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The Canadian Statesman Christmas Gift Guide, Wednesday, November 23.1994 Hints for Choosing Toys ®'Tis the season for parents to sift through the avalanche of new toys and games and brave miles of toy aisles nationwide. But parents -- take heed -- the task of selecting the best toy is much easier than it appears if you know where to look. "Many parents look for the answers to their toy-buying needs on toy store shelves. However, a better place to start the search is much closer to home -- it's with their children," says Dr. Istar Schwager, educational psychologist psychologist and parenting expert. Parents will succeed at finding a suitable toy if they observe their children's hobbies, interests, interests, and personalities before going into a toy store. Schwager offers the following guidelines on finding just the right toys for the kids on your holiday gift list. • Look for toys that encourage social skills. It's important for kids to get along with other kids. Playing with toys that require two or more players encourages children to interact with one another. Through playing, kids learn important skills, like communicating, communicating, cooperating and negotiating with others. • Consider your child's hobbies and interests. Your child's favorite activities will provide clues to the kinds of toys he/she would enjoy. For example, a child who is fascinated by bridges and the way they are built will appreciate a construction set. Children who show an interest in science might enjoy using a junior microscope set. • Follow age guidelines. Always look on the toy box for age recommendations. recommendations. They are provided by toy manufacturers for both developmental and safety reasons, and should be taken seriously. • Provide the power to play. For any toys that require batteries, such as hand-held games, make sure you have the right number and size of batteries. Long-lasting alkaline batteries, such as Duracell, are recommended. For even better value, look for batteries in multipacks. multipacks. • Offer options. If you object to a toy your children choose, be honest and tell them why. Then try to offer some alternatives. You might be able to find a toy you can both agree on. For example, if your child wants an elaborate racetrack set, compromise and offer a radio control racecar. • Select a few toys that travel well. The holiday season is a popular traveling traveling season. Keeping your child busy during that long ride to grandmother's house can be a breeze if you bring along some well-chosen portable toys. Many toy companies now offer travel versions of their more popular games. • Don't overlook time-tested treasures. treasures. What's hot in December may be old news by March. Time-honored favorites are always a good choice if you want to stay away from very trendy toys. • Bread-Baking Can Become A Healthy Holiday Tradition When you smell fresh bread rising and feel the embracing warmth of the family kitchen, you know you're home for the holidays. Holiday bakers can easily capture the aroma and irresistible irresistible flavor of home-baked bread with an automatic breadmaker and a few special recipes. The following is a wonderful holiday recipe for a lovely Challah braid or a Christmas wreath. It just requires a slight change in the ingredients and in the shaping of the dough. CIIALLAH BRAID OR CHRISTMAS WREATH Dough: 4 'A 2 2 / 7 eggs plus enough water to equal VA cups cups bread hour teaspoons salt tablespoons sugar cup butter teaspoons yeast For Challah Braid, add: 1 cup golden seedless raisins For Christmas Wreath, add: / cup each chopped candied red and green cherries Wash I (for Challah Braid): 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon sugar Wash 2 (for Christmas Wreath): 1 egg white, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon water Glaze (for Christmas Wreath): Y\ cup powdered sugar / teaspoon vanilla extract I to 2 teaspoons milk or half- and-half to make glaze of drizzling consistency Let us make your Dreams Come True at Carter's Bakery • Light and dark fruitcake • Christmas cookie trays for holiday entertaining • Don't forget our assorted dessert platters! • Delicious wine cakes Our cakes are available in a wide variety of sizes. DON'T BE DISAPPOINTED! PLEASE ORDER EARLY GIFT CERTIFICATES are available in any amount. AVERY THOUGHTFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT CARTER'S BAKERY &OWMANV1LLZ ■DUNES* C*NT*K 21 King St. E., Bowmanville 623-5855 The Perfect Family Gift! Place Dough ingredients in inner pot of bread machine in order recommended recommended by machine manufacturer. (Make sure that the machine you are using allows for extra-large capacity and can mix more than 4 cups of dough.) Use the Dough setting of your machine. When setting is complete, remove dough from inner pot. Place on lightly floured surface and punch down. For Challah Braid: Divide dough into thirds. Shape into three 16-inch ropes with tapered ends. Pinch ropes together at one end, braid together, pinching together at other end to secure braid. Transfer to greased baking sheets; let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Combine Wash I ingredients and brush onto braid. Bake in preheated 375-degree F oven for 25. to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. For Christmas Wreath: Place a 2/- quart heatproof glass bowl upside down on cookie sheet. Spray the sides of the bowl generously with nonstick cooking spray. Divide dough into thirds. Shape into three 18-inch braids with tapered ends. Place ropes on cookie sheets. Pinch ropes together at one end, braid together in a circular pattern following the shape of the bowl. To close the circle, tuck one end of the braid under the other and pinch to seal. Let rise until doubled in size, about 50 minutes. Combine Wash 2 ingredients and carefully brush onto braid. Bake in preheated 375-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Very carefully remove wreath from glass howl. Place on cooling rack. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over top of wreath. Top with additional rod and green cherries, if desired. Be sure and check out our complete line iof wood, gas, 9 propane and pellet stoves and accessories. NEW! Darts, Dartboards and Accessories! - Call Us For a Free Estimate - We are open 6 days a week CLARINGTON STOVE CENTRE and PERMANENT POOL and PATIO BEACHCOMBER SPAS DEALER Sales & Service 1 646 King Street East 20 Strathy Rd., Unit 4 r> onH Cobourg 372-5062 UOliruCe dl lu Across from Northumberland Mall 404-0583 623-5375 Whitfield (Pellet) Breckwell (Pellet)