Things To Do In SW Florida

Do you have a bird or Florida nature lover on your holiday list? Check out this online Oviedo store, which offers field guide-style art prints featuring birds and wildlife from the Sunshine State. Or how about a tale of an adventurous canine visiting an ice cream shop for children who like reading (or being read to)? And don’t forget your friends who are into customized gifts such as charcuterie boards, wine stoppers and wooden Santa cookie trays.

Kate Dolamore Art

Florida native Kate Dolamore is a watercolor nature artist who is best known for her field guide-style art prints, which started with backyard birds of Florida and have since grown to include butterflies, land mammals, marine mammals, freshwater fish, wildflowers, diurnal raptors and owls. She also sells stickers, ornaments, apparel, accessories and home goods featuring the flora and fauna of the Sunshine State.

“I’m a Florida native and not only do I paint things found in nature, but I spend all my free time there studying the animals, plants, and insects that inspire my art,” she says. “Florida is one of the most biodiverse states in the U.S., so I am constantly learning and never bored.” read more

Forward/Slash Private Tasting Experience: Learning is intoxicating

Give the gift of interactive learning to your spirit-centric loved one with a private tasting experience at Winter Park’s Forward/Slash Distillery. Here, you’ll journey into the art of whiskey blending for a two-hour class that’s available for groups as small as 2 ($75 per person) and up to 10 ($60 per person). The more attendees, the less expensive the class.

Each adventure begins with a welcome cocktail at the intimate front-of-house Forward/Slash bar and includes a guided tour of the distillery and a tasting flight. Throughout the experience, you’ll learn what it takes to blend unique bottles like the ones you’ll find here (which, by the way, are also available for purchase. Cocktails and merch, too!

The classes have proven so popular, in fact, that F/S has added some spin-off varieties, including Bonsai & Bourbon (a monthly bonsai-pruning class that pairs with bourbon), Cookies & Cocktails (previously hosted by the local cookie monsters at Phat Ash Bakes — cookies are paired with cocktails) and Whiskey & Cheese (a tasting class led by the distillery pros and the experts at Simply Cheese). Coming in Spring 2025: Olive Oil & Whiskey. read more

DENVER — For years, Airbnb gave travelers access to reasonably priced, home-like stays. From staying in a Victorian home to a charming downtown loft, users of the popular short-term rental app were loyal and happy to shun corporate-owned chain hotels.

Airbnb offers a diverse range of accommodations in Denver with over 1,000 active listings. And Denver was listed as part of Airbnb’s top 10 U.S. cities with the most adventurous travelers in 2023. Tied for third among Houston and Atlanta, Airbnb guests from Denver visited nearly 80% of counties in the U.S.

But many users have begun to grapple with the shifting economics of short-term rentals. The cost of an Airbnb has increased so much that in many cases it’s no longer a cheaper option than a hotel.

Airbnb users like New York resident Jack Hahne, said the cost and experience of a stay is not what it used to be as he recently completed a solo road trip across the U.S.

“For a lot of the cases, either the price was about the same, maybe a little cheaper, but just wasn’t as convenient as like a hotel would be in terms of flexibility of like check-in times,” he said. read more

Don Lindich | Tribune News Service

Home entertainment holiday specials: These offers are readily available, not a “limited quantity doorbuster.” I do not know how long the various promotions run, but the industry buzz is we will see repeats between now and Christmas so if you miss the deal first time around, keep checking. There is a good chance you will see it offered again.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, $32.99: Normally $59.99, this streaming device is practically an entire entertainment system. In addition to streaming apps, it has an AI art mode that generates unique art by voice command. It also supports Xbox Live, so you can play Xbox games without buying an expensive console. Just add an Xbox controller, subscribe to the service and enjoy. amazon.com

Apple 10.2-inch iPad, $199: The ninth-generation iPad is older but still works well. It is reduced from the $329 MSRP. apple.com

Cambridge Audio AXN10/MXN10 Network Players, $399: A network player connects directly to the internet to play music and internet radio from streaming sources. They are a must-have for anyone with a component audio system, and these two players from Cambridge are best-in-class with their exquisite construction, fine sound quality and easy-to-use, comprehensive StreamMagic app. Reduced from the introductory price of $599. cambridgeaudio.com read more

By Sharon Rhodes

Thoughtful gifts for friends and family are a Christmas tradition, showing loved ones that you’re thinking of them this holiday season. But a long shopping list can be pricey. If you are concerned about the cost of Christmas presents this year, these ideas will help you get gifts for everyone on your list on a budget.

Christmas is a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy good food and experience holiday traditions, but gift giving is also a central part of the season. Gifts for family and friends are standard in many families, but your Christmas gift list might also include in-laws, coworkers, neighbors, children’s teachers, delivery people and more.

Investopedia estimates that holiday retail spending, including gifts, will be at least $980 billion in 2024, setting a new record. With expanding gift lists and recent inflation, the amount of money expected to be spent on Christmas presents can put pressure on your budget.

A little creative thinking can help you finish your holiday shopping list without breaking the bank. While food gifts are ideal for a DIY gift, there are a variety of other ways to give low-cost gifts that are anything but cheap. From gifts of service to tasteful regifting, use these five tips for affordable gifts as inspiration for this year’s Christmas presents. read more