The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

23 · Thursday, December 8, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Stretching dollars while buying wow-factor gifts The holiday season is here and if you're unsure what to get everyone on your holiday gift list, you're not alone. A new survey conducted by Canada's leading group-buying web companies, WagJag and Jaunt, reveals that 48 per cent of respondents are strapped for gift ideas as shoppers head into the final holiday push. The survey also shows that many are dreading the less than ideal holiday gifts they receive from those who don't know what to get them. Nearly half of the respondents admit that re-gifting is part of their holiday shopping. "With December here, many Canadians are feeling the pressure of finding a thoughtful gift with (the) `wow' factor, and now more than ever we're looking to stretch our dollar to make it happen," said Cheryl MacLean, head of marketing at Torstar Digital. "2011 is shaping up as the year of the `barganista' holidays. "Recent reports from Canadian financial institutions and industry watch-groups indicate that Canadians plan to spend less on holiday gifts this year compared with last year -- but our new survey shows that although budgets may be smaller we're still hoping to bring joy to friends and family with thoughtful gifts," she added. Good and bad gifts by the numbers: · 70 per cent of respondents who plan on spending less on gifts this holiday season say it's because they have less money to spend. · 48 per cent of respondents are short of gift ideas for those on their holiday list this year. · 44 per cent of respondents have received what they consider to be a terrible holiday gift -- the same percentage are `re-gifters'. · 47 per cent of respondents would prefer money than a bad gift. · More than 40 per cent of respondents prefer nothing or just well wishes to a bad gift. · 34 per cent of respondents put a gift certificate on the top of their list so they can do their own shopping. From now until Christmas Day, every purchase made through WagJag and Jaunt enters customers into the What You Buy contest. The grand prizewinner receives the value of f WagJag deals they purchased during the contest. Each gift voucher bought during the contest provides a new entry, providing consumers with the biggest holiday gift list with more chances to win the cash value of their purchases. Full contest rules are available at www. wagjag.com/holidayshoppe. Happy Holidays from FOREST GROVE PRESCHOOL ACADEMY OF ARTS & TECHNOLOGY · Preschool r & Kindergarten · Before r and After School · March r Break r Program r HANDS ON! The child enters the room. He/she explores the science project. Which leads to story writing. Which leads to painting a picture about it. Which leads to some 3 dimensional representation of that work. Which leads to making up a song and inquiry how to say it in French. NOW THAT'S EXCITING! We Are Different! · Transportation to and from local schools · Flexible to individuals needs · One of a kind learning environment y science, fine arts, music & drama · Exposure to modern technology, West Oak Trails Transportation to and from: Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, West Oak Public, St. Joan of Arc, Emily Carr & Forest Trail Glen Abbey Woods 2275 West Oak Trail Blvd. 905-827-3085 apodgorska@hotmail.com www.forestgrove.ca