll want these latest, greatest DVDs to tote along: MGM’s new animated “Babes In Toyland,” – a new spin on the classic story–will help get the whole family in the holiday spirit. And those perennial Rankin-Bass TV favorites of yesteryear – “Rudolph they’re sure to agree on “Shrek 2,” out November 5 from DreamWorks. Another winning choice is mega-hit “Spiderman 2," out November 30 from Columbia TriStar. This DVD packs close to 10 hours of additional programming. Holiday Movie Releases ONCE THE DUST SETTLES FROM YOUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, NOTHING BEATS ESCAPING TO THE MOVIE THEATER.THIS HOLIDAY SEASON LOOKS TO BE RICH IN ENTERTAINING FARE FROM HOLLYWOOD. HERE ARE THREE CAN’T-MISS HITS SCHEDULED FOR HOLIDAY RELEASE. Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason Working Title Films' Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason stars Oscarwinner René Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth all reprising the roles they originated in Bridget Jones's Diary. In this follow-up to the worldwide hit, we find Bridget where we left her – blissful and besotted in the arms of gorgeous lawyer Mark Darcy (Firth). But what happens after the "happily ever after?" Ms. Jones careens from embarrassing situation to romantic misunderstanding, still managing to muddle through the trials and tribulations of the working woman who has become the symbolic heroine of ‘singletons’ everywhere. Meet The Fockers The makers and stars behind the runaway hit of 2000, Meet the Parents, are re-united – and joined by some formidable future inlaws – in the follow-up comedy, Meet the Fockers. Now that Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) is "in" with his soon-to-be in-laws, Jack (Robert De Niro) and Dina (Blythe Danner) Byrnes, it looks like smooth sailing for him and his fiancée Pam (Polo). But that's before Pam’s parents meet Greg’s parents, Bernie and Roz Focker Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers (Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand). The hyper-relaxed Fockers and the tightly-wound Byrneses are woefully mismatched from the start, and no matter how hard Greg and Pam try, there is just no bringing their families together – which all adds up to a disastrously funny time of "getting to know you." Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) again directs, with screenwriters Jim Herzfeld and John Hamburg also returning. In Good Company Filmmaker and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Paul Weitz (About a Boy) turns his complex sense of humor on In Good Company, an insightful comedy about the relationship between a Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid), a 50-something, old school businessman, and Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) Dan's newly assigned, 26-year-old boss – a business school prodigy who preaches corporate synergy. Dan and Carter's uneasy friendship is thrown into jeopardy when Carter falls for, and begins an affair with, Dan's teenage daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson). Weitz's examination of life's surprises, ironies and coincidences combine to form the humorous and rewarding In Good Company. 25 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:44 AM Page 26 special advertising supplement A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT TRAVEL WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS Something timeless draws us together for the holidays. However we observe our various holiday traditions, one key element remains constant: we gather. Whether by planes, trains or automobiles, we take pause from our daily routines and journey to reconnect during the holiday season with families and friends. But why simply travel to see one another for the holidays, when you can travel together on vacation and celebrate at the same time? Imagine Thanksgiving in Taos, Hanukkah in Hawaii, Christmas in Charleston, Kwanzaa in the Caribbean, New Year’s Eve in New York and so on. Obviously, there’s less stress involved. No one has to worry about cooking the turkey, decking the halls or getting stuck at the kiddie table. Best of all, holiday-time travel is a present in and of itself. There’s no better gift than to spend time with friends and relatives hitting the slopes, exploring new cultures or just relaxing. Naturally, common sense dictates most tips for group travel: plan ahead and keep in mind varying budgets, interests and physical needs. Singular Celebrations Since vacationing during the holidays will most likely be breaking with tradition, why not go for something really different? You can steep yourself in culture. Travel back in time to the 17th century and dine with pilgrims while you relive the first Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation in Plymoth, Massachusetts (www.Plimoth.org). Or how about a cool colonial Christmas? Dine with Thomas Jefferson, attend an 18th century concert and waltz at a New Year’s Eve Gala Ball in Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum, located in Virginia (www.history.org/christmas). For holidays with a French twist, head to Montreal, Canada. The energy and joie de vivre are palpable as you stroll along Rue Ste.-Catherine amidst glittering Christmas lights and seasonal decorations (www.tourisme-montreal.org). Or go where movie magic, family fun and the holiday spirit meet: Universal Orlando 26 in Florida. On top of the theme park’s attractions like Jurassic Park and Toon Lagoon, there’s the Macy’s Holiday Parade and Grinchmas (www.themeparks.universal studios.com/orlando). For serious bragging rights and maybe a little frostbite, check out the Aurora Ice Hotel, just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. The only ice hotel in the U.S.A., it features ice rooms with ice beds and an ice lobby with a sculpted ice bar where you can sip ice-cold cosmopolitans from a martini glass made of—you guessed it—ice (www.chenahotsprings.com/ icehotel.html). Caribbean Christmas Want to take a break from winter? Hightail it to the Caribbean for tropical breezes, crystal clear blue waters, confectioners-sugarsand beaches and an exciting fusion of European colonial and African cultures. You’ll also enjoy other enticements like golf, water sports, spas, casinos and restaurants. The reasons the Caribbean cast its spell on so many, are simply added to during the holidays. All across the Caribbean, masquerade bands and steel bands play carols to traditional, calypso and reggae beats. Islands with British heritages like Baruda, Tortola, St. Kitts and Antigua celebrate Boxing Day on December 26th—when traditionally, “boxed” gifts are given to servants and the needy. In Trinidad, traveling parang minstrel groups sing Hispanic folksongs from house to house. Unique to the Bahamas, Junkanoo processions of masked dancers in bright costumes “rush” through the streets creating music with goat skin drums, cowbells and horns. In Jamaica, they dance in the streets on Christmas Eve. On the Dutch islands of Curacao, Saba and Bonaire, Sinterklaas leaves presents for children. Similarly, Papa Noel visits French islands like Martinique and St. Barts. And just as the islands vary in climate, character and customs, Caribbean resorts and hotels differ, too. You’ll find everything from luxe boutique hotels catering to well-heeled and camera-shy celebrities to five-star resorts with every amenity imaginable to family-friendly allinclusive resorts (www.caribbean-on-line.com). HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:46 AM Page 27 Unforgettable experiences. Undeniable savings. ® Use your MasterCard card and save on a day at SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. Give the gift of unforgettable memories this holiday season. Go to SeaWorld.com/mastercard or BuschGardens.com/mastercard between November 5, 2004 and December 15, 2004. Purchase single-day tickets to any Busch Gardens or SeaWorld park using your MasterCard® card. And you’ll save 10% off the price of each ticket, which can be used anytime within one year of the date of purchase. It’s an offer that gets you up-close encounters, incredible shows and edge-ofyour-seat excitement. And a gift your family will remember forever. Entire payment must be settled on a valid MasterCard card. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion, discount or coupon. Offer has no cash value and is void where prohibited by law. Discount applies to single-day tickets. ©2004 Busch Entertainment Corporation. All rights reserved. Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 27 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:48 AM Page 28 special advertising supplement Holidays on the High Seas Combine the Caribbean, cruising and a motley crew of relatives or friends, and you’re practically guaranteed a terrific holiday. You get all the benefits of a Caribbean vacation, and you get to explore several islands on a single trip. Plus cruising is so easy. It’s almost all-inclusive, so there’s no dickering over dinner bills, etc. And there’s truly something for everyone. The kids can participate in special children’s and teens programs designed exclusively for them. Like arts and crafts classes, beach parties and even cool science experiments such as the Wacky Water Workshop and Magnetic Mayhem in Royal Caribbean’s Aquanauts program (www.royalcaribbean.com). While the kids are busy, grown-ups get to enjoy decidedly adult activities. They can try their luck at the casino. Get in touch with their inner gods and goddesses with spa treatments. Or lounge by the pool, sip umbrella drinks and work on their suntans. Of course, most cruise lines feature special holiday meals, decorations, caroling, Christmas Trees and a visit from Santa Claus, as well as religious services for both Hanukkah and Christmas. And who wouldn’t want to spend New Year’s Eve, dancing on deck under the stars, with a designated driver steering the ship? Golfer’s Wish List If you have visions of golf balls dancing in your head instead of sugarplums, hit the links for the holidays. Here are a few warm-weather locales on our holiday list that not only get top marks for golf, but also rank high for shopping, dining, atmosphere and other amenities (which is particularly important for any non-golfers in your group). First, deep in the hill country of Texas, you’ll find a hidden gem for golfers: San Antonio. The city’s Westin La Cantera Resort garnered Golf Magazine’s Gold Medal Resort Award for 2004-2005. And the nearby Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa received similar accolades. San Antonia’s other offerings include the Alamo, Mission Trails, River Walk, theme parks and the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum (www.sanantoniocvb.com). Another golfer’s paradise is Scottsdale, Arizona. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale features breathtaking sunsets, Saguro-strewn landscapes and extraordinary golf resorts. If you want to play where the PGA tour professionals do, treat yourself to the Stadium and Desert courses at the Player’s Club of Scottsdale (www.tpc.com). And with 80 golf courses in the area, it’s no surprise that San Diego caps our golfer’s wish list. Especially since it’s home to the Tom-Fazio-designed Del Mar National Golf Club (www.delmar nationalgolf.com). Off the fairways, enjoy attractions like the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Coronado Beach and the happening clubs and eateries of the historic Gas Lamp Quarter. Before you take off, visit www.pro golfdeals.com for great deals on Nike NDS Woods and Irons, Cleaveland CG-10 Black Pearl Wedges and Calloway Hex Tour Golf Balls. Frosty Fun Instead of trying to escape the clutches of winter, why not embrace it? You can have a Currier-and-Ives Christmas, complete with crackling fires, falling snow and horse-drawn sleigh rides. And also shred the slopes on hard-core, adrenaline-rush snowboard rides. Alpine resorts offer all this, plus other winter sports and holiday events like torchlight parades down mountainsides and skiing Santas. Killington, Vermont holds the title as largest snow resort in the east. Colorado offers Vail, Aspen, Telluride and more. Ski spots west of the Rockies include Jackson Travel Together This This supplement was written and produced by Partner Concepts, and did not involve the reporting or editing staff of this publication. Holiday Season PARTNER CONCEPTS DEVELOPS CUSTOM with Icelandair Business Class! INTEGRATED MARKETING PROGRAMS FOR DESTINATIONS AND FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES WORLDWIDE. Publisher: Paul Cohen [email protected] Icelandair Business Class.The best value and coolest way to Iceland, Scandinavia, Great Britain and continenetal Europe. For reservations and information, call Icelandair at (800) 757-7242, ext. 2 or visit www.icelandair.com. Call today for a very special companion offer for MasterCard® cardholders and refer to code: MCX04. Reykjavik Copenhagen Oslo Stockholm Helsinki† Amsterdam Paris Frankfurt Editor: John Riggin [email protected] Production Manager: Nicole Erlinger [email protected] Partner Concepts LLC, 128 Lubrano Drive, Suite 301, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 224-7688 • www.partnerconcepts.com London Glasgow Edinburgh † Some departures include SAS codeshare flight from Stockholm. 28 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:49 AM Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers Page 29 29 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:50 AM Page 30 special advertising supplement Hole, Wyoming; Park City, Utah and Mammoth in California. But, winter sports enthusiasts don’t have a stranglehold on snowy settings for the holidays. Anyone can enjoy the pristine natural beauty of our national parks at this time. California’s Yosemite Park puts on its annual Bracebridge Dinner, which entertains guests with a 17th Century English manor feast and period performances. The Grand Canyon enchants during this special season, as well. Visitors can even take an overnight mule trip to the bottom of the canyon for a rustic Christmas at Phantom Ranch (www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo). Not extreme enough for you? The uber-intrepid yearning for the wilderness and Yuletide snow camping can find instructions for building an igloo at www.pikpuk.com. Novel New Year Traveling more and connecting with friends and family are pretty common New Year’s resolutions (and way more fun than ones like losing weight or quitting smoking). Why not combine the two and kick off the New Year in style? Why merely watch the New Year’s Eve ball drop in New York City’s Times Square on TV, when you can be there in person? Or head to the country’s capital of gambling and good times, Las Vegas, to catch some headline acts, Elvis impersonators and shows while you welcome in 2005 (www.vegas.com). If you’re looking for sizzling hot spots to ring in the New Year check out www.clubplanet.com, for everything from dance clubs to hipster haunts to sports bars, all across the U.S.A. Of course, New Year’s festivities aren’t just for those who party hearty. Family-friendly celebrations include First Night Festivals in major cities. Boston’s is the biggest, with over 1,000 artists in 250 performances downtown, along with ice sculptures, fireworks, parades and outdoor events (www.firstnight.org). If crowds make you cringe, consider off-season stays in enchanting places like Santa Fe, Sedona, Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. So pack up your kids, partner, parents, pals or all of the above and then some, for a holiday vacation together wherever. Because traveling in the company of your friends and family is one of the greatest gifts of all. You’ll not only spend the time rekindling relationships in a relaxing setting, you’ll also learn about new places and get a chance to gain new perspectives. What’s more, everything about your trip will be infused with the spirit and magic of the holidays and will create memories that will last a lifetime. Besides this, your holiday journeys together could be the beginning of a tradition as cherished as singing Christmas carols, lighting Hanukkah candles or being stuffed by the turkey at Thanksgiving. MasterCard® Sweepstakes Official Rules No Purchase Necessary to Enter or Win. PIN-Based & International Transactions Not Eligible For Automatic Entry. Purchasing Will Not Increase Your Odds of Winning. All entries, whether submitted by using a MasterCard® card as described below or by mail, have an equal chance of winning. Eligibility: Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older, except employees & their immediate families (spouses, parents, children, & siblings & their respective spouses) & those living in the same household of each of MasterCard International Incorporated ("Sponsor"), MasterCard member financial institutions, & each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, distributors, subsidiaries, advertising/promotion agencies, & Project Support Team, Inc. ("PST") (collectively, "Released Parties"). This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, & local laws & regulations. Void where prohibited. How to Enter: 1.) Automatically receive one Sweepstakes entry for each MasterCard purchase made between 12:00:01AM Central Time ("CT") on 11/1/04 & 11:59:59PM CT on 12/31/04 ("Promotion Period"). Account adjustment transactions/returns, PIN-based & international transactions, late payment fees, over-limit fees, return check fees, cash advances, annual fees, and/or balance transfers are not considered eligible transactions for Sweepstakes entry. Entries from unauthorized card use or made with lost, stolen, or fraudulent MasterCard cards are void. Only purchases made with a MasterCard that is in good standing & issued by a MasterCard member financial institution in the U.S. & that are processed & submitted through MasterCard International Incorporated’s U.S. transaction processing system during the Promotion Period are eligible for automatic entry; or 2.) To enter the Sweepstakes without using a MasterCard, hand print your name, complete mailing address, telephone number, & age on a plain 3"x 5" piece of paper & mail it in a sealed envelope to: MasterCard® Together Wherever Sweepstakes™, P.O. Box 15048, Bridgeport, CT 06673-5048. Enter as often as you wish by mail, but each entry must be mailed separately & received by 1/7/05. No photocopied, computer generated facsimiles, mechanically reproduced, or mass entries permitted. Your use of your MasterCard to make a purchase and/or your submission of a 3"x 5" mail-in entry constitutes your consent to participate in this Sweepstakes & your consent for Sponsor to obtain, use, & transfer your name, address & other information for the purpose of administering this Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for lost, incomplete, illegible, late, misdirected, stolen, postage-due, or mutilated entries or mail; any error, omission, interruption, defect or delay in transmission, transaction processing, or communication; technical or mechanical malfunctions; failures or malfunctions of phones, phone lines, or telephone systems; errors in these Official Rules, in any Sweepstakes-related advertisements or other materials; failures of electronic equipment, computer hardware or software; or inaccurate entry information, whether caused by equipment, programming used in this Sweepstakes, human processing error, or otherwise. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to void any & all entries of an entrant who Sponsor believes has attempted to tamper with or impair the administration, security, fairness, or proper play of this Sweepstakes. (10) Grand Prizes: Get-together trip for winner & up to 19 guests to a single destination of winner’s choice with total trip expenses not to exceed $40,000. Trip can include, but is not limited to, round-trip air transportation from nearest major airport to winner’s/guests’ residences in the U.S., hotel or other accommodations, ground transportation, & any other expenses related to on-site trip activities which fall within the $40,000 allocation such as, but not limited to, sightseeing excursions, food, entertainment, & spending money. Maximum retail value of each prize not to exceed $40,000 (Approximate Retail Value "ARV"=$40,000). All other expenses in excess of the $40,000 maximum trip expenses are the responsibility of the individual winners. All trip & on-site trip activity arrangements, including the allocation of spending money, must be made prior to trip through travel agent of Sponsor’s selection & PST & are subject to Sponsor’s final approval. If actual trip expenses as approved by Sponsor are less than $40,000, the difference not to exceed $20,000 will be awarded to the applicable winner to be used as spending money. Trip must be completed by January 31, 2006. Trip destination subject to Sponsor’s final approval & cannot be posted within the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Warnings Listing at time of departure. Winners & each of their respective traveling companion(s) must have valid passports/visas (if required) & all other required documentation prior to time of departure & are responsible for obtaining all such travel documents. Blackout dates & other travel/accommodations restrictions may apply. Released Parties are not responsible for trip delays, flight cancellations, and/or other difficulties occurring during any prize trip. Total ARV of all prizes: $400,000. Winner Selection: Winners will be selected in a random drawing on or about 1/28/05 from among all eligible entries received by PST, an independent judging organization whose decisions will be final & binding in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Winners will be notified by telephone and/or mail. In the event that a potential winner is selected via a MasterCard transaction, prize will be awarded to the primary account holder (as determined by the MasterCard member financial institution’s account records) named on the account accessed by the MasterCard used to make the entry &, in the event that a corporate MasterCard winning account is selected, prize will be awarded to the individual named on the MasterCard that is used to transact the winning entry (as determined by the MasterCard member financial institution’s account records). If awarding of prize is in conflict with corporate written policy, prize will be forfeited & an alternate winner may be selected. Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Limit one prize per person, immediate family member, or household. Miscellaneous: No transfer, assignment, cash redemption, or substitution of prizes (or portion thereof) except by Sponsor due to prize unavailability, & then for a prize (or applicable portion thereof) of equal or greater value. Federal, state, & local taxes & all other expenses not specified herein are winners’ sole responsibility. Winners will be required to execute & return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release & (where legal) Publicity Release within three days of issuance of notification. Traveling companions (if a minor, their respective parents or legal guardians) will be required to sign & return a Liability Release & (where legal) Publicity Release prior to the issuance of travel documents. Non-compliance with any of the foregoing may result in disqualification & awarding of prize to an alternate winner. If any prize notification letter is returned as undeliverable, winner will be disqualified & an alternate winner may be selected. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules & agree that: 1.) Released Parties & their designees & assigns shall have the right & permission to use (unless prohibited by law) their name, voice, city/state of residence, photograph, and/or likeness for advertising and/or trade and/or any other purpose in any media or format now or hereafter known without further compensation, permission, or notification; & 2.) Released Parties & their designees & assigns & all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives & agents shall have no liability & will be held harmless for any liability, loss, injury or death to entrant or any other person, including, without limitation, damage to personal or real property, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by reason of the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prize (including any travel or prize activity related thereto) or participation in this Sweepstakes. Winners List: For the winners’ names, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by 2/14/05 to: MasterCard® Together Wherever Sweepstakes™ Winners, P.O. Box 13106, Bridgeport, CT 06673-3106. ©2004 MasterCard International Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Sponsor: MasterCard International Incorporated, 2000 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY 10577 Promoter: Project Support Team, Inc., 100 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811 30 HolidayGatherings 2004 •• HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:51 AM Page 31 For those who see things a little differently. The Universal Entertainment MasterCard ® from Chase Turn everyday purchases into your favorite movies, music, and more. 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers * • No Annual fee • GET A $25 BEST BUY ® GIFT CARD WITH FIRST PURCHASE ** • TO APPLY, CALL 1-888-460- CHASE (Mention offer code WK) MAKE EVERY DAY MORE ENTERTAINING SM * Universal Entertainment Platinum MasterCard accounts with Elite Pricing and Premium Pricing have a 0.00% fixed APR for purchases and balance transfers for 9 months from account opening, as long as your account remains in good standing. For both outstanding and new purchases and balance transfers after 9 months, the variable Preferred Pricing APR for accounts with Elite Pricing is 13.99% (17.99% for accounts with Premium Pricing). The variable Preferred Pricing Cash APR is 19.99% (not lower than 19.99%). The variable Non-Preferred Pricing APR is up to 25.99%. For Universal Entertainment Platinum MasterCard with Standard Pricing accounts for all purchases from account opening, the variable Preferred Pricing APR is 18.99%. The variable Preferred Pricing Cash APR is 23.99% (not lower than 23.99%). The variable Non-Preferred Pricing APR is up to 25.99%. For all accounts: Transaction Fee for Cash Advances: 3% of each cash advance ($5 minimum). Transaction Fee for Purchases in a Foreign Currency: 2% of the converted transaction amount. Transaction Fee for balance transfers: 3%, $45 maximum per transaction for balance transfers made during the introductory period for accounts with Elite and Premium Pricing. Thereafter, $75 per transaction unless otherwise disclosed to you in writing. Minimum Finance Charge: $.50. Other fees may apply. All rates accurate as of 3/1/04 and are subject to change. Accounts subject to credit approval. Chase credit cards are issued by Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, and may be serviced by its affiliates. ** Cardmembers who apply for the Universal Entertainment MasterCard from Chase by 1/5/2005 and make a purchase within 6 months of account opening will receive a $25 gift card from Best Buy. No sponsorship, endorsement, approval or responsibility for this promotion by Best Buy is intended or implied. Best Buy is not affiliated with Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. © 2004 J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. TM & © 2004 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers 31 HolidayGatherings10/12.qxd 10/14/04 11:53 AM Page 32 trip to the Bahamas for you and your kids, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins: $0 © 2004 MasterCard International Incorporated (a family reunion no one could pass up: priceless) ® Use your MasterCard from November 1st through December 31st and you could win a trip worth $40,000 for up to 20 people anywhere in the world in our “Together Wherever Sweepstakes.” No purchase necessary.Void where prohibited. PIN-based & international transactions not eligible. Grand Prizes not to exceed $40,000 & 19 guests each. Starts 11/1/04. Ends 12/31/04. Restrictions apply. there are some things money can’t buy. for everything else there’s MasterCard.™ HolidayGatherings 2004 ••