For the young and young at heart
Ace Hardware is the perfect place to find gifts for the young ones on your shopping list this holiday season, with a wide range of toys and games for all ages.
If your young gift recipient is looking for some action, Ace Hardware sells Chroma kick scooters for riders six years old or older for only $49.99. Action-seekers can also take aim with the Zuru X-Shot foam dart gun for $22.99
If the young one you’re shopping for has an eye for fashion, Barbie and My Little Pony toys are available with both Barbies and ponies going for $19.99. You can also stoke a creative spirit with Play-Doh at prices up to $32.99 for a pack of 20 cups of colourful clay.
Young scientists eager to learn can also have the chance to grow their own gems with the Crystal & Rocks Lab from Science Lab for $38.99, or learn 13 yo-yo tricks with the Fun With Yo-Yo Tricks kit by SpiceBox for $22.99.
For puzzle fiends of all ages, Ace Hardware has your back with a selection of puzzles from 24-piece puzzles for children for $5.99 up to 1,000 piece jigsaw masterpieces for $24.99. The store also has a wide range of games to play, from iconic games such as Clue and The Game of Life for $39.99 and classics such as chess, parcheesi, and snakes and ladders for only $12.99.
And for those of you seeking something handmade, Carmen’s Creations by Carmen Sweder are available at the Beaverlodge Art and Culture Centre. These plush, handmade crochet critters range from yarny wooly mammoths for $35 and a festively red and green dinosaur for $30 to plush bears, turtles, and owls for only $15.
Out into the wild, white world
For some of us, the sight of that white powdery cold stuff we dare not name outside has us feeling miserable about the long season ahead.
But some people look out on those fields of freshly fallen snow and see a big white world to explore.
If you’re shopping for someone eager to head out into the great outdoors this holiday season, there are plenty of local spots to stop during your Christmas shopping this year.
Gaudin's Honda has all the gear and equipment you might need for that special someone to stay warm this winter, from balaclavas for $79.99 and winter gloves for $179.95.
The store also features a range of winter gear by Klim, from jackets costing $469.95 to bibs starting at $459.95 with gore-Tex lining to keep riders warm and dry while out in the wild.
And to stay safe this holiday season, the store also features a range of helmets for prices ranging from $160 up to $500, as well as goggles for prices starting at $34.95 for the fog-resistant Sinister X5 Lens to $189.99 for 509 Revolver Goggles, featuring dual-pane snow lens and premium anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings.
You can also pick up some accessories that should prove to be handy out in the bush, from head lamps costing $60 and hatchets and foldable saws for $35.
Avalanche shovels are also available for prices starting at $65.99.
But it’s not just Gaudin’s that you can find some high-quality gear for the winter season.
Down at the Beaverlodge Home Building Centre, you can find plenty of tools that will make tackling the worst of the brush and snow a breeze this winter.
“We have a little bit of everything,” said manager Del Wiebe.
“We’ve got machetes, we’ve got hatchets, we’ve got axes, we've got buck saws, all nice stuff to pack in your back sack or take along on your snowmobile.”
“For people that are spending time in the woods, hiking, walking, and trap lines or like outdoor winter camping, we’ve got splitting mauls for splitting their firewood, little folding hand saws to stick in your backpack, so when you’re running on your snowmobile or taking a hike and there’s a tree in your way, you can actually cut it apart without power.”
Prices for axes and hatchets start at $19.99 to the 91 cm Fiskars splitting axe for $92.99, as well as $29.99 for a Fiskars folding saw.
And if your winter romps this holiday season won’t see you leaving much further than beyond your driveway, Wiebe said that the store still has plenty for keeping the house spruced up this winter.
“We got lots of snowboards, starting at $399 for a tiny little electric one, running up to well over $1,000 to $1,500 in that range,” he said.
“For renovations outside, we have warm gloves, we’ve got tools, and we’ve got some cold temperature caulking, if you need to do some outdoor caulking.”
So this holiday season, know that you don’t have to go far from home to do your holiday shopping; whether they may be heading out into the bush this winter or if their winter excursions will stay closer to home, there are plenty of gifts to pick up right in your own backyard.
Something unique for your home
We always want to give our loved ones something unique.
When you think “unique,” you might think of the arts. Sunday saw the doors of the 2024 Beaverlodge and Area Cultural Society (BACS) Annual Christmas Gift Shop open its doors, offering plenty of handmade pieces of art made by local artists.
Watercolour originals by Marjorie Henn, depicting beautiful wintery scenes, are for sale for prices starting at $525. Fine pottery creations by April Smith of Stone Creek Pottery are for sale, from mugs for $45 to clay Christmas decorations for $12. The sale will also see handmade soaps by The Feral Hare for $10 and candles by Hollie George set in beautiful china cups for $30.
If you want to give something that’ll also keep them warm this winter season, the sale will also feature handmade mittens by Theresa Danroth of D Lazy T Handycrafts for $35 as well as handknitted creations by Carol Mayer for $35. Barb Hodges is also selling some lap size quilts for $25 each.
But if you want to make something truly unique, you can always make something with your own two hands; and if you want to do that, you have to swing by Ace Hardware.
Ace Hardware has all the crafting tools you might need to whip up a Christmas creation for your loved ones. For those inclined to knit, knitting needles are available for prices starting at $3.99 and crochet hooks for $2.99. Ace Hardware also has all your crafting needs from fabric scissors for $14.99 and a whole rainbow of colourful Bottle o’ Buttons for only $4.99.
The store also offers Gutermann cotton thread for $2.29 a spool, and yarn starting at $2.79 for 65 m of Yarnspirations Handicrafter cotton yarn up to $13.49 for 593 m of Red Heart medium yarn.
And if you want to get into knitting for the holiday season – or want to give the gift of knitting to someone you know who wants to get into the craft – the store also sells knitting and crocheting starter kits by Red Heart for only $25.99.
Whether it’s made by local artists or by your own two hands, give the gift of something unique this holiday season.
A holiday recipe for your table
When it comes to top drawer ingredients, one need no go further than Main Street to the Beaverlodge Butcher Shop.
Stop in for an array of products for your holiday entertaining table, from Grade AAA Beef to full muscled ham and seafood.
If you’re contemplating a dinner party, consider this delicious festive recipe, guaranteed tried and true from www.canadabeef.ca
Beef Prime Rib Roast with Berry Wine Sauce
Cranberries and red wine give the sauce a rosie hue that’s the perfect pairing with medium-rare roast beef and is pretty to take to the table.
8 lb (3.63 kg) Prime Rib Oven Roast
2 tbsp (30 mL) Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp (10 mL) steak spice
1 tsp (5 mL) herbes de Provence seasoning
Rub roast all over with Worcestershire sauce and seasonings.
Place bones down, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into centre of roast. Roast, uncovered, in 450°F oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 275°F; roast until thermometer reads 145°F for medium-rare, about 4-1/2 hours.
Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before carving. Drain off the fat from the drippings; make the Berry Wine Sauce in the pan.
Berry Wine Sauce
Heat pan drippings in roasting pan over medium-high heat. Stir in 1/4 cup diced shallot or onion and 1 minced clove garlic; cook, stirring, until softened. Gradually stir in 1 cup EACH sodium-reduced beef broth and red wine. Cook, stirring up any browned bits from bottom of pan until mixture reduces to about 1 cup. Gradually stir in a mixture of 1 tbsp EACH cornstarch and cold water (combined); bring to boil and stir until thickened. Stir in ½ cup cranberry sauce and heat through. Add a splash of whipping cream if desired. Makes about 1-1/4 cups.
For our furry, feathery, or fishy friends
Of course, we can’t forget about our furry friends when it comes to shopping for Christmas.
Beaverlodge has you covered.
Foster’s Seed & Feed is a one-of-a-kind community feed store.
“We like to get to know our customers and want you to feel welcome,” said Carol Longmore.
Here to help meet your pet needs, Foster’s is all about your furry, slippery and cuddly friends, big or small! From dogs and cats, guinea pigs and hamsters to Axolotls (salamanders).
“We carry food options as well as a selection of feeders, toys, treats and select health items,” said Longmore.
And if by some chance, Foster’s doesn’t have what you’re looking for in stock, “we will do our best to find it,” promises Longmore, adding that orders are submitted Friday, for delivery the following Tuesday/Wednesday.
For the birders
If you know someone who’s been getting into birdwatching, a bird feeder is a fantastic way to bring some local wildlife straight to your home, and Ace Hardware is the place to find what you’re looking for. From the Upside Down Goldfinch Feeder for $14.99 to the 2-in-1 Wild Bird Feeder by Perky-Pet for $54.99, the store has a wide variety of birding wares for sale. A birding starter kit by Armstrong for $49.99, featuring a feeder, bird food, and a suet cake and feeder, is a great way to bring a unique encounter to a loved one’s home this winter season.
Check out Home Hardware as well: It has a terrific selection of items for birds!
Cheers, Beaverlodge!
As we head into the season of holiday entertaining, Myrtle’s Liquor in Beaverlodge is your one-stop shop for all the quality ingredients you will need to get started! Try one – or more – of these this festive season!
Boozy Hot Chocolate
2 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
6 oz. milk, heated
1 1/2 oz. spirit of choice
Garnish: mini marshmallows
Add chocolate to Irish Coffee mug, pour in hot and let stand for 2 minutes until the chocolate melts, then stir with a spoon until smooth.
Pour in the spirit of your choice and stir to combine.
Garnish with mini marshmallows.
*Feel free to add a splash of peppermint schnapps!
Or, try:
Dirty Snowman
Add Baileys, Frangelico, and vanilla Vodka in equal parts (usually .75 oz.) to your hot chocolate.
Enjoy near an open fire pit with family and friends!
Espresso Martini
2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. coffee liqueur (usually Kahlúa)
1 oz. espresso, freshly brewed (or cold brew concentrate)
1/4 oz. simple syrup*
Garnish: coffee beans
Add vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with 3 coffee beans.
*Try Honey Syrup: Add 1/2 cup honey (adjust to taste) and 1/2 cup and water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Cool and transfer to an airtight container; will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.
Cranberry-Ginger Mimosa
2 oz. ginger beer
2 oz. cranberry juice
Champagne, chilled, to top
Garnish: sugared cranberries
Combine the ginger beer, cranberry juice and champagne or other sparkling wine in a champagne flute, garnish with skewered sugared cranberries.
Christmas Punch
1 1/2 oz. light rum
1/2 oz. cranberry juice
1/4 oz. tart cherry juice
1/2 oz. rich simple syrup
Dash allspice
Dash grated fresh ginger
Dash nutmeg, freshly grated
2 oz. ginger ale
Garnish: ground ginger
Combine all ingredients except for the ginger ale in a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, top with the ginger ale, and gently stir to combine.
Garnish with a sprinkle of ground ginger.
Under the Mistletoe
4 cranberries
2 orange half-wheels
1/2 oz. simple syrup (heat 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, seal and refrigerate).
2 oz. dry gin
Cranberry juice, to top
Club soda, chilled, to top
Garnish: thyme sprig
Garnish: 3 cranberries
In a Collins glass, muddle the cranberries and orange half-wheels with the simple syrup.
Fill the glass with ice and add the gin.
Top with a mixture of two parts cranberry juice to one part club soda.
Stir with a thyme sprig, leaving it in the glass, and garnish with three additional cranberries.
*Recipes courtesy liquor.com