Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2022-12-08T09:01:00

(BPT) – ‘Tis the season … of stressing over what to get everyone on your list. Choosing the right gift for your loved ones can be quite a daunting task, but there’s one gift that can delight friends and family alike — a great bottle of wine.

Not in the mood to wander aimlessly through the wine aisle? Whether you’re shopping for a wine newbie or someone with already established preferences, here are tips for finding a great bottle for them this year.

Expensive is not always better

Let’s face it; the world of wine can feel intimidating, exclusive and expensive. In reality, there are plenty of good-quality, delicious wines available at entry-level price points. While your first instincts may be to choose a more expensive bottle, remember that pricing isn’t always indicative of wine quality. It’s possible to find good wine at any price point. What’s most important is having an idea of your giftee’s taste.

You may remember your giftee’s favorite wine from your latest night out at a restaurant or maybe you learned by asking their significant other, colleague or friend. Rather than gifting them their usual favorite, you could find a wine from a different grape that has a similar flavor profile. For example, if they enjoy Merlot, offer a bottle of Syrah/Shiraz — a red that’s a little riper and bolder in flavor. If your friend loves Chardonnay, they may also enjoy a soft and dry Pinot Gris from Oregon or if they’re looking for something slightly sweeter, one from Alsace, France.

When in doubt, opt for universally liked styles

What if your loved one doesn’t have a favorite wine type? For someone newer to wine, select something popular that’s well-liked across the board. For example, when it comes to red, go with a lighter Pinot Noir, medium-bodied and supple Merlot or a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. For white wine lovers, wrap up a bottle of light and softly sweet Riesling, zesty and tangy Sauvignon Blanc or a fruity and bold Gewurztraminer. Another festive style for this time of year is sparkling wine. A bottle of Prosecco from Italy, with its delicate fizz and touch of sweetness, is just the ticket for celebrating the season’s many festive occasions, including ringing in the New Year.

Go global

Expand your horizons beyond California! You can get high-quality wines from all over the world, including regions both inside and outside the U.S. that may not spring to mind when you think “wine country” such as those in Chile, Argentina and Spain. Consider giving a wine from a region with some significance to you or your lucky gift recipient — maybe one from a country or region where you shared an amazing trip or that they’ve always wanted to try.

Gift a subscription to the right wine club

Still can’t decide? Let them choose! With Bright Cellars you can send loved ones a selection of wines tailored to their personal tastes. Here’s how it works:

1. Choose your gift amount: First, choose a Bright Cellars gift card in the amount you want. Options include anything from a one- to twelve-month subscription. Bright Cellars will then deliver the gift to your loved one’s inbox on the date of your choosing.

2. Take a pop quiz: Second, your gift recipient will take a fun seven-question quiz with questions like, “What is the one type of chocolate you could eat for the rest of your life?” Each answer feeds into the Bright Cellars algorithm, which analyzes their taste profile against 18 attributes to match them with wines tailored to their tastes. The algorithm learns more about each person’s preferences with every wine they rate, so the more wines they rate, the more precise their future matches will be.

3. Taste and learn: Your gift recipient will receive a shipment of four or six bottles of wine and pick a favorite to open. Each bottle comes with a wine description card so recipients can learn more about each wine as they sip. They’ll also have access to “Wine Wisdom,” Bright Cellars’ bite-sized wine lessons that make learning about wine easy and fun.

Every bottle also comes with Bright Cellars’ “delight guarantee”: If your giftee doesn’t love a bottle, they’ll send a replacement.

Be a great host or grateful guest

Interested in getting wines personalized to your own tastes? Sign yourself up for a Bright Cellars subscription too, so you’ll always have delicious wine on hand to host your loved ones over the holidays or to take to your next dinner party.

Want to find your perfect wine matches? Take the quiz at BrightCellars.com.

2022-12-07T12:01:00

(BPT) – Are you planning to take your pet with you on your holiday travels? You’re not alone. According to Lodging Magazine, 54% of pet owners planned to travel with their pets in 2022.

Holiday trips and get-togethers can be fun for the whole family but it’s important to prepare the four-legged members of the family — whether you are bringing them along on vacation or leaving them with a pet sitter or boarding facility. Be sure your packing list includes prescription medications, toys, leashes, collars, treats and other supplies to keep your pet happy no matter where you travel. Also, check out these tips to keep your furry friend safe and healthy during your vacation — near or far.

“Traveling with pets can create many fun memories but it does require a lot of prep work to keep them safe, healthy and comfortable throughout the trip,” said Dr. Christine Royal, vice president of the U.S. Companion Animal and Equine business at Merck Animal Health. “I’d encourage pet owners to talk to their veterinarian about travel preparation specific to their pets and their vacation destination.”

1. Remember to use a flea and tick preventative

Preventive care is an important topic to discuss with your veterinary health care team, particularly if you’re bringing your pet into new environments where they could be exposed to different critters. Flea and tick preventatives are especially important if you’re traveling with your dog or cat this holiday season.

Parasites like fleas and ticks are often associated with warmer climates, but certain species can be active in temperatures as cold as 39 degrees Fahrenheit. No matter where you live or travel with your pet, it’s crucial to treat them for parasites year-round, ideally with a long-lasting product such as Bravecto^® (fluralaner) Chews or Bravecto^® (fluralaner topical solution) treatment. This flea and tick preventive treatment protects your dog for 12 weeks with one dose. Remember, it’s important to keep a record of when your pet received the most recent treatment.

2. Check the chip

Before you hit the road together, check to make sure your pet’s microchip is registered in a national pet recovery service like the HomeAgain^® database and that your contact information is up to date. If your dog or cat is lost while away from home, a shelter or veterinary clinic can find your information and reunite you with your furry friend via their microchip registration.

HomeAgain Premium members receive free access to a 24/7 medical hotline in case of a health emergency. Should a member’s pet be lost and found 500 miles or more from home, the HomeAgain travel assistance program will help with expenses and travel logistics to reunite the lost pet and owner. The HomeAgain pet recovery service has reunited more than 3 million lost pets in the U.S. with their families.

3. Protect your pet against diseases

Whether you plan to socialize your pet with other animals while on vacation or board them while you’re out of town, you’ll want to protect them against common canine diseases. Social dogs that spend a lot of time in places like dog parks, doggie daycares or training camps are at a higher risk for infectious respiratory diseases.

To keep your four-legged family member healthy during your travels, it’s important to have all their required vaccinations up to date. Talk to your vet about preventive vaccines recommended for active or social pets. They may recommend the Nobivac^® Intra-Trac^® Oral BbPi vaccine, a new and innovative option that protects dogs against two major respiratory pathogens with a simple oral application. Be sure to have a copy of your vaccination records for travel or boarding.

“Respiratory pathogens, such as Bordetella and parainfluenza virus, can spread quickly among social dogs, which is why prevention is critical. Vaccines not only protect a dog’s respiratory health but can help prevent future outbreaks,” added Dr. Royal.

4. Keep track of your pet’s wellness with smart tech

There are all kinds of connected tech devices that can help you keep tabs on your pet’s overall wellness while traveling. They can be useful in both fun and stressful situations.

If you enjoy taking your pet on hikes or walks when you travel, an activity behavior and tracking device from Sure Petcare offers a great option for pet parents on-the-go because it uses smart technology to track a dog’s unique activity levels and behavior within a user-friendly mobile app. The device captures important data on things like sleep quality, barking and scratching, and can even send an alert through the app if there are any significant changes in these behaviors.

In addition, for cat owners, if you leave your cat at home every now and then while traveling, you may be familiar with the nerves that come with making sure they are eating and drinking regularly. Smart devices like the Felaqua^® Connect pet bowl by Sure Petcare can monitor a cat’s water intake and report on drinking patterns such as frequency and duration via the Sure Petcare mobile app. Tracking a cat’s water intake is especially important because it provides crucial insights into their health and well-being whether you are at home or away.

“At the end of the day, pet owners want peace of mind that they are doing everything in their power to care for their pets,” said Dr. Royal. “Using these four tips, you can keep dogs and cats of all personalities and needs safe and healthy during your winter travels.”

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

BRAVECTO has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks’ duration in puppies or kittens less than 6 months of age. Fluralaner is a member of the isoxazoline class. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures. BRAVECTO Chew: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, polydipsia, and flatulence. BRAVECTO is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxoline class drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and moist dermatitis/rash. Bravecto is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. For topical use only. Avoid oral ingestion. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxoline class drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Cats: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, itching, diarrhea, hair loss, decreased appetite, lethargy, and scabs/ulcerated lesions. BRAVECTO is not effective against American dog ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. For topical use only. Avoid oral ingestion. The safety of BRAVECTO has not been established in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats. Neurologic adverse reactions have been reported in cats receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in cats without a history of neurologic disorders. Use with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders.

2022-12-07T13:01:00

(BPT) – Early childhood teachers and those who dedicate their careers to the first years of childhood — the time in life with the most brain development — have been lauded as essential, even heroes since the pandemic. Teachers are not just important in the eyes of children, but also for the families who depend on them to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they work.

Recognizing the ongoing need to care for teachers and caregivers, Bright Horizons, one of the world’s largest providers of high-quality child care, continues to support these educators with vital benefits and resources to help them grow professionally. As part of its commitment to professionalizing the field of early childhood education, Bright Horizons is making a substantial investment to increase wages for both teachers and those in leadership within its child care centers.

In addition, Bright Horizons offers all of its teachers the opportunity to earn early education degrees absolutely free. The Horizons Teacher Degree Program is a first-of-its-kind program that allows all full-time employees in Bright Horizons’ early education and child care centers to earn an associate and bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at no cost to them, covering all out-of-pocket expenses, including tuition, fees and books.

Teacher Stories Seattle

Carol White has been with Bright Horizons Childcare Center in Bellevue, Washington, for 23 years. She began as a KinderPrep Teacher, then Program Coordinator, Assistant Director and has served as the Center Director for the past eight years.

“I had wanted to get a degree since I graduated high school,” said White. “Bright Horizons made it so easy. I didn’t have to worry about coming up with the money to be paid back for my classes. I earned my degree through Rasmussen University and am using the same university for my BA. For me, getting my degree has been validating.”

Meanwhile, Diane Orr, a teacher at the Kadlec Childcare Center in Richmond, Washington, decided to participate because the program was free, online and offered multiple schools to choose from. “It is amazing to work for a company that cares enough for their employees to invest in their education,” said Orr. “My education has helped my confidence as a teacher and a leader. This past year I moved up to the position of lead educator at my center. I am proud of my accomplishments and hope that I can inspire others to keep going. My degree has helped me excel at my job and find new joy in my work.”

Teacher Story Boston

Tina Dolson, the Health and Safety Director at Bright Horizons at University Park in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has always wanted to work with children. She has worked in the Infant and Toddler programs and as a mentor for new employees.

“I am the first in my family to get a bachelor’s degree and was able to do so with the help of the degree program,” said Dolson.

Teacher Story Chicago

Mayra Pena has had a number of roles within early childhood education. She is currently a Bright Horizons Lead Educator for the kindergarten prep program at Early Discoveries in Abbott Park, Illinois. “I decided to participate in the Horizons Teacher Degree program because I thought it was an excellent opportunity to finally complete a goal I had for many years,” said Pena. “I know my parents would be incredibly proud. Their hard work and struggles have motivated me to keep moving toward my goal.”

Mayra is working toward her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Rasmussen University and plans to graduate in June 2023.

Learn more about the Horizons Teacher Degree Program at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/us/en/horizons-teacher-degree-program.

2022-12-07T09:01:00

(BPT) – There’s nothing more magical than a journey to visit loved ones during the holiday season. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most treacherous times of year to drive.

If you want to be ready for wintry roads, four-wheel drive and skilled driving aren’t enough. It’s vital to ride on the right set of tires — and to make sure those tires are ready for the road. Here are some helpful tire safety tips as you prep for holiday travel.

Check Your Inflation and Tread Depth

Use a pressure gauge to make sure your tires are inflated to the level recommended on your driver’s-side door jamb. This is especially important if you’re traveling into higher altitudes or expect dramatic temperature swings.

Check your tread depth to make sure you don’t need new tires — if you put a penny upside down inside your tread and can see all of Abe Lincoln’s head, it’s time to buy a new set.

Make Sure You’re Driving the Right Tires

Do you see a three-peak mountain snowflake emblem on the sidewalls of your tires? If not, your tires aren’t approved for use on winter roads. Traditional all-season tires aren’t actually meant for driving in all seasons — their rubber hardens and loses traction at temperatures below 45 degrees, and their tread patterns are built for rainy roads, not snowy or slushy surfaces.

If you plan to visit winter — or expect winter to visit you — look into buying a set of all weather tires instead. An all-weather tire has a softer compound built to maintain traction in cold weather, and its tread pattern is crafted to carve through snow and slush. Best of all, you can still drive it year-round.

If you live in an area with sustained wintry weather, nothing is safer on the road than a set of dedicated winter tires.

Nokian Tyres invented the winter tire and produced the first all-weather passenger tire. To learn more about staying safe on challenging winter roads during the holidays, visit NokianTires.com/Weather.

2022-12-06T08:01:00

Visitors can take in the famous Mount Fuji from hotel rooftops or check out the Sumida River that ripples through several Tokyo neighborhoods. Additionally, exciting nightlife buzzes in Shinjuku, Roppongi and Shibuya. And, calling all foodies! Tokyo is also well-known for its exquisite cuisine options, representing an incredible international dining scene. Grab a bite at a top-rated restaurant like Den or taste the flavors of renowned dishes at French-Japanese restaurant, Florilège.

Now it’s time to plan. What’s a great way to help make these trips possible? Savvy consumers have travel credit cards that are tied to their favorite hospitality loyalty programs, giving them the opportunity to earn points toward hotel accommodations, dining, excursions and more. For example, the Chase IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card earns cardmembers IHG One Rewards points with every purchase. Right now, new cardmembers can earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening. 2023 travel dreams are within reach and the right planning can bring them to life!

Chase credit cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Accounts subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations apply. Offer subject to change.

2022-12-06T12:01:00

(BPT) – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and this season, consumers are prepared to spend extra on festive gatherings, gift-giving and spreading holiday cheer! However, the holiday hustle can also significantly strain financial and mental well-being, especially in today’s challenging economic environment.

“Money can elicit so many types of emotions — from the delight we may feel when a loved one opens a gift we purchased, to the loneliness that may accompany an inability to travel to loved ones or partake in certain festivities,” says Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, Certified Financial Therapist (CFT-I) and Upwise contributor. “So, it’s important to recognize how those emotions might influence our spending and saving habits as well as our relationship with money overall.”

For example, a fear of overspending can lead to excessive frugality and cause individuals to miss out on some of the most enjoyable aspects of the holiday season. Meanwhile, others may chase feelings of joy by splurging on gifts, hosting elaborate events, and booking vacations — only to feel regret when a massive credit card bill arrives in the new year.

The leading concern for almost half (46%) of working Americans when considering their top drivers of lower mental health is financial concerns, according to MetLife’s 2022 Employee Benefit Trends Refresh Study. This is even higher for working women (51%) and Gen Xers (52%). On the flip side, 85% who say they are financially well, report feeling mentally healthy.

To keep the holiday season joyful and on budget, consider these expert tips directly from Bryan-Podvin:

1. Understand the emotional connection to money

Emotions like guilt, anxiety and impulsivity majorly influence how we manage and confront monthly expenses. Getting to the root of your feelings about money now (e.g., anxious, avoidant, stressed) is key to understanding how you want to feel about money in the future (e.g., calm, relaxed, confident).

One way to do this is by journaling your feelings about money regularly. Free tools can make this even easier. Upwise is one of the few financial wellness apps that assesses emotions tied to financial activity with its ‘money mood’ tool to help make managing finances more personalized, achievable and rewarding.

2. Make gifting intentional by planning for it

Creating a “gift account” where you can allocate funds over time is an easy but extremely effective way to isolate and stick to a spending amount that fits your budget. To take this a step further, using Upwise’s “Spend Control” feature allows individuals to pick a category (e.g., retail/shopping) or even a specific merchant to track and set spending limits — alerting holiday shoppers to over-spending in real-time and helping them avoid falling too far into the red zone.

3. Eliminate redundant expenses with ease

There are small decisions you can make in the present to get closer to reaching your long-term financial goals. Consider cutting out smaller, unnecessary costs such as monthly subscription services you don’t really use. If you need an extra push to get you started, try leveraging digital tools that allow you to consolidate subscriptions — some, like Upwise, even have fun and engaging challenges like the “Subscription Buster” to motivate you through the process.

4. Celebrate the “small wins”

While it’s great to be ambitious and have lofty aspirations for your financial future, set yourself up for success by establishing reachable goals and celebrating each small win to help create a foundation for a more positive relationship with money. For example, if you struggle with spending too much on dining out or food delivery, try challenging yourself with Upwise’s “dining out challenge,” which will allow you to select from a list of cost-saving actions, commit to those and then track your progress. And when you do succeed at spending less? Pat yourself on the back, text a friend, or open up that kombucha to celebrate.

5. Reflect and recover

If you go beyond your holiday budget, give yourself some compassion (it happens!) and then dig into what led you to overspend. Was it the excitement of seeing loved ones for the first time in years? Feeling you needed to spend the same on everyone? Once you determine why you overspent, you can create a plan for potential spending triggers in the future.

Upwise is a product of MetLife Consumer Services, Inc. Upwise is available at no cost to all individuals and regardless of any MetLife relationship or product. Upwise is for educational purposes. Each individual is advised to consult with their own attorney, accountant, and financial professional regarding their specific circumstances. MetLife does not provide legal, tax, or investment recommendations or advice.

2022-12-06T11:05:00

(BPT) – The season of giving is upon us. Whether you’re brimming with ideas or struggling to find the perfect present, it’s easy to forget the impact this time of the year has on the environment. With these five gifts made using recycled¹ and sustainably sourced materials, this challenge becomes less frustrating and more festive. Oh what joy, knowing more trash has been diverted from landfills with your thoughtful holiday choices, preserving our world’s most natural resources along the way.

Cheerful towels for a joyful kitchen

These high-performance towels from Williams Sonoma are a cheerful addition to any kitchen. Made from responsibly produced cotton and Naia™, a versatile, quick-drying cellulosic fiber, these soft, durable and eco-friendly dish towels are a delightful choice for friends and family, as well as for the environment.

Power tools for the eco-conscious DIYer

This sustainable line of power tools is the perfect gift for the eco-conscious DIYer. BLACK+DECKER^®’s reviva™ cordless drills, sanders and jigsaws are built from Tritan Renew, a 50% certified recycled material created with plastic waste that has been diverted from landfills. Compact and lightweight, the reviva tools are just as tough and reliable as you need them to be — and once they’ve lived a long, hard-working life, you can recycle them too.

Raise your tumbler to planet Earth

The coffee-loving, always-on-the-go friend on your list is sure to love this array of BrüMate’s bottles, tumblers, and barware that provide a real alternative to single-use plastic cups. Transitioning all its lids to Tritan™ Renew with 50% recycled content makes them even more sustainable, impacting the environment by diverting waste equivalent to 15 million single-use plastic water bottles from oceans and landfills. Cheers to that!

Reframe your wish list

Your bespectacled loved ones will look super stylish with these shades from Kenmark Eyewear’s Paradigm Collection. The frames are crafted from Eastman Acetate Renew, made with 40% recycled plastic and 60% biobased content derived from renewable sources. The lenses are made from Tritan Renew, with 50% recycled content. Everyone will see the impact in that!

Bring together beauty and responsibility

For the chic and eco-savvy beauty queen in your life, consider this Timeless Bloom Collection Palette. It delivers nine gorgeous shades of eyeshadow nestled together in Dear Dahlia’s signature marble-designed compact, created with Tritan Renew, making it the trifecta of style, function and recycled content.

1 All mentions of recycled content throughout the article are based on certified recycled content allocated using ISCC mass balance.

2022-12-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – All parents struggle with raising their kids to the best of their ability, and each generation has its unique challenges. A new study shows that today’s millennial parents are having a hard time relaxing and having fun with their kids and that they wish they could create more spontaneous family moments. Between the looming potential of an economic downturn and the realities of today’s busy households, parents worry their kids are being shortchanged and that they’re unable to devote enough time to family activities — whether planned or spur of the moment. The study, conducted by Wakefield Research* for Hostess Brands, uncovers some of the obstacles getting in the way of family fun, as well as identifies actions parents would like to lean into while their kids are young to create more spontaneous moments of joy.

Just how worried are millennial parents?

Today’s parents are quite concerned about providing more fun for their children. Nearly three out of four parents (70%) admit they’re worried they don’t spend enough time doing fun activities with their child(ren), with approximately one-third (31%) reporting being “extremely” or “very worried” about this. Nearly all of the parents surveyed (93%) cited a specific obstacle they feel gets in the way of being spontaneous with their kids.

What are the biggest obstacles getting in the way of family fun?

The survey identified two of the biggest hurdles preventing parents from creating and enjoying fun with their kids, whether through planned family activities or unplanned adventures.

• Finances: Perhaps not surprisingly, a family’s finances are often an issue, with approximately two-thirds of parents (63%) saying money limitations prevent spontaneity and nearly half (46%) reporting that planned activities with their children are among the first to be cut when budgets are strained. The survey also found that those with household incomes less than $100,000 were significantly more likely to cite finances as an obstacle (73%) than those with household incomes more than $100,000 (51%).
• Busy schedules: Between jobs, school and after-school activities, today’s over-booked families often lose out on opportunities to simply enjoy being together. Nearly one-third of the parents surveyed (30%) say weekly schedules crammed with activities are among the top obstacles to family spontaneity and 41% cite job demands as getting in the way of being spontaneous during family time. Nearly three in five parents (59%) say they’re so focused on planning structured activities for their children that they don’t allow enough time for spontaneous fun.

Keeping up with the (social media) Joneses

One obstacle today’s parents face that their parents and grandparents did not have to deal with is the pressure they feel to post their family fun online for all to see. Nearly three out of five (58%) parents report feeling pressured to create “shareworthy” family moments to post on social media.

The value of fun experiences

On the plus side, parents clearly recognize the value of spontaneous fun and the elements required for creating those special moments. Parents believe their children value experiences over material goods, with nearly two-thirds (62%) agreeing that their children would be more excited about a surprise trip to somewhere they’ve always wanted to go than a surprise gift of a toy on their wish list. And parents also value experiences more: Three out of four parents (75%) report they would get more joy and fulfillment from giving their children experiences during the holiday season as opposed to physical gifts.

Having special experiences together may be the key to more joyful holidays. The vast majority of millennial parents (90%) say creating spontaneous family moments this holiday season will be more emotionally rewarding than previous years — and over half (51%) believe spur-of-the-moment family adventures are the most memorable. What is one crucial element of fun, spontaneous moments? Nearly all millennial parents (99%) say sharing indulgent snacks is a big part of enjoying spontaneous moments as a family.

Find delicious snacks for the whole family while enjoying fun, spontaneous moments at HostessCakes.com.

*The Hostess Brands Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. millennial parents, between Aug. 9-15, 2022, using an email invitation and an online survey. This data has been weighted to ensure accurate representation of U.S. millennial parents.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

2022-12-05T17:13:00

(BPT) – You make your holiday shopping list and check it twice, but there’s always that certain someone — parent, coworker, neighbor or in-law — who is hard to shop for. It’s the quintessential person who has it all, so you’re left wondering how to show you care this holiday season.

Wonder no more, Build-A-Bear has a plethora of ideas and offerings to consider if you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for a loved one, no matter their age, location or interests:

Experiences to suit any personality

When you’re unsure what to buy, consider what they like to do or what they’ve always wanted to try. An experiential gift can be customized to their personality and your budget. From theater tickets and museum memberships to cooking classes and outdoor adventures, the sky is the limit when it comes to experiences that will create lasting memories. For a family member that values time together and creating memories, give them the gift of a trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop or a gift card to look forward to in the new year!

Curated gift box with heart

Send a sweet yet sophisticated box that appeals to everyone! The Build-A-Bear offers HeartBox, curated gift boxes that are thoughtful, personalized and unique for anyone on your list. You can shop custom themed boxes that fit a variety of occasions, such as The Very Merry Christmas HeartBox. This holiday inspired, curated gift box includes seasonal surprises such as an adorable Christmas Cheer Bear with Merry Christmas mug, Plaid Teddy Bear Ornament, Spicewalla Classic Hot Chocolate and a 12-ounce HeartBox Swig Mug tumbler. Gift givers can customize each plush bear with a pre-recorded message with the Record Your Voice feature.

Nonprofit donation in their name

For a feel-good gift that does some good, consider making a donation to a charity in the gift recipient’s name. You can make this gift more personal by selecting a nonprofit close to the person’s heart or one in a category that interests them. Some charitable thought starters to consider: adopt an animal, sponsor a child in need, support a small-business owner in a developing nation, plant a tree, buy a wish list item at the local school or donate to their community food shelf.

The Build-A-Bear Foundation has contributed more than $22 million and 1.5 million furry friends to charitable organizations around the world. Through three core programs, they’re adding a little more heart to people’s lives and providing bears to comfort people in times of need. Check out how you can contribute on behalf of yourself and others!

Quality time with planned activities

Share the gift of quality time through planned activities as simple as playing a board game, putting together a puzzle and/or snuggling up with their favorite plush to watch a movie. Conduct research and find something that matches the interests of the recipient. If you’re local, set a date and bring over some food plus drinks to share while you play or a new character plush from Build-A-Bear to match a favorite movie you’re watching. If you live farther away, consider setting a virtual date to play or watch together. Either way, the gift of time and friendly competition/bonding is a winning combination.

2022-12-05T07:01:00

(BPT) – Founded in 1982, Newman’s Own is on a mission to help improve children’s lives. Read on to learn more about the foundation’s milestones and mission, by the numbers.