PAGE TWO THE DRYDEN OBSERVER - GIFT GUIDE Greeting from the Dryden District Chamber of Commerce The Dryden and District Chamber of Commerce Invites You to Shop Dryden! Dryden's retail businesses have many great gift ideas for whatever your Christmas needs may be. Many of our businesses are extending their hours, for your shopping convenience. On your next visit to Dryden, We welcome you to stop by the Dryden & District Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Centre. We are located on Hwy 17, across from IGA, and are the home of Max the Moose. Happy Holidays Jamie Gould, Chairman Dryden & District Chamber of Commerce "and w i 103-60%9 .. Mon. - Fri. 8:00 2.m. - 5:30 p.m. {329 Government Street, Dryden Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ¢ Sun. boa Gifts of books offer better value and create special WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2008 holiday memories During the month of December, Canadians spend more than any other month of the year, according to Statis- tics Canada. This time last year, retail spending reached $35.1 billion dollars. And it is logical that a high percentage of those dollars are spent on gifts. everything from ties to train sets. There's no doubt that selecting the right gift for a friend or member of the family one that is thoughtful, and will be truly enjoyed can be tricky, even downright difficult at times, says Colleen O'Neill, executive director of the Cana- dian Publishers' Council (CPC). The beauty of books is there is . a size and style for everyone on your list, and it shows there was thought and consideration Simmering P | Home Spray & Reed Diffusers put into the decision. Books have long been a popular gift item, increasingly so in recent years. From 2003- 2007, 36 per cent more Cana- dians reported purchasing at least one book during the hol- iday season and there was a 16 per cent increase in the number of shoppers who pur- chased three or more books at a time. : Not only are more Canadi- ans buying books than ever before, we're also buying more books at each purchase, says Ms. O'Neill. Research shows nearly a quarter of us are pur- chasing two to five books each month, which translates to between 14 million and 36 million books . and at least as many opportunities to learn, laugh, and be entertained. The Soe s of Christmas Potpourri Simmering Oil Candles & More Boffo Home & Cottage 14 King St. Dryden 223-8422 Research conducted by SECOR Consulting on behalf of CPC also shows women are the largest purchasing group, and fiction is the most popular genre; science fiction, history, children's books, and home and garden round out the top five. Most book purchases are made at national book chains, followed by non-chain book- stores and general retailers. * Whatever the reason for purchasing a book, half of all Canadians agree books offer better value than other forms of entertainment. And, while'a third of people report buying books as gifts, books for per sonal use remain the most popular reason for purchase. Just as the holiday seasgn evokes special nenoroll traditions and time spent family, books carry similar kinds of memories from curl- ing up with a parent or grand- parent to read a favourite bed: time story, to pouring over an atlas and discovering a new part of the world we didnt know existed. Giving the gift of a book will help create these memories for years to come. Visit www. pubcouncil.ca for more information on the Cana- dian Publishers' Council. - News Canada GET 10% OF our scent of the mo HOLIDAY MEMORIES Also available: * Hand poured scented candles * Candle accessories Air Fresheners . Home fragrance products 31B King st, Dryden Ph. 223-2526 ow homestylecandle com . Hwy 17 -- 20 km west of Dryden 807-755-5231 Come out for a Conny Christmas Eglis "Sees Farm One Day Only -- Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 8 a.m.-5 p.m.