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A White House Christmas

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 4, 2004

	HGTV
	Joan Steffend
	[Times photo: Patty Yablonski]
	Color Brite disposable gloves

Visit the White House at 8 p.m. Tuesday when HGTV goes to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to view the Christmas decorations. Joan Steffend, above, hosts the special, in which the White House chief usher, pastry chef and florist show how they'll make the place merry and bright for the Bush family.

Calling all bargain hunters

Are you one of those shoppers who's waiting at the stores when the doors open on Dec. 26? Is it you who scoops up the cards, wrapping paper and decorations for next year? We'd like to hear from you about why you do it, and hope you'll share some shopping tips for other day-after-Christmas bargain hunters. Send an e-mail to floridian@sptimes.com put "Dec. 26 shopper" in the subject line and give us your name and daytime phone number.

As you gird yourself for mall combat this weekend, think of this: Jewelry stores do 24 percent of their annual business in December, the National Retail Federation reports. Americans are expected to spend $219.9-billion this holiday season. That's up 4.5 percent from last year. Home-related merchandise, consumer electronics and clothing are expected to do well, so check your list and see how you stack up against national trends.

Okay, you have to scrub the toilet and the tub, or do chores that are hard on the hands. Bring on the rubber gloves, but do they have to make you look like the detectives at a crime scene on Law and Order? New from Spontex: Color Brite disposable latex gloves in pink, purple and blue, or in vinyl in pink, blue and green. Suggested retail price is $1.99 for a dozen pairs; they're at Albertsons and Kash n' Karry. Cleaning tips, quizzes and coloring pages for the kids are at www.spontexusa.com

[Last modified December 3, 2004, 09:07:06]